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Chapter 9 - A Royal Audience.

The next day, I confided in Hannah about wanting to see Vincent, and she suggested I write a letter instead of going directly to the royal palace. I was puzzled by this, but I took her advice anyway. I penned a letter, requesting an audience with Vincent, and waited.

One day passed… then two… an entire week, and there was still no response. At first, I tried to be patient, but soon, my anxiety sliced through what little patience I had left.

"Why hasn't he responded yet?" I burst out on the afternoon of the eighth day, sitting anxiously on the sofa in my guest room, tapping my feet and biting my nails. Roselle and Selene, who stood nearby, exchanged nervous glances. I caught it immediately and fixed them with a sharp look.

"Why hasn't Vincent responded to my letter?" My voice was low, carrying a firm edge.

"Your Grace… the king is usually occupied with his duties, so perhaps…" Roselle's voice faltered into a whisper, unsure of how to continue.

"Yes, Your Grace," Selene added. "Estoria is being targeted by an enemy nation, and… the king has been fighting a silent war for a year now, protecting the kingdom. That's why he's always so busy."

"A war?" I pondered silently, my mind struggling to recall those parts of the story. I knew certain events happened at the climax, but the details were hazy.

I let out a tired sigh. If this was true, then my letter had probably been a waste of time. "That's it—I need to go there myself," I muttered under my breath. I didn't have the luxury to wait for my fate to be decided. If I was going to change anything, I had to act soon.

My brows furrowed as I stood, heading back to my chambers. Roselle and Selene followed frantically, along with the other attendants whose names I kept forgetting.

"Roselle! Show me my finest gowns!" I demanded, collapsing onto the seat by the window. Moments later, a lineup of beautifully sewn dresses adorned with rare stones was arranged before me, each one screaming of luxury.

If I was finally stepping out of the Moon Castle since waking up in this strange world, I might as well look good.

Besides, I was going to meet Vincent, my fiancé. The thought sent a wave of nervousness through me, my blood running cold. It had been almost half a month since I arrived in Iris's body, yet I still hadn't seen Vincent.

He was my favorite character in the story and I liked him because I always liked the heroes of the story who swooped in to save their lovers. I only remembered his description in the novel; the sun kissed light hair, bright green sparkling eyes… "but now I get to see his face" I thought silently.

I bit my lips as I tried to imagine what he looked like almost forgetting that I wanted to pick a dress.

"Your grace?" Selene's voice snapped me back to the room. "Are you planning to go out this afternoon?" she inquired.

"Not this afternoon but tomorrow…morning" I answered scanning through each dress carefully. I finally picked a stunning, floor-length, red royal ball gown.

The fitted bodice was adorned with intricate embroidery, featuring delicate floral patterns and sparkling gemstones.

"Perfect" I whispered under my breath tracing each detail of the dress with my eyes.

"May I ask where you're wearing it to your grace?" Selene asked

"To see Vincent of course" I looked up with a smile. Selene's eyes widened with surprise, the others joined in after my statement.

I was tempted to ask why they always had that look whenever I brought up Vincent but it didn't matter to me at that point, I was determined to go.

"Are you sure that's a good idea your grace?" Selene continued, her eyes squinted with a nervous smile. "Maybe you can be a little patient or perhaps write another letter… I can call the footman for you" she continued.

"No there won't be a need for that" I replied firmly. "…besides why do I have to go through such a process to see my lovely fiancé" my voice almost breaking into a chuckle that I stifled.

It felt unreal referring to Vincent as my fiancé. I only knew about him in the novel I read a long time ago but now I was about to see him in flesh. Another wave of anxiety surged through my veins.

"Oh teenage Annalise would have killed for this" I smirked inwardly.

Even after many years of living in darkness, somewhere the warmth that I thought I'd lost sprang up again. It's been that way ever since I accepted my new reality and I wanted to keep it that way.

The rest of the day and night, I continued to imagine what it would be like seeing Vincent, the thoughts of my old life crawled up the back of my mind but I tried to push it down.

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual because of the excitement that bubbled inside me. Hannah helped me with my dress and hair while Roselle and Selene helped with the make-up.

At the end of it, I…Iris looked not different but rather ethereal, the face staring right back at me looked so beautiful that tears threatened to fall but I blinked them away.

I stood up and walked to the entrance of the moon castle escorted by my other ladies in waiting. It was the most I'd walk away from my chamber and garden.

As I stepped out of the Moon Castle, the warm sunlight hit my face. I shielded my eyes, walking to the grand royal carriage awaiting me.

