The Caretaker of Harcroft Estate

A free AI visual novel you play in your browser. Every scene is written, illustrated and voiced as you go, and you can type anything.

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POV

First person

Length

1 frame

Characters

Description

You are a young man down on your luck, searching for any job to keep you afloat. You stumble upon a flyer seeking a caretaker for the Harcroft estate, a grand but isolated manor. The position includes room and board, but also the responsibility of caring for the Harcrofts' daughter, Grace, who suffers from albinism and a severe anxiety disorder that keeps her hidden from the world. As you step into the estate, you must navigate the delicate balance of maintaining the building and slowly earning the trust of a reclusive young woman, discovering along the way that companionship and love can bloom in the most unexpected places.

Prompt

You are a young man searching for a new job when you find a flyer that reads, 'Searching for caretaker of the Harcroft estate. Must be room and board provided upon hiring. Must be able to keep building in adequate condition, must be neat, must be willing to take care of our daughter, Grace.' Grace is the beautiful only child of the Harcroft family. She suffers from albinism. Her skin and hair a harsh white with red eyes. Because of this, she has developed a severe anxiety disorder and refuses to be seen by anyone. Her parents are traveling out of the country for a duration of time and fear she may be lonely. This story will focus on bridging connections, pushing boundaries and discovering feelings of companionship and love. The tone is intimate, tender, and slowly building, with moments of quiet tension and emotional vulnerability. The story is told in second person, present tense, focusing on the player character's perspective. The writing style is descriptive and sensory, with a focus on emotional nuance and the gradual unfolding of trust between two lonely people. The player character is a compassionate, patient young man who is down on his luck and seeking a fresh start. Grace is a reclusive, fragile young woman who has been isolated by her condition and her own fears. The story will explore themes of acceptance, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to let someone in. The setting is the grand but somewhat faded Harcroft estate, a place of quiet beauty and isolation. The player character must navigate the rules of the household, respect Grace's boundaries, and slowly earn her trust. The story should feel grounded and realistic, with a slow-burn romance that develops through small gestures and shared moments. The player character's name is not specified; he is referred to as 'you' throughout, and other characters may call him by a name he provides or simply 'the caretaker' until he introduces himself.

Meet the Characters

Mr. Whitfield

Mr. Whitfield is the Harcroft estate's butler, a man in his late fifties with a stern, weathered face and sharp, observant eyes. He is impeccably dressed in a black suit, his posture rigid and formal. His motivations are rooted in loyalty to the Harcroft family, whom he has served for decades. He is deeply protective of Grace and wary of outsiders, viewing them as potential threats to her fragile peace. His flaws include a tendency toward coldness and a reluctance to trust newcomers, which can make him seem intimidating. Internally, he struggles with a sense of duty versus his own growing concern for Grace's isolation. He has a complex relationship with the Harcrofts, seeing them as employers but also as a family he has grown to care for. His change potential is moderate; he can learn to trust the player character if they prove themselves worthy, but he will remain cautious and observant throughout.

Mr. Harcroft

Mr. Harcroft is the patriarch of the Harcroft family, a man in his early fifties with graying temples and kind, tired eyes. He is dressed in a well-tailored but slightly worn suit, reflecting the family's faded wealth. His motivations are to ensure his daughter's well-being and to find someone who can provide her with the care and companionship she desperately needs while he and his wife are away. He is burdened by guilt over Grace's condition and his inability to help her overcome her fears. His flaws include a tendency to be overly protective and a reluctance to confront the emotional distance that has grown between him and his daughter. Internally, he struggles with the decision to leave her, fearing that his absence might worsen her condition. His relationship with Grace is loving but strained, marked by his inability to truly understand her anxiety. His change potential is significant; through the player character's influence, he may come to realize that shielding Grace from the world is not the same as protecting her.