"Your new home"
The words kept on ringining in her head like a broken record.
Where and how did they get here???!
Last time she could remember, they were at the forbidden forest.
Her eyes widened
"Where are my sold—"
"Ahhhh" she groaned in pain whike massaging her temples. The rush of last night was playing in her head like a nightmare.
Her soldiers....
They were all ....
Gone.
"Your majesty!" The maid screamed
"Should I get you some medicine??, are you okay??" The red haired maid looked at her with worry and concern. She rushed and sat next to her trying to massage her scalp.
Serenya started at the maid intently and now that she was up close she noticed how beautiful she was, she had red hair with emerald green eyes....she didn't look like the others. Even though she was another striking beauty, she didn't give off the same energy as the rest of them.
Her eyes trailed down to the necklace she was wearing, it had a special stone that was found only in Ariathen—The Aeriathon stone —
Could she be ...?
"Are you Ariathen...?"
Serenya couldn't help but ask. The lady smiled.
"Yes your majesty. I am"
Serenya's eyes widened
"Then how did you end up here?"
The maid dropped her hands from Serenya's temples and took a quiet breath.
For a moment, her expression shifted… stern and serious
"My name is Zaraphina...." She began
"I once lived in Ariathen with my family, until the war that started over 2 decades ago. My parents were killed and I was abducted. When I came into Veyr, I was among the lucky ones to end up in the palace as a maid. The rest were either concubines to elders or sex slaves for the highest bidder. I was 8 years old when I got abducted and I've been surviving in the castle since then."
Serenya's eyes dimmed.
She couldn't even imagine what we went through as a child being separated from her parents that young. All cause of a petty fude that has lasted for centuries.
"I'm sorry Zaraphina for what happened to you"
"It's fine your majesty....and you can call me Zara" she smiled
Serenya couldn't help but smile back. At first she thought she was alone in this kingdom but who would've thought she would find an Ariathen here.
*Knock, knock*
Zara walked to the door and opened it. The man stepped into the room. He was blonde with charming blue eyes.
He looked... familiar
Wait —
It's that guard from before, that almost got into a fight with one of her soldiers
"Good morning your majesty" He greeted with a charming smile
"I trust you rested well...?"
"Yes I did" she paused
"How may I help you ... sir?"
"Oh! Sorry where are my manners. My name is Levai, the commanding general officer of Veyr. I have been assigned by his highness—Prince Kaelen— to be your personal body guard" he paused
"I came to tell you that prince Kaelen demands your presence In his chambers"
Serenya's brows creased
"Why?" She asked seeming annoyed.
"Well, your majesty. You both are now married and he wants to spend quality time with his wife"
Serenya's expression tightened.
Could it be that he wanted to consummate their wedding or something??!
Why now after everything she went through in the forest??!.
Couldn't he just wait for like a day or two and let her rest?!
"Fine. Go ahead, I'll be right behind you"
"Your majesty I'm afraid I can't do that. He instructed that I escort you personally"
Serenya sighed.
Of course he did.
Reluctantly, she stood and turned toward the mirror.
Zara had already dressed her and styled her hair.
She barely recognized herself.
The Veyr attire clung elegantly to her figure, dark and regal, making her look every bit like a queen of a foreign land.
She took a deep breath.
Then turned.
"Let's go."
And with that, she followed Levai out of the room.
Levai stepped out into the corridor first, holding the door open for her.
Serenya hesitated for a brief moment… then followed.
The moment she stepped outside, she felt it.
Everything was different.
The palace of Veyr was nothing like Ariathen.
The walls were built from dark stone, smooth and polished, yet cold. Tall pillars stretched endlessly toward the ceiling, carved with strange symbols she couldn't understand. Torches lined the walls, their flames burning in an unnatural silver glow.
Even the air felt… heavier.
Quieter.
Serenya walked beside Levai, her gaze moving cautiously around her surroundings.
Servants and guards lined parts of the hallway as they passed. They all bowed their heads in respect to her authority.
'So this is Veyr…'
As a child she was told that Veyr lived in darkness, the kingdom stood in a place where the sun didn't shine. That only banished citizens and ancient creatures lived here. She always pictured it to be a wasteland but contrary to what she thought, the kingdom is enchanting with beautiful citizens
Levai walked calmly beside her, his presence was oddly reassuring.
Unlike the others, he didn't feel suffocating.
"You're quiet," he said, glancing at her.
Serenya didn't look at him.
"I'm observing," she replied.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Careful," he said lightly. "You might start seeing things you don't like."
That made her look at him.
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
He shrugged casually.
"Veyr isn't what you've been told… but it's not exactly innocent either."
Serenya frowned slightly.
Before she could respond—
They stopped.
Two massive doors stood before them.
Dark and towering.
Intricately carved with symbols far more detailed than anything she had seen so far.
Serenya's heart skipped.
This must be it…
Kaelen's chambers...
Levai stepped forward and pushed the doors open.
They creaked slowly.
Loudly.
Echoing into the space beyond.
He stepped aside and gestured inward.
"After you, Your Majesty."
Serenya swallowed.
Then, gathering what little courage she had left…
She stepped inside and instantly froze at the sight before her
What the hell is this??!!