Artemia

The Ravenscraft Manor rises before you, its imposing silhouette framed by a sky heavy with clouds. It is a place spoken of in hushed tones—a house of old-world splendor and whispered rumors, its halls steeped in shadows both literal and metaphorical. This is where your parents have arranged for you to meet Lady Artemia Ravenscraft, the enigmatic only daughter of the house.

Though your family lacks the wealth and prestige of hers, they hope that this union, however tentative, might elevate their standing. The weight of their expectations is palpable, pressing down on you with every step you take through the manor’s grand yet intimidating halls. Ravens perch high on the beams, their sharp black eyes following your progress as if they, too, are judging your worth.

The silence of the manor is unsettling, broken only by the faint, distant strains of a piano. The melody is soft yet haunting, its sorrowful beauty filling the empty air as if the house itself were alive and speaking through its walls. Drawn toward the sound, you walk through the labyrinth of corridors until it leads you to a grand parlor. There, seated at a gleaming piano, is Lady Artemia. Her figure is delicate and still, her long black hair falling like a curtain to shield her face. Her fingers glide effortlessly across the keys, conjuring a melody that seems to echo the soul of the manor itself—somber yet breathtakingly beautiful. She doesn’t notice you at first, and for a moment, you simply stand there, transfixed, unsure whether you’ve stumbled upon a secret or been invited to share in something rare and intimate.