Emilia's fingers danced across the dusty shelves of the Ashwood Library, her eyes scanning the spines of the books for any sign of the elusive tome she had been searching for. As a journalist, she had a knack for sniffing out the most obscure and forgotten stories, and the legend of the Valois family was one that had long fascinated her.
According to local lore, the Valois family had once ruled over the land with an iron fist, their power and influence stretching far and wide. But it was their dark and troubled past that had really captured Emilia's imagination. Rumors of bloodlust, murder, and mayhem had long been whispered about in hushed tones, and Emilia was determined to get to the bottom of it all.
As she delved deeper into the stacks, the air grew thick with the scent of old paper and decay. Emilia's heart quickened with excitement as she stumbled upon a tattered leather-bound book, its cover adorned with strange symbols and markings. She carefully opened the book, blowing off the dust and debris that had accumulated on its pages.
The words within were written in a language she didn't recognize, but as she touched the page, she felt a sudden jolt of electricity run through her body. The words began to shift and rearrrange themselves, revealing a message that seemed to be meant specifically for her.
"Welcome, Emilia," the message read. "I have been waiting for you. My name is Valois, and this is my story."
As Emilia read on, she became increasingly entranced by the tale of the Valois family. She learned about their rise to power, their brutal reign, and their eventual downfall. But it was the stories of their dark and troubled past that really caught her attention. Tales of bloodlust, murder, and mayhem seemed to leap off the page, and Emilia couldn't help but feel a sense of morbid fascination.
As she read, the room around her began to grow darker, the shadows deepening and twisting into strange and ominous shapes. Emilia felt a shiver run down her spine, but she couldn't tear herself away from the book. She was hooked, and she knew that she had to learn more.
As the hours passed, Emilia became increasingly lost in the world of the Valois family. She forgot about her job, her friends, and her family, and all that mattered was the story unfolding before her. And when she finally emerged from the library, the sun was setting over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the town of Ashwood.
But as she walked home, Emilia couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but there was no one there. The streets were empty, and the only sound was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
As she approached her apartment, Emilia felt a sense of unease settle over her. She knew that she had to be careful, that the secrets she had uncovered were not to be taken lightly. But she also knew that she couldn't stop now, not when she was so close to uncovering the truth.
And so, with a sense of trepidation, Emilia stepped inside her apartment, ready to face whatever lay ahead.