Duchess Penelope French.

Duchess Penelope stepped out from the horse carriage onto the vast courtyard leading to the majestic doorway of her newly acquired home. Her heart raced with excitement as she took in the sight of the stately structure looming above her. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes dotted with lush vegetation, it felt almost surreal – like being transported back in time when nobility reigned supreme. She noticed a couple of servants waiting nearby. There stood two attractive women dressed modestly in uniforms reminiscent of traditional European styles. They approached Duchess Penelope gracefully, offering her warm welcomes and introducing themselves as the head housekeeper, Miss Olga Schultz, and her assistant, Miss Isla Winterfeldt. Despite their formal titles, something beneath their pleasantries hinted at sinister motives that sent shivers down Penelope’s spine. Her curiosity piqued, and Penelope couldn't help but notice how close these two were to each other.

It was as if there existed some invisible bond uniting them - their movements mirroring each other, expressions matching seamlessly. Something seemed off about this duo of domestic helpers, yet they continued speaking to Duchess Penelope with politeness, guiding her through various rooms and pointing out features of the residence. It became evident upon walking further through hallways filled with priceless artwork, antique furniture, and exquisite textile drapery, that these maids had been skilled in their respective roles, serving aristocratic families beforehand. She wondered why two beautiful young ladies such as Olga and Isla would dedicate their lives to service, especially since she had heard rumours about them having once served high-ranking families. As night fell, Penelope retired to her lavish bedroom suite, where a fire burned brightly in the hearth. Exhausted after a day spent exploring her inheritance, she sank gratefully into the plump embrace of her ornately carved bed. In the maid's quarters, Olga and Isla discussed their new mistress.

"Miss Penelope seems quite unsuspecting," commented Olga thoughtfully. "We must act swiftly." Isla nodded eagerly, agreeing wholeheartedly. As evening approached, they planned their scheme meticulously, whispering secretively behind closed doors. Olga said that the best plan would be to drive the Duchess seemingly mad. They needed first to get Penelope to sign over to them a power of attorney should anything physically or mentally happen to her.To achieve this goal, they decided to enact a series of increasingly disturbing events targeting Duchess Penelope's fragile psyche. First step: isolating her completely from anyone outside of the household staff, cutting her off from communication, thus making sure no one could provide her guidance during those difficult times. Secondly, she created situations where reality began to distort around her, causing her confusion and anxiety. Lastly, instilling fear, so deeply ingrained in her subconscious that it would become all too easy to exploit later on.

With careful planning and calculated moves, they sought to make Duchess Penelope question what was real and imagined. Both Olga and Isla knew well enough that fear could easily transform itself into obsession, paranoia, or even madness. The next morning at breakfast Olga brought a stack of papers for Penelope to sign. She told Penelope they were just estate bills but amongst them was a power of attorney document. Penelope just signed them without checking.She trusted Olga implicitly, not knowing about the hidden agenda lying within the depths of her consciousness. Olga smiled victoriously, satisfied that the initial phase of their master plan had successfully taken place. As Penelope left for her daily routine activities, Isla looked up at the clock hanging in the kitchen, signalling the start of her shift. Understanding the need for subtlety and precision, Isla strategized ways to gradually increase the intensity of their psychological warfare against Duchess Penelope. Isla dressed in some of the old Duchess's clothes and headed out into the garden.

She hid and waited for Penelope to take her walk around the estate. Her intention was to make Penelope believe she had seen a ghost of her aunt. To do this, Isla found the perfect spot near a weeping willow tree known for its eerie appearance due to its twisted branches stretching towards the ground. Once settled, she patiently awaited Duchess Penelope's arrival. Soon enough, she saw Penelope approaching. Time to put her ingenious plan into action! As soon as Duchess Penelope got closer, Isla carefully emerged from hiding, clad in a long white dress adorned with lace embroidery, looking exactly like the late Duchess Margaret. Startled, Penelope froze midstep, wide-eyed with astonishment. Seeing this apparition stirred a mixture of shock, disbelief, and horror within her. Was this truly the spirit of her departed relative? Trembling, Penelope tried to regain composure, searching frantically for answers. As Penelope approached Isla started to walk away heading for the afternoon mist until she disappeared from sight.

