For the first time in forever, Marlowe had finally stepped foot outside her cage of a chamber, for further exploitation, past the ones done within the wing she lived in.
She obediently tailed behind the ladies who led the way, switching routes that got her muddled.
But she grasped one thing, they were gone from one wing of the Castle, headed to another.
Her heart pounded in her chest by every step she took. Her shivering fingers clasped to the sides of her gown for support. So she wouldn't trip on it.
Finally…or rather, to her dismay.
After the series of steps they had gone past, a gigantic double door with enigmatic and elegant intricate designs stood in their way.
From the other side, Marlowe heard chatter and laughter reverberating loudly. The atmosphere inside seemed to be pleasant and filled with delight as clinks of glasses penetrated her hearing.
In front of the door, were mounted two study guards with long, sharp spears in their possession.
They looked more prudent and professional than the regular ones she'd always come across on a norm.
Their stiff faces made her tremble inadvertently. Especially when they looked at her.
"This is Her Majesty, Queen Marlowe Alnov," luckily, the first lady-in-waiting came to her rescue, by introducing her to the wary looking guards.
She could only guess that they were skilled and trained guards of the King's mother, or generally, the Royal family as a whole.
After the prelude, Marlowe watched the guards exchange looks with each other, before they immediately bent to her, giving their respect, "Greetings, Your Majesty!" their voices thundered sonorously, making her flinch.
"Please rise," her tiny voice ordered shakingly, yet they obeyed and sprang up immediately, hastily opening up the door for her entry.
The gigantic door—just as it was—made a gigantic noise gliding open.
This time, the two ladies-in-waiting parted to each side, making Marlowe bewildered.
"Your Majesty," with their hands fanned out, they motioned for her to take the lead.
Marlowe stood nailed to the floor for a while.
This is it.
Her nails dug deep into the material of the dress, almost straining it apart.
Composing her emotions together, she breathed. Calming her mind while her chest heaved along.
Gulping resolutely, she hesitantly freed her gown from the heartless clutches she exerted on it. She relaxed her breath and straightened the curl in her brows, encouraging herself that she can do this.
Fortunately, the heads of the ladies-in-waiting were bowed accordingly. They would have witnessed the turmoil and internal struggle in her green eyes that had a storm brewing.
Bracing herself, Marlowe took a reluctant and an extremely heavy step in.
The loud chatters, making her nervous.
She didn't know what they were celebrating…probably her appearance?
She doubted that.
Judging from what she heard from Merkin that the Queen Dowager wasn't in agreement with her presence in the Castle.
It should all be fake! A fallacy!
"Her Royal Majesty, Queen Marlowe Hebron Alnov, arrives!" the rumbling sound of the crier informed, as she went further in.
Her heart in her throat, wondering if she's going to leave this place dead or alive.
And just like that, the eyes of the people seated there all turned towards her.
Her breath ceased unceremoniously.
Coming to her vision was a grand hall, twenty times that of her chamber.
An extremely lengthy rectangular table was placed in the middle, surrounded by numerous chairs that screamed wealth.
A big chandelier hung from the high ceiling, the walls were smooth and painted beautifully.
The table was filled with various kinds of savory, mouthwatering dishes that exhumed hot steam from its golden palate.
Accompanied by glasses and tumblers of wine.
The whole table was occupied with members of the Royal family, and Marlowe was scared to find herself in the midst of Vampires.
She's literally in the lion's den.
Like a lamb giving itself to be slaughtered.
The thought, together with their gapes and gazes made her shudder, and it didn't go unnoticed.
Her heart began a race, and her blood had started to turn cold, freezing in her veins.
Her maids were not here, how is she supposed to behave?
Was she to go forward? Or wait to be called on?
Her heart was tumultuous.
If this goes on, with the intensity of her blood rushing to her brain, she could go deranged to the point of no return.
"The Queen is here, finally," uttered a familiar voice Marlowe vividly recalled. It was accompanied by a weird—but genuine laughter.
She looked ahead to see it was the King's aunt, and the King's mother's sister, Lady Eleazar.
Surprisingly, her heart went a tad calm seeing the woman. She didn't know why, but she chose to ignore it.
By Eleazar's side, Marlowe spotted her son, the man who had saved her from disgracing her title before.
He looked at her with a faint smile tracing his lips, but his gaze still appeared cold.
Before she knew it, except for Eleazar, Deveraux and…the Queen Dowager!
Oh no!...the Queen Dowager!
She just saw the woman now!
Don, in the finest of royalty, wielding a lot of charisma and exuding beauty, sat the mother of the King of Valcresh.
Her Royal Majesty, Queen Dowager Eluzai.
Marlowe felt stiff, that calmness that soothed her once, totally fleeing for its own life when her sight landed on the King's mother, who gazed at her with a blank, emotionless stare.
Marlowe found swallowing difficult labor.
She hadn't even realized that she hadn't blinked, and she was still holding the breath of her entry.
At that exact moment, she heard a calm yet deep voice whisper into her ear, "Breath, My Queen," and that's when she realized that she's nearly suffocating.
Doing as told, she released her hold on her breath, and she heaved it away heavily, releasing the accumulating fear and nervousness that kept growing increasingly.
She felt light and relieved as she did that…her face instantly calm, and the storm in her eyes lessened.
She gave a swift swerve to the side the voice came from, only to have her eyes land on Deveraux, who was staring at her with an amused expression in his deep grey eyes.
She was shocked.
He has saved her once again.
She wondered when he had gotten this close, but the thought was immediately interrupted when another thought invaded her mind, and her gaze widened with trepidation.
She had just embarrassed herself in the presence of the King's mother, and the Royal family!
Could this crime be counted as disrespect?
If so, what's her penalty?!