[AFYC] Chapter 58

A crimson carpet was laid over the black floor and staircase, and at the landing, a massive arched window framed with gold illuminated the space with sunlight, making the golden chandelier overhead sparkle even more brightly.

“…”

On this black backdrop, the red carpet looked as though it symbolised blood, upon which gleamed the brilliant glory of gold.

The thought came unbidden, and Seo Ah dared not voice it.

“This building is the main house, where the master resides. The opposite building is the annexe,” Barbara explained.

“Understood.”

Barbara glanced back briefly before focusing her gaze ahead once more.

“Your room has been prepared in the main house. The annexe is currently used as quarters for the staff, so you do not need to go there.”

It was polite to tell her to stay out of the annexe.

“I see.”

The plush red carpet muffled their footsteps. As they climbed the stairs and reached the landing, Seo Ah caught sight of a garden through the meticulously cleaned windows. This was not the garden she had seen on the way in. Unlike the garden between the main house and the annexe, which was decorated solely with grass and flowers, the garden behind the main house was beautifully landscaped with well-kept trees mingling with flowers.

As they turned, Seo Ah noticed the symmetrical twin staircases leading up from the landing.

“Abel will be in charge of your security, and I will take care of your daily needs. Please ensure that you take Abel with you whenever you go anywhere, and let me know if you need anything.”

“How should I address you?”

“You may call me Mrs. Barbara.”

Seo Ah repeated the name in her mind.

The light from the window cast long shadows across the staircase.

A long hallway stretched out in both directions when they reached the top of the stairs. Directly opposite the banister, a pair of tall, black doors stood wide open, revealing a spacious area large enough to accommodate several people. The annexe was visible through the large windows on the far side of the room.

Barbara gestured toward the room beyond the open doors.

“This is the central hall of the main house. You may sit on the sofas or rest here briefly, but…”

Barbara left the sentence unfinished as she entered the hall. Seo Ah followed her inside, immediately understanding why this room was called the central hall. A massive chandelier hung from the intricately painted ceiling, and the walls were adorned with countless carvings that could only have been crafted by master artisans.

On either side of the hall were doors decorated with carved wolves. Barbara pointed to the door on the right.

“That door leads to His Excellency’s quarters. Do not open it; even if it is open, do not enter without permission.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Barbara led Seo Ah out of the hall and down the hallway to the right.

“Your room is this way.”

As she followed Barbara, Seo Ah mentally mapped out the layout of the mansion.

From the stairs, one should avoid the hall and immediately turn right. After walking down a long corridor with windows overlooking the back garden, they finally reached a door on the left side of the wall.

Unlike the tall doors she had seen earlier, this one was of a more standard height and had a simple design. Barbara opened the door and entered first.

The room beyond was just as neatly arranged. It had three large windows that provided a view of the annexe. However, it didn’t seem to be the final destination.

The room was filled with bookshelves crammed with books, a table and chairs set up for reading, and a long sofa in the centre. But there was no bed or any other indication that this was meant to be a bedroom. As Seo Ah suspected, Barbara led her to another door within the room.

“Please, this way.”

The book-filled room had three doors: the door they had entered through and two others facing each other on either side of the windows.

Barbara pointed to the door on the right, relative to the entrance. Seo Ah gestured to the door on the left and asked,

“What does that door lead to?”

Barbara responded as she opened the door on the right.

“It connects to His Excellency’s bedroom.”