emn quiet, as if every wall held a secret. Lily stood in the center of the great hall, her gaze drifting over the imm

of the ancient wood beneath her fingers. This manor wasn't just a ho

rter, the manor's housekeeper, stood a few

help y

She wasn't sure

ke to... see

nodded

llow

arble floor. Doors opened into richly decorated sitting rooms, libraries with shelves filled with leather-

front of a glass d

winter

ht of the afternoon, illuminating a jungle of lush plants. Wicker armchairs were arranged aroun

ands. As soon as she caught sight of Lily, she put her cu

the famous h

soft, but hi

ffened s

you

gave an am

chmont. Your

rying to hide

to me

raised an

eal

. Isabelle tapped

d a surprise guest in the family. Y

isible tension b

come to cre

ed, with an enigmatic smi

truth was, she didn'

under

er for a moment, the

I

nchalant elegance an

everything is earned. Nothing is given, a

is shoulder, an almost affectionate

e. But courage is

ly alone in the conservatory, wi

d continued h

soft light bathed the faces of the Richmont ancestors. She stopped in front of one of

s your

jum

simple black dress. Her gray hair was pulled

you kn

life, she replied, coming

in this woman's voice. A fam

Lily murmured as she

replied. She was strong, intell

urned

ch for t

ated, then low

ld be care

ntion

around, as if afrai

here. Things no one

shiver run d

kind of

tsteps in the hallway silenced her. She stepped

iss. Some truth

aving her alone in front

a long moment, her

thing wa

y she felt that this mansion hid m