Hello

Even in its overwhelming darkness, the castle is extraordinary. The walls are lined with beautiful artwork, from breathtaking Tuscan landscapes to portraits of the most glorious men and women I've ever seen. The palace appears stuck, no, rooted in the middle of the Renaissance. Murals of cherubs and gargoyles alike adorn the ancient walls, graced with a plethora of intricately chiseled marble trim. Nearly every inch of the palace is made from marble; the floors entirely so.

I trek slowly behind Heidi, absorbing in every piece of information she relays about my new home and duties. "While you're here, Isabella, it is your responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of a few particular rooms in this palace. Particularly, the library and Master Caius' study."

Heidi turns toward a large wooden door, the panels on it carved in intricate baroque designs. Her pale fingers grip the long silver handle and she pulls open the large doors to reveal the most beautiful library I have ever seen. Bookcases span from floor to ceiling, holding more knowledge than a mere mortal can consume. A ladder rests against the shelves, ready to reach even the highest of texts. And the ceilings are not short in the least. Two stories of books stand before me, taunting, begging me to brush my fingers along their spines, to consume every word they hold inside of their parchment pages.

A few chairs are scattered across the floor of the room, ready for the occasional reader to fall into them with a cozy little text.

Desperately, I wish for a chance to lose myself in the grandeur of it all, even knowing that I will never find such a terrific opportunity.

A light touch on my arm jars me out of my reverie, and my heart sinks. Heidi is ready to continue.

Nearing the end of the tour, and my new quarters, a strange look develops on Heidi's face. Her eyebrows furrow and eyes glaze, she looks both pensive and guarded. I study her in my periphery for a few seconds, wary, before focusing on my surroundings once more.

"Isabella," she calls. I realize that Heidi is behind me now, and I turn around to face her, crossing my hands in front of me. "Yes, Miss Heidi?"

"Please be wary of how late you stay out of your quarters at night. While the Volturi will not harm you, there are other dangers lurking about this castle."

I eye her suspiciously, curious as to why and what danger exists in the first place, and Heidi's reasoning for actually making me aware of this. Instinctually, I know she cares, for some unknown reason, about my wellbeing, and I respect that.

"Is this a step towards friendship, then?" I ask, trying not to question her behaviour when, as far as I know, she is my supervisor.

Surprisingly, though, Heidi's odd expression bolsters into a glowing grin as she speaks the last words I expect to come from her mouth.

"I guess it is."

Instead of taking me back to the filthy room I slept in the night before, Heidi brings me to a room in the maid's quarters. My belongings are situated in the corner of the room, ready for me to unpack them. My fingers ache to put away my things and settle into my new room.

The cot situated in the corner takes up more space than the chest of drawers allocated for my belongings. The walls, painted a dull grey, entirely bare, hold little to be desired. But even though my room is cramped and more boring than my reflection, I am grateful for the lack of dirt and a bed to sleep in. Better than a straw floor, I remind myself as I climb onto the cot after Heidi leaves. So far, treatment at the Volturi palace exceeds any expectations I entered with.

Still, there is something dreadfully off about the dwellings and the… creatures that reside within these walls. The mere existence of this place sends chills down my spine.

~AB~

I wake up the next morning well-rested and in shock over the lack of nightmares in my sleep. Grateful that my first day will not be inhibited by exhaustion, I hurry to get ready to complete my tasks. Thankfully, the Volturi allowed me to bring a few personal belongings, necessities, and sentimental objects are permitted given that they possess no characteristics dangerous to myself or others.

I don't want to be here, but there is no use in fighting for my freedom; not until I gain some semblance of power; some kind of leverage. I am determined to withstand all this palace can throw at me so long as it means seeing my loving Papa one more time.

If our debt was caused by anything other than my Papa's attempt at saving the love of his life, my mother, from the disease that riddled her body, I would have found utter rage in my current situation. But I cannot fault a man that loved his wife enough to go in debt for the measly chance to save her existence. He loved us both so much. For that, I choose not to fight yet… Not until I have a fair shot at winning.

