The mansion seemed heavier tonight, as if the walls themselves pressed closer, watching. My mind was restless, tangled with worry over Elara, over Anthony, and over the sharp sting of being ignored at the ceremony.
I found myself wandering aimlessly through the endless halls, drawn by instinct rather than thought. My steps led me to the library—a room I had long noticed but never entered. Its doors were tall, carved from dark wood, and for some reason, tonight they called to me.
Inside, the air was cool and thick with the scent of old paper. Towering shelves loomed on all sides, heavy with books that smelled of dust and secrets. I wandered among them until I sank into a shadowed corner, curling against the polished floorboards. For a long time, I sat quietly, letting the silence settle around me like a cloak.
Then my eyes caught a shelf tucked into the far corner, half-hidden and narrower than the rest. One book leaned forward, black and leather-bound, its cover blank but inviting. A spark of rebellious curiosity urged me to take it.
I opened it, scanning the pages. The illustrations and descriptions were strange—creatures that moved like shadows, beings that struck without warning, entities described as impervious to ordinary weapons. A part of me shivered.
"They can't be defeated with ordinary metals… only silver…" I murmured, the words sounding absurd even to myself.
I closed the book with a laugh, scoffing at my own fear. Of course, it was nonsense. Fiction. Stories written to entertain or frighten. Nothing in this mansion could possibly be anything but human. I tucked the book under my arm and left the library, shaking my head at my own imagination.
The deep toll of the bell rolled through the halls. Midnight. The sound vibrated through the stone floor, echoing up the corridors, and I felt a subtle shift in the air—something unsettled, almost like a warning.
I was about to leave for the ceremony when I saw one of the servants hovering nearby. The girl's hands were folded tightly, her eyes downcast, but when she noticed me, she hesitated, then spoke in a hushed voice.
"Lady Raven… you should remain in your chamber tonight. The master does not like to be disturbed. No one is to leave their rooms until dawn."
I arched an eyebrow and let out a soft laugh, disbelief curling in my chest. "Remain in my chamber? That's absurd."
She dipped her head slightly. "It is the master's wish. You may be punished if you are seen elsewhere."
I scoffed and shook my head. "Punished? For what? Walking the halls? I highly doubt it."
With that, I turned on my heel and returned to the ceremony hall, intending to see for myself. But when I stepped inside, my eyes widened. The hall was empty. Every guest, every servant, had vanished. Chairs sat in perfect rows, untended. Candles flickered faintly, casting long, dancing shadows on the marble floor.
For a moment, I stood frozen, heart thudding. My mind raced. Had they all left because of Anthony? Had he taken Elara somewhere for… the first night? The thought made my stomach twist. My lips pressed into a thin line as I glanced around, the silence pressing in.
Conflicted and uneasy, I left the hall and returned to my chamber. The corridors felt unusually long and quiet. The air smelled faintly of smoke and wax, and I felt a prickling sensation along my spine, as though invisible eyes followed me.
Inside my chamber, I sank into a chair across from the fireplace, staring at the flames. The fire crackled softly, its warmth doing little to chase away the chill in my bones. My thoughts wandered, sharp and bitter.
Invisible. Insignificant. Here I was, breathing, moving, living—but completely unseen. Anthony had ignored me. Elara had captured his attention. Even the servants treated me with a polite distance, a reminder that I did not truly belong.
What was the point of my existence here? Why had my parents sent me to this mansion, only to be a ghost in someone else's life? The firelight danced across the room, and I felt small, trapped by walls that seemed impossibly high, by a fate I had not chosen.
Hours passed in silence. The mansion around me settled into a heavy, oppressive stillness. I stared into the flames, trying to chase away the creeping unease, but it only grew stronger.
Then i heard some strange noises of thudding and crying.
I wanted to flee, to escape, to tell myself it was imagination. But part of me—a curious, defiant part—knew better.
A draft of cold air passed over my neck, making me shiver. The fire flickered violently, shadows twisting and leaping across the walls. I wanted to call out, but my voice caught in my throat. My own fear made me silent.
Something was coming tonight. Something I could not see.