Fables of La Source ✓

Nocturnal confessions

In a valley enveloped in mystery and grandeur stood an ancestral château, like a gem set in the landscape. This imposing edifice embodied the very essence of opulence and French refinement.

The façade of the manor, built of warm-toned ashlar stone, was adorned with mullioned windows and delicately wrought wrought-iron balconies. Marble statues, depicting mythological figures, stood in niches, adding an air of mystery and elegance to the architectural ensemble. The heavy solid wooden doors, inlaid with intricate ironwork, opened into a world of sumptuousness and refinement.

Inside, the château revealed its treasures of yesteryear. Upon entering the grand hall, one's gaze was immediately drawn to a majestic dark wooden staircase, its carved banister leading to the upper floors. The floor, paved with black and white marble, created a sophisticated chessboard pattern that resonated under the footsteps of visitors. Flemish tapestries, depicting hunting scenes and royal feasts, adorned the walls, adding color and history to the space.

The reception rooms, adorned with flamboyant tapestries and glittering chandeliers, followed one after another. The salons, vast and luminous, were furnished with impeccable taste. Enhanced by fireplaces and sumptuous furniture, they invited contemplation and meditation, traversing the kitchens and vestibules. Mahogany and walnut furniture, richly carved and gilded, stood upon Persian rugs with intricate patterns. Grand crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, shimmering light that danced upon gilded mirrors and masterful paintings hung on the walls. The monumental marble fireplaces housed crackling fires that warmed the atmosphere, inviting relaxation and conversation.

Conversely, on the upper floor, bedrooms with majestic hues faced each corridor, interconnected yet also linked to imposing bathrooms with gleaming tiles and immaculate cleanliness. These luxurious and soothing spaces were adorned with heavy silk draperies and canopied beds covered in delicate embroidery. The walls were decorated with finely crafted wooden panels and portraits of ancestors, their stern yet benevolent gazes seemingly watching over the premises. Every detail, from the marquetry dressers to the silver candelabras, bore testament to meticulous care and discreet wealth.

An office, situated in the east with immense windows, basked in the warmth and gentle light of the sun. The most splendid sight, however, was to the west, slightly detached from the rest of the residence: the library. The grandest and most spacious room offered its guests a magical vision of books arranged on shelves that seemed to line every wall. Not a speck of dust or dirt could be found; this room was the château's jewel. Thanks to its enormous windows, sunlight poured in, enveloping the space in a gentle warmth. Terrestrial globes and navigational instruments adorned the corners, reflecting the occupant's curious and adventurous spirit. Comfortable olive-green velvet armchairs were positioned near the windows, offering breathtaking views of distant hills and gardens.

The gardens surrounding the château presented an enchanting spectacle. Shaded paths meandered between flower beds where roses and dahlias bloomed, while fountains murmured softly their secrets of crystalline water. In the distance, vineyards and golden fields extended as far as the eye could see, silent witnesses to the prosperity of this noble abode.

Night had then cloaked the mansion in darkness, with only the moon's reflection discernible in the marshes' waters. Its solitary light was sufficient to illuminate the darkest corners with a soft, soothing glow. Thus, within the château, another source of light was visible through its windows, revealing the flicker of a candle's flame.

"Célestin?", called a sudden voice.

This call surprised the other person, who looked up from a parchment covered in elegant, refined writing.

"What on earth are you doing in the middle of the night?", his interlocutor resumed, having interrupted him.

Célestin hesitated, visibly embarrassed by his confession, before sighing deeply.