Chapter 5-- Behind Closed Doors

It's been two days since Damien told me about the rules of the manor.

Two days since I was scared out of my mind to actually get out of my room.

Thankfully, Damien doesn't bother me or request for my presence. Last night, I finally mustered up the courage of getting out of bed because I was so tired of staring at the same walls.

So what if there are rules to follow in this manor?. I can't spend my whole life cooped up in my room.

I currently sit in the gardens, sipping coffee and eating my breakfast on a cute table and chair that is placed in the middle of the garden.

I breath in the fresh smell of lilies and other exotic flowers. This place is something out of a fairytale.

My mind goes back to the matter at hand.

Five rules. Five ridiculous rules. And somehow, the last one bothers me the most.

‘If I tell you to come inside, Elara, you come inside.’

His words echo in my brain.

‘Why?.’ I'd ask two days ago.

‘Because there are things outside this estate that you don't understand yet.’

I shake me head to clear the conversation out of my mind.

What does he mean about things outside this estate that I don't understand yet?.

I chuckle softly.

A petite looking maid walks towards me and bows her head after reaching my table.

‘Lady Ashcroft….’ she begins, trailing off.

Ugh, the name still sounds so foreign to me.

‘Lord Ashcroft informs he is occupied and won't be joining you for breakfast.’ she finishes.

That explains his absence this morning.

I should feel disappointed, but I'm relieved.

That's when a thought settles in my brain and I smile devilishly within myself.

I nod my thanks to her. And she bows and leaves.

I quickly finish my breakfast, get up and straighten my gown.

I briskly walk towards the mansion, analyzing the thought in my head.

Damien is absent so that gives me reason to wander off on my own without his brooding self near me.

And reason to find out if he was being serious about the rules or just trying to scare me.

I enter my room, closing the door behind me. I change out of my gown and wear a simple dress with ribbons on both sides.

I smile at myself in the mirror. This will do just fine.

I head out of my room, stepping into the hallway.

Before I can take another step, I hear a strange noise coming from the end of the hallway.

It sounds like someone or something is scratching the door.

I shrug it off. It's probably the wind. But then, I hear whispers coming from the hallway.

What if someone needs help?.

I walk towards the end of the hallway, towards the door Damien forbade me from entering.

The iron door comes into my line of sight but the sound I heard before can't be heard anymore.

Huh? I thought I heard something?. Must be my mind playing tricks on me then.

I shake my head to get myself together and walk towards the attic.

So, Damien warned from entering the room with the iron door but he didn't warn me about going to the attic.

Besides, I want to see the property of the estate in a higher view.

I climb the stairs leading to the attic, which is unsurprisingly long. The number of times I've climbed the stairs should be enough to make me fit for a year.

I reach the attic which is so clean. Not a speck of dust anywhere. Totally, not what I was expecting.

I make my way towards the only large window in the room. The view of the estate from this angle is breathtaking.

I let out a dreamy sigh. I feel like a princess locked up in this attic, looking beyond the world below and waiting for my knight in shining armor to rescue me.

I shake myself out of the silly daydream.

This is not the time. I'm supposed to be exploring.

Looking around the almost empty and spacious room with nothing but rugs, carpents, and furnitures.

My eyes spot an iron door, just like the one on my hallway but the only difference is that this one has a strange symbol carved in it.

I trace my finger on the symbol. A raven perched on a crescent moon.

Interesting. I think to myself.

Curious to know what's inside, my hand latches on the door knob ready to open it when something moves at the corner my eyesight.

A servant, holding freshly cleaned towels, catches my hand on the knob of the iron door and immediately says,

‘You shouldn't be here’. Her eyes widening with horror.

‘Why?’ I ask, both curious and afraid.

She shakes her head refusing to answer.

‘You lasted longer than I expected’

There stood, Damien leaning against the doorless doorway of the attic.

Upon hearing his voice, the maid let out a little yelp of fright. She quickly excuses herself, carefully passing by Damien in order not to touch him.

‘Were you expecting me to break the rules?’ I ask based on his earlier comment.

‘I was hoping you'd surprise me’. He answers, crossing his arm over his chest almost looking amused.

I roll my eyes. ‘What’s behind the door?’.

‘Something that doesn't concern you’. He simply says.

I push not taking ‘no’ for answer.

‘Then why is everyone so afraid of it?’

His expression changes.

Serious.

Guarded.

‘Because curiosity has a way of getting people killed’. He replies.

‘I'll escort you to your room’. He turns away from me, making me scared and curious more than ever.

So, it turns out that Damien wasn't joking about the rules, I guess I'll have to stop wandering off on my own.

I lay in bed replaying today's events in my head, giving up on sleep, wondering how I'm going to spend the rest of my life in this huge mansion.

With five absurd rules.

I sigh getting out of bed, turning on the lamp stand beside my bed.

I need a glass of water.

I exit my room, on my way to the kitchen when I hear the scratching noise I thought I heard from this morning

Not only do hear scratching but pounding also.

I walk slowly towards the end of the hallway.

‘Elara'. Someone whispers.

‘Hello?, Is anyone there?’ I mutter hearing how scared my voice sounds.

I continue walking towards the door, upon reaching it, the scratching becomes more intense.

And just before I touch the door—

It opens from the other side.