Rhaegal suddenly veered to his left and began ascending the staircase. Malin's steps faltered—he hadn't expected this. The Left Wing? He blinked in disbelief. That part of the mansion had been sealed off since his arrival. Curiosity had long clawed at him to explore its mysterious confines, but he never imagined the Lord himself would one day lead him there.
Still, questions crowded his mind like a rising tide. Why here? Why now?
He followed quietly, keeping a respectful distance. When they reached the entrance, Rhaegal reached into his coat and retrieved a familiar set of brass keys. The heavy chains securing the door clanked as he unlocked them, metal scraping against metal before falling away with a dusty crash.
The door creaked open, revealing a forgotten grandeur.
"Come in," Rhaegal said without turning back, stepping across the threshold.
Malin hesitated, heart thundering in his chest—part wonder, part dread. But curiosity won out, and he stepped inside.
