LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 9: The Silent Warning
Alice hesitated outside the grand doors of the dining hall, her hand trembling just above the cold, polished wood. The events of the night before clung to her thoughts, a fog of unease she couldn't shake. Taking a steadying breath, she pushed the doors open and stepped inside.
The dining hall was bathed in warm golden light streaming through the tall arched windows. The air was subtly scented with lavender and chestnut Trees at the far end of the long table sat Lord Sebastian, his posture immaculate, his dark attire contrasting sharply with the soft glow of the room. His long black hair was tied back neatly, emphasizing the sharp angles of his face. He turned his head slightly, acknowledging her presence with a faint smile that held no warmth.
The breakfast table was an extravagant display of wealth, laid out with fine silk tablecloths embroidered with intricate golden patterns. Silver cutlery glistened, and crystal goblets reflected the flickering candlelight. The centerpiece of the table held an array of fresh fruits shiny red apples, plump white grapes, and delicately sliced plums. Alongside them were plates of freshly baked bread, warm and inviting, with a side of golden pastries filled with rich cream and honey.
The table was also graced with finely smoked meats crispy ham, expertly roasted poultry, and thinly sliced beef, all arranged with meticulous care. A selection of rare cheeses, such as creamy brie and pungent blue cheese, were served beside them, their aroma mingling with the scents of the feast.
Despite the lavish spread before her, Alice could not summon the appetite to partake. Her stomach twisted, a mixture of unease and dread lingering in her mind. The memories of the storm, the figure in the shadows, and the strange whisper of her name haunted her thoughts. Yet, she forced a fragile smile as she took a seat opposite Lord Sebastian, the distance between them heavy with unspoken tension.
"I hope you slept well." Lord Sebastian's voice resonated in the vast room, warm yet carrying an undertone of something more.
"I did," Alice lied, her words betraying the unease simmering just below the surface. Her fingers gripped the edge of the chair, and she hesitated before settling into the seat. The once inviting spread before her now seemed distant and foreign, each bite of food unappealing in the face of the fear that gnawed at her heart.
Sebastian's gaze lingered on her, unblinking, as though studying her every movement. "You seem... troubled this morning," he observed, his tone light but probing.
Alice's fingers tightened around her sleeves. "The storm was unsettling," she admitted, avoiding his gaze.
He leaned back in his chair, a faint smile curling at the edges of his mouth. "Ah, yes. Storms have a way of stirring the soul, don't they? But they also reveal much if one knows how to listen."
His words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Alice glanced up at him, her curiosity battling with the unease gnawing at her.
"Lord Sebastian," she began cautiously, "has anything strange ever happened here? In the castle, I mean."
Sebastian's dark eyes glimmered with something unreadable. He set down his cup of tea, his movements deliberate and measured. "Strange?" he echoed, as though savoring the word. "What do you mean by strange?"
Alice hesitated. She didn't want to sound foolish, but the events of the night still clung to her, refusing to fade. "Voices, shadows... things that can't be explained," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sebastian's expression remained neutral, though there was a flicker of something amusement, perhaps in his eyes. "This castle has stood for centuries," he said. "It has witnessed countless storms, both within and without. Perhaps what you experienced was simply the wind... or perhaps the echo of something that once was..Or just a nightmare, hmm~?"
His words sent a shiver through her, though she couldn't tell if it was fear or fascination that stirred within her. She fell silent, unsure of how to respond.
The rest of the meal passed in tense quiet. As Alice rose to leave, Sebastian stood as well, his tall frame casting a shadow that seemed to stretch across the room.
Alice hesitated for a moment, when Lord Sebastian's voice stopped her. She turned back slowly.
"There's something I wish to show you," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge of authority. His eyes glinted with something unreadable.
Alice nodded, curiosity overpowering her hesitation. "What is it?"
Sebastian's gaze never left her as he raised his hand, tapping his fingers lightly on the edge of the table. The sound echoed briefly in the quiet of the room, and within seconds, one of the castle's servants appeared in the doorway. The man's steps were swift, almost silent, as he moved to stand beside Lord Sebastian.
"Fetch the vial," Sebastian commanded, his tone calm and measured. The servant bowed without a word and left just as quickly as he came.
"Vial?" Alice repeated, feeling a strange chill run down her spine. "What's in it?"
Sebastian's lips curled into a smile, though it was not warm. "Something for your protection," he said cryptically. "A simple solution. But it's effective."
Alice watched as the servant returned with a small wooden box, elegantly crafted with intricate carvings on its surface. The servant placed the box in front of Sebastian, and the lord carefully lifted the lid, revealing a collection of tiny glass vials inside. Each vial contained a shimmering liquid that glowed faintly with an ethereal light.
Sebastian picked one of the vials up, holding it between his fingers. The liquid inside was clear at first, but there was something about it a deep, almost imperceptible purple hue that flickered when the light caught it.
"This," he said, looking directly at Alice, "will help you if you feel... watched. If you sense something..someone who shouldn't be there. It's quite effective at warding off unwanted attention."
He held the vial out to her, and though she wanted to ask more questions, Alice found herself unable to speak. She reached for it slowly, her fingers brushing against the cool glass, the weight of the small vial both comforting and unsettling. Its surface smooth and sleek, but what truly caught her attention were the intricate golden details adorning both the top and bottom. The gold was delicately etched into the glass, forming ornate patterns that glimmered faintly in the light.
Sebastian's gaze didn't leave her as he continued, his voice low and calm. "Place a small drop of this liquid on your pendant, just a drop. When you feel the presence of something... unnatural, something not quite human... you will know when to use it."
Alice swallowed, her throat dry. She didn't understand what he meant what kind of creature he was referring to but there was an intensity in his eyes that made her reluctant to question further.
"What is it exactly?" she asked hesitantly, unable to stop herself.
Sebastian gave a small shrug, his expression unreadable. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that it works. And you may need it."
There was something in his voice an underlying meaning that Alice couldn't quite grasp. But the fear in her chest, the dread that had been with her since the storm and the strange figure outside, made her believe that perhaps this was the only thing that could protect her.
The vial was put back into the box and then the box was handed over to Alice. Alice turned to leave.
"Remember," Sebastian's voice stopped her once more. "Use it when you need to. It might just be the only thing that keeps you safe."
Alice nodded slowly, her mind a whirl of confusion and suspicion. She didn't fully understand what Sebastian had just given her, or why, but something told her that the answers would come soon whether she was ready for them or not.
With the box in hand, Alice walked out of the dining hall, the shadows feeling heavier around her than before.
As Alice stepped out of the dining hall. She clutched the box tightly in her hands, the mysterious vial inside still weighing heavily on her thoughts. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had just been handed something that held far more significance than Sebastian had let on.
The sound of her footsteps echoed through the empty corridor as she made her way to the grand staircase, her thoughts racing. What did Sebastian mean by "unnatural"? What kind of creatures could be lurking in the shadows around her, and why was she suddenly a part of this strange world of hidden dangers?
She reached the top of the staircase, her heart racing as she looked down the hallway. A few servants passed by, offering polite nods and murmurs of acknowledgment, but Alice barely registered them. Her mind was elsewhere, focused on the vial and its eerie instructions.
It wasn't long before she reached her room, the heavy wooden door creaking open as she pushed it with one hand, the box still clutched tightly in the other. Once inside, she moved to the small table by the window and set the box down gently, her fingers trembling slightly. The room felt colder now, the shadows in the corners seeming to stretch and deepen, as if they were alive.
The thought of using the strange liquid on her pendant made her uneasy, but Sebastian's words echoed in her mind: When you feel the presence of something... unnatural, something not quite human... you will know when to use it.
Alice took a deep breath and set the box down, her fingers lingering on its smooth surface. She hadn't decided yet what to do with the vial, but the unease gnawing at her heart made it hard to ignore. For now, she would leave it alone.
Just as she was about to open the box again, there was a soft knock at the door. She jumped slightly, startled by the interruption.
Alice froze, her hand hovering above the box as the knock echoed softly through the room. She hadn't expected anyone, not so soon. Still, she quickly composed herself and approached the door, cautiously turning the handle.
When Alice opened the door, standing in front of her the butler, Dorian. As always, he was calm and composed, his demeanor polite and reserved. His short, blonde hair was neatly swept back, every strand perfectly in place, as if he had spent hours perfecting his appearance. And the thing that always made him special it was the black cloth tightly tied around his eyes, covering his eyes completely a permanent feature that added an air of mystery to his already enigmatic presence.
His skin was pale, almost ghostly, which made his sharp features stand out even more. Despite his blindfold, there was something about the way he carried himself, his movements precise, that spoke of an awareness beyond sight.
"Miss Alice," Dorian said, his voice low and smooth. "The carriage that will take you back to the village is waiting for you outside."
Alice nodded, "I see," Alice replied, forcing a smile. "Thank you, Dorian." While she was thinking in her mind why is she smiling and nodding while he is blind?.
He gave her a brief nod, his expression unreadable beneath the black cloth. "The journey back should be uneventful, but if you need anything, you only need to ask."
Alice hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should ask him about the strange events that had been unfolding around her, or the vial that Sebastian had given her. But something told her that this was not the time or the place. Instead, she simply nodded again.
"Of course. I'll be there shortly," Alice said.
Without another word, Dorian turned and walked down the hallway, his footsteps silent, his figure soon disappearing from view. Alice stood there for a moment, the door still open as she watched him go, before closing it softly behind her.
The mysterious vial and Sebastian's cryptic words continued to linger in her mind as she took her box. Something in her mind told her that this journey back to the village, like everything else that had happened since her arrival, was far from ordinary.