The First Night At Alistair Manor

Eleanor’s POV

The black limousine belonging to the Alistair family passed through a set of towering iron gates before finally coming to a stop in front of a magnificent mansion. Through the window, I could see rows of marble pillars rising along the front of the building, enormous windows framed with elegant detailing, and an expansive garden kept in immaculate condition. Lights lining the driveway illuminated the grounds, adding to the grandeur of the Alistair residence.

The place was a perfect reflection of the wealth and status of a noble family whose legacy had endured for generations.

Unfortunately, the magnificence of the building didn't guarantee that its occupants would welcome me warmly.

The chauffeur stepped out and opened the car door. I straightened my gown before stepping outside, then lifted my gaze toward the mansion.

This was Alistair Manor, the residence of the Alistair family I'd once read about in a novel. But starting tonight, it would be my home as the wife of Duke Edward Alistair.

“Welcome to Alistair Manor, Your Grace.”

A man who appeared to be around fifty greeted me at the main entrance. His hair had begun to turn gray at the temples, while his black uniform was impeccably neat.

“My name is Henry. I'm the head butler of this residence.”

I nodded. Of course, I knew his name.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Henry.”

“Please come inside, Your Grace. The servants will bring your belongings in shortly.”

I stepped through the main entrance. Several servants stood in a line along the sides of the room, but not all of them bowed with the same courtesy. Some merely lowered their heads, while others gave me a brief glance before returning to their duties.

I hadn't expected them to like me immediately. Still, I had hoped for at least a proper welcome as the new duchess of the manor.

“Has my room been prepared?” I asked Henry.

“Yes, Your Grace. Please follow me.”

I climbed the main staircase to the second floor. The corridor was decorated with portraits of the Alistair family and expensive furnishings. Classical wall sconces illuminated every corner, while the polished marble floor reflected the light from the crystal chandelier hanging overhead. Although the mansion had modern amenities, its interior design retained the elegant atmosphere of an aristocratic residence.

Henry led me to a room at the end of the corridor and opened the door.

The moment I stepped inside, I immediately sensed that something was wrong.

The room was spacious, but there was hardly anything to suggest it had been prepared for a duchess. The bedsheets were rumpled, the flower vase on the bedside table was empty, and the marble fireplace hadn't even been lit. Several boxes containing my belongings had simply been left beside the wardrobe, still unopened.

I turned toward Henry.

“Is this the room prepared for me?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Is there a reason it hasn't been properly cleaned?”

Henry hesitated briefly before answering. “We received notice of Your Grace's arrival on rather short notice. The servants are still making the necessary arrangements.”

A polite explanation, but not a particularly convincing one.

“I see.” I walked toward the bed and ran my fingertips over the sheets. “In that case, I hope someone can replace them before tonight.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

I surveyed the room once more. There was no point arguing over something so trivial on my first night. However, I had no intention of letting anyone assume I was someone they could treat however they pleased.

I was Eleanor Smith. Not that foolish woman.

“Henry, I'd like to meet the servants assigned to this room tomorrow morning. There are a few things I'd like to arrange.”

“Certainly, Your Grace.”

After Henry left, I sat on the edge of the bed. The journey from the reception venue to the manor had been far more exhausting than I'd expected. I'd just gotten married, moved into an unfamiliar home, and found myself surrounded by people who didn't seem particularly pleased to have me here.

Suddenly, the system panel appeared before me again.

[System: Welcome to the Alistair family residence.]

I raised an eyebrow. “Was that really necessary?”

[Main quest remains active.]

[Time remaining: 365 days.]

I sighed. “I know. You don't have to remind me every time I breathe.”

There was no response.

Of course. Expecting a sensible conversation from this system was simply a waste of time.

The panel disappeared again, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I glanced down at the wedding gown I was still wearing. There were plenty of things I needed to think about, but tonight, all I wanted was some rest without having to deal with another problem.

Unfortunately, that wish didn't last long.

I was just asking a servant to prepare some warm water when I heard the sound of steady footsteps approaching from the corridor. A moment later, the bedroom door opened, and Edward appeared in the doorway.

He had changed out of his reception attire and was now wearing a white shirt and a dark waistcoat. The top few buttons of his shirt were undone, giving him a slightly different appearance from the rigid duke everyone else was accustomed to seeing.

“You've arrived,” he said.

I turned toward him. “As you can see.”

Edward entered without further pleasantries. His gaze briefly swept across the room before settling on the unopened boxes.

“Is there a problem with this room?”

“What do you think?”

He glanced at the bedsheets that hadn't been changed, then looked back at me.

“I'll ask Henry to have it taken care of.”

“There's no need. I've already made the request.”

Edward gave a brief nod. He didn't seem interested in prolonging the discussion about the room. Instead, he stood a few steps away from me, his expression turning serious again.

“There are a few things you need to understand while living in this house.”

“Such as?”

“First, don't interfere in my personal affairs. I don't need someone trying to manage my schedule or questioning where I go every day.”

“Understood.”

“Second, my study is off-limits. You're not to enter without my permission, under any circumstances.”

I nodded again. I already knew that, even without you telling me.

“Third, don't use the Alistair family name for your personal interests. Whatever you need, discuss it with me first.”

I studied him for a moment. He delivered those three rules as though he were warning someone who might cause trouble in his household.

“Are there any other rules, Your Grace?”

Edward frowned. “That's all for now.”

“Very well. I'll keep them in mind.”

My response seemed to surprise him slightly. Perhaps he'd expected me to argue or demand special treatment. But I had no reason to violate the boundaries he'd established. All I wanted was to live peacefully until I found a way to complete the system's quest.

“However, I have one request of my own,” I said suddenly.

“What is it?”

“I'd like to arrange my room and choose the staff assigned to attend to me.”

Edward looked at me. “Why?”

“Because I'll be living here as the duchess. I need to make sure my daily needs are taken care of without having to ask permission for every little thing.”

“You can make your requests through Henry.”

“I have no problem asking the head butler for assistance. However, I'd like to have the right to decide who attends to my room, how it's managed, and how my personal needs are handled.”

Edward fell silent for a moment.

“Don't let this become an excuse to interfere with the rest of the household's operations.”

“I have no intention of doing that. I'm simply asking for some freedom to manage the responsibilities that fall under my care.”

He studied me for a while before finally nodding.

“Fine. Discuss it with Henry tomorrow. As long as it doesn't interfere with the rest of the household, I won't get involved.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Edward turned toward the door. But before leaving, he paused and glanced back at me.

“Don't push yourself to handle everything at once. You've just had a long day.”

I was slightly surprised by those words. His tone was still rather flat, but this time, it didn't sound entirely like an order.

“I know how to take care of myself.”

“Good.”

He said nothing more. The door closed behind him, leaving me with a strange feeling I couldn't quite explain.

Somehow, that unexpected little gesture of concern was far more confusing than his usual cold attitude.

I shook my head.

Don't start getting the wrong idea, Eleanor.

Remember! You're Eleanor Smith. And that man just gave you three rules to make sure you don't interfere with his life.

***