Do you believe in vampires? Have you ever thought that they may live in seclusion but they still managed to blend in with humans? That who knows you might have already brushed skins with them, exchanged pleasantries or walked past them.
A fundamental question.
Do you think they exist?
"Malapit na po tayo." pagbibigay-alam ng butler.
Wren didn't even flinch nor did she say something in response. It usually takes 30 minutes to reach their destination. Within those traveling minutes, she often end up thinking of matters of the Eustace estate. Every time na umaalis siya ay nakakalimutan niya ang mga bagay na dapat niyang harapin bilang head ng pamilya at naaalala niya lamang iyon tuwing uuwi siya.
Well, it wasn't long ago that she took the position as the head of the household and even if she don't want to, there's no other choice. Being the only heir to the Eustace estate and the only person present doesn't gave her the opportunity to refuse. Whether she like it or not, she has to take responsibility of running the estate. Nasisiguro niyang sa pagbalik niya ay marami na naman siyang aasikasuhin. Kahit na nando'n ang head butler na naging assistant niya ay may mga bagay pa rin na dapat niyang tingnan. She have to be mindful of things. If she fails to do so, it may lead to bankruptcy.
At the age of nine, she was already taught how to manage the estate. She spent her time reading books and books and books. It was all books. At a young age, she learned how to love the library, found interest in how monarchs ruled their country, and have it destroyed by their own hands. It amuses her that by their stupidity, everything that they've built earnestly have crumbled like a piece of paper.
Well, no matter how stupid it appeared to her, she can't blame them. Everyone makes a decision, and it is bound to have consequences. It only happened that it wasn't the right choice to take.
As the lights slowly appeared on the road, the carriage passed the Autumns Bridge. Trees that are much older than Wren are found along the river. By its name, it is literally what it meant, and it so happened that the bridge is found on its scope. Leaves of yellow and orange often fluttered once the fall season arrives. Hence the name. By now, no such leaves are to be found. After all, autumn is not yet around.
Wren was about to close the curtain when she caught sight of another carriage. She was certain that it came from the estate 'cause no other building was built on the land where her home stood still. Napansin niya ang tingin ng kasama. Nakikita niyang may alam ito sa kung sino man ang nasa loob ng karwahe subalit itinikom nito ang bibig.
Nababasa niya sa mukha ng butler ang pamilyaridad. Panandalian siyang pumikit. She brushed off the questions circling her mind. She'll just ask about it the next day.
--
Wren sighed for the nth time. The moment she came home, there's not even a single hour that she hadn't sighed. When she took a bath, two ladies attended to her which is something she's not used to. Gustuhin niya mang tanggihan ang tulong ng mga ito ay pinili niya nalang na hayaan ang mga ito. After all, it was a part of their job to serve her.
However, she made it clear years ago that they don't have to be so attentive in taking care of her. Wren can take care of herself, but if she continues to insist, it will only seem like she's robbing off the main reason why they're hired.
She didn't voice her concern but slowly, she noticed something. They are all overly attentive to a shocking degree. Especially no'ng nasa opisina siya, napansin niya ang minu-minutong tingin sa kanya ni Heinrich.
Heinrich is a trusted head butler who acts as her assistant and father figure. Just like how the man can recognize her in a sea of people, she knows him very well too. Earlier, while she was busy reading and reorganizing the documents for the workers' salary and the estate's yearly budget, she noticed how Heinrich fixes his glasses. He is uneasy and she doesn't know what's the reason behind it. It was a habit of him she has known as a child.
