CHAPTER 3 — MR KLAUS GOES AWAY

~Elena~

“Good morning, Miss. Valerie. You are a bit late for breakfast,” Elena said politely, standing beside my bed.

“I will prepare your clothes for today. Please take your bath and go down as quickly as you can for breakfast.”

She gestured toward the bathroom, neatly organized with fresh towels and toiletries.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, my mind sluggish. “Yes, thank you,” I murmured.

Elena smiled faintly.

I sank into the tub, letting the warm water wash away the fog from my mind. The bathroom was almost as large as my entire room back home. When I came out, the outfit she had laid out was neatly folded on the bed. I dressed quickly, brushing my hair and smoothing the clothes.

Downstairs, the dining room smelled of fresh bread, roasted vegetables, and brewed coffee. Mr. Klaus sat at the head of the table, composed as always.

“You are late for breakfast,” he said without looking up, calm but firm.

I nodded, murmuring a polite apology.

He gestured to his sons, and the introductions began.

“Ms. Valerie,” said King, courteously. “I am King. Welcome.” His tone was polite but distant.

The second son gave a small nod. “I’m Keith,” he said, indifferent yet cautious.

The third observed silently for a moment. “I’m Kyle,” he added after a pause.

Mr. Klaus raised a hand. “You already met Kobe and Kyson yesterday. Please, sit and eat.”

Breakfast passed with quiet conversation.

As we ate, King excused himself. “Please excuse me, I have to take this call,” he said, walking out of sight. Shortly after, he returned. A little later, he stood once more. “Excuse me,” he said, leaving, speaking to his phone.

When he returned the second time, Mr. Klaus cleared his throat. “I hope all your calls are concluded,” he said evenly, “because I have an announcement.”

I stiffened slightly, unsure of what to expect. He continued, looking directly at me though speaking to everyone at the table.

“I will be traveling overseas for the next few months on urgent business. During my absence, Miss. Valerie will remain under the care of my household. You are expected to assist her in adapting to the routines here,” he said. His voice was calm, formal, and thin.

I blinked. Just coming here yesterday and already being told I would be left behind was overwhelming. I tried to nod politely while eating, careful not to show my surprise. It seemed I was the only one taken aback, as the brothers maintained their cool expressions and continued with their meal.

After breakfast, I returned to my room, but even before I could rest on my bed, a knock sounded at the door. I already knew what it was about Mr. Klaus had mentioned I would be shown around the mansion today.

“I am here to clean your room,” Elena said as I opened the door. “Ma Rosa and her grandson will show you around while I do that.” She pointed toward the stairs.

I looked and saw the friendly lady from yesterday smiling at me. Ma Rosa, the cook, and her grandson Liam waited at the base of the grand staircase.

“I’ll show you the heart of the house,” Ma Rosa said as I approached them. “The areas you’ll likely see most.”

We started with the library where towering shelves reached the ceiling, filled with polished leather-bound books. Liam leaned casually against the railing.

“This is my favorite place,” he said softly. “I could spend hours here, though I never do.”

Ma Rosa smiled and motioned us forward. “Next, the gallery,” she said. Paintings and sculptures lined the walls, each meticulously lit. I paused, trying to take in the history and wealth displayed in every frame.

“The music room is over here,” Ma Rosa continued. “Mrs. Kosarin loved this room. She often spent hours here with her sons, especially the musician of the family.”

“With Kyle?” I asked quietly.

“Yes, with Kyle. I see you’re familiar with him,” Liam said. “Well, he spends most of his time practicing here. You rarely find him elsewhere,” he explained.

“I am familiar with all,” I admitted, feeling like we were close.

He smiled. “I mean, who doesn’t?” he said, and we both laughed softly.

We passed several office rooms. Ma Rosa explained briefly that some were private and others were for business, but she did not go into details.

“This room is King’s,” Ma Rosa said as we climbed through another hallway leading to the private quarters. “Do not disturb unless instructed.”

“He doesn’t like to be disturbed,” Liam added.

“Just across are Keith, Kyle, Kobe, and Kyson’s rooms,” Ma Rosa pointed, “all lined one after the other.”

“What don’t they like?” I asked.

Ma Rosa laughed softly. “Keith doesn’t like strangers around his space.”

“And Kyle?” I pressed.

“Well, Kyle barely speaks to anyone. He has been this way since his mother passed,” she added with a soft, sad expression.

Just then, a noise came from downstairs.

“I need to check what’s going on,” Ma Rosa said, leaving me with Liam.

“As for Kobe and Kyson, you must already know what they are like,” Liam said. I nodded in response.

“So… this house,” I began hesitating, “it’s bigger than I imagined.”

“You have no idea,” Liam chuckled softly. “There are parts of the house we haven’t explored. Offices, storage rooms, quarters. You’ll learn it all eventually.”

We walked a little further in silence until we reached a quiet corridor. I glanced at a door slightly apart from the others, and something about it drew my attention.

“I’ve wondered about that door myself,” Liam admitted quietly. “I’ve asked my grandmother before, but she never tells me, not even after all these years.”

“Years?” I asked.

“Yes, years. My grandma has worked here for years, even while Mrs. Kosarin was alive,” Liam said, shrugging. “She practically watched the brothers grow.”

She reminds me of Carmia, I thought.

“Do you… Ever get used to it?” I asked, more to myself than him.

He shrugged. “Sort of. You learn where you belong. The rest… You just let it pass.”

Eventually, he guided me back to my room. By my door, he smiled and said

“That’s it for today. I’ll show you around the garden tomorrow.”

“I’d love that,” I replied with a warm smile before shutting the door.