I tossed and turned in the attic and didn't fall asleep all night.
The next day, my eyes were bloodshot and the dark circles under my eyes were quite prominent. Maggie happened to see me and was startled: "Oh, why do you look like this today?"
"Nothing. I just had nightmares all night."
The devil in my dream was Aaron De. May he die a miserable death.
He looks as handsome as an angel on the outside, extremely good-looking and dazzling, but inside he is an out-and-out devil, a dark and vicious devil.
"We're going to the castle this afternoon. Prepare yourself well. Look at your appearance," she said dissatisfiedly. "I don't understand why His Lordship wants to take you with him."
I was surprised. Going to the castle? I couldn't help shrugging my shoulders. I didn't want to go at all. At this time, Maggie handed me a list, on which were written the names of the maids and attendants going to the palace, and my name was among them. She said, "Keep it well, and then notify them one by one according to the names on it, and let them get ready for the trip early."
"Yes." I had to reply.
Since we were going to the palace in the afternoon, we had to start preparing at noon. After taking a bath, the other maids and I began to change into the special court maid uniforms and combed our hair into neat small round buns as required, leaving only a row of bangs on our foreheads. When everything was ready, we stood at the door of the room, just waiting for Aaron De and Annabelle to come out.
Just after the afternoon sun had passed its zenith, Aaron De and Annabelle walked out of the room hand in hand. They were dressed in bright and luxurious long gowns, noble and magnificent. Lady Pesner was already waiting in the silver luxurious carriage pulled by eight horses at this time.
After the group got on the carriage, they soon arrived at the palace.
This was the first time I had seen the castle of the Elf Kingdom. It was magnificent and full of a strong fairy-tale flavor. There were thick black city walls, pointed roofs of the palace, long vertical windows, a huge colorful garden, and black and white swans flying freely around the spire-roofed houses.
A large number of lush green trees formed a forest, quietly hiding the palace buildings except for the spires in the green, mysterious and deep. The palace walls were covered with dark green vegetation, occasionally dotted with a few white flowers, adding some vividness to the mysterious and quiet castle.
There was a small blue lake at the entrance of the castle. The deep blue lake water was so transparent and crystal clear. There was a beautiful green lawn beside the lake, and beside the lawn was a large purple-red vineyard. The afternoon sun shone through the exquisite and gorgeous grape trellises, shining with colorful and dazzling lights.
There were some gardeners or servants standing on the green lawn. They had been working originally, but at this moment they stopped to take a look at our carriage speeding by.
The carriage passed through the heavy iron gates, drove directly through the colorful and blooming gardens, bypassed the broad green lawns, and followed a flat avenue to the main entrance of the castle.
The afternoon sun was still a bit dazzling. After getting off the carriage, I covered my eyes with my palm halfway.
Following the group of maids, I slowly walked into the main hall. As soon as I stepped into the golden gate engraved with classical patterns, I was shocked by the magnificent and splendid scene inside the hall and stopped in my tracks. From the moment I was born until I entered just now, I had never seen such a luxurious and elegant hall. It was simply a combination of art and luxury.
Gold and dark red reflected each other and miraculously blended together to form a mysterious and strange color. There were high golden roofs, golden round stone columns in the hall, huge golden spiral staircases, dark red walls engraved with exquisite patterns, dark red beautiful carpets with golden edges, and dark red large, exquisite, soft armchairs.
There were also exquisite furniture, tapestries, vases, small ornaments, fireplaces, and valuable oil paintings and sculptures in the hall. They were cleverly arranged in the hall, on the stairs or on the walls, showing excellent taste and luxury, and exuding a faint but fatal charm.
The huge golden crystal chandelier on the ceiling emitted a soft and gentle luster. It was genuine pure crystal, directly showing a golden color and casting one wonderful soft halo after another, illuminating the entire golden hall.
I was stunned by the magnificence of art and luxury. Standing at the door, I looked up at the golden and magnificent ceiling and felt for the first time that I was so small, ordinary and humble.
A maid walking in front turned around and pulled me, signaling me to continue walking forward. I then withdrew my gaze and quickly caught up with the other maids.
Not long after entering the main hall, the king and the queen appeared. They were wearing shiny crowns and golden gowns, with smiles on their faces, and walked down gracefully from the wide spiral staircase covered with a red carpet.
I bowed to them together with the others. Then, the king, the queen, Lady Pesner, Aaron De and Annabelle sat on the armchairs, while we stood aside.
Exquisite refreshments, mellow wine, fragrant black tea and cocoa were constantly served. They talked and laughed softly, while we were quiet.
After having some refreshments, I heard the king's slightly old voice say: "Aaron De, don't you want to see your father?"
Instantly, the lively atmosphere froze in an instant. Lady Pesner's face stiffened for a moment, Annabelle's expression was a bit awkward, and only Aaron De remained calm and his expression didn't change at all.