Chapter 3

Time slowed as her heart rate increased. In her vision, the golden interior of the throne was woven into threads that could potentially be tied around her throat. Willow stood in the middle of the room, not to be scrutinized in this manner. The golden throne room exuded an aura of opulence and grandeur. The walls were adorned with intricate golden filigree, depicting mythical creatures and elaborate patterns that catch the light and cast a warm, inviting glow.

The centerpiece of the room was a majestic golden throne, elevated on a dais and embellished with precious gemstones. Its tall backrest is adorned with golden motifs, creating a sense of authority and power.

The room is spacious, with a high ceiling supported by golden pillars, each meticulously detailed. Crystal chandeliers hang from above, casting a sparkling radiance throughout the space. The polished marble floor reflects the golden hues, creating a mesmerizing effect.

The king, dressed in his expensive bejeweled robes, sat on the throne, speaking inaudibly to her. Her mind was blank, although she could see his lips moving. He stood up and walked in front of Willow, still asking questions that she couldn't understand due to her trance-like state.

Suddenly, the silence was broken, and her cognition resumed stable functioning.

"Where did you find her, son?" The king inquired the man standing beside her.

Son?

Willow looked at him, her eyes widening as she realized who he was. But, on the other hand, she was fully prepared for the possibility that everything was a dream. As a result, the realization faded quickly.

"In my bed," said the prince. "I believe it indeed was a coincidence."

The king, who was still standing directly in front of her, looked her in the eyes and examined her, even though he didn't have to. Her scent stood out, instantly confirming her identity.

"Could you go into more detail about your journey from the human world to the prince's bedroom?" The king asked, eager to learn her story and put it to rest once and for all.

“Okay,” Willow said, “I can do that.” She cleared her throat. “I was at work, and when I left, it had already started raining. I didn’t have an umbrella so I waited for the storm to pass. And while I waited, my boss who is also my former childhood friend, offered a ride saying he wanted to talk to me. I will not describe the subject of the conversation but I will say that it soon turned into an argument. I stormed out of the car after asking him to stop at the side of a deserted road. Before I could calm down and talk to him, I saw him leaving already. I walked alone, lost in the train of my thoughts when a truck driver stopped nearby and made explicitly sexual comments. I ran to get away from him and got lost in the woods until I saw lights bouncing in a tunnel. I thought there must be people nearby so I followed the lights and—”

“Came to the festival that the common people had organized,” the prince completed her sentence.

Willow nodded. “Yes. That’s where I met the Queen.” She gestured towards Ava, who had entered the throne room in the middle of Willow’s reiteration. “I asked her for help and tried to show her the tunnel but strangely it had disappeared. The Queen agreed to help me nevertheless and brought me here, but before I could ask which room I was supposed to go to—”

“She had already retired to her quarters,” the prince said, glaring at Ava. “Not surprising. She is careless.”  

Willow ignored his comment and continued. “I was exhausted and wanted to sleep so I wandered down the hallways, entered a room, and took shelter there, not knowing that the room belonged to the prince.”

She chose to skip what happened on the bed with the prince. She was certain it was humiliating for both of them.

The king looked at Ava and she nodded, confirming Willow’s story.

Willow’s mind began to race once more and the throbbing in her head worsened.

“I’m sure I’m not to blame here," she said. "Please don't put me in a dungeon. I'm exhausted and suffering from a continual headache. I had no intention of causing a commotion. And honestly, all of this is too unfathomable, but I am grateful for her help," she said, looking at Ava. "She has been gracious."

"Finally someone who appreciates me! Stay as long as you want." Ava chimed in.

"I have had enough of this," the prince said.

He yanked Willow's arm and dragged her down one of the many corridors before dragging her back to his bedroom.