After a long journey, they arrived inside the palace walls. Looking out of the carriage window, Sophia's eyes fell upon the interesting clothes the people had on their bodies.
The men wore stockings, while the women wore long gowns in various colors. Children ran across the busy street markets, commoners were selling their creations, and the upper class was spending money.
As they got in further, Sophia was amazed by the number of cabins and wondered how many people lived within these gates.
"Do you like it here?" the handsome man on the opposite treated her with a charming smile.
Sir Landon, as he had introduced himself for the second time, turned out to be a kind and gentle host.
"Yes, I do," Sophia replied.
"Then how would you feel about making a surprise stop at the palace?"
"The palace?" Sophia's eyes widened. "A-Are we allowed?"
"Yes," Landon said. "The palace is as good as my home."
Sophia was conflicted. The most obvious would be to feel relieved because that meant she was one step closer to finding the sword, but her head told her that being inside the palace, in court, around too many faces, would not necessarily be a good thing.
As she bit her lip, thinking of her options, Sophia caught Landon staring at her intensely. His eyes were narrowed, making him more handsome than he already was.
"Is there something on my face?" She touched her cheeks, but in all honesty, she was trying to hide her blush.
Landon winked. "Beauty."
"Beauty?" Sophia covered her mouth, giggling. Landon was a true charmer, and if they had fuckboys at this age—she was damn sure he would've been one of them.
A handsome, wealthy lord with enough power and status to get every woman he wanted.
"Are these people living inside these palace walls all…you know." The best way to prepare herself for the days that were to come was to get more information out of him.
"Supernaturals?" Landon helped her out. "It's not some forbidden word around here—but most of them are supernaturals, not all."
Strangely enough, the commoners lived among the supernaturals. It appeared to be a regular thing, which made Sophia wonder about whatever had happened to Acravia in the future.
"There are many threats from the outside," Landon explained. "As long as the people live within these walls, we'll be able to protect them from any danger."
Many threats?
She couldn't help but wonder what kind of threats he was talking about.
Could it have been about the Lycan?
"How about the villagers?" Her weak heart worried for the lives of the innocent. "Do they receive protection?"
It wouldn't be too far stretched to assume living inside these walls came with crazy taxes, taxes the villagers couldn't possibly afford.
Sophia caught Landon fidgeting with his hands. "Of course." He stumbled over his words, turning his head. "Won't you look at that? We've arrived at the palace."
So the villagers were on their own.
Noted.
As her plan was not to become the president of Acravia, or more so the queen—she let go of the situation and focused on her true purpose.
Get the book, get the sword, kill the Lycan and get back to Eli.
Landon, who had already gotten out of the carriage, grabbed her hand and helped her get on her feet.
As she found her balance and stepped onto the castle grounds, Sophia was instantly on cloud nine.
The gardens, the grass, nearly everything was green—except for the beautiful and colorful flowers.
It was filled with men and women from the upper classes, proving only people of high status were welcome at this court. In that moment, it had sunk in that coming with Landon had been the right choice—because there was no way she would ever manage to get inside in the first place.
"Wow…it's beautiful." Sophia's eyes sparkled, admiring the fairytale-like palace in front of her. "I've never seen anything like it."
Her admiration wasn't the best choice of words as Landon eyed her strangely. "What kingdom are you from?" He whispered, furrowing his brow.
Nervous laughter escaped Sophia's lips. She rubbed her sweaty palms, giving Landon a witty smile while thinking about what to answer. She couldn't possibly tell him she was from the future.
He would send her straight to the dungeons.
"He's back!" A few women dressed in extravagant clothing and beautiful jewelry saved the day.
Holding the sides of their dresses, the two women sprinted towards Landon as if it were a competition. Not that Sophia minded, because his focus had moved away from her.
"I'm glad to see you, sire!" One of the women brushed her long brown braid, decorated with pearls, to the side. She plumped her lips, blinking seductively.
"We've been waiting for you!" The other woman with dark curls locked her arms with Landon, who seemed to be loving the attention.
"Oh well, what have I done to deserve this welcome from the two fairest ladies." He showed them his pearly teeth.
Close to being weak to their knees, the women gasped at his compliment.
It didn't take long before the attention was back on Sophia, and the two women stared as if she was their prey.
"Who is this?" The woman with the braid asked. "She's absolutely breathtaking."
"Have you brought us another mistress?" The curly-haired beauty grew a kind smile on her lips.
Mistress?
"This is Lady Sophia." Landon introduced her, placing his hand behind her back. "She's one of us."
"A Lycan?"
"No. A wolf."
Sophia's fingers went numb, and so did her toes. Landon was not an Alpha. He was a Lycan, and so were these two women.
She hated Lycans, despised them and their kind for what happened to Eli, and she despised them way before that.
They were not good folks.
Her heart pounded out of her chest, and her fists were balled. Still, she had to remind herself that none of these people were Lycan Castiel. Better yet—they probably shared no connection to that heartless beast.
"My name is Arlena." The brunette grabbed Sophia's hand, shaking it. "It's very nice to meet you, Sophia."
"Likewise." As if she had just snapped out of a trance, Sophia recovered herself with a small smile.
There was no time to get angry at what would happen in the future.
There was only time to prevent it.
"I'm Dain." The other woman extended her hand. "Welcome to court."
"Thank you."
"Uh, I've just remembered there's this thing I got to do." Landon took over the conversation. "Do you mind showing her to her room and getting her settled for the meeting with the king?"
"K-K-King?" Sophia's lips quivered. This was not what she had signed up for. It had taken her ages to prepare to meet the pack elders, let alone a king.
A Lycan king.
He had to be a Lycan king, right?
"They'll take good care of you, Sophia. You're in good hands."
Dain and Arlena shared a look. "Yes, Sir Landon." They spoke at the same time, their eyes filled with curiosity.
As Landon backed away, Sophia opened her mouth to protest, but he had already disappeared, leaving her alone with the two inquisitive ladies.
"Do you know why he's brought me here?" Sophia asked, her eyes pleading for answers.
Dain and Arlena stared at her as if she was crazy, confirming her worst fears.
This was horrendous. This was a disaster.
"You're here to become the king's new mistress, of course!" Dain exclaimed, her voice laced with excitement.