Mary stirred awake, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she slipped out of bed. She glanced around her opulent chamber, its dark wood and rich tapestries softened by the early morning light filtering through tall windows. Putting on a robe, she made her way to the door, a slight shiver passing through her as she stepped into the dim hallway

The mansion was eerily silent, each of her footsteps seeming to echo in the vast emptiness around her. But for a moment, Mary thought she caught a flicker of movement in the corner of her eye, someone standing just beyond her doorway. She turned quickly, but there was nothing there, only the faint shadows cast by the faint morning light

Dismissing it as just her imagination, she continued down the mansion's winding hallways. But as she walked, that creeping sensation of being followed returned, sending a chill down her spine. She glanced over her shoulder once, twice, each time finding only an empty, sprawling corridor, the silence pressing in heavier with every step she took

After some time Mary finally decided to just give up and look for the bathroom as she somehow took a series of wrong turns througg the winding corridors before finally finding the bathroom

Silently cursing the confusing lay out of the mansion and it's stupidly big size she stepped inside, her hand still gripping the door's cool brass handle as she took a deep breath to shake the lingering unease and to clear her mind. Splashing cold water on her face, she watched her reflection until the drowsiness and tension began to fade

Stepping back into the hallway, she froze mid-step. That eerie feeling washed over her again, and this time, she caught a glimpse of movement at the corner of her vision. She quickly turned to the side, finding nothing

"Are you looking for me, my lady?" A voice murmured softly from behind her

Mary jumped, her heart racing as she spun around. Standing only a few paces away was a tall figure, her face framed by a cascade of radiant golden hair that shimmered even in the dim light of the corridor. The woman's gaze was steady and intense, her golden eyes piercing yet strangely calm, holding none of the malice Mary had braced herself for. She was dressed in simple, unassuming attire, plain but well-kept, contrasting sharply with the lavish decoration of the mansion. There was no uniform, no indication of her role, and Mary was certain she hadn't seen this woman anywhere in the estate yesterday. Since she was sure she would have remembered someone with such an radiant appearance

The figure inclined her head slightly, her expression as neutral as her voice, which was cold, almost mechanical, as she spoke again. "You should keep your guard up, my lady" she said, her tone neither warm nor unkind, more like someone relaying a simple truth. "Regardless of the circumstances"

Mary felt a wave of caution rise within her, tinged with curiosity. The woman didn't seem to hold any hostility, yet there was something undeniably unsettling about her sudden appearance. Steadying herself, Mary chose her words carefully. "Who are you? And why are you following me?"

"Forgive me if i have scared you, my lady. I am the knight assigned to you by Master Ethan" the woman responded without a moment's hesitation. Her voice remained calm, like it was a matter of fact. "I will be overseeing your training on his behalf"

Mary's gaze lingered on her, skepticism creeping into her thoughts. She studied the woman's face, the set of her jaw, the way she held herself with a poise that was almost unnaturally still. With her golden hair and unassuming clothing, she didn't match Mary's idea of a knight, lacking the rugged, disciplined bearing she had come to expect from those serving as a knight that she has seen on movies and other forms of media back on earth. She looked more like the quiet, refined lady type you would encounter every once in a while as you walk down the street, someone with a serene yet aloof presence

As if sensing her doubts, the woman's gaze softened, if only by the smallest degree. "Appearances can be deceiving, my lady" she said, as if reading Mary's thoughts. "Master Ethan has entrusted me to prepare you for what lies ahead. I suggest you do the same"

Something in her tone, a glimmer of something that wasn't quite warmth yet wasn't distant either, made Mary hesitate as she was bothered by the eerie similarity she had with Ethan. The woman's steady golden gaze held no malice, only a strange, unwavering resolve

But that resolve only allowed for a strange, creeping confusion to settle over Mary's mind as she recalled yesterdays memories in her mind. Then an unsettling realization struck her: she hadn't seen a single servant since she'd woken up. No one had come to wake her up, and in her wandering through the mansion's endless corridors, she hadn't encountered any of the faces she had seen yesterday. The grand estate that should have been alive with the subtle sounds of servants going about their tasks, seemed utterly empty

The knight standing before her watched her closely, her golden eyes unblinking. Mary took a steadying breath, trying to quell the discomfort twisting in her chest before she spoke

"Where are all the servants in this mansion?" she asked, her voice filled with a note of unease

