Until the Autumn Dusk

Be Our Guest

Arthur (as he insisted I call him because I had nearly begged him to call me Charlotte) led the way down a passageway of white walls and beech floors then up a small staircase, I imagined only Mr. Thorn and guests used. There were plants, artwork, and other sorted decor that mashed up into one blob of rich rustic. My mind couldn't absorb the details. It was abuzz. The panic from earlier rose again.

I'm in the lion's den.

A refined lion's den at least. I could say Mr. Thorn had a lavish taste. The bedroom en suite bathroom was less countryside than what I had seen so far of the manor. White was still ever present yet there was a splash of gray and pale pink throughout the room may it be the fresh cut flowers or found within the designs on the floral wallpaper. It made the bedroom feel larger than it was not that the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the garden space didn't help with that either. Speaking of the ceiling, it was raised and the coffer had intricate flowery designs that matched the ones on the hearth.

It was clear he fancied anything of floriferous design. Everything was light and inviting. Shamefully I'll admit I had thought of the stereotypical Gothic style home where everything was a dark color scheme. This was the total opposite. I couldn't tell if this was pleasing or worrying. Maybe a bit of both. Presumably the desired effect. Make the prey comfortable before the predator pounced.

Before I could soak up more of the room a soft knock and then the sound of someone entering had me turning as quickly as possible. There stood a wisp of a woman in a black modern maid uniform holding a garment bag. Her hair was dark as the night sky with a shimmer of blue in a sleek ponytail. Her whole appearance was polished. She belonged in a fashion magazine, not tending to anyone. The longer my eyes stayed on her the never-ceasing perfection stood out more.

It became unsettling to the point there was no choice but to look away. She was not human which begged the question of if Arthur was other as well. It would make sense a Vampire would have a non-human staff. They could withstand more compared to any mortal.

"My apologies for bothering you, Miss Sommer, while you're settling but I was instructed to lend a hand to get you ready for dinner." She moved with grace to lay the garment bag across the king-sized bed with care. "I'm Morana. I'll be attending to you when Arthur cannot."

"That's not needed," I spoke, the idea of being waited on was not something I could be comfortable with.

"You are a guest of Ashleigh, Miss Sommer. I do understand you took the listing for Mr. Thorn and be that as it may you will be treated as if you were anyone else staying here." Morana declared. No room for Ifs, Ands, or Buts otherwise. It was as Arthur had implied.

With a sigh, I gave my request, "Could you and anyone else call me Charlotte?"

"If it is what you wish then yes." She stepped towards the frosted bathroom door. "If you don't mind follow me to get your bath ready."

And what else was I to do than follow Morana? It was clear that even if I had been leased to aid Mr. Thorn I would have been feted as an invitee than a hireling. There was no reason to swing and miss a third time.

In the bathroom, I was in awe of the setup. It was fit for a luxurious hotel I would never in all my existence be able to afford. Morana was at the vanity tucked in the corner of the considerate-sized room. One half was dedicated to sitting at and getting ready with a plush chair before it. The mirror was built into the arch window to allow whomever to use natural light to obtain the perfect look. Above the other half was a massive mirror Morana quickly showed me that had built-in lights to turn on by the of a hidden button off to the side. She went on to show me the drawers were organized neatly by item containing any possible product I would need. Careful consideration had gone on to ensure that whoever would stay here would have everything they needed to be comfortable.