"My lady," someone emerged from the door, standing straight and bowing with courtesy, "Lord Granmour would like for you to join him in the ballroom at your leisure."
The woman inside sat at her ornate vanity, painting her lipstick with a delicate motion using a brush and puckering her lips to spread it around. She gazed at her reflection, smiling as she admired her porcelain like features. Medium length raven black hair formed into a straight layered bob with two curly bangs framing the sides of her face, which only seemed to compliment her smooth, almost glass like, skin. A touch of subtle black liner and masterfully applied mascara highlighted her crimson red eyes and long eyelashes.
She stood up from her chair, fixated on her custom-made kimono which was hand tailored by one of Japan's most sought after and elite fashion designers; a predominantly black shade patterned with blooming red camellias, a white obi sash tied with a bow around her petite waist, white tabi socks with red zori sandals and to cinch in the look, an orange kanzashi hairpin with red ribbon adorned her hair to create the perfect feminine look.
"My apologies for barging in, Lady Granmour," the figure dressed in maid's clothing arose from their bowed position, her head craned downward, "I did not know you were still getting ready."
"Do not worry," the woman's voice was soothing and soft-spoken, but carried a weight to it that would stun anyone in the room, "We all make our mistakes, though I imagine my husband would not be so lenient with you as I am right now."
Lady Granmour turned to face the servant, approaching her with a steady gait, "And you wouldn't want to upset my husband now, would you?" she stared intensely at the girl, her look unshifting from her polite demeanor.
"N-No my lady," the servant hid her fidgety fingers behind her back, hoping her lady would not see this, "If you will please allow me to escort you to the ballroom…"
"Thank you," a smile that appeared kind was lined with malice.
The servant briskly exited; the lady of the manor gracefully stepped out of her room while her servant awaited her to walk on ahead. The two women could not be more diametrically different from each other even if they tried, as the servant kept making swift, periodic glances at her lady's figure and overall appearance, almost enamored with her if anything.
Even though she didn't look like she was in her late twenties, she carried the mature beauty of a refined woman years ahead of her time with how she presented herself. From what the servant could recall from gossip spread around by the other maids, she was the lord's third wife after the last one left him broken, and no one really knew what happened to his first wife either. Rumor has it that no one could ever match up to his first love, but the third Lady Granmour seemed to have captivated the lord despite his last marriage ending in flames.
"Has there been any news regarding the present situation with our esteemed guests?" Lady Granmour asked, keeping her movements focused while her words direct, "I imagine Lord Granmour has been elated with how timely things have turned out? He was most distressed earlier; I do hope his mood has improved."
"Y-Yes he has my lady," the servant addressed her, a slight stutter in her voice gave away her nervousness, "He did not wish to disturb you as he believes that you wouldn't want to sully your eyes with such a vicious display. It has been quite the day, my lady."
"I see…." the woman's voice trailed as she mused, "And pray tell, what will be on this evening's menu? I'm quite famished as is."
"The head chef is currently arranging everything, my lady," the meek servant's stomach rumbled, but thankfully Lady Granmour didn't hear it, "From what I hear, my lord and you will be dining well tonight on smoked herb veal drizzled in a rich gravy sauce with buttered mashed potatoes or seasoned fried rice for your main course."
"He does have quite the impeccable palate indeed," Lady Granmour giggled, her sleeve to her mouth to cover this mischievous gesture, "And what else is there? Particularly for dessert?"
"The chef has offered three choices of appetizers tonight, my lady," the servant was also distracted thinking of her own evening meal, "I don't know all of them, but I do think one of them will be Greek veggie tartlets. Also, I was not informed of what tonight's dessert would be, my apologies, Lady Granmour."
The disappointment didn't perturb her, but the anticipation was more than enough to mask the unpleasant feeling she felt. It was rare for the maid to have such a casual conversation with her lady, if anything it aroused more suspicion from her. Lord Granmour didn't think too highly of the manor's staff, but the new lady of the manor was more approachable in certain ways, which ultimately left the servants more wary whenever she would step into a room by herself.
