The Realm Of The Abyss

Chapter 10: The Royal Family

Quinn’s POV.

I took a deep breath and gazed up at the ceiling as I laid down the mattress. The only sound I could hear was birds chirping on the window pane.

When we returned to the palace after a close to full day of sightseeing and exploring the place, I immediately rested. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts were jumbled. Such revelations haven’t fully registered in my mind.

“My name is Alvaro, and I am the Prince of this Kingdom…”

I face-palmed when Prince Alvaro’s voice echoed like a loose screw in my head.

Prince? Why are there princes and princesses in this place? Why do they have different kingdoms? 

I scoffed. “What is this, an empire?”

But isn’t it?

What happened to me? Where have I gone? What’s going on, and why am I trapped here? How do I head home? I have far too many questions for myself, but I have yet to find an answer.

I rolled out of bed and sat next to the window, where I could admire the view outside. I breathed out with a sound.

I’m not sure how long I’ll be in this place. I have no idea what will happen to me in the days ahead of my stay here.

All I know is that I need to find a way to get back home as soon as possible…

***

I was forced to leave the bedroom when my stomach growled in hunger. I nearly got lost searching for Prince Alvaro throughout the palace, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. He was the only person I knew and with whom I could communicate here.

As I passed by the kitchen, the cooks were preparing for dinner. They looked over at me, as if they were wondering if they knew who I was.

“Don’t you think the Prince’s guest is gorgeous? She’s an epitome of elegance and charisma.”

“She’s mesmerising! As far as I know, she’s a princess from another kingdom.”

“Minimize your voices if you don’t want someone to overhear our conversation. If the queen finds out, we’re doomed.”

As I was leaving, I overheard the three kitchen staff whispering. I shrugged, feigning indifference, and kept on walking within the palace. Over and over until I had mastered every turn. I was also expecting Alvaro to show up, but after a few minutes, I still hadn’t seen him. I stalled in front of two servants cleaning a flower pot.

“By any chance, have you seen Prince Alvaro? Where is he?” I asked.

“The prince must be resting in his room by now, Your Royal Highness,” one of them replied. I thanked her before walking past their direction.

I was about to leave the palace for some fresh air when I was stopped by the arrival of a sophisticated woman and a beautiful man, both of whom were quite old but retained their beauty and youthfulness.

“Who are you?” The lady greeted me with an unwelcoming demeanor.

I was inert. I couldn’t even speak because she was eyeing me from head to toe with a raised brow. The way she stared at me was intimidating. I couldn’t open my mouth because I had nothing to say either.

Fortunately, Prince Alvaro appeared before us just when I needed him the most. I breathed a sigh of relief and stashed behind him.

“Who is she?” The lady asked once more, this time turning to Prince Alvaro.