20demayo Chapter 200 Detective 7
Chapter 200 Detective 7
As you step into O'Leary's room, an ancient yet luxurious atmosphere hits you.
The room is tall and spacious, and the years have left deep traces here - those huge black rafters and beams that have become slightly darker due to the passage of time, like guardians of history, are densely arranged, telling the glory and vicissitudes of the past.
In a corner of the room, a tall iron dog statue stands proudly, its eyes deep and firm, as if guarding every secret of this land.
In the huge old-fashioned fireplace, the crackling of firewood and the jumping of flames emitted a warm and inviting glow, dispelling the chill and fatigue brought by the long journey.
Sir Jack and Oriel stood side by side in front of the fireplace, letting the blazing warmth envelop their bodies, as if even their souls were comforted.
They looked around. The long and narrow stained glass windows sparkled with a mysterious and charming light under the light. The oak paneling was exquisitely crafted, and every inch revealed the craftsmen's hard work and wisdom. The stag head specimen hanging on the wall and the solemn shield emblem all told the long history and glory of this family.
"This place is exactly what I imagined." Sir Jack's voice was full of emotion, "Every inch of space, every object seems to be telling a story of the past.
This is where my family has lived for generations. Five hundred years have left a deep mark here.
Every time I stand here, I can feel the heavy sense of responsibility and honor. "
His face was filled with childlike innocence and enthusiasm, which reflected his deep love and respect for his family and this land.
At this time, the butler walked into our room gently with his well-trained and almost perfect etiquette, and his steps revealed an indescribable solemnity and meticulousness.
He is like a graceful gentleman, standing in front of us with a posture as straight as a pine tree, like a carefully painted oil painting. His deep eyes, though caressed by the years, still sparkle with wisdom and loyalty.
His face was like a lily blooming in early spring, fair and pure, and his carefully trimmed black beard added a sense of maturity and stability to him.
"Your Excellency, would you like to enjoy the dinner that we have carefully prepared for you right away?" His voice was low and magnetic, and every word seemed to be carefully crafted, neither impolite nor full of warmth.
When Sir Jack heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, as if he found a bit of joy in life in this sudden inquiry.
"Oh? Dinner is ready? It's so quick and thoughtful." His words revealed his recognition and praise for the butler's ability.
The butler nodded slightly, his gesture was modest and confident. "Yes, sir, everything has been arranged. In just a few minutes, the delicious food will be presented on your table. In addition, your room has been prepared with warm bath water, which I hope will wash away your fatigue from the journey."
His words are like a spring breeze, making people feel extremely comfortable and at ease.
But then, a hint of hesitation was revealed in his words. "Before you make new plans, my wife and I are willing to continue to stay by your side and serve you.
But... Sir, I must be honest with you, with your arrival, the living pattern of this manor may need to change. "
Sir Jack frowned slightly, seeming to be quite interested in the word "change". "Oh? How do you want to change? I'd like to hear the details."
The butler took a deep breath, as if he was organizing his thoughts, and then slowly said: "Sir, you may know that your uncle preferred a secluded life when he was alive, and his requirements for servants were relatively simple.
But you are different. You must want to be surrounded by more friends and relatives to share the joy and tranquility of this manor.
Therefore, we may need to add staff and restructure housekeeping arrangements to better meet your needs.”
Sir Jack's eyes flashed with understanding when he heard this. "Are you saying that you and your wife intend to leave and pursue a new path in life?"
There was no blame in his tone, only a hint of regret.
The butler sighed softly, and his fair hands unconsciously clenched the corners of his clothes, revealing his inner struggle.
"Sir, that's right. Although we are grateful for the kindness of our family and have spent several generations with your family, my wife and I both deeply respect your uncle, and his death is undoubtedly a huge blow to us.
Every blade of grass and every tree here carries too many memories. Every time we touch it, it is like uncovering old scars, making it difficult for us to find true peace of mind. "
Sir Jack was silent for a moment, as if thinking about something. He looked at the butler's slightly haggard but still resolute face, and a complex emotion surged in his heart.
“I understand your feelings and respect your choice. But please believe that the relationship between you and me is not just one of employment, but also one of family and friends for many years.
If my presence makes you feel uncomfortable, it will be my greatest regret.”
O'Learn was observing all this quietly from the side, and he keenly caught the subtle emotion and struggle in the butler's eyes.
Finally, the butler spoke slowly, with a hint of relief in his voice. "Sir, I am deeply relieved by your understanding. Although we intend to find another way out, we will do our best to continue to protect this manor and you and your family until you find a suitable candidate.
Now, perhaps, I should show you around your room so you can have a more comprehensive understanding of it."
Under the soft and slightly dim light, Oriel and Sir Jack slowly stood up.
Their steps seemed to echo the calm atmosphere of this ancient mansion, and every step echoed the years.
With his usual gentleness, the butler led the two distinguished guests through this palace full of endless stories and secrets.
Above the hall, a square corridor decorated with exquisite railings is like a corridor of time, quietly suspended in the air, and can only be reached through a cleverly designed double-stacked staircase.
Each step of this staircase seems to carry the dust and glory of the past, leading them into a world that is both familiar and unfamiliar.
Extending from the central hall are two long and deep corridors, which are like two historical veins that run through the soul of the entire building.
Along these two corridors, dormitories quietly unfold, and behind each door there are different stories and dreams.
O'Neal and Jack's dormitories are like two adjacent stars, shining warm light in the long river of history.
