Lily, Mary, and Diana waited eagerly for Caroline's return. None of them had spent a whole week in the castle's western wing before. They couldn't wait to find out what had kept her there so long, and what task the master had set for her.
The girls sat in the large drawing room, which had been entirely turned over to the castle staff. The clock was about to strike midnight, and Caroline could return at any moment. The muted yellow light from the floor lamps and wall sconces only heightened the curiosity of the young women. Lily, the youngest and most restless of them all, paced tirelessly across the spacious room, her nervous shadow flickering over centuries-old paintings.
"Where is she?! It's already midnight, she should've been back! Why is it taking so long?!" Lily exclaimed, her clear, ringing voice trembling.
"We're all waiting for her. Don't panic. She'll come—where else could she go?" Diana replied, pulling out her phone to check the shift schedule. "She can't still be there. Today's her last shift, and there aren't any new ones, so she'll come, no doubt."
"Can't she hurry up already? Or… maybe the master really has fallen for her and decided to take her?" Mary said anxiously.
"No! That's impossible, and we all know why!" Diana said firmly.
"Because he loves all of us?" Lily asked, hope and a smile in her voice.
"If only…" Diana smirked, "if only he had a heart instead of a block of ice."
"Don't be so cruel, Diana! After all, who if not him gave us a proper life!" Mary protested.
"Yes! And besides…" Lily began, only to be sharply cut off by Diana.
"Quiet! Do you hear that?" Diana asked.
"Really…" Mary said, "footsteps! Could it be Caroline?"
As one, the girls rushed into the corridor, their eyes fixed on the faint, barely audible footsteps. Someone was indeed approaching—slowly and awkwardly. From around the corner, a thin, delicate shadow appeared. Step by step, it drew closer to the corridor leading to the drawing room. And finally, the girls saw their friend!
"Oh my God…" Diana whispered in horror.
It took Lily less than a second for tears to flood her face at the sight of her friend. Mary, meanwhile, stood with an expression as if she had just seen a ghost.
Caroline was a tall, statuesque girl with thick reddish hair. Her face had always been rosy and cheerful, and she radiated a kind of magical calm and serenity for anyone near her. But now, there was nothing on her face but terror. Her gray eyes no longer sparkled, the blush on her cheeks had vanished, and her cheeks themselves were sunken, as if she hadn't eaten for a week. Her silky skin had turned pale. Caroline could barely stand on her feet.
Lily, Mary, and Diana rushed to her, horrified, bombarding her with questions about what had happened.
"Caroline, God, what happened to you?!"
It was as if Caroline ignored all their questions. Her eyes stared at a single point, unmoving. She barely shifted her body, covering the bandages on her arms.
"Nothing," Caroline murmured, barely audible. "I'm tired. I'll go to sleep. Goodnight, girls."
Stunned, Lily, Mary, and Diana stood in front of Caroline's door. She had locked herself inside and didn't make a sound. Lily couldn't calm down, and with every passing second, her anxiety only grew worse. Diana simply stood, holding Lily and Mary, her gaze fixed on a single point. She realized that perhaps all those rumors were actually true.
For the next three days, no one had shifts in the castle's western wing, and the master hadn't been seen since. Caroline regained her composure but never mentioned what had happened to her during that week. The other girls didn't dare press her with questions. Even Lily, the most restless and inquisitive of them all, kept her mouth shut. Life in the castle returned to its usual rhythm.
Yet, a month later, Caroline submitted her resignation. She was leaving, and no matter how much her closest friends—who had become her family—cried, Caroline remained resolute. On the night of September 16, she loaded her suitcase into the trunk of a black Mercedes, settled into the back seat, and barely holding back tears, looked through the window at Lily, Mary, and Diana. They were all crying, all hoping that maybe, at the last moment, she would change her mind and stay. But the car slowly drove away, leaving two clear tire tracks on the gravel. And Caroline, a small ray of sunshine in this rainy land, left the dark, gloomy castle, its master, and her family—the three young girls—behind.
***
And a month later, on the other end of this rainy, overcast country, an elderly but sprightly woman knocked on the door of one of the children's orphanages and shouted loudly:
"Vi, Emily, get up and come with me! Someone wants to talk to you!"
The eyes of the two girls instantly widened in surprise. First, the old woman only ever called Vivienne "Vi" when potential parents came. Second, they couldn't believe she was calling both of them at once. Vivienne jumped down from the top bunk and nervously combed her hair, trying to hide the oily strands. With her other hand, she did the same for her younger sister. Vivienne's heart pounded like a drum, and she couldn't even imagine what awaited her and her little sister.
"Where are you two? Come on, in waltz tempo, step lively!" the old woman shouted.
A second later, the door opened, and the two girls stood before her.
"Follow me!"
Vivienne and Emily obediently followed the housekeeper. Emily kept tugging at Vi's hand, drawing her attention and whispering,
"Is it mom and dad? They're taking us, right?"
But Vivienne just made that same expression with her eyes, silently telling Emily to be quiet.
Finally, they arrived at the housekeeper's office, where the guest was waiting. The old woman smiled at the visitor, her sly grin barely hidden, pushed the girls inside, and then left, leaving them alone.
Vi and Emily stared at the mysterious figure, unable to believe their eyes. Before them stood a young girl, as beautiful as one could possibly imagine. Her black hair was neatly gathered into a tidy bun. Eyes you could get lost in, and sharp cheekbones that seemed capable of cutting even a diamond. Her black coat shimmered in the light like a panther on the hunt. Lace gloves on her hands conveyed all the aristocracy of this remarkable young woman. And her scent! To Vi and Emily, it could very well be what paradise smelled like. In that musty, damp office, it was the first time the girls had ever caught a whiff of something so exquisite. Neither of them could identify a single note, yet the fragrance put them in a trance.
"Hello, girls! You must be Vivienne, right?" the guest said, extending a delicate hand clad in black lace.
"Y-yes…" Vi replied awkwardly and shyly. It was the first time in her life she had been so struck by a woman's beauty and elegance. At the same time, she felt unbearably embarrassed that she looked like a scruffy, homeless girl.
"And this young lady must be Emily?" the guest continued, extending her hand to her as well.
Emily blushed just as deeply as her older sister and said nothing, simply giving a meek handshake.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, girls! My name is Valentina. Please, have a seat, I'd like to talk with you," the guest suggested.
And the girls, as if spellbound, sat on the dreadful dark green sofa, which was even more uncomfortable than sitting on stone. They sat obediently, staring at Valentina, unable to comprehend what a well-groomed young woman could possibly want with two dirty orphans.
"Let's not waste any time!" the guest began. "I represent the interests of a very wealthy and influential man. Let's just say I make sure his house is in perfect order. I oversee the order, I love order, and I bring order. My master's estate covers at least 5,000 square meters. And as you can imagine, one person cannot manage all of it. That's why we always have a full staff, namely: six maids, three gardeners, two grooms, four drivers, and two chefs. I am here for two reasons. First, our maid staff has recently been reduced to just two. Second, my master is a philanthropist and always pays attention to people like you. And so, on his behalf, I am offering you a job, Vivienne."
"As far as I know, Vivienne, you'll be turning eighteen in three days. And little Emily is only seven. That means she'll have to stay here, in this… place."
"Don't say it like that!" Vi blushed. "I'll definitely take her with me!"
"I've reviewed the papers," the guest continued, "and yes, you are her only legal guardian. But to take her, you need housing and a stable income. And… for now, you don't have that."
Vi remained silent. Her face didn't change, but her eyes became noticeably wetter.
"Oh! Forgive me, Vivienne, I should have told you everything straight away…" Valentina smiled. "You and Emily will live in the master's house. You'll have your own room, much better than this one. You'll be fed for free, provided with health insurance. Clothing, electronics, as well as cosmetics and hygiene products will be provided. You may have between ten and twenty work shifts per month, each lasting about six hours a day. Your salary will be five thousand dollars. And little Emily will attend a private school, which my master generously funds."
Valentina finished, and an awkward silence settled over the room. Vivienne sank into her thoughts. She knew how it went. Sometimes children from orphanages were taken for reasons far worse than work. She had heard those horrifying stories, Vi knew that no one would look for them. Agreeing to such fairy-tale conditions could be a step toward death.
