Luna slowly came to a halt before an open gate woven with white lilies, a fence made out of a hedge of white lilies . Luna approached it, her touch light; she was excited to see something new like this.
It looks so fragile! But when I push it, it's as solid as metal… Luna pushed the gate as it swung back, its weight as light as a feather but with the toughness of metal.
Well, it's really pretty, but the palace looks so calm, so magical… I don't know why.
Luna looked up at the palace that unfolded before her.
A ridiculously large palace made of white stone stood in front of Luna. A large porch stood at the end of the gravel path, its ceiling held up by a few pillars. To the left, it led to a tower that was a fast passage to the floors above, but to the right, it led far behind somewhere else.
When Luna looked at it, standing in the frame of the gate, her whole view was covered by the palace. The word 'ridiculous' was an understatement.
It was beautiful, she thought, walking down the gravel path lined with white lilies. The path split to the right, and Luna's gaze fell upon a strange, beautiful tree. Its leaves were a soft, deep charcoal, while the trunk shone with the pale, smooth silver of a moonlit cloud. From one graceful, arching branch hung a simple wooden swing, an invitation to swing.
Luna looked around, but the garden in the front was far superior to the one at her home.
Luna sighed as she took in the beauty surrounding her. Stepping onto the porch, she looked to the left and right, but nothing was as inviting as the big doors in front of her. It was rather comical as she stood before them, like a mouse in front of a human; the size of them towered over Luna by at least three times.
This… someone really has a strange taste in doors… Anyway, this place, really, really feels lonely. I wonder how someone could live here, huh.
Luna reached for the handle, but as she was about to grab it, the doors slowly and gently opened before her. Not even the hinges squeaked, unlike in her home.
Luna, dumbfounded, stood there with her hand extended for a while before letting it fall naturally to her side.
As she took a deep breath in, she exclaimed, "It's so magical!" Without hesitation, she ran into the palace with a grin on her face.
…
Right inside, Luna walked on the red carpet that led up the massive stairs, which split left and right at the next floor.
She looked to the side and saw dozens of arched pillars, just like the ones on the first floor.
This is … Massive! she exclaimed inwardly as she looked up. The rays of sunlight blinded her eyes, streaming from the square glass opening over the second floor; the clear glass was like a door to the sky.
The room was brilliantly sunlit, but something was bothering Luna: the empty feeling, the silence that echoed through the palace. It was really something unlike anything she had ever seen. She was always used to hearing palace maids, her family, or even the fauna and flora of nature. But here, there was no such thing. True silence.
Sunlight gleamed on spotless marble, reflecting only emptiness. Brown wooden dressers lay perfectly smooth, untouched. The air was still and cool, scented with clean, cold lilies. Perfect, serene, and deeply alone.
Somehow the surroundings could influence how a person was feeling by how Luna feels at the moment. I don't understand, it really feels lonely, eh, repeating myself will change nothing. But, I wonder how someone could live here? Even in the darkest corners of my home, I never had felt lonely, not even sad.
But here? It's sad, heh. It really makes me want to explore this place even more.
Let's explore every single room!
…
Okay! Now, let's go left! Luan thought, choosing the doors on the left side of the stairs.
With a curious look, she walked up and opened them. She was met with… a kitchen. It was simple, the same old layout as the one in her own palace! Huh, is every one the same?
In the middle of the room stood a wooden island, a circle cluttered with utensils and other cooking implements. Surrounding it, against the three walls, was a long wooden dresser packed with bowls, porcelain, and pots. Above them, rows and rows of cups, all bearing the same design of White Lilies, sat on shelves.
Really, someone has a weird taste…
She walked in, circling the island. A huge oven held still-warm bread inside, and to its right, an open door revealed a storage pantry packed with food.
Finding nothing else of interest, she left.
That place really was a copy of the one back home. I guess kitchens anywhere look the same... Well, since I don't know how to get back, it will probably take hours. I hope Aisha won't worry too much.
Let's not rush the exploration! I'll enjoy it slowly.