I felt nothing as the carriage neared the castle gates. Zoé was gawking at the sight, but I had seen enough castles in my past life to know they were nothing but cold and cruel places. This one was no different, despite its grandeur and beauty.
We got out of the carriage and followed Zara, who seemed to know her way around. She was the king's daughter, after all. She had 'invited' us to stay with her, claiming she needed a bodyguard . I was the former, Zoé was the latter. I didn't trust Zara, but I had no choice. She was threathening me .
The castle doors opened with a loud noise, revealing a lavish interior. Tapestries, statues, paintings, and other ornaments filled the space, creating a contrast with the plain and simple clothes we wore. I scanned the area, looking for potential threats or escape routes.
I didn't care for the luxury, I only cared for the safety of myself and Zoé. Zara led us through the corridors, talking about the history and the art of the castle. I tuned her out, focusing on the sounds and the movements around us. I noticed the guards, the servants, the nobles, and the visitors. Some looked at us with curiosity, some with disdain, some with indifference.
I met their eyes with a cold stare, daring them to challenge me. We reached the throne room, where the king was waiting for us. Zara stopped and adjusted her dress, trying to look presentable. Zoé did the same, nervously smoothing her hair and her dress. I didn't bother, I knew I looked out of place no matter what.
I gripped the hilt of the sword I was given a few minutes before by Zara, feeling the familiar weight and comfort of the weapon. Zara turned to us and whispered, "Remember, behave accordingly. My father can be quite... difficult at times." I nodded, not needing a reminder. I had dealt with difficult kings before.
I knew how to act, how to speak, how to survive. The doors opened, and we entered the throne room. The king was sitting on his throne, a tall and stern man with a crown and a scepter. He looked at us with a sharp gaze, scanning us from head to toe. I looked back at him, showing no fear, no respect, no emotion. I was here to do a 'job', nothing more.
"Father," Zara said, her voice steady but slightly strained, "allow me to introduce Aaliyah and Zoé, my newly appointed bodyguard and guest." She gestured to us, presenting us to the king. The king frowned, his eyes narrowing. He didn't seem pleased by the introduction.
He spoke with a harsh tone, "I wasn't informed of these arrangements." Zara tried to explain, "Father, I-" He cut her off, raising his voice, "You dare to bring strangers into my castle without prior consultation? These are critical times for our kingdom, and you think it appropriate to spring surprises on me?" He glared at us, his anger evident. I felt a surge of adrenaline, ready to fight if needed. I didn't flinch.
The king's fury was palpable, radiating throughout the throne room. His anger didn't faze me; I was accustomed to navigating through tense situations. Zara had warned about her father's temperament, but this escalation was beyond my expectations. As the king's ire turned toward me, his eyes shimmered with skepticism.
"I've heard enough, Zara," the king declared with a sternness that echoed through the hall. "These are not times for games or experiments. If you insist on bringing outsiders into our affairs, they must prove their worth."
My hand instinctively rested on the hilt of my sword, though I knew this would likely not be a duel of steel. My expertise lay in combat, but not the type practiced in grand courts. I remained composed, yet a faint pulse of apprehension thrummed beneath my facade.
Zara attempted to interject, her voice trembling slightly, "Father, Aaliyah is skilled—"
The king silenced her with a raise of his hand, his gaze piercing through me. "Aaliyah, I shall test your capabilities. Take on Sir Gregor, one of our most seasoned knights."
I didn't blink. I understood the unspoken demand. With a nod of compliance, I accepted the challenge, preparing myself for the task at hand.
In the center of the throne room, Sir Gregor, clad in shining armor, stepped forward, a confident smirk etched on his face. I remained steady, grounding my stance as the air crackled around me. With a flicker of concentration, flames spiraled from my fingertips, forming a blazing arc that enveloped Sir Gregor. The intense heat radiated, casting a vibrant orange glow throughout the room.
Within moments, the knight's proud countenance melted into shock as he struggled against the searing inferno. Thirty seconds. That's all it took for the flames to subside, leaving Sir Gregor on his knees, defeated.
The king's expression shifted from skepticism to awe. He nodded approvingly, a begrudging respect coloring his features. "You possess formidable abilities, Aaliyah. You may prove useful after all."
With the tension diffused, Zara, Zoé, and I were escorted to our chambers. As Zara led Zoé to her room, I followed the instructions, finding my designated space at the back on the right.
The room designated for me in the castle was surprisingly spacious, adorned with intricate tapestries hanging from the walls depicting historical battles and noble crests. A large oak dresser stood against one side, displaying carefully arranged candles casting a soft, flickering light around the chamber. The bed, draped in luxurious fabrics, dominated the center, with an ornate canopy that added an air of grandeur. Overall, it was a room fit for royalty, starkly contrasting my usual modest accommodations.
As I settled into the quiet solitude, the tranquility was abruptly interrupted by a knock on the door. Expecting perhaps another formality or a need for further discussion, I opened it, only to be greeted by Zara, whose demeanor had shifted dramatically from earlier.
"May I come in?" she purred, her voice laced with an insinuating tone.
Her presence felt like a gust of warm wind that subtly unsettled the room's serene ambiance. Her attire was more revealing than before, the fabric of her gown clinging seductively to her form. Zara stepped into the room, her every movement calculated, exuding a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
"Of course," I replied evenly, though internally I prepared myself for potential discomfort.
As she surveyed the room, her gaze landed on me, lingering longer than necessary. Her approach was deliberate, crossing the room with an air of sensuality that made me instinctively step back, maintaining a respectful distance.
"You were quite impressive back there," Zara said, her voice dropping to a hushed tone. "The way you handled Sir Gregor... it was remarkable."
Her words were layered with underlying intent, her eyes sparkling with an intensity that made me wary. Despite her flirtatious advances, I remained composed, refusing to let her attempts at seduction sway me.
"Thank you," I responded politely, keeping my tone neutral.
Zara's proximity grew uncomfortably close, her hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair away from my face. Instinctively, I took a step back, maintaining a clear boundary.
Before I could react, she leaned in, attempting to bridge the space between us with a kiss. Firmly, I placed my hand on her shoulder, stopping her advance.
"No, Zara," I said firmly, my voice unwavering. "This isn't why I'm here. Our arrangement is strictly professional."
A flicker of disappointment crossed her features, quickly masked by a forced smile. "Of course, I understand," she murmured, stepping back with an air of false nonchalance.
With a parting glance filled with unresolved tension, Zara left the room, leaving me alone once more in the quiet expanse of the chamber.
As the door closed behind Zara, leaving me once again in the quiet solitude of the chamber, an unexpected holographic icon materialized in the air before me. Its ethereal glow illuminated the room, displaying information that seemed foreign yet intriguing.
The holographic interface showcased various statistics, some of which I recognized from the mystical system I had encountered before. Among the metrics listed, one caught my attention: Charms - previously at 78, now displaying a notable increase to 90. I studied the information with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
The system's announcement echoed in the room, breaking the silence. "You have unlocked a new skill: Demonic Charm."
My eyebrows furrowed slightly at the unusual name of the skill. A surge of realization coursed through me, connecting the dots between the rise in my charm statistics and Zara's earlier behavior. It became apparent that the newfound skill had inadvertently affected her attitude.
"It might come in handy," I murmured to myself, acknowledging the potential utility of this skill, even if its name gave me pause.