Chapter 23
I walked out of the king's court, my heart pounding with an inexplicable mix of adrenaline and confusion. Where had I found the courage to speak so boldly? Surprisingly, the king didn't react with anger; instead, he looked amused by my unexpected display of confidence. It appeared that I had managed to convince him, adding an unexpected twist to the situation.
As I continued my walk, a sense of anxiety and bewilderment lingered. The sudden calmness and assurance I had demonstrated during my confrontation with Helen puzzled me. It was as if a newfound strength had surfaced within me. Helen's confrontation was not without purpose; she aimed to expose my true identity, and sensing her suspicion, I decided to act strategically. I could tell she didn't have any proof of any kind. Only baseless assumptions; there was definitely no way she could tell if I was genuine or not. The only basis she had was my worn palm and feet. So I decided to use their ignorance to my advantage, knowing there was no way they would discern the actual damage done. I exaggerated how things were back in Ashford, assuming the role of the princess and taking actual responsibility for her subjects. A scorn escaped my lips, and I snickered at the thought. What responsibility? The royal family only cared about themselves, while the people of Ashford lived in poverty. The royal family enjoyed the best of things, residing in the remaining affluence. The so-called royal family had no sense of responsibility whatsoever to its subjects.
Nightfall had demanded the princess, and here I was, a fake, deceived, and sent off. The king had lied; it was clear there was no plan to bring me out of here. I had been sent off for peace. The king had sacrificed me instead of his daughter, a selfish move that I cursed under my breath. From what I had seen, the king of Nightfall was ruthless, wiping out a kingdom entirely over a slight deceit. Even knowing the risks, Ashford's king had gone ahead to try to fool the king for his own selfish motives, without considering the repercussions it would have on his people afterward.
Knowing I was all on my own, I had to act fast. Realizing the king of Nightfall might be suspicious, I chose to face him directly, presenting myself at his court. I played the part of a confident princess, refusing to exhibit the expected signs of guilt or fear. It was evident that Helen's accusations were a mere ploy to rattle me. I could sense her frustration when I maintained my calm demeanor in front of the king.
Reflecting on Helen's tactics, I imagined a similar scenario with the girl from Thrustfall. Helen likely baited her, provoking and aiming for the same reaction I steadfastly refused to give. Instead of handling it with composure, the girl might have succumbed to anxiety and pleaded for mercy and revealed vulnerabilities. My quick thinking allowed me to adopt the arrogant demeanor of royalty, turning the tables in my favor.
"Olivia, are you okay?" Sophia called inquired, breaking through my thoughts. The echoes of the court confrontation still lingered within me, leaving me both anxious, triumphant, and contemplative.
"Yes. I'd like to go for a stroll," I replied with a small smile. My room was the last place I felt like being right now. Sophia nodded, and the guards, surprisingly, seemed to part without protest. A sense of accomplishment washed over me; it seemed I had successfully persuaded them, earning the privilege to wander openly within the castle. This marked a notable difference from the necessity of sneaking around the palace as I had done before.
I strolled through the vast castle walls, marveling at the unfamiliar surroundings. This path led me through the back of the king's court, unveiling a side I had never explored before. Crossing a small field, my curiosity heightened. Nightfall's castle held mysteries, and the seclusion of this particular area intrigued me. The towering gates and endless walls hinted at the enormity of the castle's expanse. I always knew Nightfall's Castle was big, but it never occurred to me that it was this huge.
How had they managed to build a wall around hundreds of acres of land? The huge gates were astonishing, and the walls seemed to go on for miles. There were numerous paths and gardens to explore.
I stopped at an old garden. Although there was nothing peculiar about this one, I noticed an old statue with a symbol embedded in it—the same symbol the knights had on their armors. I turned to head outside the old garden, but then something caught my attention. Close to the hedge, it seemed like flowers and plants were partially covering something. Curious, I bent to check, pushing the plants and weeds out of the way. I was right—the plants had been concealing something. It was a tunnel.
I stood upright in wonderment, contemplating where the tunnel led. Holding up my long dress, I braced myself and squatted through it. The small tunnel seemed to go on forever, and just when I was considering giving up and going back, I finally reached the end. Crawling out slowly, a gasp escaped my throat as I stared at the sight in front of me—an expansive field. The tunnel had led to this breathtakingly beautiful open space, adorned with various trees and flowers. Up ahead, I noticed a greenhouse similar to the one that had led me here.
