The stewards had already carried our luggage into the chariot. I descended the stairs and made my way to the palace entrance, where Vera and the others were waiting. Upon arriving, queen Naana blessed us warmly, and we exchanged long hugs. We laughed when I presented Martha with a golden hairpin—she was hinted that a mom was severely I'll wnd she needed money for her health care , and I new if she sold the hair pin ,the amount would be more than enough for her mom's health.
I stepped into the chariot, the stewards closing the door behind me. Almost at once, it began to move. Issy's face was full of revulsion, because she couldn't stand my presence, but I paid it little mind; my thoughts were elsewhere, filled with what I had heard about Royal Preb.
Fourteen hours later,
a familiar voice broke the silence.
"Princess Iris Mon-devil von Lynx, you have successfully landed in Royal Preb," Vera announced jokingly, as though she were a herald. Her tone drew a smile from me.
The chariot rolled on until it stopped before the registration block. I leaned closer to the window.
"Vera, why are we stopping here?" I asked.
"Every student must sign a document upon their first arrival," she explained.
We stepped out, signed the required papers, and prepared to leave again. But Issy resisted entering the chariot. She insisted she had some work to do nearby, and though Vera protested, she finally allowed her to go.
The rest of us continued on toward the Prep's palace. When it came into view, I was struck speechless. The palace was vast—hundreds of times larger than the one we had left behind. Its walls were adorned with celandins and violet leaves, the towering pillars plated with gold. The grounds gleamed with patterned pavement tiles, immaculate and regal.
At Vera's command, the stewards halted before the main entrance. Our belongings were carried inside by unknown attendants as we walked across the compound. Everywhere, aristocrats lingered in small groups, conversing in hushed tones, their jewels glittering in the sunlight.
The moment we entered the palace's vast interior, my breath caught. Red polished tiles stretched across the floor, while walls of precious stone rose to dizzying heights. The structure was divided into two great halls: the Dean of Princes and the Constellation of Princesses.
"Good afternoon, my princess," a young man in white greeted us with a deep bow. "Princess Vera, an honor. And who is the elegant lady beside you?" he asked, eyes turning to me.
"Oh, her name is Iris Mon-devil von lynx," Vera replied with a smile. "Forgive my awkwardness. Solomon grinned ."
"This is your room address, and your Royal Number," Solomon said, handing me a card.
"Thank you," I replied, already suspecting what it might be.
Vera glanced at the address and her face tightened with disappointment. ". What ! How dare you!
You want my sister to stay in the same chambers with those two weird princesses?" she snapped, pointing a sharp finger at Solomon.
"Princess Vera, it's not my fault. I'm just a Butler " Solomon explained nervously.
"You are just a butler, I see." Vera's voice dripped with sarcasm as she stepped back. "Iris, let's go."
She led the way to the Department of Royal Accommodation and Comfort. Upon arriving, Vera stormed inside and reported the issue with a serious face.
"We are sorry, Princess, but there is nothing we can do about it," the President said without looking up from his documents.
"Really? You are not serious? The proprietor will hear about this," Vera retorted, ready to continue her protest.
But I knew better. A princess was supposed to be modest and well-disciplined. "
Vera, enough," I said firmly. "Let's go." I pulled her gently out of the office.
She eventually led me to my chambers. The very air around them felt strange, heavy, almost unsettling. Everything about the place—inside and out—was creepy.
Vera stayed with me for a while, then left. I changed into a simple dress, tied my hair, and settled in.
"Good evening, Your Highness," one servant said with a bow. "We are at your service anytime you need us. Just ring the bell." she pointed toward the corner of the room.
"Sorry for being late, my princess," another servant apologized.
"You are forgiven. "As you can see, there is a lot of work to be done in and out of these chambers. So, get to work." I walked toward a bowl of food waiting on the table.