The Darkest of Truths

Chapter 5

They tried to drag me but I wouldn't let them.

If I was to be brought to the palace against my will then at the very least I was going to do it with my head held high and walking on my own two feet.

That didn't stop them from occasionally shoving me though.

We entered the halls of the palace and I couldn't help myself but stop and take in its grandeur. The walls were made of some sort of off white stone with flecks of gold, giving it a marbled look to it and also held a variety of artwork and other decor. A long soft looking red rug ran from the main entrance to the end of the hall, white and black tiles poking out from either side. 

I never thought that I would be walking through these halls.

There had been times where I had thought about sneaking in. Maybe take something that was minuscule enough that no one would notice or care that it was gone, but valuable enough to sell or trade for some aurum.

But it was always so heavily guarded and too risky to even attempt. I knew of some people who had tried and we never saw them again, since I had the kids I wasn't willing to take that risk.

And now I'm here, dragged into a job that will be my end.

At least I got to see it all before that...

I must have been loitering for too long because one of the guards suddenly gave me a rough shove.

"Keep it moving, Remnant!" he yelled.

"Hey! I'm moving, I'm moving!" I retorted back and I could hear Viktor silently tell the guards that force wasn't necessary since I was clearly co-operating.

Remnant.

It's what the Highlener's called those of us in Lowen, that or Rems. I think it was meant to remind us of what we all were and that just because we were allowed to live in Lowen, doesn't mean that we were welcomed.

We got to the end of the hall and climbed a few flights of stairs. Then after a few twists and turns we finally entered a room.

I was expecting to see the King, maybe an advisor or two but I wasn't expecting the small army of displeased maids.

I was very confused.

"What's all this about?" I asked the guards behind me and I scanned my eyes over the uniformed ladies, all of whom looked at me as though I was filth.

"You didn't honestly expect to be presented to the King looking like that, did you?" remarked Guard number 1, his mouth curled up in disgust and making no effort to hide his judgments. I looked down at my attire and examined my hands. Both were neat all things considered, if you ignore the calluses and the patched up boots.

"You'll see the King tomorrow morning but until then you need to be scrubbed down ... maybe two or three times. Can't have you spreading any foreign diseases to the royal family."

I've lived here for half of my life, you prick!

...

Wait, did he say tomorrow?

"I'm not seeing the King until tomorrow!? Then why get me now? Why not wait until tomorrow? What am I supposed to do in the meantime?" I asked, probably more demanding than I should've been considering I was talking to a Royal guard.

"It's not my job to answer your questions," he said with a sneer.

I looked towards Viktor and he had the smuggest smirk on his face, clearly he was enjoying this way too much.