The two of them arrived at the end and down the staircase, the maid picked up her pace and pushed open the tall doors leading to the ballroom and every time she caught a glimpse of it, it would never cease to amaze her of how grand everything was.
It was straight out of a fairytale with how gorgeous and radiant it was. The wooden floors were polished to a mirror's shine only illuminated more by the candle lit gold chandeliers that hang precariously above head. Three glass windowed doors were at the far end of the room, leading out to the gardens where you could see the evening night sky enshrouding the grounds in almost pitch darkness. A top floor balcony with a nearby staircase offered guests a better view of the entire ballroom and outdoor view, decorative white statues and intricately designed cream white and gold wallpaper gave the room an opulent energy to it.
Golden encased pillars kept this lofty ballroom standing upright, there was a lovely art mosaic like fresco that adorned the ceiling, one painted by an unknown Italian craftsman which left the servant speechless with how detailed it was, depicting what looked to be angels and demons opposing each other with their respective holy and hellish weapons. Finally, near the far right of the room, a small group of servants all wearing ornate face masks customary for any ball gathering, sat playing classical music fitting for a king and queen. Their music playing was enchanting, almost haunting with how dramatic and orchestral it was. The sole grand piano and pianist rested in the center while the violinists, cellists and flutists all synced their music in harmony.
"Wow…." she couldn't hold back her amazement any longer, "O-Oh I'm sorry…I umm.. spoke out of turn…"
"It's quite alright," Lady Granmour's smile soothed the girl's nerves, "I would pay anything to see this view all over again if I could. My Lord has very good taste in architecture, don't you agree?"
"H-Huh? Oh, most certainly, my lady!" she fumbled around, this droll frustration amusing her lady, "He is our most auspicious lord, and his artistic eye leaves no room for comparison."
The servant regained her composure, the lady of the manor perpetually humored by her antics as the two women saw someone standing in the center of the ballroom, his back turned to them as he turned to face them.
"Ah, Lady Granmour, you are looking as ravishing as ever," the man's charming smile could make any young woman's heart flutter, "I'm delighted you could come at this hour."
Lord Granmour was a regal gentleman; a man so refined that words could not describe how important he was as a person and figurehead at Granmour Manor. His tousled grayish light brown hair was swept back, with loose strands perched around his head, thin expressive dark eyebrows and his trimmed dark chin beard only elevating his effortless look. While his skin was paler than most others living in the manor, he was healthy, lean and tall, which made his intimidating appearance look even more powerful up close.
He wore clothes fitting for a lord from history, consisting of a fitted white long-sleeved shirt with frills lined along the shirt buttons and trim along the edges of his sleeves. A regal looking blood red jacket embraced his broad frame with the lapels black with golden fleur and curl like flourishes and even around his popped-out jacket collar. A golden beaded chain fastened around a deep black cape tied around his person with a golden stylized letter G medallion pinned to his left shoulder with an emerald gem in the center of the G, black gloves with a few gold rings with gemstone centers on each finger that the maid couldn't a make out from afar and his blood red pants were tucked into black cavalier boots that sparkled against the candlelight.
The most striking feature about Lord Granmour were his hypnotizing monochromatic colored eyes, a crimson red iris for his left eye and a deep black iris for his right. If anyone were to gaze upon his glorious personage for more than a scant glance, they would instantly assume that the man was a real vampire given how sophisticated he was for a man in his early forties.
"I am humbled by your invitation, my lord," Lady Granmour walked up and curtsied to him, "May I ask what the occasion is? It's quite rare for you to call me to the ballroom, especially now of all times."
"Must I have an excuse to have my beautiful wife join me for an evening dance?" he laughed confidently, placing his hand out for her to accept, "Shall we?"
Lady Granmour took his hand and the two walked a few steps down and the two embraced each other for a fleeting minute until they positioned themselves comfortably for what's to come. His left hand interlocked with hers, his right on her waist and her right on his shoulder and they readied their footing, a man wearing a black music conductor's uniform and face mask stepped out and readied his baton, tapping it a few times to get the musicians' attention.
