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Kayden huffed with delight. “If only! Come, Maris.” He waved his hand at the door and waited for her to grab her things.

Maris’s stomach dropped as she walked next to the unknown man as he made his way through narrow halls to a large and open alley.

The Great Hall…

I am truly inside Oberon Castle…

All Maris could do was stare up at the tall ceiling. Large chandeliers embellished the long hall, burning long candles. She counted them absentmindedly, taking in the details and the intricate golden design, interlocking upon themselves like vines. The marble ceiling and walls reflected the burning light in a welcoming, warm golden aura.

“Breathtaking, isn’t it?” Kayden asked. “My castle is small and lonely compared to this one. Oberon is always alive with people,” Kayden said.

Maris frowned at the new information. He had a castle? So, he is royalty. She wondered what kingdom he was from. She would guess he was from Harmonia or Vulcan from his fiery red hair.

As they walked through the halls, she took in the guards, the walls, the columns, and the different paintings of the rulers. She recognized most of them, especially Brontes, Rionach, and at last, a young child. She stopped to stare at the painting, marveling at how realistic it looked. The picture was of a young princess. The child’s right hand rested lazily over the pommel of a sheathed sword; her left hand dangled from her side in a tight fist. Her royal blue corduroy suit and silk blouse were adorned with countless gold medals. Her eyes, like her face, showed no happiness. Her mouth was void of any hint of a smile, and her honey eyes didn’t shine. They looked hollow, empty.

Maris couldn’t help but feel sadness for the child. Tilting her head to the side, she scrutinized the oil painting one last time before she felt Kayden’s presence behind her, making her jump. “Forgive me! I got distracted.”

Kayden shook his head and looked at the painting. “Do not worry. I should’ve walked slower.”?

“This is the princess?”?

“Yes, this is Princess Valda.”?

“Does this picture do her any justice?” Maris asked before pointing out the darkness within the princess’s features.?

Kayden stared at Valda’s picture. He inhaled deeply and seemed lost in thought before he decided to give Maris a definitive answer. “It doesn’t. She is much more than a painting.”

“You are her consort?”

Kayden snorted and shook his head. “Gods, no!”

It was hard to determine what he was. If he was royalty, why did he parade around like he owned the place? As if he had been here his entire life. Maris tried to comprehend everything, anything she could later use to her advantage. As they continued down the long hall, they stopped by two grand doors. Her stomach turned.

“Is this...”

“The throne room. You are correct. Now, mind you, there has been a lot of activity in the castle. If you see chaos, do not panic.” He smiled another perfect smile and her jittering nerves subsided as if magic.

As Kayden opened the door, Maris took everything in. She saw maids running around with plates, drapes, napkins, and towels. Some were holding buckets of water while others carried some brooms and mops.

“Kayden!”

The man stretched his neck to see further back, and Maris noticed a certain woman waving at him. It was the queen.

“Queen Rionach!”Kayden hollered, waving back.

As the queen got closer, Maris’s stomach jumped within itself. She had never been before royalty, much less talked to one. Rionach wasn’t tall, she was close to her size. Unlike Maris, she was slender with dark hair tied up in a perfect bun. She didn’t look a year over forty. Her face lit up when she saw Kayden, but Maris noticed the dark circles under her eyes. No doubt the queen had a lot of sleepless nights.

“I’m so glad to see you. What happened last night? You didn’t make it to the castle.”?

Kayden chuckled nervously. “Yes, I was celebrating Valda’s return.” He arched a brow at the queen.

“Oh.”Rionach’s smile disappeared. “Well, I hope you stay around. I just came from Valda’s chambers,” she added before noticing Maris. The happiness in her eyes dissipated to something else.

Maris frowned. Was the queen mad at her?

“Who is your friend there?”

“Oh!” Kayden pushed Maris forward in between Rionach and himself.