Click

The door to my room was now locked fast. Faintly, I could hear the restless whinnying of the horses waiting for me outside.

I looked myself over in the mirror, checking from side to side to ensure my brown jacket sat properly on my frame. In my left hand, I gripped a dark tan suitcase, packed mostly with the clothes and essentials I would need for the journey.

I let out a long, heavy breath. For some reason, every step toward the exit felt leaden. My gaze drifted across the room one last time, taking in the old paintings and the candles arranged neatly atop the antique cabinet in the corner.

Several servants escorted me to the front courtyard. They offered words of encouragement or warm embraces that felt far too much like a final goodbye.

The autumn air carried a sharp chill. Dried leaves littered the grass, while others danced aimlessly through the wind.

Before I climbed into the carriage, I caught sight of someone watching me from a distance. Their expression was indistinct, blurred by the shadows. I couldn't make out their features clearly, as the sunlight was nearly blinding, but I felt certain that person knew me better than most.

Creak

The carriage lurched forward, leaving the sprawling five-hectare mansion far behind. Soon, the only view remaining was the dense forest and the rolling hills. The Dominique estate was not located near the heart of the capital. Instead, it sat deep within a thick wilderness of ancient trees and natural lakes.

I had heard that the Dominique elders preferred the silence, accompanied only by the songs of birds or the occasional wild animal wandering near the grounds. That was why the manor had been built so deep within the woods.

Of course, others whispered a different reason. They said the blood of hunters ran through the family veins, and it was simply more convenient to hunt when the forest was right at their doorstep.

It took half an hour for the silence of the woods to give way to the distant, lively hum of the capital. My journey to the Winston estate would take a full day, as their lands were situated near the border.

There wasn't much to do inside the carriage except read the books I had neglected during my recent mountain of work. Occasionally, I stepped out to buy snacks or local delicacies, hoping for a bit of a new experience to distract from my grumbling stomach.

As the journey continued, a low roll of thunder echoed through the sky. The scent of damp earth filled the air just before a heavy downpour began.

Fortunately, we reached the Winston estate before the rain became truly torrential. 

Their home was not far from the city center. While it lacked the sheer scale of the Dominique mansion, it was far more substantial than the homes of commoners. It boasted a wide courtyard and a family carriage, though the fountain out front looked as if it hadn't functioned in years.

Various flowers were planted along the sides of the house, catching my eye for reasons I couldn't quite name. As I stepped down from the carriage, a servant hurried me inside to escape the thickening rain while others moved to retrieve my luggage.

The weathered wooden doors creaked open. A middle-aged woman stood in the center of the foyer, greeting me with a radiant expression. Deep crinkles formed around her eyes as she offered a wide smile.

"Welcome, sir..."

She trailed off, hesitating, and I realized I should introduce myself.

"Forgive me, let me introduce myself first"

"I am Harrie Smith. I am the tutor sent by Duke Eric Dominique to guide Lady Clairence Winston before her engagement"

The woman looked confused for a moment before a shy, awkward smile touched her lips. 

"Ah, yes. I received word of your arrival in a letter the Duke sent two days ago"

"I am sorry to make you introduce yourself twice" she added sheepishly.

 "As I get older, my memory seems to worsen"

"My name is Liana Winston. I am the mistress of this house and Claire’s mother"

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Countess Winston. It is an honor to receive such a warm welcome" I placed a hand over my chest and bowed, offering the formal greeting due to her rank.

"Oh, goodness. This is hardly a grand welcome for a talented teacher like yourself" Countess Winston signaled a servant to take the brown suitcase I was still holding. Though I felt a brief flash of hesitation, the bag was quickly taken from my hand.

The Countess began to lead me through the house. There wasn't much to see other than old, fading paintings lining the walls. The antique cabinets reminded me strangely of the Dominique estate, yet the atmosphere here was even more hushed and desolate. Every footstep seemed to echo in the emptiness.

As we walked, Countess Winston spoke quietly of the family’s declining fortunes. The business her husband had established years ago had reached a dead end. Count Winston was now drowning in debt. Many of their staff claimed they hadn't been paid in over a year, and the recent reduction in servants was a direct result of their failing finances.

Many of the family's properties had been sold or auctioned off to cover the mounting costs. I watched the Countess’s face turn pale as she discussed the internal struggles she usually hid from other nobles.

I understood the immense pressure she was under. From what I gathered, Count Winston now spent most of his time drinking or gambling, which only worsened their plight rather than easing the burden of their debts.

Before I knew it, we were standing at the door to Clairence Winston’s room.

"One moment" she whispered.

Knock

      Knock

            Knock

"Claire"

"Mr Harrie is here to see you"

"Could you please open the door for him?"

There was only silence. No answer came from within the room. Countess Winston took a steadying breath and knocked again, harder this time.

"Claire"

"I am not in the mood for games"

"Mr Harrie has traveled all the way from the west just for you"

"Open this door right now!"

Dak

     Dak

          Dak 

"CLAIRE!"

Finally, the door began to swing open. A young woman appeared, looking like she was on the cusp of adulthood. Her golden-yellow eyes locked onto mine, burning with a look of pure hatred.

"What is it?"