Chapter 4 Tour De Constance

Going back to the main grand foyer, everyone follows Eleanore, while taking a sip from her drink. I take another approach to her, saying;

"I just wanted to say, thank you for being open on the topic earlier, I know you hate humans and revealing yourself without much option, plus unveiling all of the information that must've been a secret too takes a lot of guts so ... I will fully cooperate as much as I can to help out sort this mess" I said to her.

Eleanore glances at me, surprisingly shows a small smile and replied, "This is the second time you showed your appreciation, how consistent humans are, I minimally appreciate your sense of gratitude, I will show mercy to you for now at least and must admit I kind of felt this ominous aura around you, a strange sensation" She said.

"I don't know about that but it's so cool though, with all the Vampir powers and stuff, since I'm staying here against my will, why not fancy me with a tour around the manor, I'm so psyched to learn some Vampir deep lore-core knowledge" I said, rather excited myself.

"Precisely, I may hate your humanistic enthusiasm Theodore, but I must confess how adoring it is that a human such as yourself wanting to learn so eagerly, a very happy sight to see. You two, you must learn from Theodore to adhere deep appreciation of acquiring knowledge, especially you Dmitri, you lack in that department" She said very favorably.

Dmitri heard and hisses at her, crossing his arms. With everyone at the grand main foyer, Eleanore stands in front of everyone to address some rules for me, and the other members of the house to follow as well, saying;

"Beyond our tour, I will lay important ground rules as we go further, and to my members of the house to follow, to ensure privacy AND above all safety" She said and was about to start the tour but Dmitri was about to bail out.

Lannister quickly grabbed him by his leather jacket and said, "Just where do you think you're going, little brother?"

"None of your business, I don't even need to be here with all this pampering business of touring our old house" Dmitri retorts, pushing him away.

Eleanore eyes him out, saying, "You're not about to bail out on us, this pampering tour is also part of your punishment for disobeying orders from earlier and a recap lesson since you're skipping your lessons behind my back, so you stay put or I'll make a living hell out of you" She said threateningly.

Dmitri scruffs, lashing out and ultimately admitting defeat by a loud 'fine' at her, it echoes around the room. Putting Dmitri in his place, we set foot, standing still in the grand main foyer, with Eleanore presents the room in a big voila with a flourish, saying;

"Now with no more further interruption, let this tour commence! Starting with this very room, the grand main foyer" She said, taking a sip of her blood-tainted drink again.

She started off, brandishing the immaculate beauty of the room, with its ornate walls, beautifully made interior and the suramounts of antiques that may cost a fortune on display, it was a spectacle to behold and serves a purpose. The very first of many ancestors made their manor what it is today possible, since their name is of noble origin, their ancestors didn't double down any expenses to made the place regal-looking, especially the grand main foyer which one of their ancestors commented, a true first impression of a house is what it entails to showcase to its visitors, hence it will tell their perspective of the foreseeable future, telling if its a worth or a ignore.

The Grand Manor of House Constantine, was erected when man learned how to use tools to build marvels of wonder. Case be how or who build the manor atop the cliffside remains ancient history but it serves a purpose throughout Vampir and in any case human history. Wars fought in the very room and countless balls and flourishes grace the main foyer as she mentioned. Introductions in order, Eleanore retakes the formality of addressing herself as Head Countess of the House, followed by introducing her brothers. Lannister, her second brother and Dmitri, her youngest of the family.

Lannister came up to me, showing his best spiffing behavior and his rather uncomfortable alluring side, sharing pleasantries with me. We shake hands as Eleanore glares at Dmitri, who's sulking nearby, with his arms crossed. Dmitri didn't come forward and stayed there, making Eleanore tip her temper but quickly composes herself, taking a deep breath.

She then move onto Sebastian, introducing him as their Head Steward of the house, who manages the clerical affairs and care-taken issues of their family, noting him close to her in regard of all things toing and froing. Sebastian extends a hand and I accept it, we're already acquainted. With everyone all brought into introductions, the tour moves on the first of many rooms in the ground floor.

"You may be wondering, why am I bestowed the title called 'Countess', yet I'm not human to honor such role to begin with?" Eleanore said to me as we walk down the hall.

"Yeah, I had that thought myself, does the Vampir society have a government much like us have? Maybe a monarchy, perhaps?" I asked.

