3 - Chapter

The morning started like yesterday. It's been like this for almost two months now. It drags on like a Groundhog Day movie. The same thing: getting up early, riding in the carriage, stopping at another stable, riding again... Sometimes it feels like I'm not getting closer to the Archduchy, but just circling the same route.

Though, admittedly, it feels cold even from here. It feels like it's creeping through the walls of the carriage and touching my skin with its icy breath. Is the Archduke's land really as cold as the legends say?

Thank God my mom tries to present me as a normal kid. Otherwise, I don't know what I would wear instead of this warm dress and jacket. I've decided to call it that - although of course it's not really a normal jacket, but rather an elegant version for a lady. It's warm and stylish, but it still feels a little out of place, like these clothes are all I have to hide the fact that I don't really belong in this world.

During the two-month journey, I saw many interesting places and unusual phenomena. Every morning new horizons opened up - ancient forests, hidden lakes with mirror-like water, and mountains on the horizon whose snowy peaks seemed out of reach. Sometimes strange creatures I had never seen before would pass by. Along the way, the world around me seemed both familiar and alien, as if I were looking into something ancient and forgotten.

My eyes closed on their own. So sleepy...

I was awakened by the sudden stop of the carriage. It was still early enough to rest, which made me curious. I looked outside and gasped. A huge gate was in front of us, so huge that it seemed to be made for giants.

Our knights spoke to the others standing at the gate, and after a few minutes, the heavy flaps began to open slowly. It seemed that we had arrived at the Arch-Duchy of Nocton.

As soon as the carriage pulled in, I was finally awakened by the cold. It turned out that the frost I had felt before was just a light breeze. It was so cold in here that it felt like the air could freeze.

But despite the icy wind, I couldn't take my eyes off the beauty around me. The architecture here was completely different: the houses, shops, and stores all looked as if they had been created by wizards, not humans. Even the people on the streets were different: their clothes were cut differently, as if they were made to fight the bitter cold. Even the way they walked was different - calm, confident, as if the frost was just a minor inconvenience to them.

Children were playing in the snow, laughing loudly, and I noticed one girl who was enthusiastically making a snowman. When she saw me, she waved happily. I smiled and waved back.

- Behave yourself! Commoners are not worthy of your attention, – Mom said coldly, cocking her chin.

Yes, of course they are, woman! Have you forgotten that you were once a commoner yourself?

Her only luck was that she got pregnant by the emperor, otherwise she would have remained an unwanted village girl. And now she looks down on everyone.

- Okay, Mom, – I said with a strained smile, hiding my irritation.

It took another five hours of travel before our carriage finally stopped. We arrived at the Archduke's grand palace. When I looked outside, I gasped.

This place was like something out of a fairy tale. The majestic, snow-white palace towered over the surrounding area, its icy spires reaching up to the sky. The light reflecting off the snow gave the illusion that the building was glittering from within. Huge statues carved from ice stood along the alley leading to the main gate, each of them seeming to come alive in the frosty air.

- Such grandeur... - I whispered, unable to tear my eyes away.

I had never seen anything like this before. Even the Emperor's palace seemed less impressive compared to this icy masterpiece.

Of course, I've never been able to see the Emperor's Palace in person. Although I live within the palace grounds, my residence is just a small mansion five thousand kilometers away from the main palace. In fact, I live at the very edge of the empire, far from the center of power, luxury, and grandeur.

When the carriage doors opened, Scarlett was naturally the first to give me a light shove to get out first. She gracefully extended her hand to the knight who helped her down. You bitch... I want to say something to her, but... uh, I need to calm down.

- My lady, if I may, I'll help you down, – the red-haired knight in the ducal uniform said as he leaned towards me.

- Thank you, – I replied and held out my hand.

But instead of just helping me, he suddenly lifted me into his arms.

- I'd better carry you. It would be hard for little girls to walk in this snow.

- Yes... - I whispered, feeling my face burn with embarrassment.

