Song to play is: Moonlight Sonata 3rd movement.
"Come, Matteo, don't mess with that. You've done it perfectly."
"Are you sure? It looks off, Sir.."
Matteo frowned as he stared at the table setting.
Gabriel pat him on the back, reassuring him.
"It's perfect Matteo. Go see if Lorenzo needs help in the kitchen."
Just as he walked- or floated off, I came through the door.
I tried to knock, but it opened on its own as I approached.
I don't think I'll ever get used to that.
I tried my best not to stare in horror as I watched the young man float through the wall and into another room.
"Ah, Miss Ophelia, is that you-"
He turned to look at me, and he froze.
"Miss Ophelia, you look... astonishing."
I blushed a bit, looking up at the ceiling.
"Thank you, but it's just the dress.."
He went to speak again, but I didn't give him enough time to before I started again.
"W-who's the boy?"
He looked over at the wall the boy previously went through.
"Oh, dear Matteo. He's the mason, but we just make him set the table and organize things in the castle rather than fix them since there's rarely ever anything that breaks."
I hummed, nodding my head.
"And where did he go?"
Gabriel smiled.
"Curious little thing, aren't you?"
I looked at him and he sighed.
"I'll have to formally introduce you to the staff. Perhaps after dinner."
He pulled out a chair, signaling for me to sit.
"He went to help the chef, Lorenzo."
I slowly walked over, sitting in the abnormally sized chair.
Soon enough, another door flung open, and the cook and the mason walked in with food.
It smelled delicious.
There was ham, buttered rolls, cooked fish, jam penny sandwiches, Turkish delights, turkey, mashed potatoes, pies and a plethora of other goods.
My eyes gleamed with excitement, causing Gabriel to chuckle a bit.
"Hungry, aren't we, Lady Ophelia?"
I looked at him and frowned.
Why does he insist on calling me that?
"My apologies, Miss Ophelia. Would you like anything to drink?"
He fixed his gloves and started naming all kinds of things.
I might have been a barmaid, but I've never heard these terms of drink before.
"We have Dubonnet and gin. Sweet champagne? Maybe Romanée-Conti?"
These all sound expensive and that's probably why I've never heard of them before.
I raised a brow and laughed nervously.
"Do you have water?"
They all froze and stared at me.
..Did I say something wrong?
Gabriel cleared his throat and the two men looked at him, continuing their job.
Gabriel nodded.
"Of course, we'll get you some water right away. Beatrice?"
He called out and a tall elegant woman came out, dressed in old-looking clothing.
Almost like rags, but not as bad.. more professional I'd say.
"Yes, Sir Gabriel?"
"Can you bring a glass of water please?"
She smiled, bowing a bit, and heading to the kitchen.
She came back very quickly, just as the other 2 boys had finished setting the table.
"Thank you all for your service, you are dismissed."
All 3 staff bowed their heads to Gabriel, then turned to me, bowing in half, and left the room.
I'm definitely NOT getting used to this..
Gabriel looked as if he were about to leave the room.
"Are you not going to eat with me?"
I called out in a rush.
He turned his head, confused.
"Eat with you? Why would I do that?"
I shrugged, looking down at my plate.
"It's sad eating alone.. don't you need to eat?"
He stared down at me.
"I eat what you leave over after you've finished."
I scrunched my eyebrows.
"That's a bit rude to give you scraps."
"It's professional and that's how it's supposed to be done-"
"Please eat with me."
I cut him off and he looked at me in awe.
He whispered to himself.
"What a strange girl.. Lady Ophelia."
He pulled out a chair on the far side of the table, sitting down gracefully.
"I won't make this a habit, Miss Ophelia."
I didn't respond and just nodded my head, starting to eat.
I was stuffed by the end of the evening, and I hadn't eaten like that for a long time.
Gabriel cleaned the corners of his already clean mouth with a napkin and stood up.
"Come, Miss Ophelia, I will introduce you to the staff."
I took his arm, after cleaning myself up, and he led me back upstairs into the grand hall.
Upon entering the room, he pulled a knocker and hit it against the wall 3 times.
A wind picked up and the room got dark and cold.
I shivered and Gabriel glanced at me.
When the room brightened again, there were about 8 apparitions standing before me.
"Miss Ophelia, I'd like you to formally meet the household staff."
He held his arm out towards them, and they all bowed, one hand over where their hearts should be, be and the other behind their back.
They all spoke in unison, making my ears ring.
"At your service, Lady Ophelia."
I sighed, covering my eyes with one of my hands.
"Please stand up."
They all stood up straight, their hands folded together perfectly.
"Miss Ophelia, I'm pleased to introduce to you the cook, Mr. Lorenzo Schuyler."
Lorenzo nodded and gave me a warm smile.
I don't know how dead people can give warm smiles, but they all did the same thing as they were introduced.
"The Mason, Matteo Bruno."
This was the boy from earlier. The one who floated through the wall.
"The Scullion, Constance Maybell, you met her yesterday."
Yesterday?
I looked up at the small window high up on the wall of the ballroom.
It was small, but it gave a clear view of the darkly clouded sky.
I realized that the sky never changed color. I don't know what time or day it is.
I decided not to think about it too much otherwise I'd start hyperventilating.
I'd feel trapped in time, and it'll trigger my claustrophobia.
"The Lady's maid, Miss Beatrice de Peyster."
This was the woman who brought me water. She seems cold.. as she should be since she's a ghost.
"The musician, Albert Bernard Van Rensselaer."
He smiled, whistling a quick tune.
It was oddly serene.. Beautiful, really.
"The carpenter, and the falconer, Pierre and Louis Ricci Beaumont."
They both stuck out their left legs, bent their upper half, and tipped their hats to me.
They were twins which I thought was pretty cool, but scary at the same time.
"And lastly, Miss Ophelia, the gardener, Victoria Costa Ajello."
"Piacere di conoscerti, Mia signora."
[Nice to meet you, My lady.]
She smiled down at me.
"Sto fuori e mi prendo cura del 'giardino'."
[I stay outside and take care of the 'garden'.]
I frowned and looked at Gabriel and he chuckled softly.
"She only speaks Italian."
"But why?"
"She was sold to the royal family when she was young from Italy. They didn't teach her English."
He continued.
"She hasn't heard enough to learn it."
I raised a brow confused.
"But..you've been here for years, haven't you? The outside of the castle looks so old... No offense. "
He let out a small huff of air and held out his hand, chuckling.
"Come, Miss Ophelia, let me show you something."
I took his hand and he walked me out of the room and down the hall.
"Vieni, Vittoria."
[Come, Victoria.]
He said, and she smiled and nodded, following behind us.