The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 38: Inheritance (Part 2)

"Please, this way to the parlour," Chloe bowed her head towards us and gently led us away from the foyer, up the stairs and into an adjacent corridor before opening a door to a very well-furnished room. It screamed rich and for Aria and I who grew up tight on money, it was shocking to see things that looked like they cost more than our entire old apartment.

Chloe gestured for us to sit, "I will return with refreshments."

"Y-yeah," I nodded and gently laid Zen out on one of the couches as Aria sat on the other.

"You know," Aria began, mystified as she looked about the room. "I was joking about staying in the castle, but seriously... wow. People actually live like this?"

"In some places," I could only agree as I sat down beside her. "Let's not let our guard down though."

"I don't know," Aria smiled. "I feel safe here. I was a bit suspicious but when I saw that picture of the girl by the window... those thoughts just went away."

I wasn't sure to be more concerned or less.

We waited for a while, taking in the room's ambiance and the pleasant view we had of the city beyond. Zen slept on the couch, Aria changed her clothes, and I checked her vitals. She seemed fine, unconscious from using too much mana for the first time. It wasn't something unusual and after the Merge there were plenty of people who had taken it too far. Even with the system, players had to get used to the rules of reality as well.

We heard the voice before they entered. "Don't lie Chloe. There are no more guests. You're imagining them just like when you thought you saw a rat." The unknown man's voice sounded exasperated.

"I did see a rat!" Chloe's voice replied clear and energetic. "Shhh if we speak too loudly they'll hear us."

"There's no one to hear us," the man replied and suddenly the door was pushed open. "See...?" He stared at us wide eyed as Aria waved. He paused clearly surprised, even more so than we had been and nodding politely quietly closed the door. A few seconds later he opened it again, expression calm. The man had a light grey hair and dressed in a neat black tail coat. Though he didn't seem old, he most likely was. For all purposes, he looked like a genuine butler. "Welcome guests to the Castle Greer of Elastire. I am Gerald, the butler. How may I be of service this morning?"

"Well," I began while trying to figure him out, "we're a bit lost. We accidently appeared here and would be quite thankful for a way out."

"I see," he tipped his head down slightly in thought. "In that case I will summon the head maid. She will be able to assist you."

"Thank you," I replied curious to how many people were actually here. Gerald marched off slowly at first but broke into a sprint once he believed he was out of sight.

Chloe came in with a trolley and set the table with tea, "I apologise. We haven't had any guests for so long we only have tea."

"That's fine," Aria took the cup and sipped at it. "Wow that really hits the spot. I feel all refreshed."

I purposefully left the tea where it was, "Chloe how many people are there in Elastire? I guess that was your brother and he mentioned the head maid."

"Yes," Chloe smiled. "It's been the three of us for some time now. We keep the city tidy, waiting for the day it is used once more." Her smile grew brighter, clear that she was happy we were present.