Stepping outside, they walked towards the main house with calm and measured steps. Glancing around, the girl furrowed her brow. She noticed that, apart from the two of them, no one else was heading towards the estate.

"Maybe," she thought, "I don't know something, and everyone is gathering for some meeting, and I'm missing out? I wouldn't want to mess up on my first day of work..."

Feeling a bit nervous, she looked at Matthew.

"And where is everyone else? So many people are coming out of the servants' house, but no one else is going in this direction."

"That's because everyone who serves in the house lives in the mansion."

"Oh, I see," she responded with surprise. "Probably due to the work schedule... But if that's the case, then why am I living in the servants' house?"

"Because you are a temporary employee and..." he abruptly cut off his answer, frowning and clenching his jaws.

Maria understood that she shouldn't continue questioning him about it, as it was something she shouldn't know. To avoid an awkward pause, she asked him, "Since you're a chauffeur and don't work in the main house, you probably live with us. Am I right?" she inquired.

Taking a deep breath, he answered sharply and briefly, "No." His previously soft and calm voice became stern, and the muscles in his face tensed even more, indicating that he no longer wanted to discuss the topic. The girl was slightly surprised; she saw him like this for the first time.

Looking at him, Maria realized that she no longer wanted to discuss anything. Any seemingly harmless question led her to some mysteries and taboos. To avoid further confusion and not hurt anyone's feelings, she decided to remain silent. Lowering her gaze to the ground and tucking her hands deeper into her pockets, she walked the rest of the way in silence.

Approaching the entrance, where she first entered with Thomas, Matthew broke the silence.

"Forgive me for being abrupt. I shouldn't have responded like that..." Regret was evident in his voice and eyes. "There are just topics that..."

"I should apologize," she interrupted him, "I'm still trying to find that line between forbidden and permissible, but I'm not doing well at it." Her cheeks reddened as she spoke.

He looked at her, and his face was once again lit by a warm and gentle smile. "It's normal. We all need time to adjust." With these words, he nodded and added, "I need to go. Until we meet again."

"Goodbye," she said, entering the house and leaving him alone.

Maria took on her first assignment. Moving through the dark corridor, she headed to the far corner of the eastern wing, where a small guest library was located.

Opening the door to the dark room, Maria felt her way to the curtains. Pulling the heavy, dense curtains, she revealed a view of the magnificent terrace.

Curiosity overcame her, and opening the glass door, Maria stepped outside. She approached the stone balustrade, adorned with gargoyles similar to those at the entrance to the estate. An incredible scene unfolded before the girl, and her heart froze at the sight.

The estate stood on the edge of a cliff, towering over the world, and below stretched endless autumn forests. The rays of the rising sun illuminated the treetops, painting them in fiery hues. To Maria, it seemed as if hellish flames were burning beneath the mansion.

Fear and awe welled up within her. Fear of the danger of this place and awe at the landscape that had captivated her.

"How I would love to live in such a place," she whispered quietly. With these thoughts, she left the terrace.