--The Nydisian Kingdom, Countryside, Lady Morgan's Manor--
Katherine woke up the following morning with the same unsettling feeling as the night before. However, she did not dwell on it and decided to take a walk.
She grabbed her robe from her bedpost and wrapped it around her nightgown before stepping out. The sunrise had just begun and Katherine seemed to have craved the fresh air.
As she was making her way out of the living quarters, she passed by Lady Morgan's study and heard voices.
"This is outrageous! You cannot and will not come onto my land and demand for me to abide by the wishes of what? A sorcerer? My answer is no and will stay no!" A voice Katherine recognized all too well, shouted.
What's going on? Katherine thought. She could hear Lady Morgan all the way from the corridor. Who would make such demands, enough to warrant her shouting?
Lady Morgan has always been known for her calmness. Although Lady Morgan had no apparent title, she inherited a fair bit of land, which granted her the title of a noble.
Katherine found her legs directing her to the study door so she could hear better.
"My Lady, I truly apologize for the intrusion on your land, but orders from the royal court to bring her to the castle have already been passed." Katherine listened to the male's voice and she was intrigued by the man's voice.
"She's merely a child, barely of age, milord," Lady Morgan sounded defeated, almost pleading.
On the other side of the door, Lady Morgan was pleading with the man, knowing full well that nothing could be done to stop them.
"The kingdom doesn't have the time to be without its queen. Katherina Daventin is the sole successor to the throne." The man said firmly, trying not to alarm the lady even more.
Katherine stepped back in surprise after hearing her name. She quickly went back to her room and changed out of her nightgown before making her way to the maid's quarters to look for Eleanor.
To her surprise, she couldn't find the person she was looking for. She passed by some of the maids that were holding fresh sheets in the hands.
Katherine quickly composed herself before offering a smile to the maids as they bowed respectfully.
She waited until they were out of sight before speed walking to the kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen she saw Alina, the head cook, already preparing breakfast with the help of a few maids.
Katherine smiled kindly and greeted her good morning. "Alina, would you know where Eleanor might be? I've been looking for her," Katherine asked while grabbing a muffin from the tray.
A few crumbs fell on the floor and on cue a puppy came running in and licked them off the ground and started to lick Miss Katherine's toes which resulted in a giggle escaping her lips.
Alina laughed while looking at Chester, the puppy, licking at the lady's feet. "I think she went to the market, she mentioned she'd be back soon." Alina's response received a nod from Katherine as she stepped out of the kitchen.
Katherine felt a bit anxious about what the man had said, that's why she felt the need to speak with Eleanor. She and the woman who seemed to be in her early 40s had a close relationship. Even closer than the one she shared with Lady Morgan.
In light of the information that she had gone out, Katherine went back to her room avoiding going near Lady Morgan's study. She didn't want the man to smell her in case he was supernatural by any chance.
The estate owned by Lady Morgan was more or less human-oriented asides from the guards who were mostly werewolves.
Katherine thought back to the time where she tried to sneak out and moments later one of the guards and a close friend of hers, Jason, appeared in front of her in his wolf form and chased her around for a bit before turning back to his human form and laughing at the frightened expression on the poor girl's face.
Jason said he could smell her from miles away, ever since then, she's been careful to note his enhanced senses.
Katherine was brought out of her thoughts when she heard a loud knock against her door. "Miss Daventin, I am Lord Killian, I am here on behalf of the Cardinal. I would like to discuss such matters with you."
From what Katherine had heard earlier, she had a feeling they would come looking for her soon. Katherine was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice that Lady Morgan had already opened the door and both she and Lord Killian stepped into the room.
Lord Killian, was a fairly young man who grew up in the castle as his father was one of the ministers. He was yet to take his father's position but has managed to make a name for himself.
One deep long breath followed by a short exhale passed through Katherine's lips and she opened her eyes and was met with Lady Morgan and a tall young man standing in her room.
"Miss Katherina-" Lord Killian began to speak but was cut off by the girl to whom he was speaking.
"I prefer to be addressed as Katherine, Milord," immediately after Katherine spoke, she walked over to Lady Morgan.
