As always, it had become very late by the time we were escorted back to the Palace. The sense of mood was interchanged this time very unlike the usual. The Queen was swept off her feet after finding out that the Duke had insisted to call upon me. She was positively beaming while I was contemplating sinking into the floors. The Duke's personal dignity was one thing to endure; what happened on the terrace was another. I had no words to reason or explain myself for that matter really, because nothing as such had happened before. All I could wish for was that no one had infact...seen us in such a situation. As for the Man's identity, I need not see him again at all.
"Well, as much as I'd like to know whatever moves you adopted to make that happen....you don't have to tell me. I am just satisfied that you actually listened to me for once." The Queen gushed. She stopped and turned around to look at me. "Amber, if this goes as I plan it to be, we might as well be preparing for a wedding at the end of the season. I assure you, this event would be none less than a grand celebration."
I managed to perk up a small smile. "I am quite pleased to see you pleased."
"I should retire." She continued. "Tomorrow is a big day. You will be called upon and then there is the meeting with His Majesty."
I struggled to keep up the smile until I was left alone. With just Clara behind me now I gulped nervously and stepped into one of the very long windows, looking out to the faint Scorpius.
"I would be a wife now, would I not?" I stated worriedly. "I am walking up the stairs I never expected I would."
Clara shifted uncomfortably behind me. "What say you?" I asked.
"I don't think it is my place to advice you, Your Highness." Clara said quietly.
I chuckled quietly. "There's nary a person who gives advices worth my time. You could try for once. You know me far better than anyone else."
She stood silent for a bit, probably thinking of something. Or perhaps thinking of an excuse to dismiss the conversation entirely. "I don't know much about the Duke, but I have come to realise that you never be happy with him. No matter how hard you try."
"Well then, what do you suppose I should do?" I asked.
"You must remember who you truly are, Your Highness." She said and came up to me. "You are a Princess. You have a choice."
"You very well know what my choice is, Clara. It is unacceptable, I cannot escape it."
"You cannot." She nodded. "But you may very well get rid of the Duke, for that matter."
"But, don't you think this should be in my best interest? This may very well be an example for Ruby. I have already spent all of these years trying to escape what should've been my reality."
"Your happiness should be in your best interests. And you may certainly not find it with the Duke. Do you really wish for your sister to follow an example that would surely not give her any benefit?" She explained.
"It is different, Clara. She is Crown Princess. She has much more value than I ever could. Her prospects would be assessed with closer attention more mine. The King and the Queen will ensure such thing."
"I assure you, Your Highness. Whenever she will be needing any assistance; it will be you whom she will approach. And you must do good at that moment."
"Whatever do you mean?" I frowned.
"You can use the Crown Princess as a shield. Not only for yourself but for her future as well. A decision that would grant you and her happiness instead of burden."
Her words lingered in the silence that followed. I had never before felt genuine care being showed towards me. I had never imagined it to be from Clara. I had known her since I was young, she was a bit older than me and was only acquainted to me as my maid. However for the first time, I saw just more than that. Perhaps a friend. Even if it was rather confusing to resolve what she had said.
"From now on, you are to never hesitate to share your opinion." I smiled warmly. "You have potential to be an excellent advisor."
Clara's words rang into my ears for a bit before I asked her to retire for the night. As her footsteps rang towards the servants' quarters and finally faded away my mind started to buggle yet again. The Duke hadn't even called and the Queen was already starting to plan out the wedding. I would be tied to a man for whom I certainly help no compassion or respect. And he certainly held none for me as well. This marriage, so extensively planned by the Duchess and the Queen in everyone's benefit but mine. I suppose, the King would no longer have to view my wretched face.
Perhaps if I could make sense of what Clara had said...
My head had become a unrequited mess and I had no means to tame it at all. It had happened many times before and led me to lumber around the palace late into the nights. I could very easily escape to Evendon for some peace but what I really needed right now was to be with myself.
I basically floated around the palace for a while, at times finding a new turn and venturing into empty rooms that I never knew of. The Palace of Asnovitch was very large; rooms perhaps uncountable to man. Laden with riches probably stolen away from the general public out there. It should not come to much of a surprise for me that Wilius was stealing. The apple doesn't fall far away from the tree, in any case.
My random steps around lead me to an isolated staircase at the very corner of the floor. It was dark and luring and I was immediately attracted. New experiences exhilarated me all the time. Only if they were without life, if one understands what I am implicating.
"Whatever is beyond on this floor?" I asked the guards. "And why are you guarding at this hour? Don't you have your own lives to satisfy?"
"Your Highness, this is the floor of the Royal Archives. This floor never stays unguarded by the order of the King."
Royal Archives?
I had just known that the Royal Archives were situated on the topmost floor and was out of my reach. But tonight, my pointless lumbering held a great point.
"Let me in." I said nonchalantly. "I would like to see the space of the floor."
The guards passed confused looks. "Apologies, Your Highness. You are n0t allowed inside. The Royal Archives possess-"
"Whatever is in the Royal Archives is of no use to me. My unlettered self has got nothing to do with the meagre information. I would simply like to breathe in some fresh air." I faked.
"I cannot-"
"....get more idiotic? Is that what you were trying to say? If you wish to debate about this right here, let's do it. I assure you that you don't stand a chance. Now shut that mouth of yours and let me in."
The guards now intimidated by the tone of my words, let their spears loosen up and made way for me to enter, swallowing down any word of protest that he had.
"You are quite deficient in sense if you think you are guarding a floor which has an open terrace." I noted. "I think you all survive on some handful of wit only. Including His Majesty."
Oh, I could do with some more hesitance at times.
The last stair carried me to the topmost floor of the palace. Before moving further, I slipped off my shoes, choosing to walk barefoot for a change. The floor was ice-cold, untouched by any hint of flowing air. Silence pressed in so heavily that I could hear the rhythm of my own heartbeat. At the far end of the wall to my left streched a long, concealed door, flanked by another two vigilant guards. The door itself blended seamlessly into the stone, camouflaged in the very color of the wall, as though the palace wished to hide its own secrets from unworthy eyes.
The Royal Archives.
I could hardly manage my cupidity and restrain myself from stalking over at the guards and demanding to get inside at once. For weeks, perhaps months I had tried to get hold of even the tiniest of knowledge from begind the closed doors. However, I could do best with not raise any suspicion for my own good. There was an opening a bit further which led one to the terrace where a settee had been placed, as though the very air of this floor invited quiet contemplation.
Walking past the door, I observed the wall ending just besides the door sand continuing as a archway above. The stone curved gracefully above, and connected itself to another solar in the front. The solar stood at the crown of the palace from where one could lookout to the kingdom quite comfortably. I reached the entrance of the unguarded solar and found it locked completely. It seemed as if there was something inside the room that projected enigma greatly.
The stillness here was different from everywhere else I had been to. The weight of the stones pushed it back onto me, forcing me to enter the room that was locked fast. There was air flowing here surprisingly, warm and inviting. It seemed as if there was something inside that could offer one not only mystery but also perhaps...comfort? Whatever was contained in it?
The King of Asnovitch certainly had many secrets for me to spare.
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What secret do you think the room at the topmost floor holds? Do tell me your theories!!
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