"Miss Alina?"
She turned at the voice.
A tall woman in a simple charcoal dress stood beside the path. Her black hair was neatly tied back, and her tone was calm, almost formal.
"I'm Mira. The Head Maid. Lord Dante asked me to show you your room."
Alina nodded quickly. "Yes… thank you."
Mira turned and walked ahead, her steps precise along the gravel.
Alina followed without a word, her flats crunching softly behind her.
Inside the castle, everything was dimly lit. The walls were painted in dark shades — navy, deep green, muted grays. The floors were wooden, slightly cool underfoot, and every sound seemed louder in the stillness. The furniture was old but well-kept, with velvet chairs and carved desks, oil lamps casting soft flickers of light.
No one else appeared. Just silence, rooms, and long hallways.
"This is your room," Mira said gently, opening a tall door.
Alina stepped inside.
