It had been the third day of my self-imposed exile in this unfamiliar room. The walls, though grand and ornate, were starting to feel like a prison. I didn't dare step outside or even check what was beyond the heavy wooden door. I kept telling myself it was for my own safety, though deep down, I knew I was simply scared. This world was nothing like the one I came from, and the silence, coupled with the eerie energy of the castle, left me feeling more isolated than ever.All this mystery, all these questions—I was drowning in them. I didn't know where I was, why I was here, or what they were hiding. And the lack of answers was eating away at me.Then came the familiar knock."Knock, knock..." The voice was unmistakable: Aamon, the most infuriatingly playful man I had ever met. His tone, as usual, was laced with amusement. "I brought your meal, your lowness..."I turned to face the door, frowning as it creaked open. Aamon strolled in, carrying a silver tray in his hands, his signature smirk plastered across his face."Stop calling me names," I snapped, glaring at him."So sorry, milady..." he said mockingly, giving me a shallow bow before placing the tray on the table.I rolled my eyes as I approached the tray. The meal looked simple enough—bread, a slice of cheese, and a small portion of fruit. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. As I grabbed the bread, I noticed Aamon standing by the window, sniffing the air dramatically."Your room smells so good I could just eat the air," he said with a sly grin.I raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-bite. "What are you even talking about?" I asked, glancing around the room. It smelled like... nothing. Just air. "The room smells normal."Aamon shrugged, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief. "Maybe to you," he said cryptically.I sighed, deciding it wasn't worth pursuing. Instead, I focused on eating my meal, though I couldn't help but steal glances at him. He was leaning casually against the windowsill, his gaze fixed on something outside. His playful demeanor was momentarily gone, replaced by a contemplative expression."What are you thinking about?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.He glanced at me, his smirk returning almost instantly. "You," he said simply, his tone teasing.I rolled my eyes again, shoving a piece of bread into my mouth. "You're annoying," I muttered through the bite."You're welcome," he replied with a mock bow.The room fell into silence, save for the soft sound of me chewing. I couldn't help but feel awkward under his gaze, so I focused on my food, pretending he wasn't there.Then, out of nowhere, he broke the silence."Do you wish to go outside?"I froze mid-bite, his question catching me off guard. Slowly, I placed the bread down and looked at him."Outside?" I repeated, unsure if I had heard him correctly.He nodded, his smirk widening. "It's been three days, Arabella. Surely you're tired of staring at these four walls."I hesitated. The idea of stepping outside this room, of seeing more of this strange world, was tempting. I had been cooped up for so long, and the curiosity burning inside me was hard to ignore."Can I?" I asked cautiously."Of course you can," he replied, leaning forward slightly. "Where else would you even use your feet for?""Funny, you think?" I retorted, narrowing my eyes at him.He chuckled, pushing off the windowsill and gesturing toward the door. "Come on, milady. Let's go for a walk. I promise I'll behave."I stared at him for a moment, debating whether or not to trust him. Finally, my curiosity won out."Fine," I said, standing up. "But if you do anything weird, I'm locking myself back in here, and you'll never see me again.""Noted," he said with a grin, holding the door open for me.Stepping out of the room felt like a small victory. The hallway was just as grand and intimidating as I remembered, with high ceilings and dark, intricate wallpaper. The air was cool and carried a faint scent of something floral, though I couldn't place it."Where are we going?" I asked as I followed Aamon down the corridor."You'll see," he said over his shoulder, his tone as cryptic as ever.The castle seemed endless, each hallway blending into the next. Portraits of unfamiliar faces lined the walls, their eyes following me as I passed. The unsettling feeling of being watched returned, but I forced myself to focus on Aamon, who seemed completely at ease."Does anyone else live here?" I asked, breaking the silence."Just the three of us," he replied casually.I frowned. "No servants? No staff?"He shook his head. "No need. The castle takes care of itself.""That's... not creepy at all," I muttered.Aamon chuckled, glancing back at me. "You get used to it."Finally, we reached a set of double doors. Aamon pushed them open, revealing a massive garden bathed in the soft glow of twilight. The air was cool and refreshing, and the sound of a fountain bubbling nearby filled the space."This is the courtyard," Aamon said, stepping aside to let me take it all in. "It's one of the few places in the castle that feels alive."I walked slowly, taking in the beauty of the garden. The flowers were unlike anything I had ever seen, their petals shimmering with an otherworldly light. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves whispering softly."It's beautiful," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Aamon nodded, his gaze fixed on me. "It's rare to hear someone appreciate it. Damian and Selene don't care much for the garden."I glanced at him, surprised by the honesty in his tone. "Why not?""They're... not the sentimental type," he said with a shrug.I studied him for a moment, my curiosity piqued. "And you are?"His smirk returned, though it was softer this time. "Maybe. But don't tell them that. I have a reputation to maintain."I couldn't help but smile at his response. For all his teasing and mischief, there was something genuine about Aamon that made him hard to dislike.We walked in silence for a while, the peace of the garden easing the tension I had been carrying for days. For the first time since arriving in this strange world, I felt a small sense of calm.But, of course, Aamon couldn't let that last."You know," he said, his voice breaking the silence. "You smell different out here too."I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him. "What is it with you and this smell thing? First my room, now me?"He grinned, tilting his head. "It's hard to explain. But you have this... presence. It's like the world itself reacts to you. The air feels different when you're around."I frowned, unsure whether to take that as a compliment or a warning. "That's... weird.""Maybe," he said, his grin widening. "But weird can be good."I rolled my eyes, deciding not to press the issue further. "You're impossible, you know that?""Thank you," he replied, giving me an exaggerated bow.Despite myself, I laughed. It was the first genuine laugh I'd had in days, and it felt surprisingly good.