Music began to fill the room as the two started dancing around, their movements in tandem with each other and the music as the violins and flutists timed their harmonies almost immaculately. The lord and lady continued to dance as if no one else were in the room, their sublime waltz uninterrupted as the orchestra settled to let the grand pianist perform her ballad.
The maid watched from afar, almost envious of the romantic chemistry between the two of them with how in sync they were. What would she give for just one dance, one where she meets the right person who could sweep her off her feet and ensnare her in their daring game of love. Watching the two of them dance was the closest she would ever get to seeing a dream become a reality.
After about an hour of dancing, the candles started to dim and the music began to decrescendo, indicating that things were coming to a close. The lord pulled his lady closer as the two of them kissed, their lips touching each other as mental sparks started to fly around the two of them, or at least that's what the servant envisioned when witnessing the display of affection.
"Oh, my goodness, I'm sooooo happy for them!" she thought, not wanting to burst the bubble and ruin the moment, "I wish I could have something like that…."
When it was over, Lord and Lady Granmour turned to face the glass door to the garden, and he opened it like a true gentleman as she accepted his polite gesture. Though the lights in the room started to dim, the servant could make out a faint expression of apathy on her lord's face, a look that seemed to contrast his actions prior to this very magical event.
The two of them then disappeared into the back gardens, the maid approaching the glass to see that they were having an outdoor dinner with a meal spread fit for royalty with how many delicious looking cuisines were on the table. The aroma of each different food married so well with each other; it would drive any person insane with hunger.
Assuming that she was relieved of her evening duties, the servant left the ballroom through where she entered, closing the door quietly and looking around to see if anyone else was around. She then squealed with excitement, her heart beating ten times fast like a drum and her cheeks flushed red as if she were drunk off of the romantic atmosphere.
"Lord and Lady Granmour are so good for each other," though she wasn't old enough to remember, she could still recall a time before the new lady arrived where the lord was dour and despondent, seeing him so proud and happy was more than enough for her, "I hope they have a long and happy marriage together."
Giddy and not looking where she was going, another maid bumped into her, dropping something metal on the floor as the noise echoed throughout the empty grand foyer. "I'm so sorry! That was my fault," she apologized instinctively, "I should have looked where I was going."
"Are you a moron! Why the hell are you lollygagging around like a nuisance?!" the angry maid ranted, picking up the fallen silver tray with a white letter stamped with a red imprint on the front, "You're lucky the letter for his lord has not been soiled by your childish clumsiness."
"Again, my apologies for being so careless!" she bowed her head, "To remedy this mistake, I will personally deliver this letter to his lordship myself and ease your burden."
At first the agitated servant gave her a dissatisfied look, raising her brow at the clearly klutzy junior girl who had only started working at the manor for a week. After mulling it over, she handed the tray to her, sighing and waiting for her to take it, "Make sure he receives this as it is, no detours or distractions, got it?"
"Yes ma'am!" she huffed out, taking the tray from her and heading back to the ballroom.
"Better her than me…." the other servant mumbled out of earshot distance.
With newfound dedication to rectify her shortcomings, the young woman hurried herself through the ballroom, peering out the transparent doors and scoping out where her lord was. The band had already dispersed from the stage and the other servants were attending to the chandeliers, blowing out the wicks and polishing the floor, some of them annoyed by the girl disturbing their work.
She exited through the doors to the outdoor gardens and took in the view whilst searching for Lord Granmour. Even though it was getting darker, there were golden fire columns neatly stacked in a row along the edges of the landscape, the viewing balcony was also well lit, so you could see in front of you and ahead. Unlike her and the other servants inside the manor, the groundskeepers working outside the manor were rarely seen and usually worked in the early hours of the morning so that they could present the garden in a way that pleased the lord and lady.
In the distance she could see a large hedge maze, what looked to be a large pool below the stairs where she stood, some gates at the side of the manor she wasn't allowed to enter, and she could spy a few fountains spewing out water as the crickets and other nightlife ambience filled the air around her with white noise.
"Out a bit late aren't you, my dear?" a man's voice interrupted her idle state.