Lady Morgan wasn't Katherine's biological mother, even though she could be classified as her caretaker, Katherine and Lady Morgan never had that mother-daughter relationship even though they were close. Katherine never referred to Lady Morgan as her mother.
"I'm sure they will explain all this to you but Katherine you need to go with Lord Killian," Lady Morgan said while holding back the tears in her eyes. Due to being unable to have children of her own, Lady Morgan never remarried after her husband died.
Instead, she focused her time on helping children and along her way she came across Katherine and a few months later, decided to adopt the girl.
Katherine was a bit stunned when she heard that she would have to leave the manor, she turned back to look at the man, only to see that he was respecting their moment and looking the other way.
A tear rolled down from Lady Morga's cheek as she kissed Katherine's forehead. Lady Morgan was moderately taller than Katherine as she was about 5"11.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but we must get going," Katherine frowned at what Lord Killian had said. She wasn't allowed to say goodbye?
Before Katherine could say anything else, Lady Morgan led her to the front of the estate where a carriage was stationed and Lord Killian was following silently behind them. She felt her heart clench as she realized Eleanor hadn't gotten back yet.
"Please we have to wait, Eleanor isn't back yet. I have to see her." Katherine said trying to reason with the man.
"Apologies, Katherine," Lord Killian said as he started walking towards her. Katherine shook her head profusely while trying to step away from Lord Killian but he had already caught a grip on her and lifted her into the carriage.
The side of Katherine's head hit the carriage door making her feel dizzy along with a slight headache.
"Where to, Lord Killian?" The coachman in front asked while reading the horses. Katherine's eyes started to feel a bit heavy due to the pain in her head.
Lord Killian glanced at the girl once more before answering, "The castle."
In the Cyrene Kingdom, the town of Neim, near the Neim border two men prepared for their departure."We should be heading back to Eraregord, they've been expecting you," Llewellyn Charter, the captain of the C.L. Charter said to the man beside him, General Lucian Williams.They've delayed their stay at Neim long enough, the general thought to himself. The royal court sent out a letter requesting his presence for the arrival of the next queen. However, in the general's eyes, his expectations for the girl were low.Seeing as the only other commanding position higher than the general was the King, his mother, Queen Orizelle, was fond of tampering with the cardinal, in an attempt to upgrade her son's status.Orizelle wanted to keep the throne in her family. She hoped that tampering would deem the entity unfit to choose the next successor, forcing the throne to remain with her family, even after her reign is over.Although Lucian, her son, never agreed
--Approaching the Castle, Center of Eraregord, Sunset--"How does it feel to be back General Williams?" Llewellyn smirked almost knowingly, Lucian instantly knew he was talking about Victoria.Lucian had assumed a position in the Kingdom's military and worked his way up the ranking to where he is now. The only ranking higher than that of a general was the king.When Lucian became the general he was assigned to a mission near the infernal valleys as per his mother's request, conveniently taking him away from Victoria at the time they were to be wed.Lucian's mother had her own personal reasons and vendetta for not wanting Victoria to be her daughter in law and in her sick twisted way, she was right.Lucian turned his head slightly and spoke with a blank expression, "Victoria is no longer my concern."Before Llewellyn had a chance to respond, the carriage stopped and the guards surrounding the gate of the capital city verified
--Before the General's Arrival, The Castle - Left Wing, Living Quarters--"The General will arrive soon and until the General arrives, attend to Miss Katherina. Take her around the castle, most especially help her settle down." Lord Killian said to the maid that was assigned to take care of Miss Katherine.Katherine stirred as she heard a familiar voice speak, her head was throbbing due to her bumping her head on the carriage door. It felt slightly better due to the ice around her forehead.She could hear footsteps approach her but Katherine's futile attempts to pretend to be sleeping didn't fool the maid as the girl said, "Milady, I know you're awake,"Katherine's eyes slowly swung open to see a young girl with dark brown eyes smiling at her. "My name is Lily, Lord Killian asked me to tend to your well being-,""Wait," Katherine said abruptly, interrupting the young maid. She began to feel bad at her sudden outburst so she smiled
