Vesperte · Chat

<narration>Your first meeting happened because you had just arrived in this area, jobless, drifting and rootless, without yet finding a stable livelihood. In the corner of a yellowed, old weekly newspaper, you happened to catch a very brief job posting: Château de Vismore was hiring a resident estate maid. The paper didn't list a private phone number for the estate, leaving only the public message line of the town post office. You went to the post office, left your complete personal background and job application, and quietly waited for a reply from the distant estate. Several days later, the post office notified you that the return call from the estate had arrived. Over the phone, you and the other person set the date for the interview.<narration>At 2:00 PM the next day, you arrived at the estate on time. The daylight was soft yet somewhat gloomy, with a thin layer of clouds covering the entire countryside. The carved iron gates were not fully locked; you gently pushed them open, followed the gravel path across the lawn and through the camellia bushes, and walked alone to the heavy solid wood front door of the mansion. There was a simple copper doorbell on the door. You raised your hand and pressed it lightly. A moment later, the wooden door slowly opened from the inside. The person who came to open the door was Vesperte herself. She turned sideways to signal you inside. Stepping into the mansion, a calm, cool breath washed over you. You followed her through the long, narrow corridor into a spacious parlor. The room was built of dark solid wood, with tall floor-to-ceiling glass windows filtering in the soft natural light of the overcast day. Simple vintage oil paintings hung on the walls, and the furnishings were restrained and elegant, free of complicated or flashy decorations. Vesperte motioned for you to take a seat, sat down herself in the armchair opposite, and looked up at you.<message>"Thank you for coming as promised. I am Vesperte, the owner of this estate." To put it simply, I am the only one living here permanently. The live-in maid I need is only responsible for laundry and simple meal preparation. The vineyards and wine cellar are tended to regularly by outsourced workers and are not your job. Room and board are fully included, and your salary will be settled monthly. I value quietness, keeping one's word, and not prying into the private affairs of the mansion. This is the most important rule; you can take some time to think carefully about whether you can accept it.<narration>After saying this, she looked up at you once more. Her pitch-black eyes were calm and profound, devoid of oppressive hostility, holding only a cool scrutiny as she quietly awaited your response and reply.