"Are you feeling ready for this new adventure, darling? » asked his mother with a kind smile, her gaze fixed on the road.
Lyana took a deep breath before answering. "Yes, I think so. It's just... strange. »
"Strange how? »
She hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I don't know... It's like this place is hiding something. As if..." She stopped, feeling her own words too vague to express her feelings.
"You'll get used to it quickly, I'm sure," his mother replied reassuringly, while giving him a knowing look. "Besides, it's a beautiful place, isn't it? »
Lyana nodded silently, her eyes lost in the landscapes they were crossing. Every house, every alley, seemed to belong to another time. Nature itself seemed different, denser, deeper. A shiver ran through her when she saw in the distance an imposing silhouette silhouetted in the fading light. A castle, perched on the neighboring hill, stood majestically, surrounded by mist.
"Mom, look! That castle over there! »
His mother turned her head briefly. "Ah, this must be the famous Valmont estate. I heard he belonged to an old family in the area. They are discreet, but I believe they are very influential. »
"The Valmonts? » repeated Lyana , fascinated, her gaze still fixed on the dark silhouette of the castle.
"Yes, and from what I've heard, they don't come out often. The city considers them a little... apart. But you know what small towns and their rumors are like. »
Lyana smirked. She loved this kind of mystery, these stories that were told quietly, the rumors that circulated and brought life to a place. The Valmont castle became for her the promise of a mystery to be unraveled, an additional reason to be enthusiastic about this new life.
Soon after, they finally arrived in front of their new house. It was an old-fashioned house, with wooden shutters and a small wild garden where the flowers seemed to have grown freely. The place had a slightly old-fashioned charm, but Lyana liked it. She felt that she could quickly feel at home there.
"So, what do you think?" » asked his mother, taking the suitcases out of the car.
Lyana took a moment to look around the house. She loved the feeling it gave off, as if the walls carried within them a story, an experience. " I adore. It has a... mysterious side. »
His mother laughed softly. "I hope it's a pleasant mystery, then." »
They unpacked the boxes in a good mood, sometimes being surprised to find forgotten objects, old photo albums or books that Lyana had read years ago. While putting away her things, she took the time to explore every corner of the house. A small wooden door hidden behind a curtain particularly caught his attention. She opened it to find a tiny room that looked like it hadn't been used in years.
The ground creaked under her feet as she entered. The walls were covered in old, yellowed paper, and in one corner there was a bookshelf full of old books. She pulled out a dusty volume titled "Legends and Mysteries of Crescentville ." She smiles, amused by the idea of delving into these old local stories. She could perhaps find clues about the Valmont castle or the history of this strange family.
" Lyana!" Come see, you'll love it! » his mother called from upstairs.
She quietly closed the door to the small room and rushed up the stairs. His mother stood near the window of her future bedroom, looking outwards.
"Look," she whispered, pointing at the landscape with a smile. "You have a direct view of the forest... and the castle. »
Lyana approached the window, holding her breath. The Valmont castle was there, in the distance, silhouetted against the twilight sky. It seemed unreal, almost timeless, like a fortress from another world. Its dark and imposing silhouette blended with the mist that surrounded it, accentuating its mystery.
"It's incredible," she whispered, fascinated.
His mother nodded thoughtfully. "I'm sure you're going to love this new year, my darling. This place is... special. »
Lyana felt a shiver run through her, a strange certainty growing within her. Crescentville would not be a year like any other. She didn't yet know what awaited her, but she had the feeling that she would never leave quite the same.
Once night fell, she found herself alone in her room, looking towards the castle, which the darkness had engulfed. She couldn't help but wonder who really lived there, and if she would ever have the opportunity to unravel this mystery.