Chapter 1
Who said curses and ghosts are just tales invented to scare children?
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Chapter One: October 30, 1913
In the middle of the city, at the edge of Longtron Street, lived the wealthiest family: the Zodiac family. Known for their fortune and arrogance, they owned a luxurious white mansion that no one dared to enter.
The family consisted of:
The Grandfather: owner of textile and silk factories, exporting beyond the city and country.
Grandmother Cathy: owner of vineyards and cattle farms for producing milk.
The Children: four sons and one daughter—beautiful and kind, unlike the rest of her family.
🔹 Martin: a doctor, arrogant about his looks and status, running a hospital and a pharmaceutical factory. Strict, and only sees the world through money.
🔹 Louis: manages his father’s textile factories, a tailor, and a notorious womanizer.
🔹 Daniel: detached from business, obsessed only with raising horses, preferring isolation.
🔹 Claudio: the youngest, cold-hearted and cruel, yet with a soft spot for his sister whom he loved dearly. Owner of lumber and automobile industries, nicknamed The Cold Prince for his tall figure, intimidating presence, and vampire-like gaze. He despised being touched or socializing. His constant companion was a black cat resting on his shoulder.
The parents had passed away, leaving everything to their children, under the grandfather’s guidance who taught them the value of trade, money, and human worth.
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October 31 – Birthday Night
Knock knock.
– “Guess who, Claudio?”
– “Ah… Janette. Come in. Don’t knock on my door again.”
She leapt onto his bed while he was still lying down.
– “Brother… happy birthday!”
– “Heh… you silly girl. I’ve outgrown such things.”
– “You’ll always be handsome and charming, my prince. Here’s your gift.”
– “What’s this… a book?”
– “Sorry, I didn’t know what else to buy you.”
He smiled: “Anything from you, I’ll always cherish.”
That evening at 8, the family gathered for dinner.
The grandfather asked: “Why didn’t we celebrate your birthday, Claudio?”
– “I don’t want to. I’m not in the mood.”
Rain began to fall.
Grandmother said: “The Flostrad family just arrived in town, and their daughter is your age…”
Claudio slammed the table: “Don’t meddle in my life again! You have other sons. I’m not the only man here!”
He stormed out, angrily threw his plate at the maid.
– “I-I’m sorry, sir!”
He glared coldly: “Can’t you see in front of you?!”
In his room, Claudio stood before the mirror, shouting:
“No one feels me… no one knows me… damn this cold house!”
He smashed the mirror with the book his sister gave him.
Meanwhile, Martin was with the maid in his chamber. She left in tears, anger, and hatred, with bite marks on her neck. From her dark window, she saw a shadow whispering to her… and shivered.
Then suddenly…
The mansion caught fire.
Or rather… it exploded.
Nothing was found.
The white mansion of the Zodiac family became a mystery: Who burned it down?
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England – October 2019
– “Who’s buying the Longtron mansion?”
– “It’s been sold to Duke Jack.”
– “Come on, Anya, let’s move.”
– “But darling, they say it’s haunted… a murder happened there.”
He smiled: “My dear, we live in modern times. Such superstitions are long gone. Call Sophia, we’re moving now.”
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Sophia
A delicate, beautiful girl. Pale, with short black hair. Quiet and warm, yet isolated from the world. She had a weak heart, loved reading, and feared mirrors.
The family moved their furniture inside the mansion.
– “Sophia, sweetheart, choose any room you like. Make it your own.”
She smiled faintly: “Thank you, Father.”
By chance, she entered Claudio’s room.
It was warm, all wood, with a grand bed, wide wardrobe… and a mirror.
– “What? A mirror?!”
She screamed softly. Her father rushed in, covered the mirror with a bedsheet.
– “Are you alright? Don’t be afraid.”
– “I’m sorry, dear…”
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That night, the wind howled, the clock ticked: tick-tock… tick-tock…
Lightning struck. Sophia woke up.
The flash reflected in the mirror: a man was sitting, hand on his knee, staring at her with power, fear, and dread.
Frozen in bed, she reached for the lamp—only to see the mirror still covered. She grabbed a glass of water, but when she turned… a black cat sat on her bed.
– “Ahhh!”
The glass slipped and shattered.
Her parents rushed in:
– “Sophia, are you alright?!”
She clutched her chest, pointing at the cat.
– “Where did this cat come from?” asked her mother.
– “I’ll take it out immediately,” said the Duke.
But Sophia shook her head: “No… it’s cold outside. Let him stay. I overreacted. I’m sorry.”
That night, she whispered to the cat: “Come here, little rascal… you’ll sleep beside me tonight.” 🐈⬛
