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墨書 Inktalez
"Miss Qi, this is the situation at the manor. Let's go back and rest for now."
"Madam Carolina, I would like to go to a place."
"What place?"
"Mr. Berland-Mais's grave."
"Mr. Berland-Mais's grave is in that forest."
Madam Carolina pointed to the primeval forest and said, "I suggest you rest at the manor today. Tomorrow, I will go with you. Does that sound good?"
"Okay." Qiluo Ling nodded.
When they returned to the main hall on the first floor, Mr. Locke informed them that the Chinese meal was ready. So, they moved to the dining room.
In the dining room, a giant chandelier hung from the white ceiling, although the Light was dimmed. The white rectangular dining table and red chairs looked quite grand. The table was neat and shiny, spotless. Two pairs of slender silver candlesticks were placed on the table, with white candles lit on them, creating a special ambiance in the entire dining room.
Qiluo Ling, Madam Carolina, and Mr. Locke took their seats.
Before the meal, they were served yogurt with thick borscht, followed by the main course, which included white sausages made from smoked meat, white cabbage and red cabbage, and a roasted goose that had been carved by the chef and served onto each person's plate.
The after-dinner drink was mead brewed from locally sourced natural honey from Poland. Qiluo Ling knew that its fermentation process followed a traditional local recipe, resulting in a sweet and honey-flavored beverage. This method of brewing honey wine had been practiced for centuries.
The ginger-colored liquid was poured into white glass cups, releasing a fragrant aroma. Qiluo Ling took a sip; it was refreshing and rich in flavor.
Unfamiliar with the dining etiquette of nobility, Qiluo Ling could only observe their dining habits and mimic them.
After lunch, Madam Carolina took her to familiarize herself with the layout of the villa.
The second floor consists of a study and a Piano Room.
The study has two levels, connected by a circular wooden staircase. The wooden floor, wooden bookshelves, and wooden stairs make it feel as if one has entered a vast forest. The lower level features a desk and sofa chairs.
Qiluo Ling walked over to the tall bookshelf and glanced around. A small portion of the collection was dedicated to music, while the majority consisted of books on literature, poetry, history, philosophy, and more. The collection was rich, resembling a small library.
Next to the study is the Piano Room.
Madam Carolina opened the wooden door to the Piano Room and casually said, "Mr. Berland-Mais never plays the piano; he prefers to sit quietly on the piano bench and gaze at this piano."
Qiluo Ling stepped slowly into the room.
The Piano Room appeared exceptionally spacious, with only a black Steinway Grand Piano standing silently in the center. Perhaps the layout of Piano Rooms around the world is this simple—just a solitary, silent piano.
This silent piano evoked a sense of familiarity in her, reminding her of her Great-Grandfather, who had already passed away while she still lived. Perhaps only the piano serves as the sole evidence of all demon inheritors who have walked this earth.
Qiluo Ling's eyes became moist as she stood quietly by the black piano for a moment before leaving the Piano Room.
The third floor consists of bedrooms and guest rooms.
The bedroom is spacious and luxurious, resembling a royal chamber. It is resplendent with gold and grandeur, featuring a large mahogany bed in the center and a thick light yellow carpet on the floor. A large oil painting with vibrant colors and lifelike details hangs above the bed.
On the red bedside table sits an elegant Desk Lamp and exquisite crafts.
After the visit, Madam Carolina smiled and said, "This is the layout of the villa. Since you are here, my husband, the chef, and I are planning to go into town this afternoon to purchase some items, so we will be leaving the estate. You can explore on your own. If you wish to read or play the piano, you can go to the study or the Piano Room. Now that you are the only one left in the estate, I must remind you not to leave the estate and venture into the forest."
Qiluo Ling nodded.
Not long after she finished speaking, Madam Carolina and her party left the estate in a carriage.
Qiluo Ling stood by the transparent floor-to-ceiling window watching them leave, then made her way up the stairs to the study on the second floor.
The music books in the study were all rare old editions, mostly concerning Piano Pieces. She casually pulled out one to look at; it was a book on medieval religious music. It seemed that Mr. Belante Mike indeed had a great fondness for Piano Pieces. There were also some music records of Piano Pieces featuring Chopin, Richard Clayderman, Beethoven, and others.
After browsing through the music books, she moved on to the humanities section, which included complete works of Shakespeare, Dante's Divine Comedy, Russell's History of Western Philosophy, History of the European Renaissance, and Medieval Life.
Qiluo Ling took Russell's History of Western Philosophy from the bookshelf and had just read a few pages when she suddenly felt a bit dizzy, perhaps due to having drunk too much mead after lunch. Everything around her became hazy, as if surrounded by mist.
She sat on the sofa in the study in a daze. Just at that moment, she suddenly heard footsteps coming from the stairs.
At noon, the estate was now empty; aside from her, it was silent outside. The sound was unmistakable. It was slow and heavy footsteps—powerful and unhurried—ascending step by step up the narrow staircase. Clearly, the feet making this sound were not wearing shoes; each step produced a distinct "slap" sound that was unusually singular and unpleasant.
At this moment, Qiluo Ling felt exceptionally alert; there was no one else in the estate besides her. She held her breath and listened quietly. The person climbing the stairs showed no intention of concealing their actions; on the contrary, it seemed they were deliberately making even louder noises and becoming more brazen.
It seemed this person had reached her study door and paused for a moment. She thought that at any moment, the door could be flung open with a bang. But strangely enough, it seemed as if they turned away from her study door and headed back down the stairs. They paused again at the corner of the staircase before descending all the way down to the hallway below, where they fell completely silent.
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