Night had already fallen and Tony had the impression that he was walking in circles in the forest, something that had never happened before, since he had done this same route for some years.

"Do you know where we are, Jarvis? Because I have no idea," he laughed, trying to remain optimistic. Perhaps this time he would find the right path that would take him back.

And like a sign, lightning struck a tree right in front of him, startling him and especially Jarvis, but opening a different path. Whether the signal was good or bad? Tony didn't know, but it was better to move on than to turn around and get lost again.

After calming Jarvis, he guided him to the road on the right, feeling an unusual chill as he passed by the fallen tree. When the snowflakes started to fall, Tony received an answer about the sudden cold but gained several more about why it was snowing in the middle of spring.

And that was not the strangest thing about that place. He knew he was being watched, and the low growls that were heard behind the trees were proof of that. Swallowing, Tony looked around, recognizing a large pack of wolves.

Without a second thought, he swung the reins, rushing Jarvis into a race almost impossible to win. His heart was pounding loudly in his ears as the wolves came closer and closer to the wagon and he was almost sure he would die right there.

But then a gate opened like magic in front of him, a miracle much needed at that moment, showing the great castle that its walls guarded.

The wolves did not follow him into the place and he was not about to question that decision, taking a deep breath and letting his adrenaline go when the gate closed, leaving the beasts behind.

Strangely, under the great staircase that led to the castle door were some candles burning, with hay and water. Tony got out of the wagon and took his horse to the place, tying him there so that he could recover his energy.

"You deserve it, my friend. I'm going to go inside and thank them for their kindness, stay here."

After climbing the stairs, the old man held the knocker that seemed small for such a big door, but, to his surprise, the door opened, showing to be unlocked.

Perhaps the owner was already waiting for him inside, so without further ado he entered. There weren't many candles lit and, for a place with walls, the castle was not very warm.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Tony asked, looking around.

There was no answer. The place looked abandoned, but if the candles said anything, his impression was wrong. Someone lived there.

He was about to head back outside when a whisper caught his attention. Still, when looking around, no one came, but two things caught his attention.

A candlestick and a clock decorated a table by the window, and as Tony approached, he was dazzled to see the details of the apparatuses, holding them carefully.

"Incredible, incredible..." he murmured, before returning them to the table. As soon as he turned away, the murmurs came back, but this time he went to one of the nearest rooms. More candles were lit on the dining table, where a full meal seemed to be waiting for him.

The trip had been tiring and he could not refuse such kindness. Sitting down, he bit some of the chicken on his plate, enjoying each bite.

Suddenly, one of the cups moved, sliding until it was almost within reach. Another jumped on the saucer, "Tommy! Mommy told us not to move, so as not to scare him!"

The cup chuckled, before turning to Tony, "Sorry, I haven't seen anyone in a long time."

His eyebrow rose, as his brain tried to decipher what was going on in front of him. Had the cups just... spoken? He shook his head.

"No, it's... it's okay," he smiled at the cup before hurriedly rising from the table. There was no doubt that the castle was playing tricks with his mind, or, in the worst case, it was cursed.

Tony almost tripped on the stairs on his way down, but quickly reached Jarvis and untied him, "let's get out of here, quick, quick!"

He was about to get on the wagon when some rose bushes captured his attention. Y/N. He had promised to take a rose back to his daughter, and with so many roses, the owner certainly wouldn't mind if he took one.

Stark walked over there, seeing the most beautiful rose he had ever seen, covered in snow and lit by the moonlight. Y/N would be very happy when she received it. He reached out to take it and hissed when one of the thorns pricked his finger, letting a drop of his blood stain the untouched snow.

Still, he held it again and pulled it off its stem, pulling it out from the rose bush.

A roar sounded loud and clear through the garden, startling Jarvis who ran out into the forest.