Chereads / A Veil of Deception / Chapter 21 - Palace tour.

Chapter 21 - Palace tour.

Mirth shone in Katherine's eyes, amused by Adeline's indirect question. It was obvious that she had wanted to ask for a long time, and truthfully, Adeline had been curious about Katherine ever since she saw her on the entrance of the palace when she arrived in Darkfrost.

"Whatever you can think of," said Katherine as they started climbing down the stairs. "Head maid, butler, the King's right hand woman. Any title that you think fits my role. I would have been the mistress of the house but then… you are here now," she joked, but Adeline didn't laugh.

Instead of being confused by the explanation and all those titles, Adeline felt that she couldn't get a better explanation. That explained why she was everywhere and doing everything.

"So then… how did you come to work for the royal family?" She asked as she stared at Katherine's back intently.

"I was employed. Like any other servant," she simply answered, as if it was the most obvious thing and Adeline inwardly scolded herself. Of course she was employed. Maybe she should have phrased her question differently. But before she could ask again, Katherine was already talking about the second floor which had the most rooms in the entire palace.

The right wing of the second floor held the guest rooms, and Katherine pointed out one room in particular, saying it was where Solanine was staying. Adeline's eyes narrowed at her, wondering why she would point out that particular room. Did she think that she would come looking for Solanine?

The right wing on the second floor consisted of a sitting area which was adjacent to the dining room, and a huge library which was partitioned into two parts by a small staircase, both areas having endless rows of books on bookshelves. Adeline was clearly excited by this room, knowing this is where she would spend most of her time in this palace. She just couldn't wait to explore all the stories in those books.

On the last floor, which was the ground floor, there was the ballroom, which was as spacious as every other room in the palace, the dining area where the guests were accomdated during the party, and the drawing room and music room.

The drawing room was also spacious, with multiple canvases and paintings which Adeline didn't have enough time to look at, but noted it in her mind to visit back the place some other time.

The music room was where the musical instruments were kept, and if the Lowell family had young children, Adeline was sure that this was where they would take their music classes.

There was also the throne room where the King had his meetings and where the royal council met.

Adeline didn't fail to notice how with each floor there was a different number of servants walking around. On the upper floor, there were almost no servants as it was the royal wing and the cleaning was mostly done when everyone was having breakfast. And on the second floor there were only several maids walking around.

The ground floor is where they were all crowded, bowing respectfully when Adeline passed.

On the other side, they passed a small room with chairs and tables, where Katherine informed that servants had their meals, then they went into the kitchen which was connected to the room, and everyone stopped what they were doing.

"Your Highness, Madam Katherine," they all greeted respectfully, except for Rosa, who was staring at Adeline with a smile.

Adeline's eyes scanned the entire room, finally settling on Rosa and she smiled back warmly, visibly relieved just from seeing her. She had been wondering where she was, and was glad to know she was in the company of others.

"That is Joe," Katherine introduced, pointing to the slightly chubby man with a clean-shaven face. "He's the head chef."

Joe bowed his head then looked up at Adeline with a smile, and the latter smiled back.

"That is Alison, Fredrik, and Luca," she pointed to the woman on Joe's right, then Fredrik to his left, followed by Luca who was standing next to Rosa.

"... and Rosa. Come here, Rosa. Where'd you go when you should be following your Lady," Katherine lightly scolded and Rosa scurried to stand behind Adeline with her head lowered.

Afterwards, they walked through a narrow corridor that led outside, and it was then that Adeline realised how huge this palace was. Her legs were starting to ache a little because it had been a while since she walked that much.

They climbed down small steps and they were finally outside, in a huge backyard that was surrounded by grass and short hedges. Adeline took in a deep breath, appreciating the air more as it filled her lungs and she stretched her arms wide.

She walked into the garden, noticing some servants working on the flowerbeds.

If Adeline had thought that the palace was huge just by the inside, then it was a whole different story staring at it from the outside.

It was a fortress to behold, a monumental building that looked as if it were a few mansions adjoined together. There were creepers climbing up the walls, some with blooming flowers that made it even more beautiful.

'Even Michael's palace isn't this beautiful,' Adeline thought inwardly.

When she walked back further, she found out that the garden stretched more than her eyes could see, all the way to the front of the mansion, and also the servant's quarters where she was yet to explore.

"You're already tired? There's still the training grounds," Katherine reminded, a few steps away because she hadn't stopped even for a minute.

She led Adeline to the training grounds, where they had to oass by the stables but didn't stop.

Adeline's eyes scanned the entire area, remembering Sylvan had said that he would come to train after breakfast.

After a while, she spotted him sparring with another man.

"This is where your husband spends most of his time," Katherine whispered from the side as she had also stopped to watch the fight.

The two men were both holding swords in their hands, which they swung with so much ease like they were just pieces of wood or sticks.

On the other side of the field, Sylvan and Jacob were well aware of the three women watching them, but it didn't show because they didn't even glance their way.

"Fighting with swords is so annoying," remarked Jacob as he swung the sharp sword in his hand.

"Why, because you aren't fast enough?" Sylvan taunted with a passive expression which irked Jacob and his lips quirked upwards.

"Are you trying to challenge me?" he asked amusedly, then his eyebrows rose in realization and his smile widened. "Ah, trying to impress your woman," he teased.

Sylvan's lips twitched, then he suddenly swung his sword at Jacob, missing his head as the latter ducked down and the two engaged in an intense swords fight.

"There are many ways to impress a woman," Sylvan said flatly, but that only made Jacob more amused.

"You aren't denying she's your woman, ooh," he teased again and this time Sylvan's eyes flickered with annoyance, then he used his his full strength to knock the sword out of Jacob's hands then quickly attacked vital points but Jacob kept on ducking and avoiding the sharp blade, until he rolled on the ground and picked up the sword, then without warning, aimed at Sylvan's chest.

Adeline found herself holding her breath, wondering if this was still training because the two seemed like they were on a battlefield or settling some feud because of how seriously they fought.

Her eyes narrowed and her pulse quickened as Jacob's sword slashed Sylvan's shirt, cutting across his chest and staining the white material red as the buttons fell to the ground.

Adeline and Rosa gasped, both their hearts skipping a beat.

Meanwhile, Jacob had a smirk on his lips, the same as Katherine, while Sylvan's lips pressed together in a thin line as he was clearly annoyed.

He didn't even flinch in pain as blood continued sipping out of the wound, and without warning, he charged at Jacob at full force, swinging the sword with one hand while the other continued resting behind his back.

Jacob kept defending and blocking attacks, his face now turning serious because he could feel the intensity at which Sylvan was charging his attacks. He kept stepping backwards, Sylvan pushing him to the edge until finally he knocked his sword from his grasp and used his foot to stumble Jacob who fell back on the ground on his back, the tip of Sylvan's sword at his neck.

Even the other knights had stopped whatever they were doing amd everyone was now watching the two.

Jacob shook his head in disbelief, wondering how quick the tables turned. He knew that Sylvan was fast but wasn't this too fast? Two minutes hadn't even passed!

On the other side, Katherine was still smiling while Adeline's eyebrows furrowed in concern, but her eyes conveyed otherwise as they shone with pride. Rosa had a worried expression on her face, wondering why this arrogant man was trying to provoke the Prince by stabbing him.

"You succeeded in impressing your woman," Jacob commented while he was still on the ground, and in response, Sylvan moved his sword from his neck, trailed it down his chest then stabbed the side of his stomach.

*Gasps*