The maid whipped around, almost falling forward but was caught by a pair of strong arms and tight grip. Her head was pressed against his firm chest, and her cheeks were bright apple red at that point, flustered she looked up to see an all too familiar face that gave her goosebumps.
"M-M-My Lord!" she gasped out, bewildered by his appearance and losing her footing, "I-I-I'm very sorry for barging into y-you! P-Please accept my humble and lowly apology for ruining your evening!"
No amount of begging or pleading could sway the lord's fury, or at least that's what the other servants have said about him. Fearing the worst, she was out of breath and praying that he would spare her. Instead of disgust, anger or rage, she was greeted by a placid expression followed by a hearty laugh soon after.
"Hahaha, you must be one of the servant girls working here," his confident aura was overwhelming, even his laugh was commanding, "I know every single one who works here and yet I do not know you," he seemed almost transfixed with her, an anomaly he was trying to place in his mind, "Are you by chance new around here?"
Shocked that he wasn't livid with her clumsiness, she took the opportunity to compose herself and save what little dignity she had left, "Y-Yes I am! Though I umm… only started working here for a week, my lord…..I-" she was at a loss for words, stunned by his magnificence.
"Very well then," he continued to stare deep into her soul with his alluring stare, his eyes trained on only her, "Now to what do I owe this sudden chance meeting?"
Having almost forgotten about her original purpose for being there, she noticed the tray had fallen out of her hand and landed on the gravel underneath her feet. She frantically searched the area until she had found the letter, still unopened and intact and presented it to him.
"T-T-This letter is for you!" she pinched it with her index finger and thumb, "I was t-told to deliver it to you personally, m-my lord!"
Astounded but amused, Lord Granmour took the letter and opened it up, approaching one of the lanterns to get a better read of the words contained within. At first he was focused and intense, but once he finished the letter, a devious smile appeared on his face. The girl was taken aback, but was too afraid to look away, her lips quivering in his almighty presence.
"This is excellent news indeed!" he announced, walking closer to the girl, "Thank you miss, I appreciate your moxie! Normally I don't indulge in meaningless encounters, but this most definitely is one that has put me in such high spirits!"
Was she being praised for doing the most mundane of tasks she could do as a maid? Was she hallucinating this because it was late, and she should have been preparing for bed? A million different questions ran rampant through her mind as the looming lord took her abruptly by the hand and forsaken her personal space.
"M-My lord?!" she was exasperated as he dragged her along, "W-Where are you taking me?"
"I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, my dear," he chuckled, taking the lead as she followed his gait, "Come with me."
Before she was confused by what was happening but coupling what she thought was going to happen with the rumors of the lord's random bouts of aggressive impulsivity, she was worried that she would be taken away to be punished or worse. He had taken her past the point where she was told not to tread and they emerged through the gates, trailing along a rocky pathway through the well-kept gardens.
She and the lord trailed through grape vineyards, walked past flower beds and eventually made their way to the edge of the manor. The maid had no idea what it was like past the manor gates, she couldn't even fathom it, but what she saw took her breath away just as it did with everything else at the illustrious Granmour manor.
It was something of a secluded spot, one you'd see in any period drama or romantic comedy film. There was a tall gazebo with fancy seating, soft pillows resting along the edges, a center round table in the middle on a small wooden platform with stairs leading up to it and translucent curtains were wrapped along the pillars of the gazebo. Flower beds lined the edges of the gazebo and along the pathway of the trail they followed, and a few fire torches stood planted in the ground illuminating the area around them.
But the main selling point of this spot was that it was close to the cliff's edge. What she didn't expect to see was that the manor was on an island and that she couldn't see any land for a few miles from where she stood. The night sky was starry with the moon shining beams of faint light down on them as the sea waves crashed against the cliff's edge and the rocks below.
In all of her life, she had never expected an insignificant village girl like her would ever see such a glorious view. If only her mother and father could see her now, working for one of the most esteemed families in the land and getting to witness such a sight.
"T-This is….it's so beautiful…" She was too stunned to speak, her eyes sparkled as she took in everything around her.
"Isn't it? Hahaha I had a feeling you'd enjoy it," his black cape swooshed around in the cool evening breeze, "Come join me."
