“You still can, starting now. Go get it.” Erick told Dante, his stern voice making no room for arguments. Dante didn’t respond immediately, but gave King Erick a knowing smile.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” Dante responded, sketching a bow before hurrying off, grinning the entire time. Does he ever not smile? Or is he just always getting on somebody’s nerves? How did he even get to be Captain of the Royal Guard like this? Flora’s thoughts bubbled as she realized she would probably be seeing Dante even more often now that she was the Beast Master.

“I’ll show you to your rooms.” King Erick said flatly before turning to go down the left hallway. He walked much quicker than Flora, having a longer stride than her, and she had to trot to keep up with him. She followed him down several halls and twists and turns that she knew she would easily get lost in.

After a few turns, he seemed to notice her efforts to keep up and slowed down just enough that she wouldn’t get lost. All the while he said nothing and made no attempt at conversation. The two passed numerous doors, as well as several guards and many other people who seemed to work in the castle itself. Flora knew she would forget them in a blink, but made a small attempt to remember who she passed and what halls she took to get here.

Eventually, Erick slowed down before stopping at a large ornate door. It was decorated with the same animal from her new badge of office, carved into the soft brown wood and set with a golden handle.

“I know Leon had often stayed in the farmhouse in the outer gates,” Erick started, turning to face Flora. “But these are your official accommodations. You are free to stay in the farmhouse as well, both are yours for the remainder of your place in office.” He finished, his face back to his preferred impassive expression. Before Flora could reply, he unlocked the door and walked in, looking back at her as he expected her to follow.

Flora quickly followed him in, and he quietly shut the door behind her. Panic settled over her like a wave, realizing that she was now in here alone with the King. Flora recalled the look Dante gave Erick, and suddenly worried for her own safety. However, King Erick didn’t seem to notice as he went further into the room.

“This is the common area,” Erick started, gesturing to the room they were currently in. It held a massive fireplace at the back end, decorated with various animals prancing across the mantle. Gleaming black fire pokers hung neatly on their rack, each decorated with the head of a different animal. The room was furnished with cushioned furniture in the midnight blue of the kingdom’s color, an ornate rug sprawled beneath them on the hardwood floor. The walls were covered in paintings of several scenes, including fox hunts and hawking ventures similar to their own hunts of today. Was it really just today that all happened? Am I really still here, or is this just a dream and I actually fell off the horse? Flora quietly thought to herself, trying to ignore the fear of everything happening around her much faster than she anticipated.

“The door to the right leads to your personal rooms.” Erick continued, striding across the room to open the door. He looked back at Flora, expecting her to follow. What he saw gave him pause. Flora had tried to hide her rising fear and anxiety, but now it was hard not to. Everything was finally settling on her as she realized this was her new life. What she had worked so hard for was much more than she had anticipated. She clasped her hands tightly together, looking at the room like a deer caught in the light.

Erick quietly walked over to Flora and gently put his hand on her elbow. She flinched before realizing who it was.

“I’m so sorry, I was just taking a moment. Please forgive me, Your Highness.” Flora quickly bowed, trying to chase away her embarrassment. Erick did not respond right away, but gently lifted her head like to look into her eyes.

“If this is too much, you can still say no.” He told her quietly, sympathy creasing the lines of his face. Flora felt heat flush to her face, and found that it was from more than one emotion.

“I- I don’t want to. That is, I mean, I want to stay.” Flora stammered, her heart fluttering as it filled with the several mixed emotions of this moment. I can do this, I’ve trained three years for this, but I’m still terrified of shifters, except for maybe Dante. It’s a lot, but it’ll be fine, they’re still people. He’s still just a person, and my king, so why do I feel like this? Flora did her best to pack down all of the emotions she held, trying to neatly tuck them away. Trying, and failing.

King Erick didn’t respond at first, and didn’t pull away either. Flora could see him processing her words as emotions flickered behind his eyes. Finally, he pulled away, and Flora felt a chill from where he had held her chin.

“I’ll leave you to it then.” King Erick said with a final nod, turning to leave the room. Flora felt an unexplained pain at seeing him leave, suddenly feeling very alone and stranded in a new world.

