Chapter 8

• The driver had taken the car to the back of the palace. Speaking to Iris, “Miss O’Brian, in a normal situation, you would have come in through the front door. Since you are a hidden witness,” Prince Mael said as the driver was getting ready to park the car. We need to keep you out of the spotlight as much as possible.” Once the car stopped, he opened the door.
• Jayden did not wait for the driver to open his door. Standing outside, he had offered his hand for Iris to take. Stepping out of the car, Iris glanced at the Prince. It took everything in her not to scream when she spotted Prince Mael's aura. At least, she thought it was his aura that was in the shape of a wolf. ‘I am going to have to call grandma about this one.’ she thought to herself as she forced a pleasant smile on her face. “It doesn’t matter if we go through the front or back door as long as I am off the jet.”
• Jayden waited for Iris to step out of the way. Closing the door, he waited for the Prince to lead the way. Taking the first step, Iris and Jayden followed Prince Mael into the building. Iris’s jaw dropped the moment she saw the inside of the hall. The walls were painted white with gold-trimmed painted designs. A pattern that suited the aristocrats of the 1750’s. Even the ceiling had been painted to give it more of an opening. Allowing the corridor to feel more significant than it really was.
• Strolling down the hall, Prince Mael took Jayden and Iris past several rooms. Turning her head to pier in, Iris’s footsteps had slowed down. Noticing that things had slowed down. Prince Mael could not help but smile. Iris’s expression was that of someone who had never seen such wonders and wealth. ‘She could not have been this deprived that she has to behave like a child seeing something for the first time.’ he thought to himself.
• Jayden smiled. “Iris hasn’t seen much outside of the pack. Something like this … it is all new to her!” His eyes twinkled as he continued to stare at Iris.
• “Stop it!” Iris tried to scold Jayden. Knowing that Jayden was not too far off. “I have seen pictures before …”
• Cutting Iris off, “Pictures are not even close to the real thing!” Prince Mael smiled, “Come on, we need to continue.” he waited until Iris had caught up to him. “You will have a whole week to see everything,” he added as he began moving his feet. “Breakfast is at 7:30 in the morning. Which is usually a buffet style. If you are here, lunch is served at 1 p.m. Again, like breakfast, it is like a buffet. Once the food is gone, everything is cleaned up. Typically, dinner is around 7:30 p.m. It is always important that you arrive for dinner before the Alpha King.”
• For Jayden, this information wasn’t new news. This is a schedule that most Alpha’s follow. For Iris, it was going to be difficult since she ran with her schedule. Eating when she had the chance. Many times, Jayden found out that she would snack during the day, only getting her first authentic meal until 9 p.m.
• “What would happen if say someone doesn’t show up to eat? Is there any penalties for eatting in their rooms?” Iris asked, knowing her eating habits were by far the worst.
• “It isn’t encouraged to eat in one's bedroom. It leads to bad habits!” Prince Mael had responded. “However there are no penalties for missing meals and eating in your room. If that is what you wish. Dining is with us is optional.” He was slightly upset as he spoke his words.
• “To be honest since I began university, I haven’t sat down with my family to eat meals with them much. My time is spent working or studying for the next term. If I am not doing that I am working at the hospital or in the woods.” Iris said as they continued following Prince Mael.
• Stopping in front of a door, “That is a shame.” Prince Mael had his eye narrowed on Iris. “Dinner is a time that we have to catch up with family. A means to keep connected with our loved ones.” He pushed open the door. “This is where you two will be staying while you are at the Capital.”
• Iris was the first to enter the apartment. Glancing around, she could not believe how big and beautiful everything was. “I think my family home could fit in here,” she commented as she stepped further into the place.
• Jayden whistled as he looked around. “I remember my mother telling me how wonderful the place was. This is beyond what I had imagined.”
• “This wing used to be my mother’s.” Prince Mael commented. He glanced at the door that Iris was standing near. Knowing that was once the room his mother slept in.
• Iris could see Prince Mael’s aura changing. She watched as his Addams apple bobbed up and down. “No need to worry. I am a neat freak. Almost an OCD problem. We will make sure nothing happens here. Any mess that is made I will make sure it is cleaned up right away.”
• Prince Mael did not think there would be any issues, but he had to make it known. He would not tolerate any disrespect to a place he had kept as a shrine for over a decade. Knowing that Iris was a neat freak helped, but it didn’t dissolve all of his anxiety.
• “No need to worry, brother,” Jayden finally looked at the crown prince. Noticing a twitch in his jaw.
• The Prince could feel the shift in his wolf's temperament, with a growl, 'You are not my brother!' both Prince Mael and his wolf were beginning to dislike Jayden more with each passing second.
• Jayden continued as if nothing was wrong. “I will treat this room as if it were my own home. I already know there is a great deal of history put into this place. I just can’t believe I am standing in one of the oldest buildings built in the Northern Territories. The history … the culture … it is all breathtaking.” he smiled as he got the feeling that the Prince was not taken by his words.
• “I think what Jayden is saying, is we will respect your home as if it were our own.” Iris gave him a look. The one that told him he was rambling on when he didn’t need to.
• Prince Mael glanced over at Iris, “will you be joining us for dinner?”
• Putting on her best smile, “Of course, 7 p.m., correct?” Iris tilted her head to the left.
• Prince Mael was about ready to correct Iris as he observed her a bit closer, “I will make sure I send a maid here to guide you to the dining room … at 7 p.m.!” As he turned, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of relief. ‘She is a bit rough, but given time, she would make a perfect Queen!’ he thought to himself.