Chapter 2: Rising Action
It's a strange and eerie tradition, but one that I must respect as the Lord of the castle.
"I understand your curiosity," Georg said, "but I must insist that you move to my cousin's house nearby in the evening of November 19th. It's for your own safety."
I nodded, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this legend than just a vengeful spirit.
As the days passed, Georg's castle began to fill up with guests. They arrived in droves, dressed in their finest clothes and eager to partake in the festivities of the season. But as November 18th approached, I noticed that many of them began to leave.
"Perhaps they knew about the legend," Georg said with a shrug.
"Otto's notoriety is known throughout the region, and the legend of November 19th is well known. It's a shame for the family, but considering what Otto did, we have no choice but to accept it."
I nodded, still deep in thought about the mysterious events that had occurred in the castle over the centuries. "But what about you, Georg? Do you believe in the legend?"
Georg sighed and looked away. "I don't know what to believe. My family has always followed the tradition, and I see no reason to break it. But as for the legend itself, I can't say I put much stock in it."
As we continued to talk, I couldn't help but notice the somber mood that had descended upon the castle. The guests who had remained were quiet and reserved, as if they were waiting for something terrible to happen.
I asked Georg if deaths were still occurring, and he replied, "Since the second head of the family, Ludwig, made it a tradition to keep people outside the family away from the castle on November 19th in one year, there have been 'almost' no deaths."
"Almost?"
"Well, there was one instance," Georg said, his voice trailing off. "But it was many years ago, and it was never proven that it was related to the legend."
As we continued to talk, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Georg was holding something back. I decided to press him further, asking about the details of the incident. "It happened many years ago. A maid who worked in the castle was found dead in her room on the morning of November 20th.
Georg was certain that she was the one who had stayed behind to investigate the legend on her own accord. He had heard that she was a curious and inquisitive person, always poking her nose where it didn't belong.
"I warned her to stay away from the legend," Georg said with a sigh. "I didn't want her to put herself in danger."
The maid's death was a grim reminder of the curse that had plagued the castle for centuries. Georg couldn't help but feel responsible, as he had encouraged my curiosity about the legend.
"I should have kept my mouth shut," he said, shaking his head.
"I shouldn't have mentioned the legend to you in the first place."
I could see that Georg was troubled by my request to stay in the castle on November 19th. He tried to persuade me otherwise, reminding me of the curse and the strange events that had occurred in the past.
"But Georg, I can't just leave without knowing the truth," I said, my voice filled with determination. "I can't let this legend control me. I have to face it head-on."
Georg sighed, a look of resignation on his face. "All right. But you have to promise me you'll be careful. Don't go out alone after dark. But if anything terrible happens, run away as fast as you can. I'll leave the castle gates open that day."