The journey to the castle was silent, except for the rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels against the stone road. The enclosed space felt almost too refined and polished wood with intricate carvings, cushioned seats that were far too soft.... It was the kind of comfort that made me uneasy
I kept my gaze on the window, watching the world pass by The streets, the buildings, the sky..... I found this as a peaceful moments last month was to much for me trying to survive always was thrilling experience but at the same time it was also exhausting
"Right now it was the most beautiful view I can have," I muttered, most to myself
Jaipa, of course, wasn't built for silence
"So," he drawled, stretching his wings slightly, "why exactly did we just agree to be kidnapped?"
I scratched back of my head "for avoiding unnecessary trouble."
Jaipa snorted. "Ah, yes. Because willingly following a group of armed men to an unknown location is definitely the best way to avoid trouble "
I couldn't respond to his words
Jaipa sighed loudly "Wow. You are so fun to talk to"
Sighing i looked out the window
He huffed "Fine be mysterious and broody But if we get sacrificed in some creepy ritual, I will haunt you after my death."
The rest of the ride passed in silence.
The first thing that struck me when we arrived was the sheer scale of the place.
The outer walls loomed high, dark gray stone carved with intricate patterns, as if telling the history of a powerful lineage. Vines crept along parts of the wall, a strange balance of nature and dominance. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their armor gleaming under the afternoon sun.
Then the gates: massive, reinforced with iron, adorned with the crest of a winged beast entwined with a sword. They groaned open, revealing a long pathway leading to the entrance.
Lush gardens stretched out on either side, filled with vibrant flowers, sculpted hedges, and fountains that shimmered in the sunlight
Jaipa let out a low whistle. "Wow. Someone has a lot of money to waste on these things, ha."
Haa !
The castle itself was towering, with spires that scraped the sky stained-glass windows depicted scenes of war and peace, the colors catching the light in a way that made them seem almost alive The grand entrance loomed ahead, double doors of dark mahogany inlaid with silver patterns
If this was meant to be impressive, it was working
As we walked inside the castle, a group of knights led us down a hall lined with tapestries and stone pillars
Eventually, we stopped in front of a room
"You may freshen up here," one of them said "The princess will summon you soon "
I wasn't particularly interested in "freshening up" until Jaipa made a face and physically recoiled
"Ugh. Okay, yeah, no offense, buddy, but you reek."
I knew that more than anyone I was reeking
Jaipa turned to one of the knights "You smell it too, right?"
The knight subtly stepped back.
Jaipa smirked. "See? It's bad"
I supposed he had a point. My clothes were torn, dust-covered, and still carried the metallic scent of dried Flyhum blood it had been days since I last bathed, and I'd stopped noticing the stench a while ago
A group of servants arrived, setting fresh clothes on a nearby table before bowing and leaving
Jaipa picked up one of the garments and turned to me with an exaggerated grin. "Alright. Go scrub off the stench of death i refuse to be seen with you like this "
I didn't have the energy to argue
Then the bath was quick hot water, fragrant soap, and silence
Once I stepped out, I dressed in the provided attire. I was somewhat satisfied by the new clothes. The outfit was elegant but not overly extravagant loose black robes and the outer robe hung open at the sides, tied securely at the waist by a thick sash. Long, dark sleeves flowed to my wrists, where cloth wrappings began and coiled tightly up my arms a short ornamental tassel hung from the chest knot. Beneath the robe, dark inner layers added structure, covering my neck and chest
Every piece was lightweight, flexible, designed for ease of movement and silent steps
Jaipa gave me a once-over, then smirked
"Huh. Would you look at that? You almost look like a princess now "
I gave him a glance and ignoring him I was about to sit on the nearby table
Before I could sit down even for a moment, the door opened with sound of thud
"The princess will see you now," a knight informed us with a dark voice
His face had no expression on it.
I adjusted my cuffs. It was time to figure out why we were really here.
As we walked for a while we entered the garden it was unlike the structured courtyards we passed earlier this place felt untouched, wild, yet strangely elegant like nature had been allowed to grow freely, yet somehow maintained a perfect balance
Golden leaves rustled in the breeze, casting shifting patterns of light across the stone pathways. Flowers bloomed in a chaotic mix of colors, their scents mingling into something sweet and almost nostalgic A stream ran through the space, clear waters reflecting the sky
And at the center, beneath the shade of an ancient willow tree, she sat
She was even more stunning than before
Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, a sharp contrast against the soft lavender fabric of her gown and Up close, her features were even more striking—high cheekbones, full lips, and piercing eyes that held far too much intelligence for someone her age she carried an effortless grace, as if she had been painted into existence rather than born
Jaipa let out a low whistle. "Okay, nope this isn't fair ! No one should look this good just casually sitting down ! "
The princess chuckled softly
Jaipa placed a hand on his chest, as if personally offended "My lady, has anyone ever told you that you are a walking work of art?"
She tilted her head slightly, amusement flickering in her gaze "Look to your side," she said, her voice was light "There's someone even more beautiful than me."
Jaipa blinked, then slowly turned to me
I stared at the princess, her expression was unreadable then, finally, I spoke, my voice held not my usual flat tone but a cold one
"What do you want?"
The princess's smile without wavering, but there was a new glint in her eyes. Was it curiosity?
Jaipa, still staring at me, whispered dramatically, "Did you hear that? That was the sound of my soul leaving my body."
The moment I stepped inside this book I started having this feeling like something was off, like my soul was wavering as if it was getting sucked out of my body ?