Chapter Nine
After taking 10 full steps into the entrance, Justin had to stop. Maggie, still holding his hand, stopped when she felt him go still next to her. "What do you think?" Justin thought it was odd that Maggie's question sounded uncertain. It was as though she really wanted him to like her home, yet she wasn't sure he did.
He was unable to answer her for so long that she called his name to bring him out of his thoughts. Pulling his eyes from the solemn grandeur of what could only be called the foyer, he met Maggie's eyes with his own wide ones.
"I have never seen anything this imposing before in my entire life. It is… I mean… Wow! Just wow!" Maggie grinned at him, pleased that he was impressed with her home. "The entrance is something, but the rest of the castle is just as impressive, if not more. Wait until you see the throne room. Just try not to stare too hard at my father's throne. He is a good king, but he is a bit indulgent when it comes to that thing. He made sure it fit his status, maybe a little too much."
Justin looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?" Maggie pulled him further into the castle while speaking over her shoulder. "You'll see. Just don't make a big deal about it. Act like it is nothing unusual." Justin could only nod as they followed the guard up two flights of steps carpeted in burgundy. Lanterns lined the walls, giving off a warm glow in the dark building.
At the top of the two flights of stairs, a long hallway with doors along each wall was brightly lit with a chandelier of individually lit candles. A man stood a few feet away with a rag in his hand. Justin wondered if his only job was to wipe up any dripping wax from the candles.
As they passed the man, he made a low bow towards Maggie and didn't rise until they had passed him. Looking over his shoulder, Justin saw that he went back to looking up at the chandelier. It was evident that the man took his position seriously, but Justin knew that if it had been him, he would have been bored out of his mind after the first hour.
At the end of the long hall stood two tall wooden doors, their ornate brass handles set in the very center. When the guard stopped in front of them, he had a quiet conversation with the two guards stationed there. Justin couldn't hear what they were saying, but after a few seconds, the guards opened the doors, and Maggie and Justin were ushered into what had to be the throne room.
The room was massive. It looked like half a football field could fit easily inside. Justin was distressed to see the king at the far side of the room, sitting stiffly on his throne, as if uncomfortable. Even from here, Justin could tell why. The throne was massive. Its backrest easily rose to 8-10 feet into the air. The size wasn't what made it appear to be uncomfortable. The ornate decorations along its entire back and even along the armrests made relaxing your body a skill in and of itself. Justin couldn't tell what the ornamentations were depicting from this distance, but he remembered what Maggie said and cast his eyes down as they made their way to the king.
The walk took less time than he thought it would. As he stopped before the throne, he got his first good look at Maggie's father. He was a large man, both in girth and in height. Even sitting down, he seemed to tower over Maggie and Justin. While his presence was immense, his face was serious and questioning.
After an awkward moment, Justin followed Maggie's curtsy with a bow. He decided to let Maggie start the conversation, and he would try to get a feel for the ruler of Aldervaile.
"Good evening father. May I present Justin White. He was sent by one of the professors at the school to help us solve the problem of the magical creatures. They have begun teaching students about the magical creatures, and Justin is here to use his knowledge to help us find the answers we need. Justin didn't miss the subtle wink she gave him as she continued. As etiquette dictates, even though I know you are aware, may I present His majesty Nathan Stone, the king of Aldervaile."
Justin was grateful that Maggie had taken the time to tell him her father's name. If he was supposed to be from the school, he should have already known who his king was. He doubted there would ever be a reason to call the king by his first name, but he was glad to know it regardless.
Bowing again, he was unsure if he should extend his hand to the king, but thought better of it."Your majesty, it is an honor to be of service to you. I hope our working together will be fruitful."
The king just looked at Justin as though sizing him up. Justin feared that just like the guard at the gate, the king would find him lacking. But after a long silence, the king stood and smiled down at Justin.
"I am grateful you are here and will be happy to use your knowledge to our advantage. Tell me, how long have you been studying the magical creatures?" Maggie opened her mouth to speak, but Justin beat her to it. "I have been studying magical creatures for nearly 2 years at the school and for many years before on my own."
The king's eyebrows raised at his words. It was clear to Justin that he had impressed him.
"Well then, you will most definitely be of help to me and the royal mages. Tell me, where are you staying?
"Father, would it be all right if Justin stays in a guest suite here? That way, he will be close by if the mages need to confer with him?
The king didn't hesitate, but simply called for an attendant to prepare a suite of rooms for their guest. Justin was shocked at how smoothly things had happened.
"Get some rest tonight, young man. Tomorrow you will meet with my mages, and the real work will begin. Justin bowed low and waited for Maggie to finish saying good night to her father. As they made their way out of the throne room, Justin let out a breath that he didn't know he had been holding. As the doors closed loudly behind them, Maggie turned to him and smiled. The hope that he had witnessed earlier was on full display in her eyes.
Justin knew he would do whatever it took to keep her hope alive. Before they could talk, the attendant appeared to escort Justin to his rooms. Looking over at Maggie, she understood his silent request to walk with him. Even though their conversation was limited to descriptions of the castle and the surrounding area, Justin felt comforted having her close by. When they finally arrived at his bedroom, Maggie dismissed the attendant and waited to speak until he had disappeared down the hall.
"You did great!" Even in the dim light, Justin had no trouble seeing the excitement on her face. "I can't wait until tomorrow. You are going to love the mages, and you'll get to see the rest of the castle and meet the cook. She's great, and her food is amazing. Oh, and you will want to see the royal stables and the gardens."
It was Maggie's turn to talk in rapid fire. Justin couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. He wanted to see it all, especially if she would be the one to show him. But a yawn hit him and reminded him just how long a day he had had. Looking sheepishly at her, he was about to apologize when Maggie leaned in for a hug.
"Thank you. Thank you for doing this. You are the answer we have been waiting for."
Before he knew what was happening, she kissed him on the cheek and then turned and walked back the way she had come. "Have a good night. I will see you in the morning." She didn't look back over her shoulder as she spoke, but her words made it seem as though she was smiling.
Justin stood there in shock. He wasn't sure what surprised him more. Being in a castle in a new world or having had his first kiss. Either way, this was a day that he would never forget. As he turned to go into the bedroom, he hoped that he would dream of that kiss tonight and of the fiery red head that gave it to him.