The carriage approached the castle in silence. And when it came to a steady halt by the entrance, the silence grew heavy. Olivia was perfectly still, withdrawing into Thalia so she held the girl tight as if in protection.
Once they climbed from the carriage too, Olivia clung to Thalia’s hand and refused to let go. She looked up, craning back her neck to take in the tallness of the towers, her mouth opening wide and her eyes wider still.
“It’s not so bad,” Thalia said bravely. “I am sure when the sun is out, it is even quite pretty.” She looked at her husband who watched them both without comment. “Olivia, what do you think?”
Again, the girl said nothing.
“This way.” The duke led them toward the entrance, a door that stood twelve feet high and was made of dark wood. It swung open as they approached, creaking and groaning, and beyond was nothing but darkness.
“Mo—Mommy…” Olivia croaked. “I don’t… I… do we have to?”
Thalia held her hand tightly, watching the duke walk ahead and vanishing inside the home. “There is nothing to be afraid of, Olivia. This is our new home. Trust me, this is… this is a good thing.”
I wish that I could believe that.
For close to four years, Thalia and Olivia had existed in a state of near poverty. They had lived on a small farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, their lives little better than common farmers. Money was hard to come by. Food, just as much. But they had been happy, free to do as they pleased, and in the face of this new world which awaited them, Thalia could not help but wonder if leaving that behind was as good an idea as she had thought at the time.
It would be, she told herself. Once they got used to… whatever this was. All they had to do was be brave.
Her body was shaking but she stilled it the best she could as she led her daughter up the steps and inside the castle.
Inside was exactly what she expected. A foyer the size of her aunt’s townhouse greeted them: high ceilings, a marble floor, and a winding staircase that led from the center of the foyer up and up and up. The decor was sparse and old, the walls shook from the wind which battered the outside, and despite the light from the ancient chandelier hanging high above, shadows stretched and grew from every corner.
The duke stood by the base of the staircase, waiting for them. Behind him were ten butlers and maids, all dressed in black, all old and surprisingly kindly. They were even smiling.
“And who is this?” From the staff, an elderly man waddled forward. He was as thin as a rake with a bent back and a nose that was as long as a beak. But his smile was genuine, and his blue eyes glimmered with that same smile. “Which of you two is Her Grace?” he asked.
“This is Albert,” the duke explained, staying where he was. “The Head of Staff.”
Albert crouched down before Olivia, his smile growing. “And you must be Her Grace?”
Olivia giggled. “No… silly. I am…” She looked to Thalia for permission. Thalia nodded at her to speak. “My name is Olivia.”
“Ah, of course!” Albert slapped his head. “You just look so much like your mother, I confused you both.”
“No we don’t,” Olivia said, laughing again. “She is old.”
“Not so old as some,” he said with a wink.
Thalia found herself smiling at the interaction. Another small moment, but it told her again that the duke was not nearly as awful as he wanted people to think. How could he be, if his staff were this friendly?
Furthermore, she realized too that Albert assumed Olivia to be her natural daughter, meaning he had not told his staff the truth. Thalia found the duke’s eyes and smiled her thanks, to which he nodded once in understanding.
“If there is anything you need, Albert is the one to see about it,” the duke explained. He spoke softly but his voice echoed across the foyer as if he had shouted. “Albert, I assume the arrangements have been made?”
“They have, Your Grace.” He groaned as he stood up again and turned. “As requested, of course.”
“Good,” the duke said. “That will be all for now.”
“As you say.” Albert bowed once and gestured to the staff to get back to their business. They each bowed for Thalia, smiling as they did. And then, they hurried away, once again leaving the three alone.
Silence fell upon them once more.
Outside, the winds howled, and the walls shook. Olivia was still holding Thalia’s hand tight, and she stepped in close, her visage terrified as she looked up and around the imposing foyer.
“This way.” The duke turned suddenly and started up the steps.
Thalia looked down at Olivia whose eyes were wide and nervous still. She smiled, trying to instill a sense of bravery and excitement in her.
