The Hargreaves Fairytale
Author's Note: This is indeed an attempt to set the pace of Neo-Gothic Revival in Victorian England. I have no expertise in England's historic culture, so I would probably make up my own stuff to contribute.
Based on: Godchild by Kaori (though major changes are made)
The Victorian Era is a time of many contradictions. The apparent contradiction was between the widespread cultivation of an outward appearance of dignity and restraint and the prevalence of social phenomena that included prostitution and child labour were two sides of the same coin: various social reform movements and high principles arose from attempts to improve the harsh conditions. Many notable appearances of humanitarian figures such as the Heart family, the Whittake's and the betterside of merchant immigrants are helping to turn the state around. However, with huge differences in social strata, social crimes were bound to happen. And to keep peace, the Scotland Yard was established.
There was a rumour going on that Cain Hargreaves, Earl of Orford invites misfortune, or most troubling, death. "Death follows him everywhere he goes." Lola Heart picked up a stray sentence from two middle-class wives as she walked passed them. She shook her head to clear her mind off gossips. Surely it is merely a rumour. Cain Hargreaves is the one man who successfully solved the case of Jack the Ripper. Though the newspapers say he's still at large, family connections told her otherwise; and Lola has reason to believe this piece of information as her grandfather is the Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard. From what her grandfather said, the Earl of Orford has a wide knowledge of various fields, really. A very learned and cautious person, truly an asset to the Yard.
Shaking her crown of brunet locks, her pitter-patter of hurried footsteps led her to a tall atramentous iron gate. The glazed coutyard with its own sleeping willow over a still lake; a black swan glided; The tall, imposing gothic brick architecture lined with thick patterned vines, showcasing its authenticity and regency times.
Lola took a deep breath, reached in to procure a handwritten note. Her gloved hand was crinkling the note, but it helped calm her considerably. She had not seen Sir John Wayne for quite a while, and she felt guilty and decided to drop by for a visit.
Pushing the wrought-iron gate open, she went in with conviction and whether or not she came out alive is another thing.
