The Feast of Innocence

As they walked through the grand corridors of the mansion, Lady's unease only grew. She tried to pull away from Blackwood's firm grip, but he seemed to be leading her deeper into the heart of the estate. The air was thick with the scent of old books and polished wood, but it was now tainted with a hint of something metallic, something that made her skin crawl. "I'm glad you're enjoying the evening, Lady," Blackwood said, his voice smooth as silk. "I think you're going to find the rest of the night... enlightening." Lady's eyes darted around, searching for an escape, but they were alone in the corridor. She could hear the distant hum of conversation from the dining room, but it seemed to be growing fainter. Out of impulse, Lady asked, "What's for dinner?" Blackwood turned to her, his eyes glinting with a cold, calculating light. "You are," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. Before Lady could react, a chef appeared behind her, his eyes fixed on her with a detached curiosity. He reached out and grasped her chin, pulling it up towards him. Lady tried to struggle, but it was too late. The chef's knife flashed in the light, and Lady felt a searing pain as it sliced through her neck. Blood poured from her neck, flowing down into her chest and cleavage, staining her dress a deep, crimson red. Lady's eyes widened in horror as she felt her life begin to fade. The chef's grip on her chin relaxed, and she felt herself being pulled backwards. A basin was immediately placed at the bottom of her neck, and Lady's blood flowed into it, as if it was a grotesque parody of a baptism. Her eyes slowly closed, and her body began to relax, her muscles releasing their tension as her life slipped away. The chef's hands moved with a detached efficiency, and Lady's lifeless corpse was soon placed on a counter, her head dismembered, leaving just her neck where her chin had once been. The chef's eyes flicked to Blackwood, who nodded in approval. "It seems our guest has been... prepared," Blackwood said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. The chef bowed his head, and Lady's body was left to cool on the counter, a grim and ghastly centerpiece for the feast to come.