Chapter 8 Welcome

My mother pulled me closer to her as though she thought her arms could protect me from the terrifying destiny that waited for me beyond the door, while my dad took a deep breath and started to open the door.

I looked over my mother to check if I had been wrong the first time-perhaps the monster's face was indeed as grotesque as he was. Three big, serious-looking men were standing at the door, staring directly at me, so I scowled in uncertainty.

"Mr. Knight was unable to attend, ma'am. It is us who have come to welcome you in his place. He offers his heartfelt regrets." The tallest man spoke up.

I exhaled deeply, pleased that I would no longer have to spend a lonely vehicle ride with the repulsive monster I was going to have to live with. Above all, I knew that seeing my family's and my tears and the pain they caused him would make him very happy; therefore, I would have killed myself if I had allowed him to witness our tears.

I gave my folks a faint, dejected grin as I stealthily grabbed a bag. Before I could even open the door, the men hurried to get my bags and somehow made it out. I headed to the waiting automobile, whispering a gentle goodbye to both of my parents. I could feel my neighbors' eyes on me as I went, trying not to cry.

I took one final look at my house before the men, who were ahead of me, took the bag from my hand and held the door while I got into the car. The location I would always miss.

When I heard the trunk close, it meant the men had finished storing my stuff. They entered the cars and sat in the two front rows. As the automobile started to move onward, I couldn't help but shed a single betrayed tear.

Curling into a ball in the back of the car, I drew my knees to my breasts and allowed the tears to roll down my cheeks.

Before I knew it, we had reached the palace, and I heard the guards motioning for me to come out as the door beside me gently opened. I inhaled deeply, trying to stop my heart from pounding and swallowing the lump in my throat.

When I stepped out of the car, I saw that the soldiers had carried all of my belongings and were leading me to the castle's doors. I followed them, bowing my head like the prisoner I truly was.

I was greeted by the waiting staff as soon as I entered the castle, and they seemed excited to see the new addition. A maid gave me a nice smile and motioned for a butler to come over. She reminded me so much of my grandmother.

Moving to come closer to me, the man bowed and asked if I would follow him up the stairs.

"Miss, I know you had a tiring move, and the sire is sorry he wasn't there to support you during it. But before you go to bed, would you mind taking a tour of the palace?" When the butler inquired, I merely shook my head.

"Very well, Miss. If you would just follow me, then your room is on the top floor close to Mr.Knight." The butler murmured as he turned around and took me deeper into the home's labyrinth.

I felt bad for being so impolite, but I just wasn't feeling talkative today, so I strolled silently behind him.

Choosing to remain silent when I didn't respond to his initial attempts at conversation, he brought me to my room. He showed me a gorgeous but far too large room for me to live in alone. The room might have filled an average-sized house's floor. The bed's extremely light cream-colored silk linens created a gentle contrast with the walls, which were painted a lovely warm shade of mocha.

Although this space was intended to appear warm and welcoming, in my opinion, it was little more than a dark, four-by-four dungeon.

He gave a small bow before leaving the room, appearing very normal despite the opulence of the setting.

I shut the door to my bedroom and went to rest on one of the cream-colored couches next to the fireplace, fatigued from the events of the day. I was left alone in there. I shut my eyes in the hopes of snatching a few minutes of sleep before I had to face today and begin the arduous chore of unpacking.

I was waking up after a snooze when there was a knock on the door. I lowered my head in the hopes that the guy would go away. The door opened, allowing someone to enter.

"Welcome home, love."