┌──❀*̥˚───❀*̥˚─┐
CHAPTER 4
└───❀*̥˚───❀*̥˚┘

Just a little note, the bridge is longer and laid down, and that circle thing isn't there.

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6 days. 6 days I spent traveling in this dang boat. I have gotten seasick at least 4 times. I felt a wave of relief once the captain informed us that we have finally arrived at the Realm.

I grabbed Asra's bags, and was about to make my way out of the boat, until Liam came into view, stopping me. He took the bags from my hand, and placed them on the ground.

"You don't need to take these. We're only going in there to talk to the queen so that she can help you get home." He said, before grabbing my hand, carefully helping me out of the boat.

"Oh, all right, thank you." I replied, chuckling in embarrassment.

He gave the bags to the captain, thanking him.

"Right this way, it's not far." He tells me, beginning to walk. I followed behind him, looking around.

I couldn't help but admire the scenery as we walked. The lush green meadows and beautiful rose gardens drew my attention. After only a few minutes of walking, I noticed what looked like a large castle in the distance.

He said it's not far, but it feels like we've been walking for ages!

"There's a bridge ahead. Not many people are careful going along, because of the river, so be careful. Just walk in a straight line and you'll be good." Liam alerts me.

"Got it." I nod, and started walking along the bridge, but gradually. Though, gradually might've not been the best option.

"I know I said be careful, but could you at least try to walk a little faster? It's been a minute, and the castle is right there." Liam retorts. I couldn't see his face, as I was walking in front of him, but I could sense the annoyance in his tone.

"Fine, but if I fall, it's your fault." I warned, before slightly speeding up my pace.

We finally got to the castle a minute later, and my mouth slightly gaped open.

Holy Mother of heavens.

The castle was breathtakingly magnificent. I've never seen a castle like it.

"Woah." Was all I could say as I admired the gorgeous building.

We finally made it all the way to the castle, but were suddenly stopped by 2 guards.

"Please to explain your visit." One of the guards ordered.

"Pardon me." Liam politely excused, and I moved aside so that he could walk past me.

He walked up to the guards and began to whisper to them.

I stood there awkwardly, waiting for him to finish. The guards eyed me as Liam explained to them our visit.

"You're welcome to come inside." Said the other guard, opening the door. They moved aside so that we could go in.

A formally well-dressed man, possibly in his 30s, came into view and greeted us. "Welcome. I will inform the queen that she has visitors. Please wait here." He tells us, and walks away to get her.

As he was getting the queen, I took the time to admire the castle. It was quite an elegant sight.

Lustrous braziers attached to each of the fourteen marmoreal columns, lit up every part of the throne room, and engulfed the throne hall in a brilliant glimmer. The angelic paintings on the rounded ceiling, and the relatively simple stonework on the walls, danced in the flickering light, while statuettes of former royals look down upon the stone floor of this royal hall. Most of the walls were covered with portraits of former kings and queens.

Shortly after, a woman, who I assume is in her 60s or 70s, walked in. She was wearing a rather casual outfit, but her stylish blond hair and pearls indicated who she was.

"Your majesty." We both greeted, bowing our heads toward her.

"Welcome, visitors. If you could please follow me this way." She instructed, guiding us to what looked like a living room, but it was more royal looking.

"Have a seat, please." She kindly orders, sitting down on one of the fancy couches.

I sat down on the couch across from her, Liam sitting down next to me. She raises her hand toward the fireplace, and starts a fire.

I quickly turn my head to Liam, confused.

He read my expression, and whispered, "She's the queen. She's above the law."

"Oh..."

Well, that's not fair. How comes she gets to break the law just because she's the queen?

"Would you like some tea?" She offers, pouring herself a steaming hot cup.

"No, thank you." I kindly declined.

"Same for me, no thanks." Liam kindly declined as well.

She took a small sip of her tea, before placing it back down on the table in front of us. "So, what's the reason for your visit?"

"Uhmm, the portal seems to have accidentally opened up again." He answered, fiddling with his fingers.

"Oh, gully! We can never control that portal opening." She laughs, her eyes crinkling.

What was so funny? I want to go home!

"Well, firstly, my daughter has to have a clear insight into where you live. It's gonna be hard to explain, but I will go get her. Just stay here, please. I will be back shortly." She said, before getting up and leaving the room.

I turn to Liam, an unimpressed expression on my face.

"It's not fair." I said, and he gave me a look of confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"How comes that just because she's the queen, she gets to break the laws? It's just not fair!" I complained.

"Well, that's just how it is for royalty. The queen is always above the law, especially in your world." He responds.

"I just don't think it's fair-"

"Shush, I hear them coming." Liam suddenly stops me.

The queen came back into the room, followed by a young woman with long blond hair.

"This is my daughter, Cassandra. She'll be able to see where you've come from." She said, sitting back down on the couch.

"How?" I questioned, confused.

"Just give me your hand." Cassandra said, holding her hand out.

I looked at her hand for a second, debating.

I have to get home one way or another, but how does this help?

I hesitantly gave her my hand, and she clasped it in hers, closing her eyes.

We stood there awkwardly for a moment. I moved my gaze to the wall that was beside me, and stared at it to avoid any weirdness. As I was moving my eyes again to look at the wall ahead behind her, she suddenly snapped her open, and quickly looked at the queen. It seemed as though they were having a conversation with their eyes.

The queen looked at me, and then back at Cassandra. "Cassandra dear, thank you. You may now go."

"Wait- but-"

"I will turn you into a lizard again if you don't leave right now young lady!" She snapped, causing Cassandra to flinch.

"Yes, mother." Cassandra left the room, leaving just the 3 of us again.

The queen turned her attention back to me. "I have this ability, in which, I can read minds, and unfortunately, Cassandra couldn't detect where you live."

Are you kidding me?!

"Then how am I gonna get home? I can't just stay here. I have an important test to take, and I graduate in a few months." I tell her. She sighed, picking up her cup of tea and taking another small sip, before putting it back down.

"We will try to figure out what's causing the blockage of her powers, but until then, you will have to stay here for a while."

WHAT?!

There's no way I was staying here, I have way too much important things at home that I have to do. My parents must be worried sick. There's not even any cell service here. What's another planet without cell service? That's literally an abomination.

"But-"

"Thanks, your Majesty. Please inform us once you have figured it out. We will be going now." Liam interrupted me, saying.

I gave him a cold glare, and I know he could sense it.

"Will do. You're both now excused." She said, kindly. We then left, being escorted out by the same man as before.

"What the hell was that?!" I spat at Liam, for cutting me off.

"What was what?" He questioned, acting like he doesn't know what I'm talking about.

"You know what! You cut me off back there!" I snapped.

Who does he think he is cutting me off like that?

"If you only knew the things that have happened to people who argued with the queen, you would not be asking me that, trust me." He answered in a warning tone.

"What happened to them?"

"Oh, you don't want to know." He said in a shaky-frightened tone.

He's right, I don't wanna know.

ஐ〰ฺ･:*:･✿ฺ ஐ〰･:*:･･:*:･✿ฺ ஐ〰･:*:･･:*:･✿ฺ ஐ〰･:*:･

I hope you liked this chapter!❤️

Amour word of the day: "Gully"
Meaning: "Oh no" "Oh my" etc.
Place of use: Chamtrodel.
Language: Chamtrodalian and Candanavian.