Love At First Death

The village square buzzed with uneasy chatter. People gathered in tight groups, their voices hushed but laced with urgency. The innkeeper, a burly man with a weathered face, leaned over his counter, listening intently to the conversation unfolding at the table closest to him.

"You're telling me you saw her?" a woman whispered, her eyes darting around the room.

"I did," replied a younger man, his voice trembling. "She was in the castle leaning on a window frame. Pale as a ghost, white hair flowing like she stepped out of a legend."

The woman frowned. "The castle's been locked up for years. No one goes in or out."

"Except him," the innkeeper interjected, his gruff voice cutting through the murmurs.

The group fell silent. They didn't need him to specify who he meant. Damien's reputation preceded him– a man as mysterious as the castle he inhabited.

"I heard one of the farmer's daughters went up there weeks ago," another villager added, her voice barely above a whisper. "Never came back."

The innkeeper leaned in, his expression grave. "And you think that's a coincidence? No one's seen her in town since, have they?"

"What if she's in danger?" the younger man asked.

"Or worse," someone else muttered.

The innkeeper straightened, slamming his mug down on the counter. "We can't just sit here. If she's alive, we need to get her out of there. And if she's not…" His voice trailed off ominously.

The room grew tense as the implications sank in.

"When?" the woman asked.

"Tomorrow night," the innkeeper replied. "We'll go up there with torches and weapons if we have to."

The group nodded, their fear mingling with determination.

Elysia wandered through the castle halls, her stomach grumbling audibly. It had been hours since her last meal, and the thought of food consumed her mind.

"Where is the kitchen in this place?" she muttered, turning yet another corner and finding yet another corridor that looked just like the last.

After what felt like an eternity, she stumbled upon a large wooden door that smelled faintly of herbs and roasted meat. Her eyes lit up as she pushed it open.

Inside, a man in his mid-fifties with a wiry build and a sharp gaze was carefully chopping vegetables at a counter. He looked up, startled, as she entered.

"Oh!" Elysia exclaimed. "I didn't mean to– "

"You must be Elysia," the man interrupted, his voice calm but measured. "I'm Marcus."

She blinked, taken aback. "You… you're the one cooking all the meals?"

Marcus nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Someone has to. Lord Damien may be many things, but a chef he is not."

Elysia laughed nervously. "I thought he… I mean… I guess I never really thought about it."

"You'd be surprised how much I handle around here," Marcus said, resuming his chopping. "Meals, cleaning, repairs. You name it."

Elysia moved closer, her curiosity piqued. "And Damien? He never comes down here?"

Marcus's smile faded slightly. "He has his own way of doing things. And he's very particular about some matters."

Before Elysia could press further, Lucian appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his usual smug grin.

"Well, well, well," he drawled. "You finally met Marcus. Took you long enough."

Elysia turned to him, frowning. "What do you mean?"

Lucian sauntered in, plucking an apple from a nearby bowl. "Did you think Damien was slaving away in the kitchen, preparing your meals with love and devotion?" He took a bite, his grin widening. "Adorable."

Elysia flushed, crossing her arms. "I didn't think that, exactly."

Marcus cleared his throat, his expression unreadable. "Lord Damien asked me to keep a low profile around you."

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "Did he now? Interesting."

Elysia tilted her head. "Why?"

Marcus hesitated, glancing at Lucian, who seemed to be enjoying the moment far too much.

"I'm not sure," Marcus said finally.

"Oh, he's sure," Lucian quipped. "He just doesn't want to get fired for spilling the beans."

Elysia rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."

Lucian winked. "And you're finally catching on."

As Marcus returned to his work, Elysia couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his story.