She heard behind her Penelope calling out to her dead aunt. Isla quickly retreated deeper into the fog, feeling elated that her ruse worked perfectly. Panicked, Penelope shouted for Olga, seeking solace amidst her growing terror. When Olga arrived, Duchess Penelope explained tearfully the encounter she had just experienced with a deceased loved one. Olga listened sympathetically, comforting her frightened charge whilst maintaining her façade of innocence. She confided in Olga about the spectral encounter, wondering aloud whether her imagination was playing tricks on her or if someone was deliberately trying to scare her. To Penelope's relief, Olga dismissed her concerns, assuring her that nothing supernatural was going on. She insisted that perhaps it was merely an illusion caused by the thick atmosphere pervading throughout the estate. However, deep inside, Penelope wasn't entirely convinced. The next morning Penelope was in the study reading some mail while Olga was cleaning.

Suddenly a piano started to play and Penelope looked up and asked Olga if she could hear the music. Olga asked Penelope what music was she hearing and Penelope explained. Her aunt had played the piano and now Penelope's favourite tune was being played. Penelope rushed to the lounge where the piano was. Opening the door the music stopped. Isla had stopped the recording machine just as Penelope opened the door. Olga's face betrayed nothing as she calmly stated, "Must be your ears playing tricks on you, my lady. Music doesn't come from thin air!" Feeling slightly uneasy, Penelope agreed hesitantly. This incident only fueled her suspicion regarding the strange occurrences happening around her recently. But still, she remained uncertain whether to share her apprehensions with others, afraid they might consider her mad. As days passed, more peculiar incidents occurred. One night, the candles in her chamber flickered ominously, followed by whispers echoing along corridors which nobody else seemed to hear.

Meanwhile, the maids continued their clandestine schemes, leaving Penelope isolated and bewildered. Unable to comprehend the sudden onset of mysterious events, she grew increasingly paranoid. During moments of restless sleep, visions of her beloved aunt haunted her dreams, leading her to question her sanity. Nightmares tormented her, awakening feelings of intense despair and loneliness. Olga noticed Penelope's vulnerability, sensing an opportunity to manipulate her even further. Olga suggested that they should call doctor Stella Hind to come and see her. Penelope now at her wits end agreed. Doctor Stella Hind, a renowned expert in dealing with mental health issues, visited Duchess Penelope and conducted extensive examinations. After observing Penelope closely for several sessions, Dr Hind concluded that Penelope's recent experiences were indeed traumatising and recommended a course of treatment consisting of medication combined with therapy.

The combination of constant exposure to supernatural events, coupled with a profound sense of isolation and desolation, took its toll on Penelope's frail mental state. Isla swapped the medication for a placebo. Penelope sank deeper talking to herself and gibber jabbing. The doctor recommended that Penelope should be sent to asylum. Two orderlies and a nurse arrived and Penelope was put into a straitjacket and led away. Penelope didn't resist, she was beyond fighting back. Instead, she stared ahead vacantly. All hope had been lost. Her once-proud spirit lay shattered beneath the weight of the world. The nurses led Penelope down a dimly lit hallway filled with the distant echoes of suffering souls. She felt numb, unable to process the situation unfolding before her. The cool touch of metal bars sealed shut, marking the beginning of her imprisonment. It became clear there was no escape from this cruel fate. As weeks turned into months, Duchess Penelope descended deeper into darkness - her once radiant life reduced to mere remnants.

The seductive allure of freedom consumed her every waking moment, tormenting her with images of paradise lost. In her most **** hours, memories resurfaced. Visceral recollections of passionate encounters ignited a yearning desire within her soul. As days turned into years, Olga and Isla celebrated their success. Their elaborate scheme of driving Duchess Penelope to insanity had paid off. With her confined in an asylum, they held complete authority over the manor. They enjoyed the spoils of wealth, indulging themselves in material possessions while revelling in their triumph. Behind closed doors, their vile machinations knew no bounds. Lustful acts, obscene pleasures, and deviant practices became the norm.