Lord Granmour sat on the gazebo seat and motioned for the servant to follow suit. At first distracted by everything else, she approached the gazebo with a pep in her step, sitting opposite to her lord and resting on the soft pillowy cushioning, massaging her aching back as she moved around the seat.
"Make yourself comfortable," he too did the same, "I don't normally allow anyone other than my wife here, but for you my dear, I can make an exception."
"W-What do you mean, m-my lord?" she tilted her head, also curious as well, "What makes me so special? I've only just started working here recently and you've only known about me for a few minutes at best."
He looked affronted for a moment, "Don't you see it?" he looked deeply into her eyes, "You look so much like her….." he leaned in closer.
As if she sensed danger afoot, the servant inches away from Lord Granmour, her fears growing tenfold as she instantly knew what he was getting at. Was all of this his attempt at creating some forbidden tryst? Does Lady Granmour know anything about this? Does she know that her husband was like this? No, she could not do that to her, she's her lady and he's her lord. This was not what she had in mind at all.
"I'm very sorry my lord, but I must refuse," she deftly exited her seat, repulsed by his salacious attempt, "I don't think this is very appropriate behavior for a master to engage in with his servant. What would Lady Granmour think if she saw the two of us together like this?"
Lord Granmour hesitated, straightening his posture as he cleared his throat, "Ah yes, you're quite right about that. Forgive me for being so forward my dear…." that was underselling it in her eyes, "I just….you just….nevermind. I'm sorry for putting you in this troublesome position and making you feel any discomfort."
Discomfort was sugarcoating how she really felt in that moment. Even though she was fearful of the lord's unpredictable ways, she knew earning the wrath of Lady Granmour, the one she was meant to serve, would not bode well for her if she had accepted his advances. He would have jeopardized her entire future, his marriage and everything he claimed to stand for, all for some petty fling with someone he viewed as second class in his eyes. She resolved herself to do her duty as a maid, walked away from the gazebo and bowed to him, the moment was truly eye opening for her.
"I wish you a pleasant night my lord," she raised her head, "I will take my leave now and retire for the evening, if you'll excuse me."
After standing her ground, Lord Granmour was left speechless but the look in his eyes was not what she had expected. He wasn't mad or chasing after her in anger, nor did he get up and stroll off like a petulant child who didn't get his way, instead he sat there with a nonchalant countenance on his face and continued looking out at the sea ahead of him. Whether this was him self-reflecting on his poor behavior or not, she didn't look back and walked up the path to the manor.
She found her own way back, thinking no one had spotted her, she took a deep breath and gripped the handle to the ballroom.
"There you are!" a woman's voice left her stiff and stone cold, it was Lady Granmour, "I've been looking everywhere for you all evening, where have you been?"
The servant was rooted in place, her lady steadily approaching her as time began to stand still in that moment. Did someone spot her ensconcing with Lord Granmour earlier? Was she not careful or silent enough to evade detection? Why was Lady Granmour out so late? Even more intrusive thoughts pervaded throughout her mind, each one making her sweat bullets as the lady's footsteps grew nearby.
"O-Oh L-L-Lady Granmour…." her voice trembled to an almost different octave, "I was…I- I can explain!" she thought her fate was sealed right then and there, closing her eyes awaiting for something to happen.
"Oh? Well It doesn't matter anyway, I was about to head to my chambers but I seemed to have lost you," Lady Granmour noticed her anxiety, but didn't comment on it, "I'm so relieved to see that you're alright."
Unsure if she knew what was going on or not, her lady had hugged her, the maid's swamped feelings evaporating as the hug seemed to alleviate any doubt she had in her mind. It was not what she had expected, but it was almost touching to witness her lady in such a vulnerable state.
"I'm so glad to have such a caring, kind and loyal servant such as you," the way she said those words made the girl even more paranoid, hoping her lady couldn't sense her unease, "I know you've only been working here for a week, but I would like to promote you to my personal ladies maid effective immediately!"
