Chapter 9: chapter 9

The castle stood tall and imposing, a marvel of craftsmanship that spoke of wealth, power, and centuries of history. As Alexis and her family walked through the grand entrance, her eyes widened in awe. The sheer scale of the structure took her breath away—it was so vast that it could easily house their entire village within its walls.The outer façade was a testament to masterful stonework, arm-deep walls shaped with such precision that their curvatures seemed like an artist's stroke. The stones, ancient and worn, told stories of time immemorial, hewn and stacked with care. The oak doors and shutters gleamed, polished to perfection, exuding an earthy scent that spoke of forests long gone. When the massive doors swung open, a rush of warmth greeted them. The floors, crafted from sun-kissed stone, radiated a steady heat, making the cold outside seem like a distant memory.Alexis tilted her head back, marveling at the grand chandeliers that hung from the vaulted ceiling. Doorways branched off in every direction, while spiraling stone staircases climbed to unseen heights. Each detail was a testament to the wealth and care invested in the castle, yet it also held an aura of mystery, as though secrets lurked behind every perfectly aligned stone.When they entered the ballroom, Alexis paused, stunned. The room was alive with movement and music. People from every walk of life filled the space. Noblemen in their embroidered tunics and ladies in shimmering gowns mingled with merchants and craftsmen dressed in their finest. The air was heavy with the scent of spiced wine, polished wood, and the faint tang of sweat from bodies that twirled and swayed in rhythmic unison.Young men and women had taken to the dance floor, moving in graceful pairs. The music, light and lilting, filled the room with energy. Alexis leaned toward her husband, her voice soft but brimming with awe.“We are truly fortunate to witness this,” she whispered. “It feels like a dream.”Her husband smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Aye, Alexis. Not many can claim to have seen such grandeur. It is a memory we will treasure.”Tables were neatly arranged, each one overflowing with an array of colorful cakes, cookies, and savory snacks. The soft murmur of people chatting and laughing filled the space, but Adam’s wide, curious eyes were fixed only on the food.He tugged at his father's sleeve. “Papa,” he said, pointing eagerly, “I want to eat those!”His father, looked down at his son with a faint frown. “We’ll eat later, Adam. Let’s wait for everyone to settle first.”Adam’s lips curled into a pout. “Please, papa. I’m really hungry!”There was a pause. His father sighed, then gave a soft smile. “Alright, go. Pick one thing you like. But listen—don’t wander around. Stay where I can see you and come right back. Understood?”Adam beamed, his tiny face lighting up with joy. “Yes, papa!”Before another word could be said, he dashed toward the buffet tables, his small footsteps pattering across the floor. He stopped in front of a tray of cupcakes, eyes wide, then looked at the chocolate balls, the pastries, the cookies—it was too much. He couldn’t decide. So, like any impulsive child, he began to pick things at random, stuffing bits into his mouth, chewing with delight.While he was munching on a cupcake, his gaze drifted toward the entrance.There—standing half-shrouded in shadow at the door—was a figure.A woman.She looked completely out of place amidst the color and warmth of the celebration. Her skin was pale, almost grey. She wore a tattered black gown, and her long, dark hair fell messily around her face. But what caught Adam’s eyes were hers. They were milky white, like glass marbles, completely devoid of pupils.Adam walked up to her slowly. He held out the cupcake in his sticky hand.“Do you want this?” he asked, tilting his head.The woman looked down at him and smiled. Her lips were thin, dry, and cracked, but there was something oddly soft about her expression. He pointed at her eyes. “What happened to your eyes?”The woman chuckled faintly, her voice husky and low, almost like a whisper carried by wind through dead leaves, “I stabbed them with a stick. They were showing me things I didn’t want to see.”Adam took a step back. A chill crawled over his spine.She took the cupcake delicately from his hand. “Thank you, Adam,” she whispered.Adam blinked. “How do you know my name?”The woman’s eerie smile widened. “I know a lot of things. I also know your sister’s name. Amelia... such a sweet, innocent girl.”Adam frowned slightly,  “Amelia? How do you know her?”The woman didn’t answer right away. Instead, she looked at the cupcake ,“Tell your sister... I’m sorry.”Adam’s little brows furrowed. “Why? Did you do something bad to her?”Her smile twisted strangely, no longer soft. “I might” she said. Her voice dropped further, like it was coming from a cold, hollow place deep inside her.Adam gasped, his stomach clenching. But before he could respond, a voice called from behind him.“Adam!” It was his father, alarmed and rushing toward him.Adam turned quickly. “Papa!” He pointed behind him. “That woman—she said sorry to Amelia!”His father looked at the empty space. “What woman?”Adam blinked. He turned around.There was no one there.“But... she was right there,” Adam insisted, his voice small and confused. “She was talking to me.”His father looked at him, his face tight with disbelief. “Enough of your stories, Adam. We talked about this. Don’t wander off like that.”Adam opened his mouth to protest but stopped. He glanced back one last time as his father gently took his hand and led him away. There was no sign of her. Not a trace. Just the hum of the gathering.In the ball room, Alexis turned her gaze to Amelia, who stood beside her, lost in thought. Her daughter’s beauty glowed even more under the soft light of the chandeliers. “Amelia,” she said, nudging her gently, “I think you are the prettiest in this room. Let’s hope we find someone worthy of you tonight.”Amelia blinked, startled out of her reverie. Her mother’s voice had broken through the endless whirlpool of thoughts consuming her mind. She forced a small smile but said nothing.Her thoughts were far away, tangled in the memory of the coachman she had glimpsed earlier. His face, though unfamiliar, seemed etched into her memory. Had he been in the forest that day? The image of him scaling the tree, flashed before her eyes. Why had he climbed so high? Had he been following me? But how could he know me? I’ve never seen him before.She turned her head slightly, scanning the ballroom for a familiar figure, but all she saw were strangers—smiling faces, laughing mouths, and locked gazes. Her hands clenched nervously at her sides.Alexis noticed her daughter’s distraction and placed a gentle hand on her arm. “Amelia,” she said  “what is it? You’ve been so quiet since we arrived. Is something troubling you?”Amelia hesitated, her lips parting as if to speak, but she shook her head instead. “It’s nothing, Mama,” she replied. “I’m just taking it all in. This place… it’s overwhelming.”Alexis smiled, “It is, isn’t it? But remember, tonight is a chance for you to meet new people, to forge connections. Perhaps even someone special.”Amelia nodded, though her mind remained preoccupied. The questions about the coachman continued to gnaw at her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he held answers—answers to questions she hadn’t yet dared to ask.