Hazel's heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird.
The iron gates of the stern's mansion loomed before her, twice her height and cold as the November wind that whipped around her ankles. This was it. she was finally here. At stern's Manor. This wasn't her first time but she still couldn't get enough of the beauty and elegance of this mansion.
Clutching her small, worn suitcase, hazel nervously ringed the bell of the heavy iron gates.
Mr. Brown stepped out like before, This time welcoming her a little warmly. As she walked, the crunch of gravel beneath her cheap shoes seemed deafening in the otherwise eerie silence.
Finally, following the butler she reached the massive front door, its brass knocker gleaming like a malevolent eye. Taking a deep breath, Mr Brown along with Hazel entered the gate that had been opened by the Guards.
As They door swung open with a soft click, revealing a tall, mascular man with a face as sharp as broken glass. "Ms. Hazel?" he inquired, his voice gentle yet cold.
Hazel nodded, shrinking under the man's scrutinizing gaze.
"Come in," he instructed, . "I am kalix Jace thorne. Mr. stern's assistant.
" Mr. stern is away right now, but Mr Brown and myself will you take you through your duties."
The entrance hall was vast and dim, smelling of beeswax and old money. Mr. kalix and Mr. Brown led her through a maze of corridors, each more opulent and intimidating than the last. Finally, they arrived at a large, lavishly furnished room. "This will be your quarters,"
Hazel placed her suitcase on the floor. The room felt warm but dull.
"Now," Mr. kalix said, handling her a sheet of paper from an envelope. "these are the rules you must follow while in the employ of the stern's Manor.
Read them carefully.
Your adherence to these rules is paramount.
"Hazel took the paper, her fingers trembling slightly.
It was typed in a small, precise font, the words seeming to jump out at her:
Rules for Domestic Staff – stern's Manor
* Punctuality: You will be punctual for all duties. A minute late is a transgression. Breakfast service begins at 7:00 am sharp. Be prepared.
* under no circumstances should anything be moved or changed in the master's bedroom. curtains should remain closed at all time and every hour of the day
* Silence: Speak only when spoken to, and then only with the utmost respect. Avoid unnecessary conversation. Mr. Stern values tranquility.
* Invisibility: You are to be seen as little as possible. Use the back staircases and corridors whenever possible. Do not make eye contact with your master unless directly addressed.
* Cleanliness: Cleanliness is next to godliness. The house must be spotless at all times. Dusting, polishing, and vacuuming are to be performed daily, according to the schedule provided. No speck of dust will be tolerated.
* Discretion: You will hear and see things during your employment here. You will speak of nothing. Discretion is not just a virtue; it is a necessity. Any breach of confidentiality will result in immediate dismissal.
* Respect: You will show the utmost respect to your master and higher authority and all other staff members. Addressing everyone by their proper titles is mandatory.
* No Personal intrusion: you must enter the master's room at night under any circumstances.. and should not be seen walking long the master's corridor at night.
* No Visitors: Visitors are not permitted on the premises without prior authorization from Mr. stern.
* Compliance: These rules are
non-negotiable. Any infraction, no matter how small, will be dealt with severely.
* The Sacred Space: The library is the master's alone. Its contents are not for your eyes. Trespassers will face his master's displeasure.
* The Unseen Guest: Should a visitor arrive unannounced, lead them to the parlor but do not linger. Their presence is my concern, not yours.
* The Hour of Rest: Between dawn and dusk, silence must reign. My chambers are not to be disturbed, no matter the urgency.
* No one is allowed to go outside the gates. you will have two days off within the week. and that's just it. your needs will be provided.
* Lastly, there's a blue rose in the garden, under no circumstances shuk anything happen to that rose. you are to care for but but never touch it or harm it in any way.
Hazel's stomach churned. The list felt like a weight pressing down on her, suffocating her. "Are there…any questions?" Mr. thorne asked, his eyes narrowed.
Hazel swallowed, her voice barely a whisper. "No, sir."
Mr. thorne gave a polite smile and a curt nod. "Good. Now, let's begin your training."
As Hazel followed Mr. thorne out of the room, the paper list clutched tightly in her hand, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had just entered a world far removed from her own, a world of polished brass and unspoken rules, where she was less a person and more a shadow, moving silently through the grand, echoing halls of stern's Manor. Her first job had begun, and the weight of the paper list, the weight of expectation, was already heavy on her young shoulders.