As they stepped out into the front yard, Frederick led the way towards a winding path that meandered through the garden. The air was cool and fresh, and the wind blew the fragrant scent of blooming flowers. Oliver gazed at the lawn, seeing the colourful rows of flowers that stood out against the lush greenery.

     Sophia pauses, admiring a vibrant patch of red flowers. She reaches out and feels her fingertips meeting the soft petals. She then continues strutting down the yard between Oliver and Frederick.

Sophia strolled around the garden with Frederick and Oliver, admiring the colourful flowers and lush greenery. "Mr Frederick, might I say... I am impressed by your garden," she complimented.

"Thank you. My gardeners worked hard to create this spectacular landscape!" Frederick replied with a smile from ear to ear. "You should see my garden in the backyard. It's even bigger."

"I am already amazed. But, oh, I would still love to," Sophia said as her smile widened.

Oliver leaned closer to Frederick's ear as they walked. "Dad, do we have any vacant guest rooms?" he whispered.

Frederick nodded. "Yes, we have several empty rooms on the second floor. Why do you ask?" he smiled.

"I was wondering if Sophia could stay here for a while," Oliver's cheeks flushed.

Sophia overheard and turned to them curiously. "Stay here? What do you mean?" Sophia asked.

Frederick smiled kindly. "Oliver wants you to stay here for a while, Sophia... unless... you've already booked an apartment in Asbranne," he told Sophia.

Sophia stopped, and so did the others. "Me? Staying here? In this gorgeous mansion?" Sophia timidly declined the request. "Pardon me, but I don't want to impose."

Frederick shook his head. "Nonsense! We have plenty of lovely servants to take care of you. You and Gregory can be roommates," Frederick beamed at Sophia.

"No, Mr Frederick. Thank you... but I fear to be a burden," Sophia's gaze softened.

"How about I give you a separate room in the mansion?" Frederick winked. "Will you accept?"

"...Sir! Mr Frederick..." Sophia gasped, shaking her palms. "It's too much!"

"Hmm...?" Frederick lowered his head and raised his eyebrows as he smiled at Sophia.

"Fine," Sophia was still hesitant until she relented. "It would be an honour to accept your offer, Mr Frederick," she said.

"Great!" Oliver sprang to his feet.

"It will take me some time to memorize all the rooms and endless corridors, though," Sophia glanced at the mansion, tilting her head. "I don't even know which restroom Greg went to earlier."

"Don't worry, Sophia. You'll get used to it. And speaking of Greg, where is he?" Oliver wondered.

     Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Gregory emerges from a restroom. He turns back and closes its beige door. Shutting the doorway, he marches down the elegant, gilded hallway with confident paces.

     As he struts down the hallway, Gregory comes across another closed door. Something about the room causes every hair in his body to rise, making him freeze. He places his ear against the door, straining to hear any sounds from inside. At first, there is only silence until he hears a low, guttural sniffing sound.

     Curious, Gregory grabs the doorknob and opens the door. He enters the room with his brows furrowed. But his bold expression instantly shifts into a frightened one as his eyebrows rise to his dark hair.

     Gregory's eyes quiver like his trembling body. His jaw gapes open as he lets out a cold sigh. His glance slowly darts to the ceiling as the sniffing sound turns into a reptilian growl, resembling a hissing crocodilian, ticking like a hungry carnivore.

Meanwhile, outside, Oliver, Frederick and Sophia continued conversing.

"I honestly wish I had a subtle beard like Gre—" Oliver said, rubbing his smooth jaw. But, suddenly, a scream echoed inside the mansion, cutting Oliver off.

"Woah!" the unexpected scream rang through the air, reverberating off the mansion's walls.

     As Oliver speaks, a frantic and horrified yell pierces the air inside the mansion, cutting his words in alarm. Oliver, Frederick, and Sophia lift their brows as their eyes lock on the entrance. The posh household suddenly falls silent. So, Oliver shrugs it off, attempting to continue speaking.

"So, anyways, as I was—"

     Unexpectedly, screams ring through the household. As the seconds tick by, the shouts increase, with a group of people yelling their throats out in terror. Then, the front door bursts wide open, and countless maids and servants begin pouring out—as if the entrance is vomiting them out in a frantic attempt to escape.

     The commotion catches the attention of those on the streets, causing them to stop and watch the maids and servants scurry across the front yard. Some even approach the gate to glimpse the running men and women. However, despite the growing crowd of onlookers, no one understands the cause of the chaotic scene before them.

"Stay here," Oliver commanded firmly, his eyes darting between Frederick and Sophia.

"Wait, Oli!" Sophia pleaded, her voice laced with fear as she reached to grasp his arm.

"Oliver!" Frederick yelled out in concern.

     Oliver sprints through the yard, pushing through the panicking mobs that have formed an obstacle in his path. The fleeing servants head towards his direction, making it even harder to navigate through the chaos until he reaches the porch. Without a second thought, he rushes inside the mansion.

     Inside, rushed footsteps echo through the interior as Gregory descends the staircase. He is fleeing from something—something dangerous and potentially lethal enough to make even a well-built man like him run for his life. As he reaches the bottom of the stairs, he finds himself face-to-face with his friend.

"Oli! Run! I distracted that thing so the servants could escape!" Gregory yelled as he grabbed his friend's arm and dragged him along.

"What thing!?" Oliver shouted his question.

"That!!" Gregory pointed at the staircase.