It was a grand, ornate vehicle with a gilded frame, intricate carvings, pulled by four white horses with gold harnesses, exuding luxury and regality. I stood a minute to admire it's beauty but quickly snapped out of it.

The footman extended his hands to help me inside the carriage. The plush velvet interior amazed me as well as I took my seat. Hannah, Roselle and Selene followed.

The main Palace itself wasn't in a different part of the city but the whole royal estate so was large that walking from the moon castle to the main court where Vincent stayed was a little tedious especially under the hot weather as Hannah explained.

After a fifteen-minute ride through the vast royal estate, we arrived at the main palace.

A huge castle that seemed to touch the sky with its towering spires and grand architecture. I thought the small castle I stayed was beautiful but the main palace easily displaced the thought in my mind.

Around it was a sea of lush gardens and manicured lawns filled with vibrant flowers. A sparkling fountain also graces it's beauty.

The carriage went by the side of the fountain and stopped at the grand entrance of the palace. My breath seized at the nervousness that now gripped me tightly.

"Maybe I should go back" a thought flashed to my mind but I shook my head to push it away. I stepped out the carriage and was greeted by the knights standing outside.

I walked into the building and a young man walking in my direction noticed me. He stopped in his tracks as my gaze fell on him as well.

He was about my height and had long dark hair. He wore a cream jacket with a bit of gold trim enough to show his rank of some sort. His brown eyes under the glass he wore widened with shock as he slowly approached me.

"Your grace…" he spoke calmly "what are you doing here?" a nervous chuckle followed as he shifted his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

I didn't recognize him, but he obviously knew me. I hesitated for a moment, then replied, "I'm here to see Vincent."

"Why exactly?" His calm tone was now tinged with nervousness.

"Do I need a reason to see my fiancé?" I replied, my voice firm.

"N-Not at all, Your Grace." He answered flustered at my firmness I assumed.

"Good. Then take me to him," I commanded, hiding the flutter of nerves that wrecked me behind a determined smile.

"B-but I'm sorry y-your grace, the king is… busy in his royal court now" his head dropping in a respectful bow more or less to avoid my gaze.

"How long will it take?" I inquired, I wasn't going back without seeing Vincent.

"I'm not sure your grace…the kingdom's affairs take a while to discuss" his head still hung low.

"So you're saying that the king spends the whole day in the court room discussing the Kingdom's affairs?" my voice filled with the rising irritation that sizzled inside me.

"Well no"

"Good! Then I'll wait for him" I exhaled "You can inform him of my arrival…take me to where I can rest"

His head shot up at my sentence. He opened his mouth to talk about but I shot him a glare.

"Yes your grace" he lowered his gaze defeated.

"Also what's your name again?" I asked hoping he wasn't suspicious.

"It's Richard your grace"

"Alright Richard be on your way then" I smiled faintly.

I was led to a lounge where I waited. Three hours later, Vincent didn't show up. Once again my patience was growing thin.

"Why is Vincent being so difficult?...I don't want anything except to give him what he wants…he must really dislike Iris which I understand but still I can't deal with this…the wedding is drawing nearer and if I have to change Iris's fate so I can survive, it has to be now" I thought quietly

"Roselle fetch me Richard" I commanded, suppressing the anger in my voice.

Roselle dashed out and Richard came in looking nervously all over the place like he had been doing the last two hours I summoned him repeatedly.

"What is keeping the king Richard? I reckon court matters end by now no?" my harsh voice spilled out.

Richard had been giving different excuses and I waited for him to come up with a new one but he seemed to have given up.

He exhaled wearily adjusting his glasses again. His head hung low again.

"Your grace…I think…you should come back another time" he said quietly, his voice slightly cracking.

I snapped, my whole forehead wrinkling with anger. I stood up pissed and walked over to where Richard stood.

"Take me to him" I ordered, my insides were boiling with frustration but my voice was calm.

"Your… your grace I-I don't think that's a good… idea" he replied taking a loud gulp.

"I'll tell you what's not a good idea Richard" I paused and leaned closer to his ears "... telling me lies and then disobeying me" . I pulled back with a smirk to look at his expression.

My attempt at intimidating him worked better than I anticipated. He looked pale and in defeat led me down a large hallway to Vincent's office.

On arrival, Richard knocked on the huge wooden door and I heard Vincent's muffled voice through the thick door. My heart pounded in my ears and I almost fell dizzy from my pulse racing.

Richard opened his mouth to announce my presence but I shushed him before he spoke. He stepped away from the door while I walked closer.

My hands stretched to the knob to open the door and I felt my body tremble slightly. The confidence I had now dissipated into the warm air that struggled to fill my lungs.

I shut my eyes tight and opened the door.

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