【𝐀 𝐕𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥】➛𝓑𝓵𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓑𝓾𝓽𝓵𝓮𝓻

5

As she followed behind the white-haired man, more questions popped into her head. He acted as if he knew her yet questioned her name. In the back of her head, she was surprised when he spoke his name. She racked her brain, swearing she heard the name but it simply didn't pair with the face.

With white hair ending right above his shoulder, his snow-white locks held tints of blue and grey, and his clothing was quite luxurious. His tailcoat, from where she walked behind him, she could see embroidery on the back, resembling six wings, three on each side. But the embroidery was in a colour almost matching the white tailcoat only visible in a certain light as he walked. 

Did she even need to mention how her eyes had caught onto the changing colour of his eyes? When she first turned around she swore that they were a brilliant violet, and the pendant on his chest was a matching shade. But within a blink of an eye, pale blue eyes were looking down at her, and the once matching pendant of a wonderful purple now matched with his eyes. No not just the colour, as the pendant itself resembles an iris alike to his.

As she followed him, he led her away from the more crowded streets, leading the way back towards the outskirts, as she didn't run far from the cemetery, which was also on the outskirts of the large city. 

Except this wasn't too close to the cemetery, which she was grateful for.

Eventually, they made it to a large house, nowhere near a manor, but a large house, a very nice one. With a small private drive, it seemed, as well as hedged walls surrounding the home, giving it its own enclosed space. It was also one of the last houses on the outskirts, beyond it was a continuing road leading out of the city, plain green hills behind.

She followed Ash through the open gates, up towards the steps to the large dark oak door.

He opened the door, stepping aside to allow her to walk in first.

Gingerly, she did, keeping on guard at all times as she walked into the atmosphere of a rather cosy yet still luxurious home. The lighting was already on, and the warm lights lit up the room she walked into quite nicely. It appeared to be like some sort of shop.
With a reception table facing the door, and the shelves lined with various objects, nothing correlating. Porcelain dolls, statues, old decorations, even tapestry.

As she turned her head to the side towards the left there was an open walkway, into it she could barely make out a dining table, instantly assuming it to be the dining area and kitchen. Towards the right was a large bookshelf, and around the corner was a set of stairs. Further ahead to the right, she could faintly hear the crackling of what she could easily assume to be a fireplace, 

For an odd reason, she didn't feel so on guard anymore. [Name] turned to the man behind her, the butler in white smiled, walking up to her as he opened his mouth to speak, however, she spoke first.

"Why am I here..?" she asked cautiously, her voice low as she stepped back, her back pressing against the cool edge of the reception table.

"Ah? Was that not your wish?" Ash tilted his head, his tone almost gentle. "You've long sought change, even if the specifics elude you. Fate simply took the liberty of acting on your behalf."

She shook her head, frustration bubbling up. "Stop speaking in riddles! What do you mean, my wish?" Her fingers gripped the table tightly, grounding herself in the face of his cryptic calm.

Ash tapped a gloved finger against his chin, his gaze drifting upward as though sifting through memories. "You are the last of a distant and noble line, My Lady. A line long forgotten by most, but not by fate. Your arrival in London was not a matter of coincidence but of necessity." He leaned slightly closer, his voice softening. "You belong here, even if it feels unfamiliar."

"I didn't ask for this," she snapped, though the words lacked conviction. "I don't even know who you are or why you're pretending to understand me." Deep in her heart, however, she couldn't deny a faint, nagging familiarity.

Ash's eyes locked onto hers, unwavering yet without force. "I am your butler," he said simply, his voice steady. "Appointed to you by circumstance, perhaps, but bound by purpose. My role is not to control or deceive but to ensure your path remains clear."

She frowned, her chest tightening with a mix of unease and reluctant curiosity. "You're saying this is all part of some...plan?"

"Perhaps not a plan," Ash replied with a slight shrug, "but certainly a path. One you were always meant to tread." He gestured slowly to the room around them. "This place is merely the beginning. Where it leads depends on the choices you make from here."

His words stirred something within her, an unsettling but oddly familiar sensation. She wanted to push back, to deny everything he said, but the weight of his calm certainty rooted her in place.

Ash observed her closely, a flicker of confusion crossing his features. "I must admit, your timidity surprises me," he murmured, almost to himself. "The Lady I expected to serve... well, she carries herself with a quiet strength, one that I suspect lies dormant within you. But no matter," he added smoothly, "time reveals all things."

"I don't know if I believe you," she murmured after a moment, her voice laced with doubt. But her grip on the table loosened, and her breathing evened out. Despite her confusion, the knot of fear in her chest had eased.

"Belief is not necessary at this moment," Ash said softly, his blue eyes glinting in the dim light. "What matters is that you're here, and that in time, all will make sense. For now, allow yourself to simply be."

She didn't respond, but her shoulders relaxed slightly as she looked away, letting his words settle over her. She didn't trust him—not fully—but for the first time since she'd fallen into this strange world, she didn't feel entirely alone.

"Allow me to play the role of your loyal guide and servant, and I will ensure your purpose reveals itself," Ash concluded, his voice as calm and steady as ever.