Conquest of Magic

Part 13

"Let's go," William said, taking my hand. I followed him, my steps hesitant as I took in the stunning interiors around me.

As we entered the grand entrance hall, I couldn't help but gape. The ceiling arched high above, with intricate carvings on the walls and gilded moldings that sparkled in the soft light. A massive chandelier hung in the center, its brass and glass frame surrounded by tiers of flickering candles, casting a warm glow across the room.

My breath caught in my throat. This place was nothing like I imagined. The polished marble floor gleamed underfoot, and towering statues of deities and mythical creatures lined the hall, their eyes seemingly watching me. "Oh my goodness," I whispered, feeling a strange mix of awe and fear. "This is... incredible."

I moved slowly, my eyes darting around, trying to absorb it all—the delicate carvings, the shimmering tapestries. It felt like stepping into another world, one I wasn't sure I belonged in. My heart pounded as I realized how out of place I was here, surrounded by such grandeur and unfamiliarity.

I had expected a dark, hidden place, not a palace filled with beauty and history. I felt small, almost swallowed by the sheer opulence of it all, and a knot of anxiety twisted in my stomach. What kind of place was this? And what did it mean for me?

William's soft chuckle brought me back to reality. I turned to face him, feeling a sudden wave of unease. "Do you like it?" he asked, a smile playing on his lips.

"It's... beautiful," I replied, my voice a bit shaky as I glanced around, trying to appreciate the grand interior. But the beauty only made me feel more out of place, more like a fragile piece in a room full of unbreakable things.

Before I could say more, two girls hurried towards us, stopping a few feet away from William. They kept their heads low, avoiding his gaze. I felt the tension in the air, thick and suffocating. Their simple dresses and the way they seemed to shrink in his presence made it clear they were maids. They looked terrified, and I felt a cold shiver run down my spine.

"My lord, the king has summoned you," one of them murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

William's expression hardened. "Take her to the guest chamber and make sure she has everything she needs," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. The maids flinched slightly, nodding quickly. "Yes, my lord," they stuttered in unison.

William gave me a smile, but I felt no comfort from it. As he turned to leave, a part of me was relieved. I needed him to stay away, to give me a moment to breathe, but I couldn't shake the fear that he might never come back, leaving me in this strange place with people who seemed afraid of their own shadows.

The two maids approached me cautiously. One was tall, with tanned skin and striking features, while the other was smaller, with pale skin and dark hair. They both looked nervous, and I couldn't tell if it was because of William or me.

I forced a smile, trying to hide my own fear. "Hi, I'm Kristen," I said, extending a hand, but the girls recoiled slightly, their eyes widening in fear.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," I said, noticing their fear.

"No, Your Highness. Please don't apologize to us; we're just maids," the brunette, Amber, murmured as she lowered her head in a bow, her voice trembling slightly.

I could see the fear in her eyes and felt a strange, uncomfortable twist in my stomach. "What's your name?" I asked, trying to sound friendly, offering a small smile. I didn't understand why they seemed so scared—I was just a human, after all. Nothing like the vampires they seemed so wary of.

Amber hesitated, then finally spoke, still avoiding eye contact. "I'm Amber, and this is Tina," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Nice to meet you both," I said gently. "I'm not a vampire, so there's no need to be afraid of me, okay?" I tried to keep my tone light, hoping to ease the tension, but their anxious expressions didn't change much.