"So," the guest began.
Vi perked up.
"This sounds way too good to be an honest trade. What's the catch? You give us everything we could ever dream of, and in return, I just mop your floors? Don't fool us! Yes, we're poor and homeless, but we're not stupid! I've heard those awful stories. People from these places just… vanish in an instant. And they're not going off to a better life! What do you want from us?!"
"Yes!" Valentina answered sharply and quickly. "You're right, of course, there is a catch. But it's not that you'll be sold for organs or sent to work in the mines. The catch lies in the conditions and circumstances of your work. If you agree, you will live in the castle. I repeat, in the castle! Not a house, not an apartment, but a castle, far from the city and other people. That will weigh on you. You may leave the castle, but during your absence, a driver will be assigned to take you wherever you want in the city and back. You are forbidden to take photos or videos inside the castle. You are forbidden to discuss the castle or anything that happens there with anyone outside. And most importantly, the master of the castle is a young, eccentric, slightly childish, and rather peculiar man, whom you will have to tolerate. And sometimes he might assign you special shifts, not just cleaning… you're a big girl now, so figure it out yourself!
Vivienne lowered her eyes to the floor and fell into thought.
"So, you mean…"
"Don't mince words!" Valentina cut her off. "You know perfectly well what I mean. But aside from that, everything is completely transparent. Yes, you'll get a roof over your heads, food, work, money, care, and peace of mind. And most importantly for you, you'll legally take Emily with you, and you won't be separated."
Vivienne looked at Emily, barely holding back her tears. One thought spun endlessly in her mind: the most important thing was to stay together, even if it meant doing something wrong. Emily looked at Vi eagerly and asked in her childlike voice, "We'll be living in the castle?"
Valentina and Vi smiled, but Vi's smile carried more pain than happiness. She was almost certain that very little good awaited her.
"Can I talk to you alone?" Vi asked timidly.
"Of course!" Valentina replied with a smile. "Emily, little one, won't you wait for us outside the door?"
Emily obediently stood up and left. Vi fidgeted from foot to foot, as if afraid to ask directly. Valentina had hired girls before and knew exactly what question was coming, so she spared Vi the terrible trial and said:
"I can guess hat's running through your mind right now. And no, of course nothing will happen to your sister, no one will touch her. But you, Vivienne, you're already grown, and you need to decide what's more important to you: a life with privileges most can only dream of, or…" Valentina stood, brushing off her coat and preparing to leave. "Or your virginity?"
Vivienne's glassy eyes immediately lifted to Valentina. She knew how selfish and cowardly it would be to refuse such an opportunity. And at the same time, she understood how risky it would be to agree.
"We'll see each other again in three days!" Valentina said, pulling the door handle. "Think it over! Until then!
And with all her feline grace, the mysterious guest slipped into the corridor, waving at Emily with a smile as she headed for the exit.
Little Emily, seeing Vi, asked, "Why are you crying? What did the lady say?"
"Tell me… do you want to go there?" Vi interrupted, smiling and wiping her tears.
The little girl nodded with a smile. Without a second thought, Vivienne jumped up from the couch and ran after Valentina! She didn't quite understand why, but something told her that this risk, this "yes," might be justified. She ran, barely holding back the ache in her chest that could have turned into a full-blown sob. She ran, believing she was running toward a better life!
"Wait! Valentina!
"Yes?"
"We agree! I'll work for you!" sobbed Vivienne, tears streaming down her face.
Valentina smiled and stepped toward Vi. She reached out, intending to hug her. For Vi, this gesture from a stranger was completely unfamiliar, and she froze for a few seconds. Yet, she found herself in Valentina's embrace.
"Welcome to the family!" Valentina said. "I'll handle the paperwork myself. For now, pack your things. Get ready! We leave for home in three days!"
Vivienne nodded obediently. The next three days were the longest and most agonizing in Vi and Emily's lives. For the first time, something new and exciting lay ahead of them.
Vi finally accepted the thought that her new life would cost her more than just household chores. By the end of the third day, it no longer embarrassed her at all. She convinced herself that it was a very small price to pay for everything they were about to receive.