The granite path stretched from the grand entrance all the way to the main castle—its square towers and classic design resembling the kind of fortress I had only ever seen in painted illustrations.
To the right stood a smaller keep, tall and rectangular, resting at the edge of a frozen pond whose waters had turned to ice under the biting cold.
To the left, however, rose the most striking sight of all—a towering circular castle perched upon a snowy hill. It resembled an observatory, yet vast and imposing, its snow-covered spires gleaming white against the gray sky. Of all the fortresses within sight, this one soared the highest.
"Welcome, Lady Lillian," came a voice. I turned to see an elderly woman in a long black dress, an embroidered white apron tied neatly around her waist. "I am Anna, head housekeeper of the Clinton family. I serve here at the central castle." She introduced herself with a graceful bow.
One small mercy of being sent here was that our tongues were not so different. At least I could understand her.
"A pleasure to meet you… Mrs. Anna," I replied, hesitantly using the married honorific.
She smiled and nodded. "That is correct—Mrs. will do."
Anna quickly ordered two young maids to carry my luggage. I soon learned my quarters would be at Randes Castle—the circular tower I had first glimpsed from afar.
"This castle is not large," Anna explained as she guided me through its halls. "Its mistress values privacy. The first floor holds the reception hall, the second the bedrooms, and the third is a library and gallery of art."
A red carpet draped the grand staircase at the center, and at its summit hung a portrait—not of the owner nor of her lineage, but of Randes Castle itself.
"Your chamber is the second room on the left wing," Anna said, gesturing politely. "Your belongings are already placed inside. Please, rest as you wish."
"Thank you," I said softly.
"If you require anything, the maids' quarters are by the kitchen. Down the stairs, turn right, and walk to the very end of the hall." She bowed once more before excusing herself back to the central keep.
As for me… I only wished for sleep.
Ssshhhhh…
What was that sound?
I awoke in the unfamiliar bed, blinking against the dim light. For a moment, I had forgotten where I was. Beyond the tall windows stretched the dark night sky. I must have slept for hours. The crystal chandelier glowed faintly, the fireplace crackled warmly, lending comfort to this strange chamber.
But the steady rushing sound did not cease. It drowned even the pop of the firewood.
Lamp in hand—a heavy brass piece adorned with a cherubic Cupid—I moved carefully, each step light as air, following the sound to a door I suspected led to the bath chamber.
The door creaked open.
Inside, a porcelain tub rimmed with gilded edges filled steadily with water from a golden pipe. Beside it, a young maid sat on a wooden chair, her slender hand stirring the steaming water as her gaze remained fixed upon it.
She was beautiful—so much so I thought she had stepped out of a fairy tale.
"Good evening, Lady Lillian."
Even with only a glimpse of her profile, I was struck speechless.
"You're awake, aren't you?"
When she turned fully toward me, the sight stole my breath away. Her face was delicate and refined: arched brows, sharp nose, lips with a natural curve, and dark eyes that shimmered like starlight. A small mole graced her left cheek, only heightening her allure.
"Lady?" she asked gently.
Not even in my homeland's capital had I seen a woman to rival her beauty.
"Lady Lillian?"
"A-ah, yes?!" My heart jolted as she rose gracefully, approaching me with quiet concern. Though her expression remained composed, her eyes betrayed a warmth, a worry that pierced right through me.
"Are you unwell?" she asked softly. "Does your head ache?"
"J-just a little," I admitted, flustered—too embarrassed to confess the truth: that her beauty had unraveled my very senses.
Silence fell, broken only by the rush of water. At last, I gestured toward the golden pipe. "What is that? Why does water flow endlessly like that?"
Her lips curved into a faint smile, never mocking, only patient. She glanced at the pipe. "This is a water conduit. I turn this valve here, and it brings water through the pipes into the bath." She pointed to a round, metal fitting.
"How strange…" I murmured.
"It is not unusual for you to find it unfamiliar," she assured me. "This plumbing system was only installed a month before your arrival." She turned the valve again, and the water ceased its flow.
"I see…"
"Please, test the water, my lady. See if it is warm enough for you."
I dipped my hand into the tub. The heat spread pleasantly across my palm. "It's perfect."
"Then may I suggest you refresh yourself before supper arrives?" she said with quiet poise. "Would you like me to undress you, my lady?"
Undress me? In front of her?
Just the thought made my face burn hotter than the bath itself.
"N-no… no need. I can manage."
"As you wish." She bowed her head, then stepped gracefully from the chamber.
The water's flow had stilled.
But my heart… thundered louder than ever.