Nalia looked back at the door, feeling grateful it hadn't broken loose. But before she could finish her thought, the left door came slightly unhinged, as if mocking her.
She sighed and glanced at the queen, making a mental note to discuss with the butler what to do about the queen's crumbling walls and doors. It couldn't go on like this.
Nalia followed the queen, casting a spell with a soft red glow at the tips of her fingers. The magic wrapped around the queen, fixing her messy hair.
Elora's mouth watered as she approached the dining room. The table was already set with various foods and desserts.
When she saw the butler, she gave him a kind look, forgetting the stress she'd endured earlier.
She sat down and uncovered dishes, her guards standing near the door to keep watch.
She was about to dive into the seafood cuisine, noticing the unusual colors of the fish. Tearing off a piece of flesh, she felt the perfect blend of softness and firmness, the scent of the flavors wafting to her nose.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed her guards, and she couldn't bring herself to eat without manners, as she would in her room.
She looked at the food, then made a decision. Turning to her guards, she said calmly, "You can leave. Go have dinner I'm safe here." Inside, she was begging them to leave quickly so she could enjoy her meal.
Both guards felt touched by the Queen's concern. They bowed and left the room. As soon as the door closed, Elora's queenly demeanor dropped.
She sat comfortably, picking chunks of blue fish flesh, dipping them in red glittering sauce, and placing them in her mouth without bothering to let it cool.
"Ooo..mm..." She moaned softly as the creamy spiciness exploded on her tongue, almost making her bite her lip.
'Boss! I take back what I said. I don't blame you for sending me here by mistake, my forgiveness has reached 200%.' She thought to herself, forgetting how she had cursed him earlier.
Her hands reached for the next dish, a black pasta called Karen ink pasta, topped with a creamy sauce made from underwater corals.
She twirled the fork around the pasta, taking a big bite. Her teeth sank into the soft noodles, which melted into her mouth, delivering a salty, mellow flavor of the sea.
Her eyes sparkled with delight as she chewed faster, her throat visibly swallowing.
Her hands then reached for the dessert- Phoenix Egg Soufflé. She bit into it, tasting sweetness and feeling a burst of warmth and energy in her core.
She exhaled in pleasure, surprised that food could give such a sensation. She drank some frosted nectar and covered her stomach, squinting in satisfaction. If she was served this every day, she would survive in this world.
****
The next morning, Valeria was buzzy with activity. Women and men from all over the kingdom gathered in a large square- merchants, scholars, and learned commoners all mingled, talking amongst themselves.
The air was thick with emotion- nervousness, confidence, and a desire to try their luck.
Hidden in a secluded corner of the crowd, Thorn leaned lazily against the wall, unaffected by the tense atmosphere.
Some people wondered what a fae was doing here, knowing they were usually closed-off beings who rarely interacted with the outside world, except in their mystical forests.
Despite their curiosity, they had more pressing concerns. Seeing the prestigious families present, many commoners lost hope, feeling they didn't stand a chance.
Two well-dressed women with the demeanor of nobles whispered to each other as they glanced at Thorn.
The blue-haired one felt a spark of desire. "I want that man," she told her cousin, who had black hair.
"Bella, you can't be greedy. I spotted him first and you already have ten husbands. Make way for you cousin," The black-haired woman said, her tone playful but her eyes cold.
"I can leave him for you, but I want to taste him first," the blue-haired woman said, her blue eyes glowing with desire she ogled Thorn from head to toe.
"Sigh... alright, but only once,'' her cousin agreed. They treated Thorn as if he was already theirs, ignoring that he was a living being with his own will.
Thorn's long ears twitched, his earring swaying in the wind. His expression remained the same, though he heard every word that left their lips.
His golden eyes grew cold, and a bloodthirsty smile crossed his lips as he marked their faces in his mind for later.
'She's here,' He thought, looking up just in time to see a black-winged horse descending from the sky, flanked by two others.
The square fell silent as the horse landed in the clearing.
A beautiful woman with silver hair and piercing purple eyes dismounted. As she walked, the slit in her gown revealed glimpses of her toned thighs.
"Let the interview begin," her soft voice carried across the square, calm but authoritative, reaching everyone's ears.
'Is this their cruel queen?' the crowd thought, stunned by her beauty. They had expected her to look fierce and older, not like this.
Thorn straightened unconsciously, staring at the queen. His heart skipped a beat, but he ignored it, more interested in the conflicting energy surrounding her.
Being one with nature, he could sense auras, but hers was on another level. He could feel an odd mix of piercing cold and soothing warmth.
'I must work for her,' his indifferent mind shifted slightly. His gaze locked onto Elora with such intensity that she couldn't help but look in that direction only to see an innocent-looking fae staring back at her.
She gave him a quick glance before focusing on the crowd. The sight of so many living humans in one place made her feel nauseous. She suppressed the feeling, but her head pounded with the rush of thoughts.
She frowned, rubbing her brows, and hoped the interview would end quickly.