Chapter Text
Romantic love is blind and passionate, like the ancient Greek gods Eros and Anteros.
It is non-negotiable, no one can control the heart or who you get to fall in love with.
In such a case, one cannot say with sincerity: "I am with you because I gain something from you."
In something as complex and strange as love is; you give everything in exchange for nothing.
Happiness is transformed and found in each other, hoping that it will grow every day for the rest of your lives.
And although many times this love leaves you a lost slipper or a broken china plate, it is always remembered with a certain madness and affection.
To get to realize the longings and desires are dreams and ideals of those in love.
Love is bittersweet, because in this nest there are good and bad moments, where tears and laughter coexist in harmony.
And it remains just that: love.
She had arrived as the new maid in that mansion.
It was a gloomy place devoid of security and natural warmth. The thick forest around her prevented the sunlight from passing through the dense and recurring fog that enveloped the huge mansion built of black stone.
She silently stepped through the thick, unkempt gate separating the entrance from the garden: her footsteps echoed down the wide stone path.
She sees, regretfully, that even the flowers in the greenhouse were dead and dry. Apparently the lord had no taste for keeping his ostentatious property or having more than one servant in his house.
If given the chance and her master left her the task, perhaps she would strive to get that place filled with pretty colors and life, but with the horrible weather stalking the mountain she doubted anything would bloom.
"Ah... it's raining"
She sighs as she feels the first drops of water fall against her head and shoulders. She raises her head and her gaze meets dark, towering clouds in the sky. One after another, the tiny drops hit her face and her outstretched palm.
Before the downpour soaked her from head to toe she hurried to the mansion.
When she was safe and covered she turned around, clutched her briefcase tighter, and knocked on the door three times; the noisy knocker made a hollow noise that echoed even in her ears.
There was a disturbing silence that lasted a few moments, she shuddered but played down her growing discomfort.
The door opened of its own accord, no one greeted her at the perfectly cool and elegant entrance.
And disregarding her good manners, she enters the mysterious and lonely mansion. The only thing that accompanies her, apart from her heart beating wildly in her chest, is the sound of her heels clicking on the marble floor echoing through the lonely space.
The first thing she sees in the dim candlelight strategically placed around every corner is a black cat sleeping on a red velvet sofa. In the background, the fireplace was lit and she walked over to warm herself. Outside, the rain is already getting heavier and is fiercely attacking the thick gothic style windows.
"How cold..."
"Have you warmed up yet?"
She jumps in place and looks back in panic. Her heart stops for a second and her scream dies in the back of her throat.
Thunder crashes in the distance and mingles with the echo of the question.
Beautiful but empty black eyes greeted her as a welcome.
She took several steps backward until she stumbled over her briefcase on the floor and the edge of the fireplace. The burning sting of the burn on her right hand from the hot metal brings her back to reality and she immediately turns away from the fireplace with a high-pitched groan.
"I-I... " she swallows saliva and looks frightened at the huge shadow in front of her.
Her voice was lost in the vastness of the welcoming hall and all she could hear clearly was her accelerated breathing. Her heart pounding loudly in her chest completely overshadows the noise of the rain.
The shadow approaches her slowly. And she instinctively backs away again.
The sound of footsteps is almost nonexistent and if it weren't for the movement of the mysterious man's clothes she would have thought it was a ghost. He comes close enough for the light from the small fire in the fireplace to illuminate his silhouette.
She is at first very frightened, but gradually begins to calm down as she gets more details.
She realizes that he is a man with an athletic figure, prominent height and long black hair. His clothing is that of an elegant and classic gentleman, with a preference for black, pearl and red. Most striking is his elegant cloak and the mask that covers his face.
"Hn."
The hollow sound of the cold monosyllable makes her shiver from head to toe and the sharp gaze upon her make her feel small and insignificant. At first everything seems blurry and confused, but at the sight of the emblem on his chest she recognizes him as the master of the house and quickly hastens to curtsy.
"Sir... Lord Uchiha! I am Yuu, I have come all the way from London, and from today I will be your maid."
She hears a sound of approval coming from him. She looks up and realizes that he has already turned away.
"Follow me."
And without another word Mr. Uchiha walks slowly to guide her, she follows him silently and they walk up the imperial stairs to the second floor of the mansion.
She is greeted by a bunch of interconnecting corridors and numerous doors that are closed. At first she is confused, but as she thinks carefully she realizes the reason for so much loneliness. Her new master was a very lonely man. No family, friends or partner. He didn't seem to receive visitors often and, even more simply, he didn't host strangers either.
They both stopped in front of a simple brown door and he opened it with a silver key.
"You can freely occupy the kitchen, the bathroom in the west wing and this room", he said and then leaves in her hands, without reaching out to touch her, a ring with keys. "All these keys open what you can see and touch. I will only call you when I need you, as long as I do not say your name, you can take care of the daily duties." His master pulls out a small notebook from his cloak and holds it out for him to take. "Here is written what you have to do; from sunrise to nightfall."
Yuu nods and bows again with an innocent smile, thanking him for his hospitality and the kindness with which he has treated her. Despite how crude and indifferent he seems, her master has treated her from the beginning with patience and respect.
"I will meet your expectations, my lord. I will be diligent and perform my job to perfection."
Her new master nods silently and then leaves her alone. She watches him disappear into the gloom and the following corridors.
Yuu closes the door and looks around her small but comfortable room. She understands her situation and what is expected of her from now on, she would strive to add some color and life to her surroundings. The mansion was horrible; with the windows neglected, the hallways and furniture full of dust, and even more importantly, a cruel and abominable monotony completely floods the mansion.
Yuu carefully recalls what happened and at the end sighs despondently.
Sasuke Uchiha was beautiful, yes, but he also looked like he was about to sleep and die at any moment. And although his voice was pretty and soft, it was filled with a laziness and weariness that was difficult to describe accurately.
The expression in his eyes... and even the way he walked gave a fleeting hint of the melancholy he holds, but she could not affirm such a thing, for she did not know him and neither did she wish to pry to find out.
'The lord hidden in the lush forest is somewhat insensitive and ill-mannered.... They'll only see you for what you are, don't expect more..... Miss, don't look someone in the eyes who is already putrid...'
People often speak ill about the cruelty and stiffness of wealthy people, and she wasn't going to deny it, for it was partly true, but up until now, since her arrival, the only thing she had received was good treatment. However... The rumors were apparently not entirely untrue.