The woman gave a small, polite nod, her expression unchanging. "They have been assigned a new, higher-paying positions, my lady" she replied. "You needn't concern yourself with the minor details"

Mary's brow furrowed as she processed this new information. Every single servant? They didn't just kill everyone, right? No, that's impossible the bustling, tireless staff who could be seen maintaining this massive household day in and day out just fine yesterday—was gone, just like that? She felt the air grow heavier around her as an ominous premonition stirred inside her. But she quickly calmed herself down and raised her guard up

"Then… who will be taking care of the mansion?" she asked, her voice tinged with caution as she tested the waters

The woman's expression remained placid as she responded, "Do not worry, my lady. I am not the only servant assigned to you. I expect the others will make themselves known before long"

Others. She thought as she recalled Ethan mentioning a butler and a maid as well. Thinking that Mary's unease deepened, but her curiosity overpowered her apprehension. She opened her mouth to speak, only to stop herself when she noticed a glint of something in the woman's eyes—a barely perceptible flicker, but enough to make her feel uneasy due to how uncanny it felt as her golden eyes seemed to resemble Ethan's eyes

But even then she asked, reluctant but unable to avoid the question "Who… will be handling the meals?" 

The woman's reply was instant and matter-of-fact. "I will be responsible for preparing your meals, my lady"

"You?" Mary couldn't quite mask her surprise since she fully expected either the maid or the butler to be reponsible. "The knight assigned to train me?"

"Indeed" The woman didn't seem bothered by Mary's doubt; she merely answered with a calm, patient tone. "As I am overseeing your training, I will also be managing your nutrition. Your food intake must be carefully monitored to support the physical demands of your preparation and training"

Then a faint smile tugged at the edge of the knights lips, though her gaze remained just as steady. "Besides, I believe that i am more than capable of handling basic culinary tasks, and I assure you, the other servants won't be any better than me"

At her resolute behavour Mary felt her confusion deepen as she quickly forgot about the servants. The idea of this stern, almost mechanical figure—who seemed more akin to a statue or a shadow than a person—preparing her food and overseeing her meals struck her as both unsettling and strangely amusing. She tried to picture this golden-haired knight in the mansion's grand kitchen wearing an white apron, cooking her breakfast with a calm efficiency but the image didn't seem to quite fit until she remembered the strange sight of Ethan cooking in the kitchen which could look pretty similar

"And… what about the others?" Mary asked, while nodding her head in approval at the new image that she managed to create in her mind. "These… 'servants' assigned to me—who are they?"

"I have no right to reveal them. After all i believe that they will prefer introducing themselves when they belive the time is appropriate" 

"Then can you atleast introduce yourself? I can't just refer to you as 'knight' can i?"

"Yes. I am Aster, the knight serving under Master Ethan and the faithful sword of the Bright household"

Hearing her say yes Mary couldn't help but ponder if she was saying yes to being refered to as knight or was just agreeing with her. But she couldn't stay silent since the other party had already introduced themselves and it will be rude not to introduce herself

"Nice to meet you, Aster. I'm Mary"

Introducing herself and saying the knight's name she couldn't help but find the name odd to say to a female as she asked about the particular name

"Isn't Aster a boy's name?"

"It is a name used by both genders my lady"

"Really?"

"Yes"

"Huh, that's something new i guess"

With her question answered heavy silence seemed to descend between the two since the knight stayed still and Mary wasn't confident in starting up a conversation with her. So as the heavy silence continued Mary couldn't help but feel the emptiness of the big mansion eventually focing her to start up a conversation since she couldn't bear the silence. So she spoke and to her surprise the knight named Aster seemed more than happy to talk to her about almost anything really

As they conversed the tension in the air seemed to slowly dissapear as Mary accepted the knight named Aster and lowered her guard while relaxing her senses. And as she relaxed her body all the tension finally seemed to dissapear until her stomach growled making her realize the passage of time and the fact that she hadn't eaten anything nutritious yet since yesterday's lunch mostly consisted of fruits, vegetables, bread and soup for some reason

"Then can you make me a lunch? I will be very grateful if you decide to do so" Wanting to fill her growling empty stomach Mary asked while hoping for some meat

"I will do so my lady" Aster nodded before turning around and heading to the kitchen

