1:45 PM at Elaris Castle

  Sky’s POV-

  Stepping outside, I turned to look at the place that I’ve been hidden away in since as long as I’ve existed. My eyes scanned the walls of soft stone kissed by sunlight, tall windows glinting with the warmth of amber light behind them. The black iron balconies curled like lace, delicate but strong.

  The air smelled different outdoors, clean, alive, sharp with the scent of grass and distant rain. Gerald’s car gleamed nearby, the metal reflecting bits of the sky and tree leaves. Even the clouds drifting overhead looked unreal, too wide, too free.

  “Move it!” My mom snapped as she pushed me out of the way. I stumbled to the side before following behind her. I know what you’re thinking. Now’s a good chance to run. Yes, the thought crossed me, but where would I run to? Who could I trust to help when I couldn’t even trust my own mother?

  I was struggling to walk normally. The ground beneath me felt so unreal, so different from the porcelain floors of the mansion. I felt like I was walking on glass. Scared yet excited. Every step I made was slow and careful. I wondered if I’d fall or, worse, if all of this is just a dream.

  As the car pulled off, I gripped my seatbelt, feeling queasy from the sudden movement. Is this a normal feeling, or is it because it’s my first time in a car?

  I looked down at the multiple buttons and began pressing them out of curiosity. The glass in front of me slowly pulled down. Allowing the cool air to grace my face. Suddenly, that queasy feeling was absent, and in its place was a sudden wave of calm. Breathing in the air made me feel at ease for the first time in a long time.

  “Close the damn window!” Gerald’s command came like a loud, annoying record. Startling me enough to jump. I quickly pressed the other button, letting the glass slide back into place.

  The rest of the ride was quiet and dragged on for what felt like forever. Where are they taking me?

  Just as that thought came, the car came to a sudden halt.

  “Finally!” My mom squealed in excitement as she and Gerald quickly exited the car before I even had my seatbelt off. I pushed the car’s door open, slowly stepping onto the gravel road. I’m met with the sight of a huge gate in front of me with a sign that says in bold letters that says…

  WELCOME TO ELARIS

  I began to worry that this was some isolated prison for the unwanted youth.

  Suddenly, the gates began to open. I stood frozen in place. I’ve only ever seen a castle in Disney movies, yet before me was a castle even more breathtaking than the one in those.

  “What are you standing there for. I’m ready to get this over with,” My mom coldly said before grabbing me by the arm and dragging me with her through the large gates.

  We were walking on a gray pavement that stretched from the gates up to the castle, with beautiful flowers lining the grass on each side of it.

  As we got closer, the details of the white-stoned castle became clearer.

  Two men guarded the large, sleek black doors of the castle’s entrance. They pulled it open the moment we started up the steps.

  I hadn’t realized just how tight her grip was on my arm as I was too busy admiring the castle. Its gold-and-white decorative tiles were shiny, as if they had just been waxed. A large dining table with a gorgeous bouquet sat in the center of the room, while a set of large steps sat centered behind the table, just over a large double doorway.

  My mom grabbed me and pulled me into a tight and uncomfortable hug.

  “Act like you got some sense. If we can’t sell you this time. I will tie you to the tracks and watch happily as the train runs over you.” She whispered in her usual cold tone.

  “Patricia, Gerald, finally you’re here. Welcome,” An older man greeted us as he reached where we stood. My mom quickly let me go and turned to the man. He was tall, taller than Gerald, but with a lot more gray in his hair. His attire gave it away that he's the King; his gold crown sat in the center of his head. His gray beard is elegantly shaped.

  So… I’m being sold to an old King? I thought as I looked down at the floor. That fear that I had before we arrived was growing stronger by the second.

  “Sorry we took so long, I hope you didn’t change your mind,” My mom stated in an almost pleading tone.

  “This is the product. As you can see, she’s definitely worth something,” Gerald said with a chuckle as he grabbed hold of my shoulder, causing me to flinch. I shrugged his hand off in disgust.

  I looked up to see that I wasn’t the only one who was appalled. The King himself seemed pissed and ready to pounce on Gerald for his comment. He quickly changed his expression and stepped closer. I stepped back. Afraid of being too close to a stranger.

  He stopped in his tracks as if aware of my fear. It took a moment for me to realize he was looking at me with pity and not lust. The way that Gerald looked at me.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  “She is quite the beauty. One of my sons would be very lucky.”

  One of his sons?

  “I am King Sattarro.” He said as he reached out a hand to me.

  I nervously took it after being elbowed by my mom.

  “Sky… Altalune”

  “Just Sky, actually.” My mom stated firmly, as if she was annoyed that I said our shared last name. Why’d she even give it to me if she hated me being related to her so much?

  King Sattarro had released my hand long ago, and I was so grateful for how quickly he was to let go.

  “Well, now that you’ve met and seen her yourself. Let’s get down to business.” My mom said her patience was clearly absent.

  “Of course, how about we have a conversation in my office. Just us adults, Sky can sit in the sitting room til we’re done.” King Sattarro suggested.

  “No need for that. She knows why we’re here,” Came Gerald’s rude and quick response.