--The Nydisian Kingdom, The Castle, The Royal Court--"How does it feel to be King?" Llewellyn half-joked as he and Lucian walked through the halls of the royal court of Nydisia.The crown had now been officially passed unto Lucian until the girl, Katherina Daventin, ascends the throne. "Is it supposed to feel any different?" Lucian queried his friend, with his eyebrow that raised perfectly.Lucian smirked knowingly. Before and after becoming King of Nydisia, the entire kingdom has always been under his rule. The only difference is that with the crown his rule is absolute.Llewellyn chuckled while shaking his head as they walked through one of the entrances of the gardens that connected the court and the palace. "You know the people would prefer it this way,""And what way is that?" Lucian had a fair idea of what the people wanted.Llewellyn frowned as he turned to look Lucian in the eye under the scorching hot sun. He stopp
--The Nydisian Kingdom, Country of Balewen, Wikerstone Manor--The ladies in waiting alongside Minister Wikerstone's youngest daughter gossiped freely while having their afternoon tea.Word had spread in less than a day that the General had returned and has now assumed the position of King.Everyone in the kingdom knew just how powerful the general was and for him to ascend the throne did three things to the citizens of Nydisia.Those that hoped to oppose him, hid in their own shadows. Those that hoped to gain his favour, continued to seek it. And those that hoped to be his wife, were more determined than ever now that he was King."Oh, you don't have to be rude about it, Macie. I'm merely pointing out that if he was to be wed, it wouldn't be with someone that can't fit into her newly made corsets," Lady Murie retorted while placing her teacup back on her tray.The woman who went by the name Lady Macie was fuming at Lady Mur
--The Nydisia Kingdom, The Castle, The Right-Wing Living Quarters--"My lady, the King requested that this letter is to be delivered to you and that you have breakfast with him in the dining hall," Lily said, passing the letter one of her fellow maids had given to her.Katherine inhaled as Lily tied her corset from the back. The dresses Katherine had received were luxurious and more expensive compared to the ones she had at Lady Morgan's manor.Seeing as Lily didn't make the corset unbreathable tight, the dress Katherine wore was very comfortable and fit for a lady that was to appear in front of a king to wear.Lily had offered to do her hair but Katherine refused. She always felt more relaxed with her long wavy hair resting calmly around her lower waist.After drinking the iced tea that Lily had specifically brought as per Katherine's request. Katherine opened the letter from the King and it read:To Lady Katherina Dave
--The Nydisian Kingdom, The Castle, Dining Hall--Immediately, Katherine knew he was talking about her avoidance of eye contact. She turned to look at him, but the presence of the maids had already captured his attention.They all murmured 'Milady' or 'Milord' as they dropped our meals. The food smelled divine but Katherine couldn't muster much of an appetite.She didn't really pay attention to the food as she was more curious as to what the King had to say to her. "I prefer to be called Katherine, milord," Katherine said respectfully then reached forward to grasp a cup of water."Very well, you may address me as Lucian. Forgive me if there have been any inconveniences." She silently shook her head.He seems so straightforward and uptight, it was quite difficult to know what he'd be offended by, she thought to herself."Are you not hungry?" Lucian frowned at her whilst he was munching on a breadstick and sipping what was eit
--The Nydisian Kingdom, The Castle, Left-Wing--Katherine couldn't help but stare at the garden from her room balcony as the sun was starting to rise. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice Lily was trying to get her attention."The Captain is requesting your presence, milady, I've already taken your bag downstairs. I wish you a safe journey." Lily said while packing the last bit of Katherine's load. Katherine smiled at the maid that has been nothing but kind since her arrival.Considering it's been less than a week since Katherine's arrival in the castle, the King was kind enough to have her closet filled with fine attire.As Katherine made her way down the stairs, she crossed paths with the man she had begun to tolerate, Lord Killian.He respectfully bowed her way as Lily greeted him. Katherine turned back briefly to notice shared glances between Lord Killian and Lily.The General and the King, mention