Seeing that Mary quickly fell into the step behind the knight but as they navigated the large mansion she couldn't help but question how the knight named Aster could already know the lay out of this mansion when she had just arrived but Mary decided to just stay quiet and ask later as she hurriedly followed along

After a few minutes of walking, they finally arrived at the kitchen. Aster washed her hands meticulously before tying on a spotless white apron, moving with the precision of someone who had done this task countless times before. Her movements were methodical and quick, each step deliberate

Mary eagerly reached for an apron as well, intending to assist, but Aster's firm yet gentle hand stopped her mid-action. The knight's usually neutral expression softened just slightly as she looked at Mary, a hint of kindness in her otherwise mechanical demeanor. "Please, my lady" Aster said, her tone respectful but unwavering, "Allow me to handle this. You should take the opportunity to meet the others. Dinner will be ready soon"

At her rejection Mary was a little dissapointed that she couldn't help but she could help next time so she just decided to take a walk around the mansion in search of the other two servants

With that Mary left the kitchen, feeling the cool floor beneath her feet as she stepped deeper into the mansion's winding corridors. Her footsteps were soft, almost silent as she tried not to disturb the silence and alarm the other servants before they even met

Finally after what felt like an eternity, she found herself in the long hallway of the library lined with old bookshelves. The smell of aged leather and parchment hung heavily in the air, and the dim lighting gave the space an almost dreamlike quality

As she moved further down the hall, something caught her eye—a lone figure standing at the far end of the corridor, partially obscured by the towering shelves. A tall man, his posture straight and unnaturally still, as if carved from stone. His black suit was immaculate, each seam and button precisely in place, as if he had stepped out of a painting. But all these details didn't matter to Mary as it was his hair that struck her the most—a cascade of sky blue strands, tied neatly at the nape of his neck, shimmering faintly in the low light

He was reading, flipping through the pages of a thick, leather-bound book with a calm and measured grace, his gloved fingers moving silently over the pages. He appeared so absorbed in the book that he seemed detached from the world around him

Mary's curiosity got the better of her, and she approached cautiously making sure not to make too many noise. The man made no move to acknowledge her presence until she was nearly halfway down the hallway. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he snapped the book shut with a soft thud, the sound echoing through the stillness

He looked up, his gaze piercing and unblinking. His eyes—bright, almost ethereal pink—met hers, and she froze. There was a strange intensity in his stare, something that felt both welcoming and eerily distant, like the gaze of someone who was disconnected from reality

"You must be the lady of the house" he said, his voice was cold yet smooth, almost a caress against the heavy silence. He bowed deeply, with a fluid elegance that seemed both practiced and natural but for some reason it felt awkward as if something else was posing as a human

Mary took a steadying breath, forcing herself to hold his gaze, though a shiver ran down her spine. There was something about him that set her on edge and she didn't know why. "I am Mary. And you are...?" she replied, her voice steady but tinged with caution

"Robert Anderson, though you may call me Bob if it pleases you" he said as he straightened, a small smile curving his lips. Yet the smile did not reach his eyes, which remained cool and detached. "I am the head butler of the Bright household, and have been entrusted with serving you, my lady"

Mary blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the kind smile that just felt detached. His tone was polite but Mary couldn't help but feel uneasy. She studied his expression, searching for any hint of emotion, but his face remained calm and composed not even slightly bothered by Mary's instinctive rejection of him

"Nice to meet you Bob. I'm Mary..." she introduced herself before asking her question. "You weren't here yesterday"

"No" Robert answered smoothly, without the slightest change in his expression. "I arrived late last night. You were already resting, and I did not wish to disturb your sleep. Master Ethan requested my presence to oversee the proper functioning of the household in the absence of the previous staff"

Mary nodded, still feeling an undercurrent of unease. "So, you're one of the servants he assigned to me?" she asked, her tone cautious as she tried to probe deeper

"Indeed, my lady" he said with another practiced smile, this one slightly wider, yet still just as distant. "I have been granted the privilege of ensuring that everything within the mansion remains in perfect order. Should you require anything—whether it be knowledge or assistance—you have only to ask"

Mary hesitated since there was obviously something uncanny about this butler but she just couldn't tell what it is that was making her feel uneasy. "Then" she said slowly, "can you lead me to the maid?"

