Kapitel 9: Penumbra of Treachery.
Walking down the empty hallway, I was glad to have permission to roam and get some fresh air. But as I made my way along the corridor, a nagging feeling grew stronger, and I stopped in my tracks.
"I think I'm lost," I muttered to myself, looking around.
I've lived in an opulent mansion before, but it had nothing on this place.
This was excessive, even for my standards. The hallway seemed endless, dimly lit by flickering candles.
"Everything looks the same!" I exclaimed in frustration. "And who even uses candles for lighting these days? Don't they have electricity?"
The heat was unbearable, sweat trickling down my back.
"Why is it so hot in here?" I complained, wiping my forehead.
"And why doesn't this place have any doors?" When I left my room earlier, I remembered seeing a door. But now, as I tried to retrace my steps, there was no sign of it. I was sure I was going in the right direction, but the more I walked, the more I felt like I was in a maze.
"This has to be some kind of joke," I thought, trying to keep calm.
The dizziness was setting in, and my skin felt like it was on fire. It was like I was trapped in a labyrinth with no way out. I started to panic, my breathing quickening as the shadows around me seemed to grow darker.
"Okay, focus," I told myself, taking deep breaths to steady my nerves. "Just find a landmark, something to help you get your bearings." But everything looked the same—dark wood paneling, dim candlelight, and endless stretches of hallway. It felt like the mansion was deliberately trying to confuse me.
Staring at my hands as I idly played with my fingers.
Thoughts kept swirling in my mind—about why I was brought here, why I was saved, and what would happen to me now.
"I'm sure that Prince is looking for me," I muttered to myself. Yet here I was, confined, hiding in this strange mansion.
I thought about the woman who saved me. "Lykon... that's her name, right?" She seemed so mysterious, her demeanor a mix of warmth and sternness. And then there was Klein, her brother. "That Klein is such a sadist," I thought, grimacing as I touched the bandage on my head, remembering how he'd slammed me against the wall without hesitation.
Everything about this place felt off. It was lavish but unsettling, with long, dimly lit hallways and rooms filled with opulence that bordered on excess. The people here were just as confusing—Lykon, who was kind yet carried a hidden burden; Klein, whose violent tendencies hinted at deeper issues; and the elusive "Young Master," who I still hadn't met.
"Yonah..." I muttered, my little sister. Her smile flashed in my mind.
Suddenly, I heard a faint "meow," which made me jump in my seat. Goosebumps prickled up my arms, and I quickly glanced around to see where the sound had come from.
A white cat sat beside me, its fur as pristine as freshly fallen snow.
It looked up at me with curious eyes, tilting its head as if studying me. I hadn't seen it approach, and the suddenness of its appearance made me wary.
"W-where did you come from?!" I stammered, glancing back down the hallway.
There was no one else around, and the corridor seemed as empty as before.
The cat simply sat there, watching me intently.
It then scratched at my pants with its tiny claws before turning to look down the hallway. "D-do you want me to follow you?" I asked, feeling a bit silly for talking to a cat.
"Meow..." It answered with a soft meow, as if to confirm my question.
I gulped and stood up, my heart racing with a mix of apprehension and excitement.
"Alright, lead the way," I said, motioning for the cat to move.
The cat took off down the hallway, its tail flicking with each step. I followed quickly, wondering where it was leading me.
"Is it trying to show me the way out? How wonderful!" I thought, my eyes lighting up with hope. Maybe this mysterious cat knew the secrets of this place, or perhaps it was just trying to find a quiet corner to nap.
I suddenly noticed a door that hadn't been there before. It was as if it had materialized out of thin air. I paused, my hand hovering over the doorknob, unsure whether I should enter. "Where did this room come from?" I wondered aloud.
"Meow." The cat's meow grabbed my attention, and I looked down to see it sitting expectantly beside me, as if encouraging me to go in.
"This room... I wonder what's inside." I felt a strange sense of foreboding. But the cat seemed to want me to go in, and I couldn't ignore its urging.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Alright," I sighed, deciding I had little choice. I turned the doorknob and opened the door, only to be greeted by complete darkness. I couldn't see a thing inside.
The cat meowed again and bravely stepped into the room.
"S... sure, this isn't creepy at all," I muttered to myself, hoping there wasn't some surprise waiting for me, like those jump scares in movies.
I sighed again, gathering my courage, then followed the cat into the room. "Kitty? Where did you go?" I asked, stepping carefully into the pitch-black space.
As I took a few tentative steps, the door behind me suddenly slammed shut with a loud bang, sending a jolt of fear through me.
"Waa!" I yelped, spinning around in a panic. But there was nothing but darkness, and I couldn't see a thing.
"Great, just great," I grumbled as I fumbled through the dark, reaching out like a blind person, trying to find the cat—or a way out. "What kind of room is this, seriously?"
Then, abruptly, a light switched on, casting a harsh glow over the room.
The sudden illumination revealed a large glass box in the center, and inside the box sat a crown. It looked ancient, adorned with jewels that glimmered in the light.
"A relic?" I muttered, stepping closer, curiosity replacing my fear. I reached out to touch the glass, but as soon as my fingers made contact, a sharp pain shot through my head.
"What... is wrong with my head?!" I groaned, the sudden ache intensifying.
"Traitor, everyone is a traitor," a voice said in my mind, harsh and accusing. I hadn't meant to say those words, but they came out involuntarily.
Before I could process what was happening, a force shoved me deep into my own consciousness, a dark voice whispering, "Get lost." Everything went black, and my body collapsed into the shadowy void.
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
Virtuosa
Virtuosa Sorry if I just updated today. Got sick for two days. But I'll be updating today and later to make it up! Thank you for adding this book to your precious collections! I appreciate that much. Although I'm not a good story writer. Please support this book until the end. Ehe. ^_^
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein