Meeting the Royal Family

A pair of guards stared at me with fierce eyes as we walked down the hallway.

The floor was marble, and the walls were covered in tapestry with rows of gold embroidery. Every corner had a small painting or sculpture.

As I looked up, I saw the ceiling was painted in ornate designs of cherubs with golden beams.

I never thought I’d see such a place. It nearly feels like heaven.

“Wait here,” said Prince Cassius.

“But, of course,” I said, curtsying.

He has quite a commanding tone sometimes, as I expected.

“I wish to speak to our King,” said Cassius.

He went through the door as the guards uncrossed their pole-axes for him.

A minute passed as I started counting the vertical lines on the walls. Cold winds filled the stagnant atmosphere. It was as if I could feel a touch on my hand that I couldn’t see. I gasped and flinched my hand away,

Looking behind me, no one was there. Neither was anyone on the right or left side.

What’s going on? This place better not be cursed!

A soft screech of what seemed to be a creature echoed in the hallway.

When will I awaken from this beautiful dream? It’s turning into a beautiful nightmare.

The sound gradually became louder until someone screamed in my left ear. I covered my ears at once, shrieked, and crouched to the floor.

“Janessa?!” cried the Prince.

I looked for the source, but instead, all I found was a piece of sculpture of a man with soft features.

Is that a bust of Cassius?

“Janessa. Come with me, I will guide you.”

I turned and saw he wasn’t looking at me, but rather the sculpture. He clenched his fist and then loosened it, giving me his hand.

“Thank you, I think we should stay away from it…” I said, smiling.

What the hell was that?

He sighed deeply and pressed his lips together.

“I will explain.”

Please don’t tell me that the castle is cursed!

My hands went clammy until I got up and locked eyes with him. His silvery eyes glinted as he blinked and smiled.

I’m starting to feel drawn toward him. Is it a bad thing? Maybe.

We walked away from the main entrance, and the Prince let my hand go.

“Your Highness, what was that noise?” I asked.

“Janessa, it is a weak spirit, nothing more.”

“Why is there a spirit in a statue that resembles you?”

“Well…”

I blinked several times, but he only flinched and looked around everywhere except for my face. His gaze was on the floor when I cleared my throat several times, loudly.

“It’s okay, hehe. You can tell me,” I said, grinning.

We stood in the middle of the passageway.

“I’m not sure you can handle it,” he said.

“If I could handle your lap so easily…”

That sounds way dirtier than what I wanted to say. I meant to say the fall. What a Freudian slip, hehe.

“Janessa, your mind is in the gutters…” he said.

“Oh! I must apologize…”

“No. No, please tell me more,” he whispered in my ear.

My face was heated, but I was smiling and quite ready to whisper back. Alas, the door burst open!

Cassius jumped back, crossed his arms, and looked away from me.

“Why, hello. Lovely day, is it not?” he said.

“Yes, your highness,” said a woman in a black maid uniform with her hair tied back.

The maid grabbed the broom and swept away, staring at me every few seconds.

“Alright, your highness, you haven’t told me about the spirit.”

His Adam’s apple moved as he stared at the floor and then at me.

“It is my own soul,” he whispered.

“How?”

“A few years ago, I made a deal with the demon to save my mother from the illness if I gave my soul. However, the queen passed away. A day later, I demanded my soul back. That worthless demon laughed and tossed me the sculpture. Apparently, it contains my soul.”

I stared into his eyes, which kept focusing on the statue behind me.

“You must think I am so foolish, right?” he said, walking forward.

“No, I think you must be very caring! Few people would do such a thing for their loved ones,” I said, smiling.

“Janessa.”

“Prince Cassius!”

“You are simply saying that to flatter me.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. The only person I ever flatter is myself.”

The Prince broke out into a chuckle.

“Speaking to you is rather refreshing,” he said.

“Thank you, I thought so.”

I winked and gave him a thumbs up, but all he did was smile a little. Soon, he walked faster. I felt an urge to hold his hand, but didn’t bother doing so.

Strange, I’m more focused on looking at the prince’s hand rather than his behind. That’s a first.

We walked through the red carpeted halls, with wide, white walls coated with red borders.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“His majesty asked me to place you under the care of my darling sister, Princess Amelia.”

“Okay.”

I wonder what she’s like. I hope she’s not overprotective of Cassius. Peter did say she was his elder sister.

“Amelia,” said Cassius, knocking on the door.

The door opened, and we were greeted by a blonde woman, “Oh, Your Highness, do you wish to see Princess Amelia?”

“Yes, that is why I called her name.”

“Alright, I will ask.”

Cassius said, “She is her lady-in-waiting.”

“Thought so.”

“Come in, Cassius,” said a deep, yet feminine voice.

“Play along with my words,” he said to me, aside.

“Dear Amelia, how long has it been since I last saw you?” he said.

“Cassius, it has only been a day.”

She had purple hair tied in a sleek bun and wore a pale green dress. A grey cat slept in the corner. The tapestries, curtains, and furniture all had cobalt blue trimmings with crystals adorning many of the decorative artefacts.

“Who is that maiden behind you?” she asked.

Yikes! She’s going to interrogate me now.

“She is a young woman who was abandoned on her way to the neighboring Kingdom of Alaine! Peter and I have successfully rescued her from the library ruins. The King has given her permission to lodge in a guest room. Under your care, she will become quite a proper lady,” said Cassius.

Wow, I never expected him to say that I’m not a proper lady. Ah, he probably caught me looking at his crotch a few times. Can’t risk looking at him now.

“Very well. I hope you have no ulterior motives. No need to formally introduce her until it is the time of her debut. We may find a use for her and even arrange a suitable marriage for her.”

Huh?! I ain’t marrying anyone right now.

“She will choose who she wishes to marry.”

“These are the decisions that lead one to bankruptcy.”

“Indeed,” said Cassius.

The princess stood and walked up to me.

“My dear, what is your name? You must keep your posture in check.”

“I’m Janessa, your highness.”

I straightened my back, but looked away from them both.

“Laura, please fetch the maid and see to her lodgings. Prepare the bath, she must have come a long way.”

The maid from before curtsied, and her eyes widened as she took me away from the room.

We were in the rows of various rooms when the maid burst out, “Ensnared by a woman of red hair? I will see what the King will say about this! We will have you burned at the stake!”

“I beg your pardon!” I said.

Red hair? This is a cosplay wig! My real hair is black…

I pulled on my hair several times, only to realize that it was my real hair.

Oh no! They might think I’m a witch! What are my options? Should I go bald? Or maybe… I could wear a wig over it. That would make me seem suspicious, though. Now I know why this red wig is so light and doesn’t give me a headache. It’s my actual hair now.

The maid led me to a room with a huge bed in the shape of a circle with a lot of pillows and a sheer canopy.

To my utter surprise, there was a monitor screen in front of the bed.

“May I know what this is?” I asked.

“A magic screen, of course. Which village do you come from? It must be some poor village that cannot afford magic gems. I am sure you must have stolen the dress just to impress the Prince.”

“You’re accusing me of things I didn’t do.”

Annoying little…

“Well, carry on. I have left you a fresh set of clothing.”

“Thank you.”

“Here is the key,” she said, slamming the door behind her.

The bed sheets were navy blue and white, there was a long whiter rug, and a full-length mirror with a vanity table. The curtains were made of gray silk.

After undressing, I entered the bathtub, which resembled an enormous clam with pink bubbles and a gushing shower head on top. I blew the bubbles across the bathroom.

I don’t understand. That was a TV. Am I in the past or the future?

The water smelled like lavender oil.

Ah, this feels so amazing.

I dried myself with a fluffy towel. Afterward, I put on what seemed to be a plain chemise accompanied by a plain brown, linen dress.

This is even worse than the crinkled apron and dress that the maid was wearing. I have to do something to get back at her!

Re-entering the room, I touched the flashing screen. It rippled as if it were made of water and made a splashing sound, followed by a jingle.

A tiny, doll-like girl appeared and said, “You may ask me any questions!”

Her voice, although soft and high-pitched, caused me to step back on the bed and quiver.

“Do not be scared. I am here to assist.”

“I was only startled. I do have a lot of questions for you,” I said.