Rayan and the princess stepped into the long corridor leading to the heart of the castle, accompanied by a group of soldiers, who moved around them in careful formation, keeping a vigilant watch in every direction.
Their footsteps echoed off the polished stone floor, reflecting the light of torches mounted on the walls. Ancient portraits of past kings adorned the corridor, while banners bearing the kingdom's emblem hung quietly, swaying slightly. The soldiers stood motionless, not blinking, not moving… simply observing the newcomers with careful, measured eyes.
Rozaria walked with regal steps, though the fatigue in her eyes was still visible. Rayan tried to keep his composure, but his mind couldn't help wandering.
(This place feels like an old museum… but it would be a lie to say it's not magnificent.)
His gaze shifted from the golden engravings to the soldiers, who stood as still as part of the walls themselves. He felt the weight of the place… its history… the awe it imposed on anyone stepping inside for the first time.
He continued silently, his thoughts unheard by anyone else:
(I wonder… what are the people here like?)
As they advanced, a group waited at the corridor's end, flanked by several guards—
The king himself.
A man in his mid-fifties, relatively tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a golden crown encrusted with tiny rubies along its edges. His short beard, streaked with gray, added to his dignity, and his medium-length dark hair framed his face.
By his side stood two women in their thirties:
The first, his aide, dressed in formal white attire, her short hair neatly styled, her lips painted subtly, holding a wooden writing tablet.
Next to her, a tall woman in a black suit with a coat cascading behind her, her dark red hair reaching her back, arms crossed over her chest, eyes sharp and scrutinizing.
The moment the king saw his daughter, the soldiers behind him straightened immediately, their attention fully captured, a hint of unease flickering in their eyes.
The king strode forward quickly, eyes wide, face tense with worry, hands waving as if trying to reach out to ensure she was safe.
King: "Rozaria? Are you alright? Are you hurt?!"
Rozaria took a small step back, her voice calm and reassuring.
Rozaria: "I'm fine, Father… nothing happened to me."
The king paused for a moment, eyes never leaving her face, as if trying to read every hidden feeling behind her blue eyes. Then his lips moved again, and he exhaled deeply.
King: "Thank God… I was so worried… I feared something might have happened that I couldn't prevent."
He fell silent briefly, as if gathering his thoughts, then added, his voice deep and a mix of concern and fatherly authority:
King: "You don't realize, my daughter… how anxious I get when you are outside the kingdom, away from my sight."
Rozaria lifted her head slightly, as if trying to ease some of the weight in her father's voice, and spoke in a gentle tone, a mixture of apology and confident composure:
Rozaria: "I'm sorry, Father… I didn't mean to worry you. It was my mistake—I wandered away from the guards without realizing. It was reckless of me.
She took a small breath, then continued, standing tall to reassure him:
Rozaria: "But I'm perfectly fine… thanks to this man."
She calmly turned her gaze toward Rayan—a brief but clear look.
The king turned toward him slowly, eyes scanning from head to toe, taking in his unusual clothing that didn't seem to belong to this era, then spoke in a low but clear voice:
King: "And… who are you? How did you find my daughter?"
Rayan—feeling the weight of the king's gaze, the soldiers, and the two women—hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a quiet but steady voice:
Rayan: "Me? I'm… Rayan. I was lost in the forest, like she was. When I saw her, she was surrounded by some bandits… or at least, that's how it seemed to me. I couldn't just ignore it."
The king blinked twice, trying to process what he heard.
King: "Bandits…?"
Rozaria then briefly explained what had happened: how she got lost, how she met Rayan, and how he helped her escape and brought her safely to the kingdom. She kept her words concise, choosing them carefully to ease the tension in her father's expression while highlighting Rayan's role in protecting her.
After she finished…
The king stared at Rayan for a moment, then spoke slowly, a clear note of surprise in his voice:
King: "So he doesn't even know where he came from…"
He paused briefly, then added in a calmer, more grateful tone:
King: "Well… I'm grateful. He protected you."
