The Devil's Betrothed
Chapter 103: Entered The Palace

Chapter 103: Entered The Palace

The carriages stopped in front of huge iron-wrought gates with a symbol of a large oak tree gilded in gold. From the conversation of her companions, Oriana learned it was only one of the side gates, an entrance meant for servants to use, yet it was still styled lavishly. The enormous palace walls, about a hundred feet tall, loomed on either side of the gate.

She looked outside the window of the carriage and found the coachman from the Ahrens showing a certain scroll to the gatekeepers. Once the royal guards approved it, a small door at the side of the iron gate was opened to let them in.

The coachmen knocked on their carriage door. "I can only bring you till here. Farewell, everyone. I wish all of you luck."

"Thanks, Jimmy."

"Your things, here, let me help—"

It was already the goodwill of Count Ahren that mere commoners like them were provided direct transport to the royal palace; however, from hereon, their group would have to go by foot. Oriana and the other candidates alighted from the carriage, carrying their own luggages, each of them with expressions of awe and delight.

The Royal Palace of Griven!

The principal residence of the King of Griven and the Cromwell Royal Family, the grandest and most beautiful architecture in the entire kingdom renowned for its craftsmen and artisans.

Even Oriana, who often criticized nobles for their wasteful luxury, was unable to find fault with the stunning beauty of the royal palace. It was like paradise—no, a work of art—from the impressive gardens to the exquisite palaces, buildings and pavilions along the way.

She was struck speechless, and if not for the gatekeeper leading them, she would have loved to wander around to enjoy the lovely scenery, admiring the complicated yet intriguing maze of the palace grounds.

A quarter of an hour later, the royal guard led them to a fancy two-storey building which served as the office of the Royal Chamberlain, as well as the headquarters for the officials handling the general affairs of the royal household.

The royal guard escorting them talked to another royal guard and showed them a scroll once again.

The guard then went inside the building and called out two men clad in pure black butler uniforms. They glanced at the group of six and said to the gatekeeper.

"You can leave them in our care."

The gatekeeper bowed to them and left.

"Welcome to the royal palace, newcomers." One of the two gestured for them to enter. "Follow us inside to meet the Head Steward."

They were led inside that huge building, the main double doors leading towards a huge square-shaped hall that was bustling with people, some holding what appeared to be lists, while others were carrying supplies to be brought to their designated workplaces.

The man brought them upstairs to an office. "Stay here. The Head Steward will see you in a while."

The six of them stood on one side, and soon, a middle-aged nobleman with a tall and lean build arrived in the office together with a younger man who appeared to be his subordinate. Like the men who brought Oriana and her group in, they were wearing a black double-breasted uniform of a butler, though the style worn by the middle-aged man was different, signifying his higher rank.

The middle-aged nobleman stood in front of them, his expression neutral, not showing what was in his mind.

"I am Jade Walter, the head steward of the royal household. As the right-hand man of the Royal Chamberlain, I handle the allocation and management of royal servants here in the palace. Given the arrival of winter, due to circumstances, the royal palace has a shortage of manpower and Lord Ahren allowed us to borrow you till spring. As people sent by the Count, I believe you will bring no disgrace to the lord you once served, and that you will follow the rules of the royal palace by heart."

The candidates simply listened to him with their heads lowered. Oriana was late to react, and with her daring to peek at him, she was met with the Head Steward’s glare. She immediately lowered her head.

’Ahh, I was so out of it I forgot Mia’s warning. This Walter guy ought to be from a noble background. I should have been more careful! Did I offend him by looking at him? I hope not. These palace people are so scary. I already miss Mister Kahlil and Mister Smith, even Miss Janella. That expression, as if this steward is not a palace servant but some kind of prison head.’

The Head Steward continued to say, "You all have already provided with the scroll of appointment before entering the palace, and there, it mentioned where you would be working. The lodging, uniform and meals will be provided to you, and you will receive your pay at the end of every month. If you have any issues, you shall talk to your direct superior, and if there are further concerns, you may seek my deputy here in the Office of the Royal Chamberlain."

His subordinate, the deputy head, stepped forward and took over. The younger man opened one scroll and started to read. "Jeff, you are assigned to the second pavilion of the north garden. Merry, you will work in the royal kitchen....."

Five names were quickly mentioned, and lastly, it was Oriana’s turn.

"Orian."

"Yes, mister."

"You are assigned to the Palace of Thistle. The butler of that palace, Roman Chadwicke, will determine the nature of your work. Since you will be working inside the residence of royalty, matters inside are beyond my jurisdiction. If you dare commit another mistake or show such blatant disrespect to your superiors, regardless if you are punished or fired from your work, it will be Roman Chadwicke’s sole discretion.``

’Why such a partiality? If something troubles me, I can’t come to the head steward?’

"Do you understand?" he asked in a firm and commanding voice.

"Yes, Deputy Head," she replied with her head lowered. ’Why do I feel like I am going to some kind of secret prison where I cannot even complain?’

The Deputy Head Steward nodded then continued, "Before you go to your designated workplaces, we need to get your body measurements for your uniform which will be delivered to your lodgings by the end of the day. Open your bags as well. We need to check your belongings to make sure you are not carrying dangerous or banned items with you or on your bodies.

"Do not worry; this inspection is a general policy to ensure the safety of the royal palace. Even important guests who enter the palace are required to do this, and their escort guards are asked to surrender their weapons before being allowed in certain areas."

Oriana’s blood went cold.

’The black nightshade! I hid it well, but what if they find it? Will I be imprisoned? Executed? What about my dagger? Will they check my body as well? That means they will know I am not a man but a woman.’