ℒ𝒶 𝒩𝓊𝒾𝓉 (AMBW)

𝟐 || 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰

(Above: Image of the house)

Having walked for what felt like half and hour in the cold rain, the lantern guided her through the road lined by dark, deciduous stretches of forest. At last, she came across a sign, which advertised a bed and breakfast at the next gate. Taking a right turn onto a paved path, she gazed up onto a large victorian style mansion which lay upon a large and grandiose hilltop, which to her relief, held signs of life and warmth.

Carefully opening the intricately designed, metal, gate she followed the stoney, paved path up the hill, leading to a set of large stone steps. She walked as quickly as she could, almost running; exasperated and so very hungry, she could barely think as her legs moved on their own, but she did happen to notice a gleam of something shiny in one of the windows.

After knocking on the door using the elaborate metal door knocker in the shape of an elk, Analisse was greeted by the sullen expression of an older man, with thinning white hair, and a long, round face who she presumed to be the butler.

With a look of judgment plastered on his face, he asked her in French, "Yes, miss? How can I help you?"

Analisse responded in accordingly by saying, "I would like a room for the night please." She briefly explained her situation, to which the butler responded by saying: "This is a bed and breakfast."

Understanding his insinuation that because she was a 'foreigner' she would not be able to afford her stay, however, though feeling slightly offended, she held her head high up nonetheless. She had certainly encountered much worse. "Yes, I know. That is how I came to find this place, and if you are inquiring about my means of finance, I can ensure you, the bill will be paid in full by tomorrow morning," she said in a composed tone.

"Of course Miss." Looking at her once again, he fully opened the door, letting her into the house.

As the butler, who she learned was called Mr. Karlson, led her through the foyer to a humble sitting room, she took in the dark color scheme of the home, with it's late victorian furnishing, that added to it, a certain unique elegance to it's dark, gothic-like interior design. Analisse seated herself in an armchair while awaiting the butler who had now left her alone in the sitting room.

Her fingers that had become nearly numb in the cold, began to warm as the blazing fire radiated heat. The sitting room, she noticed, seemed, in a way, unusually simple compared to the overall elegant grandeur of the house itself.

A few minutes later the butler returned. "Our patron welcomes you to his estate, and wishes you a pleasant stay. Though our dinner service has unfortunately ended, you may, however, order a dinner tray to be sent your room".

"Yes, well in that case I will have a tray sent to my suite," said Analisse.

"Splendid," he said with a hint of sarcasm, attempting to smile, only to appear even more irritated than before. "Right this way Miss."

As he led her towards the staircase, Analisse spotted what appeared to be an unmistakable glint of light reflecting off the glassy surface of two dark eyes peering down at her from the dimly-lit shadows of the upstairs balcony. As though watching her, Analisse felt the eyes following her movements as she was led up the staircase.

As they approached the top of the staircase balcony, the figure, however, became clearer, appearing to be that of a rather tall man, with a lean yet muscular build, and though very dimly lit, this man had an unmistakable pale complexion, which in a way, made him appear sickly and tired. An eerie chill ran through her.

Clasping her hands in a nervous attempt to calm her rising anxiety, she asked the butler if there were any other guests other than herself staying here tonight. He abruptly stopped. His response: "Miss, we have strict rules here about the privacy and discretion of our guests, and for such reasons I am obliged to not disclose such information."

Analisse was a bit taken aback by the seriousness of his tone. "I understand, but correct me if I am wrong, it is to my understanding that the patron himself lives here, correct?"

"Indeed."

In the long, windowless hallway lined with a mulberry-colored, patterned wallpaper, Mr. Karlson opened the door to her suite. "The patron has provided you with some clothes to sleep in, as I assumed your clothing articles are with the rest of your luggages."

"Thank you."

Analisse admired the simple yet feminine decor of the room, and took a particular interest in the bed that looked especially comfortable and warm after her long journey,

Turning to leave, Mr. Karlson stopped suddenly as though he had forgotten something very important."Oh, and Ms. Beaumont."

"Yes?" she responded taking note of the slight nervous undertone in his voice.

"I would advise that you remain in your room for the rest of the evening," he said as though more of an order than a suggestion. Quickly adding to his previous statement, "as everything you will need, you will conveniently find in your room of course."

"Well... thank you," she replied a bit awkwardly.

Bowing his head slightly, he wished her a pleasant evening and left.

She closed the door and locked it, ready to retire for the evening. A few moments passed before she heard the unmistakable sound of two voices in the hallway speaking quickly at a low volume. One, she recognized was Mr. Karlson, yet the other was unfamiliar. 

The other voice held a tone of seriousness, much more severe than Mr. Karlson's, with an authoritative undertone. And though, Analisse could often care less of the affairs of other's, there was something about this deep and smooth masculine voice that drew her in.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading! Please comment and vote. Much love, Yara♡