After braiding my hair down the center of my back, I trudge toward the servant's kitchen Heidi told me about the day before, starving for sustenance. The trek isn't long, and before I know it, I find myself in a barely occupied kitchen, staring at a dawdling pot-bellied chef. His eyes are muddy brown and hold little excitement at seeing me walk in the door. Not that I expect it, but having not met the man before, I expect at least a greeting or introduction.

He just stares at me in apathy and hands over a bowl of oats before walking through a door and leaving me be. Odd.

The rest of my day is no different. I pass a few discontent maids in the halls but meet no one willing to so much as speak to me. They don't even speak to each other. Everyone just works, swings into the kitchens for meals, and sleeps. A total bore. No friends to be had here. And as much as I hope, I do not see Heidi at all during the day.

I scrub the ballroom floors diligently, and dust every nook and cranny in reach (and even some that really aren't). The library, my light of the day, is a quick room to dust, and before I know it I find myself scouring the shelves for something of interest.

The library bursts with books and scrolls. Blank spaces do not show on the walls, only bookshelves. Endless. Thousands of books exist, with stories written beyond the pages of their manuscripts. I want to die in this library, beneath the spines and words of so many before me. Such a death sounds peaceful.

When I finally manage to pull myself from the depths of the infinite books, I rush to my next stop, the one room Heidi did not let me enter yesterday. Master Caius was busy, and did not want to receive any disturbances, so I did not get the opportunity to take in my duties before my daily routine was established.

I enter Master Caius' study, cautious of any current dwellings. Heidi told me to stay silent while I clean, and I refuse to stray from her advice. Upon entrance, the room appears empty, besides a mewling kitty in the corner of the room, so I begin my work, dusting the desk and following the instructions presented; dust, organize, and get out.

Halfway through my cleaning of the room, the door opens suddenly, and a loud, trumpeting male voice interrupts me. "Aro, what the bloody hell are you doing in my study?"

I turn around suddenly, startled and confused by this man's greeting. First of all, I've never met him before. And second, my name is Isabella; not this Aro he is addressing.

The man before me is platinum blonde and adorned in decedent gold robes. And like the others I met over the past day, his eyes are a sparkling ruby red.

He realizes, in an instant, that I am not the object of his attention, and a deep frown sets into his features.

"You are not Aro."

"No, I am Isabella," I start in a whisper. "I was assigned to clean your quarters."

Caius looks at me speculatively, scouring my appearance, and visibly flaring his nostrils. He takes a few steps closer, before halting mere feet in front of me. He reeks authority and danger, yet his presence comforts me. His face softens then as if he came to some realization.

"Isabella," he drawls, seeming to ponder over the name, or something, for a few moments. "How did you come to work in this castle, Isabella?"

"My papa owes you a debt, I am merely colateral," I murmur.

Caius folds his arms in front of his chest; half scowling, half twinkling at me. "This will not end well," he laughs, looking at me without a hint of a threat in sight. His words should terrify me but do not. Nonetheless, a foreboding air accompanies them.

"I hope to leave here soon, Master Caius. So long as Papa gets the money."

Caius takes a seat in an ornate wingback chair and folds his hands in front of him. "Isabella, unfortunately, I do not see you leaving this castle soon."

"But Papa-"

"It is not your Papa, sorella, who will keep you here. But mind that. We have plenty of time... How are you getting along?"

I stare at him in complete confusion. Never in my life has anyone practically foreseen my future. He seems to view me as a more permanent entity, he even refers to me as 'sister.'

"I don't understand."

"You will, in due time. Meanwhile, feel free to use my study as your escape. Athenadora, my wife, rarely visits me here, and it would be marvelous to have company in my work." Caius relaxes back into his chair then, throwing me a firm grin.

By the time I realize I am gawking, Caius is struggling to hold back laughter. How am I supposed to react to his mysterious behavior? Everything he says holds a serious and permanent edge to it. I want to laugh with him and escape from this place simultaneously.

"Yes, Master Caius."

"Just Caius, dear. We'll be family soon enough."

I blink at him, in the dark on my role in his future. It is all so fucking weird. But at the same time, he is presenting me with power. Even if I do not understand the authority I hold, his actions make me believe that he is sincere in his respect for me. How laughable!

Overcome with a strength I did not know I possess and embracing the confidence my father instilled in me at such a young age, I square my shoulders and face the man I see the potential of finding another newfound friend in.

"Caius, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."