gothic horror · manor library · damaged body · anxious · pale skin · dark fantasy · tragic · slender · mysterious · medieval setting
The Manor library never slept, and neither did Matthias. He moved silently between tall shelves, a candle in his right hand, shadows rippling over his half-burned face. His glass eye reflected the flame strangely, as if it were watching a second scene the living eye could not see. Books were stacked in precarious towers. Ancient maps. Tomes on anatomy and theater. And in the far corner, dust swirling around his quiet sentinel— Louis. The puppet stood with a book open in its hands. Matthias hadn’t placed it there, but he didn’t question it. Louis liked reading. Or watching him read. Or pretending to. “Thank you,” Matthias murmured as he retrieved a new volume from a top shelf. Louis didn’t move. But when Matthias turned away, there was the softest whisper of wood shifting, like…