"It isn't as cold as you imagined?". Gareth asked walking ahead, The woman had taken her bags from her hands a while ago after the Old man had taken his leave.
Erica looked around, They were approaching the gates, She looked up at the sky, it was still sunny. "It isn't anything like I imagined". Erica said truthfully. She had imagined a cold palace. A palace that was cold all year long, It was June, A summer period but From the myth of The Palace, she expected a cold and empty palace, with suffering Guards and Harshly treated maids. It was horrible but she was Right to expect anything from a long who was a beast, But Seeing Gareth and the guards all around, Erica felt a little unsure, something was not right.
Gareth Reached the gates first, She was having a conversation with one of the guards, When Erica approached them. "Greetings". Erica said politely.
"Greetings", All but the Guard talking to Gareth replied.
Gareth and the man Conversed for a much longer time than Erica expected, She wasn't so in the mood of overhearing the conversation so she turned out, She eyed the gates, There were two carriages there waiting inside the compound, but looking ahead, She saw nothing but trees by the sides of the stone path. Erica felt unsure about the whole thing why couldn't she see the palace that people talked about. She decided to stay quiet and watch things play out before she let her assumptions rule her.
"Let Us Go". Gareth said pulling at her left arm that was free, Erica followed her through the gates, muttering a quick 'Thank You', To the Guards who barely gave her a glance. She noticed the frown that had formed on The guard who had spoken to Gareth, He looked annoyed and gave her a side eye that explained everything to her. She couldn't trust this woman no matter what. No, She couldn't trust anyone at all.
They walked together side by side until they reached the Carriages. Gareth turned to face her, "You should separate fact from illusion, especially if you want to make it out alive". Gareth explained. Erica Opened her mouth to speak, but the woman beat her to it. "Take The other Carriage, It's more spacious and You can keep your...." She Raised a brow at her wooden Box, Erica saw her and held it tightly, 'Your Belongings and sleep for a bit."
Gareth Took the bags to the other Carriage, leaving Erica to stand on her own, Erica was confused, She stepped forward but paused again, "What do you mean rest?", She asked.
Gareth's lips stretched to form a sheepish smile, "We still have a long way to go Miss Erica, This is not the capital". Gareth said.
Erica Nodded, There was no need asking more questions, She Walked to the carriage, Opened the door and dropped her Box first, She stretched her legs out to enter the Carriage, but she heard The Woman's voice again. "Maybe You can use that time to rethink your Goals". Erica smirked, She hated the woman already, She pried too much for her own good.
"Maybe you shouldn't assume things about me Miss Gareth, I like You, Don't Stay on my back", She turned to the side in a way that made sure the woman would see, "Or Else that's Where you would stay". She saw the woman's smile fade. "Thanks for earlier". She said to lighten the mood, before entering the carriage and closing the door. She was here already, And anyone that gets in her way, was definitely going to be a bad casualty.
Erica clutched the box again. There was no going back now. Erica's cart did not start moving immediately, She waited for a while and just when she decided to pry her eyes outside, She heard the door of the carriage open and a Young girl poked her head inside.
"Hello", She greeted while her big doe eyes stared at her with full curiosity. Erica shifted a way for the girl to find a space inside, She was very cheerful and active, So full of life and maybe a talkative, Erica couldn't put it past her.
The girl entered inside and settled on the chair opposite Erica's. Her clothes were simple, It was an off-white cotton and Lace Dress design. She had caramel skin and beautiful brown doe eyes. Her curly hair was loose, It wasn't so prim and proper like Gareth's, Erica analysed her already— And she loved her.
"Who are you?". Erika asked and just then the carriage began moving. Erica Nodded twice, It was Intentional, she did it as a Habit when she figured someone or something out. The girl was probably sent By Gareth for two reasons, The space was not enough because of the bags, or She wants a spy. Both were probable, But Erica kept her heart open. If Gareth chose the later, then she might have just gotten an enemy on the first day. Erica hated people spying on her.
"Deva, My name is Deva". Deva's smile was beautiful, It shone and radiated of her eyes, She was the kind of person who wore their hearts on their sleeves. Erica looked away from the girl, She suddenly felt distant bit for Good reason, Deva Reminded her of herself Years ago. A time when she used to be happy.
"My name is Erica, It's good to see you Deva, How old are you?". Erica asked crossing her legs. She smiled softly too, not as brightly as Deva's, but enough to make the girl feel great. After all, She was thankful for the company.
"Seventeen, I work as a cook with my parents". Deva said smiling. Erica was smiling before, but the smile completely faded, She looked away quickly.
"Cooks?, For the King?". Each word felt like Venom to Erica as she spoke it out.
"Yes, They are actually many of them at the palace, The Palace is such a big place...." Erica tuned out for a while, She knew the young girl was still speaking but she wasn't so much in the mood to listen to anything else she had to say.
'They were cooks too, They loved the art of making food, It always looked colourful, They always looked bright in the kitchen they were happy. He took that away from Them, He took them away from me, .....And I Will never forgive him for That'...
Erica opened her eye, she felt tears gather in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall, She had cried enough.
"Many Speculate that the Cold Palace is a Snow falling Palace that people aren't in, It's cold quiet and empty but it really isn't,". She heard Deva say again, Erica raised a brow at her and asked, "Really?", Erica was curious, She had always believed that The King's reign was the worst ever, He had no supporters and that His palace was a cold forgotten castle, but She had been so wrong, The cold palace wasn't cold, it seemed like any warm kingdom That a King presided over.
Deva was pleased by the question, She seemed very happy to have Someone ask her something. "Well The main palace of The King is called The House of Kings, It is where the king resides and hosts his court. There is one place that is a monument to the Kingdom, It is The Museum of Kings, There is Statues of Past Kings, I go there regularly". She gushed on and on about it, Erica enjoyed her talks but she was more interested in knowing about the king that she was after.
