Chapter 217

The dress laid out on the bed was nothing short of elegant, its fabric whispering against my fingertips.

I hesitated for a moment, the weight of the Alpha King's gesture lingering in the room.

If this was his choice, I couldn't disrespect him, not in his palace.

However, another part of me felt uncomfortable wearing something that he had picked out specifically for me.

A discreet knock echoed in the room, jolting me from my thoughts. Miriam's voice, muffled through the thick wooden door, followed the knock. "Miss Shana? Are the accommodations to your liking?"

The sudden interruption made me jump, and I hastily responded, "Uh- yes! Everything is fine. Thank you, Miriam."

"Excellent. I will be just outside the door if you shall need me."

The silence that ensued felt almost stifling. I waited a few beats before exhaling deeply.

Now that I knew Miriam was lingering just beyond the door, a sense of surveillance crept in.

I felt a bit suffocated as if I couldn't freely explore my room without her knowing. The idea of making too much noise or being caught snooping around kept me from delving too deep into the mysteries the room might hold.

Although, deep down, I doubted there was anything hidden in here for me to find.

The room, however lavish, seemed more like a temporary space than one that held secrets waiting to be uncovered.

I slipped into the dark red dress, and to my astonishment, it draped over me like it was tailored for my body.

Intrigued, I twirled in a circle, marveling at how the delicate lace danced around me with an almost magical flow.

This level of elegance was entirely foreign to me. I had never worn anything so fancy or expensive.

The dress seemed to transform me into someone I hardly recognized, and a strange sense of disconnection settled in.

In that moment of realization, I became acutely aware of my surroundings.

The walls surrounding me were a stark contrast from my usual reality.

An almost involuntary, sarcastic smile played across my lips.

"Oh my God. This is insane," I murmured to myself, shaking my head incredulously. "What on earth am I doing here?"

I took a moment to explore the room quietly, making sure to stay silent so Miriam didn't come barging in.

Every piece of furniture and decoration resonated with a history unknown to me. I opened the drawers next to the bed, hoping to find something unexpected. Instead, the drawers were empty as if nobody had lived here in years.

That was easy for me to believe. The Ethereal Palace probably had hundreds of empty rooms, and if it never saw any visitors, I was certain that many of those rooms were similar to this one.

I strolled over to the expansive arched window and peered down at the sprawling landscape below. To the far left, a vibrant array of colorful plants and towering trees caught my eye, hinting at the lush garden Liam had mentioned earlier.

The idea of exploring those gardens during my stay ignited a desire within me.

Grandma Jo had a beautiful flower garden that I had unfortunately destroyed the last time I shifted. But before that, I had loved sitting in the garden and admiring the rose bushes.

As wonderful as Grandma Jo's garden was, I was sure this one would be better.

If the inside of the castle was already so breathtaking, I could only imagine the enchantment awaiting me in the garden outside.

However, a recollection crossed my mind–

Liam's words echoed in my ears.

He had mentioned that the gardens were accessible only by invitation.

Determined to seize the opportunity, I made a mental note to ensure I secured an invitation to witness the garden before leaving the castle.

Another knock struck my door, but this time instead of being shocked, my body froze.

"Miss Shana?" Miriam asked through the door.

I cleared my throat, running my palms down the sides of my dress in order to remove any nervousness. "You may enter."

I wasn't sure how long I had been in the room, but surely it couldn't be time for dinner already.

"Your presence is wanted downstairs, ma'am." Miriam blinked at me with her dark brown eyes before bowing her head slightly to avoid eye contact.

"You can just call me Shana, Miriam," I said kindly, starting to feel a bit odd with all the formality. "I'm much younger than you, anyways. It feels a bit... strange... having you call me proper names."

"Sorry ma'am. I have to treat every one of our guests with the utmost respect. The King ordered us to address you as such."

"Us?" I questioned, feeling my brow rise. "Who's us?"

"Why, everyone who works in the Ethereal Palace," Miriam said. "He made it very clear to us. I cannot go against the King's wishes."

I pursed my lips, staring at Miriam as she continued to keep her head down.

"Okay, I guess I'll just have to discuss it with the King himself then."

Miriam's head shot up for a moment before going back down. I wondered if my words surprised her. I bet many people didn't try to negotiate things with the King, but if I was going to stay here, I wanted to be treated normally.

I was just a normal girl, after all.

"Follow me Miss- uh... Shana," Miriam stumbled over her words as she exited my room.

I gave it one last look goodbye before following Miriam out. She locked the door behind me and turned, signaling for me to follow.

I frowned to myself, wondering why she would've locked the door to my room. Was I not allowed to go in there alone?

Miriam led us down the same grand staircase we had traveled up earlier. I held the banister as I walked, trying not to trip over the length of my gown.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Liam was waiting with Lucas and Kendrick, both dressed in fine clothes. I wondered if, like me, they found a carefully chosen attire left for them.

My eyes locked with Lucas's, and I held his gaze longer than necessary.

I yearned to grab his hand for comfort or go to him, but before I could, Liam stepped in front of me.

"That's a lovely gown." He smiled politely, tilting his head to the side to appreciate my finery.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"Come, I'll show you to the grand dining hall." Liam turned on his heel and began to march away.

I scurried after him, not wanting to disobey him.

Once we entered the dining hall, I was surprised to see the room adorned with exquisite china and silverware.

As I walked toward the table, an air of anticipation hung in the space.

The Alpha King wasn't here yet.

Everyone took their seats except for Liam. The question lingered on my lips. "Liam, won't you join us for dinner?"

Liam, with a polite smile, replied, "No, Miss Shana. But the King will be here shortly."

A twinge of nervousness settled in my stomach.

Someone who had become slightly familiar wouldn't be there as a buffer. The gravity of the situation pressed down on me as I awaited the beginning of a dinner that held so many unknown twists and turns.