After crossing the drawbridge, the portcullis opened and the guards let us in. Kane stopped from running but my heart's beating seems to enjoy the course. Unang bumaba si Castriel at ako ang sumunod. 
As I take a step, I can feel the chill of dawn running through my body like I was electrified. For the first time, I felt that I was in a fairytale I used to read.
"Shall we?" Castriel looked at me and smiled.
I smiled back at him. "We shall." 
Naglakad kami papasok sa kaharian. There were trees and different plantations of flowers. There in front of the main door stands three fountains. People we run to stops and leaves bright smiles before they go back to their businesses.
"Lady Mary?" I turned my gaze upon the woman who called me and I think is on her 20's. I saw how her face lighten when she saw me. "Guess I found you then," she chuckled.
"Perhaps you did," sinamaan ko si Castriel nang sumagot ito. Natawa naman ang babae.
"Don't mind him. Yes, I'm Mary," I told her. 
"Well if you say so," she chuckled. "Oh by the way, I am the housekeeper, Iona," she offered her hand and I immediately took it. 
"It's so nice to meet you Ms. Iona." 
"You too, Ms. Mary."
"Let me first show you around," saad nito at naunang maglakad papasok sa palasyo.
The moment we stepped inside, I felt chills. Why do I feel like something's off? Hindi ko na lamang pinansin ang kakaibang aura na bumubuo sa palasyo.
We walked down the hall and as we walk passed the rooms, there were paintings on the walls all the way to the great hall. Hindi naging madali ang pag-iikot namin sapagkat napakalaki ng palasyo kaya't napagdesisyunan naming ang mga importanteng silid nalang ang puntahan.
"Here we are!" Nang marating namin ang kusina, ang mga tagapagsilbi ay bumati at ganoon din kami sa kanila. The dining area is divided into two. Which I think is for the royals and the other, for the servants and all people that work inside the palace.
Narito kami sa kainan ng mga tagapagsilbi na kung saan dito rin nagluluto ng mga pagkain.
"This is the cooking area also the dining area for us, who work here," saad ni Ms. Iona.
Tumango-tango naman ako. It's quite big and I think masaya kumain dito lalo na't marami kang makakasama.
"We also have there the pantry," turo niya sa pintuang yari sa kahoy. Then she pointed at the other door beside it. "That's the larder."
"And here is the buttery," Turo niya sa huling pintuang bumubuo sa kusina.
"Tapos na tayo dito sa baba, how about we take these upstairs?" Ngumiti ito at nag-inat. "This will be tiring so, lubos-lubusin na natin." Nauna itong maglakad habang kami ni Castriel ay tahimik na sumusunod lang sa likod niya.
I feel my feet hurting because of my shoes but I continued to walk. Oh please Mary, we're just starting. Mamaya ko nalang aasikasuhin. This is way too important to have a break.
Umakyat kami sa hagdanan at ang taas pala nito. Paniguradong bali-bali buto mo kapag nahulog ka dito.
Narrating namin ang pangalawang palapag ng palasyo at wala akong ibang nakikita kung hindi mga naggagandahang pintuan.
"Woah..." I can't stop myself from being amazed.
My eyes roamed around and it was satisfying. Very old-fashioned but at the same time, minimal. From the painting, plants, and the huge chandeliers hanging above us. 
"Amazed, I see?" Said Ms. Iona.
"Yeah, I've never seen anything like this before," I said without looking. 
"This is the Bed Chambers. It is where the nobles rest and sleep. Each room has their own bathrooms, lavatories and garderobes inside," Ms. Iona uttered before walking towards the door which I think is the largest one among the rest.
"It's the room of the king and queen, isn't it?" Now, Castriel made me look upon him.
Ms. Iona replied. "You got that right, Mr."
"Next room," she said and walked towards the medium sized door. "Prince Aiden's room."
Kumalabog and dibdib ko sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. Napalunok ako. What's this? Why do I feel like someone's watching?
"And the rest of these rooms are for the royal guests------" 
Natigilan kaming tatlo nang tumunog ang bandana. "What's that?" Tanong ni Castriel kay Ms. Iona.
"That's the sign that our tour is to be continued." She laughed. "It's work hour. Everyone should gather to the grand hall," tinignan nito ang malaking wall clock at napakunot-noo. "It's too early though." nagkatinginan naman kami ni Castriel at walang kaalam-alam sa kung ano ang nangyayari.
"Come with me, let's go to the grand hall. The royals will come down any minute now," sinunod nalang namin siya at bumaba muli. 
Narating namin ang grand hall at totoo ngang nagtitipon sila lahat.
"Bakit ang aga naman yata natin ngayon?"
"Oo nga, ano bang meron?"
"Baka may importanteng sasabihin ang hari."
"Tumahimik ang lahat," the man who stood in front caught all our attention.
"We are gathered early here today because of an announcement," he said.