Raising his eyebrows slightly, he looked at his daughter with genuine concern:
King: "But… you know the kingdom is tense these days. Bringing a stranger into the palace is kinda risky."
Rozaria lifted her eyes to him, her voice steady in response:
Rozaria: "I know, Father…"
She met his gaze calmly, trying to ease the tension surrounding them.
Rozaria: "Rayan is not a bad person… he means no harm. He helped me sincerely, and his concern for me proved that clearly."
Her small smile was polite and gentle, softening her father's worried features.
The king, eyes searching for any trace of worry on his daughter's face, spoke with a mix of doubt and fatherly authority:
King: "Are you sure?"
Rozaria met his gaze, her voice calm but firm:
Rozaria:"Yes… he won't do anything to harm anyone, I promise. And… I also asked him to stay in the kingdom until he finds his place."
The king exhaled slowly, looking at his daughter fully, his voice carrying both concern and reassurance.
King: "Fine… I will trust you, Rozaria…"
He said it, then turned slightly toward Rayan:
King: "We don't usually invite strangers into the palace, but if what she say is true… and you risked yourself to save her, I am in your debt, nonetheless."
He added after a moment, his voice calmer but firm:
King: "You will stay in the guest room, but you will be monitored from afar… only to ensure the kingdom's safety and yours as well."
Rayan nodded lightly, his voice low but firm:
Rayan: "i got it."
Rozaria gave Rayan a brief, calm smile, silently telling him not to worry—everything would be alright.
The king turned to one of the palace guards standing a few steps beside him.
King: "You."
The guard lifted his head steadily.
Guard: "Yes, Your Majesty."
King: "Take this young man… escort him to a guest room, and ensure he is treated as a guest of the kingdom."
The guard nodded respectfully:
Guard: "Understood."
Then he turned to Rayan and added calmly:
Guard: "Follow me. I will take you to your quarters."
Rayan cast a final glance at Rozaria, as she gave back a brief reassuring smile and said
Rozaria:"you'll be fine."
then he followed the guard through the long corridor.
Behind him, the tall woman in the black coat silently observed Rayan, her gaze mysterious, unnoticed by him.
As Rayan walked beside the guard, his thoughts wandered to the kingdom and the new quarters that awaited him.
When he reached his small room in the palace, the guard opened the door and stepped back formally, leaving him alone. Rayan stood for a few seconds, quietly taking in the room.
The room was simple… a neatly made bed, a small wooden table, and a short cabinet against the wall. No excessive decorations, no window, but everything seemed more organized than he was used to.
He took a step forward and muttered in surprise:
Rayan: "So… this is my place for now? Smaller than my usual room… but definitely more orderly."
He approached the bed, touched the pillow, then sat on the edge, running his hand over the blanket before exhaling quietly.
Rayan: "It will do…"
After a while, servants brought a small tray: warm vegetable soup, a piece of roasted meat, some pastries, and a glass of water. Rayan, nervous and hesitant at first, ate, and with each bite, his stomach felt relief. The warmth of the soup eased his tension little by little.
When he finished, he lay on the bed, finally relaxed, hands behind his head, whispering to himself as he stared at the ceiling:
(This meal came at the right time…)
Then a wave of thoughts rushed through his mind—vague memories of the day, the forest, and that girl… everything was new, and he still spoke quietly to himself inside his head:
(What a strange day… I never imagined I'd find myself in a place like this. Everything feels new… the rooms, the sounds, the scent of wood… even the palace's silence has its own tone. But… I still can't remember anything yet… how I got here.)
He paused, trying to gather his thoughts, whispering internally:
(I wonder… what will things be like here?)
And once again, Rozaria's image returned to his mind, a subtle smile forming on his face.
(that girl...)
Rayan slowly turned his head, lying on the bed, burying his face fully in the pillow, trying to release the tension of the long day.
(Rest now not a bad idea, after everything that happened today.)
He closed his eyes, letting the feeling of unfamiliarity settle gently, as waves of sleep slowly embraced him
—End of Chapter—