So many overwhelming things were all converging on her and if anything, this was too much for the maid to process at once. She had only been a humble servant who just happened to be in the right place at the right time and did what she had to do, but never in a million years did she expect to be promoted so quickly and so suddenly too. Something was suspicious, but for the time being, it was best to keep going along with the charade.
"R-Really? Oh my goodness, I don't deserve such an honor, my lady," the maid profusely remarked, "I mean..,I've only been working here for such a short time as well, I'm sure the other maids who've worked here for years would be more qualified than someone like me."
Lady Granmour did not seem to like that answer, instead of fussing she brushed off that reaction, "Nonsense, if I say I trust you, then that is how it shall be. You're not questioning my judgment now, are you?"
"N-N-Not at all, my lady," now she was really out of her element, "I'm v-very grateful…." She couldn't believe what came out of her mouth, but fearing her lady's wrath was something that kept her sane even if she wanted to curl up into a ball and die.
"Very well then! Best get a good night's rest now!" She raised her kimono sleeve to her mouth, her lips pursed into a cunning smile, "I expect to see you first thing in the morning tomorrow. I also forgot to ask, but what is your name girl?"
"Oh it's….Camilla…." she muttered out, still weak in the knees and ready to collapse.
"Camilla….." the words danced on her lips as she thought it over, "Such a pretty name for such a pretty young woman…I'll be sure to remember it."
Camilla then rushed to open up the door for her lady and she followed suit, all of her feelings intensified and flooded her with all sorts of dangerous emotions. Life was about to get more chaotic for her and she didn't know whether this was some test from some higher being or something else entirely….
All signs point to one outcome…..her destiny had been sealed…and so had her future demise.
A/N: Hi everyone, I hope you all are doing fantastically well and thank you once again for reading my chapter. I bet you didn't expect to see another one so soon like the last one, but I promise that this will be the final prologue chapter before the official cast reveal and the story's true start, I should say.
I wanted to give more context to this setting, the world and the characters in this particular one. I've had this story brewing in the back of my mind for the past few years now and considering my own circumstances, I'm very happy to share this concept with you all and it warms my heart to know that you all like it as much as I do. I won't be doing too many spontaneous chapters like this when the story starts properly as I have to work in the OCs that come with it, but I hope that these have satiated your interest in my story for now until November rolls around and I can finally commence things officially.
I had a lot of fun writing this particular chapter in question, it's rare for me to write in third person perspectives as I'm accustomed to writing in first person, but I hope this is how you do it and I hope you liked my attempt at it. I'm using this chapter as a testing ground for other things, but that's another tangent I won't go too much into.
Anyway, did you guys enjoy this chapter? Who are these mysterious characters introduced and how will they tie into the main plot? I know this chapter might feel almost out of place, but I can assure you that it fits into the story I have envisioned for this particular SYOC. What are your opinions of Granmour manor? What do you think of Lord and Lady Granmour? I know it's a lot of new information to take in, but I hope to weave these characters into the narrative in a way that feels natural but also take my own spin on it as well.
I don't have much else to say other than I hope you guys liked the chapter. I've been getting a lot of comments from people regarding the deadline for this story and if things change in the upcoming month, I will extend the deadline but as of right now, the deadline will remain November 1st until further notice, but if you wish for an extension please let me know as soon as possible.
I've decided not to accept any OC just yet, this is so that I can better work with everyone's characters and factor in how they work with my current outline for Your False Words when the time comes. To those who are worried that their OC might not get in, I can assure you I want to wait it out so that I can properly judge all the submissions fairly and gauge whether they fit my intended plans for this story.
I appreciate all the characters that I've received so far, I will review all of them again soon, but I have college classes and work and am currently in the process of job hunting, so if things are slow in chapter writing, I won't hesitate to inform you all if something comes up.
With all that out of the way, I wish you all the best, thank you for all the support you have shown my story and I hope to see you all in November when I can finally announce this story's beginnings properly.
Have a wonderful day, night, holiday or whatever it is you are celebrating and happy reading my fellow readers, authors and otaku alike. I will see you all when I post next and I hope your October and Halloween are spooktacular and festive as heck! Bye bye.