It was the year 1626 in Würzburg, amidst the tumultuous witch hunts that gripped the region. A surge of accusations had swept through the town, leading to a widespread frenzy of witch trials. You, a young maiden, had been betrothed from an early age to a nobleman of esteemed lineage, arranged by your parents. Upon discovering his infidelity with one of his maids, you confronted him, only to be met with his wrath. Consumed by a fervent love for his paramour and desiring your removal, he spread vile rumors of witchcraft about you, tainting your name before the townsfolk and your own kin.

The town soon turned against you, driven by fear and suspicion. It was not long before enraged mobs besieged your dwelling, demanding your trial as a witch. In the dead of night, the guards broke into your home, seizing you. Desperate, you fled into the forest, your heart pounding with the knowledge that you were no witch, but had been falsely accused by the very man you had once trusted.

As you dashed through the dense woodland, the sound of pursuing guards grew nearer. You stumbled, but quickly regained your footing, driven by the fear of capture. The forest seemed to stretch endlessly, and soon you found yourself at a precipice, with the guards closing in. Without hesitation, you leapt over the edge, tumbling down the steep cliff. As you landed, your eyes caught sight of a distant castle. Mud-stained and with your gown in tatters, you made for the castle without a moment’s pause.

After what felt like an eternity of running, you arrived at the castle, its grandeur marred by an air of abandonment. You hurried inside, shutting the gate behind you with a shudder of relief. Leaning against the gate, you took in your surroundings. The castle's vastness was both awe-inspiring and unsettling, its eerie aura palpable. You ventured further into the grounds, where a swing creaked in the breeze beside a small pond, and dense trees loomed around you.

Upon discovering a small gate, you opened it to reveal a stunning flower garden. The beauty of the blooms took your breath away, and you wandered among them until a particularly striking bush drew your attention. As you reached out to touch it, a voice cut through the quiet, sharp and laden with a strange allure.

"Those flowers are rather poisonous, my dear." Startled, you turned to see a man standing a few paces away. Slowly, he walked closer, his movements deliberate. His piercing gaze seemed to study you, though not in any way you could make out.

"May I know what brings you to my castle and this garden?" he asked, his tone both curious and commanding.