Emilia spent the rest of the evening exploring the manor, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that lingered after her encounter with Julian. She wandered through the dusty halls, her footsteps echoing off the walls.
As the sun began to set, Emilia made her way to the gardens, hoping to clear her head. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of crickets provided a soothing background hum.
As she strolled through the overgrown gardens, Emilia stumbled upon a hidden path she had not noticed before. The path was winding and narrow, and it seemed to lead deeper into the gardens.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Emilia decided to follow the path. It twisted and turned, leading her through a series of ornate gates and into a secluded courtyard.
In the center of the courtyard stood an enormous stone fountain, its basin dry and cracked. Emilia felt a shiver run down her spine as she approached the fountain, sensing that she was being watched.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Julian, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity in the fading light.
"I see you've discovered my favorite spot in the gardens," Julian said, his voice low and smooth. "I come here to think, to clear my head."
Emilia felt a surge of unease at Julian's proximity. She tried to step back, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot.
"It's beautiful," Emilia said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But it feels... haunted."
Julian smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ah, yes," he said. "The gardens have a reputation for being haunted. But I think it's just the weight of history bearing down on us."
As Julian spoke, Emilia felt a creeping sense of dread. She was trapped in the courtyard with a man who seemed to be hiding secrets, and she was not sure if she would ever be able to escape.
Suddenly, a faint whispering seemed to echo through the courtyard, the words indistinguishable but the malevolent intent clear. Emilia felt a chill run down her spine as she realized that she was not alone in the gardens.
"Julian, what's going on?" Emilia asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Julian's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with an unnatural light. "I think it's just the shadows playing tricks on us," he said. "But let's get out of here, anyway. It's getting late."
As Julian turned to leave, Emilia felt a sense of relief wash over her. But it was short-lived, as she realized that she was trapped in Ashwood Manor with a man who seemed to be hiding secrets, and she was not sure if she would ever be able to escape.