Chapter: 19: Key of Blood

The phone refused to stop ringing for several days after the first call.

Everyone wanted an exclusive interview with the wildcard.

They wanted to know all about me, my family, where I lived, and everything about my life till now.

There wasn’t much about me in the official archives, which only made me more mysterious in their eyes.

I hung up the phone every time one of them called.

It was too soon for me to be handling any of this. I was scared out of my frenzied mind that I would do or say something I shouldn’t and endanger my family more than I already had.

The only consolation I could find was that none of them had shown up at our door.

According to Evie, unless requested by the individual suitors, our addresses would remain unknown until the official end of the Crown Trials.

At least, I thought so until the day someone knocked on our front door.

Koa and Rio had gone back to the Terra Realm a few days ago, so it couldn’t be them, and we didn’t know who else it could be at this time.

My skin crawled with anxiety, terrified that someone had found our address and a camera was waiting for me outside.

It wasn’t like I could hide in here for the rest of my life, so I forced myself to the door and twisted the handle to greet our unexpected guest.

I didn’t know whether to be relieved or terrified by the tall, broad man standing before me.

He was dressed in black like his coworkers from the palace, the royal pin piercing the chest of his uniform to flaunt his status—a guardian.

There weren’t any cameras, but a guardian from the golden palace could not be a good omen.

I couldn’t already have screwed up, could I?

“Have I—”

“Do you have the contract, Miss Aldwyn?”

His voice was deep, the sound making my shoulders tremble in suspense.

The guardian wasn’t here because I’d done something wrong; he was here because I’d signed a contract, marking me as the royal’s puppet.

“I—um…,” I said, trying to think of why he would be here already. It would still be a few days before I had to leave.

“It should be in the drawer. Give me two seconds, and I’ll get it for you.”

My hand was shaking as I hurried toward the drawers containing all the legal papers this family had ever owned.

“Who is it, Will?” Dad asked when I passed him.

“One of the big men from the palace,” I said, inhaling the words. “He’s here for the contract.”

“Already?”

I nodded and dug the contract out from the clutter.

“Apparently.”

The guardian accepted the creased papers and flipped through them to check each signature.

It was hard not to bite down on the nail I kept in suspense between my teeth. Biting nails was one of my bad habits, but I didn’t want to show how much discipline I lacked in front of a royal guardian.

“Is she ready yet, Keagan?”

I stopped breathing when Evie’s voice pierced the air, fighting not to let out a strangled cry.

Why would she be here to collect a contract?

“The contract looks good, Miss Aldwyn,” the guardian said as my teeth finally severed the tip of my nail. “Do you have any questions?”

Those I had plenty of—so many that I doubted we’d be done before the moon had reached its peak in the sky. My tongue just couldn’t form the necessary words.

“If not,” the guardian continued when I gave no answer, “please, bring your bags to the car.”

I froze when the guardian stepped aside.

A black, ellipsoidal bubble on wheels was parked in front of our house. Flags with Heliac’s golden lotus embroidered into the fabric waved in the wind on top of the car.

Even worse, Evie stood beside it, looking at me with a horrified smile and a stiffened face.

“What are you doing here, Miss Evie?” I said, barely louder than a whisper.

She chuckled tensely. “Wh-what do you mean, darling?”

Evie stepped closer when I didn’t move. “It’s been two weeks since my last visit. We’re going to the palace today. Wh-why aren’t you dressed?”

My head started spinning. It couldn’t have been. It wasn’t Sunday yet.

“But… But it’s Friday,” I said, stumbling backward as if I believed I could flee the scene. “You aren’t supposed to be here till Sunday.”

Suddenly, Evie’s cold fingers wrapped around my face, directing my eyes to hers.

She was smiling. Not that uncomfortable smile she’d been wearing a few minutes ago, but a smile of kindness.

“I was here on Saturday, darling,” Evie said, her voice like a soothing lullaby. “We come today because it’ll take the better part of the evening to gather you all, and your lessons start tomorrow.”

I didn’t answer her, focused on keeping my breathing under control.

“Go pack your things and get changed, Willow. You won’t need much, as the palace will provide you with clothes and essentials. Pack the things you feel can’t be replaced, and then say goodbye to your family.

“I will leave Keagan here until you’re ready to go, but I can only give you an hour, so use it wisely.”

Evie was surprisingly friendly compared to her last visit.

I nodded, and she let me go to dry my eyes.

“Mom,” I said, turning around to head for the kitchen.

Dad had retreated to his workshop behind the house and brought Tristan along. Mom and I were the only ones in the house except for Keagan and Evie.

“What’s wrong, honey?” Mom asked when a rogue tear followed the contours of my nose.