Eager to explore, I yearned to see what the greenhouse held. However, I hesitated, glancing back in the direction I came from, toward the palace. Realizing I had wasted considerable time and that this secluded area might not be intended for visitors, with the way it was sealed off, I had a gut feeling I wasn't supposed to be here.
I stood there in contemplation. The green scenery had a calming effect, and the breeze ruffling through my hair made it feel like places I had only read about in books. I wanted to venture further—I had never felt this free in my life.
"What's the worst that could happen?" I asked myself. Besides, no one would notice I was gone or that I had found this place.
With that thought in mind, I rushed forward, running through the expanse of land. The wind hitting my face felt exhilarating as I splashed along a small stream without a care for my dress. Following the stream led me to a pond with sparkling clean water. Then, I saw it—the most enchanting greenhouse ever! I couldn't believe my eyes; it was made entirely of glass. I had noticed this very greenhouse from the balcony of my room.
Approaching it, I felt like I was stepping into a secret garden. The air was filled with delightful scents from the blooming plants. I couldn't resist taking a moment to sit on a cozy wooden chair and soak in the beauty all around me. It felt like a slice of heaven, and I never wanted to leave.
Then my eyes caught sight of a swing hanging from a tree, a nostalgic reminder of those we had in the village. Giggles of girlish excitement escaped me as I ran towards it, kicked off my shoes, and settled onto the swing. Despite its hauntingly beautiful appearance, the place seemed abandoned, as if time had forgotten it.
As the gentle sway of the swing brought a sense of whimsy, questions lingered in my mind. Why was such a charming place left untouched and neglected for so long? The mystery of its abandonment intrigued me, and I found myself lost in contemplation.
Suddenly, the serene atmosphere was shattered by the distant pounding of hooves and the eerie symphony of growls. The sounds approached rapidly, as if heading directly towards me. A chill ran down my spine as my breath hitched in my throat. The cacophony suggested the presence of wild beasts, and a wave of fear gripped me. How could there be such creatures within the castle walls?
Then, like a chilling echo, Anna's warning reverberated in my mind: "Nightfall has some peculiar creatures." Panic set in as the sounds drew nearer, and I found myself standing there, paralyzed with fear. In that moment, the thought lingered heavily, I would be dying today.
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The atmosphere within the palace crackled with tension as knights hurriedly darted about, leaving a trail of unanswered questions in their wake. Sophia, caught in the whirlwind of chaos, sought clarity. "What's going on?" she inquired, her eyes reflecting concern.
"Is it Damon again?" she added, voicing her suspicion.
Devin, appearing rushed and harried, replied, "We haven't seen him all day. It's Berserked wolves." The revelation hung in the air, explaining the frantic commotion. These wolves, intended to be contained, had broken free, sending shockwaves through the castle.
News spread swiftly, urging everyone to seek refuge within the castle itself. Within the large expense of the walls were not safe, that was where the Berserked wolves roamed.
"Where is Olivia?" Sophia asked, her voice tinged with urgency. She had headed to Olivia's room to ensure she was safe.
The trio of Anna, Martha, and Elizabeth exchanged blank glances, leaving Sophia increasingly anxious. Martha finally responded, "She was summoned by the king." She answered.
"I know that!" Sophia snapped
"But She left afterward, saying she was going for a stroll." She stated.
" You mean she hasn't returned?!"
The realization hit Sophia hard. Olivia, oblivious to the existence of Berserked werewolves, was out there in potential danger strolling within the castle walls.
. Panic seized Sophia. "We have to find her. Quickly!" she declared, her urgency resonating through the palace halls.
The maids dispersed through the wings of the castle. Moments later they emerged, she hadn't been found. Sophia suspicion was confirmed. Olivia was indeed outside.
She headed outside immediately with her maids in tow, the knights had been sent out in batches and the last one headed by Devin was about heading out.
"Olivia is still somewhere out there. She's not in any of the castle wings. Last I saw her, she said she was going out for a stroll, and she still hasn't returned." Sophia explained.
Devin, recognizing the gravity of the situation, immediately took charge.
"What direction did she take?" he asked, and in no time, a well-equipped search party of knights was assembled. Sophia, observing the intensity in the knights' expressions, sought further understanding. "Are those Berserked ones that dangerous?" she questioned, realizing the severity of the threat.
"Yes," Devin affirmed, his demeanor reflecting a grave seriousness. "They've lost their minds completely. They attack relentlessly, randomly, and without reason. We need to find Olivia swiftly and ensure her safety. The wolves attack to kill." He said grimly.