This is a story about young Count of „Greenhall House" - Nicklaus. Lady Caroline is forced to marry him because for the sake of her family. She becomes the new mistress of the mansion. Will they learn to live together and love each other? Will she find a home behind the walls of her prison? Is this the place she belongs to? The story is told by the housekeeper of the mansion – Lisa. AU fanfic – both are humans. Contains several scenes of violence. I apologize for any mistakes, I did my best to translate it from my native language.

CHAPTER 1: THE NEW LADY OF GREENHALL HOUSE

I've been working in „Greenhall House" since I remember. My mother was housekeeper here, her mother's mother - too. The truth is, my great-grandmother was a maid to the first mistress of the Stone Monster as we call the mansion. Greenhall still remembers a story of Count Nicklaus and his wife – Lady Caroline. "He would not have survived another one," I like to joke. Even the stone walls of the mansion are not strong enough to withstand such stormy characters.

Greenhall had always been quiet, as if the walls of the Stone giant were protecting us from the bustle of the world. When the old Count was young, he was busy doing business, looking after the manor, often walking to the city to control things in the company, Countess Esther was painting, taking care of the manor and helping us. Greenhall could not have a better lady. Then I was still young, I was not yet a housekeeper, but a regular maid who was serving tea, washing the floors and plates, and trying to mistress my mistress in general.

In Greenhall, the changes run slowly and imperceptibly. It was a time when my mistress gave birth - the little Count Nicklaus, a wild and sunny child. The Count and Countess did everything for their son. The little boy became a rebellious young man who often walked out of the house and went to have fun with friends. God, we must have been looking for him twice every night!

The years did not reflect well to the old Countess - she got sick and she faded. Unfortunately, that made the situation in Greenhall even more intolerable - the young Count was almost no longer coming home, the master raging with anger because of his disinterest and lust. Within a year or two, the old Count Mikael died. We all expected the estate to be sold, because it was more than clear that the young Count did not show any interest in it. Then the Count gathered us in his father's office, gave orders to everyone, asked to bring all the papers from the past years, and did not sleep all night. From then on, he began to care for the mansion and for us. Greenhall did not feel a change. He stood unshaken and unmoved by what was happening.

That night, I wake up from the master's car. Just like a mother, I was waiting him to come home. This time his footsteps slowed, I peeked through the window of my room to see what was going on. He opened the car door and pulled a sleeping woman into his arms. I could not believe my eyes! Then, for the first time, I saw Greenhall's future mistress. She was beautiful, there was no controversy, but as I repeated a million times to my master - beauty is not important, but heart. Who could assume she owned both?

He carried her through the front door and climbed up the stairs to the second floor. What a woman, I thought, falls asleep in a stranger's car!

The next morning, I stood in the kitchen, waiting to know what had happened. The Count entered calmly, apparently slept well, I could say, and sat down at the small kitchen table with a newspaper in his hand.

„Breakfast for two?" I suggested, anxious to know details about last night.

„You spied on me, Lisa" he gently replied, and sipped coffee.

„I swear, it was the first time" I raised my right hand theatrically.

„For the first time ... last night" the Count sipped his coffee again.

I put his favorite breakfast in front of him and waited, I fixed the tablecloth a few times, unfold and fold a napkin over and over again

„Can I help you with something, Lisa?" offered the Count.

„You're terrified, Master! When will you tell me what is the mysterious girl you brought to your room?"

„In fact, I was just about to do it, " he smiled, knowing that I was burning with curiosity." She's Greenhall House's future mistress.

Just that - one sentence. I felt my jaw hang.

„How come the Greenhall House mistress?"

„I will marry her."

„How can you get married for her?"

„Like that, Lisa, please close your mouth and take care of taking a breakfast in my room."

„But ...?"

„Excuse me, sir, I ..." - Matt appeared at the kitchen door, and next to him stood an unfamiliar man in Nicklaus's shirt, - „I found her walking around the mansion", Matt explained and smiled at her.

"Hello", she smiled timidly.

"Hello" said the Count, and stood up. "Come, sit down, you we're going to have breakfast."

"No, I do not want to disturb you"she said shyly, wrapping herself in the shirt while sitting next to the master – "I ... last night ... I fall asleep ... I'm sorry, I did not want to ..."

"Do not worry - he smiled at her and put her hand on her back. She also smiled, "What will you eat? I do not accept a refusal"

„Thank you very much for listening me last night, for drinking with me and you took care of me, but I think it's time to leave. They're already looking for me..."

She got up and stripped off his shirt, revealing a blue silk dress.

"Please sit!" – Count Nicklaus said firmly, his whole face tense. She looked at him in surprise, but when she saw his serious expression, he preferred to listen to him. "They are not looking for you," he said slowly.

"I do not understand.."

"They are not looking for you. I called them."

"What? Who did you call?"

"Last night you told me your family was trying to marry you to a stranger because of unpaid debts. You said you were supposed to have dinner with that person, but at the last moment you scared and escaped - she nodded in agreement - You'll probably hate me after what I'm going to tell you, but ... I'm this guy."

"What ?!"

"Your uncle owes my family some money. The deal was to meet you and then to see what happens, I ..."

"It is not possible, you ... you ... You came to that bar, even I did not know where to go, I ..."

"I followed you, " he replied calmly "I came to the place of meeting earlier, I saw you, then I saw that you ran and I followed you... I wanted to get to know you, to see what kind of person you are, but I did not want you to know who I am."

"I want to go, "she said, her eyes tearing.

"I'm afraid it's not possible, "said the Count, still calmly "This afternoon we'll get married."

She shook her head frightened and ran through the door.

"Lisa", he turned to me "Close all doors!"

Since then, the walls of Greenhall House have begun to shake!