The western wing of the Pierce estate was even quieter than the rest of the mansion. Not that the house ever felt truly alive. There were no voices, no footsteps. Just the soft sound of wind slipping through the walls, and the quiet ticking of a clock Aaron couldn't find.
Kain led him down a narrow spiral staircase.
The thick, dark-blue carpet muffled their steps. It stretched ahead of them like a shadow, eating up every sound.
Ancient tapestries lined the walls. They were faded and torn, showing old battles, strange creatures, and crowned figures whose stitched eyes seemed too real.
"You'll sleep here," Kain said, opening a simple wooden door.
Inside, the room was small but clean.
A metal-framed bed stood neatly against one wall. A plain desk faced a narrow window that looked out over the eastern gardens. Everything was tidy. Almost too perfect, as if no one had lived in it for a long time.
Aaron dropped his bag on the bed and looked around the cold room.
"Do other servants live nearby?"
Kain paused before answering. "No. This wing is only for those who work directly under Lord Pierce."
That wasn't very comforting.
"Your job begins at sunrise," Kain continued. "Wake Lord Pierce. Prepare his tea. Black, with one drop of honey. He hates being late, he hates disobedience, and he especially hates dust."
Aaron nodded, trying to take it all in.
"One more thing," Kain added before leaving. "Never enter the western library unless you're called. And no matter what, don't open the blue door at the end of the hall."
Aaron tried to ask why, but the door shut before he could speak.
The silence that followed was deep. Only the wind against the glass broke it.
That night, sleep came in short bursts.
Strange dreams filled his head—voices in hallways, mirrors that didn't show his reflection, and eyes glowing in the dark.
He woke before dawn, sweating, his heart racing.
He didn't know if it was the exhaustion or just the feeling of the place.
He dressed quickly and tried to smooth down his dark-blue hair.
The mansion was still dark, but Aaron remembered Kain's instructions and made his way to the eastern hall.
Finding the kitchen was easier than he expected. The layout of the mansion was strangely balanced.
He found the tea, the honey, and a silver tray. Carefully, he prepared the cup.
Getting it to Lord Pierce's room was harder.
The hallway was dim. Only a few candles lit the way, their flames throwing long shadows on the walls.
Somewhere behind a closed door, Aaron thought he heard breathing. Not sleeping. Just… waiting.
He pushed the feeling aside and knocked.
"Enter," came Lord Pierce's voice.
Aaron opened the door.
The room was large and filled with dark wood. Bookshelves stretched all the way up the walls. A ladder leaned against one of them.
A huge bed sat in the center, surrounded by heavy curtains.
Lord Pierce sat nearby in a chair, reading a letter. He wore a long black coat with a high collar.
"You're on time," he said without looking up. "Good. Most people aren't."
Aaron placed the tea on the table. His hands didn't shake, though the room felt tense.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Lord Pierce raised a hand.
"I don't like conversation in the morning."
Aaron nodded and stepped back.
Lord Pierce took a slow sip of the tea. For a second, his eyes closed, and his expression relaxed.
Then he looked at Aaron again.
Not with anger, but with something else. Curiosity.
"You had a dream last night," he said quietly.
Aaron froze. "How do you know that?"
"This house affects the mind," Pierce said. "Especially people who are more… sensitive."
"I'm not—" Aaron started, but stopped. He didn't know what he was going to say.
Pierce stood and walked toward him. His steps made no sound on the wooden floor.
"The dreams will get stronger. You'll see things you don't understand. Hear things that aren't real."
Aaron swallowed. "Why me?"
Pierce gave a small smile. "Because you're meant to be here."
Before Aaron could ask more, Kain appeared in the doorway.
"Sorry to interrupt," he said. "There's a visitor."
"At this hour?" Pierce asked.
"She says it's urgent. She's from the royal court."
Pierce's expression changed. "Take her to the red salon. Aaron, come with me. You might learn something."
Aaron blinked. "Me?"
"Yes," Pierce said as he walked toward the door. "You're not just a servant anymore."