Once I passed the long passage full of portraits, I reached a dark door that was opened by the maid. The cold wind welcomed us the moment we stepped out.

“If you want, you can stay here. I will come back soon.” I told her as she started rubbing her arms.

“My lady is not so familiar with the place. How could I leave her alone.” she replied in a determined tone, and I could only nod.

The winds howled more as we started walking as if they were angry that we had disturbed their tranquility. I rubbed my arms too as I walked towards the graveyard I have gone to this early morning, and I could not believe it was night already. One day has passed in this strange place and yet she is still here with not even a single plan to get out of this place.

She sat in front of her father’s grave with complicated expressions.

“I want to talk to my father privately.” she told the maid who was glued to her.

She was not that naive to understand that the maid was with her because she was worried that Evangeline would be lost or would hurt herself. So she wanted to take care of Evangeline. She was there to keep an eye on Evangeline’s every step and Evangeline was sure, once she would be asleep, the maid would go and report everything to her masters.

The maid wanted to refuse but looked at her red eyes and cold face. She nodded and left reluctantly.

“Father,” Evangeline looked at the grave with a complicated expression. “You have always forced me to listen to you. And as your single daughter, i always thought to share your burden, that is why i did everything you told me too. But now I am tired, and I want the break you have talked to me about.

I can not fulfil your last wish as i can not marry a stranger. That is also noble. Please forgive me but now I want to live my life on my terms. I will sell the house and move to another town and start a new life there. I will not be able to come to meet you again. So, this is my last goodbye to you.” I bowed to give him respect one last time.

I continued to look at the grave for the next few minutes hoping that the man would get angry and shout but the peacefulness of the night remained.

Taking a sigh, Evangeline stood up and walked back towards the door from where they had entered in the back garden.

The maid was standing there. He was making tea. Hearing the sound of the creaking door, she looked up and smiled at Evangeline.

“Ah, you are back my lady. Come here I have prepared tea for you, it will help you in keeping you warm.” she replied as she moved the hand to gesture to her and used another hand to pour the tea in the cup.

Evangeline smiled and nodded and walked towards the counter and sat on one of the chairs. She took the warm cup in her hand and the warmth started to fill her frozen bones.

“What is your name?” she asked the girl who was following her whole day.

“My name is Serina, my lady.” replied, the girl with a bright smile.

“Have you been serving here for a long time?” asked Evangeline again, trying to strike a conversation so that she knew more about this place and its exits.

“Yes, I have been working here since I was a child. My lady, the duchess, brought me from an auction and then she treated me kindly. Since I have nowhere to go, I have decided to serve the mansion all my life.” replied the girl with a chirpy voice even when she was talking about something so distorting.

“What if you get married in the future? Would working here not affect your marital life? How far this place is! You will not reach home before midnight. You should think about it since you have already reached that age.” scolded Evangeline. But in reality she wanted to know the shortest way to reach town.

“No, my lady. Though this place is in woods, there is a shortcut and from passage it will only take an hour to reach there if you take a local carriage. Moreover, I am thinking of marrying one of the staff here. So that we can live here together. We do not need to go to the town then.” replied the girl again as she cleaned the counter

“That is a very wise decision.” I replied as I got a good hint. If we get a good carriage we can reach the palace on time but then I have no money. To hire a carriage at the deserted area it will take a silver coin.

“Ah, the tea has turned cold! Shall I make another cup for the lady?” asked the girl and I shook my head.

Drinking the bitter liquid in one sip, my insides churned yet I held it and put the cup back on the tray with a smile.

“It is already too late. I did not even realize how much time i had spent roaming around, i shall go and rest in my room.” I replied and she nodded.

“Ring the bell if you need anything, my lady. I will be nearby.” she replied and I smiled and nodded.

‘Why the hell are you keeping such a strict eye on me?’ I muttered under my breath as I walked to the room that was assigned to me and closed my eyes thinking of a new plan.’

“You do not need to worry so much. Go and have some rest too.” I replied as I patted her shoulders and walked out of the kitchen straight to the room that was assigned to me.

I opened the door and walked in. Taking a deep breath, I decided to go and splash some water over my mouth when my eyes fell on the bed.

“What are you doing here?”

“Ah, you are back! Took you long enough?”

“………..”