prologue 1 || our chosen successor
forgotten hollow always felt shrouded in mist, as if the very town sunken into the base of the mountain endeavored to shroud itself from the prying eyes of daylight. between that and the thrumming ley line threading beneath the reservoir, it was no surprise that vladislaus anchored his castle here. he was, by all accounts, an equally elusive shadow of a man. this walk was terribly inconvenient, though.
agnes did not dawdle on the twining cobblestone path. however, as the onslaught of weeds and discombobulated tombstones met her every direction, she was forced to remember the estate in better years. perhaps it was not yet past repair, so much could be restored with just a little hard work and elbow grease. as the entrance loomed closer, the muffled sound something distinctly fragile shattered just on the other side as someone scurried to pull the hefty door open before agnes could take the opportunity to knock.
"that wasn't crystal!"
"pardon?"
the young lady who received her looked sheepish and briefly glanced away in abject embarrassment. while it was certainly surprising to see vlad hired help, the skeletal face underneath the maid's bonnet was familiar. desdemona ann marie duplantier, or dizzy, was the inexplicable child of bonehilda from a phantasmal and fatal love affair. she was a good girl, clumsy and awkward, but well-intentioned and friendly so a bit of a black sheep in her circles.
"er, welcome ms.-" the greeting cut short as vlad stepped into the foyer. agnes brushed past all formalities, and the awaiting maid, to approach him.
"I have an urgent matter we need to discuss, count."
"so I have gathered." his tone was placid and unperturbed by the heated woman suddenly storming his castle. vladislaus straud held an heir of old aristocracy. his shoulders were pulled to attention and every minute gesture he pursued felt sharp and accented the eerie patience of a hunter. "come in, agnes. say hello."
"hello."
a polite smile burst across the maid's face. "hello ms. crumplebottom! may I take your coat?" agnes paused the whirlwind tirade to glance at the bare skin of her arms, then back at dizzy with an expression that could only be described as a deep, maternal concern winning out to previous mild vexation. agnes heaved a sigh.
"I'm not wearing a coat, dear."
vlad held up a hand and promptly cut off any further response, and gestured for agnes to follow deeper into the stone walls of the castle. he did not bother to hide his exasperated sigh too. "ignore her. she's a new hire. follow me." agnes did no such thing. however, she did lead the path towards the 'cellar' with a specificity that implied she had been here many times. before vlad followed suit, he turned back to his newly hired staff. "oh, and dizzy?"
"hm?"
"just remember that for every piece of good crystal I hear break..." the ghastly man paused ominously, every ounce of intimidation mustered into the enunciation of his words.. "I will return the favor to one of your less vital bones." dizzy gulped. she nodded and her exposed clavicle rattled. vlad turned on his heel and disappeared into the labyrinth of candlelit alcoves in the manor. apparently, they had business to attend.