"Much lesser than your human government, commanding your free world and making poor decisions for the sake of ones benefit, our society is led by a collection of grand houses, yet one commands the whole commonwealth, the house caliph if you will. The collective houses are not called a 'government', it's called a 'council' for us which is much more pristine and stable, the humans copied our way of organization, that is why the term 'monarchy' have brought to fruition, ravaging the world with countless wars and slaughter of the latter innocence" Eleanore explained.

As we walk further, she mentions fragments of history have happened in this very corridor we're stepping on, with paintings of old which she deeply advises for me not to pull out my blinding contraption.

We proceed to entering our first room of the manor, which Eleanore says there are 3 in each section. The Collection Room, a regal room showcases displays of old medieval suits and gowns, in the walls are various shields dating back to the old days and some other knick knacks which Eleanore describes it, useless human things that our ancestors love to have, a set of old tea sets, scepters and various sizes of crowns, all jewel-encrusted.

"Is all of this expensive looking items yours? All of it looks very antique like from a word famous museum to showcase" I said, while looking at the items.

"Yes yes they are, for a matter of fact, each came from different cultures and eras, knowing we are eternal, some of our family ancestors collect this as prizes of dominance and valor, an example of which is that crown over there, who in fact belonged to deceased Alexandrina Victoria, former Queen of the United Kingdom and Ireland plus Empress of India"

Astonished by the crown owned by a latte queen of old, I was about to touch the display but Eleanore swats my hand away and advises me not to touch prized possessions.

Afterwards, we explore an open hallway, featuring a spectacular view of the outside open grassy garden. More armory stands and old paintings litter the hall which I tried not to pull out my phone and take a picture, I have to committedly resist my supernatural urges. The Grand Living Room is next, connecting to the Grand Main Foyer, to what I expected, very regal and looking old renaissance, with the decorated fireplace in the middle, a painting hanging by the mantle and fancy furniture all around with expensive looking items on display. Lannister finds this room his tranquil which Eleanore agrees, remembering all their hosted parties.

"It was that time when Dmitri and I came to adore the parties of old, when times are golden for our people. And in that time, the funny thing happened in this room is that Dmitri was a very clumsy goofball, when he was invited by a young person of his age at the time to dance with him, he mistakenly groped the person's buttocks which gave a bad signal. It was so funny, it almost started a house conflict" Lannister said, laughing.

Dmitri fumes nearby, trying his best to calm himself, all reddish looking and I might find it very embarrassing, he lashes out and lunges at Lannister's back and attacked him tenfold. Eleanore deeply sighs disapprovingly as Sebastian untangles them, ceasing their banter.

Onwards to the next room which is the Grand Kitchen, Eleanore reveled in this room, since she mentioned a great important history of their house happened in this very room. She explains, the Vampir's high house of their High Caliph once declared their function a monumental success, giving them praise and bestowing more privileges. All luxury of white marble and gold, all the tabletops and cabinetry are all embellished with elegance and offers some modern items, like a retro-furbished 50s era double door refrigerator, a conventional toaster and a very high-end coffee machine.

Eleanore saw me looking at the modern appliances and said, "Don't think of what your thinking Theodore, those are for Sebastian to use since like I mention for making 'the food' so he could only use it, so don't think of any ideas" She said.

Now we head to another room which is the Grand Library, where aisles upon aisles of bookshelves are filled with books that isn't new predates back to the olden days and some I think much older and a few new editions I recognized which surprisingly is in here, must be for Sebastian. Further inside, the library has more ornate displays of items, one Eleanore is adored to show me this very regally embroidered and gold-encrusted dagger. She goes on telling it's history, one long ago, a champion from a fallen kingdom, praised by his people challenged their once ancestor to a duel while the crown's army were seizing their lands by force.

Their battle was fought to match each other's move and step, their might same and equal but what humans gain in strength and quick reflexes, Vampirs excel in intelligence and strategy, even as so the alleged champion uproar his oath to vanquish their ancestor and claim the land the name of the fallen kingdom, it wasn't met in the human's favor. With their ancestor besting the human with her unquestionable intelligence, she defeated in beheading the human with his own dagger, the weapon that was suppose to be her demise, amounting the dagger a sharp and poisonous piece of creation. She commented that until to this day, the poison on the dagger is active and is very deadly on both humans and Vampirs.

"Now it's on display to bask in all of its high glory as a prize possession and a very great reminder that our kind is much more superior that you putrid, sniveling and wretched puny little humans, no offense Theodore, it's true" She said in high praise.

