Shadows in the Castle

The Kings' Mansion part 1

Leaving out of my house I had a smile on my face and I kept it all the way until I arrived at the school's gate.

"Okay, we're here," Mom said as she parked the car

"I'm appreciative of the ride Mom but are you going to drop me off every day?" I asked.

"Why not? We could use the mother-daughter time."

"Mom, I spend every day with you. We don't need any more mother-daughter time" I chuckled as I got out of the car

"Yeah but all you do is study when you're home" she pouted as she got out of the car too

"Yeah because I have to get a good grade, tuition to this place wasn't cheap. You of all people should know that after all, you're the one who paid for it"

"You really shouldn't worry about money so much. It's not the most important thing in the world"

"Said only be people who have it" I scoffed

"Fine but instead of studying all day shouldn't you be building connections or something. What do they call it...networking"

"I mean that is a pretty good idea," I said

"Well if you want to network you're gonna need some friends. How is that going by the way? Do you have any friends yet?"

"No, I don't have any friends. It's the second day" I rolled my eyes

"Eloise!" I suddenly heard a familiar voice yelled

"Oh no," I sighed. Without even needing to turn around I knew that Gracelyn was running her hyperactive legs over to me

"Hey Eloise, how have you been? I wanted to call you yesterday but I remembered that I forgot to ask for your number" she said

"Who is this ray of sunshine?" Mom smiled

"Mom, this is Gracelyn Edwards and Gracelyn Edwards, this is my mom," I said

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Gardener," she said

"Actually it's Taylor. Gardener was her father's name"

"Wait so Eloise's last name is both of your last names?" she asked

"Huh-uh" Mom nodded

"That's so cool," she said

"I thought so too but honestly it is a bit annoying when you're writing her full name" Mom laughed

"I can imagine" Gracelyn laughed

"So how did you meet me daughter?" she asked

"We met in the library and then it turned out that we were in the same business class because we chose the same major and then we ended up in the same group for a year-long assignment"

"Well, it seems like destiny is drawing you two together. It must be fate"

"That's exactly what I said" Gracelyn smiled

"Oh brother" I gagged

"I am so happy that my daughter finally found a friend. I was almost beginning to think that she would be a friendless loser for the rest of her life. I would really appreciate it if you put up with her rather crude behavior"

"No way, Eloise can be blunt and harsh at times but I can see that she is a good person," Gracelyn said

"Really?" Mom asked starry-eyed

"Of course and I am a great judge of character," Gracelyn said proudly

"Are you two finished because I have a lecture to get to?" I said

"Sorry, I won't keep you girls. I have to get to work myself"

"Okay goodbye Ms. Taylor" Gracelyn waved

"Goodbye Grace...can I call you Grace"

"Yes, I actually prefer that," she said

"Goodbye Grace, it was a pleasure meeting you," Mom said

"It was wonderful meeting you as well"

"I am glad my daughter has a friend. Even though it is only one"

"Who has only one friend?" another annoying familiar voice asked as he made his way over to us

"Wow, who is this handsome young man?" Mom asked as she stared down Timothy

"Timothy Stone, it is a pleasure to meet you..um"

"Lucinda, Lucinda Taylor," she said causing me to gag again

"Well, it is nice to see Eloise's sister. You two look very much alike" he flattered

"Oh my, thank you but I'm not her sister. I know you can't tell by looking but I'm her mother" she said before he faked a gasped

"You're kidding? You look so young, you could pass as twins" he continued

"I get that all the time" Mom giggled

"Well I can see where Eloise got her good looks from" he continued to flatter

"Can you stop flattering her, if her head gets any bigger she'll float away" I rolled my eyes

"Plus don't you have a class to teach?"I asked

"I guess you're right"

"Killjoy" Mom said sticking her tongue out at me

"Go to work!" I said sternly

"Fine I'll see you after school" Mom sighed

"Actually we have a group assignment, we're going to meet up after the lecture to talk about some stuff," I said

