Chapter 13

"What do you mean you won't let us in?" Nacht asked the guard standing in front of the palace gates. They had walked about twenty minutes from their last top, the lively small tavern and now they were staring at the enormous palace. 

Alice had never found herself so close to luxury before. The palace was overwhelming with its bright walls and green gardens. Not even a small plot of grass appeared in their way towards there, just a few pots with flowers in the balconies of the homes were the evidence of nature. The palace though seemed to have popped off from another world. Vibrant green in every shade and flowers spreading everywhere. Red, purple and pink. It looked very beautiful and Alice's heart fluttered as she stole glimpses from the gates. How could it be on the inside? She couldn't help but wonder. 

"Orders of the King. I am sorry sir Nacht." The man said trying to look strict.

"Come on now Brand. You know me. I come and go but look, look" he said filled with excitement. "I found a partner. This time I had a reason" He was showing Alice with both of his hands, the guard looking at her disheveled and wretched appearance with discomfort. 

Alice snorted, recognizing the look on his face easily. She turned her eyes away signaling him that she already knew what he was thinking and the guard flinching in embarrassment returned his eyes to Nacht. 

"I am sorry. Please leave."

"Listen here, my dear guard." Nacht told him and passed his arm over his shoulder, being overly friendly. "You know that I am your boss right and on top of that you know that I know all the gossip in the barracks. Let's talk about how your girlfriend does not know about you sn…" 

"Alright!" Brand said. Raising his tone, meaning to stop him from revealing anything else. "Open the gates!" he shouted at the man who was standing at a tower right above them. He nodded and suddenly a loud noise was heard. The huge bars began moving, separating in two and opening her way to a new life. 

The pretty girl gulped, feeling unprepared. She attempted to step inside, walk on the well-made stone paths and enjoy the view of the flowers but it felt like her feet, dressed with cheap shoes, were rooted to the ground. You don't belong in here, a voice in her head told her and she closed her eyes. 

"What are you waiting for? Let's go!" Nacht told her filled with excitement and grabbed her arm, forcefully pulling her inside. It was just a small step, one that took her from the bustling city and brought her inside but it made her feel like she was trespassing. Finding herself somewhere she shouldn't be.  "Do you like it? I mean you haven't seen a lot but isn't this place cool?" he asked her. 

"I…" she mumbled following his fast steps, taking in with her crimson eyes as many flowers, as many trees as she could, remembering everything. "I feel like I shouldn't be here." She said and Nacht stopped immediately.

"What are you talking about? Don't you like this place? I…I thought that you'd be happy." He told her, his expression saddening.

"No, no it's not that. I don't want to sound ungrateful either but look at me" she told him with a bitter smile "even that guard thought the same. I look out of place, like I don't deserve to be here." 

"Alice" Nacht called her out, the girl focusing on her handsome face. He took her hands in his. "You define your self-worth. But even if you ask me, someone who lives here you are worth a lot more than a few of the people in this palace. You are honest and smart, gifted with magic. That horrid place, the black Rose, was somewhere you did not deserve to be, because you deserve much better" he told her and smiled. The young girl felt her heart flatter and her face slowly turned a pale pink. 

"Thank you Nacht. I appreciate it" she said, for the first time sounding sincere and grateful, away from her usual annoyed expression she was now smiling at him, brightly and her eyes shone under the bright sun. 

"Let's go then" he said and this time he didn't grab her or led her. He waited for her to start walking on her own and walked by her side. 

"This place is truly beautiful" she said, her voice coming out almost silent as if she was afraid to voice her thoughts. Nacht nodded proudly, like he was the one owning this place. 

"Nacht!" A voice suddenly was heard and both of their eyes focused on the entrance of the main building of the palace. A man was standing there, tall with tan olive skin and caramel colored eyes. His hair was cut shirt and a few grey hairs were obvious between his raven hair. From the way that he stood, staring at them with cold eyes to the way he was dressed he screamed dominance. He had an enormous sword, kept on his belt, golden cuffs with jewels on his wrists, a beautiful emerald color and a very strong, muscular body that showed underneath his lose white shirt.

"Julius, my favorite King how are you today?" Nacht said and took a step back. He gave him an awkward smile and greeted him. 

"How dare you enter my palace after what you've done? And who is this girl that you're bringing with you?" he asked them, his voice showing his anger. "Do you think someone like her should be allowed to enter the palace?" he asked again giving her a deadly glance from head to toes. Alice felt shivers all over her body. 

Maybe her dream had come to an end. Before she even could step inside.