Chapter 216

The elegance of the castle's main foyer left me utterly breathless.

Towering columns adorned with intricate carvings framed the entrance, and a sparkling chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a cascade of light across the polished marble floor.

The air carried a subtle scent of history and magic, a heady mix that heightened the surreal experience.

Behind me, I heard the footfalls of Lucas, Kendrick, and all of Kendrick's guards. When I turned to see all of their reactions to the castle, they looked around in awe.

Lucas's eyes met mine, the light from the chandelier made his eyes appear even more blue.

"Crazy," he mouthed to me and I didn't know what else to say, so I nodded back.

"Yes, it's quite impressive," Liam drawled in a proud tone. "The Etheral Palace has stood for centuries, a testament to the enduring legacy of our realm."

"It's magnificent," Kendrick noted, no lie hidden behind his words.

"The king has tried to make this place feel otherworldly, but also warm and comfortable, like a true home," Liam explained, his voice resonating with pride. "Each wing harbors unique wonders, and the chambers within are filled with ancient knowledge and artifacts."

"How many wings are there?" I asked, the sound of my voice resonating in the expansive room, making me feel incredibly small.

"There are four wings. North, East, South, and West. The North and East wings house the bed chambers. The Alpha King and his family reside in the North Wing. As guests, all of you will be in the East Wing."

"The West Wing is comprised of our library, ballroom, great hall kitchens, and other rooms. We are currently in our South Wing," Liam continued, gesturing around us.

The sheer scale of the palace left me sighing deeply, contemplating the vastness of the space and how challenging it might be to navigate. I hoped I wouldn't find myself lost in its labyrinthine corridors.

"We also have gardens and a stable just outside, although access requires permission from the King himself. He takes good care of these spaces and doesn't tolerate intruders," Liam warned.

"We won't be going anywhere the King doesn't allow," Kendrick assured him. "We are simply here for the King to meet Shana. We don't want to impose in any way."

"Of course," Liam replied with a tight smile. "However, the gardens are just behind the South Wing. If you glance out of your window at night, you'll see all the beautiful lights and flowers. It's quite the sight."

As he shared these details, my eyes caught the graceful descent of a maid down the grand staircase. Her attire bespoke elegance and her movements exuded a quiet confidence.

"Lady Shana," Liam introduced, "allow me to present Miriam, who will be your personal maid during your stay."

Miriam gracefully bowed, her eyes reflecting a blend of respect and professionalism. "Miss Shana ma'am," Miriam spoke in an accent much different from Liam's. It was thicker and less polished. "It's a pleasure to serve you. Anything you shall need, I'll be happy to provide."

"Uh, thank you," I said hesitantly, noticing that nobody else had their own personal maid. "It's nice to meet you."

Miriam kept her head down as she said, "Please, follow me to your quarters. You'll be staying in the North Wing."

"Wait." I stilled, turning to look at Liam. "I thought you said only the Alpha King and his family stay in the North Wing."

"Yes." He nodded, looking at me thoughtfully. "That is exactly what I said."

"But..." I paused, looking at Lucas who suddenly appeared on edge.

"The King has requested that you stay in the North Wing. Will that be a problem?" Liam asked me, his brow raising slightly.

"That won't be an issue," Kendrick spoke before I could.

When I made eye contact with him, he was shooting me daggers.

His warning from earlier struck me.

We couldn't go against anything the king had to say. Anything he wanted us to do, we had to respect his wishes. There was no room for arguing.

"Y-yes," I said to Liam, nodding my head. "There's no problem. I was only... curious."

"Very well then." Liam looked at Miriam, then me again. "We'll be seeing you later, Shana. Please let me know if there's anything you need that Miriam cannot provide for you."

The request left me with little room for refusal, and I trailed behind Miriam as she ascended the sweeping staircase, the intricate tapestries adorning the walls whispering stories of eras gone by.

We wound through labyrinthine corridors, each turn revealing another depth of the castle's vastness.

As we walked, I thought about how young Miriam looked. She couldn't have been much older than me, and I wondered how she found herself working here as a maid.

"Miriam?" I asked in a gentle voice, feeling odd speaking too loudly in these echoey walls.

"Ma'am?" Miriam asked back, turning her head over her shoulder to look at me. Her voice sounded slightly guarded. "Is there something wrong?"

"No," I said with a shake of my head. "I was just wondering... Is it okay if I ask your age?"

"Oh," Miriam sighed with what appeared like relief. "I'm twenty-five years of age, ma'am."

"That's awfully young," I noted as we continued walking. "How long have you been working as a maid in the palace?"

"Since I was of age, ma'am."

Not sure what else to say, and not wanting to pry further, I remained silent. However, Miriam's history and journey to the palace left me curious.

Was there a village nearby that she grew up in? Or was she from somewhere far away?

Just as my thoughts were about to take me down a spiral of Miriam's past, we finally arrived at a door at the end of a long hallway. Miriam opened the door with a golden key to unveil a room that surpassed all expectations.

Opulent furniture, a canopy bed that seemed plucked from a fairy tale, and the warm glow of ambient lighting created an atmosphere of regal comfort.

"Since you are in the North Wing, the King's quarters are just down the hall. We have twice the amount of guards in this wing, meaning you'll be the most protected from danger here," Miriam explained.

I nodded, wondering if this is why the Alpha King wanted me to be close to him. Was it so he could protect me? Or was it so he could keep an eye on me?

"Freshen up and change, Miss Shana. Dinner will be served shortly," Miriam instructed before gracefully departing, leaving me alone to absorb the splendor of my royal bedroom.

I couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite surroundings as I turned around the room. However, I stopped spinning when I noticed something unfamiliar on my bed.

As I gazed upon the bed, I noticed a dark red ballroom dress lying in the middle of the sheets. It was elegant and covered in lace, perfect for a princess or even a queen.

It wasn't one of Grandma Jo's dresses, and I frowned as I saw a note lying on top of the dress. I snatched up the paper and held it close to my face, reading the cursive script.

It bore the message, "Wear me today, for dinner tonight."

A shiver traversed my spine as I wondered about the mysterious sender. This couldn't have been from Lucas... We had only just arrived at the palace.

Was this a gesture from the Alpha King, or did it carry a deeper significance?

The memory of the dream that had plagued my sleep on the jet lingered, casting a shadow over the kindness that was the gift of this dress.

I couldn't shake the question...

Did my dream hold any meaning? Or was I overthinking it?