"And how about the King, How is he?". Erica asked, She tried to sound not so enthusiastic bit Deva caught a glimpse.
"I cannot say much on that matter but....." Deva leaned in, Erica understood her wanting to be discreet, "The King I have never seen, He has a spokesman and barely shows himself to people, However those who have seen him, Say He is a beast." Deva said.
Erica tried to act shocked, but That was an already known fact, The King was a beast, "But who Gets to see the king..." She trailed .
"Miss Gareth and ....." She Shook her head searching for answers, But then it came to her, "You, You also get to see the king". Deva said enthusiastic.
'Great!' Erica thought, she settled in the Carriage took a long breather and closed her eyes. The Carriage felt more luxurious, It was stable and didn't shake as much as the Savage's. She wasn't at ease mentally, so many things troubled her but she wanted to enjoy the silence before the storm, This might be the only time she had to relax before everything would come crashing down on her.
Deva's words rang through her mind, 'She would also get to see the King, That was a good thing, A very good thing.
______
Erica arrived At The Palace of The King and Alpha of Belrig at Night. Eric hated to admit, but Gareth was right, The Journey took a little too long, approximately Eight hours if you wanted an estimate and Her bones felt like Jelly as she stepped out of the Carriage. She wanted to collapse to the floor from sheer Exhaustion from being in the same place for A long time, but as she stepped out of the carriage she saw the Smirk on Gareth's face and she was sure Gareth could see her frown, That sneaky woman.
"A Long Journey wasn't it?", Gareth asked moving towards her, Erica stepped to the side when she heard the moan of Deva as She climbed down from the Carriage.
"Compared to my four days Journey To the Capital, I consider this child's play". Erica answered smirking as well. She eyed Gareth's hand, She had her bags in her hands. Erica stretched out her hand to take one, But Gareth shook her head.
"You are such a good spot". She commented as she stood in front of them, She handed the bags to Deva while her eyes still remained on Erica, "That won't be necessary, You Do not have to Carry that now, Deva, Take that to her room and tell your parents to prepare a nice Crisan traditional meal for her, She might really need it". Deva enthusiastically carried the bags and almost skipped away, She seemed too thrilled, But Erica wasn't so Cheerful, She was good in hearing and she quickly caught the little warning that Erica had given Her, She wanted to ask , but she hoped the woman would do her good by saying it on her own.
"We are going to see his Majesty." Gareth declared .
"So Soon, From the sky I can decipher it is past 9pm, why don't we wait till tomorrow?". Erica asked.
"Are you scared?". Gareth asked mockingly.
"I am scared". Erica declared confidently. She saw Gareth's eyes and smile falter, "Who wouldn't be, I have heard Myths and Rumours about a Beast King who comes fully at night, It is natural to be scared".
Gareth Nodded, "I love your Honesty, but like I said earlier, You should learn to separate the truth from myths. Also, Maybe the beasts only attacks those with bad intentions and Evil mindsets?". Gareth looked innocent but her eyes told a different story, She was enjoying it.
"Then Let's go, My heart is clear, it is as open as a book that only has one goal". Erica said staring back at her.
Gareth smiled and said nothing more, "Let's go", Was her simple statement as she began leading the way for the both of them. Erica followed cautiously, She still had the Box in her hands, maybe she can do It today and just forget about it completely. The determination was clear in her eyes as they walked through the hallways. Erica followed blindly as they walked through.
The Palace was magnificent even in the night time, She could see the antique paintings, Chic Tiles and an abnormal amount of Persian rugs, They looked soft and probably felt soft as well. With each hallway they turned, The Paintings only got bigger and bigger, Erica inspected each paintings, They were of past King's and Queens, She couldn't see any of the King or the former Queen. She knew how the former Queen Adela looked, She was an incomparable beauty. A striking beauty and she looked like her brother Derek. Erica felt stupid to expect much, There was no way there would be a single painting of the Queen. The King had slain her with his own hands.
"I see no paintings of The Queen", Erica said mindlessly, she was looking around and not paying attention, She was unable to detect or expect when A pair of hands gripped her Neck and pushed her to the wall hard. Erica's body vibrated as she felt the force on her neck blind her for a while, When her sight came back she caught sight of her attacker, Gareth gripped her neck tightly, it was a nice attempt, Erica thought, but it was her worst mistake.
Erica could easily counter her attack, She may be human but she was a trained Fighter that trained with the Savage kids who were wolves, Gareth was child's play. Erica, now stable, kneed Her in Gut, Her hands around her neck lessened, Erica took the opportunity to Kick her with full forced before attacking her arms with a double strike, It was definitely a painful hit as The woman stumbled back and fell on her knees, There were no guards around, but her cries would suddenly call out one. Erica fell on her own knees as well and crawled closer to her attacker.
"I asked a question and you attacked me, How dare You!!!" Erica asked angrily fuming from both ears.
"I know what you are here for, many have come before you and they never succeeded, Do not play yourself Go back to Crisan and never come back!". Gareth spat out, Erica wiped the spot off her face, She crawled closer to Gareth, "I am not like the girls that have come before, You do not know what I have lost!!, I have nothing against you, so do not Try attacking me again". Erica got up from the floor, She ran a hand over her dress and forced out a smile.
"Where is the King?". She asked Gareth who was still panting heavily.
"Down the hall, there is a room, three knocks and you are in, but you will regret this, You cannot succeed".
Erica picked the wooden box, "I hope I do". She said taking her leave. She now had one more enemy to Face in this unfamiliar place.
Erica gathered her mind and head, She knew She might not survive this encounter but something in her knew that she had to make a grand appearance, something that would leave The King shook.
When she got closer to the door, She opened the box and pulled out the dagger.