Walking down the small hallway, we pass by a laundry room to our left before exiting through a two-way door, bringing us to a bigger hallway. Assistant Chiron explains that this hallway is the main hall connecting the entire estate. Turning left would bring us to the living room, dining room, kitchen, and grand hall. Connected to the living room is a large library with books on Oston history, Will manipulation development, and some novels. If we went right, it would take us back to the foyer.
For the tour, I was first taken left to be shown all the common rooms I'd be using while living here.
He took me down the hall, passing every door, not even giving them a second glance. He assured me this was on purpose, first taking me to the furthest room, and working our way back.
The northernmost side of the estate had another foyer much like the front foyer, but it was used as a back door. Although one side wasn't innately different from the other. The East end of the foyer held the meeting hall, and the West the grand hall. Assistant Chiron didn't take me into any of the halls, just pointed them out.
Back in the South Main Hall, the closest room was the kitchen. It was standard, if not a little fancy, with a group of servants already at work making a meal.
I probably won't spend much time here with all these cooks.
The room next to the kitchen was the dining room. We entered through the door in the kitchen, cutting through instead of walking back out into the hall and entering from there. There was a grand dining table in the center of the room, with 14 chairs placed around it. The lack of windows was off-putting, not just in the dining room, but the entire estate. Using an abundance of paintings to compensate. Most of outdoor visages to give the room a touch of nature.
Connected to the dining room, opposite the kitchen doors, is the living room. The far wall included a fireplace with multiple sofas encompassing it in a semicircle. The middle of the room had a glass table with a wood composite as a perimeter of the glass and table legs. Surrounding the table were a few more sofas for lounging.
At the wall across the hall doors to the living room was the connecting library, but Assistant Chiron said that I could peruse the selection later.
Exiting the living room doors and back in the hallway, we headed right, back towards the main foyer.
Every room had its charm, each giving off a relaxing presence. The calming tone of the light blue walls and decorations was carefully designed with presentation in mind. No corner was left untouched by the fancy and lavish decorations.
Which was in stark contrast to my house, with only practicality in mind, its size a representation of this fact. Walking up and down the long hall was tedious and time-consuming.
Assistant Chiron gave great importance to introducing myself to the servers we passed. Each interaction ate up the time it took to complete the tour.
Speaking of eating, I have yet to eat breakfast and am starving. "I don't mean to be rude, but how long will this take? I'm really hungry."
Without stopping, he spoke in his usual elegant and respectful voice. "Please have patience, Disciple Rin, this won't take much longer. There will be a large meal ready for you by the time we're done here."
"Large, you say?"
He gives a gentle laugh, just as elegant as his voice. "Indeed. Lord Elgin ensures that every resident of the household is given the proper nutrients every day." He looks at me, grinning. "You'll find it to be quite tasteful."
I can't say why, but for some reason, his smile made me grin ever so slightly.
When we reached the foyer, we found ourselves alone, with the front entrance empty of servants. "Where is everyone?" I ask curiously.
"Having their morning meal. All servants eat together in a dining room exclusively for them."
"Sorry to keep you then, is the dining room a part of this tour? You can pick up something to eat."
"I appreciate the gesture, Disciple Rin; however, that will not be necessary as I have already eaten. To answer your question, no, the dining room is not planned for the tour. The entire northern half of the first floor is set aside for us servants. Equipped with everything we need to live here alongside the Lord's family. That said, if you would like to see all the rooms, that can be arranged."
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, we began to ascend them. "That won't be necessary." I said slowly, my stomach growling.
"As you wish."
Assistant Chiron directed me towards the right-hand side of the steps. "We won't be making our way down the Upper South Wing Hall, as you have already seen that. Just keep in mind that Lord Elgin and Lady Phia's offices are located there."
Lady Phia must be the wife. Noted.
He continued, "If you ascend the stairs left, and continue down the Upper South Main Hall, you'll find the Lord and Lady's room, along with my own. We will not head there, I hope you can understand. Lord Elgin will inform you of house rules later today, during your next meeting."
When we reached the top of the stairs, he stopped to address the directions. "If you head left, down the Upper North Main Hall, and take a right at the Upper North Rear Wing Hall, you'll find Elite Leo's room. We will be heading right, down the Upper North Wing Hall to get you acquainted with your room."
By the Monarchs, why do they give every square inch of this place a name?!
A not-so-quick walk down the Upper North Wing Hall later, and we arrived at my new room. After reviewing the layout of the estate, Assistant Chiron left me alone.
"I will leave you to your devices. Take this time to clean yourself up a bit. Someone will come to retrieve you when Lord Elgin is ready." He bowed before flashing me a bright smile. "I hope you come to enjoy your stay here, Disciple Rin."
"Thank you for the tour, Assistant Chiron." I said as he turned to leave.
I watched him as he made his way back down the hall, before disappearing behind the wall of the Upper Northern Main Hall.
Turning back to my room, I reached for the door handle. The door itself was an uninspired dark brown with no design, but the handle was of the same aesthetic as the walls. It was light blue with sapphire inlaid in a spreading frost design.
Grabbing the handle, I rotated my hand and quickly pushed open the door.
… Which was a foolish thing to do.
As soon as the door swung open, I was hit with the full enchanting force of the bright rising sun.
Squinting my eyes, I made my way to the edge of the window, which was unreasonably far, and closed the blinds. Or, more like… turned the windows off.
I recognized the dial from the Inn I stayed at last night, but the Inn had actual blinds. Here, the window just became darker, or clearer, depending on how much I turned it.
Could be a Shadow Artifact?
I decided to keep them translucent, letting in only a little sunlight. I scanned the walls for a light switch, but couldn't find one. Opting to allow my eyes to adjust to the darkness.
Quickly scanning the room, I familiarized myself with the environment I'll be occupying for the foreseeable future.
From the window, directly to my left, was a nice dark wood desk overlooking the window, currently empty of belongings. In the middle of the right-hand wall was a very large bed, facing the fire pit on the opposite side of the room. On the bed, clothes were already laid out for me to wear.
After the stressful morning, I decided to try my luck with the fireplace again. Maybe this time it'll warm me up if I calm myself enough.
Surrounding the fire pit were three single-seater sofas. Taking a seat on the center one, the fire lit up with the turn of a dial. I made it as big as possible and dragged the sofa closer.
Watching the fire dance behind its caged metal screen, I took some time to take deep, slow breaths. Like meditating, hoping that becoming more in tune with my body will help me with my freezing problem.
It didn't…
In fact, all it did was remind me how bad I smell from two weeks without a shower.
Leaving the fire going, I got up from the chair and went to the bathroom, which was through a door to the left-hand side of my bed, on the opposite end of the room.