THE DOLLS’ CHAMBER

RACHELLE'S POV

The tour in the mansion went on but as Alexander and I exited the nursery room, I can't help but feel uneasy as if someone is watching us. In the end, however, I shook it off and looked at Alexander who's waiting for me, standing a few feet away.

Looking back one last time at the nursery room I turned to Alexander and smiled while I walk towards him.

Alexander pointed at the room next to the nursery room,

"That is the comfort room I don't really think we need to enter unless you haven't seen one." He said smiling at me teasingly. I only scrunched my nose and pout my lips, looking at him as if I was offended.

Chuckling he went on leaving me behind

He reached the far end of the room and behind the grand staircases is a double door.

Alexander opened it and immediately the scent of freshly baked pastries hit my nose.

"This is the kitchen and that's Sofia she's the cook" he said pointing at the girl standing near the clay oven.

The girl who apparently is named Sofia bowed a little, Alexander nodded and she went back to her task.

She looked familiar, no… not just familiar. She looks exactly at the other two girls, the same porcelain skin and dull black eyes but this time with ash-blond hair.

I looked at Alexander with knitted brows, I have a few questions and I needed answers.

But for now, I just looked at the interior of the kitchen, the stove and the oven are sitting next to each other in the far right corner of the room. A table was located in the center of the room with several kinds of fruits and vegetables on the top, also there are multiple cabinets which probably contains silverware, pots, plate, and spices.

I then looked at Alexander "we should get going" I said as I pulled him out of the kitchen, way from Sofia's ears.

"There's something I need to know" I started

"Are the maids and your cook some kind of triplets?" I ask looking at him with wide curious eyes.

He was taken aback "Oh…that…" he said while I waited for him to continue.

"I think it's best if we hurry with the tour then so I can show you, I mean you'll stay here anyway and you'll find out sooner or later" he said as we continued our tour.

Just as Alexander said we did speed up the tour of the mansion. Now I was finally familiar with the first and second floor. The first consists of the spacious drawing room, the nursery room, the comfort room, the kitchen, and the dining hall. On the other hand, the second floor has the library, his father's office and the rooms which are divided into two types. The rooms on the right side of the mansion belonged to the residents: meaning him and his family. The ones on the left side however are guest rooms, which we didn't check one by one of course.

"Lastly is the attic, this is where your desired answers lies" he said while I only waited in anticipation.

We climbed the ladder leading towards the attic, however it was dark really dark and I couldn't see a thing.

"This is the maids' chamber" Alexander said then I heard him snap his fingers…

In an instance the room lit up, lamps located above the drawers and table burned brightly as the fire went on.

But there are no beds for the maids, there's just a big table with several doll part, wigs, and prosthetic eyeballs.

While two dolls are seated on a sofa, it was terrifying I almost wanted to run but their just dolls. It's not like their severed human bodies.

"The 'maids' are 'born' here" Alexander said looking straight ahead while I stayed in silence allowing him to go on.

"I made them" he said shortly then looked at me expecting a question, which I do have.

"How did you do it? What…are you? I asked.

"To answer your second I'm an alchemist and for the first well…" he paused.

"I constructed the dolls as host for spirits, well to be more precise they're will o wisps. Do you know the legend?" he asked.

"They're the souls of the dead that remained in this world, some say they trick people or lure them in danger while others say they will lead you to your fate but in the end, they're just souls. Human souls wandering around helplessly because they have nowhere to go, they are too mischievous to ascend heaven yet to kind to fall in the abyss." He said with a sigh.

"I spoke to the wisps I found living in this forest then offered them a contract, I'll give them a home and a body but in exchange, they will work for me as servants. They are also allowed to do as they please after their chores of course but they are not allowed to leave the forest otherwise that will make trouble." He said looking at me.

I was at a loss, I wanted the truth but now I don't know what to say. This is defying the laws of nature, the legends and the folklores I used to listen to as a child are right in front of me proving its existence to be more real than I used to believe.

"I know it's a lot to take in, I was just like you at first but believe me you'll get used to it" he said ever so calmly.

In the end, I guess I don't really have a choice but to believe his words.

"Come, I'll show you your room" he said leading the way once more.

I followed right behind him and as we exited the attic the burning lights if the fire lamps died down.

Going back to the second floor of the mansion, he led me to the right-wing of the house and opened the door of the second room.

"This will be your room, for the time being. Go get some rest and I'll send a maid to fetch you for dinner" he said, turning his heel to leave but before he had the chance to do so I spoke.

"But this is wing is for the residents right?" I asked him curiously.

He turned to face me "Yes, but unless you haven't noticed I leave alone besides my room is just next to yours so it's for the best, in case you ended up needing something. Any more questions?" he said looking at me with his emerald eyes.

I only shook my head "No, there's nothing more for now" I answered.

He nodded "I should get going then, I have some things to do."

"Alright, I'll see you later" I said waving my hand a little.

He turned and left but as I was about to enter the room I saw him wave back, his not facing me but he did waved back.

Smiling, I finally went in.

This man is a peculiar one.