[READ AUTHOR’S NOTE FIRST!!!! PLEASE!]
“I thought you’d be investigating the place. Why are you sitting on the broken bed?” Thomas asked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and a hint of impatience. The lantern’s glow flickered slightly as if reflecting his mood.
Ludwig leaned back against the crumbling headboard, his skeletal fingers resting on the cracked wood. “Before I do that, I need to first understand what happened here,” he replied, his tone calm but firm. The dim light of the room cast long shadows across his face, emphasizing the hollow sockets of his eyes.
“Isn’t it better to do that while you’re looking around? I don’t think staying here will help you much,” Thomas countered, his voice echoing softly in Ludwig’s head.
“No,” Ludwig said, shaking his head. “I already have all I need to learn about what happened here.” He reached into his inventory and pulled out Van Dijk’s journal, its leather cover worn and cracked with age. “After all, the whole story is probably written here,” he added, his voice carrying a note of certainty.
700 years ago…
A young man stood in front of a tall mirror, adjusting the collar of his black formal attire. His sharp features were framed by neatly combed hair, and his eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. “Not bad, not bad!” he muttered to himself, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.
“Master Van Dijk,” a soft voice called out, breaking his reverie.
Van Dijk turned to see Milli, his shadow maid, standing silently behind him. She was always there, like a ghost, following him, protecting him, and ensuring his every need was met. Her presence was as constant as the air he breathed.
“What is it, Milli?” he asked, his tone light but curious.
“Lord Dante is asking when you’ll be ready. The wedding ceremony is almost upon us,” she replied, her voice calm and measured.
“Oh, I’m already done,” Van Dijk said, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead. He took one last look at himself in the mirror before stepping out of the room.
As he walked down the hallway, he saw his sister, Celine, standing not too far away. She was dressed in a crisp military uniform, her posture straight and her expression serious. Despite the formal attire, her eyes softened as she saw him approach.
“You look dashing,” she said, a warm smile spreading across her face.
“And… you don’t,” Van Dijk replied, raising an eyebrow. “What’s up with that military uniform?”
Celine sighed, her smile fading slightly. “Father is asking me to handle some family matters. There have been… disappearances,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. Her face grew grim, and for a moment, the weight of her responsibilities seemed to press down on her.
Van Dijk’s expression mirrored hers. “Yeah, I’ve been hearing about that… I wonder what’s going on. First, it was random people from the march, and now even a couple of our guards are missing…”
“That’s why you need your shadow with you at all times,” Celine said, her tone firm. “I’ll be handling the inspection and investigation regarding those matters, so don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah, yeah, no one’s asking me to handle anything,” Van Dijk replied with a shrug, though his voice carried a hint of bitterness.
“You’re not required to,” Celine said, shaking her head. “More like you’re unfit. Family matters need to be handled by family, and I’m technically not family after all. It’s not like I can be a successor. I’m just a bastard…” Van Dijk’s voice trailed off, his words heavy with resignation.
Celine’s expression softened, and she reached out to place a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t say that… you’re my brother still,” she said, her voice filled with warmth. “Though you cannot be part of the Bastos Family’s inheritance, I doubt Father would ever let you live a life of poverty. I still have time to attend your wedding, by the way. Where is the bride?” she asked, changing the subject.
“They say it’s a jinx to see the bride before the wedding,” Van Dijk replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
“I doubt you even care about that,” Celine said, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, I took a sneak peek earlier. She looks lovely,” he admitted, his grin widening.
Celine chuckled, but her expression quickly turned serious again. “What about your daughter? I couldn’t find her anywhere.”
“I think she’s with the servants. She’s making friends, but Milli will bring her when the wedding is up,” Van Dijk replied, his tone softening as he spoke of his daughter.
Celine nodded, though her eyes still held a hint of concern. “I still can’t believe that the way to convince Father to let you get married was to knock her up. Still, do what you want. I think that both of you love each other enough for family to stand in your way,” she said, her voice carrying a note of approval.
