𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕
it seemed like the place was not well-maintained; the stone walls were covered in overgrown ivy.
Approaching the castle where there was no sign of life, Mabel faced the large entrance door. Judging from the rusted knocker, it was clear that the place had not been cleaned for a long time.
She knocked heavily, but there was no sound from inside. She knocked again. A moment of silence was followed by the creaking sound of the door, opening slowly.
“Excuse me…”
She felt sorry for intruding, but knowing that she couldn’t go back without meeting the mage, Mabel stepped inside. As expected, it was dark inside, and the smell of dust and mold filled the air.
She tried to open several doors on the first floor, but they were all locked. She reluctantly returned to the central hall and climbed the circular staircase that split into left and right. The dusty deep red carpet emitted an indescribable smell.
“I wonder if anyone really lives here.”
As she climbed the stairs to the second floor, it was just as dimly lit as the first. There were windows on either side of the hallway, but they were all covered with curtains, allowing only a small amount of sunlight to filter through.
Walking straight ahead, she tried each door along the way, but none of them would open. Mabel was at a loss when finally, at the end of the hallway, she looked up and spotted a door; the largest she had seen here.
She gently placed her hand on the doorknob.
Then, with a creaking sound, the door was opened easily
“Oh, it’s open…”
She entered the room quietly. The dimly lit room had several large bookshelves lined up against the walls, all of them packed with books. The books that had no room on the shelves were piled up near.
In the wooden box placed between the piles of books, there were various things such as plants and stones. The smell of spices tickled her nose when she took a breath.
‘There are so many books…The mage must be a scholar’
As Mabel continued forward, she found another room. There were bookshelves there too, and the windows were closed. The room was filled with parchment. A tattered sofa and blanket were placed in the center.
Due to the dusty and indescribable smell, Mabel instinctively headed towards the window. The window was quite large and covered with thick curtains, occupying one entire wall.
‘I need to get some fresh air in here, this is unbearable’
Next to the window was a splendid desk and chair. Laying on the desk was a piece of paper with incomprehensible characters piled up on it. Mabel, with tears in her eyes from the dust, searched for the window key and pushed it up with all her might.
It seemed that the window had not been opened for a long time, as the key was stuck even though it should have come off. Mabel, in desperation, opened it with force. With a loud bang, the window opened, and the curtains, which had turned yellow from sun exposure, fluttered.
A pleasant breeze flowed into the room, carrying the scent of spring. It hit Mabel’s face along with the warm sunlight. Outside the window was a wide, semi-circular balcony, with tall trees and lush green leaves swaying beyond it. Satisfied, Mabel slid the curtains left and right and turned back to the room.
At that moment, the sofa in the center of the room rattled. Or rather, the blanket that was curled up on it moved.
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