Chapter 11

Sky hastily dressed herself in a light dust pink gown as she got ready to explore the castle and find out as much as she could about the place before she decided on her further course of action. 

Elijah tried to dissuade her Queen from venturing alone into the massive castle in such a fragile state but it was Sky she was arguing with. In the end, Elijah contented herself with braiding Sky's hair into an elaborate plait. 

"Do not worry so much. I know how to take care of myself. I will be back before you know it."

"I do not know whether this is a smart decision since it has not yet been a full twenty four hours that you last fainted. But I have no other option but to accept what you decide Milady."

Sky glided out of the room flashing Elijah a triumphant smile. 

"Why should anyone listen to me? Who am I to advice the Queen?", grumbled Elijah unhappily as she busied herself with cleaning Sky's room. 

Sky took a different path than last time during the King's wedding ceremony which took her to the grand hall. The corridor she chose this time had a number of paintings and portraits adorning the walls. Portraits of men and women she didn't recognize stared down at Sky with stern faces. The corridor was lined by massive ornate vases as well containing pretty bouquets. 

People hustling up and down were surprised to see Sky loitering in the castle. Some of them were too stunned to say anything, and others fumbled and stammered to wish the Queen a good morning. 

Sky on the other hand took immense pleasure in terrifying the wits out of everybody. She narrowed her eyes and glared at every body passing her. The guards started to profusely sweat while the maids almost dropped the things they were carrying and one even began to sob hysterically. 

This mix of glaring at people and staring with awe at the artifacts went on for quite some time until she reached a bifurcation at the end of the corridor. Sky decided the side which seemed to be comparatively less populated and started down the path. Thankfully this corridor had far less people than the last one and surprisingly also far less adorned. The walls only had pretty framed mirrors which reflected everyone passing in front of them.

After a few steps the place became weirdly empty. It was just Sky, the mirrors, dark alleys leading off the corridor and her echoing footsteps. Sky isn't one to be easily scared but this stretch of the walk made even her uncomfortable. 

"God why did this place have to get so empty? What exactly is this place? Isn't anyone worried about the safety around this area? The King will need to hear about this.", complained Sky to herself when she heard a faint rustle behind her. 

Sky's heart skipped a beat as she froze in her tracks. She whirled around to see who it was but found an empty corridor stretching far ahead of her. Thinking it might have been her ears playing tricks, she resumed her march forward but kept her ears and eyes open for any movements. 

After about ten to fifteen steps, there came the same rustling sound and this time she was absolutely certain of her senses. 

"Who goes there? Reveal yourself right now."

She was replied by silence.

"I asked who goes there? If you do not come out right at this moment I will come looking for you and if I figure out who it is they will receive the worst of my punishments."

Still silent.

With whatever courage she could muster, Sky warily ventured forward to the place where the first dark alley broke off the corridor and peeped into it. Sky might be wrong but it felt like she saw a flapping cloth turn the corner hastily on seeing her. 

She was almost certain someone was following her. "Who could it be? And why isn't the person revealing themselves? Is the person out to harm me? And if so why hasn't he or she done so already?"

Sky figured there is no point hanging around at the place, she would need to get to somewhere filled with people.

"God what an idiot I am. How did I think I would be safe loitering alone in a castle where almost everyone hates me. Aargh. I should have listened to Elijah. That kid had more senses in her.", said Sky to herself as she hastened her pace. 

Maybe it is because she is sure of somebody's presence but now she could actually hear footsteps following her. It quickened and slowed along with Sky's own pace. 

"I need to lose this stalker. Think Sky think, you are smarter than this.", thought Sky as she further quickened her pace. As she half ran and half speed walked through the corridors she was reminded of an incident that took place about eight or nine years back. 

She was barely sixteen or seventeen back then when she snuck into a pub while returning from grocery store. She always wanted to try alcohol but had no one to provide her with any. She didn't have friends who liked rule breaking and her family was extremely strict, even her older brother who was four years her senior but didn't bring any booze back at home and barely drank himself and thus would never help Sky procure any. That night she was supposed to be all by herself as her parents were visiting few relatives on the other side of the town and her brother was out studying with his friends. Sky found the day appropriate to venture into the mysterious world of adulthood. Her teenage mind couldn't fathom the fact that she in fact still looked like a child and anyone from a distance would know she is underage. Being tiny she had no issues sneaking into the pub but as soon as she approached the counter she realised something is wrong. The server signaled someone and before she could fully understand what was happening a firm hand grasped her. Fearing her mother's temper and her father's disappointment she started running. She pushed and shoved people out of the way and the guard being large couldn't follow her with the same agility. As soon as she put some distance between her and the guard she changed directions and entered a group of heavily drunk friends screaming their lungs out. From the gaps between the bodies she saw the guard barrel forward and go in an entirely different direction. After staying put for a few moments she took her chance and ran out of the place and never took the same road again until she was old enough to flash her age proof. 

This running away from her pursuer reminded her of that evening and if she was smart enough back then she must still have ideas. Sky pulled her skirts up and further increased her speed and broke out into a full run. The person following her was unprepared for this sudden acceleration and fell behind. As soon as she turned a corner she spotted a gargantuan human size vase and hid behind it. She waited for her pursuer to appear and as thought, the person with their face hidden behind a cloak came barging in. The pursuant acted thoroughly confused as the person lost track of Sky's retreat and chose a random direction to barrel forward. 

"Phew. Now I need to find a safe place or someone who might help me. I wish Elijah was here. No matter I will find a way." Not one to wallow in her miseries, Sky followed the dark corridor right behind her and reached a wooden door. She tried to pull at it but the door wouldn't budge. Then she tried pushing it and at the slightest push the door parted leading Sky into one of the largest quarters she has ever been in. Sky looked around in awe at the sheer magnificence of the room and as she turned her eyes fell upon the most beautiful being she has ever seen.

Dominic stood near his bed stripping his shirt. His face was sweaty and dirt spotted his forehead and cheeks. He had scratches all over his hands and arms and his expression was screwed up in concentration as he tried to untie the drawstring at the bottom of his shirt. The buttons were undone and his marble like skin shone with sweat. His chiselled abs and light hairy chest stood out in the light falling onto him. 

Sky stood transfixed at this marvel and as Dominic rose his head, their eyes met. The world immediately melted away from around her as she felt herself drowning in the depths of the King's eyes.