Chapter 3 The Bite

I woke up with a heavy headache. My palms were all sweaty and I couldn't catch my breath. I looked at the window, the sun was beaming, so I assumed it was already morning. I was about to get up the bed when the door swung open. It was Lila.

"Hey, sleepyhead. Today's another day." she casually pulled the curtains to let the sunshine in the four corners of my room.

"W-what happened last night?" I asked, holding my head.

"What do you mean?" she helped me stand up on my feet.

I was a little off balance. And I couldn't remember what exactly happened in the basement. But I knew I was in danger.

"In that dark cellar... I heard an animal. And you were there... you f-found me."

"Trudy, I really don't know what you're talking about. After the party, nothing much happened. Madame Ingrid made us rest early and that's it." Lila looked so confused.

"N-no. The girls locked me up... it was dark and I swear, I heard someone."

"Still impossible, Trudy. Maybe you need to get changed, we have a lot of work to do." she shook her head and left me wondering.

I couldn't believe it that no one's believing me. First, I saw Lord Constantine, fully strong and standing proudly. Then, last night, I heard a terrible unhumane sound in the cellar. I was sure of it! Could it be possible that they are just warping my mind? I'm telling the truth, I know what happened. I'm not out of my mind!

I prepared for another day in the mansion. I fixed the beds of the girls. Washed their feet. Combed their hair. Polished their shoes. And watched them eat breakfast.

"So, new face. Did you like the tour last night? You weren't fired?" Miss Georgina trailed off and laughed. The table echoed with their silly laughters.

My ears rang hearing thoses words. I was right... it really happened. I wasn't hallucinating! Lila and Madame Ingrid were both lying!

"I heard something in the cellar, Miss Georgina..." I confessed, but that just makes her laugh even more.

"You're funny. What did you hear, did you hear yourself because you sound so pathetic right now!"

"I swear... it could be dangerous!"

"Oh, shit! What the hell?!" The girls think I'm crazy so they just made fun of me. I could only hear them giggle and clap in happiness.

No one believes me here. And now, I'm already the mansion's creep and crazy girl. Hours passed and the girls took their lesson which is tea making. I decided to went to the manor's library. It was huge and classic. There were a lot of literature and encyclopedias. I couldn't stop looking at how amazing it is. I need to know what's behind that cellar. I was about to pull one vintage thick book about this mansion's history when I heard a familiar voice. He's sitting by the couch, reading a book.

"It's you, servant girl," It was the history professor, Lorient.

"What made you come here in the library?" he asked, inviting me to sit down with him.

"Listen, uhm, I need to know the manor's history. Do you know when was it founded? And Lord Constantine... when did he become the successor?" My voice is hinted with confusion and panic.

He just gave me a glance, like I was some kind of a scandalous person. "Why do you ask?"

"It's because... I've experienced something strange. Will you explain this mansion's history?" I confessed, hoping that he would be the first person to believe me.

"It was founded in 1688, and was named after the great founder, Constantine Haugen."

"Constantine? Another Constantine?"

"It's been reported that the Lord Constantine and the founder, Constantine Haugen are ancestors. He was named after the founder. The wealth passes on every generation." he explained.

It's been 300 years... it's been so long.

"How long has this manor become a school?"

"To tell you honestly, no one knows..."

But they made this mansion a school so they could find a wife for the Lord Constantine. How many batches are there?

"He is only in his mid-thirty... how come there is no potential wife for an attractive man like him?"

"There will be a crowning ceremony for him. Only 3 ladies will be picked by Lord Constantine. And then... only one brave enough will be his wife."

I gulped and digested the information. It gets creepier and creepier in this mansion. It doesn't make sense! "Is Lord Constantine really sick? Crippled?" I stammered, almost whispering.

But before I even hear his answer, the door swung open, revealing Lila. "There you are. I need your help!"

Lila and Professor Lorient exchanged a strange look. A look that I could not comprehend. Like they're hiding something from me.

"It's nice talking to you, Miss... what was your name again?" Lorient asked and offered his hand.

"I'm Gertrude, call me Trudy."

"Well, I hope my answers satisfied you, Trudy." he saluted and let us head out of the library.

Lila held my arms with quite a grip, "What were you talking about? You were not supposed to ask questions about this mansion, you hear me?" she emphasized, making me more curiouser and curiouser.

"It's about Lord Constantine..." I plainly said.

"You have nothing to know about him." she shook her head and lead me to the kitchen.

"The crowning ceremony is just around the corner. We have bigger things to worry about, Trude."

"You're right. I'm being paranoid," I suppose I should stop thinking about it. Lord Constantine's health. The animal I heard in the cellar. It is just making me feel stupid.

Night has come yet I am still wide awake. I put on my robe and slowly walked away. The gentle cold breeze lingers in the air, making me shiver.

While I was walking along the echoing hallway, I felt I was being watched. I couldn't control my feet from rushing down the spiral staircase... until I reached the door. It creaked open, so the cool wind slapped me, as if it was blowing me away to the old gazebo.

I heard the rustling trees and the crying of the owls. I can also hear the crashing of the waves. The moonlight is full and it's giving light to the surroundings. "What's happening..." my voice trembled as I ask myself.

"Gertrude..." it was a low, enticing voice of a man.

"Who's there?" I shook in fear.

"Don't be afraid." I felt a presence getting close to my direction.

I closed my eyes tight. "This is just a dream. A terrifying dream..." I convinced myself.

"This is not a dream, Gertrude." the echoing voice sounded so deep and low.

I opened my eyes and saw the man. The same man I saw in the window last time. It's Lord Constantine.

"Lord Constantine?" He is towering over me. He looks so pale and furious. His eyes and cunning smile are terrorizing my fragility.

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be real... Lord Constantine is paralyzed. This isn't him. He couldn't do this to me.

"I have waited for 300 years just to find you..." he lingered behind my trembling body, as if he is sniffing my fragrance.

"S-stop it... this isn't real. I'm dreaming..."

He laughed maniacally. "Why won't you see it for yourself. Touch me. Feel me. I am real." he snickered.

I lifted my shaking hand to touch his broad shoulders. I gasped when my hands felt his skin... I could feel his muscles even the way he breathes.

"B-but... w-why... you're sick, you're crippled. There's just no way!" I panicked.

I was caught off guard when his hands snaked around my waist, then he gently placed his mouth on my neck, with his lips kissing my skin.

"W-what are you doing?" I shut my eyes tight.

"Claiming what's mine," he stated and gripped my head.

I screamed in pain when I felt his bite piercing on my skin. My visions are becoming blurry and I can barely feel my feet on the ground.

"A-ahh, stop it, please..." I pleaded between my shaky breaths.

"Now, sleep. You'll be fine tomorrow." is the last thing I heard before I went all knocked up.