^^ Eve

After riding for another day, we approach the Callisto castle. We follow a steep, windy road up a cliff, that leads to a black iron gate. It is lightly snowing, dusting the jagged cliffs and towers of the castle with snow.

Two guards stand in front of the gate.

"You're father has been looking for you. Welcome home your highness," says the guard. Both of them bow, and open up the gates.

We cross the bridge leading to the inner gates of the castle. I always remind myself not to look down, since we are about a hundred feet up in the air. At the end of the bridge is the Callisto castle sitting on large cliff.

"You're a noble? The ruthless Princess of Darkness?" asks Finn in disbelief.

"That is a name for me. Not one of my favorites though," I reply. Those kind of titles aren't exactly helpful when I'm trying to distance myself from the villainess in the otome game.

We stop in front of the inner gates, where more knights guard it. I dismount from my horse, and pick up Nyx who is completely passed out at this point. Thankfully, his chest is still rising and falling so I know he's still alive. Finn also hops off the horse.

"We greet your highness, the Glorious Princess of Darkness, may the night reign eternally," the knights declare taking a knee. Two knights open the heavy iron doors, and another takes my horse and leads it away, presumably to the stables.

The knight commander, set apart from the others by a blue plume on his helmet and a blue paludamentum (cape fastened to one shoulder), steps forward.

He clears his throat, "His excellency is in the throne room. I shall escort you to him if you desire," he says.

"Someone bring my companion to a doctor. He has been stabbed with a blessed silver weapon, and needs immediate medical attention," I reply, "Additionally, I am in no state to enter court right now."

"Shall I escort you to your chambers then?" he asks.

"Very well, lead the way commander," I respond. All this etiquette still feels unnatural to me even after all these years. However, I just put on a mask of sorts on to fit the role of the cold, perfect noble expected of me.

The knight commander beckons to another knight who rushes forward. I gently hand him Nyx, and he rushes into the castle.

I walk into the Callisto castle with Finn and the knight commander. My family will not be happy about this, but it is impossible to avoid them. The longer I make them wait, the angrier they will be.

I pass the grand entrance hall and other rooms and corridors until we are at the stairs.

"I can go the rest of the the way commander," I say. He bows, and heads back to his post.

"Are you immune to poisons?" I ask Finn.

"Huh?" he says. He seems to be in a daze, completely entranced by the finery around him. I smile. I was the same way when I reincarnated. At first, I couldn't believe the luxuriousness of everything, having nothing in my previous life. In reality though, this place is more like a poisonous flower; seemingly beautiful, but underneath the pageantry and the material wealth, it will kill you.

"Do you have an immunity to poison?" I repeat the question.

"No, why do you ask?" he inquires.

"You can't come into my room then. It would kill you," I reply, "Don't tell anyone that though."

We go up the stairs and cross the hall. I run into a maid, I think her name is Mila. Most of the maids work for my mother, so I try to interact with them as little as possible.

"Make him presentable. He will be meeting with the duke," I order.

"Yes, your highness," she answers, curtsying.

"Bring him to me when he's ready, but do not let him enter my chambers," I say. Finn and her leave.

I continue to head to my room, going up more stairs. Because of the size of the castle, I have to climb multiple flights of stairs just to get to my room everyday. Is this what rich people problems are like? I almost laugh, in my first life I'd kill to have these issues.

I finally get to my floor. As my power increased over the past five years, and my brother was named the heir, the level of respect and possessions I own have also increased, including a whole floor to myself.

"Layla!" I call out to one of the maids that are dusting the stuffed leather couches in the small lobby near the top of the stairs.

"Your highness! What happened? We were so worried!" cries out Layla. Tears streak down her and the maid next to her's faces. They rush toward me, and I give them a hug.

"Oh my god! You're covered in blood! Should we call the doctor!" says the other maid, Sadie.

These are the few maids loyal to me, even if they are a little dramatic at times.

"I'm alright, it's not my blood. Could you draw up a bath for me?" I request.

"Of course, your highness!" sniffs Layla, tucking a strand of her fiery red hair behind her ear, "So brave, so strong," she mutters.

As Layla prepares a bath, I try (unsuccessfully) to convince Sadie that I'm alright.

