The Death Kingdom

Chapter Nine

Before I can even think about telling Nena what just happened she's grabbing my hand and hauling me forward.

"Did you get lost or something?" she asks, grabbing one basket from my arm and putting it on hers.

"No, sorry." And then I freeze, nothing else coming out of my mouth. It's something I can't even comprehend myself, but the urge to protect the mysterious man's identity keeps my mouth shut. There was something about him, about the way he didn't seem worried about being discovered by the guards that has me second-guessing. If he really didn't want to be seen he wouldn't have picked up the candle that fell from my basket.

"We must hasten now," Nena says, wending us towards a pair of open doors on the side of the castle. "What you told Rome wasn't exactly a lie. I do need you to help me dress and prepare Prince Kavi for his brother's arrival."

My steps falter. "I'm sorry, what?" I gape at her, my eyes growing infinitely wide.

She has the courtesy to look a little sheepish. "I know I should have warned you, but I thought it would make for a lovely surprise."

"I think not!"

"Well, the look on your face is a lovely sight for me." She flashes a grin as we walk past the guards and into the castle.

If possible my mouth gapes even more. "You deceptive crafty little thing!" I whack her in the arm playfully.

A giggle passes her lips as she looks at me from the corner of her eye.

I grow quiet as I start to take in my surroundings. The hallways she's taking me through looks like back hallways the servants take to quickly get to and from one place without any of the nobles seeing. They're similar to the hallways in the servants' quarter, but with fancier décor. Beautiful golden crown molding runs along where the ceiling meets the wall.

And then we enter the ballroom.

The floor is a gorgeous black and white marble pattern with white marble pillars reaching up to the high ceilings. The entire back wall of the ballroom has massive doors with high arches on top leading out into the gardens of the castle. A colorful mural is painted on the ceiling depicting the first king and the beautiful lands that encompass Delphine.

There are long tables for the feast tonight spread out along one side of the ballroom and on the other, there is space for people to dance to the quartet setting up by the back doors. The back doors are currently open revealing the luscious and vibrant colors of the gardens surrounding the large lily pond with a grand fountain in the middle.

The sight of it all stops me in my tracks, but Nena is pulling on my arm forcing me away from the scene.

One day I'll get outside to explore those gardens. One day.

Nena leads me over to a pair of winding stairs and starts up them. I follow closely behind trying not to get jostled as hundreds of servants mill about frantically preparing. I have never seen such organized chaos before. Everyone is rushing to get somewhere and do something, but it's all done with intense focus and a clear goal in mind. Every detail of the ballroom looks expertly done and already looks stunning even though it isn't completed yet.

"I know it's a lot to take in," Nena says to me over her shoulder as we continue to climb up another flight.

"That it is," I agree, nodding my head absently. "What exactly is there to do to help get the prince ready?"