"Ooooh, look at that!" Ariella exclaims excitedly as we make our way up the hill toward the hotel, her finger pointing toward the massive building looming in the distance. It's the Castellum Noctis Aeternae, a real castle, perched majestically atop a hill that overlooks the calm, shimmering waters of Starfall Lake.
The structure somewhat resembles the painting the travel agent had shown us, but... something feels strangely off.
I pull out the painting we received and hold it up, carefully comparing it with the actual castle standing before us. I glance back and forth—first at the painting, then at the castle, and then back again—my brow furrowing with growing suspicion.
"Why do I feel like I've been scammed?" I mutter under my breath, frowning as unease settles in.
