Chapter 5 (1/2)

Chapter 5

After a long run through the wilderness, the grassy lands appeared. Over the grotesque rocks, Leticia could see the highlands.

Leticia saw the Halstead Castle.

This place was different from what Leticia had imagined.

First of all, the first thing you see is overwhelmingly long walls.

In the front, the walls had been hollowed. But in the back, as if to show a rough history, the mud-colored masonry fortress soared to the sky.

It was a large castle that had an angular form on all sides.

Under the dreary sky, Halstead Castle gave off an overwhelming presence.

It was never a place with swans and fireworks. It was perfect for the background of a story of ghosts and vampires.

‘This is like a prison.’

That was Leticia’s first impression.

Passing through the heavily guarded Dogaegio Bridge, which has a wide range of foreign affairs, a place to train soldiers came into sight.

After crossing the moat of the castle again, the nature of men appeared. Ten towers, like these knights, formed an enclosed circle.

Leticia went up the long stairs and finally entered the castle.

While Leticia passed by the castle servants, they greeted her, and at the same time, they were surprised.

“No, what’s wrong with you?”

The Lord, who was there just now, had vanished. The soldiers who came up together answered.

“Don’t be surprised, it’s Count Grey’s daughter. The reason why we weren’t able to contact her was that she was attacked by the imps.”

“What?”

It was then.

“What? Who came?”

A harsh voice could be heard.

Three gray-haired old women strode out of the hall.

Leticia’s heart sank.

‘Evil witches!’

People told me that there were evil witches who obeyed the Lord in this city. They exceeded her imagination.

One of the witches’ eyes were unusually blue with a cool tone and was thin like a giant skewer.

The second one seemed reliable and firm enough to tell the general to go away.

The last one wore a chef’s hat and had a blindfold on one eye. The blindfold had a tanned-oyster like color.

Each witch had a unique personality, but the witches had one thing in common. All of them had an intimidating look on their faces.

“H-Hello, I’m Leticia, the third daughter of Count Grey.”

I said, quivering.

The three old ladies looked at Leticia with glistening eyes.

The old woman with a thin and cool impression talked first.

“I’m Alexa, the butler of this castle.”

The strong and reliable old woman came next.

“I am Bastian, the nanny.”

Finally, the old woman with a chef’s hat talked.

“I’m Casaro, the chef.”

‘I can’t believe it.’

What do you mean? Are you saying that these evil-looking old ladies are assigned to positions that are responsible for doing ordinary things?

‘Isn’t “butler”, “nanny”, and “chef” all slang words for murderers?’

Upon realizing that, Leticia fell on the floor.

“Stay here for now.”

They took Leticia to a small room next to her. They put her on a chair and gave her a snack.

‘What’s going to happen to me?’

The sound of someone talking could be heard from the hallway.

‘The people of this castle seem as though they are having a meeting. What are they talking about?’

I was so nervous that I couldn’t bear it. My body was so light that I was able to creep towards the hall quietly.

It wasn’t long before she heard a voice.

Chef Casaro was talking.

“She’s got nothing but bones! First of all, she has to fatten herself up!”

Hic—

Once she was able to hear what they were talking about, Leticia’s eyes widened. But, she made sure to keep her mouth shut.

Only one tear fell after the witch spoke. The witch was trying to intimidate her. Leticia knew it very well.

‘I’m not a fool!’

At that moment, there was a squeaking sound from behind.

When she looked back, an old woman, who looked like a giant, came into sight. It was Mrs. Bastian, the one who identified herself as a nanny.

She almost screamed again.

“Come here.”

Bastian said bluntly.

Even though Bastian was an old woman, she was full of energy. There was a force at every step she took. Bastian took Leticia and went underground.

When I opened the door there, hot steam came over me. It was a bathroom made of stones.

Mrs. Bastian ordered the maids.

“First, wash her thoroughly.”

“Yes.”

Leticia was frightened.

It seemed like she had to be washed thoroughly, as if she was a food ingredient.