"A castle? Is your father the king?"
The two girls looked at each other and giggled! They did not answer but started walking towards the castle. Frank walked on the right side of Amila while Ana was on her left. Two guards went ahead of them. Behind them the two maidservants walked and the rest of the guards brought up the rear. Frank looked at his new hosts and could not help but wonder.
"Strange! I didn't know my mission to find Noel would bring me to another world," he pondered inwardly.
"You arrived in quite a style, My Lord!" Amila said and she kind of laughed. Ana joined her and the two burst out laughing. Frank felt awkward. Indeed, falling from the sky into the water was not a noble way of arriving at this new land! Furthermore, in the presence of two naked teenage- looking girls! He felt really embarrassed.
"Accident! It is all an accident!" he muttered. The girls laughed even more. Frank was about to ask the name of the planet where he had landed when the castle came into view. His mind got preoccupied with this magnanimous building that stood so imposing. It was on a hilly ground and overlooked the valley below. Though it looked old, it's structure was very firm defying its age.
"Must have seen many days! Good and bad, but held strong to date."
They got to the gate which swung open the moment they arrived. Frank looked at both sides and saw many soldiers standing at guard.
"Wow! You have an amazing security system!"
"Hahaha! They are only so alert because of you!" Amila said.
"Me? Why?"
"Even them can tell when a royal arrives!"
Frank looked at his wet clothes.
"I don't look like one, do I?" he spoke jokingly and the girls chuckled. They were now within the castle walls and all the guards bowed as they passed.
"I hope you are not taking me into the throne room of your father, in this mess!" This time he sounded serious.
"You are so funny, isn't he Ana?" Amila simply responded bringing her quiet sister over. Ana was all smiles but less talk. She just nodded and looked at Frank but quickly shifted her gaze when he turned to look at her.
"Zimot!" Amila called on one of the soldiers who was standing near the entrance as they approached. They guy stepped forward immediately and bowed.
"Yes my Lady!" he responded.
"Take my Lord here to the special guest chambers. See to it that he is provided with all refreshment necessities then bring him over for the meals in the main chambers."
"Yes my Lady!"
Before they walked away, Amila called.
"Note! No pleasure ladies, or men, whatsoever, should access him!"
"Noted my Lady!"
Frank looked at her puzzled. That last instruction was weird! She noted his surprise and walked close to him then whispered.
"We cannot afford a noble on earth to be laid by a common hooker, if you so desire such a service maybe we ....!"
"No my Lady! I didn't mean to seek any...um...ah...pleasure service!"
"Very well, see you over at dinner!" Amila said and stepped back. Frank looked at her and exclaimed at her audacious mannerisms.
"This way my Lord," Zimot the soldier bade him and he silently followed. It was already evening and Frank began worrying about his mission.
After bathing inside a huge stone bathtub filled with hot water and changed into the clothes provided to him, Frank sat back on the bed and started retracing all that had happened. It seemed a lot had occurred within such a shortwhile.
"Zu Shi, are you there!"
[Always at your service, My Lord]
What!
You too!
[You are a royal, aren't you]
"So you say!" Frank was satisfied that at least his digital assistant was still working even in this strange land. He tapped his wristwatch and it also came back to life, glowing.
"Where am I?" Frank asked.
[You are still pursuing your mission two. You are on course]
Frank was taken aback. This was the first time Zu Shi had sounded so obscure and answered his question indirectly. He thought maybe he had been vague in his question too. He, therefore, reframed it.
"Zu Shi, what is my location right now?"
[You are at Castle Springhill, inside executive guest chamber]
"Zu Shi!" Frank shouted. At the same time a gentle knock was heard on the door and a soldier entered. It was Zimot whom he had met earlier.
"My Lord, their highness my ladies request your immediate presence at the Main chambers. I will escort you there right away!" Zimot spoke as clearly as possible. Frank hesitated but seeing no excuse he could bring up he followed the man outside.
They walked through the huge castle passing by huge doors on various corridors and eventually reached what was called the main chambers. The ladies were already seated. There was an expansive table before them with all sorts of food stuff placed on it. The ladies sat facing each other on opposite sides of the table just near its top. Where Ana sat there was an empty seat before coming to the head of the table where one main seat was placed.
Amila motioned for Frank to sit on the chair next to Ana and so Frank faced Amila as they sat. He was closest to that main chair at the head of the table. He was not comfortable at that position.
Almost immediately a lady graciously walked into the chambers and the two girls smiled as they welcomed her. She occupied the empty seat on the shorter side of the table. She was closest to Frank on one side and Amelia on the other. She smiled while looking at Frank.
"So wonderful to have you my noble guest from earth! What an honour, My Lord!" The lady said.
"Indeed mother! We are honoured to have his highness Lord Frank with us!" Amila rejoined.
Frank was still puzzled and even more seeing the respect this lady offered her.
"The pleasure is mine," he returned the favour. Unable to sit on his doubts anymore he decided to ask.
"Which world is this and where exactly am I?" he maintained a straight face as he asked this.
All the ladies exchanged looks.
"Amila, you haven't briefed our guest! Come on my baby girl, did you forget your manners?"
" Am sorry mam. My apologies my Lord. This world that is honoured to receive your high presence is called Planet Amarkale! It is believed to be the earliest planet to be formed. Your host is Lord Geosefas, the duke of Springhill, the land where you have visited. This is his wife, Margarita, our mother, the duchess of Springhill. We are our father's only children Amila and Ana. We are honoured to have you visit us!"
Frank clung to every word and was silent long after Amila had finished.
"Let us eat to our fill, then our guest maybe able to tell us what brings him to our land!" Margarita said.