Chapter 99: Friends
It had been a while since Tarah had enjoyed such a peaceful sleep. Her bedchamber was spacious and inviting, the bed so comforting that she found it difficult to rise from its embrace.
"Milady? Are you awake?" she heard Cora’s voice, prompting Tarah to open her eyes and turn towards the door.
"Come in, Cora. Good morning," she greeted with a wide smile as she sat up in bed.
"I’m glad you slept well on your first night here at Jade Palace," Cora remarked. "Today, Prince Ezekiel has important matters to attend to, but he has entrusted me to accompany you and ensure you’re never alone. If you’d like, we can take a stroll later to explore the entire area of Ebodia Fortress."
Tarah nodded excitedly. She would love that. She had heard that Ebodia Fortress boasted a total of four palaces, all within walking distance of each other. Last night, she caught a glimpse of Roswe Palace, and now she found herself in Jade Palace. She couldn’t wait to see the other two palaces and explore the other establishments within the fortress.
After quickly preparing herself for the day, Tarah joined Cora for breakfast.
"Do you know Duke Apollo well?" Tarah asked curiously as they ate.
"He’s quite popular among women. He’s the complete opposite of Prince Ezekiel. While the prince is aloof, Duke Apollo is bubbly and approachable. I was born in the south under their family’s duchy, so I suppose it’s safe to say that I know him well," Cora casually commented.
"But why did the two of you barely talk last night?" Tarah wondered. Cora simply shrugged.