The next person to make their entrance was Consort Leyla, dressed in a striking red gown that perfectly matched the shade of her lips.
Her jet-black hair and unmistakable air of confidence commanded attention as she walked into the room.
Her haughty demeanor was apparent as she scanned the crowd, her eyes barely acknowledging those around her.
Following closely behind her was her daughter Katia, who seemed to be a mirror image of her mother, exuding the same air of superiority.
They all made their way to the high floor which was made for the king.
Amira couldn't tear her eyes away from the door, her anticipation of her husband's arrival evident in her unwavering gaze.
Nora departed, leaving the other maids behind. Amira wished Nora hadn't left, as she had become her sole source of support in the vast castle.
The grand assembly hall buzzed with anticipation as the King addressed the gathering.
"Welcome, my distinguished guests. Today, we are gathered to celebrate my son's triumph in vanquishing an opposing kingdom into submission. Here, we have an envoy to negotiate a truce after our latest victorious battle."
All eyes in the room turned towards Amira, who shifted uncomfortably in her seat, hoping to avoid further attention.
The grand announcement echoed through the hall as the king declared, "She will be taken as his wife."
Whispers and murmurs spread among the guests, who turned to each other with surprise at the unexpected news.
Raising his hand for silence, the king continued,
"Tonight marks the celebration of my son's wedding. So I bid you all to rejoice and revel in the festivities."
The crowd erupted in cheers, momentarily diverting their attention from the news. Laughter filled the air as they raised their glasses in celebration, eager to embrace the joyous occasion.
Festive music filled the hall, and the guests swayed and spun in the lively dance, embracing the merriment of the evening.
Amidst the celebration, the prince and princess gracefully mingled with the guests.
The princess, Novalie, beamed as she engaged in lively conversations with the noble ladies surrounding her, her smile as radiant as the glow of the festivities.
Meanwhile, Prince Lloyd was flirting with the ladies of the noble birth.
Amira let out a sigh of frustration before taking a brief respite from the grand hall to visit the restroom, all the while being closely shadowed by the vigilant guards.
After attending to her needs, she meandered through the castle's corridors, her curiosity piqued by the opportunity to explore the lavish surroundings.
Adorned with oil paintings, the walls exuded grandeur as she ventured further away from the hall, pausing to admire the intricate and captivating designs.
As she turned around to head back to the hallway, she realized that the guards were no longer following her.
Frowning, she started retracing her steps, only to find herself lost amidst the winding corridors of the castle. Anxious, she bit her lip and looked around, feeling unsure about which path would lead her in the right direction.
It hadn't even been a day since she arrived at the castle, and she was already struggling to find her way back.
She ventured down the corridor, turning left without a second thought. As she continued, the darkness seemed to intensify with each step.
As she turned to make her way back, she was suddenly startled by the sight of a sword pointing perilously close to her neck.
A voice from the shadows beside her inquired sharply,
"What are you doing along the corridors?" His brow was raised as he cast a suspicious look at her.
Unable to discern its features, she approached cautiously, fear flickering in her eyes.
Shivers ran down her spine as she felt the sharp tip of the sword pressing against her neck with each passing second.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she spotted a remarkable figure with sleek silver hair and a slightly irritated expression.
He exuded undeniable handsomeness, his lean posture suggesting a casual confidence as he glanced past her and then met her gaze. His voice was as smooth
Her silence seemed to only make matters worse, as she could feel the warmth of her blood trickling down her neck, forcing her to swallow hard.
Her voice trembled as she struggled to form coherent words, her lips quivering with either fear or perhaps from the wind seeping in through the
With a hiss of irritation, he demanded again, "I will ask for the last time, what are you doing in the inner corridors of the castle?"
Struggling to form a coherent sentence, she stammered, "I... I..." Her brown eyes blinked rapidly as she gazed up at his raven-black eyes, which felt oppressively intense.
Unable to withstand his piercing gaze, she averted her eyes, feeling the weight of his forbidding stare.
Before he could take action, two guards who had been trailing her earlier rushed forward, catching up with the unfolding drama.