Page 17 of Warrior Princess
As King Eduard departed, the heavy echo of the closing doors reverberated through the grand throne room, leaving a palpable silence in his wake. Mykal turned to me, his expression a mixture of concern and admiration, his eyebrows knitting together with a slight frown. “You okay?”
I nodded and attempted to mask the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. “I’m fine,” I replied, my voice sounding far steadier than I felt.
He smirked, and a hint of pride flickered across his face. “You stood your ground,” he commended. “I don’t believe anyone has ever stood up to the king in that manner. At least not anyone besides the queen.”
His mention of the queen piqued my curiosity. Glancing around the vast, opulently decorated room, I noticed the conspicuous absence of another throne. “Where is she? I don’t see a throne for her here.” I scanned the detailed frescoes and rich tapestries that adorned the walls for any clue.
Mykal’s expression suddenly darkened and a shadow passed over his features. “Don’t worry about that. Let’s get you settled in before the king changes his mind.”
“Changes his mind?” I echoed, a flicker of alarm threading through my words.
He snorted dismissively, yet there was an underlying seriousness in his tone as he made a slicing gesture across his neck with his hand. “Yes, hopefully he doesn’t decide to…” His implication was clear—the king could very well order my execution on a whim.
“So much for protecting me,” I murmured dryly, rolling my eyes in frustration. I turned to leave, unsure where I was headed, when Mykal’s hand clasped around my wrist and halted my steps.
“I would never let him hurt you, Leila,” he whispered urgently, his voice low as if he feared eavesdroppers. His eyes searched mine, intense and sincere. “I hope you can trust me when I tell you that.”
Over his shoulder, I caught Diane’s gaze, which was fixed on us. Her expression was unreadable, but deeply focused. I shifted my attention back to Mykal, weighing his words and theearnestness in his eyes. “Mykal, in our brief acquaintance, you haven’t given me much reason to trust you,” I stated bluntly.
“I know.” His voice was tinged with regret. “And I won’t apologize because it would be insincere. But I hope you can learn to trust me anyway. At least while you’re here in Keldara.”
I nodded, my response non-committal. The complexity of our relationship, marred by past deceptions and the current precarious situation, left me wary. Yet, under the looming threat of the mercurial king’s whims, Mykal was my best ally in this unfamiliar land.
Mykal ledme through the sprawling corridors of the palace where the opulence of Keldara's royal residence was evident in every ornate detail. Threads from the rich tapestries that told stories of the kingdom’s storied past glinted with gold and silver under the soft glow of wall-mounted torches. Our footsteps echoed on the polished marble floors, intricate mosaics unfolding beneath our feet like the pages of an ancient, illustrated manuscript.
Diane followed a few steps behind, her presence a silent shadow in the expansive hallway. As we navigated a series of increasingly secluded corridors, the distant sounds of palace life gradually faded until all that accompanied us was the soft rustle of our attire and the occasional clink of armor from the guards stationed along our path.
Finally, Mykal stopped in front of a heavy wooden door, its surface carved with delicate vines and flowers. He pushed it open to reveal a room that was a stark contrast to the cold grandeur of the hallways. The guest room was warmly lit by acrystal chandelier that hung from the center of the ceiling and cast a soft, inviting glow over plush furnishings.
“Thisis my room?” I stepped over the threshold, my gaze sweeping over the interior.
Mykal nodded. “Hopefully it’s to your standard.” His voice carried a hint of concern as though he felt personally responsible for my comfort. “I had them prepare it ahead of your arrival.”
The room was indeed fit for a princess. Dominated by a four-poster bed draped with rich, crimson curtains that matched the plush, soft rugs underfoot, ornate furniture—a mahogany dresser, a writing desk by the bay windows, and a small sitting area with velvet-cushioned chairs—filled the space, making it feel both luxurious and lived-in.
“It’s perfect, Mykal. Thank you,” I assured him, although a faint undercurrent of unease whispered at the back of my mind, perhaps due to the unfamiliarity of the lavish surroundings.
“Good. I’ll leave Diane here if you need anything else. Don’t hesitate to ask. I won’t be too far away,” he said before excusing himself with a polite nod.
Once he departed, Diane lingered by the door. She seemed hesitant, torn between her duties and the urge to give me privacy. Ignoring her, I went to the desk by the bay windows and sat down. I noticed there was parchment and ink, and I was reminded to send word to Ronan that I’d arrived safely. It would be best if I tried writing to him every day so he wouldn’t worry. If I sent it tonight, he would get it by morning. The desk against the bay windows offered a panoramic view of the palace gardens below, bathed in the dusky hues of twilight.
Grateful for the opportunity, I penned a detailed letter to Ronan, describing my initial experiences in Keldara. I told him everything. How the king made me wait for hours and how he practically laughed in my face when I attempted to negotiate. Itwasn’t going well, but then again, I hadn’t even been there a full day. I wasn’t ready to give up just yet.
After sealing the letter, I stood and turned to Diane, who still hovered near the entrance. When I called her name, she quickly focused her attention on me.
She clasped her hands nervously in front of her. “Yes, Your Highness?”
I extended the sealed envelope toward her. “Do you think you can get this to a messenger and have it sent to the Grasslands?”
Her eyes widened slightly as she took the envelope with trembling hands. “Of course, Your Highness. I’ll have it sent out tonight.” After offering a demure curtsey, she hurried out and closed the door softly behind her.
She was an odd one, but I felt bad for her. She didn’t seem to be living well, even though she was a servant in the palace. I was reminded of the Crimson Clan members who were enslaved in these lands, which only saddened me further. If I didn’t accomplish my goal here, everyone would continue to suffer. I felt the pressure to succeed.
Left alone, I glanced around the sumptuous room once more, feeling both the weight of my mission and the solitude of my position. Exhausted from my day, I decided to go to bed. While inviting, the plush fabrics and soft pillows provided little comfort against the brewing storm of political intrigue. Tomorrow promised more challenges, but I was determined to face whatever came with the dawn.
9
Brilliant morning light unceremoniously invaded my room courtesy of Diane, who flung open the curtains and invited the bright sun to flood the space. I groaned, the abrupt glare overwhelming my senses as I squinted against the light. Peering out from under a mountain of cozy blankets, I noticed Diane positioned at the foot of my bed with a basin of water, her dutiful expression filled with urgency.