“Th-they’re here to pick me up,” I said, struggling to prevent the tears from drowning my words.

Mom stopped fiddling with the plates, looking at me with empty eyes.

“But we were supposed to still have a few days,” she whispered, stopping herself before I broke down.

I shook my head, grinding my teeth. “Training starts tomorrow,” I explained, clutching the fabric of my long shirt. “They need us there before then.”

“Oh, honey,” Mom said, spreading her arms for me to run into her embrace. “I’m so sorry. I thought we had more time—”

“I know,” I said, my tears drenching her sleeve. “Me too.”

“Have you packed?” she asked, and I shook my head. “Then, would you mind if I helped you?”

I shook my head again, squeezing her one last time before I let go.

Mom wiped away my tears with her thumb. “I will be right up,” she said, forcing a smile. “I just have to tell your dad, and then I’ll be right up.”

I nodded, and we separated to each walk our way.

“I hope to see you tonight, Willow,” Evie said when I passed her on the way to my room. “Good luck.”

She’d exited before I had a chance to smile at her. Not that it mattered.

I didn’t have many personal belongings, but those I did have, I valued beyond all else.

In the end, I decided to pack my favorite book, a few photos, and my first multi-tool. It was an old gift from Dad, and most of the blades had become dull over time, but it still served its purpose.

Evie’s package from two weeks ago was still sitting on the small table in the corner, unopened.

I hadn’t touched it, knowing that once I opened the package, the Crown Trials would officially take over my life.

I couldn’t delay that any longer.

My knife snipped the tape effortlessly for me to open the lid.

I sighed when I pulled out a pair of pale-blue pants and a skin-tight ebony shirt.

The sound of metal hitting the old floorboards beneath me made my heart jump.

I looked down, seeing a golden pin shining in the afternoon light pouring in from the only window in the room.

The pin wasn’t representing a lotus like Keagan’s. Instead, the symbol belonged to my blood—wings.

I slipped out of my clothes and got dressed in my new uniform. Careful not to prick my skin, I pushed the needle through the fabric and attached the pin to my chest.

“Do you need help braiding your hair?” Mom said, leaning against the wall as I corrected the pin.

“If you don’t mind,” I said, smiling crookedly.

Mom came closer and wrapped her arms around me. “Never.”

Dad and Tristan joined us in the kitchen just as Mom attached the last bobby pin so my slippery hair wouldn’t slide out of the braid.

It took every ounce of self-control that I had not to cry when I told Tristan it was time for me to leave.

“I will be back, Tristan, soon.”

Tears bathed his cheeks. “P-promise?”

“I—”

“We have to leave now, Miss Aldwyn,” Keagan said, folding his hands in front of him and shifting his shoulders impatiently.

My throat ached as I swallowed the words I’d been about to say.

I couldn’t promise Tristan anything. I had no idea how long my stay at the castle would last or how soon I’d be able to complete my training.

I only knew I’d do my best to hurry.

“I’m ready,” I said, hugging my family for the last time before Keagan showed me outside.

I’d never been away from my family for more than a few days at a time. I’d never missed a birthday or a holiday. Now, I would likely miss them all.

Keagan opened the door for me, which felt a little strange. No one had ever done something like that for me before.

Hesitantly, I stepped inside the vehicle.

The air was warm and smelled of fresh leather. Windows surrounded us from every angle except the floor, allowing us to view our surroundings fully.

I hadn’t seen any windows before I entered. The car had looked like a dark, confined space from the outside.

Unfortunately, Keagan closed the door behind him and placed himself across from me before I could look outside again, much to my disappointment.

There was no steering wheel as far as I could identify, only a cone-shaped screen in the middle of the car.

Then Keagan tapped the screen, and the motor began growling. I don’t know why I hadn’t immediately realized that this car would, of course, be self-driving.

“Ca-can you make the windows transparent from the outside as well?” I asked Keagan.

He sighed and tapped another icon on the strange screen.

My parents and Tristan’s faces lit up like candlelight in a dark alley.

They could see me.

I smiled, waving desperately before the car started driving. I kept waving and didn’t stop until my family disappeared behind the trees.

From then on, I felt alone—even with Keagan sitting right there with me.

***

Keagan didn’t say much. I didn’t, either. In fact, I preferred the silence and spent the endless time staring outside, watching everything we passed with utmost care.

We’d probably not been driving for more than fifteen minutes, but I’d already seen more of the Golden Realm than I thought I would ever see in my lifetime.

A few minutes later, the warming sunlight was replaced by blue, artificial light as we entered a tunnel. Then the road began declining.

