Chapter 5 First Lonely Night
The skeleton holding the torch was nothing more than a scrawny butler with bony hands. At least, that was the conclusion Oscar reached as he observed him under the light of the chandelier in the entrance hall.
Raindrops streamed from their soaked clothes, pooling into the massive carpet that led up to an even more massive staircase. The air was warmer inside—though not by much. Oscar took in his surroundings. The interior was decorated as one might expect of a castle, though far less lavish than the palace of Eau-Claire. The chandelier struggled to illuminate every shadowed corner, casting a dull glow over the hall and lending the place an unsettling atmosphere. Oscar shivered.
The butler delicately wiped his glasses before bowing deeply.
“My Lord, I hope you had a pleasant journey. On behalf of the entire staff of Mulberry Castle, I wish you a warm welcome.”
At his words, every servant bowed in perfect unison.
Impressive.
Still bent forward, the butler continued,
“My name is Henry Brennan. I am the majordomo of the castle. I oversee both the staff and the castle’s resources. Should you encounter the slightest inconvenience, please do not hesitate to inform us. We wish for you to feel perfectly at ease.”
Oscar kept surveying the hall before turning his gaze back to the gaunt man.
“Please, rise, Brennan. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
As Henry straightened, the young lord gestured toward Abélie.
“This is one of my most trusted servants. I hope she will learn much among you and your staff.”
Henry nodded. His sharp gaze, partially hidden behind his glasses, travelled over Abélie from head to toe. It was impossible to tell what he thought of her.
“We shall integrate her promptly.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Oscar thought he caught a pleased expression on the young woman’s lips. And to think she had found the place sinister only moments earlier.
Oscar then looked around once more, his heart pounding.
“And it would be discourteous of me not to greet the lady of the house,” he remarked.
A brief silence followed. Henry adjusted his glasses, though they were already straight.
“I fear Her Grace is not presently at the castle. She had matters to attend to in a small village within the duchy. She will join you tomorrow without fail."
"For the dinner," he then added.
Oscar felt a slight tightening in his chest.
“Is that so? I would have thought the Duchess would wish to welcome her future husband herself,” he commented sharply.
“She offers her apologies for her absence,” Henry replied simply, unfazed.
Oscar relented. Under Henry’s silent yet efficient direction, the servants carried the young man’s luggage upstairs. Günther had vanished alongside a diminutive man encased in armour far too large for him. As for Abélie, she had no choice but to join her new colleagues—and she seemed delighted.
And so Oscar was left alone with Henry.
“May I show you to your chambers?” the majordomo asked. “I shall then guide you to the dining hall, where you may enjoy a warm meal. Coming from the South, you must find the cold of our lands somewhat uncomfortable.”
“One gets used to it,” Oscar replied flatly, motioning for him to lead the way.
Henry complied, Oscar following close behind.
They climbed the stone staircase—twice—reaching the second floor. On either side stretched corridors lined with long carpets and portraits.
Probably meant to keep out the cold, Oscar thought.
Henry walked at a steady yet unhurried pace, forcing Oscar to adjust to his rhythm. They turned a corner of the manor and finally stopped between two portraits of stern-looking figures. Henry gestured toward a large double door.
“Your chambers, sir.”
Oscar stared at the door longer than he had stared at the castle gates themselves. An intimate space, sealing his fate. He pushed the doors open.
Inside lay a spacious antechamber, furnished with a sofa and a small table. The fire in the hearth burned erratically, as though shaken by a perpetual draught. Henry followed Oscar at a more measured pace, as if careful not to intrude upon his space. How thoughtful of him.
“Your bedroom lies just beyond, and you will also find an adjoining washroom.”
Oscar nodded, concealing the turmoil within.
“And… a study?”
“There is no study adjoining your chambers, but Madam instructed me to provide you with one should you wish for one. I shall show it to you tomorrow, when the sunlight grants us a little more clarity, if that suits you.”
“That will be fine,” he replied evenly.
“Please, take all the time you need to settle in. A maid will escort you to the dining hall afterwards.”
Without answering, Oscar simply passed through into the bedroom.
The room was even larger than the antechamber. A massive fireplace burned with a lively flame, warming the space pleasantly.
His belongings had already been brought up. Though the servants had offered to unpack them, Oscar had refused. He wished to take his time. This careful arrangement allowed him to fully grasp his new reality. Shedding his damp sweater, he donned a warmer jacket prepared for the occasion. When he left his chambers, as Henry had promised, a maid was waiting for him.
Silently and with ease, she guided him to the dining hall.
Similar to the one at Eau-Claire—save for the thick stone walls and the rain beating against the heavy windows—the dining hall of Mulberry Castle was long. Ridiculously long, especially for one man alone. Two servants stood near a door—presumably the kitchens—ready to serve dinner. All of this, for him. Back home, Andreus preferred to dine in his study, surrounded by his precious paperwork.
A pang of sadness washed over Oscar as he sat in one of the imposing chairs. For the first time in many years, he missed his father. Or perhaps he missed him more than ever.
The meal was delicious—far richer than what he was accustomed to at Eau-Claire. In a way, it was comforting.
It did nothing to dispel the unease lingering in the empty, silent hall, but at least it brought warmth.
Afterwards, it was in that very same heavy silence that he returned to his chambers.
Curled beneath the covers in the vast bedroom, only the fire crackled. The rain had ceased. Now that night had fully settled, Oscar caught a faint scent of cedar—it was… different from home.
He closed his eyes.