Chapter 2

Fiona was still getting used to her surroundings as she was still amazed by the luxurious garments all around the room. She then turned to see a face she did not recognize - a woman in a servant's garb, with a warm smile and kind eyes. The woman was standing in the doorway to her room, holding a tray of breakfast.

"I thought you might like some breakfast" the woman said. "It's a bit early, but the kitchen staff is already up and about."

Fiona looked at the tray, taking in the eggs, toast, and fresh fruit. It all Looked so delicious, and her stomach growled in reply.

"Thank you," she said, taking the tray from the woman's hands and taking a seat at the small table by the window. The woman smiled and walkedout, closing the door behind her.

Fiona took a bite of the toast, savoring the sweetness of the bread and the tang of the butter. She was still trying to wrap her mindaround the fact that she was in a castle, in a world she did not recognize, but the woman's kindness made her feel a little bit more at ease.

She ate her breakfast slowly, taking in the surroundings of her room - the tapestries hung on the walls, the large bed that dominated the room, and the window overlooking the courtyard below. As she looked out, she saw people going about their business, some in fancy clothes, others in work clothes, as if they were living in a completely different world.

She finished her breakfast, feeling a sense of contentment. She knew that there would be many changes in her life, but with people like the woman who had brought her breakfast, she was confident that she could make it through this new world.

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Fiona then found herself walking down a long corridor with high ceilings and ornate tiles running along the floor. The walls were lined with paintings of nobles and kings, and she could hear the sound of people moving about in the other rooms.

As she walked, she noticed a group of servants hurrying down the hallway, carrying trays of food and buckets of clothes. They moved with purpose, as if they knew where they were going, and she felt herself drawn to the energy of the palace.

She arrived at a grand staircase, adorned with gold-trimmed ornate railings and framed by large windows that looked out over the courtyard. At the top of the stairs, she could see a group of nobles, dressed in fine clothes, gossiping and laughing.

As she approached, one of the nobles noticed her and waved her over.

"Ah, there you are, Fiona!" The woman said, smiling. "We were just talking about you. Everyone is so excited to meet the crown prince"

Fiona smiled, feeling a flutter of nerves in her stomach. She had never been around people like this before, and she felt a little self-conscious.

The woman continued, "You'll be attending the summer ball tonight, of course. And let me introduce you to your lady-in-waiting."

She gestured to a young woman standing nearby, and Fiona felt relieved to have someone to show her the ropes. The woman introduced herself as Lady Elizabeth, and she took Fiona under her wing, showing her the rooms she would be using, and helping her with her clothes.

As the day wore on, Fiona found herself growing more comfortable in her surroundings. She spent time with the other servants, learning about their lives and getting to know them. She explored the castle, finding hidden passages and secret rooms, and she felt a surge of exhilaration at the thought of all the things she could discover.

As the sun began to set, she found herself in the throne room, waiting with the other nobles for the Empress and Emperor to arrive. The room was lit only by candlelight, and the air was rich with the smell of incense.

The Emperor and Empress arrived with a flourish of trumpets and a burst of cheers from the servants. They descended the stairs and approached the throne, where they were greeted with fanfare.

Fiona watched in amazement.

Fiona was standing in the throne room, her eyes glued to the Emperor and Empress as they sat on their thrones and held court. The room was packed with nobles, all of whom were vying for the attention of the Emperor and Empress and was also hoping to get the attention of the crown prince.

As she watched, her gaze shifted to a man standing nearby. He was tall and handsome, with dark hair and piercing eyes that seemed to see right through her.

He was dressed in elegant clothing, and Fiona could tell by the way he carried himself that he was someone of importance. She felt drawn to him, as if there were some intangible connection between them.

Fiona went to the balcony to get some fresh air, she wasn't that talented in dancing so she saw no point dancing with anyone.

Suddenly, as she was lost in thought, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see someone who she was Looking at before standing behind her offering her a glass filled with a drink.

"My lady, I thought you might like a refreshment" the man said, his eyes fixed on hers.

Fiona smiled and took a glass from his hand, taking a sip of the cool, sweet liquid. She looked around the room, feeling more at ease now that she had a drink in her hand.

As she stood there, she felt a gust of wind against her face. She turned and saw that the window was open, allowing a hint of fresh air into the room. She walked over to the window and looked out, taking in the view of the castle grounds below.

As she stood there, lost in thought, she heard a voice behind her.

"Excuse me, my lady, but may I join you? But may i ask, what are you doing here? The ball is still ongoing."

"I wanted to have some fresh air."

Fiona turned to see the man she had been admiring, now standing next to her. He looked at her with a warm smile and extended his hand.

"I see, hope I'm not interrupting."

It was a beautiful night, the stars shining brightly overhead.

"And ah, right how rude of me. My name is Celis, my lady," he said, his voice soft and melodic. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Fiona felt a flutter in her heart as she took his hand, feeling a strange connection to him that she couldn't quite explain. She was drawn to him, as if she had known him all her life, even though she had only just met him.

"The pleasure is mine, Celis," she said, smiling. "And please, call me Fiona."

Celis's smile widened, revealing dimples on his cheeks.

"If you insist, Fiona," he said, his voice warm and inviting. "It is a pleasure to meet you."