Eventually, Flora continued to explore her new apartments, finding that the door to the right had led to a small hallway. The first door opened to an office with a large wooden desk set in the middle of the room. Two wooden chairs with blue cushions sat on one side while a larger and more ornate chair set on the other. The wood of the larger chair was carved into a scene of fantastic beasts in a wild forest. Like the main room, the office was decorated with large paintings of farm animals and wild beasts set in the spaces between the towering bookshelves. Flora had to look up just to see the top shelf, and was glad for the step stool that was provided in the corner.

Flora turned to explore the other room on the end of the hall, which led to her new bedroom. Unsurprisingly, the walls were decorated with even more paintings. Against the far wall sat a large upholstered bed, where the headboard led to a large wooden top where rich midnight blue drapes hung from. The carpet was decorated with tiny animals in gold thread against the midnight blue of the carpet. On the same wall as the door she entered stood a large wooden vanity with a shining mirror set in the middle of it. I don’t know if I want to wake up looking at myself every morning. Flora thought with sour humour as she continued through the room. There was a shelf on the right wall that held books as well as empty spaces for odds and ends.

On the other side of the bed was a small door that led to a closet. It was currently full of old uniforms, several of which Flora had seen Leon use on a few occasions. Perhaps he hasn’t moved everything out yet. Not surprising when he spent most of his time in the farmhouse. I wouldn’t be surprised if he forgot these were even here. Flora thought to herself as she moved on, walking towards the double glass doors on the left wall.

Flora opened the doors to find a balcony that overlooked one of the horse pastures. She could see very little of it as night settled in, the sky a deep blue black not unlike the color of King Erick’s hair. Flora sighed, not sure what to make of him as her thoughts pulled through all the memories of today. Is he like that with most people? Is he just worried about me? Why do I miss him and be terrified of him at the same time? Flora knew that it was only because she felt stranded in a new place, and at least she trusted her king, even if she didn’t know him very well. Flora turned back into her room, and was shocked to see Dante strolling in, carrying a sack bundled in his arms.

“Hey Flower, hope you like the new room. I got your stuff for ya.” Dante casually strode into her room, dropping the sack at the foot of her bed. She tried not to bristle at the misuse of her name, knowing he was just trying to get under her skin. Instead she simply frowned at him, a contrast to his ever-smirking face.

“Thanks.” She replied, picking up the bag and pulling it away from him. She quickly shifted through the bag to make sure everything was there. She didn’t have much, as she was only allowed a single trunk in the shared living quarters of the farmhands, but she didn’t trust Dante not to sneak something away for later. Or, quite possibly, toss something in. Flora gritted her teeth as she remembered the time he left a snake in one of her boots. Her foot was sore from the snake bite for days. With everything in order, Flora set the bag back down next to the bed. She made sure not to put it close to Dante, and she eyed him warily.

“Well, everything’s there and accounted for. So, do I get a reward?” Dante asked, the corner of his mouth tilting up into a crooked smile. Flora rolled her eyes.

“You will forever have my undying gratitude. Now please leave.” Flora replied sarcastically, hoping that would be the end of their encounter. She should have known better.

“Kicking me out already? I’m hurt!” Dante feigned a painful expression, placing a hand over his heart. “Besides, I think I earned a little more than that! That bag was awfully heavy.” He continued, rolling his arm as if he had pulled a muscle. “I’d say I earned a kiss with all of that work.” He finished with a wink, and Flora balked.

“You will do no such thing!” Flora exclaimed, frustration rising through her chest. “That might work with the other girls but I have some self respect!” She spat. Before she could say anymore, Dante raised his hands in surrender.

“I give up! You wound me beyond repair. I’ll see myself out.” Dante laughed, turning to leave her room. Before he left, he paused in the doorway. “Is this because Erick already got to you?” He smirked over his shoulder. Flora was baffled at his suggestion, and before she could think her decision through, she pulled off her boot and tossed it at his head.

“Get out, you foul beast!” She yelled as he ran out, laughing the whole way. I cannot believe the audacity of that man. Flora thought sourly as she picked up her boot and set it just outside of the bedroom in the small hallway. She pulled off the other boot and walked towards her new bed, falling into it with a sigh of relief.

She knew she should check the locks on the doors, but the weight of the day fell on her all at once and Flora felt like she could die happy in such a soft bed. Rolling over and pulling up the sheets, Flora quickly fell into a deep slumber, spending the first night of many in her new room as the Beast Master.