I just casually roll my eyes and we head back to the grand main foyer staircase and head towards upstairs to the second floor. More rooms throughout with the same layouts from downstairs. We passed to some of the rooms and I've gone to question Eleanore, asking;

"We passed some rooms, is there anything not worth seeing in there?" I said.

Eleanore turns back, looking at me in the eye rather serious and said, "Some of those rooms are forbidden to enter and the others are private rooms that I find in the likeness of you who will definitely NOT appreciate seeing what's inside, UNLESS ... you wanted your soul, your existence and humanity be deeply scarred for the rest of your life?" She said.

I step away from the nearby door, shaking my head and I casually move on, Eleanore smiles and continue on with the tour. We arrive to what I can bolster, the most beautiful and also very awesome part of the manor, The White Solarium. With plants from all shapes and sizes, also uncommon to never before seen rarity of fauna and flora, Eleanore deeply admires this place as her pride and joy, her inner sanctum and works of art by gardening. She strongly request no touching and keep distance of the large plant by the end of the solarium, noting that it's a very deadly plant, that's why it's enclosed off the rest of the room.

"In other words, that's Eleanore's killer plant child, human. It likes flesh and could eat pretty much anything so why not try and say 'Hello' to the plant, also why not give it a hug? Which you human do nowadays" Dmitri said, smirking.

Eleanore chimes in and replied, "What a great idea, why not try it Theodore, I'm sure Dmitri knows what will happen to you, like get killed by my very dangerous and OH SO deadly plant ... AND in the process, my younger brother here will die along with you, so care to proceed inside the enclosure so Dmitri can experience PERMANENT DEATH as he really would like to because he has no intellect to know such insight" Looking at Dmitri rather smugly.

Belittled and defeated, Dmitri crosses his arms and goes sulking again. Eleanore smiles triumphant and proceeds on to the next expanse of the tour. More rooms include, one filled with more armors of previous eras where Eleanore describes their war prizes of humans who defied and took aggression on them, the fallen champion's armor and robe is also displayed here. next is a room showcasing bones of all kinds of species, including various skeletons of humans in display cases. Lannister expresses love of this room, then while at it looking at me very intently and said;

"Your bones Theodore will make a great fine piece on my human anatomy selection, a nice addition to my collection" He said.

I step away for a bit and moved on away from this room. While walking into more corridors, I saw Sebastian disappeared into what it appears is a secret passage panel on the wall. I turn back to Eleanore who's belittling humans again and when I turn back, he's there standing at the back next to me. Sebastian gave me a concerned look and whispered;

"Theodore? Is there something a matter? You seem shocked" He said. I shake my head and went back to listening to Eleanore, not even gonna reply to what just happened.

Even more rooms, like the Grand Study where, Eleanore boast it to the extent, a very important room and a private one, noting for me not to enter. There's also history in the room, that their past ancestor used her power of seduction to lore entitled humans to the room to 'hand over' their lands, one such Duke has fallen to her spell and handed the lands around the manor to her and now it is hidden inside the study with a key, their ancestor hid as well and till to this day, the key hasn't been discovered.

Approaching to the last end of the hall, with stairs heading to the third floor, I notice a door boarded up by three wooden planks placed in three metal hinges. Looking at it, I call Eleanore about it and ask;

"Why is this door closed like this? Is there a creature hold up in there or something?" I asked.

"That door leads to the tower but I requested it to be closed due to certain reasons you should not know about ... Now, come along and we have more ground to cover" She said, brushing past the door. I saw Dmitri looking at it and notice me glancing as well, he gave me a unpleasing look then ignores me. How curious.

Finally, we reach the third floor and Eleanore insist on showing me my very own room first, that really excites me a lot. With Sebastian swinging the door open, from what I expected already from their obvious theme, it sports an elegant look much like from the Victorian style era of a bedroom, all with the luxury and amenity of royalty. She told me this is where I'll reside indefinitely until the pact is lifted.

"This is the best room ever! I thought you'll put me in some shack but THIS IS THE COOLEST ever! Such class and the feel of royalty, I really love this" I said appreciatively,

Eleanore surprised by my reaction then smiled, saying, "Quite an unexpected response, I thought you demand for more, this is our very minimalist yet simply-decorated room in the entire manor and you're exhilarated by it, you have a certain appreciation of luxury taste, I reverence your atone to the room" She said favorably.

