Elena turned away from the closed doors and stood in a daze. She wondered whether the man had never heard of courtesy; he should have at least shown her to her room.
Elena looked back and saw that the servants were still lined up. She thought for a moment before asking, "Are you all assigned to me?"
A maid who looked like she was in her late twenties replied, "Yes, ma'am. I'm the head maid, Elise. I'll be taking care of your affairs during your stay."
Elena once again realized something was out of place. The head maid felt robotic, and the servants were still bowing. She wondered whether their backs would hurt later.
"You all may rise. Elise, was it? Please show me my room," Elena said in a domineering tone.
If anything, she had to show she wasn't a pushover.
Elise simply nodded, asked a servant boy to pick up her suitcase, and led the way up the stairs.
They walked until they reached a large hallway filled with paintings showcasing various artworks.
Elena paused to stare at one. It was very old, yet still breathtaking. She looked at the figures captured within, and for some reason, the little boy looked oddly familiar.
She couldn't place it.
Just as she was about to walk closer for a better look, she saw something out of the corner of her eye.
She turned around, but no one was there. She looked the other way.
It must have been Elise, she thought when she saw the maid patiently waiting for her.
Elena knew when to be polite, so she reluctantly left her moment of curiosity and walked gracefully toward Elise, who once again proceeded to lead the way.
When they reached the end of the hallway, Elise stopped in front of a door, opened it, and held it for her.
As Elena stepped into the room, she was captivated. The walls were painted in her favorite color, lavender, and the scent of fresh paint still lingered, as if it had been done just for the selection.
The bed looked luxurious, and the wardrobes were well maintained. She felt conflicted not knowing whether the Duke was kind or just a monster wearing a mask?
"Anyone could have done this. Stay strong, Elena," she said, reassuring herself.
Elena asked Elise to run the bath. Not long after, she was soaking in the tub.
The mansion was very luxurious and was naturally, a dream home for anyone. So Elena wondered how so many women had failed to claim the Duke's heart.
She didn't dare say it out loud, but she did find him easy on the eyes.
"| Affection increased by 0.00001% |"
Elena jumped in fright. "Who's there?"
She remembered she was naked and sat back down.
There was no response.
She called out to Elise and asked if she had said something, but the maid simply shook her head.
Elena was frightened. Was the room haunted?
She gulped. She hoped that wasn't the case.
Had the Duke rigged something and accidentally triggered it?
She dismissed the second thought almost immediately after remembering how dangerously calm and composed the man was.
That left her with only one conclusion.
Her room was haunted.
Great. No sleep tonight.
What a perfect way to start her stay in the mansion.
Elena got out of the bath a few minutes later and dried herself. Elise helped her dress and braided her hair before leaving.
After sitting alone in the room with nothing to do, Elena decided to wander the grounds to keep her mind occupied.
The moment she stepped out of her room, she felt it again. That feeling. The feeling of being watched.
She frowned. That shouldn't be possible since her room was at the end of the hallway.
She chose to ignore it, pushing aside the warning signs in her head, the same ones that reminded her of every murder mystery novel she had ever read.
She held her head slightly, wondering why those thoughts had to appear now, when everything already felt ominous.
She took another step and her heel broke.
Well… that was never a good sign.
She paused, taking it as a sign that today simply wasn't her day.
Elena removed the other heel and stood up, only to come face-to-face with someone.
The man stepped back, bowed, and introduced himself.
"I am Lumiere. My apologies, my lady. I was about to assist you."
"It's fine," Elena replied casually.
Maybe he was the one watching me, she thought.
"I came to inform you that dinner is served, and the Duke has requested your presence," Lumiere said.
"I see. I'll be right down."
Lumiere bowed and left.
Elena walked barefoot back to her room to change into something more comfortable.
She didn't care about sophistication anymore.
DINING ROOM
"I'm sorry if I kept you waiting, Your Excellency."
"It's fine."
Elena noticed that Regulus still hadn't looked her in the eyes.
Frustration built within her. She was used to men fawning over her, men she could easily ignore or reject at the drop of a hat depending on how entertaining they were.
She decided she would get his attention.
"| Host has awakened desire |"
Elena paused mid-step and looked at Regulus.
"Is there a problem?" he asked.
"No, Your Excellency."
She replied and resumed walking towards her seat.
What is that voice…? she wondered as she sat down.
"| I am the system |"
She froze.
This time, she heard it clearly.
She looked at the Duke again, but he showed no reaction.
Was she going crazy?
System? she thought.
"| Yes |"
Her breath caught.
How…?
"| Host has awakened |"
"| Shall we begin? |"
"| Yes or no |"
Those options were absurd.
How could she possibly say yes to...
"| Host has accepted |"
"Whatttt?!" she blurted out loud.
Regulus stood up abruptly.
"I have lost my appetite."
He paused at the doorway.
"Thank you for a night of indigestion."
Then he walked away.
Elena momentarily forgot about the voice in her head, shaken by the coldness in his tone.
"| The selection has begun |"
"| Yandere System training activated |"
"| Hidden Task: Gain the Duke's attention |"
"| Failed |"
"| Punishment: Headaches |"
A sharp pain exploded in her head.
Elena gasped and pushed herself up from her chair. The sudden movement made it worse, but she forced herself to move.
She stepped into the hallway, her vision was slightly blurred.
Then the feeling returned, she was being watched.
This time, she ignored it completely. She just needed to get back to her room and take some medication.
Then she saw her. Another lady was standing there, watching her.
Elena kept walking. When she reached her door and turned back, the lady was gone.
There were too many unknowns. Too many things she didn't understand.
And if she didn't figure them out soon. Elena knew she wouldn't survive this place.