The King of Ruin

The North Court

"Where are we?"

"Welcome to Kalistié, the North Court." A male with wavy dark brown hair pulled up says. He looks nice. Nicer than Val, at least. He reminds me of Ward and Chay. He has there calm demeanour. He likely has a heart of gold too.

I let go of Bianca's hand and release a breath I forgot I was holding.

"Oh, my spirits... we made it,"

"We made it.." Bianca repeats. She falls to her knees and breaks down in tears. My eyes widen. In all the years I've known Bianca, I've never seen her break down in tears. "We made it.."

At the far end of the room is a vase with deep blue flowers. Exquisite paintings cover the room. Behind us, the man with red hair crosses his arms. He stares right back. I turn away quickly to look at other relics and heirlooms.

On the ceiling is an enormous compass rose. Leading me to believe that this room is one of the council rooms. I examine the compass rose, and the N is slightly larger than the other letters. Showing off the named Kingdom and court they are dealing with. It's stunning.

"Mari. I'm glad you made it," Beck says.

I whirl around to face the green-eyed male I met yesterday night. He offers me a warm smile. I return it with ease. For the first time in six months, I feel relief. Not like I've been stuffed into a jar.

"Thank you," I say from the bottom of my heart, and I mean it.

"Think nothing of it," Beck smiles wider. "Let's get you settled. I've had two chambers set up before both got here. Kerri, would you show Mari to her rooms and Myla show Bianca to hers?"

Kerri, a redheaded female, the one who urged us through the portal, smiles and nods to me. Beside Kerri, a dark-haired and tawny-skinned female smiles at Bianca.

"Dinner is at six. I will send a maid to fetch you." Beck says.

"Shall we?" Kerri says, gesturing for me to follow her. She doesn't wait for me. She takes off down the halls. I have to take long strides to catch up.

A few minutes later, we arrive at what seems to be my rooms. Kerri opens the door, and I walk into an exquisite room. White silk curtains adorn the windows, sheer white material covers the open-ended bed frame and a queen-sized bed with pale purple sheets.

I am speechless. This room is stunning. More so than my room back in Aletheia. Certainly better than Amberanian.

"Oh, my spirits..this is beautiful...how?"

"Bianca told us of your colours. Ones you wore often, and then I designed your rooms. I made some assumptions of my own," Kerri says halfway out the door. "I hope you like it."
______

Three Hours Later

"My Lady, it's almost time for dinner." A female says as she knocks on my door.

"I'll be out in a second."

I rush to put away my book, quill and ink before I head out.

It takes a few minutes to get to the dining area, but I enjoy my surroundings for the first time since leaving Aletheia. As we turn corner after corner I take in each and every painting. Each one is more beautiful than the last.

We make it to the dining room after the female coaxed me into rushing. It turns out the dining room is where Bianca and I arrived earlier. Before, it had a casual setup. That's been changed to accommodate dinner. How unique.

Father never would have approved, nor would he have done it. I love this.

Inside the dining room, I pause to marvel at its beauty. In contrast to the stark grey, reds and blacks of Amberanion's. Here the windows are accented with elegant silk drapes. The walls house murals that look like the painter stole the night sky and the northern mountains right behind the castle.

"It's so pretty, it reminds me of.."

"Stars," Beck says as I say the same thing. I look at him before looking down to cover my blush.

"Come on! Take a seat!" Myla grins, waving us over.

I take a seat beside her, and she immediately starts talking. Mostly about how she managed to catch a wild boar the other day. "Myla? Myla...Myla!"

"Yes?"

"Don't talk Mari's ear off," Beck warns, but I sit in amazement that this group. They all seem like friends and enjoy each other's company. It's nice. I feel at home. More than in Aletheia.

"Oops, sorry, I tend to get carried away with talking...a lot." I softly smile before all my emotions bubble to the top. And I cry. "Oh, my spirits! I'm so sorry! Beck, what do I do? I don't deal with crying!"

"It's fine. I'm fine..truth be told, I've never felt better," Everyone gives me stares. So I  elaborate. "All my life, I felt like I was expendable. My older brother is to become King. I never really thought I'd end up with an arranged marriage, so it was a shock to have one thrust upon me. Being here has made me feel more so like myself than I have in a long time. For that, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart,"

"You are very welcome." A warm voice says, so much like Becks. King Kent.

I turn to face a middle-aged male. King Kent's eyes let on that he is older than his body lets on. He makes eye contact with me. I smile. His eyes dance and twinkle. Much like how his sons do.

"My King,"

"Your Majesty," We stand to let King Kent take a seat before he invites us to sit with him. As is custom.

"Please, sit. I'm not here to stay. Only to say good evening to Her Royal Highness Mari and Lady Bianca," King Kent says, walking over to my chair. He holds his hand out for me to take. I oblige.

"It is nice to finally meet you instead of running into you in the halls." King Kent kisses my hand. My face begins heating up. I swear if my ears go red too I may die of embarrassment.

"I'm surprised you remember that."

"I enjoyed that visit to Aletheia."

King Kent hands me and Bianca each a scroll. On the inside is a contract. One that depicts how my stay here could be or what I can do if I choose to leave.

"At the bottom, there is a place to sign if you wish to stay. Without your signature, we won't be able to keep you from Prince Val, or you would be forced to flee for the rest of your life," King Kent explains, gesturing to each section. "Take your time. You can decide tomorrow, tonight is about enjoying yourself."

"No, no. I'll stay," I say, holding out my hand for a quill. I take it and sign the document. I hand it back to the King. He asks Bianca if she wants time to think. She quickly denies saying she, too, will sign. I pass her the quill and watch her sign. King Kent collects her document. He smiles and then leaves us to eat.
______

At the end of the night, Beck gifts me a book. A sketchbook, to be exact. "What's this?"

"Sketchbook. At–" Beck begins, but I cut him off.

"How did you know?"

"At dinner, I thought I saw your fingers itching for something to do."

"Thank you." I smile, and Beck's matches mine.

"I'll send someone to wake you in the morning."

"Truly, thank you. Until the morning." I close the door after he leaves, and I finish getting ready for bed.