She woke up to the cries of the crows that seemed to tear the souls of the fools in the forest; she didn't understand how she had ended up there. She walked making as little noise as possible, the leaves from the trees that fell delicately to the ground stuck to the tips of her black dress.
The dense night only lost its prominence before the large full moon that filled that macabre sky.
The cold penetrated her dress and ran down her neck, and the sound of the breeze whispered softly.
During a brief walk, she found a small wooden house; it was simple and a little worn down.
She lightly placed the palm of her right hand on the door, which soon crumbled like sand. She looked into every corner; it was just a room, and in front of her was a small table with a book on it.
She wiped the dust from the cover; it was leather, and the name had worn off. She opened it slowly… and…
She felt a strong sense of fear; she didn't know why, but her heart seemed to leap from her chest, and she could no longer control her breathing.
With her slender hands on her chest, she cried like never before.
She didn't know if it was some kind of hallucination, but she could see the walls projecting images, images from her subconscious.
She saw men shrouded in shadows with malicious smiles; she saw one of them grabbing her arm and…
—No!!!!!!!!!!!
. . .
She woke up gasping, took the teddy bear beside her, and hugged it tightly.
—Mr. Teddy, I had the same nightmare.
She said, wiping her tears with the little arm of the bear.
Knock knock
—Who is it?
—I'm the new butler, miss.
—Wait a moment.
She wiped her tears and got up, carrying the teddy bear with her.
She opened the door, and there he was.
Tall and pale, his blood-red eyes seemed to pierce her, as if he could see inside her.
—Were you crying?
—Who? Me?
He came closer; their faces were so near that she immediately closed her eyes.
He placed his hand on her forehead and said:
—It seems you have a fever.
She felt uncomfortable and immediately smacked his hand.
—I told you, you don't have permission to touch me.
She passed by him, holding the teddy bear tightly.
—Why are you angry? Just because I didn't notice that ridiculous teddy pajama?
He came back and gave her another tap on the face.
—Wait a moment, does the young lady have some sort of fixation on hitting?
He showed a mischievous smile and continued.
—You're quite spirited, miss.
He was about to strike again, but held back.
—You… scoundrel.
She was so embarrassed that she began to stammer.
—Come on, I have to introduce you to the other staff.
—Yes, miss.
He lowered his head, as if in a bow.
. . .
She guided him through the hallways of the mansion, holding the teddy bear firmly against her chest as if it were a shield. The silence of the house, interrupted only by the sound of their footsteps on the wooden floor, made every breath seem too audible.
—Here are the other staff.
She finally said, stopping in front of a wide door that led to the dining room and kitchen.
Upon opening it, they were greeted by a diverse group of workers: cooks, gardeners, and maids, all busy with their morning tasks.
For a few seconds, no one moved. What everyone felt at that moment was impossible to define, as if a strange, silent aura had invaded the room.
—Attention, everyone.
The young woman said firmly.
The pale man slightly raised his chin and bowed his head in a gentle reverence.
—Good morning, everyone.
His voice deep, calm, and enveloping.
—My name is…
He paused, observing each person with eyes that seemed to see through their souls.
—…you may simply call me "the new butler." I am here to serve the young lady and to look after this house.
Absolute silence. Not even the sound of a spoon touching a plate broke the moment. The women, especially, couldn't take their eyes off him.
There was something in his features, in the way he held his upright and impeccable posture, that left them breathless. Each felt a strange shiver run down their spine, a mixture of fascination and fear, or perhaps… desire?
Some maids whispered about how handsome he was, highlighting his penetrating voice, defined physique, and eyes that seemed to want to possess flesh.
He walked slowly around the room, nodding to some, giving a slight bow to others.
There was no excessive smile, only a natural, almost imperceptible elegance that made him even more hypnotizing. Every movement seemed calculated, as if nothing in his presence were left to chance.
—I hope I can be of help to everyone.
His soft voice filled every corner of the space.
—I know that working in such a large house requires dedication. I hope to meet everyone's expectations.
As he spoke, he noticed the tension in the women and the nerves in the older men.
—Miss.
He then said, turning to her.
—I would like you to show me the details of the daily routine. I want to understand how the schedules and tasks of each employee work.
She swallowed hard. The way he spoke, with such firmness and confidence, seemed overwhelming. Yet, she gathered courage and began to explain:
—The schedules are strict…
She began.
—In the morning, each person has specific tasks, from cleaning to preparing breakfast. During the day, some go shopping or tend the garden, while others stay here, taking care of the maintenance of the house.
—Understood.
He said, interrupting only to adjust his tie.
—Discipline is essential, but so is harmony among everyone. I want you to know that I will pay attention to every detail, but I will not seek to control too much; my priority is to look after the young lady and keep this house running perfectly.
The women, still visibly enchanted, exchanged knowing glances, while the older men murmured among themselves, clearly unsettled by the effect his mere presence caused. It was not just beauty—it was something more… an aura that commanded effortlessly.
She took a deep breath, adjusting the teddy bear against her chest, while the staff slowly dispersed, still unable to take their eyes off the new butler.
—Miss, if you're ready, we can continue the tour of the mansion. There is much I need to learn, and I wish to do it correctly.
She nodded, trying to keep her composure, though she felt a strange chill run down her spine.
. . .
With each step down the hallways, it felt as though the air itself was watching them.
When they reached the main corridor leading to the bedrooms, he suddenly stopped. Before she could react, his hand gently but firmly grabbed her arm, preventing her from moving forward.
—Miss.
He murmured, his voice low and hoarse, almost a whisper brushing her ear.
—You know you shouldn't move so quickly.
She felt her body tense but couldn't look away from his red eyes, now dangerously close. His face drew near hers, so close that the warmth of his breath brushed her skin.
—Do you have any idea of the effect you cause…?
He continued, with a provocative tone, playful yet dark at the same time.
She swallowed, her heart racing, and for a moment felt trapped between fear and something she couldn't name. The teddy bear was forgotten in her arms, abandoned in his presence.
He slowly released her arm.
—You should look at your face, hahaha.
—What's wrong with my face, huh?
—It's fun to tease you.
—Shouldn't you behave? Don't you care about people's feelings?
His expression quickly changed, becoming serious, and his eyes seemed to shine.
—I don't feel or care about such foolish feelings; I only do my job.
He turned and continued forward, but before leaving, he looked back at her.
—And by the way, my name is Marvelous.
"Marvelous" that name echoed in her mind; for a moment, she felt the fear vanish, her body felt lighter.
The dense aura she perceived in him transformed into an even faint light.
What does fate have in store for her?