"As you wish, my lady" Robert responded, his tone smoothly professional. He carefully returned the book to its proper place on the shelf, his movements precise and controlled. He then turned around gliding towards the entrance of the library with a beckoning motion. "Please, follow me"

With that the butler exited the library as Mary trailed behind him, her mind racing with questions as they navigated the mansion's hallways. Her curiosity sharpened when she noticed they were heading back toward the kitchen

"I've already met the knight Aster" Mary said

"Ah, my apologies, my lady" Robert replied without missing a step. "I'm not leading you to the Marshal"

"Marshal? What does that mean?" She asked visibly confused

"The head maid is currently in the kitchen" he clarified ignoring Mary's question. With that, they finally arrived. Robert opened the kitchen door and stepped aside, allowing Mary to enter first as he followed closely behind. Meanwhile entering the kitchen Mary's gaze immediately fell not just on Aster but on another presence that caught her attention

Standing beside Aster was a woman whose very bearing exuded both authority and elegance. Her uniform was immaculate—perfectly tailored to her form—but it was her unusual appearance that made it hard to look away. Light brown hair, cut just above her shoulders, framed her face in a way that spoke of practicality, yet held a hint of carefree spirit. But it was her face, more than anything, that demanded Mary's attention

The right side was almost deceptively ordinary: a single vivid blue eye, gleaming like a cat's under the soft kitchen light. The left side, however, was strikingly different. Three eyes were stacked in a perfect vertical alignment, each with a slit pupil that reflected a keen and unnervingly playful awareness

Her smile was wide, revealing slightly pointed teeth—friendly, yet tinged with something predatory. There was an undeniable confidence in her stance, an easy authority befitting her rank, but it was underscored by a subtle, tantalizing hint of unpredictability

She was dressed in crisp, formal attire: a pristine white blouse beneath a fitted black vest that accentuated her figure, a neatly tied black tie at her throat, and gloved hands—six in total—clad in smooth black fabric that melded seamlessly with her uniform. Everything about her spoke of sharp professionalism, but the presence of those extra limbs was an unexpected and disquieting detail for all humans

Mary found herself momentarily captivated by the maid's peculiar allure, a strange balance of danger and elegance woven into every inch of her bearing

But perhaps she stared for too long, because the woman's sharp gaze flickered to meet hers

Then in an instant, the maid seemed to blur, and then she was right in front of Mary—transformed. Her bangs now fell strategically over the left side of her face, concealing the three unusual eyes and leaving only a single royal blue eye visible. The four additional arms had vanished as if they'd never existed, leaving behind two slender, deceptively normal hands. But one of those hands were reaching towards Mary's face, the movement was almost gentle—until Mary's instinct screamed with all it's might for her to get away

But before Mary could move away, Aster moved. The Knight's hand shot out with seizing the maid's wrist. The abruptness of the movement froze the moment, and Lorraine's predatory smile melted into a look of mock surprise as her hand was locked in place

"You're overstepping your boundaries, Lorraine" Aster's voice cut through the air, as cold and sharp as a blade. Her grip on Lorraine's wrist was unyielding as the strength behind it made the threat clear

At the obvious threat Lorraine's reaction was to laugh—a light, melodic sound that somehow added a sense of disquiet. She turned her head to face Aster, her lips curving into a bright, almost innocent smile. "Oh, come on now, my dear Ash. It was just a little joke—no need to be so serious over something so small" she said, her tone a mockery of sweetness. With an easy confidence, she tried to pull her hand away, but Aster's hold didn't shift, not even an inch. Lorraine's smile faltered slightly as she tugged again, her expression turning into look of genuine surprise

After a moment, she stopped the pointless struggle and looked over at Robert, who was observing the scene with a mixture of caution and reluctance. "Bob, dear, would you be so kind as to help a lady in distress?" she asked with exaggerated movement, a hint of a pout forming on her lips

At her sudden question Robert hesitated but only for a moment as he met Lorraine's gaze, then quickly glanced at Aster before speaking

"Marshal Aster" he began, his voice careful and concerned "could you please release her hand? I don't think she meant any real harm"

At his words Aster's eyes remained fixed on Lorraine, cold and unrelenting. Her grip did not loosen. "Why should I release her" she said evenly, her voice as hard as steel "when she poses a potential threat to the new lady?"

