The mansion was quiet now.
No shadows twisted unnaturally.
No whispers haunted the corners.
Rhea stood in the grand foyer, Adrian beside her.
The golden mark on her wrist pulsed faintly, a steady reminder of the bond she now shared with the mansion.
It had accepted her—not just as the chosen bride, but as a protector, a master of its power.
Adrian looked around cautiously.
"After everything… it feels almost peaceful," he murmured.
"But we both know Lilith isn't gone. She's just hiding, waiting."
Rhea nodded.
"I know. That's why we need to understand this place fully. If there's a way to stop her permanently… it has to be here."
The mansion seemed to respond to her thought.
A faint glow appeared along the edges of the walls, guiding her toward a corridor that neither of them had explored.
"Look," Rhea whispered.
"Somewhere the mansion wants us to go."
They followed the glowing path, passing doors that had always been locked or concealed.
Finally, they arrived at a massive double door, etched with strange runes that pulsed faintly.
"This looks ancient," Adrian said, brushing his fingers over the symbols.
"I've never seen anything like this in the mansion's records."
Rhea felt the mark on her wrist flare.
"The mansion knows," she said.
"I think it wants us to open this."
She placed her hand on the door.
The runes glowed brighter, resonating with the golden pulse of her mark.
Slowly, the doors creaked open, revealing a vast chamber bathed in soft, ethereal light.
The room was filled with artifacts—ancient books, crystal vials, enchanted mirrors, and ornate statues of women in flowing gowns.
Each item seemed to hum with energy, whispering faintly in voices Rhea almost recognized—the memories of the previous brides.
Adrian stepped carefully among the relics.
"This… this could be everything," he whispered.
"The key to understanding the mansion. The key to defeating Lilith."
Rhea approached a pedestal in the center of the room.
On it lay a large, leather-bound book, covered in runes that pulsed with the same rhythm as her mark.
She opened it carefully.
The pages glowed softly, revealing diagrams of the mansion, notes about its creation, and writings from brides long past.
Rhea scanned quickly, her eyes widening.
"This… this is a guide," she whispered.
"It explains the mansion's energy, its connection to the chosen bride, and… a way to neutralize Lilith's curse permanently."
Adrian leaned over her shoulder.
"Then this is it. This is how we end it."
Rhea nodded, determination blazing in her eyes.
"We have the power now. The mansion is on our side. And with this… we can finally make Lilith powerless."
The room pulsed with energy, as if the mansion itself approved.
Rhea could feel the past brides' presence—not as shadows, but as guiding spirits—watching, protecting, and lending strength.
Adrian squeezed her hand.
"You've come so far, Rhea. And now… it's time to finish this."
Rhea's chest tightened with resolve.
"We'll face her," she said, voice steady.
"And this time… she won't have the mansion, she won't have fear, and she won't have us alone."
Somewhere deep in the mansion, a faint, chilling laugh echoed—Lilith, sensing the shift in power.
But Rhea didn't flinch.
She had the mansion.
She had Adrian.
And now, she had the knowledge to defeat the ghost who had haunted them for so long.
The battle for the mansion was far from over.
But Rhea knew—this time, victory was within reach.