"Okay so I'll pick you up after that" Mom said

"No, you can't just leave work, especially when you just started" I protested

"Then how are you going to get home? You know how I feel about taxis and Ubers" she said

"I could drop her home" Gracelyn offered

"Would you?" Mom asked

"Sure, no problem," Gracelyn said

"Thank you, Dear, I'm glad my daughter made such great friends. Anyways I'm leaving" Mom said

"It is getting rather late, I should leave for the lecture," Timothy said

"Oh yes I am sorry to keep your time Professor Stone"

"Professor? Haha you must have misunderstood something; I'm not a professor I'm a student, a junior in fact" he chuckled

"I'm sorry, I just heard you were giving a lecture and thought you were a professor"

"I'm a teacher's assistant but the teacher is really busy so I fill in with freshmen classes when I'm free" he explained

"You must be super smart"

"Of course he is, he is the top of the school in terms of grades" Gracelyn chuckled

"Really? Then I leave Ellie in your capable hands" she smiled as she got back in her car

"No problem," he said before she drove away

"Well aren't you the charmer?" I scoffed

"That's nothing, you should see my eldest brother. He's the one with sliver tongue" Timothy said

"Hey, Timmy since you promised Eloise's mom that you'd take care of us does that mean we're gonna get easier work?"

"No it means I'm going to pick on you guys to answer all the questions I ask in class" he chuckled before walking away

"Come on no fair, be nice," Gracelyn said as she chased after him leaving me to let out a sigh as I had a feeling this year was going to be a lot more than I bargained for and it turned out I was right because the minute I walked into the room I was greeted by the subtle glares and the sound of whispered murmurs as I walked to my silent

"Alright quit down everyone it's time for class," Timothy said and everyone in the class went silent

"Okay I hope you all had a wonderful morning"

"It would have been better if I was eating with you," one girl said

"It would have been better if I was eating it off you," one male voice said

"I appreciate all the flattery but I don't think my fiancée would" he chuckled

"Anyways let's begin class with a question"

"Okay," I said as I took out my notepad and pen

"Are you ready for it?" he asked playfully

"Just ask the damn question Stone," Adrian said impatiently

"Okay what is an entrepreneur and what is entrepreneurship?" he asked and almost everyone in the class groaned

"Are you kidding me Stone? What are we, high school students? Everyone knows what an entrepreneur is" Adrian said

Though I hated to admit it I agreed with Adrian. We came to this school to learn more than the basics

"Okay then answer the question?" Timothy asked

"A person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit" Adrian said

"Okay, your literal google definition answer is correct. Here's another question why do you want to become an entrepreneur?"

"What?" Adrian said confused

"You said being an entrepreneur is to take a financial risk. And we all know a risk more often than not does damage to the person taking it. So why are you guys trying to become business? I asked that question because I want you guys to tell me why you want to be an entrepreneur. That question is not something that can be answered with a simple google search. You have to look inside to tell what it means for you to be an entrepreneur. Why go on the path of entrepreneurship? Is it for money? Is it to make the world a better place? Do you want to be your own boss and make your own hours and rules? Why are spending forty-five grand ($45,000) to learn how to be an entrepreneur? This class and year will be about finding out why you want to become an entrepreneur as well as teaching you the tools to become your idle version of an entrepreneur. The help you with this goal will be the year-long assignment that you were told about yesterday"

"And what per se is that?" Adrian asked

"Professor Brown and I want you guys to develop a business idea that you will pitch to a panel of investors at the end of the year," he said before the class burst out in cheer

"I am happy to see you guys so excited. Alright let's begin the first lesson" he said before he turned to the board

I was honestly surprised because the class was amazingly delivered and the way he taught was clear and concise and he had the entire class which admittedly included me hanging on his every word

"Alright, that's it for today's lecture. I'm sure you guys are happy to see me stop talking" Timothy chuckled

"No, you were amazing"

"I'd listen to you talk for hours"

"You are all too kind but unfortunately I don't have hours to spend here because I have to meet up with my fiancée. I will be here for tomorrow, I suggest you guys use your free time to meet up and discuss what business you want to make today. I know a year seems long but just me it just flies by so try not to procrastinate" he said taking up his bag and leaving

"Wow class was great," Gracelyn said as we walked out of the building

"Who knew Timothy would be such a good lecturer?"

