At Stenwulf House

Chapter 2: Wounded Soul

Chapter 2: Wounded Soul

Henry's face was expressionless as he led Fayre through the house. Red wallpaper covered the walls, and impressionable paintings of scenery and portraits were present. It was enough to capture Fayre's attention, so much so that she barely remembered the way.

"Here is your bedchamber, Miss Fayre."

"Oh... Thank you, sir." She bowed, causing Henry to stiffen beside her.

"Please call me Henry."

"Then... you may call me Fayre. Please. It is quite a lot to take in as it is, Henry. A person as I do not deserve to have any sort of salutation."

Henry's stony expression softened. "As did I the first time I entered this house. You will come to see that Mr. Calden is not like every other Ekel." When Fayre smiled, he returned it, his green eyes sparkling with mirth. "Please, come in."

"Excuse me."

The room she entered was extremely luxurious compared to the room she was given back in Lady Red. Of course, the head of Lady Red took every opportunity to embellish the building with the main aim to make her customers comfortable. It was often an Ekel, sometimes a Mymra, who entered the premise after all. How would they feel if Lady Red lacked the splendour they were used to since young? It would have been bad luck for business.

This room, however, was every inch a homely one. There was a fireplace on one end of the room, and a four-poster bed on the other. The floor was wooden, lacquered to a shine; the walls beige and patterned with gold leaves. As Fayre ran her eyes over them, she could just see little birds flying amidst the nature decoration. A full stretch of windows covered the side with white curtains pulled apart. Fayre could imagine how beautiful this room would be when it was day, with sunlight streaming in, hitting every surface and giving it its ethereal glow.

Finally registering its grandeur, Fayre quickly stepped back. "This... I couldn't possibly..."

"It is on Mr. Calden's instructions that you be given this room, Fayre."

"Does every Kalri in this house own such a room?"

Henry smiled and shook his head. "Our quarters are smaller than this, but still of acceptable size and adequately decorated. You may ask Mr. Calden later. For now, please go in. I will introduce you to the maids who shall attend to you."

And entered she did. They walked through the room with Fayre fidgeting nervously, then through an already opened door into a bathroom, one decorated with white marble. Three women stood in a line to greet them. They all wore cotton dresses similar to her own, but cleaner and better in quality. A full white apron covered their front and back.

As promised, Fayre and the maids were introduced. Martha, it seemed, was who all the other maids answered to. She made the most impression on Fayre. She had a kind face, with beautiful laughing lines on the edges of both eyes, and a pair of brows raised and shaped in a way that made her look like she was jolly all the time. Her wide toothy smile made Fayre give a grin of her own even before the introductions were completed. When Henry was gone, having closed the door behind him, Martha immediately went to her.

As she wrapped her hands with hers, she said, "There, there, Fayre. Don't need to be afraid. You looked like you were being sent to a lion's den when you stepped inside."

"Martha's right. We aren't going to hurt you," said Sharlot, a girl slightly older than she was.

Macey nodded in agreement, her brown locks bobbing with her head. "We can all understand exactly why you feel that way, however, but I've got to say I've never seen someone look as afraid before."