Lorraine's eyes widened, and she raised her free hand in a gesture of surrender. Her voice shifted to a soothing tone, dripping with playful charm. "Oh, Ash, you're overreacting! Surely there's no harm in a little curiosity, is there? Besides" she added slyly, "your master or our master to be precise—asked me for a favor. I'm only here because he wanted me to be" Her expression softened, almost pleading. "He might be a bit disappointed if his only knight turned away a request he personally made"

For a moment, Aster's eyes narrowed, growing colder with every word. Instead of relenting, her fingers tightened slightly around Lorraine's wrist, and the maid's smile wavered as pain flickered across her face. "I asked for a reason to release you" Aster said, her tone leaving no room for argument

Lorraine's playful demeanor began to crack. She grimaced and glanced at Robert, who quickly tried to help before being held back by something invisible as Aster spoke coldly "I advise you not to interfere in this matter, Robert"

Hearing Aster's warning Robert stood still before deciding to take his chances as he healed Lorraine and helped ease her pain despite being set back under Aster's aura and her cold scrutiny

With the pain now gone Lorraine let out a breathless laugh that lacked its earlier warmth and spoke quickly, her voice now tinged with a hint of urgency successfully attracting Aster's attention back to her. "Alright, alright, calm down, Ash dear! I promise—I'll take an oath! I won't do anything to her, I swear it!"

But even as Lorraine pleaded Aster remained unmoved. Her grip was like iron, unyielding and merciless. Lorraine's eyes flickered with uncertainty, the tension in the air thick enough to choke on. "Oh, come now, Ash" she said, the bravado fading. "Your master—no, our master... he values promises, doesn't he? You know he does. Let me give my word—I won't harm her. Isn't that enough?"

But Aster's expression didn't change. Lorraine's pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears as the knight's gaze darkened, turning colder and more murderous with every passing second. "Last chance, Lorraine" she said in a low, deadly voice. "Give me a real reason—or I won't ask again"

The playful glint in Lorraine's eyes vanished entirely, replaced by a flicker of genuine unease. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for what Lorraine would do next. Her smile was gone, replaced by a tense line as she weighed her options

Finally, Lorraine spoke, her voice a shade more serious than before. "Alright, Ash" she said, her tone almost apologetic, "the truth is, I just wanted to to ensure that she's not... ordinary. After all i had my doubts about a fallen human who suddenly just appeared out of seemingly nowhere and got engaged to our master. So i wanted to confirm my doubts" She paused, watching Aster's face for any reaction, then added, "It was never about harm—only curiosity. You of all people should understand my curiousity about the new lady"

After Lorraine spoke, silence continued for a long moment and during this time Aster said nothing with her grip still firm. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, she released Lorraine's wrist. Quickly pulling back her hand the maid took a step back, rubbing her sore hand with a half-forced smile that didn't quite reach her eyes

"I'll hold you to that promise" Aster said, her voice still icy but with a note of warning that even Lorraine couldn't ignore. "One step out of line, and I won't hesitate"

Lorraine's smile returned although it was just a shadow of its earlier brightness. She gave a small, mocking bow. "Of course, Ash dear. You always take things so... seriously" she said lightly, but there was a wariness in her gaze now as she straightened, giving Mary a quick, playful smile while waving goodbye as she walked out of the kitchen

Seeing her leave Robert released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, giving Mary a quick bow before following Lorraine's retreating figure. Meanwhile Aster remained where she was, eyes cold and watchful before turning back to face Mary "Dinner is ready my lady"

*********************************

Robert hurried to catch up, his long strides quickly closing the distance. Without a word, he reached out and gently grasped Lorraine's wrist, pulling her back to examine her arm. His hands moved with practiced care, his brow furrowed in concentration as he healed her arm once more and checked for any sign of damage. Despite his usually composed demeanor, there was a hint of worry in his gaze

Lorraine, noticing his concern, let out a soft laugh and smiled brightly. "Oh, Bob dear, always the gentleman" she teased, her tone light and playful. "You're just in time. Could you turn me into a doll and help me move? I seem to have misplaced some of my strings" She flexed her fingers dramatically, as if to test them, though there was a faint tremor in her hand

Robert paused, glancing up to meet her gaze. His expression was unusually solemn, his lips pressing into a thin line before he finally spoke. "Lorraine... I'm sorry" His voice was low as he spoke. "I'm sorry I couldn't stand up for you"

Lorraine blinked, clearly taken aback by the unexpected apology. For a brief moment, her playful mask slipped, and a flicker of vulnerability crossed her face. Then she smiled—a softer, gentler smile than usual, one that carried none of her usual playfulness. "Oh, Bob dear" she said quietly, her voice lacking its typical teasing tone, "it's not your fault. It never was"

She turned her gaze to her wrist, which was now healed but still had faint red marks that lingered from Aster's unyielding grip. Her fingers brushed over them absentmindedly as she continued. "It was my fault, anyway. I pushed too far, like I always do" Her smile turned rueful, her eyes distant. "Besides, even if you could stand against her... no one can win against a monster like her well expect her master and his friends i suppose"

"..."

Lorraine let out a quiet, almost bitter laugh. "I mean, seriously. Who would've thought that the little human child who barely knew how to wield a sword properly would become such a terrifying monster in just a few years? It's absurd. Almost frightening, really" She glanced at Robert, her smile now tinged with something between awe and unease. "Almost as frightening as her master"

Robert's lips parted, as if to respond, but he said nothing once again. His gaze shifted briefly to the kitchen where Aster stood before, her back straight and her presence cold and immovable. There was no mistaking the restrained danger that radiated from her—like a blade held just a breath away from striking

Lorraine noticed his silence and gave him a gentle nudge with her shoulder, her playful demeanor returning, though the edge of tension still lingered. "Don't look so grim, Bob dear. It's not all that bad. I'm still alive to tell the tale, aren't I? I survived getting a warning from the strongest knight and the pinnacle of humans" She chuckled softly, though the sound lacked its usual confidence

Robert finally sighed, releasing her arm with a reluctant nod. "You need to be more careful, Lorraine" he said, his tone heavy with meaning. "Aster isn't like the rest of the humans. She's... something else entirely"

"Tell me something I don't know" Lorraine quipped, though her smile faltered slightly. Her gaze flicked briefly to the kitchen, then back to Robert. "But really, you should give her more credit. Underneath all that icy exterior and murderous aura, I think there's still something human left in her. Maybe. But seriously do all strong humans have a few screws lose? Well atleast she acts like a proper human being when she is outside of battle i guess" She shrugged, her tone light again, but her words carried an undercurrent of uncertainty

Robert didn't respond, his expression unreadable. Instead, he reached out and gently straightened the collar of her uniform. "Just don't push your luck too much next time" he said quietly, his voice softer now

Lorraine smirked, some of her usual mischief returning. "What's life without a little risk, Bob? But fine, I'll behave. For now, at least" She gave him a playful wink, her movements fluid despite the faint stiffness in her wrist as she stepped away

As she turned to leave, Lorraine paused mid-step, her head tilting slightly as if struck by a sudden thought. Spinning back around, she called out to Robert, her tone laced with curiosity. "Oh, Bob dear, one last thing—what was the new lady's name again?"

Robert straightened, meeting her gaze with a faint sigh. "It was Mary, Lorraine"

"Mary" she repeated softly, rolling the name on her tongue as if testing the name. Then her expression turned thoughtful, her usual levity replaced by a brief flicker of something unreadable

Then, as if struck by inspiration, she muttered, "Little Lady May" the words barely above a whisper. A small, satisfied nod followed as her lips curved into a knowing smile

With that, she turned around, her steps now light but deliberate, as though she had just made a decision of great importance. Her voice drifted back, airy and teasing. "Yes, that'll do nicely"

Robert's gaze lingered on her retreating form, his thoughts unreadable. Finally, he shifted his focus back to the kitchen, his attention sharpening as he sensed another presence moving. The Marshal

Aster's movements were deliberate and precise as she left the kitchen and headed towards the dining hall. Her presence alone was an oppressive force, even from a distance. And as her presence approached closer, Robert felt the air grow heavier, her aura suffocating in its cold intensity. Though she diverted her path, avoiding him and Lorraine entirely, the lingering weight of her presence lingered

Exhaling quietly, he sensed the knight enter the dining hall, her focus now on Mary. For a moment, he stood still, letting the tension fade, though his expression remained grim

"A monster serving a monster" he muttered under his breath, his voice barely a whisper. "And yet, they're the ones keeping the real monsters at bay"

Straightening his jacket, Robert turned and walked away, his steps steady as he followed after Lorraine. Her silhouette was already fading into the distance so he had to hurry