Sandonnia Book 1 - The Crowned Prince

CHAPTER 11 - Sandonnia Castle

After a while, the desert seemed to come to an end. And greenery started. It was still very hot. In the distance Amy could see turrets of a huge castle. This place was stunning and even looked magical. Amy had no clue a place as beautiful as this even existed.

They arrived at an iron gate in a huge stone wall. This seemed to be the entrance to the castle grounds. Guards opened the gates upon seeing the Behrouz brothers and the driver drove the car in down the driveway, stopping at the main gate of the castle. Footmen opened the doors of their car and Amy stepped out.

Never had Amy seen architecture that spoke grandeur like this - high turrets reaching the sky, the main building itself was four storeys high. Amy even saw two waterfalls as they crossed the aqueduct on the way into the castle. It was so big that Amy was sure she would get lost if she tried to go anywhere here alone.

"Ethan, this is your home?!" Amy whispered after walking around to Ethan. "I am truly at a loss for words."

"I haven't been back in years," Ethan said.

"I'll ask for someone to see her to the female quarters," Liam grinned to his brother walking up to them. "I'd like to see you snog her here with so many eyes that would complain straight to father, hoping for a raise in position at court or palace staffing."

"I'm not stupid," Ethan groaned before kissing Amy's hand as Liam asked a guard for some maids to be sent down for Amy. "Darling, women that stay at the castle stay in the women's quarters. I reside in the Behrouz family quarters."

"How far is my residence from yours?" Amy asked.

"Quite a walk," Ethan replied. "But don't worry, I'll find you."

"Ethan, I'm not letting you come into women's quarters," Amy grinned.

"Why? Are you jealous?" Ethan smirked.

"No. I am new to your culture but I don't think that's entirely allowed," Amy grinned.

"It isn't but phone reception isn't great here," Ethan said. "Speaking of phone, I'm getting an engineer to check mine for security breaches. Would you like me to request that for you too?"

"Yes please," Amy replied.

It was then a teenage boy walked up to Ethan.

"Sabir, look at you! How you've grown!" Ethan exclaimed.

"Good to see you back, Sir," Sabir grinned.

"Amy, this is Sabir," Ethan introduced. "His parents work in the kitchen. We grew up in the palace together. He is my main attendant here at the castle."

"Lovely to meet you," Amy smiled.

Sabir bowed to her before looking at Ethan and grinning. "Introductions, Sir?"

"My girlfriend," Ethan sighed. "And stop grinning."

That was the first time Ethan has called him his girlfriend, making Amy blush. She smiled. Her blush and smile did not go unnoticed by Ethan from the corner of his eyes. He tried to keep a straight face.

Three maids also turned up before them.

"Ah! Thank you for calling, Liam," Ethan said to his brother before turning to Amy. "This is Alina, Petal and Rose. They will be your maids while you are staying here."

Before Amy could object, Ethan said, "I will see you dinner. There is a feast tonight to welcome me back. I hope you will save me a dance."

"You're forgetting to tell her something, brother," Liam chipped in. "In front of everyone, do not call me or Ethan by our first names. And remember to curtsy. Strictly speaking."