We entered the chambers of Princess Arya, I looked around her room which was greeted by the sight of ornate tapestries depicting mythical creatures and far-off lands. The floor was adorned with plush, deep-piled carpets, and a regal four-poster bed with opulent drapes hung from the ceiling.
Every surface was adorned with intricate carvings and delicate trinkets, while a roaring hearth cast a warm, inviting glow. The room was permeated with the sweet scent of incense, and faint strains of harp music drifted in from a distance within the castle.
A few of the princess's belongings were scattered throughout the room - delicate jewelry and silk gowns among them. The opulence and abundance spoke volumes of her luxury and wealth.
"Please, take a seat," Princess Arya said with a gracious smile, motioning towards a plush cushion. She deftly arranged her jewels as she spoke.
"Due to the sudden arrangements," she continued, and I immediately understood - her marriage was quickly approaching, and that was cause for concern.
"Do you need my assistance, Your Highness?" I inquired.
"Not at the moment, Skylar. Simply make yourself comfortable," she replied, her smile
still in place as she gestured around the gorgeous chamber.
"Eventually if everything goes according to plan,
will you leave him and return to your era?" she asked, catching me off guard. How did she know?
"Ramiel mentioned his intention to marry you, so I assumed that is the state of your relationship. Am I correct?" she added with a sly smirk, seemingly reveling in the rare display of humor.
"I cannot say for certain, Your Highness. I informed him that I would make my decision, and he promised to honor my request," I responded truthfully.
"Excellent. Choose wisely and utilize your choice well," she advised, her tone grave as she looked away. It was the first time I had seen her smirk.
"I will miss you, Your Highness. Thanks to you, I have decided to change my destiny," I proclaimed, expressing my gratitude.
"I did not engage in any action; you, on
the other hand, you hold the authority. Nonetheless, I am always at your service. Simply notify Ramiel and he shall bring you to me."
"Yes, Your Highness," I responded.
"I would have escorted you myself, but Ramiel would never permit it," she teased, and I could not help but smile. Being in the presence of
Prince Damien was not a bad thing either.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Arya said, and a woman in her mid-40s, dressed in an elegant black gown, entered. Despite her age, she appeared stunning.
"Your Highness," she bowed to Princess Arya.
"Please, rise," Arya said, to which the lady complied.
"She is the royal tailor," Arya explained, and I nodded. That was when I noticed the box in her hand. She placed it on the table and opened it. Arya stood next to her as the lady took out a measuring tape to take the princess's measurements for her wedding dress. After recording the measurements,
the lady bowed and left.
"If I may ask, Your Highness, how did you meet Prince Sebastian?" I inquired politely, not wanting to come off as rude.
"I met him when my father formed an alliance with their kingdom at a ball. It was a truly memorable moment," she replied with a smile.
"That is quite sweet. I had no idea that such things were real," I commented. Just then, the door swung open, but Arya seemed unfazed. I turned to see Prince Damien entering. I quickly stood up and bowed slightly.
"You don't need to be formal formal. I have told you that we are friends now. And Arya, you should know her by now," he said, and I smiled.
"Hello, Damien," I greeted, and he returned the smile.
"Your day must have been quite dull without Ramiel," he teased.
"I never said that." I averted my gaze with a hint of shyness. What was wrong with me?
"Don't be shy," he said with a wink, crossing his legs as he sat on the edge of Arya's bed.
"Hello, my jewel," he greeted Arya with a wave, to which she smiled. "Wow, Princess Sebastian is a lucky man. If he ever mistreats you, let me know and I'll make sure he pays for it," he added, his tone serious. It was clear that Ramiel and Damien valued her more than her own two biological brothers. I couldn't help but wonder why her mother wasn't present.
"Did you and Ramiel plan to make me a widow so soon?" Arya teased, causing him to chuckle. I turned to Damien and noticed that he seemed more alive, despite a dark aura surrounding him. He was definitely different from Ramiel.
"You're lucky," I said with a smile, catching their attention.
"You're lucky to have such great siblings. No matter what, you'll never be alone because you have each other for support," I added.
"I guess I am lucky," Arya replied with a smile.
"Let's do something fun," Damien suggested.
"Like what?" Arya asked.
"Let's go watch a play," he proposed, causing my face to light up.
"Seriously? You guys do that here? What about cinema or the park?" I asked.
"It seems like you underestimated us," Damien replied with a smirk.
"You're right," Arya agreed before continuing, "I guess Ramiel hasn't shown you around. We would've done it, but he's not here. But don't worry, he'll take care of it."
"I'm sure he will," Damien chimed in with a smirk that made him even more handsome. Curse these men and their charm.
"Do you have cars here?" I inquired.
"Yes," they both replied in unison before bursting into laughter.
"This era is also a modern world of its own, but people like Damien find it difficult to use cars with their supernatural powers. It's probably better that way," Arya explained with a smile. It was surprising to learn that they were more immersed in this world than I was. I would definitely find out more, but not now.
"Let's go," Arya suggested, and I couldn't hide my excitement.