Page 46 of A Monarch's Fall

“This way,” she said, holding her arm out for me to take.

“I can walk,” I told her.

“Of course,” she agreed with a knowing smile and dropped her arm.

We continued down a long corridor, green and pink floral wallpaper making the windowless space feel even more claustrophobic; the ceiling seemed impossibly tall, and the walls felt far too close.

Eerily, there was only one door in the corridor, a single door at the end. Mounted lights, reminiscent of candles on the walls at either side of the door illuminated the dark wood in a warm, almost sinister glow.

We walked the corridor silently, side by side, and when we reached the end, Mable rapped her knuckles against the wooden door.

I don’t know what I expected to be revealed behind the door, but it wasn’t a warmly lit sitting room.

A young man held the door open with a haircut similar to Dylan’s and a uniform to match: a dark green jumper, brown cargo trousers, and black boots.

“Welcome,” he greeted with a wide smile. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Come on in,” he waved us forward.

I walked past him into the room, where an open fire crackled on the opposite wall. To my right, a large window let in what natural light penetrated the trees. However, the orange glow of the fire and the dimmed wall lighting made the room feel quiet and peaceful. The walls were a calming teal-green.

Two high-backed armchairs were angled towards each other and facing the fireplace.

Other than a drinks cabinet against the back wall with a mirror above it, the room was relatively empty.

I turned back to Mable; she had not entered with me.

“I will leave you in the capable hands of Jack, here,” she said and smiled at the man, Jack.

“You’re not staying with me?” I questioned.

“Lady Flores wishes to meet you alone,” Mable answered.

“Jack doesn’t count as people then?” I asked, sarcastically.

“I am here to get you settled and provide refreshments if desired. I will leave when Lady Flores joins you,” he answered.

“Great,” I said as I walked further into the room. Left alone with a stranger to meet a stranger. It wasn’t like Mable was much more than a brief acquaintance, but at least she was a familiar face.

“After today, nothing will be the same, Percy,” Mable promised.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

“It will make sense, I promise,” she replied cryptically before turning to leave.

Jack closed the door behind her.

“Would you like to take a seat?” he asked, walking towards one of the armchairs, each a pale purple that suited the teal and brown décor of the room.

“I guess,” I huffed as I made my way to the seat and sat with my right leg extended awkwardly.

“Would you like anything to drink?” he asked.

“Water,” I replied.

Sitting before the fire made my lips feel dry and thin, like they could crack.

I heard him at the cabinet behind me, the clinking of glasses, the pouring of liquid and the shuffle of his clothing as he returned to me, a tray with a clear glass in one hand, a glass jug of water in the other.

“For you, Ma’am,” he said as he held the tray out for me to take the glass.