The first light of dawn pierced through the narrow windows of my quarters, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. My eyes fluttered open, and I immediately regretted it as the events of last night came rushing back. I had barely had time to sit up when the heavy wooden door creaked open, and the sound of deliberate footsteps filled the room.
"Miss Valerie!" The voice was sharp and unmistakable. It was the old maid from last night. She stood at the foot of my bed with her hands on her hips and eyes blazing with disapproval.
"Good morning," I mumbled, trying to sound casual as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.
"Good morning, indeed," she huffed, her grey bun quivering with the force of her words. "What on earth were you thinking, sneaking out into the night like that! I specifically told you not to go out at night! It was a rather specific request” I sighed, pulling the covers up to my chin as if they could shield me from her wrath. "I am sorry. I just… I just needed some air"
"some air?" she looked at me hysterically. “you needed some air, you say?” Her voice was more sterns, revealing irritation and great annoyance. "if you need air at night, you open the damned window! And to make matters worse, the Earl himself saw you!"
“I swear I did not mean for him to see me. I just.. I am sorry” she sighed, looking at me with pity.
“I know you did not mean it, but when I tell you certain rules, it’s for your own good”
She helped me to take my bath even though I had informed her countless times that I could very well take my bath myself. When she was done, she informed me that the Earl had summoned me to his chambers. My heart raced at the prospect. Despite the scolding I'd received that morning, I couldn't shake the curiosity and excitement bubbling within me. What could the Earl want? Did want to scold me for yesterday? Did he find me desirable as his new wife?
It was probably not something special to him since he had several before me, but never the less, it had to be a good thing.
I took a deep breath and followed her through through the grand hallways of the estate. The walls were adorned with portraits of the Earl and other people, their eyes seeming to follow me as I passed. When we reached the Earl's chambers, she gave me a reassuring nod before leaving me at the door.
I knocked gently, but there was no response. I knocked again, slightly louder this time. Still, nothing. Hesitantly, I pushed the door open and peered inside.
The room was grand, with high ceilings and richly decorated furniture. A large desk stood near the window, papers and books scattered across its surface. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow around the room. But there was no sign of the Earl.
“Hello?” I called out softly, but the only answer was the crackling of the fire.
My curiosity got the better of me. I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. I knew I shouldn’t be snooping around the Earl’s private chambers, but I couldn’t help myself. There was something almost magical about the room, and I felt a strange compulsion to explore.
I walked over to the desk, my fingers grazing the edge of the polished wood. The papers scattered across it were covered in neat, precise handwriting. I glanced over them, noting what appeared to be plans for the estate and letters addressed to various important figures.
As I moved around the room, I found a large bookshelf filled with volumes of all kinds. History, literature, science – the Earl's collection was extensive. I pulled out a book at random and flipped through its pages. It was a treatise on astronomy, filled with detailed diagrams of the stars and planets.
Placing the book back on the shelf, I wandered over to a small table by the window. A peculiar object caught my eye – an ornate, brass telescope. It was finely crafted, and its lenses were polished to a gleaming shine. I peered through it, adjusting the focus until the distant landscape outside came into sharp relief.
Just as I was about to turn away, a small, leather-bound journal on the table caught my attention. Unlike the other books, this one seemed more personal. I hesitated for a moment before picking it up and opening it.
The pages were filled with the Earl’s handwriting, but these were not estate plans or letters. They were personal notes, reflections, and musings. My eyes widened as I read a passage about a mysterious meeting he had attended in the dead of night. The details were vague, but it was clear that the Earl was involved in something far more complex than mere estate management.
A sudden noise behind me made me jump. I quickly closed the journal and placed it back on the table, my heart pounding in my chest. I turned to see who had entered, but there was no one there. I must have imagined it.
Still, the sensation of being watched was unnerving. I decided it was best to leave before I got caught.
As I made my way back to the door, I took one last look around the room, my mind racing with the implications of what I had discovered.
Just as I reached for the door handle, it turned on its own. The door swung open, and there stood the Earl, his expression unreadable.
“Miss Valerie,” he said, his voice calm but with a hint of curiosity. “I see you have found your way to my chambers.”
I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. “My lord, I apologize. I knocked, but there was no answer, and I…”
He held up a hand to stop me. “It’s quite alright. I was detained elsewhere. But now that you are here, we can discuss the matter at hand.”
He gestured for me to sit, and I took a seat in one of the plush chairs by the fire. As he settled into his chair opposite me, he looked quite different from the previous night. He looked more vibrant and his expressions were more readable now
Although, it could have just been the effect of the night.
“So, Miss Valerie,” the Earl began, his eyes fixed on mine. “I understand you have a penchant for wandering the estate at night. Perhaps you can enlighten me as to why.”
My heart raced as I prepared to explain myself, knowing that whatever I said next could change everything...
i fell to my knees, my body shaking at the thought of him punishing me, or worse, sending me back Home.
"i .. i dont know what came over me. I just... I was a fool. please my lord, you may punish me as you please"
'or please spare me' i thought as I knelt down, bowing my head.
he is cruel
he is unforgiving
he eats people, that is why they disappear
these thoughts ean through my mind, causing me to shake in fear. hopefully, they were just rumors.
"fine, i would spare you, depending how you behave next. go to your quarters" he said, looking bored out of his mind....
i scrambled out of his quarters, 'my behaviour' I heaved, he was going to meet most perfect wife, cause i definitely was not going back.