With the completion of the manor it stood in its former glory, a testament to the strength and resilience of the original builders. Its walls were sturdy and strong, built to withstand the harshest of storms, both literal and metaphorical. The stone glistened in the sunlight, reflecting the hopes and dreams of those who had called it home. The windows were adorned with velvet curtains, their hues of green and gold, a symbol of growth and renewal.
Tarquin looked upon their accomplishment as a thing of beauty, as he showed Lexi what he had created she understood his desire and couldn't help but appreciate the significance of the accomplishment. With the hiring of staff, the manor truly began to come to life.
The first floor held the grand entrance, with its sweeping staircase and marble floors. Walking in the front doors, you couldn't help but have a sense of awe as you looked around the room. Original paintings and tapestries renewed. The woodwork is a historical preproduction of what was there centuries ago.
To the left was the kitchen, bustling with activity as the cook and kitchen helpers prepared meals for the staff and guests. The pantry was well-stocked with ingredients, a testament to the foresight and organization of those who had rebuilt the manor. The dining room was set with fine china and crystal, ready to host banquets and celebrations for the people who now called this place home.
The living room was spacious and inviting, with plush couches and armchairs arranged around a roaring fireplace. A grand piano stood in the corner, its keys waiting to be played once more. The banquet room, just off the living room, was large enough to accommodate up to 75 people, a testament to the extravagance of the previous owners and their desire to impress.
Upstairs, the second floor held the master suite, with its sumptuous bedroom and opulent bathroom. Nine guest bedrooms lined the hallway, each one tastefully decorated and ready to welcome visitors from near and far. The library was a sanctuary of knowledge, its shelves overflowing with books on every subject imaginable. The small meeting room was cozy and intimate, the perfect setting for quiet reflection and important discussions.
Back on the main floor, there was the room that no one spoke of. The room with the two doors leading to the basement. The room where whispers and shadows danced in the corners. The servants knew not to enter, for it was a place of mysteries and secrets. They could only wonder what lay behind those doors, and if the newfound lives of those who lived in the rebuilt manor would be truly free of its dark past.
As for the people who now called the manor home, they were a diverse group. The manor supervisor, Miss Emily, was a stern yet fair woman in her late fifties. She had spent years running buildings such as the manor and was now responsible for its day-to-day operations. Her assistant, Mr. Thompson, was a kindly older gentleman who had served in the war and now helped Miss Emily with any problems that might arise.
As Tarquin made his way through the manor, he encountered Miss Emily and Mr. Thompson meticulously inspecting the guest rooms, their expressions serious as they took note of every detail.
"Miss Emily, Mr. Thompson, how are we faring?" Tarquin inquired, approaching them with a polite nod.
Miss Emily straightened her posture, her gaze sharp and discerning. "Everything is in order, Master Tarquin. The rooms are clean and ready for occupancy, thanks to the tireless efforts of Mrs. Jones and her daughters."
Mr. Thompson nodded in agreement. "Indeed, sir. We've made sure that every guest will feel welcome and comfortable during their stay."
Tarquin smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards his dedicated staff. "Thank you, both. Your hard work does not go unnoticed."
The cleaners were Mrs. Jones and her two daughters, Alice and Charlotte. They worked tirelessly to keep the manor spotless, their laughter filling the halls as they went about their duties. The cook, Mrs. Green, was a portly woman with a permanent smile on her face, her hands forever stained from the ingredients she worked with. She was assisted by two young kitchen helpers, Sarah and Thomas, who were eager to learn the trade and often stayed late to help Mrs. Green clean up.
The butler, Mr. Blackwood, was a stern and elegant man who maintained the highest standards of service and decorum. He was assisted by a young lad named Jack, who served as a footman and helped with various tasks around the manor. The gardener, Mr. Wilson, was a weathered man who had spent his entire life tending to gardens, and now brought his expertise to the manor's expansive grounds. The handyman, Joe, was a burly yet gentle soul who could fix anything from a leaky faucet to a broken chair.
The servants knew their places and their duties well, and under the watchful eye of Miss Emily, they worked together seamlessly to keep the manor running smoothly. The cleaners, Alice and Charlotte, could often be found dusting the mantles and polishing the floors, their laughter filling the halls as they went about their work. Mrs. Jones, their mother, kept a close eye on them and made sure they didn't slack off.
The cook, Mrs. Green, was always bustling about the kitchen, her cheeks red from the heat of the oven, her hands covered in flour. She worked tirelessly to create sumptuous meals for the guests and the staff alike, often relying on the help of Sarah and Thomas to chop vegetables and wash dishes.
As Tarquin wandered through the newly restored manor, his heart swelled with pride at the sight of the bustling activity and the sense of newfound life coursing through its halls. Approaching the kitchen, he found Mrs. Green orchestrating her team with practiced efficiency, her booming voice echoing off the walls.
"Mrs. Green, everything looks splendid," Tarquin remarked with a warm smile.
Mrs. Green turned to face him, a flour-covered apron tied around her waist and a twinkle in her eye. "Ah, Master Tarquin, good to see you up and about. We've been hard at work making sure everything's ready for the grand reopening."
Tarquin nodded appreciatively. "Your dedication is truly commendable. I trust the preparations are going smoothly?"
"Smooth as butter, Master Tarquin," Mrs. Green replied, her hands deftly maneuvering pots and pans with practiced ease. "We've got enough food to feed an army, thanks to your generous provisions."
As Tarquin continued his tour of the manor, he couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism for the future. With the support of his loyal servants, he knew that the manor would thrive once more, a beacon of light in a world shrouded in darkness.
As for the room with the two doors leading to the basement, Tarquin made a mental note that he still had work to do to prepare them to properly meet his needs. The first door he had a plan for, It led down to a separate part of the basement and was enclosed with solid walls all around the basement room. It would become his vault. Like the library, he had put a spell around the room to prevent someone from using magical spells like teleport to enter the space. In addition, he had put a second spell that would notify him should anyone attempt to do so.
It would be another week or so before his craftspeople, Thaddeus, Gideon, and Elara would have the room completed. The shelving was being constructed and a new type of safe was being built under the direction of Gideon. Once completed, many of the items currently stored in the library would be moved over.
The second door let to the old dungeon, still unexplored, Tarquin left it as a reminder that the world is full of unknown adventures waiting for him to explore.
Tarquin had five more staff hired who had yet to arrive, the five would serve as guards for the manor, during the daytime, while staff were working, only one guard would be on duty, evenings and overnight would have two on duty at any given time. In addition, there were certain magical traps that Tarquin would be putting in place to lighten the workload on the five of them. The guards were hired from a guild in the city and were in the process of moving to Willowbrook.
With their arrival, the manor would be finished and ready to serve its new purposes, a place to call home for Tarquin and Lexi, as they explore the world around them.