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“Ironhelm Place was built by King Cade’s great-grandfather, thirty times removed,” she answered. “Of course, back then, Ironhelm was hardly the kingdom it was today, and King Sergio had great aspirations for what would become the greatest country in Mystara. He single-handedly designed a simple lodging for his family of eight, and as his family grew, so did the building.”
My breaths began to escape in short, uneven rasps, and I offered Maywin another nervous look, but before I could comment on the size of the structure, a massive staircase fell before us. I almost gasped, the sight of it paralyzing me. I’d never seen such an ostentatious display. To my shame, I was moderately afraid of it, the sight of so many stairs, winding toward another set and then another beyond—they seemed a journey to nowhere.
“It was his grandson, Ellison, who started on the second floor, and Ellison’s son, Augustine, who created the third. Other kings have added to it over the centuries,” Grisella went on, oblivious to my shock of the stairs.
She continued up the steps, and I glanced back at Rufus, who had broken a sweat with my bags. Maywin offered to take one from him, but he shook his graying head, and we trailed after the guide.
“You will find touches of everyone who ever lived within these walls if you look,” Grisella told us. “Once you live in Ironhelm Place, you cannot help but become a part of her. You, too, will leave your mark—if the King finds you suitable for queendom.”
I shivered again, terrified by the idea that King Cade may send me back, but I didn’t want Grisella or anyone else to see my fear.
What would happen if he did refuse me? What about the blood oath that was sworn between our ancestors?
“Are you coming?” Grisella called from halfway up the stairs, and I swallowed my reservations to follow her, keeping Maywin close.
“Unsettling,” I heard Maywin whisper, and I exhaled, relieved that she was on my side.
I wasn’t imagining it. Thankfully, Grisella stopped talking during the rest of our travels down the long second-floor hallway.
Abruptly, Grisella stopped in front of a set of double doors, throwing them open without a pause.
“These will be your rooms,” she explained, stepping back.
Through my peripheral vision, I saw Rufus exhale in relief, setting my overfull bags down as he caught his breath after such a long trek. He panted lightly and wiped the sweat from his wrinkled brow. Poor guy had carried all my worldly possessions with him. I wouldn’t have blamed him for dropping on the spot. I wondered why he hadn’t used his magic to transport them, but I reasoned that he was trying to prove his worth in front of Grisella.
“You should have all that you need here,” Grisella said without crossing over the threshold. “There is a closet with linens, a full bathroom with all the amenities—jets, steam shower, the like. A television hooked up to every streaming service you can imagine. A fully stocked bar, should you need a libation, and an intercom to call for room service. It connects directly with the kitchen. Coraline or Heddy will take care of you right away, depending on who’s on shift.”
Grisella stepped back from the bathroom door to point at three connecting rooms. “There are three adjoining rooms for your servants. I see that you’ve only come with two, but should you take a liking to one of the King’s staff or security, they can take on the third room.”
She stared at me like she was expecting a smile or a tip for service. Instead, I shook my head.
“Is there a problem, miss?” she asked, not bothering to hide her exasperation with me.
“Room service?” I repeated. “You want me to… to just stay in my room?”
Grisella shrugged indifferently. “You may do as you please. I am merely reiterating what King Cade has told me to tell you. However, you have seen the size of the palace, and we do not have the means to host a search and rescue party for you every night. Should you find yourself lost, you may find yourself lost for quite some time. You have been warned.”
“I have magic, just like anyone else,” I whispered, suddenly very afraid.
Grisella smiled coldly again. “I’m sure you do, but that doesn’t mean much here.”
My mouth fell open in utter shock, blood draining from my cheeks. “Is that a threat?” I choked, blinking.
She returned my stunned look, and I realized that I may have misread her in my state of fatigue. “Certainly not. You’ll be the Queen of Ironhelm… potentially. I wouldn’t think of it.”
Confused but exhausted, I turned to look at Maywin, who appeared just as conflicted as me.
Was she threatening me? Or was I merely being paranoid and defensive?
I had been determined to loathe Ironhelm Place since birth, after all. It was a fair assumption to think that everything about it was a threat—even if Grisella was truly looking out for my best interests.
“When will I see him?” I asked, unable to keep up with what was happening. It was all too much for me now.
“Who?” Grisella asked.
I stared at her, suddenly feeling as though I were in some kind of silly comedy theater.
“The King!” I almost sobbed. I was beginning to feel like a puppet, manipulated for entertainment value.