"Yeah he was amazing," Gracelyn said

"Thank you ladies for the compliment," Timothy said

"Timmy, your lecture was amazing. You know I think with you as our tutor we'd do great on our project would be done in a month"

"I doubt that. I'd love to help you anyway though"

"Really?"

"Sure as long as helping doesn't turn into doing it for you"

"Come on, just at least give us an idea to start on. It'd be a major help, right Ellie?"

"Huh? What did you call me?"

"Ellie? Is there a problem? I heard your mom call you that and thought it sounded nice. Do you not like it or something?" she asked

"It's not that. It's just I'm not used to anyone other than my mother calling me that"

"Should I not?" she asked

"No, it's fine"

"Good, then you can call me Grace. It shows we're getting closer"

"In that case, I'll call you that too and you can call me Timmy or Tim, everyone else does anyway," he said

I thought about it for a moment, I had never called anyone by a shortening of their name before as I was too busy studying to get closer enough to anyone in that regard. Honestly, I found it weird and I was slightly embarrassed

"Sorry, I think we're close enough as is."

"Boo, you're no fun" she sighed

"Sorry I just don't feel like calling you anything other than your correct names" I shrugged

"It's fine, honestly at least you're better than my little brother. He doesn't even call me by my first name"

"Is there a problem Stone?" Adrian said as he stopped in front of us

"What took you so long to get out? We said we'd meet here immediately after class"

"I was busy and couldn't leave. Are you so impatient that you can't wait for a few moments, Barbarian?'

"I'm not impatient! I wanted to get to the library before all the seats were taken."

"Relax why would we need to go to the library?"

"Then where are we supposed to get the books"

"The internet?" Grace shrugged before I called at her

"Sorry' she stepped back

"We need reference books," I said

"We can get all those at my house"

"The King's Manor? You're really inviting us to the King's Manor" Grace said excitedly

"Why do we need to go to your house?" I glared at him

"Get your mind out of the gutter. Do you think I'd be interested in an uncivilized barbarian, or even want you in my house for that matter? I invited you because I have a busy schedule and I'd rather not waste any more time than necessary so I must make the sacrifice of allowing a barbarian like you into my house" he said

"I don't want to go to your house," I said

"Honestly Ellie, going to the house would be for the best. You'd have privacy and the library there is just as good as the one here" Timothy said

"Plus I've always wanted to go there," Grace said looking at me with puppy dog eyes

"Fine, we'll go"

"I see you at least have common sense" he mocked

"I don't like you" I glared at him

"The feeling is mutual"

"So when are we leaving?" Grace asked excitedly

"Now I don't have much time so we should just leave now," he said before a car pulled up at his feet and a student came out and politely handed him his car keys

"Here is your car Mr. King"

"Good," Adrian said as he got in his car.

"Stone, are you not coming?" Adrian asked

"Sorry, I have to meet up with Steph before that. I'll see you girls later though" Timothy said before walking away

After he left Gracelyn jumped into the passenger's seat up front while I got in the back seat. We drove straight to the hill while in the back I wrote in a textbook. At the foot of the hill was a metal gate with a security booth to the side of the road.

Not even bothering to stop Adrian only slowed down to let them open the door as he drove passed

As soon as we passed the gates it had seemed like we had droved into paradise as we drove through the well-preserved dirt road aside from the well-trimmed green trees. The atmosphere was rather serene and made you want to fall asleep listening to the sound of the beautiful birds chirping. Looking out the window I felt the warm sunshine and I couldn't help but smile as I felt the breeze blowing through my hair as we drove up the hill.

