19 Chapter Nineteen
After a few more minutes of walking through the exotically pleasing trail, Angelique was in wonder when it suddenly erupted in front of a magnificent castle surrounded by large trees, more exotic plants, and intertwining waterfalls falling from beautiful lush green hills.
Chuckling behind her, for the beaming excitement on the Princess' face was priceless; Oshio lifted her hands to part the flowing water in front of the stone wall gate.
That caused Angelique to gasp a bit louder in pure admiration. She was too enamored with her surroundings to notice Oshio’s evil grin.
Stretching her hands towards the gate, she twirled her fingers, and the gate began to groan. Quickly, it descended onto the ground with a loud swooshing sound.
"Oh, my. That is wonderful."
Gushed Angelique.
"Please, this way, Princess."
Oshio basked in the glory of self-importance.
Known as the most beautiful and fairest Queen who owned the best castle in all of the Fantasia World, she was a magnificent ruler. But that was what lies upon the surface. Deep down, she was a wicked, cunning, and vicious woman.
Absentmindedly nodding, Angelique continued to indulge herself in the share finery. Never had she seen a castle so grand as the Water Nymph one! So in awe with the beautiful architecture, she almost missed the sudden water portal forming in front of her from a kindly and patiently smiling Oshio.
Though, inside of the water Nymph Queen was the raging emotion of irritation, for the Princess was delaying.
“There is no time to show you every nook and crony of the castle, Princess, for I am sure a complete freshen up is far more important.”
Blushing, for she had almost forgotten her real purpose of entering the castle, Angelique curtly nodded.
A little slither of disappointment enveloped her heart.
Soon after, the eerie feeling of earlier slowly crept back in. The peering eyes of the hiding people she had come to witness far too late were exasperating.
“Please enter the portal, Princess.”
A little hesitant, she observed the water portal. It showcased a splendidly gorgeous bedroom made of the best finery in the Nymph Kingdom. After another charming smile and an encouraging nod from Oshio, she entered the portal and materialized in the room.
"This will be your room for the time being. I hope it is to your liking.”
Spinning around, she captured every single detail of the room while ignoring the slowly disappearing portal behind her. Angelique felt a cold shiver cascading down her back, for the air in the room was frigid.
The observant Oshio realized her discomfort.
"Oh, heavens. I forgot to ask the servants to light the hearth. But do not worry, my sisters will have in lit no time."
“Thank you. The room is splendid."
“I am glad."
Turning to point in the direction of very silent women who had been standing in the room, much to Angelique's surprise, she blandly introduced them.
“These are my sisters: Ocean and Sea.”
Oshio smiled in their direction, but her gaze was piercing.
“Please show respect to our future Queen, sisters.”
Both Ocean and Sea nodded.
Curtsying in sync, but not as extravagant as Oshio, the women's voices were soft and light. They looked approachable and modest.
Sea’s striking eyes were similar to Oshio’s, but Ocean’s ones were a dazzling silver, a blend between black and white.
Similar dresses reflecting their status as royalty, Ocean and Sea were exceptional beauties, but unlike Oshio, they had a ray of sadness surrounding them.
Angelique returned their deference with a slight bow of her head, but she had not paid attention to their form of greeting. The distressed eyes of Ocean had captured her undivided attention until it vanished and sincere admiration relace it.
It was fleeting, but she detected wariness and fear in them.
Clearing her throat, when they became flustered from her lack of response, as well as Oshio's raised eyebrows, Angelique hurriedly responded.
“Your pleasure is appreciated.”
Grinning like a fool, Oshio clapped her hands to lighten the mood.
She had sensed the disturbing distress of her younger and foolish sister, Ocean. That made her very cross inside, for the little girl’s outward emotions, if seen by the Princess, would cause worry and her plans to fail.
“They will personally see to refresh you, Princess. Get her ready in two hours, sisters.”
“Of course we will, dear elder sister. May we, Princess?”
"Of course, take as long as you want."
Bowing, Sea and Ocean walked towards Angelique, who was more than eager to be rid of her blood-stained clothes and the grim all over her body.
“Please enjoy your bath, Princess.”
Hearing Oshio’s dismissing tone, as she walked towards the door, Angelique nodded. The door was soon closed behind her.
Smiling in the women's direction, she allowed them to drag her towards the built-in bathroom, which was as magnificent as the room.
After scrubbing off the disgusting blood and grim head-to-toe from her, she was rushed back into the room by the suddenly loud and fawning girls, who had fallen completely in love with her white hair, pale skin, and beautiful eyes.
The transition from being quiet and docile to piping and exaggeratedly chattering girls was because she had done a calming technique around both girls. Sharing a few pleasant and polite words with them, Sea and Ocean were smiling and laughing. These emotions caused their eyes to pop out of their sockets, and it made Angelique happy.
Graced with a plat full of food, which another maid had brought into the room during her noisy bath, Angelique continued to amuse the fawning girls.
Even when she quickly swallowed the exquisite and tasty meal, they still tirelessly chatted and argued about her being the number one beauty in all the Fantasia World.
Though, a hint of deep sadness still reflected within Ocean’s eyes. It had become even more prevalent when she repeatedly glanced at her slightly swollen abdomen and the mark around her neck.
Angelique realized that she had come to know about her pregnancy in the bath but kept it from her boisterously chattering and oblivious sister. She could also sense, Ocean wanted to tell her something, but she was hesitating.
'Was she afraid of someone? But who?'
She pondered in her mind as she continued to observe Ocean.
Quickly combing her white hair and then twisting it into fancy and elegant braids, they fitted her into a gorgeous floor length silky to the touch dress that complimented her eyes.
Adorning her ear with pearl earrings, her neck, and wrist with pearl necklaces, her hair with gold ornaments that had tiny diamond drops at the ends that fell onto the center of her forehead; Angelique felt incredibly and beautifully groomed.
That was something she had not done in the past month: being made beautiful. Though, she had done so for all her centuries behind the Fae Kingdom castle walls. Glancing at herself in the mirror, she realized her life in the castle was like a dream compared to now. It made her feel scared, for she knew nothing of the world beyond the Fae Kingdom borders.
She was all alone.
