Castling Deceit

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟶: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗

•ESTELLE ARZHEL'S POV•

I’m suddenly awakened from my deep slumber by a sharp knock on the door that reverberates through the quiet room. Panic surges through me as I spring up, pressing my back against the headboard of the bed. My heart races, and a wave of anxiety washes over me—what if it's Sir and Ma’am come to take me back to that life I desperately want to escape?

“Estelle? Are you up? It’s me, Arthur. Can you open the door for me?” he calls after a couple of gentle knocks, his voice a familiar comfort in the tense moment.

A sigh of relief escapes my lips as I recognize him. I tentatively step out of bed, my bare feet brushing against the cool hardwood floor, and make my way to the door. I turn the knob and click it open, revealing Arthur standing there with an infectious grin that lights up his face.

“Awww... You look so adorable in Marlow’s clothes!” he exclaims, his eyes sparkling with mischief and admiration.

A blush creeps onto my cheeks at his compliment, warmth flooding in where anxiety once was.

“Anyways,” he continues, his excitement bubbling over, “I’m your tour guide for the day! We’re going to explore this magnificent mansion,” he says, striking a dramatic bow as if to a grand audience.

I can’t help but smile at his antics, the joy in his demeanor pulling me out of my apprehension.

“S-sure,” I stammer, my pulse quickening at the thought of venturing through the sprawling halls of this beautiful place. The anticipation of discovery begins to overshadow my earlier fears, filling me with a sense of adventure.

As we stepped into the foyer of the mansion, my breath caught at the sight of the soaring ceilings and elegant design. The rich, dark wood accents contrasted beautifully with the marble floors, which gleamed in shades of black and grey. Arthur, standing beside me with a wide grin, motioned for me to follow. “Welcome to your new home, Estelle!” he exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious.

We moved into the gigantic living room first, and I was instantly captivated. It felt vast and airy, the walls painted in soft, neutral tones that made the gold and rose gold accents pop. Plush sofas were arranged around a sleek coffee table, inviting us to sink in and stay a while. “This is where we have family gatherings,” Arthur said, his eyes shining with excitement.

Next, we entered the kitchen, and the aroma of something delicious wafted toward us. There, in the midst of it all, was a kind-looking man in his mid-fifties, his gray hair slightly tousled as he worked.

“So Estelle, this is our head chef, Vincent Costa. Mr. Costa, this is my baby sister Estelle” Arthur introduces.

“It's Good to see you back, princess. If you’re hungry at any time, you can always come to me,” he says with a warm and polite smile.

“S-sur-re, M-mr. C-chef” I say with a small smile.

“This is the heart of the home,” Arthur continued, gesturing around the spacious kitchen. “Vincent can whip up anything. We have two dining rooms—come see!” He led me toward the dining rooms, and I was immediately struck by the elegance of the larger one. It had a long, polished table set for at least twelve, surrounded by beautifully upholstered chairs in muted tones. “This is where the whole extended family will gather for holidays and celebrations,” he said, his voice filled with anticipation.

“E-exten-nded f-fam-mily?” I ask, curiously.

"Yeah, we have a massive family, and they all live in their own sprawling mansions that are just a stone's throw away from ours. My dad has four brothers, each of whom is married with a shit ton of kids. It's a lively household, buzzing with energy at family gatherings. Our grandparents currently live with one of our uncles in his fucking gaint mansion. Right now, they are in Italy for some business and to soak up the sun as the younger kids are out of school for the break," he explains with a smile.