Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Jonea Fallon

"Finish your lunch and rest."

Daran got up from his chair, put down the napkin, and walked away from the dining table. He didn't even touch his food. When he was in the doorway, he glanced over his shoulder slightly and said something.

"If you need anything, Loko will provide it for you. I still have very important business. I may not be back until tomorrow morning. So you have until tomorrow to enjoy yourself before serving me."

The man left the dining room. He said all that easily without even a single expression.

Serve him?

I'm really sick of him. It's good that he has to go. I hope he won't come back.

I irritably chewed on the rest of my steak, which was getting cold. Then I paused for a moment to regret my words.

If Daran doesn't return, who will unseal the wolf inside me? How can I get up? I will never be able to save Aland if I continue to be sealed like this.

Loko came when I was feeling really lonely in the dining room. I was relieved I wasn't alone in that old and horror-impressed castle.

"I'll take you to your room to rest," Loko said politely.

"Sir," I called.

Loko remained polite. He lowered his head slightly and corrected my words.

"Please don't call me by that. Just call by name. Is there anything you need, miss?"

"Are you also a Lycan? Or are you a wizard?"

I was so scared when I asked Loko that question. However, I need to clarify who the people currently around me are. So that I can map out who I can trust and who cannot. However, there shouldn't be anyone I can trust in this place.

"As you can see, Miss. I am nobody. I am just a servant here."

"Ah, all right."

Loko wants to avoid answering my question. However, I did not smell any wolf scent in him. It was very different when I faced lycans and werewolves. There was a special scent wafting from their bodies. Loko really looks like a normal human.

He led me into a room with large double doors almost reaching the ceiling. Loko opened it wide.

I was really amazed when I saw the contents that were so extraordinary.

This room was not as big as Daran's room. However, the interior design is really made and specially designed as if to be inhabited by a woman.

There is a super-large bed with poles supporting a tassel mosquito net. The pillows and mattress look so soft.

I got closer and touched the surface of the carved wooden dresser, a very beautiful dressing table complete with everything in it, a writing table and a reading sofa. Also, some hundreds of years old paintings are hanging on the wall. I looked up at the ceiling. There is a crystal chandelier that is so beautiful hanging there.

I headed to one part of the wall. There is a balcony door. I pushed back the curtains and opened the glass door wide. The cool summer breeze hits my body.

Standing on the balcony, I feel like Rapunzel when she stands on the tower. Unfortunately, I don't have hair as long as hers to escape from this balcony.

The view from there is simply amazing. The castle is surrounded by forests and mountains. I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere.

"Loko!" call me.

"Yes, Miss?"

Loko was still standing in the room. He was waiting for me to speak.

"Actually, where are we? Why is it that there are only forests and mountains as far as the eye can see?"

"We are in the Blackton Kingdom, Miss. More precisely, we are in the Black Castle."

"If this is indeed a kingdom, where do the rest of the people live? There's no way you guys don't have people, right?"

"You will see them later, Miss. The Black Castle was built on a cliff in the Blackton Mountains. So it was natural for this place to be surrounded by forests. If you want an urban setting, with Mr. Daran's permission, I can take you for a walk there. But, apparently not today."

I feel so sleepy. This place is really cool. The air is fresh, and the sounds of summer birds and bugs are everywhere.

"If there's nothing you need, have a good rest. You can look for me in the kitchen."

Loko left me alone in the room. He closed the double doors carefully so as not to cause a commotion.

I stretched and stretched all the muscles of my stiff body. When I saw the mattress, I immediately jumped and flipped there. Really super soft feather bed.

Now, I'm lying on my back with my arms and legs wide apart. I stare at the room's ceiling, which looks gloomy and dark. If I can compare, this place looks like a scary medieval castle. Even though all the furniture looks luxurious and expensive, I feel very lonely.

I am trying to remember when I fell asleep. I don't know how long I've been asleep until a voice whispers and calls my name.

“Jones. Jonea. Jonea?”

"Aland? Is that you?"

My eyes were still closed and felt so heavy. It takes a lot of work to open. I smell of wet grass and the scent of flowers that spread around me.

"Jonea, wake up!"

I was wide awake but couldn't move my body. I can't remember sleeping on my stomach. My neck and back feel very stiff. When I opened my eyes, a strange squirrel stood on my pillow.

"You're the neighbor from earlier? Why are you here?"

I try to sit up straight. My body was shivering. When I looked outside, I realized that it was already dark. I also remembered that I needed to close the balcony door.

The cold air was blowing so fast. I'm sure Jeveric went through the open balcony and into my room.

"Jonea, do you want to walk for a while or not?" persuaded the generic. He's alone. "Here is a very good place. I will also tell you something about the silver-haired youth."

My eyes widen. If indeed this is a chance to find out about Aland…

"But," I muttered.

"It doesn't matter. Stay cool. Besides, Daran wasn't home, right? Only a while. No one will know if you stay out for a few minutes."

"Is it true that you know about Aland? How did you know about him?"

"Come with me for a walk. I'll tell you later."

Jeveric ran first. He headed to the balcony and jumped.

I couldn't have followed him jumping off the balcony. After closing the balcony door tightly, I took the coat from the closet. It's summer, but I must wear a coat to cover my head.

After putting on my shoes, I walked slowly.

Once out of the room, I did not find anyone in the hallway. The castle was so quiet and felt eerie. The lights were seen starting to turn on. Most of them are yellowish in color.

I doubt. He probably wouldn't let me out if I had to ask Loko for permission. I also failed to enter the kitchen and rushed to the front door.

It is the front door, though I'm not sure. Because I've never walked in through the door. When I first entered this castle, Daran immediately landed me in his room with a magic portal.

After painstakingly opening the front door, which was so heavy and large, I slowly closed it again without making a sound. I thought the door was locked, but it wasn't.

I saw Jeveric running around in the yard. I walked after him.

***

Daran Carver

"Really innocent girl."

I stood at the window of the den. I just got back after my business was done. I don't normally want to rush home like this.

When choosing a book to read before bed, a firefly approached me and whispered something. It was then that I rushed to the window and took a look. She left the castle sneakily.

"Apparently, she followed those naughty Jeveric. Yes, it will be a good lesson for her. Or vice versa, this will punish her for breaking the rules I set."