Chapter 10: [10] A new master
The grand castle loomed over the city like a silent guardian, its spires piercing the cloudy sky. The air was heavy with the scent of damp stone and old wood as Eris and I made our way through its massive gates. Inside, the halls were wide and echoing, the walls adorned with tapestries depicting epic battles and the lineage of rulers. Guards in ornate armor stood at attention along the corridor, their expressions stoic as their gazes followed us.
Eris walked with purpose, her every step resonating against the marble floor. I trailed behind her, feeling smaller than ever in the shadow of the castle's towering architecture. It was hard not to gawk at the intricate details—the gilded carvings on the columns, the shimmering chandeliers casting a warm golden light, the sheer opulence of it all.
"Where are we going?" I asked, my voice hushed.
"To the throne room," Eris replied curtly, not looking back. "There's someone I need to speak with before we leave."
"Someone important, I'm guessing?" I muttered, trying to ignore the knot tightening in my stomach.
Eris didn't answer, and her silence did little to ease my nerves.
The throne room was the pinnacle of the castle's grandeur. The double doors swung open with a creak, revealing a vast chamber with high, vaulted ceilings. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, painting the polished floor in hues of red, blue, and gold. At the far end of the room, atop a dais, sat the throne itself—a gilded masterpiece encrusted with gemstones, its high back reaching toward the heavens.
And seated upon it was a girl who looked no older than eighteen.
She was petite, almost doll-like, with flawless porcelain skin that seemed to glow in the sunlight. Her twin blonde pigtails cascaded over her shoulders, tied with elegant golden ribbons that matched the intricate embroidery on her royal gown. The gown itself was a masterpiece of design—white with accents of gold, hugging her slender frame and flowing out into a long train. Her sharp, piercing blue eyes were filled with an arrogance that could cut through steel, and her lips curled into a smug smile as she watched us approach.
Eris stopped several feet from the throne and knelt, lowering her head in a gesture of respect. I stood awkwardly behind her, unsure of what to do until Eris's sharp glare over her shoulder made it clear. With a sigh, I dropped to one knee, feeling utterly out of place.
"Your Majesty," Eris said, her voice steady. "I seek your permission to step away from my duties for a time. There is a matter of great importance I must attend to."
The girl leaned forward slightly, her expression one of feigned curiosity. "Eris, the ever-dutiful knight," she said, her voice high and mocking. "This is surprising. What could possibly be so important that you would abandon your post?"
Eris didn't flinch. "This man," she said, gesturing toward me, "is not from this world. I have taken it upon myself to assist him in returning to his own."
The girl's eyes flicked to me, and her smile widened. "A man from another world, you say? How...amusing."
"Your Majesty," Eris continued, her tone unwavering, "I request your leave to see this task through. It is my duty to protect him and ensure his safe return."
The girl tilted her head, her golden ribbons catching the light. "Eris, Eris, Eris," she said, drawing out the name as if savoring it. "You've always been so serious. So...predictable. And now, here you are, falling for a honey trap."
"A what?" I said before I could stop myself, earning a sharp look from Eris.
The girl laughed, a high, melodic sound that was anything but sweet. "Oh, don't play dumb, boy. I can see it all over you—your little doe eyes, your helplessness. You've charmed my knight, haven't you? Lured her into your little sob story."
"That's not—" I started, but her sharp glare silenced me.
"Enough," she said, her tone icy. "You're not going anywhere, little man."
I blinked, trying to process her words. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," she said, leaning back against her throne. "From now on, you're mine. My personal toy."
"What the hell are you talking about?" I snapped, rising to my feet. "I'm not—"
Before I could finish, two guards were on me, their hands gripping my arms like steel vises. I struggled, but it was like trying to fight a brick wall.
"Hey! Let go of me!" I shouted, twisting against their grip.
The girl watched with obvious amusement, her blue eyes sparkling. "Oh, this is delightful. I've always wanted a pet."
I turned to Eris, desperation in my voice. "Eris! Do something!"
But she didn't move. She remained kneeling, her gaze fixed on the floor. My stomach sank as I realized she wasn't going to intervene.
"Eris!" I shouted again, my voice cracking. "You can't let this happen!"
Still, she didn't look up.
The girl on the throne clapped her hands together, her smile widening. "Oh, I like him," she said, her tone dripping with mockery. "Such spirit. Don't worry, boy, I'll take good care of you."
"You've got to be fking kidding me," I muttered, my heart pounding. "This can't be happening."
But it was. The guards dragged me out of the throne room, my protests echoing off the marble walls. Eris remained behind, silent and unmoving.
And as the doors closed behind me, the last thing I saw was the girl's smug, triumphant smile.
Q: What would you do in this situation?