I nodded eagerly and replied, "I do no joke, if this place is a real AirBrB, I already give this a 5-star rating and fully recommend but since this is a Vampir house, I'll just gave it my 5-stars"

Sebastian mentions he already taken my bags to the dresser nearby, all neatly unpacked and properly organized, minding me not to worry about it. After to my room, we continue on, with Eleanore introducing their rooms. Telling her room is next to mine and not to be toured inside for personal privacy, and Lannister's a few walk ahead also not available to go inside since he said it's not 'clean' yet, telling Sebastian to check on it later and lastly, Dmitri's room, telling everyone its off-limits even to a human like myself ofcourse.

Up ahead, beyond the open double doors is the Balcony, Eleanore tells this is another place she likes, showing the majestic and serene scenery of the waterfall as backdrop. She often come to this very balcony to contemplate and have her red tea after a long day of managing the affairs of the manor. I ran up to the stone railing and unable to resist, I pull out my phone and took a selfie. Eleanore grimaces and tells why did I show my hideous contraption which is my phone again, which reminds her a rule she wants to impose, that no such kind of photography is allowed inside the manor's walls. Dismayed, I put my phone away and admire the falls along with the wide lake from earlier.

Eleanore tells about the fresh water lake surrounding the manor is named by their very first ancestor, Lake Of Constance. She goes on, saying, "Even though your so called 'phone' is forbidden in the premises, you may come here to do as you wish, but if I'm here you're not allowed to be with me, you may use the other side balcony at the end of the hall" She said, pointing the end of the hall, where the other balcony is, facing the entrance and forest.

I got suddenly curious about Prigoria and ask, "Do you know the town of Prigoria is and if it's possible, am I allowed to visit or even go?"

Eleanore scowls, saying, "As I mention earlier, you are NOT allowed to go out of the property, that means NOT visiting such horrid human infested place named 'Prigoria', I forbid you for asking about that irked place again plus you're also not allowed to go to Forest of Pin Mare and that's final!" She said aggressively.

"I can say this is totally unfair, I may be forced to stay and fully cooperate but telling me that I'm not allowed to even know that place is a crime and totally illegal, even if it's a Vampir way or your own egotistic way, I'm like being treated here like a prisoner, I can't even run from this curse even if I try to so prohibiting me from going to those places is worthless anyway" I said in my defense.

Eleanore looked at me and implied, "Your lack of intuition is getting the best of you, Theodore. And for the record, I may impose some rules but I'm not treating you as a prisoner, your involvement here is futile but I can't let ignore the fact you hold my young brother in a pact he committed so best behave yourself and never question my act, or defying me will lead you to nowhere" She said, pointing her finger at me.

With the tour concluded, everyone went back to the grand main foyer, ending the long tour around the manor. I was about to ask more questions but I told to hold of questioning on a later time. Eleanore gathers everyone to listen, saying;

"This concludes our tour, I hope our guest enjoyed himself of knowing our culture and heritage. Now, I must be off to do my affairs so Theodore, better rest accordingly because tomorrow, we will start our objective to rid the curse and soon, so Sebastian and Dmitri please escort Theodore to his room and make sure for him to NOT leave his room" She said heading off.

Lannister made himself scarce as Dmitri retaliates yet he seems to have no choice but to follow. Sebastian approaches, checking over and saying, "Are you alright? It's over Theodore, you did great and hold on till the end, now I owe you a tray of food before you drowse off, I'll head over to the kitchen and get it for you, while Dmitri escorts you to your room" He said.

Dmitri retorts, was planning to sneak away and said, "WHAT!? Am I a nanny to escort this human back to his room, why can't you do it Sebastian, I don't have to put up with his slander" He angrily said.

"You are ordered to follow orders from your older sister, Dmitri or you have a problem of your sister's request, given the fact you have a punishment to settle, better do it or face the consequences" Sebastian said, rather serious.

Dmitri laughs at him, mocking him even and said, "Consequences? Like she has the guts to do that to me, she doesn't scare me!" He said, his voice echoing.

"How dare you! I heard that Dmitri! If you disobey my orders and defy me, expect the worse then let's see if you're NOT scared right about now" She shouted, her voice resounding from the 3rd floor.

Dmitri deeply sighs, hands inside his pocket and started walking up the stairs. Sebastian pats my shoulder and excuses himself, getting my platter. The impatient Vampir shouted me to follow him and I quickly come after him. Inside my room, Dmitri closes the door behind him as I plop down on my bed, sinking in the foamy sheets. He calls my attention by clearing his throat, saying;

"Hey, you human ..." He said.

I glance back, replying, "Hey and thanks for escorting me back to my room, even though I know you don't like it or me rather, Dmitri" I said, sitting up. I accidentally said his name, he might lash out again.

