The palace wasn't hard to locate. It was a gigantic castle that seemed to touch the sky, its stone walls gleaming in the sunlight.
I followed the castle walls until I reached the entrance, where six guards stood watch, their eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Many more guards stood atop the watchtower, their arrows and swords at the ready to protect the king and his household from invaders like myself.
As I approached the gate, I felt a shiver run down my spine.
Were they aiming at me?
The more I looked at them, the more it seemed like they were waiting for me to make a wrong move. Maybe I should turn back?
But if I did, what then? I would have to rely on my non-existent fighting skills to keep myself alive from the warlords and skilled mercenaries my cousin would send after me.
Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and approached the guard holding a scroll.
"Good noon, sire. I would like an audience with King Aldous Raven," I said, trying to sound confident. I smiled slightly, relieved that I didn't stuttered.
The guards turned to look at me all at once, their expressions a mix of surprise and amusement. If I wasn't nervous before, I certainly was now. The gatekeeper looked at me like I was a curiosity, a strange creature that had wandered into their midst.
He didn't say a word at first, and the silence gave me time to get my pounding heart under control. I took another deep breath before speaking again. "I said I want an aud—"
"I heard you perfectly, girl," the gatekeeper interrupted, his voice cold. "Turn around before you meet a truly awful demise."
I felt a surge of fear, but I stood my ground. "No," I whispered, trying to sound braver than I felt.
I was a young girl of very little title, and I had no business demanding to see the king or refusing an order from a royal gatekeeper. But Nanny Josie told me to grow up and be brave, and now was as good a time as any.
"I must see His Majesty, today... please," I said, trying to sound polite but firm. I fought every urge to pick up my muddy dress and run like a mad bull.
The gatekeeper raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my bravery. "Throw her out!" he ordered, and before I knew it, I was grabbed by the guards.
As they started to drag me away, I yelled as loud as I could, "I have a Raven's seal! I demand to see a Raven king!" The guards paused, clearly taken aback by my declaration.
I was dropped like a sack of potatoes, and I landed with a thud on the stone floor. "Ouch!" I groaned, rubbing my sore knee.
I stood up, trying to ignore the scrapes on my knee and the yellow dress that was now stained with brown dirt. I pushed my hair back, trying to look more presentable.
The gatekeeper looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
"What did you say?"
"I have a Raven's seal," I told him again, pulling out the little scroll with a huge red seal in the middle. I handed it over to the gatekeeper, who examined it carefully.
"How did you come by a seal, girl?" he asked, his voice a little softer now.
I took a deep breath, trying to sound confident. "It was given to my father, Baron Baltimore Spencer, by the Raven King. I am the Honorable Abigail Spencer, and I need to speak to His Majesty."
The guards looked at each other, clearly unsure of what to do. I decided to keep talking, hoping to persuade them. "My father was a wise man and a friend of the king, and he told me that with a Raven's seal, you can't turn me away without risking your head. Do you want your head on a chopping block, Sir gatekeeper?"
The gatekeeper looked at me, a hint of a irritation on his face. "My name is Ian. I am not a knight," he said but his voice was a little softer now.
I felt a surge of relief, but I tried not to show it.
"Very well, then" He said " Two guards shall escort you to the king's court, Lady Abigail," Ian said, nodding to the guards.
I exhaled, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. I followed the guards, trying to take in the sights and sounds of the palace. It was the biggest place I had ever seen, with towering ceilings and intricate stone carvings.
As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. The palace was a labyrinth of corridors and chambers, each one more beautiful than the last. I felt like a small mouse in a vast maze, but I was determined to find my way.
We were almost near the largest garden I had ever seen when I tripped on my own foot but before I could fall face first, a hand reached out from the thick flowers and steadied me.
The scent of blooming roses and freshly cut grass filled my nostrils as I felt the warmth of his hand on my elbow. I was a little winded, and it took me a few seconds to get over the shock enough to thank my savior.
As I looked up, the sunlight danced across his features, highlighting the sharp lines of his face.
When I heard him speak, his deep voice sent a shiver down my spine.
"Are you hurt, milady?" he asked, his sea blue eyes filled with concern. He made sure I was steady before he took his hands away, and it gave me time to bluntly stare at him.
I stared like I was no lady, and I was raised by a bunch of wolves who taught me that it was proper for a young girl to stare at a man without shame or any semblance of propriety.
His eyes stared back at me like he could see my very soul. He simply stood there with a smile showcasing a beautiful set of teeth.
Come on, Abby, he is not cattle, therefore don't check his teeth! but good god, his golden hair looked like it glowed more under the sun we were standing in, and his dimples were so pronounced they looked man-made.
His nose and half-dome cheek bones sat above an oaken jaw. He didn't have a wrestler's or warrior's body; he was lean and stood upright, and when I stared hard enough at his body, I could almost see his lean muscle and athletic body.
He was the most beautiful boy…I mean man I have ever seen. He was simply dressed in a black tunic and a loose white shirt layered by a tight-fitting jacket. The only piece of jewelry on him was a gemstone on his index finger. As I took in his appearance, I felt my heart racing and my cheeks growing hot.
"Oh my, you are beautiful" he proclaimed before I could get over the shock of staring at him like an object on display. Hearing him call me beautiful all but made me blush.
I was normal looking…apart from my fire-colored hair, nothing really set me aside from everyone else, but hearing him call me that made me incredibly happy, and I even believed him.
"I am sorry, I made you uncomfortable" He chuckled, and I loved the sound of it. It was deep and husky, sending shivers down my spine.
" It had to be said, milady, and I must apologize for the actions of the royal guards. They shouldn't have made a lady walk as fast as they were making you. Zurich treats her guests with more dignity, and I must see to it that they are punished for their sins."
Oh my! My knight in shining armor…finally!
Screw the raven seal, the heavenly bodies and my heartless royal husband who murdered me…if this noble knight asked for my permission to wed me, I most definitely would be saying yes.
I wanted to tell him my name and ask him for his, but I was a high-class titled girl, and I could never be so bold. It was sacrilegious, and so I smiled before I remembered he was going to punish the guards for my sake. He must really hold some sway over his majesty's guards.
"Please, I beg of you, sir, do not punish them for my sake. I am sure it was a mistake."
"Very well, but only if you tell me your name, milady."
I smiled. Yes! Of course, yes!
"I am the honorable Abigail, daughter of Baron Baltimore of house Spencer."
I took my eyes off him for a second and looked at the guards, their heads lowered. I didn't understand why. I was about to return my gaze to him when something fell from his hand to the floor, and it was a folded piece of silky linen. I reached out instinctively to pick it up, and I almost touched it when I felt a sword near my neck.
"Step away from the first prince!" The sword came out of nowhere, and I froze.
Wait? Did he say first prince? Like the heir to the throne of Zurich and the seven kingdoms of the south? The very heir I am supposed to wed? Bloody hell and hades! There is a god, after all!
"What is your name?" I asked shamelessly even though I had a sword on my throat.
"Markle. My name is Markle"