“Take it, Sir.”

The creepy man in a tattered waistcoat held out a crown, purest gold and fitted with large rubies. It made me forget about my desire to escape. This mansion had stopped me at every turn, instead leading me to the caretaker with a face only a mother could love. It broke my gold-induced trance.

“Why?”

A loud knock sounded three times and echoed in my ears. The man smiled, showing yellowed teeth, “Ah. A guest.”

I still held the crown. As I gazed upon it, its shape changed in my hand into a design more feminine. The thick and heavy golden circle became lighter and thinner. The gems rounded and moved closer towards the front and the circumference shrank.

“Oh my.” The creepy man’s eyes shone. Beside him stood a woman. “The prophecy is coming true!”

“What?”

“Two have not shared the crown in many generations!” An eerie light glowed from somewhere unseen upon a painting of fraternal twins looking unhappy.

“Share?”

“I cannot share with him!” The lady grabbed the crown, but it sank to her ears.