C3 Lord of the manor

Alice smelled the flowers arranged at the foot of the stairs in giant porcelain vases. Rafa started walking and felt the butler's breath in his ear:

" Go ahead sir, now we all serve you- he didn't need to see her face to confirm the smile he heard in her voice.

" Please follow me." I have specially requested that your grandfather's room be prepared for you. It is the most majestic of all. Don't you remember, sir?"

Rafa ignored the question, he saw the astonishment and fascination in Alice's eyes, but he couldn't imagine anything worse than having to rest his head on the same pillow where his ancestor slept.

"No, we'll sleep in my old room. " he replied authoritatively.

" But sir.... "

" I said no" he said raising his voice.

Alice looks at him in dismay, she had never seen him so despot, nor so angry.

" As you wish. It may not be the same comfort, but it is in perfect condition. As you should know, our maids clean each room daily. This way please"

Gustav was walking down a dimly lit corridor, quickly switching on the lights as he went. While Alice gazed raptly at the portraits hanging on the walls. Each one represented a different individual. All were men with piercing looks, dressed in black, holding the same dagger. She found the weapon curious, and broke away from Rafa, moving closer for a closer look. On the hilt was set a huge Ruby and it had a "C" carved into the silver blade.

" Who else is here?" Rafa asked suspiciously.

Gustav stopped in front of the door and said:

" Well, only the essential servants and the gardener who for the last few years has remained living in the house. Perhaps you remember him. "

- No," he replied dryly.

" I'm sure you do, old Roderick does nothing but talk about you and your mother. He was very close to both of you. Perhaps after he gets some rest he would like to see you. I know he'd be so pleased..." he concluded, opening the door with a mocking laugh.

" I said no! - shouted Rafa "and listen to me well, I don't want to be disturbed under any circumstances, unless it's to solve the blessed matter of the papers. Do you understand me?"

Alice hurried to catch up with them. She did not know where to hide, she felt an unparalleled shame for the way her beloved was treating that man, who had only shown them kindness.

Gustav nodded silently, with the shadow of a smile still on his lips.

" Now you may leave my sight "

The butler disappeared down the corridor and Rafa entered the room sighing. His countenance shed its gruff appearance and took on a more somber, frightened and infinitely sad one. He sat on the bed, covering his face with his hands.

Nothing had changed in that room, it was as if the years had not passed and Rafa felt like a little boy again, vulnerable and lonely in front of the walls that were looming over him, threatening to engulf him.

Alice did not understand the cause of such silent despair. She sat down beside him on the bed and hugged him as tightly as she could, without question. She felt his chest tremble and separating from him, she took his face in her hands. Her eyes were full of tears. She kissed him. Rafa did not dare to look at her. She kissed him again, and again, and again.

The crying slowly faded and he answered with salty kisses that swept him swiftly into a passionate maelstrom, making him forget his reality. His instincts took absolute control of his body and mind. He pounced on Alice and without knowing how, they were soon enveloped in hours of endless pleasure. Their sweaty, tired bodies fell into a deep sleep as night descended on the silent house.

A sharp knock interrupted Alice's slumber. She half-opened her eyes, still half asleep. The darkness was so thick that she could see nothing beyond her own hands. Suddenly she heard it again. She sat up in bed, intrigued and fearful. She felt the sound bounce off the walls of the corridor, as if it were coming from far away. She looked at Rafa, but he was sleeping soundly.

Her curiosity was stronger than fear of the unknown, after all:

"What was the worst that could happen? " she thought.

She got out of bed, dressing herself in the shirt that had become entangled in the sheets. Barefoot and with her hair matted, she went to the door. She opened it slowly, the hallway was now also in darkness. Only a faint glow was visible at the entrance and that seemed to be where the sound came from.

He started on his way, tiptoeing along the corridor. Closer and closer to the light, he discovered that it came from a graceful crystal chandelier, rising from the wall. One of the many that could be seen all along the corridor, placed among the paintings. She heard the sound again, it seemed to come from one of the lower halls, bouncing off the ceiling and reaching her like an insistent whisper.

She paused at the top of the stairs, looking carefully around. The house was almost completely dark, only tender little lights illuminated certain corners. The sound became clearer and Alice began to descend the steps, one by one, unable to control her curiosity.

She seemed to guess in the distance the figure of a tall, thick man, with a thin, long instrument, resembling a cane in one of his hands. He was raising it, and as he dropped it, the sound that had disturbed his sleep was produced.

" Hello? - she tried to get his attention, but got no response.

The cane went up and down, faster and faster. She was already at the foot of the stairs when she saw it moving slowly towards her.

"Hello!" she repeated.

Only the hollow sound of the cane hitting the floor answered her and the shadowy figure continued to move towards her very slowly. Alice felt afraid and swallowed dryly. She looked up the steps she had left behind. The man was now so close that she could see him more clearly. He wore a tall hat, which hid his face, a black suit, such as the men in the paintings wore, and the cane in his hand had a silver handle that reflected the fading light.

Fearful, she began to ascend the stairs, slowly, without turning her back on that strange man. He walked faster, as if he was trying to catch up with her, and she, terrified, turned around and ran. The staff was silent. Alice, at the top of the stairs looked for the shadowy figure, but did not find him. With her breath quickening and a shiver running down her back she stopped under the lamplight. The light made her feel safe.

She was still catching her breath when the protective glow flickered out, condemning her to utter gloom. Her heart was pounding desperately against her chest, and her hands were shaking uncontrollably.

She felt the cane again, as if approaching, ascending the stairs, this time accompanied by a horrifying hissing sound. Alice began to cry. Frightened, she plunged into the darkness of the corridor, trying to escape from what was chasing her. She groped the walls in anguish, trying to find the open door, but she couldn't, and she could already feel the sound behind her, as if it was about to reach her