Chapter 14 - Why Me?

Lilith stayed behind the brothers as they walked through the manor. She was too busy studying the architecture of the place to really pay attention to anything going on around her. She looked to see if the counter at the entrance was there but it was just a wall. Just like last time.

Everything else was like it was when she had been there in modern times. Except it was cleaner. Some of the designs on the walls had been scuffed or some of the tiles on the ceiling had chipped and fallen off. But everything was perfect. They passed through the front room which had two opposite sets of stairs leading to the rest of the house. In the middle of those stairs were two big double doors that lead on to somewhere.

The Dukes walked up the left set of stairs and Lilith’s eyes were glued on the paintings on the walls. They were huge and definitely were not there in modern times. Lilith felt somewhat guilty for seeing them. Like she was not supposed to, or like she was hogging it all to herself. But it was not her fault that she was in this position.

If she ever got back, she would be sure to go back to the manor and compare. She was sure that no one would believe her if she told them so maybe Lilith could write a book about it. People would assume that it was fiction but in reality, it was not. That was the only way Lilith would be able to get her story across without sounding insane.

They went down a hallway that had multiple doors, turned a couple of corners, and then the two stopped in front of a room. Lilith had not seen anyone in the manor the entire time she was there. It was really quiet, their footsteps seeming to echo on forever.

“Well then, let’s get down to business now,” Lucan said, glancing at Raymond and then at her.

Lucan opened the door and Raymond looked at her. She knew that she was supposed to stay outside so she stepped away from the door to show her understanding. Without any words, he stepped into the room and closed the door.

This was her life now, following around someone and not having the freedom to do what she wanted when she wanted. The realization just hit her and she pouted a bit. It was not the life she imagined for herself. Even if she was in the 1800s, she wished she could be doing something more. Maybe if Lilith had not sold the dress, she could have pretended to be a Princess and see how far she got with it before someone called her out on it. And then she would get rid of the dress, chop off her hair and live in a different part of the country.

Maybe if Lilith went far enough, she would have been able to get into the castle, claiming to be from another part of the world, and then see if she could become one with the rich people.

All those thoughts kept Lilith occupied as she stood outside of the room. She was sure that this was not all she could do. Although the manor was quiet, it could not have been empty, maybe she could go find something to do, help someone cook, or clean. It was better than just standing around.

Making sure her steps were silent, she walked down the hallway. Lilith was only familiar with the way to the ballroom from the entrance. And then there was a bathroom a little way from that, but that was all she knew. So everything that she was seeing was for the first time.

No matter how long she searched, she was not able to find anyone. Her guess was that Lucan dismissed the staff because Raymond would not want to be around many people. Being in such a large house alone was daunting but exciting, she got to peek into many rooms and see what was in there. Some rooms were just bedrooms, others were empty, others had paintings or sculptures.

Eventually, Lilith came to the ballroom, she did not know how she got there, but when she saw the familiar hallway with the large doors at the end, she knew where she was. In her memories, there were guards lining the hall and then two by the door to open it for visitors.

And once Lilith stood at the top of the stairs, staring down at the empty ballroom, she studied how fresh everything was. The designs on the wall, the smooth marble floor, the light that came through the small windows. The room was not as bright and glamorous as that night. Walking down the stairs, she took her time, taking in the room as she did. Once on the floor, she walked around the room, thinking about all that happened.

Humming the songs that played that night, Lilith swayed gently, moving around the room, trying to bring back that night. Trying to bring herself back to the modern world. Maybe it was not the Silver Moon, maybe there was some magic in Avarice Manor that made her go through time. Maybe it was a certain step sequence she did, or maybe it was because she danced with a specific person. Maybe they were someone of royal blood, relating to Lucan and so he sent her back.

“What am I thinking, it’s ridiculous,” she said to herself. “It’s the moon, it has to be the moon.”

Lilith came to a stop and looked out of the window and to the sky. She wanted to call the moon back, demand why she was sent back and why she had to be here for fifteen years. Why did she have to be the one to go back? Why her? What was the reason she was sent back? And if so, why not send someone more capable. Her poor parents must be ridden with sorrow.

“She’s the Princess from that night, isn’t she, Raymond?” a sudden voice said, but Lilith did not have to turn to see who was there.