  The King seemed to grow more annoyed with him, but kept his composure

  “Oh, you’re finally here.” A woman around the same age as my mom squealed as she strutted over. Her long black gown sat just above her sparkly silver heels. Her hair pulled back into an elegant low bun, and like added accessories sat a gold crown that never once tilted but instead seemed in sync with her.

  “Oh, Patricia, it’s lovely to see you,” she stated as she pulled my mom into a hug.

  “Oh, darling, it’s been too long,” My mom stated when the hug broke.

  “Oh my, you’ve hidden such a goddess,” The queen stated, staring at me with admiration.

  I could feel the heat on my cheeks as I felt confused and embarrassed. Is that a real compliment? I’ve only ever heard the words fat, ugly, and mistake from my mom, yet here these two Royals have both complimented me.

  “Oh, you two and your sweet-talking. She’s just average,” My mom stated with a giggle.

  “Oh, please, she looks like a doll. I just want to hug her,” The queen stated as she began to step closer to me, but King Sattarro abruptly stopped her with an outstretched arm.

  “My Queen, keep in mind. She’s probably very confused and uncomfortable with hugging a stranger.”

  “Good point. How about a handshake instead?” She questioned with an outstretched hand.

  I carefully took it. She gave a light, gentle shake.

  “I am Queen Sattarro. What is your name, sweetie?”

  “Sky Alt…

  “It’s Sky,” I quickly stated. Careful not to upset my mother once more.

  “Oh, it’s lovely to meet you, Sky. I’m sure you will love it…

  “Speaking of that, can we speed up the process, my friends. We are in a rush.” Gerald interrupted. This caused Queen Sattarro to glare in his direction.

  “Dylan!” King Sattarro called out to a man who stood in front of a large door. He whispered briefly into the man’s ear, and I watched the man go off into the room he was guarding. He was in there for quite a while. I started to wonder if that meant the king had changed his mind.

  "Thank you,” The king stated when the man returned and handed him a blue folder. King Sattarro flipped it open and began to scribble something in it briefly before handing it to Gerald.

  Gerald scanned over the paper and looked back up at the King with disapproval.

  “This contract states just five,” Gerald scoffed

  “Yes, it does.” King Sattarro casually confirmed.

  “Didn’t we agree on ten?” my mom questioned.

  “I had it changed just now,” King Sattarro stated firmly.

  “Oh, I understand my stepdaughter is…

  “She is not the problem. Your disrespect to my wife just now is. Now, if you’re willing, you shall sign the updated contract. Or leave without the money.”

  …

  I’ve never seen Gerald speechless before. I thought as I looked curiously from him to the King.

  “Well, it is not for me to sign as she is not my real daughter,” Gerald stated as he handed the contract to my mom. She quickly scribbled down her signature.

  “Well, €5 is quite a number for her, so I do appreciate this,” My mom stated as she handed the book back to King Sattarro.

  My eyes widened. She sold me for €5?

  “Five Eros?” The question slipped my lips as I stood in utter shock.

  My mom and Gerald laughed as if it were funny.

  “No, I was just kidding. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and to King Sattarro, you are worth E5 million.

  I sighed. Well, at least it’s not E5.

  “We shall be on our way now. She has all of her things in the car." My mom stated.

  “Leave them with my men at the entrance. I will have Dylan bring the money to your car,” King Sattarro stated.

  “Well then. See you both some other time, and please remember there are no refunds or returns as stated in the contract you wrote.” My mom stated before turning quickly on her heels. She and Gerald were out the door very quickly. Without a second glance.

  I stood frozen in place. Unsure of whether to speak or not.

  “Sweetheart, do you understand what just happened?” Queen Sattarro questioned. Concern etched in her features.

  “Yes,” I admitted through a broken voice as I was silently holding back tears. I was just sold, but I’m not sure if I should be relieved or scared.

  Queen Sattarro stepped forward slowly. "

  “May I hug you?” She questioned.

  I took in a deep breath before nodding in agreement. Upon permission, she engulfed me gently. Her hug was the total opposite of my mom’s. Warm, gentle, and protective. I couldn’t help but break down in tears. Sobbing into the queen’s shoulder.

  “It’s ok, sweetie, you’re safe with us,” She cooed as she slowly patted my back.

  After comforting me, she and King Sattarro accompanied me to my new room.

  “Someone will bring your things up. I hope the room is ok for you. Let us know if you don’t like it or if you need anything.” Were the King’s words before he and Queen Sattarro left me alone in the room.

  "I walked around it, admiring how beautiful and big the room was. My old bedroom was more like a closet compared to this one. There was a huge bed placed in the center of the wall to my left, accompanied by beautiful matching nightstands, straight ahead of me, sliding doors that opened to a cozy balcony, and to my left, a seating area with a gorgeously decorative coffee table in the center.

  -Knock knock

  I turned to see a man holding my suitcase and other things on a trolley.

  “Here are your things, miss. Would you like me to put them away or leave them somewhere?”

  I was shell-shocked by the sudden polite treatment.

  “Um… you can leave them next to the bed.” I stepped away from the bed. Putting some distance between him and me.

  “Yes, miss.” He stated before placing the things there.

  “Ahem.” Both of us turned to the sudden noise at the door.

  “Oh, excuse me, young master.” The man stated before walking out.

  Young master? I guess he’s one of the sons the King mentioned?

  What do you think Sky's life will be like now?