Chapter 2
Up until the moment she first boarded the carriage, the sun was shining brightly, but when they arrived in front of the mansion, the sky was cloudy. Faint blue could barely be seen through the gray clouds heavily laden with moisture. Carolyn poked her head out. She saw a mansion with a small mountain resembling a hill behind it. It was a large, elegant building utilizing deep red bricks and decorated in dark blue and white.
‘But it looks quite desolate.’
In the center of the garden in front of the mansion stood a large white fountain, and around its edges, plants were pruned and placed in a structure that looked just like a maze.
‘A maze? Without someone else’s help, I don’t think I could ever find my way out alone.’
Thump.
“Ah!”
Startled by the heavy sound, she turned around to see two men who had closed the iron gates bowing politely. Several carriages were lined up next to the bright yellow carriage she had ridden in. It seemed most of the guests had already arrived.
“I will guide you, Miss Carolyn.”
As if everyone’s roles were clearly divided, someone stood in front of her, and someone else took her luggage and disappeared somewhere. Their smiling expressions were identical, and their actions were similar and disciplined. Feeling a significant sensation, she stepped inside the mansion.
The first-floor hall was decorated with ornaments like pottery and statues, and the second floor was adorned with artworks such as paintings. While Carolyn was fully enjoying the fascinating space, the servant suddenly stopped walking.
“Your luggage has been placed inside. Please relieve the fatigue of your journey for a moment.”
Bowing politely, he smiled the exact same smile as the others and closed the door. Stepping backward, Carolyn plopped down onto the bed prepared for her. It was luxurious, fluffy yet not sinking completely.
“Incredible.”
It felt as if she had arrived in a completely different world. The lavish decorations and the appearance of the mansion reminiscent of a past era. It almost felt as if this place was a gigantic stage set.
“Fascinating.”
She had imagined it would be a splendid mansion since Aiden was a great actor, but it was far larger and more beautiful than she thought. To the point of giving her goosebumps at how picture-perfect it was. Unable to feel it was real, Carolyn pinched her cheeks several times.
Carolyn spent her time unpacking and looking around the room. Before she knew it, a knocking sound came from the door.
“Miss Carolyn, I have come to escort you. The master wishes to see you on the first floor.”
After hastily tidying her hair and clothes, she followed behind the servant and went down the stairs.
‘There are so many rooms.’
Carolyn thought to herself that she shouldn’t get lost among the similar rooms spread out between the two flights of stairs.
Click. Clack.
As her shoes touched the floor, which was smooth enough to reflect a silhouette, a clicking sound could be heard. The enormous yet silent space felt somewhat eerie, but Carolyn consciously shook off the thought. Upon arriving at the hall, eight women, including herself, were seated at a round table. They were all beautiful and lavishly dressed, prompting Carolyn to look down at her own attire once more for no reason.
Are they all Aiden’s fans?
The women were staring into the empty space in front of them while maintaining a surprisingly upright posture. The speed at which they blinked was also uniform, making for a somewhat chilling sight.
“Um, are you okay?”
Was she nervous? The moment she gently touched the hand of the black-haired woman sitting next to her, Carolyn reflexively shrank back. It was cold. And her fingertips instantly thrilled as if static electricity had sparked. To the point where one might mistake it for sparks flying between the two hands. But what was even more surprising was that despite Carolyn’s reaction, the woman showed no change whatsoever.
‘What is this?’
The women’s attitude did not seem intentional. Their bizarrely beautiful appearances also added to their suspiciousness.
‘Strange.’
Just as Carolyn, feeling a strangely goosebump-inducing sensation, was about to stand up and leave this place, Aiden Darebell revealed himself at the top of the stairs in the main hall.
“Ah!”
‘I finally met Aiden!’
Her heart began to pound wildly. Carolyn covered her mouth in joy. It was because she felt like a shout unsuited for this quiet mansion was about to burst out. She couldn’t hold back stamping her feet, and the corners of her eyes felt moist.
‘Uh, but…’
The joy was brief. Carolyn noticed his complexion was dark. His eyes, looking down at the crowd, slowly rolled from side to side. Perhaps because he was in a dark place, there was no light visible in the man’s eyes. In an almost uniquely entirely shaded space where sunlight did not reach well. Standing in a background set up like a stage effect, it seemed as if Aiden was just about to start a play.
‘He lost weight.’
It hadn’t been that long since she saw his last performance, but her actor seemed to have grown much thinner in the meantime. His jawline, which was already sharp, had narrowed even further, and his delicate eyes had sharpened, hinting at sensitivity.
‘Did he suffer emotionally after announcing his retirement? He didn’t retire to find peace?’
Even as the joy and excitement of seeing her beloved bloomed, Carolyn couldn’t hide her concern. Any fan is bound to have these thoughts.
“Thank you sincerely for accepting the invitation to my mansion. I, Aiden Darebell, intend to host you all in commemoration of my retirement to spend a joyous time. During this summer, I hope you will stay here and enjoy yourselves comfortably as if it were your own home.”
A joyous time. Was it because of fatigue? Even as he said those words, Aiden didn’t look particularly elated. His gaze was indifferent, and his voice was calm. However, contrary to his calm voice, the words that followed were significant.
“However, before we begin the summer vacation, there is a matter for which I must briefly seek your consent.”
As he finished speaking and nodded, neat footsteps echoed throughout the hall. The servants, whose presence hadn’t even been noticed, systematically placed down pens, ink, and paper, returning to their places in an instant.
“Consent?”
Just like the letter she received from Aiden, golden words were situated on black paper. What the servants had politely placed on the right side of the paper was a glass pen dipped in the identical golden ink.
“Huh?”
Carolyn, who had slightly raised her head, couldn’t hide her bewilderment at the suddenly changed scenery. The women, who had been stiff like wax figures, moved at a speed unseen until now. Acting so swiftly that it almost left afterimages, they picked up the pens and left their signatures on the paper. It seemed they didn’t even properly read the contents. Did they even blink? The women who moved with formidable swiftness. They returned to their static posture as if they weren’t the same people from just a moment ago.
‘Strange.’
Only Carolyn remained. The gazes of the servants and Aiden were all directed solely at her. Because he was an actor she liked so much and being the center of attention was embarrassing, she thought about signing it quickly, but Carolyn put the pen down and lowered her head to the paper. Whatever required a signature shouldn’t be read roughly. She remembered what her parents had repeatedly told her.
‘Let’s read it.’
[The rules below are matters the guests must familiarize themselves with while staying at the Darebell mansion. Please read them thoroughly and then sign.
First. Your summer vacation is 30 days, one month. You may only leave this place on the exact day that marks one month. It is impossible to leave this place before the 30 days have passed, and it is also impossible to stay here after the 30 days have passed. Guests who find it difficult to fulfill this, please do not sign and depart this place. Second. We do not recommend communicating via letters while in this mansion.
We will deliver incoming and outgoing letters, but before doing so, they will undergo a single review within the mansion to ensure there are no harmful contents. If you must send a letter, do not include private matters. Fourth. Do not step outside your own room after midnight. A servant will visit for the last time at midnight, so please discuss any necessary matters then.
A dress room and bathroom exist within the room, and we will bring necessary items as much as possible, so you must absolutely not step outside the room after midnight. Now, if you have thoroughly read all the preceding clauses, please write your name in the signature field below. Welcome to the Darebell mansion. You will spend an enchanting 30 days with Aiden Darebell.
