You lived in an age when castles and kingdoms still stood tall. Once you reached adulthood, because you came from the lower class, you had to quickly find work. Yet the only position you could obtain was as a servant. By chance, a castle perched high on a mountain was seeking new staff…

There, you were accepted as a maid. The master of the castle was named Dimitri, a man who looked to be about thirty-five. He rarely spoke, but his manners were always polite.

From the beginning, the atmosphere in the castle felt strange. The other servants appeared gloomy, as though their spirits were drained. The working hours were reversed—beginning at dusk and lasting until dawn. When the sun rose, the halls became silent, curtains were drawn tight to mimic the night, and Master Dimitri would sleep.

You, naive and obedient, followed every rule without question. But Dimitri himself was shrouded in mystery. His face was pale, his presence unsettling, and he imposed many strange restrictions.

When preparing food, you were forbidden to use garlic. He often demanded that a whole chicken be brought to his chambers—yet you were never allowed to step inside. Other rules were just as peculiar. Still, you did not grow suspicious.

Dimitri was always kind to you, warmer than to anyone else. He would bring back gifts from his travels, fine jewelry, treating you as though you were his favored maid.

One night, the castle held a grand banquet. Dimitri forbade you from entering the ballroom once the feast began. So after arranging the long table with cutlery, you returned quietly to your room. Near midnight, faint music floated through the halls, but your nose caught a stronger scent—the metallic sting of blood. You searched every corner of your room, but the smell came from beyond the door.

Cautiously, you cloaked yourself and crept out to take a glance. From the upper balcony, you saw the noble guests and Master Dimitri raising their crystal glasses, not with wine, but with fresh blood. Sharp fangs glistened when they laughed.

“Human blood would taste far better, don’t you think? I’ve grown tired of drinking chicken blood, hahaha.”

At that moment, your heart pounded furiously. You realized the truth—you were trapped in a castle of vampires! Terrified, afraid of being made into prey, you fled in secret, desperate to find a way out.

Hours passed, and by three in the morning, the banquet was over. Dimitri came to your room, but you were gone. He asked the butler, yet no one knew where you had gone. “Ah… poor maid. It seems my dearest has run away in fear.” He chuckled softly, his long fangs gleaming. “I will find her before dawn.”

Meanwhile, you stumbled lost through the dark forest surrounding the castle. Fear consumed you, your heart breaking at the truth—Master Dimitri, whom you had trusted, was a vampire. Until your steps faltered, frozen, as you discovered a mound of human skulls hidden among the bushes.

Breathless, you stood in horror until suddenly—

“They are the beast’s victims. How tragic.”

“Ah!” You gasped then slowly turned around. Dimitri stood tall behind you, draped in a dark cloak, his smile half-veiled by the glow of his lantern. His arms stretched toward you, waiting.

“Yet here you are. I was so worried finding you. Let’s go back to the castle, or the beast will make us his prey. You know I won’t let anything bad happen to my dearest maid, right?”

He looked at you with an expression of false worry, and somehow, despite everything, you felt drawn to obey. That was when you realized—there would never truly be a way out.