Paying a visit

Amira strolled through Zyran's lavishly decorated quarters, taking in the strong, masculine aura that filled the space.

Despite the evident neglect of aesthetics, there was an intriguing charm to the place that caught her attention.

She often pondered why Zyran never extended an invitation to share his bed, and her curiosity about his upbringing and the identity of his mother only deepened.

It felt like an impenetrable wall of ice surrounded him, keeping everyone at a distance.

Her exploration led her to a locked room at the end of the corridor.

Despite her best efforts, the doorknob refused to yield. Intrigued by the mystery behind the door, she crouched down and attempted to peer through the keyhole, hoping for a glimpse of the secrets hidden within.

Suddenly, a voice shattered her concentration.

"What are you doing?"

Zyran's voice sent shivers down her spine, causing her to lose her balance and inadvertently tear a piece of his clothing while trying to hold on, her eyes widened and she let go falling back.

She watched in wide-eyed horror as she fell to the ground, wincing in pain from the impact, the thin fabric of her nightwear offering no protection.

"Why are you in this part of the castle?" he asked with a disapproving look.

"I'm just touring," she replied.

"Is that so," he said coldly.

Amira stood up, straightening her gown, and asked.

"Why is this door locked?"

Zyran glanced at the door before directing his gaze back at her.

Evading her question, he said to her.

"You should retire to your chambers and avoid this area. It's off limits."

With a parting glance at the mysterious door, Amira reluctantly left.

That night, bothered by unanswered questions, Amira found it hard to sleep.

The next day, a carriage pulled up at the castle front. Freya jumped out of the carriage a grin spreading on her lips as she assessed her shoe.

Her gaze swept the surroundings, it had been long since she last stepped foot in the castle.

"Good morning my lady," Matthew greeted her, as he noticed Duke Ezekiel Garfield accompanying her. As the duke approached, Matthew respectfully bowed.

The butler quickly signaled a maid to assist in taking their coats.

"You shouldn't jump down from the carriage like that, Freya. Try to act more ladylike," scolded Duke Ezekiel.

In response, Freya turned to him with a mischievous grin.

"I was just testing the durability of my shoes," she quipped, lifting her gown to display her footwear.

Gritting his teeth Zeke shoots a glare at Matthew, who was surprised by the lady's nonchalant behavior.

"Lower your gown, Freya. Don't blind the poor butler," Zeke reprimanded.

The butler maintained his stoic expression but acknowledged the duke's underlying message.

They were then ushered into the grand dining room.

Making their way to the dining room where the royal family were having their breakfast.

Zeke respectfully acknowledged the presence of the king with a graceful bow, followed by Freya.

Amira smiled upon noticing who it was.

Freya rushed over to Amira's side taking her set beside her. Freya leaned in and warmly greeted her.

"Hello Amy, your beauty never fails to captivate me every time I see you," she said, causing Amira to blush.

However, their exchange didn't go unnoticed as Queen Miranda fixed them with a disapproving stare.

"Eating time is for silence, not idle chatter," she admonished.

Unfazed, Freya chips in a mischievous glint.

"Where's the fun in that, aunt?" she teased, earning a disdainful look from Queen Miranda her mother's younger sister.

"I wonder what your mother has been teaching you," Queen Miranda said.

"Let's not delve into basic etiquette now, Auntie. I'm sure you have missed me, right Novalie?" Freya brought Novalie into the conversation, knowing her cousin's composed nature.

"Hello, Freya," Novalie greeted quietly, earning a glare from her mother.

"Poor you," Freya clicked her tongue.

"Wild as always, to what do we owe this visit?" Consort Leyla inquired.

"I was just passing by on my way back from work and decided to pay His Majesty a visit, planning to deliver a report," Zeke replied.

"I'm sure reports aren't made over a meal, Duke Ezekiel, but you are an exception," Consort Leyla remarked.

Zeke chuckled in response.

"If that's the case, I would love to know what made our mighty duke come here personally to deliver later, but first, enjoy the meal," the king said, signaling the maid to bring some extra delicacies.

"Of course Father, we have a lot to catch up with Duke Ezekiel" Lloyd inputted.

Katia remained composed during the meal, acting demure and quiet in the presence of Ezekiel, who didn't spare her a glance.

Zyran ate his meal in stoic silence, seemingly unaffected by the visitors' presence.

His gaze shifted to Zeke who offered him a grin, Zyran scoffed.

After the meal with the whole family, the king walks away with Zyran, Lloyd, and Zeke.

Freya took Amira aside, as they watched the queen walk away with Novalie, who gave them a sorry smile, Katia followed her mother closely. Freya glanced over at the departing women and remarked.

"I don't know how you are coping with them all. I would have been driven crazy by them."

Amira responded calmly, "It's not that hard living with them."

"I have missed you, my friend," Freya said dramatically, to which Amira chuckled.

"You only met me one time, how could you have missed me?" Amira teased.

"I feel like we have known each other forever," Freya said sentimentally.

Amira replied, "I guess so," as they settled in a peaceful spot to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Amira then brought up the topic of the duke.

"I have been curious," she said.

"About?" Freya inquired.

"Your relationship with the duke, you both seem so..." Amira trailed off, trying to articulate her thoughts about their relationship.

Freya chuckled, anticipating the question.

"Ezekiel and I go way back - we've been friends since childhood, it feels like we practically grew up together," she replied with a smile.

"Oh, I see," Amira said, nodding understandingly.

They both observed the horses being fed, and Amira noticed Marion off to the side, diligently attending to his tasks.

"Would you like to go horseback riding?" Freya suddenly suggested to Amira.

"Well, I've never really learned how to ride," Amira admitted hesitantly.

"That's alright, we can all start from the beginning," Freya interrupted, determined to persuade Amira.

"I'm not so sure about this idea," Amira expressed, hoping to dissuade Freya.

"It's no big deal, we'll just stay within the stable," Freya insisted.

Freya gracefully mounted her horse and patiently waited for Amira to do the same.

With the assistance of the stable boys, Amira mounted her horse.

"We will go slowly by gently pulling the rein gent_," Freya was instructing, she heard a scream behind her only to turn her head to see Amira about to fall off her horse.

"_ly" she completed

Amira gasped as she pulled the rein vigorously, startling the horse, which reared up on its hind legs before darting out of the stable.

Amira screamed in fear, clinging to the horse for dear life.

"Oh God!" Freya panic.

Zyran stood at the top of the tower with his father, brother, and Ezekiel. He turned his head when he heard Lloyd say, "Is that your wife?" Lloyd's eyes widened in surprise.

"It looks like it," Ezekiel replied, observing Amira having a difficult time controlling the horse as it ran into the woods at full speed, with Amira still clinging on.

"Shit!" Zyran exclaimed before turning to go downstairs.

Ezekiel noticed Freya rushing out on a horse, about to go after Amira.

"Shit!" He also exclaimed, turning to leave the tower in a rush.