Cursed? 

Hyeon wanted to ask more.

DING, the doorbell chimed. Someone walked in, footsteps heavy.

Turning around, he recognized the newcomer from the video interview months prior. Seeing him through a computer screen didn’t do him justice. His new manager wasn’t exactly Hyeon’s type, but wow. This person’s rusty red hair was pushed back to show his actor-like face and chiseled jawline. Although he wore black reading glasses that spoke business, his gray eyes were bright and prominent.

And Hyeon was a sucker for suits. That dark gray Hugo Boss attire just...

I can’t even.

“Excuse me, I’m Sani Descheeni. Are you possibly Mr...” Sani took out paperwork from his Italian leather briefcase to verify the name. “Hyeon Falken?”

Hyeon jumped forward to shake his hand. “That’s me! Again, I’m so sorry for missing the earlier ferry.”

“Pleasure. I’m sure it won’t happen again,” he greeted, reaching out to return the gesture. His words were laced with passive aggression. So… he was peeved that Hyeon was late.

Hyeon should’ve stayed quiet, but he pointed to Nammi on his shoulder instead. 

“It was sort of her f-fault.” When he was nervous or being confronted, he had a habit of either talking too much or a slight stutter if the pressure was too much. Sometimes both. Like now! “Nammi ended up escaping the hotel room and ate the oatmeal. It freaked out the guests. Someone even almost called animal control when I couldn’t catch her.” 

God, please shut up!

Sani tilted his head to look at Hyeon over the rims of his glasses, which fell to the tip. He pushed them back with a pointer finger, pulling out a fountain pen from the front suit pocket to write some notes. “We need to do some work about your...interesting way of oversharing. Master won’t like it.”

Hyeon’s inner introvert was in utmost pain. It physically hurt. 

Anyone, please yeet me out of here.

“Oh, and please call me Sani. I don’t particularly like the formalities compared to others at Festr Castle. I have a car waiting outside to take us there. Ready to go?” Sani placed the pen back in his pocket. 

What Jack said earlier about Festr Castle still bothered Hyeon. “Er, I heard something that is worrying me.”

Intrigued, Sani asked, “And what about it did you hear?”

“T-the manager claimed he rarely or never sees the people who work there. It’s also… cursed.”

Hyeon said “cursed” with a shy whisper. The word was so ridiculous to say out loud. Nammi purred away in his ear, probably enjoying his awkward agony. He waited for Sani to laugh as soon as he said it.

Instead of finding it amusing, Sani stared at the ocean view outside, thinking.

“Festr Castle has been on this island for a very long time. It’s secretive and difficult to find without someone who knows how to get there. Many rumors and stories have been passed through the generations—some are preposterous, some are closer to the truth.”

Sani looked at Hyeon. “I can promise that your only duties are to serve Master and his needs. Now, it’s getting late and you still have to unpack.”

Hyeon recalled another thing Jack mentioned. “Have you heard of something being called a river monster around here? Or maybe it was the ‘monster of the river’ or something...,” he murmured to himself.

In a darker, serious tone, Sani advised, “Whatever you do, don’t mention any of the names you hear around town in Festr Mansion.”