Chapter 48: A Whore In The Royal Palace
Rose had never been to this part of the castle before, and she wouldn’t have known the way if a guard hadn’t accompanied her. She figured he was the one who came to call on her. He didn’t say anything to her, just walked silently with a helmet covering his face.
They were stopped a couple of times by other guards inquiring where they were headed, but as soon as the guard said he had orders from the crown prince, they were allowed to pass. The guards and servants working around this area all looked at her suspiciously, and she wondered if someone would eventually say she didn’t belong here — but no one did.
Rose looked up at the ceiling. The kingdom’s crest was painted boldly on it as they passed through the hall. She glanced around, noting the tall pillars and the colored windows. She wondered what this space was used for because it was really huge.
"This way!" A voice said curtly, and Rose realized she had stopped walking to stare.
There was a path at the end of the hall, almost hidden from view. Rose rushed after the guard, trying to catch up with him. This section of the castle was completely different from the others. She knew the castle was big from the outside, but she had completely underestimated it.
The turn led them to even more guards, and the one leading her just kept walking. Suddenly, he stopped, and the guards in front of a set of doors gave both of them an odd look. Even through their helmets, Rose could tell they were displeased by the interruption.
"What’s this?" One of them asked, looking ready to attack.
Rose found his phrasing odd but she didn’t think too much about it and just kept her head bent as the guard as usual replied to questions about their presence in this wing.
"The crown prince requested her," the guard repeated — the same line he had already said at least five times at this point.
They were allowed entrance into the assembly, but the guards’ disapproval was as clear as day. Rose’s heart dropped to her stomach. Why would the crown prince want her here — during a meeting? Even before the doors were open she knew it wasn’t empty.