The two officials walked Cleus and Cyte through the hallways of the palace. Cleus kept one eye open, taking in the full ambiance.
As they approached the waiting room, one of the officials turned his head to make eye contact as he spoke.
"We want to thank you for your visit and your patience. We hope you are comfortable as our king returns."
The other official opened the door to a room decorated in gold and art. Cleus and Cyte entered and sat down on two golden chairs. The officials remained at the doorway as if forbidden to enter. They bowed in respect.
"We hope our king will be with you shortly."
With that, they closed the door. Cleus and Cyte looked at each other and nodded.
Cyte knelt and touched the floor. From her fingertips, a radial burst of energy spread outward. The wave expanded, rippling across the entire room. When it finally faded, she rose back into her chair and shook her head slightly.
Cleus lowered his head and closed his eyes again. The two remained seated in silence.
In a dark hallway on the other side of the palace, Ten and Demo followed behind Orja, who was explaining the rules and regulations.
"So remember, you should never look royalty in the eyes. Always bow your head if they walk by. Never talk to them first, and whatever you do, never ask them anything.
And if you find yourself in a place where anything has a hint of gold and you weren’t invited—go back to where you came from immediately."
Demo glanced at the walls and noticed scratches and stains that looked like dried blood.
"What happens if I look royalty in the eyes?" he asked casually.
Orja looked back with a hint of concern.
"You will be beaten within an inch of your life and have one eye removed. Which one will be decided by the royalty you looked at."
"Isn’t that a bit much?"
Orja looked at Ten, then faced forward and lowered his head.
"It is not. Our royalty is worthy of respect. Anyone who breaks the rules of etiquette deserves to be punished."
Ten and Demo exchanged glances. Orja’s back looked slightly slumped as he led them into a dirty, dimly lit room where several people sat with their heads down.
Some had bruises. Others were covered in food scraps. A few were bleeding while being tended to by others.
Ten froze at the sight, horrified by the pain and anguish before him.
Orja looked at him sadly.
"These are the workers’ quarters."
Demo stayed silent, scanning the room. Orja continued toward a door at the far end and gestured for them to follow. He opened it, revealing a filthy room with a cot bolted to each wall—no blankets, no pillows.
"This is your room." Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel⸺fire.net
Demo looked at him, stunned.
"To sleep and live while you stay here as our guests," Orja replied.
Ten shook his head in disbelief.
Demo closed the door while Orja was still trying to hold it open. He stared him straight in the eyes and spoke in a low, serious tone.
"Bring us somewhere better."
Everyone in the room turned toward them. Some were shocked; others enraged.
Murmurs filled the air.
"How can they say no?"
"Who do they think they are?"
"The guards will punish them."
"Someone should tell them what’ll happen."
Demo ignored them all. Orja, sensing he was serious, nodded.
They left the room and entered another hallway. At the end of it stood an open gate leading outside, guarded on each side by sentries. The guards recognized Orja but not Demo and Ten.
The guard on the left placed his hand on his sword hilt.
"They came with the royal visitor. They wish to experience our wonderful city."
The guard studied Demo and Ten, both standing tall with their heads held high. Demo met the guard’s gaze directly.
As their eyes locked, a chill ran down the guard’s spine—as if he were staring into the eyes of a predator. He swallowed hard and looked away.
"Make sure they come back alive."
Orja blinked, surprised at how easily they’d been let through. Demo smiled at him.
Orja bowed slightly to the guards.
Orja, Demo, and Ten stepped through the gate.
The guard on the right turned to his partner.
The other guard was trembling.
"I think I peed my pants."