A tour of the castle

Leyla's wide eyes flashed with anger as she turned to the king, who seemed to be paying less attention to their argument.

"See that, Your Majesty. Look at how he talks back to me. I'm sure years of not having a mother have taught him not to be respectful to his elders," she said, her tone filled with frustration.

Unfazed, Zyran nonchalantly dropped his spoon and dabbed at his lips. The tension in the room seemed to thicken as Queen Miranda spoke up,

"You didn't expect him to be quiet while you questioned his wife, did you?"

Leyla's nostrils flared as she glared at Queen Miranda, her displeasure becoming increasingly apparent.

Without another word, Zyran gracefully pushed his chair back, bowed to the king, and made his exit from the room.

Amira, who had been silently observing the unfolding drama, continued to watch, her expression unreadable.

After finishing breakfast, the family members went their separate ways to carry out their daily tasks. Amira stepped outside with Novalie.

"I'm having tea with some friends later. Would you like to join us?" Novalie asked.

Amira hesitated for a moment before responding.

"Umm..."

"It's just a casual get-together with the girls. We'll catch up on what's happening in town. You know how it is—ladies love to gossip, especially my sister Katia," Novalie said, leaning in and whispering the last part.

Amira's face lit up with a smile, unlike Katia who appeared unkind in comparison to the sweet and polite Novalie.

"I don't think I'd fit in. I wouldn't feel at ease being around them," Amira admitted. Novalie nodded sympathetically.

Novalie then took Amira on a captivating tour of the castle, unveiling her new abode.

As they strolled past Zyran's chambers, which now belonged to Amira as well, they could see maids meticulously tending to the area, ensuring its pristine condition.

Unlike the other chambers, Zyran's quarters stood out with a striking and captivating design, located in the Northern area of the castle, set apart from the rest.

The man's seemingly icy nature contrasted sharply with the vibrant care he put into tending to the lush greenery surrounding the building.

The walls painted a forbidding black, seemed to reflect his aloofness and detachment from the world outside. One couldn't help but wonder why he stood out so starkly from his siblings.

As they strolled past the building, Novalie and Amira completed their tour of the castle. Once finished, Novalie took her leave, and Amira was accompanied by Nora back to the Northern chamber.

"Princess Novalie is delightful," Nora remarked with a bright grin, clearly enjoying the time she had spent listening to the girls conversing with each other.

Amira responded with a "Hmm" as they made their way back.

As night fell, Amira could be seen lounging on one of the couches in the inviting living room, clad in her comfortable nightwear.

Nora had already retired for the night.

Amira with her hair pulled back, and held a book in her hand, although her gaze was not fixed on the pages but rather on the door.

Patiently, she awaited the return of Zyran, not necessarily to engage in conversation, but simply to catch a fleeting glimpse of him.

The minutes stretched into hours as she waited, eventually succumbing to sleep on the couch, her head tilting slightly to the side.

As the door creaked open, Zyran stepped inside. The first thing he saw was Amira, fast asleep on the couch. Her hand clutched a book to her chest, and her dishevelled hair cascaded over her face.

Stopping just a foot away from her, He gazed down at her before he continued down the corridor.

The next morning, Amira awakened to the softness of her bed. She let out a sleepy yawn, seeking comfort from her pillow.

Opening her eyes, she realized she was in her bed, but she distinctly remembered falling asleep on the couch.

Seated with the royal family while having breakfast, Queen Miranda suggested to Zyran.

"Zyran, why don't you take Amira to the town to pick up some essentials and show her around Oaken Vale? She's been cooped up in the castle and must be eager for a change of scenery."

As the Queen spoke, Amira looked up her heartbeat accelerating.

The town she wasn't fun of a bursting streets nor a town square which held lots of locals.

However, Katia, with a mischievous grin, interjected,

"Locked up? Amira looks as lovely as a doll, doesn't she, Queen Miranda?"

"Instead of sending her to fetch basic items, which the maid can handle perfectly well, how about Amira attends classes with Novalie and me?" suggested Katia, her eyes sparkling with the trouble she was sure to create.

"You don't need to be so harsh, Katia. Amira is still adjusting to life in the palace. Let her progress at her own pace," Novalie responded.

"That's precisely why she needs to start learning," Katia insisted. Queen Miranda shot Katia a disapproving look.

"Katia is correct. The sooner she learns, the better. We can't afford to have her disgracing the royal family." Royal consort Leyla said.