Following Sir Thomas, she entered the majestic hall. Her gaze fell upon the wide staircase and the magnificent stained-glass window towering two stories above her. The walls were adorned with antique paintings, blending seamlessly into the interior. An atmosphere of luxury and meticulous attention to detail hung in the air. Her eyes wandered around the room, imbued with a sense of reverence for the breathtaking beauty of the place, where each element seemed to immerse her in the atmosphere of the past.

"How lucky I am to simply find myself here and touch something unique and irreplaceable, accessible only to the chosen ones," she mused, lowering her head and meeting the man's gaze.

"Now I understand why you needed a person with knowledge of art," she said with a slight smirk. The same reverent harmony reflected in his eyes as she felt.

"Please, follow me," said the butler, leading her to the east wing. Passing through long corridors, Thomas guided her on a tour of the part of the house where she would be working.

This time, Maria focused on the butler's words, trying not to miss any details. It took a long time before they completed the tour of the wing. They had to head towards the building where the staff resided.

"Here will be your room," he said, knocking on the door and entering after making sure no one was inside. Maria followed him and found herself in a small but cozy room designed for two.

The room was modern, differing from the ancient castle. Bright, contemporary paintings adorned the walls, and the soft light of the ceiling chandelier created a comfortable atmosphere. Two comfortable beds stood side by side, a writing desk and chair were arranged in the corner, and a large mirror reflected the space, creating a sense of additional roominess. Two wardrobes offered enough storage space.

"You will be staying with Miss Isabella. I tried to choose a roommate close to your age for your comfort," announced the butler.

"Thank you, Sir Thomas, for your care. You are very attentive," replied Maria, showering him with a sincere smile.

"Well, not bad," she said with satisfaction, heading towards the exit. The driver was already waiting for her outside, courteously opening the door when he saw her.

Approaching him, she extended her hand with a smile. "I'm Maria, although you already know. And what's your name?"

"Matthew," he replied with a slight smile, shaking her hand in response. She got into the car, and they set off.

"How right would it be to ask him about this place? Probably not worth it. At least... for now," she thought to herself, leaving behind the magnificent estate. They remained silent throughout the journey, and as they approached the house, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Just not this!"