Chapter 6
1420 Words
Sophia
After quite a journey, we arrived inside the palace walls. Looking out of the carriage window, my eyes fell upon the interesting clothes the people had on their bodies.
The peasant men wore stockings, while the women wore long gowns in various colors.
Children ran across the busy street markets, commoners were selling their creations, and the upper class was spending money.
As we got further in, I was amazed by the number of cabins and wondered how many people lived within these gates.
“Do you like it here?” The handsome man on the opposite side treated me with a charming smile.
Sir Landon, as he had introduced himself for the second time, turned out to be a kind and gentle host.
“Yes, I do.”
“Then how would you feel about making a surprise stop at the palace?”
“The palace?” My eyes were wide open. “A-Are we allowed?”
“Yes,” Landon said. “The palace is as good as my home.”
I was conflicted. The most obvious thing would be to feel relieved because that meant I was one step closer to finding the sword, but my head told me that being inside the palace, in court, around too many faces, would not necessarily be a good thing.
As I bit my lip, thinking of my options, I caught Landon staring at me intensely. His eyes were narrowed, making him more handsome than he already was.
“Is there something on my face?” I touched my cheeks, but in all honesty, I was trying to hide my blush.
Landon blinked. “Beauty.”
“Beauty?” I covered my mouth, giggling. Landon was a true charmer, and if they had fuckboys at this age—I was damn sure he would’ve been one of them.
A wealthy, good-looking lord with enough power and status to get every woman he wanted.
“Are these people living inside these palace walls all…you know.” The best way to prepare myself for the days that were to come was to get more information out of him.
“Supernaturals?” Landon helped me out. “It’s not some forbidden word around here—but most of them are supernaturals, not all.”
Strangely enough, the commoners lived among the supernaturals. It appeared to be a regular thing, which made me wonder about whatever had happened to Acrasia in the future.
“There are many threats from the outside,” Landon explained. “As long as the people live within these walls, we’ll be able to protect them from any danger.”
Many threats?
I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of threats he was talking about.
Could it be about the Lycan, Castiel?
“How about the villagers?” My weak heart worried for the lives of the innocent. “Do they receive protection?”
It wouldn’t be too far off to assume living inside these walls came with crazy taxes, taxes the villagers couldn’t possibly afford.
I caught Landon fidgeting with his hands. “Of course.” He stumbled over his words, turning his head. “Won’t you look at that? We’ve arrived at the palace.”
So the villagers were on their own.
Noted.
As my plan was not to become the president of Acrasia, or more so the queen—I let go of the situation and focused on my true purpose.
Find the book, find the dagger, kill the Lycan and get back to Eli.
Landon, who had already gotten out of the carriage, grabbed my hand and helped me get on my feet.
As I found my balance and stepped onto the castle grounds, I was instantly on cloud nine.
The gardens, the grass, nearly everything was green—except for the beautiful and colorful flowers.
It was filled with men and women from the upper classes, proving only people of high status were welcome at this court.
At that moment, it had kicked in that coming with Landon had been the right choice—because there was no way I would ever manage to get inside without gaining his friendship.
“Wow…it’s beautiful.” My eyes sparkled, admiring the fairytale-like palace in front of me. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
My admiration wasn’t the best choice of words as Landon eyed me strangely. “What kingdom are you from?” He whispered, furrowing his brow.
Nervous laughter left my mouth. I rubbed my sweaty palms, giving Landon a witty smile while thinking about how to answer.
I couldn’t possibly tell him I was from the future.
He would send me straight to the dungeons.
“Sir Landon, you’ve returned!” A few women dressed in extravagant clothing and beautiful jewelry saved the day.
Holding the sides of the dresses, the two women sprinted to Landon as if it were a competition. Not that I complained because his focus had moved away from me.
“I’m glad to see you, sire!” One of the women brushed her long brown braid, decorated with pearls, to the side. She plumped her lips, blinking seductively.
“We’ve been waiting for you!” The other woman with the dark curls locked her arms with Landon, who seemed to love the attention.
“Oh well, what have I done to deserve this welcome from the two fairest ladies.” He showed them his pearly teeth.
Close to being weak to their knees, the women gasped at his compliment.
It didn’t take long before the attention was back on me, and the two women stared as if I was their rival.
“Who is this?” The woman with the braid asked.
“She’s absolutely breathtaking.”
“Have you brought us another mistress?” The curly-haired beauty grew a kind smile on her lips.
Mistress?
“This is the Lady Sophia.” Landon introduced me, placing his hand behind my back. “She’s one of us.”
“A Lycan?”
“No. A wolf.”
My fingers went numb, and so did my toes. Landon was not an Alpha. He was a Lycan, and so were these two women.
I hated Lycans, I despised them and their kind for what happened to Eli, and I despised them way before that.
They were not good folks.
My heart pounded out of my chest, and my fists were balled. Still, I had to remind myself that none of these people were Lycan Castiel. Better yet—they probably shared no connection to that heartless beast.
“My name is Arlena.” The brunette grabbed my hand, shaking it. “It’s very nice to meet you, Sophia.”
“Likewise.” As if I had just snapped out of a trance, I recovered myself with a small smile.
There was no time to get angry at what would happen in the future.
There was only time to prevent it.
“I’m Dain.” I received a hand from the other lady. “Welcome to court.”
“Thank you.”
“Uh, I’ve just remembered there’s this thing I got to do.” Landon took over the conversation. “Do you mind showing her to her room and getting her settled for the meeting with the king tomorrow?”
“K-K-King?” My lips quivered. This was not what I had signed up for. It had taken me ages to prepare to meet the pack elders, let alone a king.
A Lycan king.
He had to be a Lycan king, right?
“They’ll take good care of you, Sophia. You’re in good hands.”
Dain and Arlena shared a look. “Yes, Sir Landon.” They spoke at the same time.
“By the time we’re done with her, you’ll be smitten.”
Landon chuckled. “Yes, that won’t be that hard!”
“Wait, Sir Landon!” I opened my mouth as he backed away.
“I’ll be back before you know it!” The man called out, and just like that, he disappeared—leaving me alone with the two curious ladies.
Wait.
If they were mistresses…
Oh no…
“Do you know why he’s brought me here?” I asked with pleading eyes.
Dain and Arlena stared at me as if I was crazy, and that’s when I knew that my assumptions were correct.
This was horrendous.
This was a disaster.
“You’re here to become the king’s new mistress, of course!”
Oh god.
- Writer