"My poor baby!" she cries, "How could those thugs do this to you?!?!"

She hugs me, and bawls again. I pat her on the back awkwardly.

Layla comes back, telling us the bath is ready. I like to bathe alone, which apparently is not typical of a noble, who have servants to help them bathe for some reason. They're used to my preferences now though.

I enter the bathroom alone, and smile as the scent of peach blossoms and vanilla hits my nose. I peel off my blood soaked clothes, and enter the tub with a sigh of relief.

The water is warm and has a layer of bubbles from soap at the top with peach blossom petals scattered about in the water. I submerge myself in the water.

It has been a stressful couple of days, and this bath is just the kind of relaxation I've been needing.

When I'm done bathing, I put on a fluffy pink bathrobe and walk to my room. I open up my closet to find something to wear.

I decide to wear a purple dress with a matching purple ribbon chocker that has a violet amethyst hanging from it. I also wear purple high heels to match the look. When I leave the room, my maids burst into tears again.

"You look so beautiful my highness!" cries out Layla, wiping away a tear of joy. As I said, they can be very dramatic.

"Your highness, I've brought the boy," says Mila coming up the stairs.

I turn toward her. Finn trails behind her. He looks so regal now! If someone told me he was a beggar a few hours ago, I wouldn't believe them. He has on a navy blue three piece suit and matching blue shorts. The blue of the suit compliments his blue eyes, and matches well with his candy pink hair.

"So cute!" I exclaim. Layla and Mila start babbling affirmation as well. I think I'm turning into them right now though, because I feel like I'm getting a cuteness overload from his adorable outfit!

After I get my daily dose of cuteness for the day, and calm down, I remember we have to meet with my family.

I clear my throat, "Right, so we have to go now. You can all stay here, Finn and I will be back soon," I say.

Finn and I head toward the throne room. I have no idea how my family will respond to the fact I've been missing for days only to return with two children who looked like beggars, but I'm guessing they won't be happy.

I look at Finn, who stares back at me with wide puppy eyes. Oh no! I must have scared him with my worried expression.

"Don't worry, everything will be okay," I tell him, with a reassuring smile.

"I know. If anything happens Eve will protect me!" he answers, beaming.

AHHHHHH!!! I think I almost die of a cuteness overdose on the spot. He looks like an eager golden retriever that I could just hug to death!

"Yes, I definitely will! And hopefully you can stay here so you don't have to live on the streets anymore!" I tell him. Honestly, if he had asked me to carve my heart out, and hand it to him in that moment, I would. I have such a weakness to cute things.

Finally, we get to the throne room doors. Two footmen stand in front of it, and open the doors for us.

One of the footmen step out, and announce, "Her highness, Eve Cecilia Maeve Callisto, the Dazzling Princess of Darkness is entering!"

We step into the throne room, which is essentially a long hall with a red velvet carpet leading to a raised dais. On the dais is a large black stone throne with two smaller thrones next to it. Sitting in the throne is my father and to the right of him is my mother. The other seat is empty.

On the sides of the room are a few chairs where some members of my father's council sit. Other courtiers stand in between the marble columns that line the hall.

I pass by the courtiers who bow, and whisper amongst themselves as I get to the end of the hall.

"Whose that boy?" I hear someone whisper.

"He looks wealthy and good looking," someone also whispers.

"Her highness looks as elegant as ever!" another person says.

"I have got to get her dress," whispers a woman in another conversation.

I get to the dais and kneel before my father. Finn does the same thing.

A servant rushes into the hall, and approaches my father who beckons him forward. He whispers something in my father's ear.

"Bring him in," my father says. His expression is unreadable. Who is he?

The doors open again, and out steps Nyx. He's fully healed and wearing a black jacket with golden buttons and a red cloak over one of his shoulders. He looks like a prince that came straight out of a fairytale book.

He walks down the hall, as the courtiers gossip amongst themselves about his unexpected arrival, but he seems unaffected.

"Your excellency," he says, bowing to Duke once he reaches the dais. He then kneels down next to me.

I can feel my heart thumping in my chest. I don't have the power to let them stay, but somehow I have to convince the Duke. Unfortunately, I've never been that great with family, so I just hope that I can pull this off.

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