He sighs, saying, "I must profess and I already have, I do really HATE you A LOT but otherwise I have to admit, I'm impressed that you defy Eleanore countless of times, despite her words being clear, it's quite remarkable actually yet it doesn't mean you'll assume were acquainted because we're NOT, to be clear and please don't call my name" He said, leaning against the door, arms crossed.

"I understand and alright, I won't call you by your name ... If that's the case, then I shall call you Mr. BLAH BLAH BLAH, instead?" I said, laughing.

Dmitri grunts at the name and said, "Don't address me by that offensive call name! Even not say 'BLAH BLAH BLAH' in front of me either, even I have to agree with my sister of hating that remark ... Before this name calling gets out of hand, you can address me by my first name" He said.

I nod and smile at myself. Silence falls on the room as we both busy ourselves, mine on the pillows and him on glancing at the window. Then we simultaneously looked at each other, with Dmitri saying;

"You remember the blocked door at the 2nd floor? If you're interested maybe you want to break the rules and go there with me?" He asked, looking like he already made a terrible decision of inviting me over.

I think for a moment and smiles, saying, "Sure, why not, if you're offering ... I like to check the place out and hoping it's not your way of killing me peacefully" I said.

Dmitri grunts at me, telling, "No, even if I wanted that to happen so badly, I may have feared my life if I'd do it so, don't you dare telling everyone that, you hear? Also, you may want to use your contraption there, one that takes photos, you'll have a nice view there" He said.

With a plan in place, we waited for Sebastian to bring my platter, and after about a minute, he came and hand over the tray. Sebastian was very skeptical of Dmitri inside my room but I assured him he isn't doing anything. He looked at Dmitri for about a moment and smiled at me, then taking his leave. After a few minutes, we were at the barred door, Dmitri uses his powers, swiftly taking off the planks quietly. I was impressed by it as we both walk inside. We climb up the spiral staircase with silence, to what appears to be an attic then went to another room with another set of stairs, leading us to ...

"The Hidden Tower, we're here, make yourself hospitable or whatever" Dmitri said.

Wow. He wasn't kidding about the place, even so there's a big hole on the stone wall, it shows the view of the scenic waterfall and surrounding nature. Inside, some old seats and items are covered with cloth but has been like someone is living up here, maybe it's Dmitri's hideout or escape room from Eleanore but it is truly another good place on the manor. And it was cool and breezy out, since the sun is slowly setting.

Both sitting down and enjoying my steak, I attempt to ask Dmitri, saying, "If it's okay, say you have powers right? What are they and what does it do actually?"

Dmitri ponders for a bit, deciding if he wants to say or not then he goes on, saying, "Not giving too much detail, I have some power that can make me do stuff with speed, another one is to control people and the other one but I haven't seem to grasp it yet ..." He goes on telling me about it, when I yawn a bit, then saw myself to sit on the edge of the wall opening for air.

He continued explaining the other sibling's powers yet I started to dose off on the wall where I'm sitting, looking out as I try to stay awake. But the cool wind is making me more sleepier than ever, I could even hear Dmitri kinda calling me out but as soon as I can stay awake, I fell asleep, blacking out and not aware of what was happening afterwards.

A knock on the door echoes, I slowly open my eyes and surprisingly find myself inside my room, laying on my bed. It's morning and I somehow don't recall what happens after I ate my food and rest on the edge of the wall opening with Dmitri telling his story, which I'm kind of embarrassed on sleeping on him while he's talking. The knock continues and I answer for that person to come in. hoping it's not Dmitri since he might kill me.

As the door opens, it's Sebastian, all bright and smiling. "Good Morning, Theodore, rise and shine, we must make haste, Eleanore is expecting you downstairs immediately, at the grand dinning room" He said, opening the curtains to let the sunshine in.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, replying, "Why? What's the emergency?" I said.

"Well, as you remember yesterday, today is the day where you will participate in the 'activity' Eleanore prepared for to break the curse placed on you and Dmitri" Sebastian said, standing nearby the door.

Oh I nearly forgot about that, I ask, "If I may ask, what sort of activity are we talking about?" I said.

Sebastian was quiet for a few moments then looks at me, saying, "Let's just say, it involves a lot of bravery and manpower to stomach in so better get yourself seen before Eleanore changes her mind" He commented.

I swallow, taking a deep breath. This is one heck of a morning to start off.

Oh doo-dee, here we go again.