Thump, thump, thump…
A knock echoed against the stone wall outside Suite 1732.
Lenore, followed by Cassandra and a vampire servant pushing a heavily laden cart, waited with a practiced smile for the 'door' to open.
But alas, it wasn't her beloved Tom Riddle who appeared, but that altogether unremarkable fellow.
"Er… who are you?" Lenore asked, maintaining her polite veneer.
The startled Jim scrambled to straighten himself, leaning against the open stone wall with one hand. "My name is Jim, Jim Johnson. Miss Lenore, is there something I can help you with?"
"Ah..." Lenore's smile tightened almost imperceptibly. Her gaze flickered between Jim and the suite's interior before she swiftly retrieved a plate of pastries from the trolley behind her. "I was concerned you might be weary from your travels, so I thought I would bring you something from the kitchens... Might I come in?"
"Of course! Please, come in!" Jim eagerly accepted the pastries from Lenore. To him, they were the sweetest, most exquisite, most delectable... the most everything... cookies in existence!
Seeing Jim finally step aside, Lenore breathed a silent sigh of relief at her successful entry.
While Jim yearned to savor the "cookies Lenore had so thoughtfully provided," he knew protocol.
"Boss, everyone! Pastries here!" Jim announced with a touch of bewildered excitement.
"Cassandra? And the little bat?" Tom raised an eyebrow as he saw Cassandra and her companion enter. He set down his sugared coffee and rose to meet them.
"Boss…" Jim began, offering Tom the snacks.
But Lenore, her eyes gleaming with purpose, intercepted him. "Mr. Riddle! You must be hungry after such a long journey, yes? This is something Lenore personally prepared for you from the kitchens, freshly made. Please, eat!" At her urging, the vampire servant unveiled several trays on the cart, instantly filling the room with an intoxicating aroma.
One after another, dishes appeared, a feast for both the eyes and the palate: foie gras with fig sauce, smoked salmon adorned with caviar, creamy mushroom soup, pan-fried lobster glistening with butter sauce, grilled escargots nestled in truffle risotto… and a dazzling array of desserts.
Honestly, to orchestrate such a "normal" spread within a vampire-run establishment spoke volumes of Lenore's dedication.
"…" Jim suddenly felt a pang of despair at the sight of the cookies in his hand. "What about us, Miss Lenore?"
"Don't you have cookies?"
"…" Jim chuckled weakly, then his laughter dissolved into something akin to tears. "Thank you, Lenore."
This seemed fitting now, ensuring Miss Lenore wouldn't feel unduly awkward because of his plight.
"…"
Seeing Lenore's brazen display, Cassandra fought a surge of annoyance. This person seemed... presumptuous.
She glanced at Nagini, but Nagini remained impassive.
This irked Cassandra even more. She could accept fair competition with Nagini, but that was quite enough. Anyone else seeking to encroach upon Tom's attention would face her unwavering opposition!
"Not bad…" Tom commented idly, flicking his wrist. A perfectly sliced piece of shrimp levitated into his open mouth. "Place it over there for the moment."
Hearing Tom's words, the vampire servant dutifully steered the cart aside.
"A fortunate coincidence to see you." Tom beckoned to the slightly apprehensive Cassandra. "I have a matter I wish to discuss with you."
"Yes, Mr. Riddle." Cassandra eagerly approached.
Lenore started to follow, but Cassandra blocked her path.
The younger woman's eyes glinted with undisguised displeasure. "What are you still doing here?"
"…" Lenore instantly grasped the dynamic: they were of the same ilk!
But she would not concede without a fight. She hastily fabricated an excuse. "My father followed you in. I need to ensure he doesn't do anything foolish. You know, older vampires like him often act without thinking. I wouldn't want Mr. Riddle to have a negative experience at the hotel because of it."
"…" She was being rebuked by her own daughter, and over a man, no less… but for the sake of her daughter's ambition, she would endure it!
Cassandra, trailing behind Tom, paused almost imperceptibly, then continued as if nothing were amiss.
Hearing Lenore's words, Cassandra couldn't help but admire Lenore's… audacity.
Of course, it was possible her own skills were simply inadequate; after all, a noblewoman who had only recently acknowledged her affections was bound to be somewhat clumsy in expressing them.
Then again, perhaps this very clumsiness held a certain charm.
Hadn't Tom himself remarked, "My silly apprentice is adorably silly"?
While the two women engaged in their subtle dance of one-upmanship, Tom had already launched into conversation with Cassandra.
"Are you acquainted with the giants of the Scottish Highlands?" Gazing at the somewhat unsettled Cassandra before him, Tom picked up his coffee and took another sip.
"Giants?" She had anticipated Tom might inquire about her or Lenore's presence, perhaps even the inn itself.
But giants… this was a topic Cassandra had never imagined Tom would broach.
It was quite a deviation from her expectations, wasn't it?!
Nonetheless, Cassandra answered honestly, drawing upon her limited knowledge. "I don't know a great deal about giants, but I've gleaned some information from other travelers. I may have even encountered one or two pure-blooded giants in the past. What specifics does Mr. Riddle wish to know?"
"I have no inclination to conceal my purpose from you. I am undertaking this journey to locate the giants who reside in the Scottish Highlands," Tom said unhurriedly, "Perhaps tomorrow, or perhaps the day after."
Because of the relative ease of travel, Tom had opted for a carriage, eager to observe the passing scenery.
"But the thought occurred to me: as the proprietor of this hotel, you must overhear a great deal from your guests. Perhaps you possess knowledge I do not?"
Tom set down his empty coffee cup with a soft clink. "Naturally, I would not compel you to divulge anything you do not wish to share."
"I understand… I am uncertain whether this information will be of use to you." Cassandra paused thoughtfully before continuing. "I did overhear that around this time of year, the giants of the Scottish Highlands tend to collectively relocate to a mountain of great significance to them, purportedly for some sort of ritual."
"Relocate?" Tom was genuinely surprised to have stumbled upon such a potentially useful tidbit. "That mountain… do you know its name?"
"No, I'm afraid it wasn't very distinctive, and the name itself was rather peculiar. I cannot recall it with any certainty." Cassandra shook her head apologetically. "If Mr. Riddle intends to seek out the giants, they should have concluded their relocation by now. By the way, regarding the location of that mountain, I believe it was…"
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