As the vehicle rolled up to the estate, it came to a gentle stop. The building was elegant in an old brick Victorian style with at least 3 stories that I could see, pretty sure there is an addict too, but I cannot tell for sure from the outside. The front also had columns, which held up a balcony on the third story, pretty sure that's where the master bedroom would be, at least that's where I would put it if I built the house. The driveway was circular and came right up to the steps, which led up to the front door it was double doors and it quite clear that a giant could probably walk through those doors and not have trouble at all.
All of the windows seem to have been installed with a flower box with peculiar flowers growing within those boxes They are a beautiful electric blue color but I cannot recognize what type of flower it is. Then it hits me, those are the wording flowers that grandma once taught me about.
When the vehicle comes to a stop, a man opens the front enormous doors and stands there waiting. He is an older gentleman with silver white hair and a Butler uniform that you would see in TV shows. I realize this older gentleman must be Mr. Abbott, He is the head of the household servants That Grandma's lawyer told me about.
"Good evening, ma'am." Mr. Abbott bows in respect,"My name is Mr. Abbott. I am in charge of the household servants within the estate, I welcome you to your new home." His expression is stiff and formal, but his tone is warm and welcoming.
I can tell that he takes his job very serious and takes the respect of his employer very seriously as well. I say politely, "Hi, My name is Raven. Grandma's lawyer told me about you. I look forward to working with you."
His eyes soften at my polite tone, "I see now why the madam left to you her Estate and had so much faith in you. You are far more open minded and kind haunted than her children."
I feel choked up at his words. I ask as my eyes redden and water, "Where is grandma?"
His eyes saddened as he bows and gestures with his arm, "This way, ma'am period I will lead you to the family mausoleum at the back of the property. I will give a brief tour of the places we pass as we walk towards the mausoleum. First, we will cut through the bottom story of the house. There is a basement, however, it is reserved for research and training regarding the old madame's religion. The bottom story comprises the kitchen, the formal dining. The formal living room, informal dining and the servant quarters." He says as he leads me in to the grand entrance hall that has the double staircase, leading up to the 2nd floor. The house is grand with tall ceilings and beautiful chandeliers, but it is not excessive or tacky.In stead it feels elegant and warm in it's simplicity.
"Grandma always did prefer simplicity." I say softly in nostalgia with warm voice, look around at the grand entrance hall, the floors are all hard wood, no fancy of marble or glaring whites are anywhere to be seen.
Mr. Abbott nonce in agreement as he looks around at the hall with satisfaction. Then he continues to lead me through the house. We pass, the formal dining, which looks like it would be big enough to serve an army. We passed the kitchen where servants busy themselves here and there as they prep for my first meal in the house, which clearly they intend to go all out for in celebration of my arrival. We pass maids tidying the house and dusting shelves, as we make our way to the back door much smaller than the front door but still grand yet simple in its own way. Once outside, we follow a winding path to a small mausoleum, inside I find stairs that lead underground.
"Down below, you will find several generations of past madams for the estate, many of which were adopted just as she were the previous madams have choosing the family heirs have never been decided purely by blood, but also by choice." Mr. Abbott explains clearly, "You see, The madams of this family all inherit the previous madam's religious beliefs. It is not that the next heir is required to believe in the religion, but that they must pass it down and must be willing to pass it down. That is the sole requirement for the heir of the madam's family, which her children did not understand."
I nod in understanding. I knew Grandma cared deeply about her religion, and that it was very important to her, that it not die out. "I already promised Grandma that I would pass it down even if no one believes in it. Even though I don't believe in it, it's still important to her, so it's important to me." I say truthfully to Mr. Abbott, which has him nodding his head in approval and satisfaction with my answer.
"And that is how I know you are sincere. If you had tried to tell me that you truly believed in her religion than I would have suspected you of lying. After all it's not every day that You suddenly inherit an entire religion so complex that it could be its own culture with its own dances, its own fighting style, its own belief system, such a comprehensive and specific set of beliefs. It's very hard to digest for anyone let alone someone so young." The Butler seems to be greatly satisfied with me and with my honesty. He hesitates briefly before saying, " When you enter the Tomb, remember what your grandmother taught you." His tone is mysterious before he turns and walks back towards the manor.
"Aren't you going to come with me?" I ask in confusion as I watch him walk towards the manor.
He looks back briefly before shaking his head and continuing his walk towards the manor, "For this part, you must go alone."
I watch in confusion as he continues walking towards the manor. I don't understand what he means. I can tell that he is holding back from saying something, but I cannot tell what as I turned back towards the mausoleum to the stairs leading beneath to a tomb, the tomb of my grandmother's ancestors and now my own ancestors.
I think about what Mr. Abbott said as I stand at the entrance. Well, Grandma always did say that you must respect the dead ancestors, so with that in mind I begin to recall what grandma taught me. "Always announce your entrance, Alway be respectful in your actions, Never bring anything with you, except the clothes on your back and the respect in your heart."
I mumble to myself, before I knock gently on the heavy mausoleum door, "My name is Raven Renfall. I am here to greet my ancestors for the first time.* I say respectfully just as Grandma taught me as I leave my bag and everything else behind before I begin my descent.