Chapter 47

• The mansion’s grounds stretched endlessly, each garden more elaborate than the next. I had often stuck to the familiar areas, not daring to explore too far. But today felt different. Something tugged at me, drawing me past the usual paths. My feet carried me toward a garden I hadn’t visited before, more secluded, its flowers denser and trees taller. At the heart of it stood something that immediately caught my attention. A staircase leading downward in the middle of the garden.
• I frowned, puzzled. A staircase here, of all places? It didn’t belong. But my curiosity got the best of me. Slowly, I approached, my footsteps quiet against the soft grass. The stairs were old, weathered by time, yet still sturdy. I hesitated for a moment, glancing around as if to see if anyone else had noticed this oddity. But the garden was still, the only sound being the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze.
• Taking a deep breath, I descended the steps. They led to a small, ivy-covered door at the bottom. The door was slightly open, a faint glow of light spilling out into the dim stairwell. My heartbeat quickened, but I couldn’t turn back now. I pushed the door open with a creak and stepped inside.