I wake up on the royal blue carpet with Eulalia and Leonita lying beside me. They slowly come to, looking confused. The two male soldiers beside them also start to stir. They look at my handmaidens, then at me, and turn a bright red.
"Forgive us, my Queen. We did not mean to…" one guard with gray hair says. He looks in his early forties but is fit for his age.
"My Queen?" Eulalia says, her tone worried.
"It's fine, everyone. Don't be so uptight. Nothing happened other than the supernatural, something I can't explain. You know, your everyday occurrence in a fairytale castle. No big deal, right?" I say, trying to shrug off what just occurred.
"My Queen, please forgive us. We have defied your handmaidens!" the younger soldier with brunette hair says.
"Nope. Nope. No, you didn't. I did not hear that, and I do not believe that!"
I sit up with Eulalia and Leonita. The two male soldiers stand at attention.
"Well, don't just stand there. Help us up, please," I ask, smiling.
"Yes, my Queen. We will assist you at once!" the older soldier says firmly.
They help me up without trying to touch my body. Their attempt is awkward at best, but they manage. They are more graceful in helping Eulalia and Leonita.
"What are your names, if I may ask?" I say, looking at them.
The older one stands at attention and salutes me. "I am Sergeant at Arms Diethard Roninheart!" the gray-haired man says.
The younger one stands at attention and salutes me as well. "I am Sergeant Gottwald Von Haines!"
"Well, Diethard and Gottwald. It would please me greatly if you keep this between us," I say, holding my arms to the side.
The two soldiers bow to me. "As you wish, my Queen," they reply as one.
Both appear in top physical shape. The soldiers' physiques shine through their impressive armor.
"Come on, you don't have to be so formal," I spout as I put my hands on my hips.
"My Queen, they must follow decorum. They have to address you with the utmost respect!" Leonita says.
"My Queen, there is no doubt that you and your sisters are indeed our beloved Fated Queens. We shall defend the hallways of this mighty castle with our lives!" Diethard says proudly.
"I-I am sure you will. Now, we should go on our way. If you feel inclined to do so, the two of you could protect us on our castle exploration," I say.
"My Queen, is that wise with, um... your uniqueness?" Eulalia questions.
"Well, I don't want them to feel they did something wrong. But, I am sure none of us could have helped stop what happened even if we wanted to."
"My Queen, if your aura had such a profound effect on us mere lowly soldiers, it will surely affect others. I fear those who seek influence can taste your immense power just by being in your presence. It leaks off you, and it is irresistible. Even with our magic-infused armor, we succumb to you," Diethard explains.
"Yes, you are everything we expected you to be. We will inform the General at Arms that our armor needs to be fortified in your presence, my Queen," Gottwald says.
"Hold on, I told you to keep this between us!" I say, cradling my arms.
"Do not worry. Our warriors would never defy a command from you, my Queen," Leonita says as she clasps my arm.
"Leonita is right. The soldiers of Sidra's castle guards are among the finest and most honorable. Your secret is safe with them," Eulalia says as she grasps my other arm.
"If you phrase it that way. Conceivably, should I add to my personal details at all times?" I question.
The two men kneel and bow their heads before me.
"Only lieutenants and above have the grace to guard our Queen," Gottwald says with his head down.
"Under those circumstances, I'll merely pronounce you both my Captains at Arms…," I say.
With my handmaidens in my arms, I walk in front of them. I seize their hands in mine and place our hands on each side of their shoulders.
"Now, rise, my faithful guardians. As Captains at Arms," I say, looking down at them.
They look at each other, confused.
"I beg your pardon and implore you, my Queen. Only the General at Arms can assign a rank of this caliber," Diethard replies.
"Who are you going to listen to? The General at Arms or your Queen?" I say, smiling.
"Y-yes… Very well, my Queen," the two say simultaneously.
"How will the General at Arms know of their promotion?" Eulalia questions.
I look at Eulalia and somehow know how I will fortify their promotion.
"Diethard, Gottwald. Please rise," I say in the unfamiliar voice again.
The feeling surges back into my womb as they stand mere inches from me. Eulalia and Leonita instinctively release my arms. I take Diethard's cheeks in my hands and gently kiss him. The torrent of power flows into him, and I can feel his strength grow with every second. When I pull back, a bright green flame burns in his eyes.
"My Captain!" I whisper as his eyes lock with mine.
"Yes... Your Highness. I am your captain!" he whispers back.
---
My handmaidens and I continue our explorations with our new company, Diethard and Gottwald. I feel better walking through this castle with a bit of protection. Finally, our party comes to a single red door leading to the outside. Diethard opens and holds the door open. The rest of us walk out into the most impressive sight I have seen since arriving in this world. I gasp at the illustrious and gorgeous greenhouse in front of me. It is of massive proportions I could only imagine in my dreams. It is so immense that birds fly around in the rafters of the glass roof high above our heads. The incredible structure wraps around the entire tower of the Queen's Keep. We stand on a three-way cobblestone pathway. The central path leads deeper into the greenhouse.
There are a multitude of different and unfamiliar species of plants inside it. Some are so exotic they must come from another world. Dozens of trees grow tall as if in the wild inside this magnificent garden of green. I spot various species I know from my world at first glance. Yet, others seem to come from the Jurassic age or older. The castle gardeners have lined the paved cobblestone walkways with spectacular marble cover stones. Everywhere I look is a scene from a fantasy movie.
