Valtier Mansion loomed before me like something out of a ghost story.

Beneath the heavy gray sky, thick with the promise of rain, I stood motionless before its towering iron gates. They stretched high above me, cold and unyielding, their intricate design resembling the twisted branches of dead trees. But it was the rust that caught my attention first—deep, reddish-brown stains that had eaten through the metal in places, leaving holes that looked almost like... bite marks. The iron itself seemed to weep, dark streaks trailing down from each joint where the metal had corroded in ways that didn't look natural. Like something had been clawing at it from the inside.

Beyond them, the mansion itself was a shadow against the sky—a fortress of dark stone and gothic carvings that sent a shiver crawling down my spine.

I had only ever heard of this place in hushed whispers, in the kind of stories meant to keep children from wandering too far at night. A house of secrets. A house of monsters.

And now, I was here.

I tightened my grip on the small bag slung over my shoulder, the only piece of my old life I had brought with me. My heart pounded so hard it echoed in my ears.

"You can do this, Lana."

The words barely left my lips, swallowed by the eerie stillness that surrounded me.

The night before, I had packed my belongings—few as they were—preparing to leave behind the village I had known my entire life. It wasn't a choice I had made lightly. My aunt Rosa had worked at Valtier Mansion for years, sending home wages that kept us afloat. Now, with her gone, it was up to me to take her place.

I had thought I was ready.

But as I stood there, staring up at the towering estate before me, a deep and primal instinct stirred in my chest—one that told me to run.

The gate groaned as it slowly creaked open on its own, the sound slicing through the silence like a warning. I swallowed hard, forcing my feet forward.

The moment I stepped inside, the cold air wrapped around me like unseen hands. The gates slammed shut behind me with a resounding clang.

A sense of finality settled over me.

I was inside now.

…

Willowmere Village, the Night Before.

"Cassius Valtier? He's not just a Duke."

My father's voice echoed in my mind, heavy with unease. That night, he had looked at me not as his daughter, but as someone marching toward her own doom. The flickering firelight had cast deep shadows on his face, his weathered features twisted with worry.

"He's infamous for…strange things, Lana. That mansion is no place for anyone to stay."

I had only stared at the dying embers in the hearth, the warmth of the flames failing to reach me. Strange things. The words clung to my skin like the cold wind that crept in through the cracks of our tiny cottage.

"Father," I had murmured, my voice barely steady, "we don't have a choice. Aunt Rosa lived there for years, until her final days. I can do the same."

"But Rosa never came back, not once, even though she kept sending money." His voice turned sharper, edged with frustration and fear. "You know this, Lana. Even the rumors about Duke Valtier are enough to keep people away. They say he hardly ever steps out. Some even claim he's a mons—"

"Even if he's a monster, I'll go."

The words had left my lips before I could stop them, solid and unwavering. I lifted my gaze to meet his, my heart hammering, my determination unshaken. "I'm doing this for Lila and Asdalan. I want them to have a better future. That won't happen if I stay here."

His mouth pressed into a thin line. The fire crackled between us, casting flickering shadows on the walls, distorting his troubled expression. Silence hung heavy in the air. And then, slowly, his shoulders sagged in resignation.

I knew he had no more words left to stop me.

Aunt Rosa had done this for us. Now, it was my turn.

If I couldn't return, at least I could send money. At least I could give my siblings the life they deserved.

But as I stood before the iron gates of Valtier Mansion, my father's final words whispered through my mind like a curse.

"That place is cursed, Lana. If you enter, you may never come out."

*

Arriving at Valtier Mansion

Cassius Valtier.

The name alone was enough to send shivers down my spine, whispered among those who feared the Duke and the secrets lurking within his grand estate. And now, I was here—standing before its massive, iron-wrought doors, my breath visible in the cold night air.

A gust of wind howled through the trees as the doors creaked open, revealing the shadowy depths beyond. A rush of icy air spilled out, wrapping around me like unseen fingers, a silent warning to turn back while I still could.

But I had no choice.

I stepped inside.

The long, dark corridor stretched ahead, lined with towering candelabras. Flames flickered against the stone walls, casting warped, restless shadows that slithered and stretched like something alive. My footsteps echoed against the marble floor, swallowed by the overwhelming silence.

Then, a voice—rough as grinding stone—shattered the quiet.

"You're Lana?"

I turned sharply, my heart nearly leaping out of my chest. An older man stood before me, his features sharp, his eyes assessing. He was dressed in a formal but somber suit, a stark contrast to the flickering candlelight that barely softened his severe presence.

"Yes," I managed, forcing my voice steady. "I'm Rosa's niece. I've come to take her place."

He studied me for a moment before giving a single nod. "I am Albern, the head steward of Valtier Mansion."

Without another word, he turned on his heel and began walking down the corridor, his steps measured and unhurried. I hurried to follow, my eyes darting around, taking in my surroundings.

Everything about the mansion screamed wealth—vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate carvings, enormous gold-framed mirrors stretching along the walls, reflecting flickering candlelight into endless darkness. The paintings—portraits of Valtier ancestors—were the worst. Their eyes seemed to follow me, watching, waiting.

"This mansion is…magnificent," I murmured, more to myself than to him.

Albern didn't slow his pace. "Magnificence often hides darkness," he replied.

My throat tightened.

A cold unease settled deep in my bones.

Minutes passed in silence before Albern finally came to a stop before a grand set of double doors. The intricate carvings on them—roses entwined with sharp thorns—felt almost like a warning. He didn't hesitate as he pushed them open, gesturing for me to step inside.

"The music room," he announced, his tone neutral. "His Grace is expecting you."

I swallowed hard and stepped forward.

The room was vast, lined with towering bookshelves and a grand piano at its center. Heavy velvet drapes covered the massive windows, allowing only the barest sliver of moonlight to spill through. But my attention was immediately stolen by the figure standing near the window, his back turned to me.

Cassius Valtier.

Even in the dim light, I could see the way his tailored black suit fit him perfectly—every detail meticulously in place. His posture was regal, effortless, exuding a presence that felt far too heavy for one person to carry.

Then, he moved.

Slowly, he turned, and the moment our eyes met, the air in my lungs vanished.

Silver.

His eyes weren't just pale—they glowed, like molten metal, unreadable and inhuman. They locked onto me, holding me in place as if he had reached into my very soul and pinned it beneath his unrelenting gaze.

"You're replacing Rosa?" His voice was deep, smooth, yet carrying an edge that sent a shiver down my spine.

My nails dug into my palms so hard I was sure they'd leave marks. The pain was the only thing keeping me from trembling visibly. Every instinct screamed at me to look away, to run, to do anything but stand there under that piercing stare. But I couldn't. Wouldn't. Lila and Asdalan's faces flashed in my mind—thin cheeks, worn clothes, empty plates. I bit down on the inside of my cheek until I tasted copper.

"Yes, Your Grace. I'm Rosa's niece. I promise to do my best."

Silence stretched between us, suffocating and thick. Then, slowly, his lips curved into a faint smile.

But it wasn't warm.

It wasn't kind.

It was the kind of smile one wore when discovering something intriguing. Something they wished to inspect. Something they wished to possess.

"We'll see."

My stomach twisted.

Albern bowed and took his leave, the doors closing behind him with a heavy thud that seemed to echo through my bones. I was alone with him now.

The Duke.

A man feared by many.

A man whose presence made the air feel heavier, colder, as if the mansion itself held its breath in his presence.

His gaze never left me, and I stood frozen beneath it, unable to look away.

I had walked into his domain willingly.

But as the weight of his attention settled over me, suffocating and consuming—I realized something chilling.

I had just stepped into the lion's den.