Chapter 7 The Forbidden Floor (2)

A flame ceaselessly seized the Archdukes castle. It echoed with a cacophony of deceased voices, all blaming her. A cursed archduke and a guillotine that would slice her neck. These were the things that awaited future Riddel in the novel.

It would happen, but

Kill the witch! Cut off that filthy bitchs head, that head filled with greed!

The sight of the guillotine before my eyes made me want to throw up.

Why did I end up here? Why do I have chains on my feet? Why did this happen? I havent done anything yet. Am I going to die like this? I wont be able to meet my parents and friends again.

Will I die like this, with my head cut off by a guillotine? No, I cant. I want to return to my own world. Why should my life end like this? No, Im not going to perish in this world.

I slowly lost my strength, and then the raised blade of the guillotine swiftly descended upon me.

No! Go away! Dont kill me. Stop!

My eyes blinked open, and I slowly caught my breath. Once I became fully awake and aware of my surroundings, I saw that the sunlight was pouring through the curtains.

Oh, it was just a dream.

But what kind of dream was that? However, I was glad that it was just a dream. I breathed a sigh of relief.

What a loud wake-up call.

Huh? Why was there a mans voice in my room? My eyes darted toward the source of the sound.

Archduke? I asked out of confusion, because he was still sitting on the same couch as yesterday. He looked as if he was observing me.

Whats wrong with him?

Dont tell me

Archduke, did you watch me sleep from that couch?

Dont talk to me.

Youre the one who started talking to me first.

Did you not see that you were the one who woke me up?

Oh, thats what happened. Then, I had nothing more to say. Kyles face looked gloomy. I felt remorseful upon seeing his unpleasant expression.

Uh, Im sorry that my voice is

The maids are waiting outside to assist you with your washing and breakfast. Then, the butler will show you around the mansion.

He interrupted my words and stood up from the couch. I didnt know whether he wanted to leave the room or not. I felt uneasy at the moment because it felt as if I had done something wrong.

Have you eaten?

I havent eaten, but I will not eat with you, and Ill repeat it again. Dont talk to me!

But, the first person who started talking was.

Bang!

Kyle just slammed the door behind him and left the room without listening to me.

You dont even give me the time to argue anymore.

I felt a little pressure on my spine and stretched to relieve it. The images that I had seen in my dream were absolutely horrible. I vowed to do my best to not end up like the Riddel in my dream. I clenched my fist, determined to change my future.

***

With the help of the maids, I made myself presentable, then I went to the dining room and saw Jean there.

Did you have a peaceful rest last night, madam?

Yes, thank you. Did you also sleep well?

Yes. Todays weather seems better than yesterdays.

The dining room was very spacious. While we spoke, Jean escorted me to the table. There was a long, wooden table in the center of the room. As we approached the rather grand piece of furniture, Jean pulled out a chair for me to sit. The meal I was served was also quite luxurious.

There was grapefruit juice to stimulate the appetite and a bowl of warm mushroom soup with lamb meat that had a delicious smell. There was also freshly-baked, soft bread accompanied by various kinds of jam and spices, a slice of cooked bacon, and scrambled eggs.

It looks delicious.

The meal also tasted as delectable as it looked. The food had been prepared with high-quality ingredients, and the best thing about this place was that they didnt mess with my meal.

Was the food served according to your tastes? Jean asked while pouring juice into my empty glass.

Yes, it was all very delicious. I dont think Ill ever be sick, with this kind of delicious food every day.

Thank you, Your Highness. The chefs and the kitchen staff will be delighted to know this.

Jean smiled gladly before speaking again as if something had come to his mind.

Oh, and Id like to escort you on a tour of this mansion after you are finished with your meal.

This is probably what Kyle had mentioned earlier.

Ok, Id like to do that. I also want to explore the mansion today, I smiled brightly while answering him.

***

After finishing my breakfast, Jean and I went through the hallways. The corridors felt strangely sparse in the morning.

The hallways are a bit on the quiet side because there are fewer maids in this place compared to, say, a castle.

Jean glanced at me while he said that. It was strange because usually, people of nobility cared a lot about the number of domestic workers they had on hand in order to either protect their title or to bluff their wealth. Therefore, even impoverished aristocrats would have many maids and often find themselves in debt because of that. My family had also been guilty of such a practice. So, it was a bit out of the ordinary that this place had so few maids.

I reasoned that no matter how high the salary a maid could earn here, people became afraid that they would be killed if they worked for the Archduke.

Its alright. I prefer a quiet place like this, I answered as if it didnt matter much to me. Truth be told, I was actually grateful that there were fewer people here, because having fewer eyes watching over me meant that I had the freedom to do almost anything.

Im glad that you prefer it like that. He sounded appreciative of my answer.

After that, Jean gave me an introduction to the origin and history of the castle, the peculiarities of the family, and their heirlooms. He spoke with a slightly higher tone and seemed proud to explain everything to me.

Then, may I assist you in taking you on tour through the rest of the mansion?

Only

Of course!

That was good to hear.

Jean briefly showed me the first floor. There was a spacious living room and also a dining room that was filled with many fruits and light refreshments. He also told me that there was a garden I could visit if I exited through the backdoor of the hall.

The second floor was full of many rooms. There were over two hundred chambers on that floor, a massive number. As I went further up the stairs, they arrived at a certain room.

This is the masters office, Jean said.

He then proceeded to explain the layout of the rest of the mansion. When we reached the end of the fourth floor, he stopped. Jeans eyes were quietly looking at the stairs leading up to the fifth floor.

He grew silent and his body became stiff. After a while, he spoke again.

Im sorry to inform you, Your Highness. The fifth floor is an inaccessible place, even for you.