How embarrassing. As if I were really a child. But stop. I am a child.

In front of us was a line of maids and a boy who was clearly a butler. He's so young for such a position. All the maids were dressed strictly in dark blue and white. I didn't expect that even a lowly concubine of the emperor would be greeted with such honor.

- Greetings to the third princess of the Siletium Empire, Emilia Nocton, – the butler said solemnly.

At the same moment, all the servants bowed their heads slightly.

- I am George Soros, butler of the Mystery Palace. I will do my best to make your stay here as pleasant as possible.

Uh... Of course, thank you for your respect, but, uh... have you forgotten my mother? Looking at Scarlett's face, I realized that she was incredibly upset. She'd been ignored, and it was obvious at first glance.

- Thank you, it would be my pleasure, – I replied with a polite smile that only seemed to make Scarlett angrier.

I could see who all this luxury was for. My title does have its privileges.

George finally looked in Scarlett's direction and spoke with dry politeness:

- And welcome to you, too.

Wow... So, Mom, what's it like? You ate it, didn't you? Oh, I want to laugh at her.

We entered the Mystery Palace. The name immediately caught my attention - why was it called that? What's so unusual about it? Maybe something hidden. But once inside, I felt warm, as if it were summer.

George must have noticed my surprise, because he hurried to explain:

- There are magic stones inside the palace that keep it warm all year round.

He turned to the two maids:

- Michelle, Agatha, escort the princess to her chambers.

Then he turned to my mother, still as gracious.

- Let me show you to your room, my lady.

Before I could say anything in reply, we were already on our way to the third floor. The corridor we walked down seemed endless and filled with incredible luxury. Every detail, from the exquisite stained glass windows to the delicate patterns on the carpets, was magnificent. The palace was even more beautiful on the inside than it was on the outside.

Finally, we reached the room reserved for me. As the doors opened, I froze. It was too beautiful, like a dream. There was a soft carpet on the floor, a canopy bed, brightly patterned walls, and a view of the snowy courtyard from the window.

The red-haired knight who had been carrying me all this time gently placed me on the carpet.

- With you was the Senior Knight of the Order of the Moon, Felix Rose. Allow me to bid you farewell, my lady.

Felix? Of course, his name fits his image perfectly. Red hair, like a blazing fire.

- No wonder, – I muttered to myself.

But it turned out that he heard me. He lifted his head and looked at me in mild surprise.

- Excuse me, milady?

Oh, shit. I think I just got myself in trouble.

- I'm... it's, uh, saying that your name is perfect for you. Well, you know. Felix the bird is as red as your hair.

Oh, my God. I am so screwed now. Why don't I just pretend to be sick and run away?

But suddenly the maids and Felix himself started to laugh. The sound eased the tension a little.

- That was the nicest compliment I have ever heard, my lady, – he said with a warm smile.

- Well, I'll be glad to see you again, – Felix said with a smile, said goodbye once more and left the room.

- Princess, it's very warm in the palace. I think you should change into something lighter, – Agatha said with a professional softness in her voice.

I turned to her and saw Michelle already holding a beautiful pair of blue pajamas. The fabric shimmered in the light of the magical crystals that decorated the room.

I shifted my gaze to the window, only now noticing that it was a dark night outside. Time seemed to pass more quickly than I thought.

- I think you're right, – I nodded, feeling the fatigue of the long journey begin to take its toll.

Michelle carefully placed my pajamas on the bed and Agatha helped me unbutton the heavy dress and take off my jacket. The clothes I'd worn for the past two months finally left me, as if to remind me that the journey was finally over.

- Your quarters are heated and we'll bring you everything you need for your day's clothing in the morning, – Agatha added, carefully covering me with a warm blanket after I'd changed.

- Thank you, – I murmured, my eyes already feeling sleepy.

And at the last moment, before I fell asleep, the thought crossed my mind: "If it's so warm and cozy inside, what secrets are hidden in this palace?