“Where are we going?” I asked when nothing had changed.

“To the train,” he answered without flinching a muscle.

“The train? What train? Is that where I’ll meet the other suitors?”

Keagan sighed and put down his book to rub his temples. “Didn’t they brief you about this?”

Blood rushed to my face.

~Could I have missed something in my contract?~

Keagan sighed again when I didn’t answer and leaned back.

“Since you are the wildcard, we want you to enter the castle unnoticed. We don’t want to ruin the mystery about you that the public has come to know.

“You will make your public debut on the ~Crown Show~ this Tuesday once the stylists have taken care of your appearance.

“The other suitors will arrive by plane from their respective realms, where the citizens will be invited to witness their departure.”

I leaned back, folding my arms, and furrowed my brow.

My appearance might not resemble the typical suitor, but he didn’t have to be so forthcoming about it.

The car finally stopped. Keagan grabbed the handle before I could, permitting the heavy tunnel air to enter the car.

An overwhelming scent of iron and dirt hit my nose. It wasn’t an unfamiliar smell, but it was much stronger than I was used to.

I followed Keagan out and nearly stumbled over my own feet when I saw what awaited me.

A giant machine hissed viciously on the tracks in front of me. I instantly recognized it from the giant ad boards I’d seen in the Golden City. The glider.

Rumors claimed that it traveled faster than the speed of sound. Some even claimed it had been close to reaching the speed of light, but I found that hard to believe.

I walked closer and noticed that it was hovering above its tracks. Rows of magnets had been placed on each side, which must’ve been what moved and stopped the train.

“Miss Aldwyn.”

Keagan was standing in front of the doors leading inside the glider, impatiently looking at his wristwatch.

My restless hands twitched, eager to touch the glorious machinery and investigate every hidden mechanism. I resisted the urge to ignore Keagan’s calling by the terms of my contract.

I grabbed my bags and stepped inside the glider.

It was much bigger than it seemed to be from the outside. Luxury of varied descriptions decorated the walls, the seats, and the aisles, making me feel like I was part of a deceptive movie.

Only, this was real.

My hand hesitantly brushed the furry seats, awaiting Keagan’s reaction. Finally, when no punishment came, I became bolder and sat down.

I straightened my back, unable to suppress the smile of pleasure from sitting somewhere that still smelled new.

“Keagan—”

I turned around to see where he’d placed himself, but the wagon was empty.

Then the train started moving, and I didn’t dare get up to find him.

We didn’t breach the surface again, so I couldn’t enjoy the view like I had in the car. Keagan had put my bags somewhere I couldn’t see, which meant I had nothing to keep me occupied.

Sighing, I leaned back and closed my eyes, allowing my imagination to entertain me.

“Miss Aldwyn.”

I opened my eyes again and saw a tall, skinny man towering above me. He was wearing sunglasses, which I found strange considering the lack of sunlight.

The man sat down in the seat across from me, and I straightened my back.

“I am here to inform you about the formalities of your arrival,” he said.

I nodded when he paused to look at me.

“Good,” he said, placing his briefcase on the table that separated us. “First, I need you to rest your hand on the table.”

I crooked an eyebrow. “Which one?”

“That won’t matter,” he answered with an uncomfortably polite smile.

Reluctantly, I placed my left hand on the table, reasoning that it would be best for me to preserve my dominant hand.

The man grabbed and twisted it, so my palm faced the ceiling. Then he pulled a device from his briefcase and placed it around my index finger.

A slight pinch made my body jump before I could ask what he was doing.

I pulled my hand back, placing the tip of my bleeding finger between my lips.

“What was that for?” I asked, not caring what he thought of me now.

He’d pricked me with a needle—the one instrument I hated more than anything.

The man reached inside the briefcase and pulled out a necklace with a delicate golden chain and a white crystal at the end.

Carefully, he placed the necklace where my hand had previously been and positioned the needle device right above the crystal. Then he released a few pale-blue drops, staining the uneven surface.

I’d expected the blood to roll off, like any other liquid against a hardened surface, but it didn’t. Instead, the drops were absorbed, and the crystal began glowing.

Once the light faded, I noticed that the color had changed from white to pale blue.

“This necklace is for you to wear wherever you go.

“You are only to take it off when you shower or sleep or are otherwise allowed. It will be your key to the rooms you are permitted to enter, and it will serve only you.”

The man handed me the necklace and stared at me until I’d put it around my neck.

“Mr. Keagan will guide you to the room where you will meet the other suitors. They will arrive at different times depending on the delay and their departures,” he explained, closing his case.

“Miss Pride will join you once everyone has arrived. Good day, Miss Aldwyn.”

Then he left.