Chapter 8 #2
“That seems like a lot of trouble just for me,” Elizabeth said. “I don't mind helping if they’re cooking solely on my account.”
“No, no!” The demon butler’s eyes widened in horror. “Master will not be happy if we do that. I insist!” He wrung his hands together. “Humans need food and water.”
She wasn’t sure if she was being treated like an honoured guest or a hound that needed feeding and letting out to piddle. “Thank you, I appreciate it. What was your name again?” Elizabeth asked in an effort to be nice.
“Iago. Butler and servant in chief. At your service.” Iago swept a clawed paw in front of him in a ludicrous impression of a bow that made her bite back a smile.
“Would you mind waiting in the great hall, my lady?” Iago asked, already backing away. “I’ll arrange something immediately.”
Morning light was just beginning to stream in through the tall windows, and vaulted ceilings stretched overhead.
Too distracted by the company last night, she didn’t realize just how extravagant the space was.
Elizabeth had barely settled onto a cushioned seat when Iago returned, balancing a silver tray.
The scent of fresh eggs wafted toward her, rich and buttery.
Her stomach rumbled again as he set the plates before her. Golden yolks gleamed beside crusty bread still warm from the oven. She lifted her fork, then paused, remembering her manners. “Thank you, Iago.”
Iago nodded, turning to leave.
“Excuse me,” she blurted. “Would it be possible to get a tour of the castle today?”
“Yes, of course,” the demon butler said with a slight bow.
She tucked in ravenously. When she was done, she grabbed her book and Iago led her through the castle’s main areas.
The castle unfolded before her as they wandered through its halls, a masterpiece of dark stone, with black floors veined in white.
Elizabeth had expected the black walls to feel oppressive, but it was not the case.
Large windows let in plenty of natural light that reflected off the gilded lines of gold that traced elegant patterns along the walls.
Rather than a gloomy look, the effect made the space feel more open, oddly majestic even.
Servants bustled past, most of them strangely shaped creatures—some barely taller than her knee, and others towering over her head with claws and horns and strangely proportioned limbs.
The occasional servant appeared human, until they turned their gaze to her with only black irises to show that they weren’t of this earth.
Iago led them to the kitchens. “The kitchens are through the last door of the hall, the third door on your left if you come from that stairway,” Iago pointed to where the stairwell was, and pointed to the door to the kitchens with some emphasis.
Elizabeth wanted to roll her eyes—she wasn’t that bad with directions.
Smiling politely, she nodded and wondered how silly Caspian’s previous ladies had been if they hadn’t been able to find a simple door to the kitchens.
Pushing a heavy wooden door open, and the smell of freshly baked bread greeted her. The cook stood at a massive hearth, his back to them as they stirred something in a large pot. When he turned, Elizabeth was pleased to see he looked human.
“Ah, you must be our new guest,” the cook said pleasantly, wiping flour-covered hands on his apron. “Feel free to pop by whenever you’re feeling peckish.”
Continuing their tour of the castle, they approached a grand set of double doors that made her stop short. “Is that a ballroom?” she asked excitedly, recognizing the old fashioned style of doors.
The demon servant shifted nervously. “Yes, but it's not been used in many years.”
How odd. “May I see it?”
“I'm afraid the cleaners don't even go in there. Master doesn't care for balls.”
Elizabeth was sure cleanliness wasn't the reason since the rest of the castle was spotless. “I’d still like to see it if you don’t mind,” she asked politely, half expecting that she would be denied.
The butler tilted his head and sighed, gesturing for her to open the door. The heavy doors were hard to push and creaked loudly as they opened.
Behind the doors lay a spacious dancing hall with dark marble floors. She took a few steps forward, onto the landing that sat above a curling double staircase that swept to the floor below. She rested her fingers on an elaborate golden railing, and peered at the hall.
On the dark floors stood tables and chairs, draped in white sheets. The black marble floor appeared grayish, and as she lifted her fingers, she noted a thick layer of dust that had been left on even the railing.
Why had the rest of the house been lived in and enjoyed while the ballroom looked like it had been abandoned?
She turned to Iago and smiled pleasantly. He seemed almost reassured that she hadn’t asked more questions.
Next, he took her to a large courtyard.
Mists drifted along the ground, and the skies were gray and gloomy overhead. She wondered if the sun ever shone here.
The courtyard was filled with stone statues half covered in moss, artfully sculpted shrubs, and gardens bursting with the same black flowers that were in her chamber. The gardens weren’t as colourful as the gardens back home, but they were nice, in a peaceful and solemn sort of way.
Elizabeth followed Iago back inside the castle and down several long halls until they reached a handsome set of black painted doors flanked by suits of armour.
Iago shifted nervously for the first time since they started this tour. “These are the Master's private chambers,” Iago said, throat bobbing, “and his personal wing of the castle. He has asked us to tell you to, er, not go in there.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That’s fine.” The less she saw of Caspian, the better. She marked the doors and the suits of armour to memorize the sight.
She looked back in the direction they came from. “Shall we continue, then?”
With curt agreement, Iago took her to the gallery, and then to countless other parts of the castle, but it was the library that really took her breath away.
The library was expansive, and immediately became her favourite part of the castle. It had two floors with endless rows of leather bound books. The space was dotted with comfortable looking reading chairs. Her fingers itched to peruse the shelves, or curl up with a book in a seat by the windows.
“Would I be permitted to visit the library?” she asked hopefully.
Iago looked surprised at the request. “Of course, I'm sure that would be fine. No one ever uses it.”
Elizabeth smiled, pleased.
Though she was bewildered as to why Caspian had tasked the builders of this house to create the largest and most elaborate library she had ever seen, only to never use it.
Iago gestured for her to exit the library first, and he followed close behind.
They went down the hall and descended a staircase, coming to a door that appeared to lead out of the castle. The castle was a labyrinth, but Iago seemed to know exactly where they were going.
Outside, the air was cool and crisp, and the castle grounds were made of expansive grassy fields bordered by dense forests. Mountains loomed in the distance, partially obscured by clouds.
As they toured the grounds, her eyes lit on a stable and a paddock. Her eyes widened in surprise and she grinned, hoping that Caspian would let her ride while she was here.