There are even marvelous water fountains here and there. The sounds of running water and chirping birds fill the air. They have spared no expense on the marble stone benches and tables. The whole place gives off the most relaxing vibe. I take Eulalia and Leonita's hands and bring them to a marble stone bench in front of a large water fountain. Diethard and Gottwald take up their post on either side of the bench with their hands on their swords. A giant bear stands on two legs against what I can barely imagine is a gigantic wolf. The detail of both animals astonishes me.
"Isn't this beautiful?" I say, smiling.
"It is, my Queen. I spend a good portion of my time here with Eulalia," Leonita says as she watches the birds dip in and out of the water.
White swans and ducks mingle in their respective groups as they swim around the large water fountain. It resembles a large pond more than a fountain. Waterfalls on all four sides pour into broad canals leading down the center of the pathways to parts of the greenhouse I cannot see. The place feels like a massive zoo, but inside. The pleasant smell of all the different flowers fills me with joy. Sunlight from above sends rays of light through the diverse species of towering trees.
"I could sit here forever!" I say as Eulalia and Leonita smile in unison.
"We could stay here with you forever too!" Leonita says.
"My Queen! Tomorrow, we can show you around the orchards. They are on the opposite side of the Queen's Keep from where we are now," Eulalia suggests with a smile.
"I would like that very much."
I stand up with my handmaidens. Before returning to my quarters, we need to see as much of the castle as possible. I need a good rest before dinner tonight.
The five of us walk down a long path that feels like we are in a jungle to a door. A beautiful and masterfully crafted arched glass door leads to the courtyard. Outside is a picture-perfect view. Lush and perfectly manicured green bushes and flowers line the walkway. It is a breathtaking sight. The shadow of the Queen's Keep reminds me of where I am. For the first time, I get a good look at it. It reaches higher than the rest of the massive castle. In the distance, I see an identical tower.
"How many keeps are there?" I ask as I peer at the distant tower.
"Five, my Queen. One at each corner of the castle, with the principal tower in the middle. Out of the five, it's the largest and tallest. They say it reaches to the heavens, my Queen," Eulalia explains.
"Oh, my… A tower taller than the one I found myself in?"
"Yes, your quarters are on the far side overlooking the city," Leonita says.
"Wait, hold on a minute. My quarters are not in the other hallway! How can I have a view of the city?" I say, confused.
"You understand now, my Queen," Leonita says.
"But-But… How?" I blurt as we walk down the cobblestone path.
"That is because all the rooms in the Queen's Keep have a view. They are magic windows that lead to the city outside. The position of each room is different, and the builders have physically placed them there in various locations. So every night at midnight, your room's position will change. But only from the outside. Internally, it will be in the same spot," Leonita explains.
"Additionally, my Queen. Those observing you from the outside would never know your precise location. The castle wizards can also move your room if you desire it," Eulalia says with a smile.
"Wow, amazing. I did not think such a feat was possible."
"My Queen, if I may. When the combat or raid floors are active, the stairwell will become distorted to outsiders. They will constantly move and exit to random parts of the castle. Intruders will become confused, allowing our defenses to slay or capture them. Each zone of the castle will rearrange itself every hour and trap intruders. As you would expect, my Queen, we will take you and your counterparts to the most secure place in the castle: the throne room," Diethard explains from behind.
"Well, that is reassuring, if not confusing," I say as we continue.
I sigh and look out into the garden. The garden is enormous against the inner space between the Queen's Keep and the rest of the castle. From the uppermost floor, I still need to see the massive glass structure covering the garden and greenhouse. There are dozens of smaller buildings and large cottages inside. They look more like manor houses than cottages, but they resemble the latter. 'Is it a mixture of the two?' The inside is big enough for several small lakes and several ponds. It is like a small city district inside.
We follow the path, and as I observe the surrounding area, I notice a lack of other people. A place as gorgeous as the greenhouse and garden should be more lively than this, even with everyone being on high alert. 'Undoubtedly, there are people around here somewhere, right?'
"Where is everyone?" I ask as we walk through the numerous cottages.
"Only the servants of the Queens have permission inside the Virgin's Sanctuary. And those of the administrators," Leonita explains.
"Administrators?" I ask curiously.
"The Regency, Viceroy, and Chancellor. They serve as the mentors and consuls to their respective Queen," Eulalia whispers.
"You mean Lady Constance and her sisters?" I question as we approach a gigantic wall with a massive-looking metal barred arched gate.
"You are correct, my Queen," Eulalia says as she squeezes my arm.
"Well, who takes care of this place?" I question again.
"You, now that you are here. You can assign anyone you wish to live here. Whoever you choose, the kingdom of Sidra will grant them and their families permission to live inside these walls," Leonita says.
"I guess I better hire people immediately," I say as we approach the large metal barred arched gate.
The arched gate is flanked by two more soldiers in attention. Long pikes are in the hands of the two men. Behind each of them is an armored door. As opposed to an entryway, it looks more like a heavily armored barred door. The gate resembles the security gate you would see in a maximum-security prison, except for the size.
"What is this gate for?" I ask as Diethard and Gottwald approach each of the soldiers.
"It's the south entry into the sanctuary. In case of an attack, our knights gather in this area to defend the Fated Queens. There are only two entrances: this gate and the north gate," Leonita says.
"No one has ever breached the castle walls before. There have been many attempts, but none have made it as far as the Virgin's Sanctuary," Eulalia says.
"That's pleasant to know," I say as I nod.
The two soldiers, Diethard and Gottwald, approach, salute them and go into the doors behind them. A moment later, loud metal clunking and chains moving against metal reverberate through the area. Once fully open, our escorts guide us through the arched gateway.