4. Beautiful Nightmare

My once purple arm was healed with no sign of Dell having had stabbed me; not even a mark remained. My hearing was back, though I only heard a fire dancing as a breeze whistled. And my eyes were finally open and clear, though I wasn’t sure if I were dreaming or not as all I saw was black walls surrounding me. But it intrigued me, and I slowly reached out to grab the black barrier.

I let out a surprised gasp. It was soft! Nothing like the wet walls of my cell before.

Is it… Drapes?

Had I been drugged to be dreaming like this? If anyone knew a medicine to make me hallucinate this type of luxury it would be a Meister.

I looked around inside the dark cell, and it finally made me fully lucid to my… hallucination? Dream?

I wasn’t actually inside a cell anymore or naked while being stabbed by old, moldy pine straw with disgusting men belittling me through a window. Instead, I was in a short silky red dress with straps for sleeves, while my body was being cradled by a bed that felt like a cloud decorated in satin. A heavy, handcrafted comforter with the picture of Moonstone Castle sewn in was gently weighing my body down while the black drapes surrounding me started making me feel comforted and calm rather than trapped. But the moment I moved part of my covers back and the skin of my legs felt the kiss of a cold breeze, I swiftly remembered what comfort made me forget as to why I was in a cell to begin with.

I’m supposed to die. The Queen herself ordered it and yet, here I am.

I swiftly kicked myself out of bed and through the drapes, accidentally ripping it from its place upon the canopy before landing on it, slipping slightly. Luckily, I caught myself on the mahogany wooden bannister at the end of the bed, my short fingernails digging into it hard to keep myself from smashing my face into the floor. But as I regained my balance and could finally take a look around, I couldn’t believe where I was. There’s no way this is reality!

The Royal… Quarters?

I needed to try and get out of this before it turned into an even bigger nightmare. I hastily pinched my cheeks, but nothing changed. I furrowed my brows and turned to pinching the back of my hand. Nothing again. I took a deep breath and, while briefly hesitant, pinched my once shattered forearm anticipating at least something. But just like with my cheeks and hand, nothing changed and there was no residual pain!

This is all real!

I’m actually inside a room within the Royal Quarters!

Though I can’t really tell from the several cushy couches and chairs, delicate porcelain decor, or old portraits upon the wall bordered with golden frames which part I was in. After all, the Royal Quarters is just a fairytale to most, as only the invited and handpicked servants ever get to see it. But it’s whispered that it consists of 50 bedrooms for each royal family and a garden so magical that it’s a shame it’s hidden.

The most interesting thing to me though, is the rumored back corridor of the quarters. It apparently consists of one door only, with a room the size of the throne room itself behind it. Of course, it’s the bedroom of the King and Queen, and thankfully I’m not in that one.

I continued to scan the room for any little clue to which house corridor of rooms I was in, and a way to escape; my hands letting go of the safety of the bannister as I started to explore. As I took my first few steps, my bare feet were hastily welcomed by long, shaggy wool carpets with soft bristols at the edges. I also felt a mix of hot and cold air amongst my exposed skin, while the moonlight rushed in through the painted windows across the room.

For a moment I stood transfixed, but I still couldn’t quite tell what they depicted, but it looks like a pink flower tree with 2 hooded figures underneath it; it’s spread about the four of them and the balcony door.

Not an answer to where I was though.

The welcoming cool breeze was coming from the balcony door that was faintly open, while the soft heat was emitting from the crackling fireplace just a few feet away. My eyes wandered to its orange, flickering flames upon the fresh logs, I hadn’t been asleep long at all, so whoever put me here was still close.

I peered above the mantle where the royals tended to always have a portrait of someone royal, but to my luck, the large portrait wasn’t of the King or Queen. So, I decided I wasn’t going to bother to look at the smaller ones scattered about the walls. Instead, I started heading towards the balcony, each step calculated to avoid creaking the wood and crashing into furniture, while the light of the moon guids me through the darkness ahead.

Are all prisoners sentenced to death treated like this? My mind began to race, stupidly attempting to think back as if it mattered; I was dying no matter what mind games they wish to play on me. The Queen despises my existence now so I wouldn’t be surprised if something awful was behind the beautiful door.

A few careful steps later, I had finally reached it. I hastily wrapped my fingers around the silver handle, pausing briefly as my heart started to beat faster, and I felt like I was losing air.

What if Queen Elmari has lords on the other side waiting to abduct me? Assassins even, since I was supposed to die a few hours ago?

I inhaled deeply as I began to slowly open it, a tiny creak coming from its hinges.

I winced, flinching as I gave in. If there was anything on the other side, they knew I was here now. I threw my hand forward, letting go of the handle as I rushed my bare feet a few steps forward, the stone like ice upon my soles. The door with the cloaked figures painted upon it hit the window as it swung too far, cracking the painted tree trunk slightly.

Within a second of opening it though, I let my breath out all at once in a sharp, awestruck gasp.

Why is my nightmare so beautiful?