Chapter 15
1546 Words
Evelyn’s POV
Six hours.
Six hours from everything I’ve ever known… to a life I didn’t choose.
I sat stiffly in the backseat, directly across from the King and Queen. A guard was pressed beside me, silent and watchful, like I might bolt at any second. Honestly? I might’ve—if there was anywhere to run.
“So,” the queen began, her voice bright—too bright for the situation. “I know this isn’t exactly the happiest reason for you to come to the kingdom… but is there anything you’re excited about?”
Excited.
The word felt foreign in my mouth.
I hesitated, staring out the window for a second before answering. “I… don’t know. I’m not even sure what’s there.”
Her face lit up instantly. “Oh! Think of it like a massive city. We have everything.”
Everything.
Everything but my family.
“I guess…” I exhaled slowly, trying to find something—anything. “It might be nice to see a movie in a theater. I think the last time I went, I was like… six.”
She gasped—actually gasped—and clapped her hands like I’d just given her the best idea in the world.
“Yes! Oh, we are absolutely doing that. And not just a movie—the full experience. Nachos, popcorn, candy… everything. It’s going to be so fun!” she said, practically bouncing in her seat.
“And then,” she continued without missing a beat, “we can do our nails, go to the spa, maybe a shopping day—I promise, we are going to have the best time. Think of it like a vacation… a vacation before you meet your mate!”
“Okay, okay, Gisselle, calm down,” the king cut in with a low chuckle.
She waved him off, laughing. “I’m sorry! I’ve always wanted another girl in the castle. Men can be so boring. It’ll be nice to finally have some company.”
I tilted my head slightly. “Don’t you have maids? Aren’t they your friends?”
Her smile faded just a little. “No… not really. If I start favoring one, the others turn on her. It becomes messy fast. You only make that mistake once.”
That… sucked.
My brows pulled together. “That’s not how it was back home. Everyone got along. Miriam basically raised me—she knows everything about me.”
My voice softened at the end without me meaning it to.
“Well,” the king said, his tone gentler now, “we’ll learn everything about you too. Don’t worry.”
I gave him a small, half-hearted smile.
Hopefully fast, I thought. So I can get this over with and go home.
⸻
Three hours in, the car slowed to a stop.
“Bathroom break,” the driver called out as we pulled into a gas station.
Before I could even reach for the door, it swung open and the twins popped their heads in.
“Anyone need anything? Water? Soda?” one of them asked.
Everyone shook their heads.
“Actually—I’m going to the restroom,” I said, already moving.
Noah extended his hand toward me like I couldn’t manage on my own.
“It’s fine. I’ve got it,” I shot back, hopping out before he could insist.
He rolled his eyes but followed anyway. “How’s the ride? You comfortable?”
I shrugged. “It’s a car. And a long drive. I don’t think any car is comfortable.”
“Ours is,” the twins said in perfect unison.
I snorted. “Sure it is. I’m glad you’re comfortable. Now, if you’ll excuse me—”
I slipped into the women’s restroom before they could respond.
Inside, everything was quiet.
Too quiet.
I washed my hands slowly, then looked up at my reflection.
My eyes were puffy. Red. My face still carried the weight of every tear I’d tried to hide.
I inhaled sharply.
Pull it together.
When I stepped back out, the twins were standing right outside the door.
Of course they were.
“Can I help you?” I asked, irritation lacing my voice.
They exchanged a look. “We wanted to know… what’s your favorite snack?”
I almost laughed.
Like it mattered.
“I love caviar and saltine crackers,” I said flatly.
Their heads snapped toward each other.
“Is it really?” Noah asked, clearly thrown.
“Yes,” I said sweetly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
I slipped right between them and headed back to the car, not bothering to look back.
⸻
The rest of the drive blurred together.
At some point, exhaustion dragged me under. I must’ve fallen asleep, because the next thing I felt was a gentle nudge at my knee.
“Hey… we’re almost there. Thought you’d want to see the town.”
I blinked awake—and immediately realized I was half sprawled across the guard.
“Oh—” I sat up quickly. “Sorry. You could’ve pushed me off.”
“I tried,” he muttered. “You just got closer.”
I shrugged lazily. “I’m a cuddler. What can I say?”
The queen burst into laughter, light and airy.
“Oh, you’ll have plenty to cuddle once you—”
“Gisselle,” the king warned sharply.
She cleared her throat. “I mean… when you find your mate.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
That was not what she was going to say.
But before I could question it—
The city came into view.
And everything else disappeared.
Towering buildings stretched into the sky, glass and steel catching the fading light. The world outside buzzed with life—honking horns, rushing engines, people everywhere. Even through the closed windows, I could feel it.
The energy.
The movement.
The power.
“Wow…” I whispered, pressing closer to the glass.
“This,” the king said, watching me carefully, “is your new pack. For now… enjoy it.”
We drove through the city until massive gates appeared ahead. They opened automatically, smooth and silent, as if the world itself was making way for them.
And then—
The castle.
It rose like something out of a dream. Ancient strength fused with modern elegance—towering stone walls lined with sleek glass, steel accents cutting through old battlements. Light glowed warmly from tall, narrow windows as dusk settled over everything.
It was… breathtaking.
The car rolled to a stop.
A line of maids stood waiting outside, perfectly arranged, ready for the royal family’s return.
The king and queen stepped out first, hand in hand.
They were immediately surrounded.
“How was the trip, my queen?”
“Do we need to unload anything?”
“Yes,” the queen said smoothly. “Evelyn will be staying with us for some time. Please bring all her belongings to the room I’ve prepared.”
Confusion flickered across their faces.
So I stepped out.
And just like that—all eyes were on me.
They scanned me from head to toe, sizing me up like I was some kind of competition.
I rolled my eyes.
I don’t have time for this.
The twins stepped out behind me, and instantly the attention shifted—maids rushing to them like they were celebrities.
“Gross,” I muttered under my breath as we headed inside.
⸻
The castle interior was even more overwhelming.
High ceilings stretched endlessly above me. A grand staircase curved upward, trimmed in gold. Every surface gleamed with elegance and power.
“I’ll show you to your room, Miss Evelyn,” one maid said, stepping forward.
I moved to follow her—
“It’s alright, Beth. We’ll take her,” Nathan cut in smoothly. “Just make sure her things are brought up quickly—and carefully.”
She smiled at him like he hung the moon.
I physically had to stop myself from rolling my eyes again.
Unbelievable.
I followed the twins instead, exhaustion creeping in behind my annoyance.
Up the grand staircase. Down a quiet hall. To a door with a keypad.
“No one knows this code,” Nathan said firmly. “Not even the maids.”
“1052,” Noah added. “Too many wrong attempts and alarms go off.”
Noted.
The door buzzed open.
And I stepped into… an entire private wing.
A full living space stretched out before me—plush couches, a dining area, a sleek bar, and a kitchen that looked like it belonged to a professional chef.
“This way,” they said, leading me deeper.
They stopped between two doors.
One of them opened mine.
And—
I froze.
A massive bed dominated the room, draped in velvet and silk beneath a carved canopy lined with gold detailing. Sunlight poured through tall arched windows, casting warm patterns across marble floors and rich rugs.
It looked like something out of a fantasy.
“Wow…” I breathed.
“You like it?” Noah asked. “We can change anything—make it yours.”
I shook my head slowly, still taking it all in.
“No,” I said softly.
“It’s perfect.”
- Writer
