Hello readers! I want to apologize for taking forever in updating. It's been a stressful month. But I'm trying my best now to update more frequently. Thank you for sticking with me; I really truly appreciated it.

Here's a new update; I'm trying my hardest to make them longer, for those that were giving me feedback about the length. Hopefully I'll be able to write more in the coming weeks. Please review guys! It helps with the writing process. Any feedback is welcome.
Thank you and Enjoy.
Xox

The beauty of the mansion made Clarice speechless as she toured the house's vast hallways and courtyards. Her employment had started swiftly; the young girl knew this wouldn't be an easy task, however.
The mysterious Count had hired her on the spot. Clarice was grateful for this opportunity, and knew this was something rare and precious.

It had been two weeks in her new employment. She could not help get lost in the array of colors around her as she cleaned the mansion. The young girl would make sure not to get distracted, nevertheless. She cleaned the house thoroughly, taking almost the whole day to tidy up the rooms. Perfection was a skill of hers.

There was one thing that she noticed about the whole situation: the appearance of the Count himself. She barely saw him during the day, and when the sun set, a small intricate coin purse was left at the door with a single red rose. Clarice knew it was her payment for the day, but there were times she wished she could at least thank him for his employment. As she dusted the expensive furnishings and washed the marble floors, she could not help wonder what the Count was up to.

Clarice would never pry into his business, but that did not mean she was not curious.

It was a Wednesday afternoon, and it would be sunset soon. Clarice was having a difficult time with a few stains of the wooden floor of the kitchen. Her back was already feeling the pain of the labor, but she would not go home until this stain was out.

That's when she heard that beautiful noise again. A sweet melody played wonderfully on a violin.
It always came from upstairs, near his bedroom.
Clarice had heard his playing before. It was something that made these long days favorable under the strong labor.

Today, the Count was playing a soft tune; it reminded Clarice of summertime, when the sun would set late in the evening and she could still hear the birds at night.

When the young girl had finished her task, she lifted herself from the floor and breathed in deeply, a sigh of relief escaping her rose lips.
It had been a successful day, and she felt quite proud of herself.

She looked out toward the large kitchen window only to feel some disappointment.
It was already dark outside, with barely any sun illuminating town. Clarice would have to hurry home.

Footsteps approached the kitchen, echoing against the glass window.

"Is everything alright, Miss Starling?"

The count stood in the entryway, clothed in a dark magenta suit. His ruffled shirt matched perfectly with the hue of purple, a crisp white cloth beneath the complex robe.
Clarice couldn't help feel embarrassed as her simple work dress paled in comparison.

"Good evening, sir. Everything's alright, and everything's cleaned. I was just on my home. Thank you, then. H-Have a good night."
Clarice didn't have time to turn around as his low voice called out again.
"Miss Starling, it's much too late to travel. I would not want you in any danger, now. You are welcome to stay the night in one of the guest rooms. I believe them to be quite hospitable", the Count proclaimed, a smirk appearing on his thin lips.

"Oh, um...it's alright, I can hurry hom-"

A sigh escaped the Counts lips.
He seemed saddened by her words.

"Ah, you are injuring my delicate feelings, Miss Starling. Am I that frightening to you?" The Count replied, seemingly distraught.

Clarice surely did not want to upset the Count. And to be honest, it had gotten dark quite fast.
Perhaps, one night would be alright, the young girl thought.

"I-I do not want to impose, sir."

"Oh, nonsense, my dear."
He walked toward her gracefully.

"You are a guest now."
A smile appeared on his lips as his smell made Clarice's mind spin.

-
She was no longer the maid this night. She would be a guest, and the Count knew how to treat guests.

He offered her a meal, but she declined politely; she had already eaten a few small bites before sunset. Additionally, Clarice felt like an imposition to the Counts home, no matter what he said
She was determined to sleep and, at sunrise, go straight home.

She was seated in the grand leather chair in the living room; the young maiden was facing the wondrous fireplace, it's stone carvings surrounding it's large frame. Clarice was warming herself,comfortably engulfed in the heat to notice the Count at the doorway.

He surveyed her, taking in the beauty before him. She seemed so delicate against the fire, as if she were about the melt. But her beauty conquered.
Her lips curved into a sweet smile.

"Beautiful, isn't she?"

A voice called from the shadows.

The Count walked into living room, taking Clarice by surprise. He sat at a polite distance from the girl, on the other couch. However, he was close enough that she could take in that scent of his.
She was grateful for the red hue of the fireplace; he could not see her blush.

"An old friend paid his debt with this fireplace. One of my favorite gems of this place."

"It truly is so. I've never felt such a heat," Clarice stated.
He looked toward her now, looking at her deep blue irises.
"A heat, indeed. Times like these I wonder if there is a fire within us."

She looked at him, taking in his words; intrigue shined in her eyes.

"What do you mean, sir?"

The County approached her, leaning at her side. She didn't even have time to breath, as he took her soft hand into his. His lips touched her forearm with a strange gentleness.

"I can feel your heat radiating off your skin, Miss Starling. It smells of pure silk and rain. Except...there is..."

He delve down into her skin, kissing it softly, slowly kissing higher, into the crease of her elbow. Her heart was bursting in her rib cage; she could not think. She could not breath.

He was so close, as his eyes met hers. The fire illuminated his maroon eyes, looking like a tranquil hell.
Clarice was melting.

"Do you feel this heat, my dear?"

His mouth found her neck, nuzzling a kiss near her ear. The Counts mouth was dancing on her skin, spreading a fire through her bones. She closed her eyes at his intense touch, her chest shaking lightly as his strong arms explored her own.

A hell in his eyes. A hell in her mind.
Her mind was faded as he stopped his actions and looked up at the young maiden.

She will be mine.