"I can't believe we're going to the Kings' manor. I can't wait to tell my father" she said like a child going to Disney world

"Aren't you overreacting just a bit? It is just a mansion. We're literally passing tens of them as we speak." I scoffed

"This one is special"

"Why because it cost more" I scoffed

"Ignorant barbarian" Adrian snorted

"What did you say!" I glared at him

"A wise person knows to keep quiet when he knows nothing," he said not even bothering to look at me

Good I wanted to smack him upside the head but he was the one driving so I could only give him a dirty look

"Honestly Ellie, there's a long history of the manor dating back centuries"

"Really?" I said skeptically

"Yeah, his ancestor basically founded this town by himself. At the time he was just an ordinary merchant but he put up all his gold that he had earned to buy this hill and he built a small house on it. Because he was a great merchant he and his descendant basically turned this place into a den of the wealthy. To commemorate their achievement they made the manor and now it is a historic monument, for the town at least"

"Wow," I said before I started looking at Adrian in a new light. I had known the King family was great but that was beyond what I had expected

"I can feel your gaze in the back of my head. Don't tell me that story had you falling for me" he said and I could practically see his cocky smirk

"You wish" I scoffed before I looked out the window. Soon I noticed that someone was running up the hill. It was a short-haired Asian girl dressed in a crop top and yoga pants. She had in a pair of Bluetooth earphones in as I looked out the window I couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked despite the sweat that seemed to make her sparkle as the sunlight her. It was only for a moment but our eyes met before Adrian's car passed her. No longer distracted I returned to enjoying the ride. I wasn't sure when I started but I had put my hand out the window spinning the pen that I had been writing with then suddenly the car suddenly jumped causing the pen to go flying out of my hand

"What the hell was that?" I asked when the car returned to calm

"Speed bump," He said his voice monotone

"Don't you know you're supposed to slow down at those?" I glared at him

"Well I didn't" he shrugged

"You're going to destroy your car like that"

"And how is that any of your business?"

"Fine whatever. Just go back" I said

"What? Why?"

"Because you made me drop my pen," I said

"Yeah so?"

"That was a brand new pen. I want it back" I said

"You want me to go back for a pen"

"Yes"

"No, I'm not going for some stupid pen"

"Fine, then let me out of the car"

"And have you wasted my time waiting on you? Do you think everyone can be carefree as you" he said

"I don't care what you think I want my pen"

"I'm not stopping," he said

"Ellie, it's just a pen. You can buy a new one"

"Or I could just go back for the one I already have"

"Well you can do whatever you want after our meeting is finished," he said as he drove up to a golden gate with the letter K in the middle. It was designed in golden with a crown hanging over it

Adrian finally stopped at the gate waiting patiently for it to open before he drove in and parked the car. As he got out he threw the keys to some guy

"Okay so where to from here?" I asked

"We're going inside. Try to be civilized and wipe your feet before you enter someone's house" he said before walking inside the luxurious mansion. I glared angrily at him as I followed him inside to see the wonder that was his living room. Everything in this house was glamorous and seemed to have a type of shine that allowed you to see your own reflection. It was spotless and glimmering

"Cool isn't it?" Grace asked

"It's nothing special," I scoffed though Adrian didn't even bother saying anything and just walked awaye43q

. Though I had to fake being unimpressed my eyes couldn't stop wandering around the room filled with the best furniture that money could buy all of which was spotless and shone extremely bright as it sparkled

"Wow" I let out an unintentional gasp as I moved over to a white porcelain vase with a blue dragon surrounding it. I had only ever seen a piece like that in a book so to have one right in front of me so out in the open was amazing. It seemed spotless as if it had never been touched. I wanted to see how it felt for just a moment so I reached out to it

"I would rather you not touch it" I heard an elderly voice coming from behind me causing me to jump back in fright