I took a heavy breath to dismiss the atmosphere that had formed in the carriage and watched outside. The hooves of the horses trotted against the cobblestone path of the castle entrance. There was another carriage that had stopped in front of the castle. The carriage we sat in followed the path and stopped after circling around the small garden that was built in the middle of the front castle grounds.
The horses slowed, and the carriage came to a halt. I could see the few long stairs that lead to a giant door of the castle. Coachman opened the door for the carriage and Fang was the first to get down crossing over my feet.
Fang turned around to offer me his hand. I stared at him and then around. Not many people were visible from inside the carriage, but the rest, who I saw, were waiting to check who Fang was offering his hand to. "I will get down on my own, I don't want people to watch us." Fang creased his brows at my words and took a step closer to the carriage door. I got conscious and said, "Didn't you tell me you will keep it low?"
Fang snickered at my words, "you are stepping out of my carriage, little one. People would have already formed their theories. Don't worry, little one, no one knows of your identity and the other ministers would only think of you as one of the many dates I had brought to the castle for such celebrations." I glared at him for the way he put it. Fang sighed. "Didn't I give you my word, I will tell no one we are on a date or try anything funny. Come on, get down now, you have attracted enough attention for yourself"
I clicked my tongue. Fang was truly a shameless man to openly say he had brought many dates with him, now adding me to one of them.
"I can come down on my own-"
Fang moved closer and held me by my waist. Picking me up, he turned to put me down on the ground. He was being too casual and handled me like a paper doll, as if I weighed air.
My hand fiddled with the sleeves of my dress. There were eyes on me now and no one had dressed as I had. "Did you give me this dress to embarrass me?" I narrowed my eyes at Fang. As much as I wanted to go back in the same carriage, right now I wanted to hide behind Fang, to run away from the eyes I was attracting.
Fang extended his hand ahead for me to take, and without hesitation, I took it. The sooner we leave here, the better. Fang looked at me and proudly hung my hand on his elbow. "You look beautiful today, Selene..."
Before he could finish, I spoke with gritted teeth, "your words never help Fang, shut up."
He chuckled, a little louder than usual, bringing more attention towards us. I wanted to stab this man a million times. We started climbing the stairs, and he spoke, keeping his eyes ahead, "you will understand the reason for this dress when you go inside"
My eyes narrowed and brows crinkled. There was some other meaning to this, so my gut feeling would get confirmed here. I might get to discover what bigger goal is playing through Fang's tangled mind for pursuing after me. I refused to believe it was because we were soulmates he wanted to make me his. Because the first time Fang had met me, he had asked for marriage, without confirming I was his soulmate.
The door to the castle was open today for the feast that might have started in the evening.
As we entered inside, I could see the hall that I had last seen when I was ten years old. There were many changes in the structure and the decorations. Three enormous chandeliers formed a trifle over the towering ceiling. The tiles on the floor had changed to look like a snowflake and polished for the feast.
There was a large table set up around the hall and a platform with two seats for the king and queen at one corner. People were supposed to dine sitting here while the square opening in the middle paved the path for the servants to serve the guests and later on performers to entertain the guests.
They might move the tables at night for some light dancing between the guests. My father truly loved the Victorian setting and refused to accept the modern world.
One of the reasons why there was very scarce technology in the kingdom of Adalolpha.
A lady in her late thirties rushed towards us, and it took me some time to recognise her. Straight black hair that was always tied in a perfect bun and the slanting specs. She was the King's personal guard and assistant, Rosalia. Standing in front of us, she bowed to me and Fang. Fang spoke first, observing her rose pink dress. He gave a charming smile, one that added stars to his perfect face, "Rosalia, the dress suits you"
"Thank you, minister Fang. You look smart as ever," she replied, receiving his flattery with a slight blush, and Fang simply smiled back. Rosalia was in a hurry and turned towards me immediately, "Princess, you appear late, your in-laws will be leaving soon"
The panic in her voice struck me as well, "Please lead the way." She bowed at Fang again before walking, and I gave him a look. I had told him about this and if he would have dared to stop me now, Goddess knew what I might have done.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this would happen. My mother did not give me the time on purpose, and I relied on the time that Fang had received as the minister. If I were to come here on my own, the King would have turned me back, saying there was no place for commoners in the castle, as I had promised to not reveal my identity. The queen and the king would have left no page, turned to make sure I didn't meet my in-laws.
It was funny as they themselves had set this marriage up. I did not even know what kind of exchange was going on, giving me away in the unknown lands.
Rosalia brisked through the grand hall of the castle, and I followed her close. The last time my to be father-in-law was here, I was still in prison. But this time I won't miss the opportunity to know who they were.
Rosalia turned into a brightly lit corridor decorated with red carpet and golden drapes and walked to the guest room. Two guards stood on either side of the door and on Rosalia's signal, they opened the door for us to enter.
I entered and saw four people inside the room in a merry state. My eyes were quick to shift to mother before I could see everyone else. The Queen of Adalolpha came running at me with a glee filled face and open arms.
A fake act that sent shivers down my spine.
My mother spoke through her sham teeth, "My darling, it has been such a long time since I saw you. Mama misses you here in the castle." She pulled me in a hug and my body instantly turned stiff under her touch. It took me everything to return the hug to this diabolical mother, who had mercilessly ordered the guards to drag me into the castle dungeon 14 years ago.
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