05. Secret in the Manor
1389 Words
"Your Majesty, please hold on!" exclaims Campbell as he grabs Alexander and drags him inside the mansion, closing the door behind them. With the three of them inside the opulent mansion that looked like a small palace, Emily, who had already packed her things, turns around and sees them practically closing the door in her face. Perplexed, she exclaims, "What is going on? First that hostile reception, and then they shut the door in my face?"
Although that treatment was reason enough to leave, the young woman decides to return to the entrance, as she has no plan B and wants an explanation for the rudeness with which she was received. Meanwhile, inside the mansion, the butler shows Alexander the newspaper he picked up from the floor.
"This was the invitation; that's why she came in here. The girl doesn't come from Noctis Excidium; she arrived through the newspaper ad," explains the butler.
Alexander's eyes blaze with fury. "Didn't you take care of this? Didn't you dispose of all the newspapers this morning?"
Campbell gulps and responds, "Let me handle this matter, Your Majesty. Please, allow me to solve it."
"I sense a trap... it's a setup," murmurs Alexander, filled with vengeful desires. Just as he is about to open the door, Emily, on the other side, says, "I only came because of the newspaper ad! I was coming for an interview. I don't understand why you're so rude if you're looking for staff."
Upon hearing Emily's accent, Campbell, Alexander, and Thomas exchange surprised looks. Alexander is the first to speak. "She's American; her awful accent gives her away," he says with annoyance.
"Let me take care of everything, Your Majesty. Please stay out of it. We are here to protect you," Campbell asks, trying to calm his master with a more tranquil tone.
"I can perfectly well take care of myself," responds Alexander irritably.
Thomas and Campbell look at each other incredulously at their king's words. "I'll open the door to the foreigner, Your Highness... we'll force the truth out of her; just let us handle it," proposes Thomas as he opens the door and finds Emily still there.
Alexander glares at her with disdain, and Emily swallows hard because now she can see Thomas and Campbell well; she immediately recognizes one of them. Surprised, she points to the butler. "You're the gentleman who bought up all the newspapers this morning. I was there when you bought them from the newsboy. You hurriedly got into your carriage and didn't realize you dropped two newspapers. I took one and saw this ad in it..." explains Emily, observing Campbell closely.
Upon hearing that, the butler puts a hand to his face while Alexander looks at him furiously. Now they understand even more why that woman is present; it is all Campbell's fault.
"So that's what it was..." says the butler, observing Emily closely while Alexander does the same.
"That's what your ad brought in, Campbell," mutters Alexander with bad humor. "Only unattractive and foreign women would show up..." he says with annoyance as he retreats into his mansion. Those words deeply hurt Emily.
"What is wrong with this guy?" she murmurs, pursing her lips and clutching her suitcase handle.
The other two men stay put, and Emily feels that leaving would be the most sensible thing to do. She isn't so naive; she has already understood everything... that elegant man in a suit seems to be the master of the house, and the grumpy blond who is a bit scruffy but has a commanding presence, is undoubtedly his son. If the master of the house had personally bought all the newspapers that morning, it was to prevent anyone else from seeing that notice. A mistake had happened that they were trying to fix hastily.
Looking at Campbell, Emily figures he is in his early forties, with dark hair sprinkled with some gray, hazel eyes, and symmetrical and attractive features. He doesn't seem like an ordinary person, nor does the young man next to him, who seems to be a servant judging by his simpler clothing. The latter has a dark complexion, green eyes, brown hair, and abundant curls. Emily can sense a difference in stature between these men of Wolfsbone Mansion and those she has seen at the port and train; they have a distinct aura as if they are from another place—but Emily has no idea where; she just feels it.
"I get it; they didn't want to hire anyone. Then I'll leave; sorry for causing trouble; I'm leaving now," Emily murmurs as she shrugs.
"Wait," says Campbell before Emily can leave, scrutinizing her from head to toe. "Can you cook, girl?"
Upon hearing that question, Emily's common sense kicks in—telling her she should leave and run away from that place—but her feet refuse to move.
"Yes, I know how to cook," she hurriedly responds. "I can prepare all kinds of meals; I also know how to bake and make desserts," Emily adds while noticing a slight change in expression from that pair of men.
"Come in; let's talk more calmly inside," says Campbell with a small smile as he steps aside to let her in.
That proposal to enter screams "danger" from all sides; although she doesn't understand why she hasn't left yet. No matter how much she needs a place to live and a job, this is not the right place; Emily can tell something is off. Despite this, she dares to say: "Thank you..." as she steps into the mansion.
When the young man with a bronzed complexion and curls closes the door behind him, Emily shudders at the sight of the interior. It is much more spacious than it appeared from outside. The mansion radiates an aura of mystery, as if it were a haunted house. However, Emily assumes it is all in her imagination since it is her first time seeing luxurious yet sober decorations and furniture that seem to belong to another century.
"What's your name, young lady? And how old are you?" Campbell asks in a decent and trustworthy voice.
"My name is Emily Smith, sir; I am eighteen years old," Emily responds immediately. Hearing her age causes both Thomas and Campbell to stifle chuckles—surprised by how young she is.
"You're quite young for a colonial girl," comments Thomas, who along with Campbell had placed the ad in the newspaper just last night.
"From the colonies?" Emily questions; at that moment Campbell responds: "That's what some people still call America," says the butler just as a shout comes from a room upstairs.
"Where's my lunch?! I'm starving!" It is Alexander shouting from his room—his voice like a distant roar yet loud enough for everyone to hear. Emily shudders; although Mr. Campbell and Thomas pretend not to hear anything—it is clear they are just pretending.
"I can cook very well; I assure you," exclaims Emily, feeling an urgent need to fight for her position. "I can prepare food for many people; I have a knack for seasoning! My food can cheer up even the most bitter creatures," says Emily ironically referring to Alexander.
Campbell and Thomas, they catch on immediately.
"Then I'll put you to the test," says Campbell while Thomas approaches Emily saying: "Give me your bags; I'll take them to your room." He says cautiously.
"Oh, of course," she replies, handing her bags to Thomas, feeling happy at hearing those words "your room." Then Campbell says: "Prepare lunch for our lord; if he likes it, you stay; if not, you'll leave."
Hearing that makes Emily swallow hard. "I will," she says with determination.
"By the way..." Campbell begins to say.
"Yes?" asks Emily with her hands clasped in her lap.
"Did you talk to anyone before coming here? Did anyone approach you?"
Hearing this suggestive question makes Emily recall the man who sat next to her on the train.
"On my way here," says Emily while Thomas has left with her suitcase and only Campbell remains who becomes very attentive instantly.
"When I was on the train,a man sat next to me and asked me for the time... but it was nothing special."
"A man?" Campbell nods and that's when he realizes why this young woman has "that" smell.
- Writer
