Go inside for warmth and food.

Now Felicia with you in toe crossed long stone steps and stood at the thick oak doors "Just A minute master, we will be inside soon" she reassured you, though her monotone voice was not the best source of comfort at this time "Don't worry about me, though I would like to go inside please" was your response as the cold blew across the courtyard, shaking the surrounding trees and cutting into you, in hindsight you should have warn your big coat stowed in your suit case instead of the thin bomber jacket you had on.

The maid reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a set of copper keys attached to a ring and flicked through them until stopping at a bow key with a thick metal cylinder and one square tooth, she inserted the key into the metal lock and turned with a metallic clunk and pushed the door open.

The door opened with a whine from its unoild hinges into a darkness much like what could be seen outside, you were quick to follow Felicia inside who's face showed no fear or caution as she walked into the black "Please close the door Master Doe while I find the light switch" she asked politely, you did as you were asked and closed the door tight, sending you both into perfect darkness before light replaced the inky black.

Felicia flicked the light switch on and the chandelier suspended on the ceiling shone light into the entrance to reveal walls in royal blue wallpaper with diamond designs, a large circular rug of Egyptian silk that came before a pair of twin stair cases that lead to the second floor with three open exits straight ahead of you and left and right. Felicia gave a curt cough to gain your attention and walked towards the left exit "Im sure you're hungry master, I did not know what you liked so I made Spaghetti alla puttanesca, is that acceptable?" She asked, though her voice suggested she was unconcerned with your answer.

Regardless your stomach rumbled at the mere memtion of food, you could eat a rotten fish as long as it filled you aching stomach "Sounds delicious Felicia, thank you" you said gratefully and followed the maid closely.

After negotiating your way through halls of drawers and old, expensive paintings which consisted entirely of animals "Uncle loved his animals eh, Felicia?" You said, noticing a very violent painting of a pride of lions feasting upon a zebra, the striped animal's blood staining the grass beneath it as the large felines feasted upon its entrails with looks of feral hunger "Yes he did…" she began but trailed off as if thinking back to something depressing before regaining her focus with a deep inhale "Now through this door is the dinning room" she finished and held the door in front of her open, allowing you to stroll inside.

The dinning room was long with a fire place to the right, a pair of tall Victorian style windows in the wall of front of you which would allow a view of the garden if it were not pitch black outside; finally the dinner table sat in the centre, a long stretch of sturdy mahogany covered with a snow white sheet and a four pronged candelabram in the middle, the strong flames of the fire place along with the lit candles illuminated the room in a welcoming glow, Felicia began to make her way towards another set of doors beside the fire place "Please have a seat master, your meal will be through to you soon" she said to you and disappeared behind the door without another word in your direction.

You took a seat at the head of the table and looked on at the empty chairs, this table was made to seat at least thirty people at any given time and yet, Albert never had any children of his own and the only staff members you ever saw when spending time here as a boy was Felicia, you sighed and leaned back in the chair which creaked under your weight, that same creak reverberated off the walls like the thoughts going through your mind 'Albert oh Albert, you were a lonely guy weren't you? But you looked so happy…' was the main thought that came to mind.

The doors beside the fire place was pushed open from the inside as Felicia returned, wheeling a serving trolley that was adorned with a white cloth like the dining table, the trolly carried a silver Cloche and a bucket of ice which held a bottle of wine and an accompanying glass "Dinner is… served" said Felicia, sounding suddenly very annoyed, glaring at you while you sat in Albert's chair. She quickly unveiled your meal and placed it in front you with a fork and filled your drinking glass in one perfect, fluid motion, you just sat there slightly awestruck before digging you fork in, twirled and ate.