“Thank you, sister,” Van Dijk said, his tone sincere. “Though that wasn’t really the reason, it still helped. Anyway, Father’s asking for me, so I’ll be heading out.”
“Good. I’ll be at the wedding hall then. I’ll see you there,” Celine said, giving his shoulder a final tap before turning to leave.
Van Dijk watched her go for a moment before heading to his father’s office. When he arrived, he knocked lightly on the door, and it opened by itself, revealing Dante Bastos sitting behind a large, ornate desk. The room was filled with the scent of old parchment and ink, and the walls were lined with shelves holding countless books and scrolls.
“Father,” Van Dijk said, stepping inside.
“Come in,” Dante replied, his voice deep and commanding.
Van Dijk entered and saw his father dressed in formal wear, his expression as stern as ever. Despite his usual demeanor, there was a softness in his eyes as he looked at his son.
“You look good,” Dante said, a rare compliment that caught Van Dijk off guard. His father was not one to offer praise lightly.
“So… you’re going to be a married man now,” Dante continued, his tone shifting to something more conversational.
“Yeah…” Van Dijk replied, his voice tinged with both excitement and nervousness.
Dante nodded, then pushed a stack of documents across the desk. “Since you’ll be having your own family, I’ve set up a few things for you,” he said.
Van Dijk stepped forward and picked up the documents, his eyes scanning the contents. His expression shifted from curiosity to surprise as he read through them. “The business in the capital? You want me to handle it?” he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
“Yes,” Dante replied, his tone firm. “You’ll need to support yourself. Although you were adamant about leaving the house, I can’t let my child leave with nothing. This business should help you stand on your own two feet and build your own future. I know Meliania’s been having issues with your other siblings… and it’s better for your daughter, Cynthia, to grow up somewhere where she isn’t seen as an outsider.”
Van Dijk’s hands tightened around the documents, his mind racing. “I… don’t know what to say. I was thinking of starting something here in the March… but this is… Thank you, Father. I won’t disappoint you,” he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Dante leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. “You’ll always have a place here, Van Dijk. Even if your business fails and you go broke, you can always come back. Though I hope you can achieve success on your own. Your father won’t be here for you forever,” he said, his voice carrying a note of melancholy.
Van Dijk nodded, though his mind was still reeling from the weight of his father’s words. “Thank you. Though I’m not a real heir… I appreciate the help,” he said, his voice quiet.
Dante’s expression hardened slightly, and he shook his head. “Don’t say that,” he said, his tone firm. “Your mother… was simply unlucky. It’s my fault for everything. Unlike you, I couldn’t take up the courage to fight for the one I loved.”
Van Dijk had no words to reply. The room fell silent, the weight of their shared history hanging heavily in the air.
After a moment, Dante cleared his throat, breaking the tension. “Let’s move off the sentimental stuff. Regarding the business, you’ll have to go immediately after the wedding. I’ve already set up transport for you. Your wife and daughter will have to stay here for some time before they follow you. I still haven’t finished setting up your dowry and what you’ll be taking with you. Make sure that the business is under your control before they arrive. I know for a fact that you’ll find a lot of competition once you’re in the capital, but I’ve put enough in your bank to help you out of any financial difficulty.”
Van Dijk nodded, his mind still processing everything. “Thank you, Father. I appreciate the help,” he said, his voice steady.
Dante stood up, his imposing figure towering over the desk. “Now, it’s about time. Let’s go,” he said, gesturing toward the door.
The two of them left the office and made their way to the grand hall where the wedding was being held. The air was filled with the sound of music and laughter, the room was decorated with flowers and ribbons. Despite the joyous atmosphere, Van Dijk couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his chest. The disappearances, the weight of his father’s expectations, and the uncertainty of his future all weighed heavily on his mind.
But as he stepped into the hall and saw his bride waiting for him, a sense of determination filled him. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them head-on. For his family, for his future, and for the legacy he was determined to build.