Their rooms look younger and more vibrant than the rooms in the middle of the building that have become a little worn out by the years.
The walls are covered with wallpaper in bright colors and vivid patterns, as if they are the most gorgeous brushstrokes of nature, adding a bit of vitality and vigor to this ancient space.
The countless candles lit in the room were like starlight, dispelling the gloom and uneasiness in their hearts when they first arrived.
However, when the three of them stepped into the dining room that opened to the hall, a completely different atmosphere hit them.
This is a long room. The cleverly designed steps divide the space into two parts. The higher part is a sacred place for family members to enjoy delicious food, while the lower part is a corner where servants work silently.
The entire space was shrouded in an indescribable darkness and gloom, as if even the air had solidified.
The beams are black and thick, stretching across overhead, like the giant hand of history, tightly strangling the throat of time.
The ceiling has lost its original color due to the smoke of time, leaving only a mottled and vicissitudes.
In such an environment, even the warmest words become muffled and weak.
Oriel and Sir Jack sat in the faint light cast by the lampshade, and their voices were unconsciously lowered, as if they were afraid of disturbing the silence and solemnity.
And their hearts also felt unprecedented shock and awe in this depressing atmosphere.
On the walls, rows of portraits of ancestors appear faintly. They are dressed in various gorgeous costumes, from the heroic knights of the Queen Elizabeth era to the romantic playboys of the Regency era of Crown Prince George IV. Each of them looks at the visitors below with a gaze that transcends time and space.
They said nothing, but accompanied Oriel and Sir Jack with an invisible force, making the two gentlemen in black feel majesty and awe while also seeming to hear whispers and echoes from the depths of history.
At this moment, the entire dining room seemed to have turned into a living history museum, with every stone slab, every wall, and every portrait telling their own story.
On this quiet and slightly depressing night, O'Neill's thoughts were like the branches outside the window being ravaged by the wind, and it was difficult to find a moment of peace.
Although the atmosphere at the table eased temporarily with the end of the food, there was still a subtle awkwardness that was hard to detect.
Sir Jack's words fell gently, like the first fallen leaf on a late autumn night, bringing with them a hint of coolness and uneasiness.
“To be honest, every corner of this mansion seems to be hiding unknown secrets, which makes it difficult for me to truly relax.” His words revealed an indescribable complex emotion, as if even time could not heal the heavy atmosphere here.
“I thought that as the days went by, I would be able to gradually adapt to this loneliness and weirdness, but every time night fell, the discomfort followed me like a shadow and became stronger and stronger.”
Olier looked at Sir Jack with his sharp eyes, and couldn't help feeling a sense of sympathy and resonance in his heart.
He nodded slightly in agreement.
“I completely understand how you feel, Sir Jack.
Perhaps, as you said, the first ray of sunshine in the morning can bring us a different perspective and mood. "
"Then let us rest early and hope that tomorrow will ease our mood a little."
As Sir Jack politely said his goodbyes, his figure gradually merged into the shadows of the corridor, and Oriel slowly walked into his room.
Before stepping into this private space, he habitually opened the curtains, allowing a faint ray of light to penetrate the veil of night and illuminate his eyes as he explored the outside world.
Outside the window, there is a meadow caressed by the moonlight. The tips of the grass seem to be still hung with crystal night dew. The trees on both sides are whimpering under the teasing of the strong wind, as if they are the silent sighs of nature.
The half-circle outline of the moon appears and disappears among the clouds, like a shy girl, adding a bit of mystery and sadness to this quiet night.
Oriel's gaze passed through the woods and reached the hills and swamps farther away.
There, the outlines of the mountains appeared incomplete and desolate under the moonlight, and the swamps were an endless gloom, like the wounds of the earth, quietly telling the stories of the past.
This scene made O'Neill feel an inexplicable chill in his heart, and compared to the first time he saw it, it felt even heavier and more uneasy.
However, no matter how beautiful the scenery was, it could not calm the turmoil in O'Leary's heart.
He gently drew the curtains, trying to shut out the outside world, but the uneasiness followed him like a shadow and refused to leave for a long time.
Lying in bed, he tossed and turned, and every time he turned over, he was accompanied by worries about the unknown and helplessness about the current situation.
The ancient mansion seemed even quieter under the cover of night, as if even time had slowed down here.
The sound of the clock coming from afar is like a heavy hammer hitting the heart every moment, making it impossible to ignore the loneliness and solitude.
Just as Oriel was about to be consumed by fatigue and fall into a deep sleep, a sudden sound broke the silence of the night.
It was an indescribable sound, low and sad, like a woman tightly entangled in endless grief, sobbing and choking in the middle of the night.
The voice, clear and loud, struck deep into O'Neill's soul, instantly waking him up from his chaos.
He sat up suddenly, his eyes fixed on a certain point in the darkness, his ears capturing every tiny sound like a radar.
He was sure that the sound did not come from the distant outside world, but from within this mansion, perhaps in some unknown corner, hiding an unknown secret and sorrow.
For the next half hour, O'Neill felt like he was nailed to the bed, with every nerve stretched to the extreme.
He held his breath, trying to catch more clues from the darkness, but except for the occasional bell and the whisper of ivy outside the wall in the wind, everything returned to silence.
That mysterious cry disappeared without a trace, as if it had never existed.
However, the uneasiness and doubt took root in O'Neill's heart like seeds, making it impossible for him to sleep peacefully again.