The Royal Palace of Luxen.
Seo-ah held her breath at Abel’s imposing presence as she gazed up at the two soaring pillars. The twin golden eagles with double heads carved into them were particularly striking.
The carriage skirted half of the circular square and took a detour.
Along the long road, broad-leaved trees commonly seen in Felpe lined the way. After passing through the tree-lined avenue for some time, the route ran alongside a river. Then, after they passed a very old cathedral said to be a thousand years old, the Reinhardt mansion suddenly appeared.
Beyond the high, barred walls, tall trees with lush foliage stood densely packed.
Swoosh.
Seo-ah looked out through the halted window at the wildly swaying leaves.
The carriage, which had paused for a moment, slowly passed through the opening gate. As it entered the dense shade of the trees, it felt as though they were descending underwater. Even without opening the windows, the chill of the shade seemed to seep in, heavy and palpable.
On both sides of the road, a landscape unfolded that could easily be mistaken for a forest. Between the deep shadows cast by the tightly clustered trees, light occasionally filtered through, illuminating patches of green grass rimmed with faint, golden reflections. Then, as they passed the edge of the forest, as if by magic, Seo-ah could not help but exclaim.
“Wow.”
Abel smiled, speaking as though he were showing off his own home.
“Welcome to the Reinhardt mansion.”
As if they had never passed through the forest’s shade, a vast open space spread out before them, overwhelming her gaze.
Two enormous buildings stood facing each other, and between them lay a garden unique to East Norfolk—flowers, grass, and fountains arranged in immaculate harmony.
The carriage followed the path along the edge of the garden toward the building directly ahead, gradually slowing until it came to a complete stop. When Seo-ah looked out through the opposite window, a middle-aged woman was standing at the entrance.
Abel stood first, and the door opened from outside. The chill of the shade rushed in, carrying with it the scent of fresh grass. As Seo-ah followed him out, Abel—already on the ground—offered his hand once more.
Seeing it now, it looked like nothing more than an offer of assistance. Seo-ah whispered softly.
“I’m really fine.”
“…….”
After several failed attempts to subtly take her hand, Abel laughed, and the wolves nearly choked at the sight. They could not glare at each other here, however, because of the presence of the middle-aged woman who had come to greet Seo-ah.
“Welcome. Welcome to the Reinhardt mansion.”
She gave the impression of a cold piece of iron given human form.
Her silver hair, gray at first glance, and her deep blue—almost navy—eyes stood out starkly against the black dress she wore, formal and severe. A light yet powerful presence emanated from her entire being, as though everything unnecessary had been meticulously stripped away, leaving only what was essential.
Seo-ah’s gaze met her deep blue eyes.
That expressionless, transparent, and therefore terrifyingly strong gaze felt strangely familiar. Seo-ah clasped her hands together and offered a small greeting.
“Hello.”
She felt a gaze settle on her from above her lowered eyes.
Barbara—the seasoned wolf guarding the Reinhardt mansion—regarded Seo-ah with impassive eyes, while the younger wolves, including Abel, held their breath.
The wind swept through the space between the wolves and the outsider.
Barbara moved first.
“I have received a message from His Excellency. Please come in.”
She turned and glanced at the wolves. Those who had stood at attention like soldiers dispersed at once, moving to their respective positions.
As Barbara stepped forward, Seo-ah—who had been watching the hem of her black skirt—also moved and lifted her head.
The building, which had already appeared grand from a distance, was even more overwhelming up close.
On either side of the main gate, towering higher than two adults, stood black stone wolf sculptures. They were so lifelike that they looked ready to leap at any moment.
As Seo-ah passed between them and entered the mansion, the surrounding temperature seemed to change.
Could the temple of the god who governs the underworld be like this?
While the outer walls were made of ivory-colored stone, the interior was constructed entirely of black stone, glossy like a crow’s feathers. The wide, elongated staircase visible upon entering, the delicate banister that could be seen even from afar, and even the floor beneath her feet were all black.
A red carpet was laid over the black floor and stairs. On each landing, large arched windows with golden frames were arranged symmetrically around a chandelier. Sunlight poured through the windows, spreading into every corner and making the golden chandelier glitter all the more intensely.
“……”
Deep red, like blood, laid over a black ground reminiscent of death—and above it, a brilliant golden glory.
The impression that surfaced was one that could not be spoken aloud.
“This is the main building of the mansion. This building is called the main wing, and the building opposite it is called the annex.”
“Yes.”
Barbara glanced back briefly before turning forward again.
“Your room has been prepared in the main wing. The annex is currently used as living quarters for the staff, so you will have no reason to go there.”
It sounded less like information and more like a request to refrain from entering the annex.
“I understand.”
Her footsteps were swallowed by the plush red carpet. As she ascended quietly and reached a landing, a garden came into view through the spotless glass window. It was not the same garden she had seen from the carriage.
The garden between the main wing and the annex was adorned only with grass and flowers, but the garden behind the main wing was far more elaborate—well-trimmed garden trees intertwined with flowers in careful harmony.
When she turned around on the landing, two symmetrical staircases stretched upward on either side.
“Abel will be your escort from now on, and I will oversee your daily needs. Please always accompany Abel when you go out, and inform me if you require anything.”
“How should I address you?”
“You may call me Madam Barbara.”
Seo-ah repeated the name quietly.
Light from the windows cast long shadows across the stairs.
Following Barbara up the remaining steps, long corridors extended to both sides. Directly opposite the banister between the staircases stood enormous black double doors, as tall as the main gate, wide open. Beyond them lay a space vast enough to accommodate many people at once. Through the large windows inside, the annex was visible.
Barbara gestured toward the space beyond the open doors.
“This is the central hall of the main wing. You may sit or rest briefly on the sofas provided here, but—”
She did not finish the sentence before stepping into the hall. As Seo-ah followed, she immediately understood why it was called the central hall.
An immense chandelier hung from the painted ceiling, and sculptures—clearly the work of skilled artisans—were densely arranged along every wall.
On both sides of the hall stood doors carved with wolves. Barbara pointed to the door on the right.
“That door connects to His Excellency’s quarters. Do not open it. Even if it is open, you must not enter without permission.”
“Yes. I understand.”
Barbara led Seo-ah out of the hall and down the right corridor.
“Your room is this way.”
Seo-ah followed, mapping the mansion’s layout in her mind.
Rather than ascending the stairs into the hall, one turned right immediately. After walking some distance along a corridor lined with windows overlooking the rear garden, a door appeared on the left wall.
Unlike the towering doors she had seen until now, this one was neat and of ordinary height. Barbara opened it and entered first.
Beyond lay a similarly well-ordered room. Three windows faced the annex, but it was clearly not meant for sleeping.
Bookshelves filled with volumes lined the walls. A desk, chairs, and a long sofa were arranged at the center for reading, yet there was no bed in sight. As expected, Barbara guided Seo-ah toward another door within the room.
“This way.”
There were three doors in total in the book-lined room. Two stood opposite each other across the windows, facing the door they had entered from the corridor.
The door Barbara indicated was the one on the right, relative to their entrance. Seo-ah pointed toward the door on the left.
“Then where does that door lead?”
Barbara answered as she opened the right-hand door.
“It connects to His Excellency’s bedroom.”
—