Chapter 4 Unraveling the Truth

"Listen, Trudy, if you're all just gonna make up some random creepy stories, might as well pack your things and leave. This mansion does not tolerate things that could crash the reputation of the Lord Constantine!" Madame Ingrid massaged the bridge of her nose, calming herself.

"But, I swear, I'm telling the truth! He isn't a human... he's a... h-he's..." I stuttered, could not bring myself to tell the truth.

"Enough! I want you to reflect on your behavior and apologize..." she stated.

"It was a dream, Trudy. Your mind made up things!" she continued.

"It's real... I can prove it," I stammered and touched my neck. He left me a mark on my ivory skin.

"Here, look." I swayed my hair back to show the purplish bite marks on my neck.

"Holy God..." she gasped and covered her mouth.

She remained composed on her chair, speechless, probably thinking of her next decision.

"This stays between the two of us, is it clear? The girls won't know about it. The other maids won't know about it. Do you hear me, Gertrude?"

"W-what do you mean?"

"You have to wait for the crowning ceremony before you completely understand it."

"Am I in trouble? What's wrong with Lord Constantine?"

"I said wait for the crowning ceremony!" she emphasized and made me leave the room.

I heaved a sigh when I finally got out of her office and carried on doing my chores. This mansion is full of secrets and I don't know who to trust anymore.

I touched my neck... it is still stinging and aching. His bite was unexplainable. He is a monster! The people must know! I should probably get away! But Madame Ingrid's words echoed in my mind. I have to wait for the crowning ceremony... maybe I could still save the mansion and exploit the real identity of Lord Constantine.

After I fixed the girls' gowns for the crowning ceremony, I headed to the library. It was quiet and empty. I need to know more about the situation. I need to seek the truth. But my mind couldn't accept the reality... that Lord Constantine might be a vampire.

In this secluded, cold island— this mansion hidden from the world, it makes sense to why he keeps his identity as a secret.

I lit up the candelabras as I went farther the nooks of the library.

"Batch 1888?" I asked myself in curiosity as I found a vintage picture frame hanging on the brick walls.

It's a picture of ladies... more like school girls. They were wearing conservative clothing and looked so expensive. Based on the structure of the background, this photo was taken in this very mansion. But I thought this was made a girls' school only to find a suitable wife for Lord Constantine? So, it existed before?

"Batch 1788... oh, good lord." I shut my eyes and stopped from looking. It was a photograph of pretty ladies as well.

I started rummaging in the archive and found a substantial article in the 1968. This was very long time ago. My attention got undivided when I sight on missing people cases. Mostly women... pretty ones.

Sylvia Roanne, Cindy Moore, Rina Aniston and a lot more. It says here that they are on school vacation and went to Haugen Town, however, their trip took a wrong turn. They were never found until. Poor girls...

I decided to leave the library when I bumped onto someone. It's Professor Lorient!

"Trudy, what a nice surprise. You're here again."

"Yeah, well, I'm reading history, again." I said awkwardly.

"You know curiosity kills a cat, right?"

"Actually, I do have a question for you. Are you familiar with Sylvia Roanne? Uhm, how about Cindy Moore, or Rina?" I hid the newspaper behind my back.

He looked so puzzle. "Of course, who wouldn't remember these girls. They were famous. I was a young boy when I heard their stories. They were students here until their boats sank in the sea. What a tragedy huh." he explained casually.

"How long has this mansion been a school for girls?" I asked, a little nervous.

"I don't know. There are different versions of the truth, Trudy. But you know what's even more depressing with those ladies? They were never actually found. No recovered bodies. Townsfolk said they were in the bottom of the water. Others said they were murdered. Others believed that they were hidden in this godless mansion." he shrugged his shoulders, like he was not talking about tragedies.

I have a very bad feeling about this mansion. I headed out to the kitchen to drink a glass of water. I need air... I need to breathe. This is too much for me! I inhaled and exhaled repeatedly, feeling the gush of anxiety taking all over me.

All those girls in different time periods— all those missing girls... it just leads to one conclusion: they were all studying here in the mansion. They were all students. But for whom? Lord Constantine was only in his mid thirty years... he was not even born to find a wife... unless it's all a myth... a legend.

If this was founded in 1688... and now it's 1988... it is 300 years old. The founder's name was Constantine Haugen and as his ancestor, Lord Constantine was named after him. Unless.... they are the same person! Maybe Lord Constantine is identified as crippled and paralyzed so no one would suspect. He's always hidden like a secret.

And if my theories were all correct, I could have my answer in the crowning ceremony.

His bride would become a monster too. A vampira just like him.

All of the sudden, a vision popped in my mind. That moonlit night, I was bitten on my neck... he's finally got his eyes on me. Lord Constantine has many pretty rich girls to choose from... so, why me? The man is so powerful; he owns an island and a mansion. He has a lot of servants. I am just an ordinary lady. With no interesting background. I came from a poor family and poor town. I had to give up my studies to support my financial needs. Of all the girls who has the potential to be his wife, what did he even see in me? I may not be able to answer all these puzzles, but all I know is that I am in terrible danger.