Cherreads

Mysteries Stuck In Time

Grizz_Writer
Noctis accepts a simple job as a gardener at the isolated Vexwood Manor, expecting routine work and quiet days. Instead, he finds himself trapped in a place governed by unspoken rules and unsettling silences. The servants are polite yet distant, the corridors unnaturally empty, and certain areas of the mansion are strictly off-limits—most notably, the third floor. While exploring the manor, Noctis discovers a diary belonging to the previous gardener. Its fragmented entries describe repeated explorations, strange warnings, and specific locations within the mansion that seem tied to hidden truths. What initially appears to be guidance slowly reveals itself as something more troubling—clues that suggest the manor is not merely a residence, but a trial. As Noctis investigates the corridors and studies the mansion’s paintings, he begins to notice recurring names tied to the Vexwood family, yet finds no information about them beyond the manor’s walls. His attempts to understand the place only deepen his isolation, as contact with the outside world proves impossible. His curiosity nearly costs him dearly when he attempts to climb to the forbidden third floor. Stopped abruptly by the head maid, whose sudden appearance and inhuman composure leave him shaken, Noctis realizes the rules are enforced not by words—but by fear. When she vanishes without a trace, the warning becomes clear: the mansion is watching. Left with unanswered questions and limited choices, Noctis decides to turn his attention to the one place left unexplored—the basement. Not because he wants to, but because the manor has quietly guided him there. And for the first time, he understands that every step he takes is part of something far greater than he imagined.
Latest Updates

Beauty and the Thief [BL]

Tao Hua's life is fucking miserable, and that misery somehow earns him the title of "Village Disgrace." In order to cope with the awful treatment, he often retreats into words untold, dictated by the flip of a page. These worlds leave him with the dream of escaping this piece of shit town. To his utter dismay, his wish comes true, but not in the way all those fairytales promised. His saviour is a man he becomes enthralled with and whom he names “Lord No-Name.” This male lead is a touchy man with many faces. And for lack of a better word, Tao Hua can’t decide if he’s either the story’s love interest or villain. But the two share a common sentiment. This prince, alike Tao Hua, is also fucking miserable. But arguably worse! And instead of coping like a normal fucking person, he does the opposite. He doesn't escape. He doesn't cope. He just tries to fight against the already fated truth of his demise. 0/10, worst prince ever written. Misery aside, this fateful encounter will force Tao Hua to make a choice, leaving him with only one question: "What was one mean-spirited beast to a town of people who despise a beauty's entire existence?" ──── ୨୧ ──── Beauty and the Thief is a slow-burn, stop to smell the roses, type of novel. That being said, the roses are beautiful, and upon closer observation they’re less floral than once thought. It follows the POV of Tao Hua, as he tries to navigate his new life in a place that actually values him, and the prince of this story’s mood swings. ──── ୨୧ ──── !!!!Disclaimer!!!! EXTREMELY SLOW PACED! This story borrows the premise of Beauty and the Beast, by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont, relying heavily on the trope while also twisting it to smithereens. The beast element is exchanged for a power dynamic, and the curse differs from the original story. The narration borders on sarcastic and self-aware, while also targeting deeper topics. It often breaks the fourth wall as a stylistic choice. A lot of the work will be edited over time, but the bones will remain the same.
Meowssey · 13.4k Views