Chapter 7 CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 7

For the remainder of the journey, I focused on calming myself.

The car continued gliding down the broad road in complete silence, with only the low hum of the engine accompanying us.

Then, through the thick veil of mist, something slowly came into view.

My breath caught in my throat.

In the distance stood an enormous mansion, rising proudly at the end of the wide roadway like a magnificent fortress hidden deep within the mountain.

Even from where I sat, I could tell it was breathtakingly massive. Its grand silhouette dominated the landscape.

Surrounding the estate were towering iron gates with impossibly tall bars, enclosing the entire property.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from it.

Before we could even reach the mansion's enormous iron gates, they parted down the middle. The car passed through without stopping, rolling smoothly into the vast estate beyond.

Until the vehicle finally came to a stop at the end of a grand stone staircase on the left side of the mansion's entrance.

Sir Luca stepped out first before walking around to my side. He opened the car door for me, and the instant it swung open, a sharp gust of icy air swept over my body.

The cold was so intense that goosebumps immediately prickled across my skin, and an involuntary shiver ran down my spine.

I slowly climbed out of the car and instinctively lifted my head to look at the mansion standing before me.

The sight stole my breath.

It's steep roofs rising proudly against the gloomy sky. Numerous pointed gables lined the massive structure, while several sharp towers reached high into the air, giving the mansion an imposing, almost castle-like appearance.

My gaze drifted toward the highest rooftops, where several black crows circled overhead before perching on the mansion's dark, almost pitch-black roof.

Their harsh cries echoed through the silent estate, sending an unsettling chill through me that had nothing to do with the cold.

Despite its eerie presence, the mansion possessed a haunting beauty that was impossible to ignore.

Thick vines of crimson roses, covered in sharp thorns, crept gracefully across the stone walls.

A dense veil of mist blanketed the entire estate, drifting through the grounds.

It concealed most of the enormous garden from my view, allowing me to see only faint outlines of trees and shrubs in the distance.

The property was so incredibly vast that the thick fog swallowed everything beyond my line of sight.

"I'll take you to the room where you'll be staying," Sir Luca said.

When I turned to look at him, I noticed that he had already picked up my large suitcase. Without another word, he started walking ahead of me toward the grand staircase on the left, which led to the mansion's massive front entrance.

I quickly followed behind him.

The moment we stepped inside the mansion, my lips parted in silent amazement.

The interior was nothing like I had expected.

Black, gold, and deep crimson dominated every corner of the house, blending classic elegance with modern luxury in a way that felt both extravagant and mysterious.

Polished marble floors reflected the warm glow of magnificent crystal chandeliers hanging from the impossibly high ceiling. Intricately carved wooden walls, gilded accents, and antique decorations stood side by side with sleek, modern furnishings, creating a breathtaking harmony between old-world grandeur and contemporary sophistication.

I couldn't stop looking around.

My eyes sparkled with wonder as I admired every detail.

It was strange.

The mansion had looked intimidating from the outside, almost like a place straight out of a nightmare. Yet inside, it felt surprisingly warm and inviting, filling the vast halls with a comforting glow that somehow eased the uneasiness lingering in my chest.

Sir Luca continued leading me through the mansion's endless corridors.

We passed countless hallways, turned through several winding passages, and climbed another flight of stairs. Every corridor looked as luxurious as the last, making it impossible to guess how large the mansion truly was.

I had already lost all sense of direction, convinced that I would never be able to find my way around this place on my own.

Eventually, Sir Luca stopped in front of a tall, closed wooden door decorated with carvings.

Without hesitation, he reached for the brass handle and slowly pushed the door open.

"This will be your room," he informed me politely. "The butler will come by later to discuss your responsibilities and duties here at the mansion."

"Yes, Sir Luca. Thank you very much," I replied politely, giving him a respectful nod.

"I'll leave you here for now," he said. "I'll come back later to check on you. There are still a few things I need to take care of."

"I understand."

With that, Sir Luca offered me one last courteous nod as well before turning around and walking down the hallway.

I reached for the handle of my suitcase and slowly pulled it behind me as I stepped inside.

The moment I crossed the threshold, my eyes widened.

"Wow..."

Warm built-in ceiling lights bathed the room in a soft golden glow, revealing every elegant detail before my eyes. I stood frozen for a moment, completely captivated by the sight.

The room was much larger than I had expected.

To someone like me, it already felt incredibly spacious, almost luxurious. The high ceiling made the room seem even bigger, while the décor gave it a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere.

Against the left wall stood a neatly arranged single bed with crisp white linens tucked perfectly beneath a thick crimson comforter.

At the end of the bed was a stone fireplace.

Across from the bed, another wooden door caught my attention. Judging by its location, I assumed it led to the bathroom.

Out of everything the room had to offer, the one thing that captivated me the most was the balcony at the far end.

The sliding glass door stood wide open, and the thick crimson curtains had already been drawn aside, allowing the misty scenery outside to come into full view.

From where I stood, I could see a blanket of pale fog drifting over the vast estate, swallowing the gardens and distant trees in a veil of white.

Without realizing it, the anxiety that had been clinging to me since I arrived at the mansion slowly faded away.

A genuine smile curved across my lips.

For the first time that day, I felt myself relax.

Unable to resist the peaceful view, I took a few slow steps toward the balcony, eager to feel the cool breeze against my face and admire the estate from above.

Then...

The deafening sound of the bedroom door slamming shut behind me shattered the silence.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

My entire body flinched violently as I gasped.

The sudden crash echoed through the room, bouncing off the walls before fading into an unsettling silence.

For one terrifying moment, it felt as though my heart had forgotten how to beat.

The air caught in my throat.

My breathing became slow and uneven as I stood frozen where I was, unable to bring myself to turn around.

Then an unfamiliar sensation washed over me.

Goosebumps prickled across my legs before creeping higher, crawling over my arms, up the back of my neck, and across my face. Every tiny hair on my body stood on end.

It wasn't the cold that made me shiver.

It was something else.

A deep, instinctive sense of dread settled inside me.

I convinced myself that it had to be nothing more than the wind.

Clinging to that explanation, I swallowed the lump of fear forming in my throat and forced myself to steady my breathing.

Maybe I was just letting my imagination run wild.

Trying to calm myself, I slowly resumed my steps toward the balcony.

But before I could even take another step, my entire body froze.

My eyes widened in sheer horror as I watched the two panels of the sliding glass window slowly slide shut all by themselves.

Then, the thick crimson curtains violently snapped together, completely covering the glass.

My jaw began to tremble uncontrollably.

My heart pounded so violently against my ribcage that I could feel every thunderous beat reverberating through my entire body. It felt as though it was trying to burst out of my chest.

Every instinct screamed at me to run.

Unable to tear my gaze away from the now-covered balcony, I slowly took a step backward.

My legs trembled so badly that they barely obeyed me, threatening to give out beneath my weight with every cautious step I took.

Then...

My breathing came to an abrupt halt once again.

My eyes widened even further as my back collided with something solid.

"I've been waiting for your arrival, human..."