Chapter 2 The Secret of the Mansion

"Trudy, dear, when you're done, make me a cup of tea,"

"And bring it to my office." Madame Ingrid instructed.

I finished tying ribbons on Miss Colin's long straight hair. "Here you go, Miss Colin."

"You may go." she smiled. She's one of the nicest here.

I headed to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Madame Ingrid likes it a little bittersweet. I carried the tray and went to the office.

"One cup of tea," I placed it on top of her desk. She removed her eyeglasses and examined my face.

"How's the work, Trudy? Are the girls making you work too hard?"

"It's fine, Madame. I kinda enjoy the work, especially the place..."

"Glad to know. The following weeks will be busier. I thought I'd let you know, so you could condition yourself." she sipped a little and smiled.

"Uhm, Madame, I just wanna ask a question, it's about Lord Constantine, if that's okay..." I stammered.

"Sure, go on, dear."

"What is his condition?"

Madame Ingrid put the cup down, making a tingling sound. She looked so serious. "I've been serving in this mansion for almost 20 years. When I first came here, I never saw the young master. He is believed to be sick... he's paralyzed. So, this manor became a school, training young beautiful girls to be qualified to be his wife. The rich girls liked it. But none of them are deserving enough."

"How old is he?"

"He's in his mid-thirty. The poor boy spends his days in his gloomy room."

"So, he can't stand or walk at all?"

"Never. The townsfolk said it's the karma of his wealth."

"Why is the right wing forbidden?"

"It's his room. I thought I had made it clear that you are not allowed unless you are permitted?"

"I saw him through the window outside. He was standing... looking in my direction." It made Madame Ingrid stop. Her eyes widened and tilted her head in disbelief.

"Now, you're imagining things. That's impossible, Trudy."

"But I swear, I know what I saw. I'm sure of it. It was him."

"This discussion is done, Gertrude. You may go back doing your chores. Or do you wanna go back to your town?" she gritted her teeth.

"Please, don't do that. I apologize, Madame." I bowed down.

I tried very hard to erase the thought. Maybe I was just imagining things. Madame's right. It wasn't real. That was just a daydream. Because it's impossible. A crippled man couldn't just stand like that.

It's the girls' first session which is history. It was quiet in the hallway since they are all in the classroom. I went to the kitchen and helped Lila prepare the food for lunch.

"This doesn't cover your work. You should take some rest while they're having a class." she said.

"It's alright. I wanna help,"

"Keeps me from thinking." I murmured and started preparing fine china ceramics.

"What are you thinking about?"

"It's no big deal, really. It's just that... I'm curious about Lord Constantine." I spilled out.

"He rarely shows up. He stays in his bedroom. Unless he's taking morning strolls." she shared.

"Morning strolls... in his wheelchair?"

"Right. That's a loss, isn't it? Being damn rich but stuck in the same place?" she shook her head.

"He can't stand at all? With all his money, why not try a steel leg?" I couldn't help but to ask.

"That doesn't work that way, Trudy. Both of his legs are just useless."

"And the girls wanna marry him?"

"Now, now. Stop being a hypocrite. He's a good man."

"But are these girls not just after his money?"

"I couldn't say that. Maybe they like his reputation. And his face." she started washing the vegetables.

I tried to recall the face of the man by the window... he is really, undeniably, gorgeous. He looked so wild, yet gentle. He was tall, slim, fair... and mysterious.

"You know, when I first saw you here, I thought you will be a student. Because you're like, really really pretty." she confessed out of the blue.

"You think so? Thank you, Lila. You're pretty too."

I am pretty? Madame Ingrid told the same thing. But way back in town, I was just an ordinary face. Maybe money makes a girl prettier. I shrugged off the thought and smiled instead. I went back to the lobby, waiting for the girls to finish their class. And I was right on time since I heard the bell rang. It sounded classic.

"Hey, new face! Prepare my Madonna dress, we'll be having a party after class!"

"Right away, Miss Harriet."

"When you're done with her, arrange my bookshelf."

"Yes, Miss Alicia."

"No way! Head's on the party, new face. You understand me?"

"Of course, Miss Georgina."

I suppose I follow all the orders. I breathed out and composed myself. I alerted the banquet hall staff that the girls are planning to have a party. I was on my way to do the other chores when I stumbled upon a man. I almost fell onto the hardwood floor when he caught me in my waist.

"Bit in a hurry, I guess?" he smiled and offered me help to get up.

"No, I guess I'm just a little clumsy."

"I'm Professor Lorient," he introduced himself.

"Oh, the history teacher?"

"That's right. I see you're a servant here and I see that I am bothering you so I think I gotta go." he chuckled and kissed my hand.

I felt my blood rush upon my cheeks, turning them completely red. I think it's a good thing that he didn't ask for my name. I made myself busy to work. Later that night, during the girls' party, I was tasked to walk around the hall, offering champagne. The girls are free to do whatever they please. They are all dressed up, with their big, voluminous, hairstyles and colorful clothes. They look so classy and rich while dancing to some popular songs by Cyndi Lauper.

"I swear, when I become Constantine's wife, every night is lap dance night." Georgina giggles.

"Just lap dance? Girl, I'd strip my clothes and grind all the way in." Harriet laughed.

"I just wanna have his fortune. I wanna own Haugen Island and build a fortress of my book collection." Alicia smirked.

"Y'all are gross. That's no way to become a wife." Colin rolled her eyes.

"Oh, stop it, little miss perfect. Don't tell me you're not attracted to Constantine?"

"Every girl in town is attracted to him. The man owns an island. Who wouldn't like him?" Colin retorted.

"Well, there are girls who are not allowed to like him. Ever. Because she's poor and pathetic. Isn't that right, new face?" Georgina called me out.

I heard them laugh and mocked me. "Hey, I have a surprise for you," Miss Georgina added and pushed me to walk along the hall.

"Miss, you have to stop. This isn't right." I demanded. She kept on dragging me away from the banquet hall and now this is getting unfamiliar.

"I'll tell you when to stop. Don't you dare order me around, new face!" she slammed me, making me face the wall.

The other girls helped her to corner me like a prey terrified of her predator. "Since you are new here in the manor, we might as well tour you around. This, is the oldest part of the mansion. It is also forbidden to pass by here so old Ingrid's not gonna be happy about that. Make sure to keep yourself from being fired. Enjoy!" Georgina forced me to enter a door down the cellar. I heard the wooden door creaked. It got so dark and eerie. I couldn't see where to walk. It seems like it was built out of stone. The smell kicks in, churning my stomach.

"Help! Somebody! Please!" I screamed, hoping someone could hear me.

I heard a low, growling sound... and it's getting nearer. It sounded like an animal... a hungry one. It made me tremble and shake, imagining all the worst case scenarios of what possibly could happen down here to me?

"Dear, God, please..." I prayed and kept on walking, touching the bricked walls to guide me in the pitch black room.

"Is somebody there? Hello?" I managed to ask in between of my shaky breaths. I heard a classical music playing and I am sure it comes from here.

I had a spark of hope when I saw fire lit up on the candelabras. The candles are still intact, no sign of any melting. They're new. Someone was here.

It was a person. Not an animal.

"Trudy! What are you doing in here?!"

I screamed on top of my lungs when I heard Lila's voice. I faced her and suddenly, everything looked so blurry, and it was getting heavier and darker until I fainted.