I was afraid to turn around, but the man's voice sounded filled with longing. I took one step and turned. In front of me stood a dark-haired, thick-browed, broad-shouldered man. Before I could understand what was happening, he pulled me into an embrace charged with years of yearning. His hands were enormous; I hesitated for a moment and couldn't bring myself to return the hug. When he stepped back, he looked into my eyes.
"Mono… I'm your brother," he said.
I didn't know what to say. I just stared at him.
"It's been a long time. You probably don't remember me—you were only a couple of months old back then," he said. His voice was soft, sincere. For a moment, I thought his eyes were watering, but he quickly composed himself. "Come on, we've been waiting for you."
I paused for a moment. "We?" I asked.
He smiled. "You didn't think it was just me, did you? We still have a family."
He wrapped his arm around mine and guided me forward. Who else was here? Kohl had only ever mentioned my brother.
When we stepped inside the palace, I couldn't tear my eyes away; it was so grand, so magnificent… As we walked, the people in the palace bowed their heads at me. I smiled back politely.
As we approached what I assumed was the great hall, I noticed someone coming down the side stairs with quick steps. I turned my head. A young girl with tanned skin, green eyes, and a royal dress was running toward me. Smiling, she said:
"Hi Mono! I'm Ivy, your cousin. You're so beautiful, I love your hair!"
She was talking so fast that I realized she paused only to catch her breath. Her excitement was obvious. She had a cheerful face; I felt like we'd get along well.
"Hi, I'm Mono… though you already know that. Thank you for the compliments," I said.
She grinned. "Of course I know you, you're my cousin."
She slipped her arm through mine, pulling me away from my brother as we walked toward the great hall. At the table ahead sat a woman dressed in clothes that clearly marked her as someone important.
"This is my mother. Let me introduce you," Ivy said quickly. "My mom, Petunya."
The woman looked at me as if examining me. She got up and walked toward me.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you. I'm Monolya," I said.
Approaching me, she replied in a cold voice, "I hope I'll truly feel that way, Monolya." Her tone felt belittling. She extended her hand; I forced a smile and shook it.
She looked to be in her forties—light brown hair, stern brown eyes, elegant yet authoritative. I thought to myself, She must be the one who runs the household.
My brother Adem stepped in. "That's enough for now. You must be tired, sister. Take a shower and rest a bit. Grandma and Grandpa aren't in the palace, and Uncle Urbanus and our cousin Ruby aren't here either. You can meet them when they return."
I nodded.
Ivy eagerly looped her arm with mine again. "Let me show you your room."
We climbed the stairs. The palace was so large and full of corridors that I thought I would definitely get lost here. Ivy stopped in front of a door.
"Here you go. I don't know if you'll like it. Adem and I prepared the room, but don't tell him—he has terrible taste for a man," she joked.
I smiled and opened the door. The room was huge; my eyes widened. Directly across from the door was a massive round window. On the right was a double bed, and on the left, a gigantic wardrobe. As I walked in, I noticed another door to the side.
"Should I open this?" I asked.
"Go ahead, that's your bathroom," Ivy said.
The bathroom was surprisingly spacious. I returned to the room and stood before the large window; the view was breathtaking.
"I can help you settle in, if you'd like," Ivy offered.
I nodded, and her face lit up.
We chatted for a while. I took a shower. When I opened the wardrobe, I was shocked by the number of clothes inside. Ivy laughed.
"That's the way it is for you. You have to dress like this here, Mono—you're a pureblood. You must represent your family well."
I looked for something less flashy, chose a green dress, and put it on.
Just then, two maidservant girls entered the room.
"Hello, my lady. We'll be in charge of your care from now on," they said.
"What are your names?" I asked.
They seemed surprised. One lifted her head slightly. "My name is Raven, my lady, and this is Ves."
I smiled. When they approached to style my hair, I hesitated, but Ivy stepped in:
"It's necessary, Mono. We're going to dinner. Your grandparents will be there."
I had completely forgotten. The girls prepared my hair.
When evening came, Ivy said, "Come on, let's go to dinner."
We went down together. Entering the great hall, I took a deep breath. At the head of the table sat an older man in his sixties, with graying hair and beard. Beside him was my brother Adem, opposite him Petunya, and beside her a man with slicked-back light brown hair.
As we entered, everyone looked at me. The elderly man immediately stood up and walked over.
"Oh… my beautiful girl Monolya. It's been so long since I last saw you. You've grown so lovely," he said, hugging me.
I assumed he must be my grandfather. When he stepped back, he patted my head.
Then a man in his forties approached. "Hello Mono, I'm your uncle Urbanus. You look so much like your mother, but you have your father's eyes," he said.
"Thank you, uncle. That's very kind of you," I replied.
Then I turned to my grandfather. "Thank you, Grandpa."
Just as I was heading to the table, a woman's voice came from behind:
"You've finally come home, my girl. Your grandmother missed you dearly."
I turned. A woman in her sixties, with dark hair streaked with gray, was smiling warmly. Before I could say anything, she hugged me tightly—so sincerely that I hugged her back without thinking. When she stepped back, she touched my cheek.
"If only you knew how much I love you…" she whispered, her eyes shining.
My eyes welled up too. "Your hug was exactly what I needed. Thank you," I said.
We sat down for dinner. Adem leaned slightly toward me.
"This is our first meal with you. I'm glad you're here, little sister," he said.
I smiled. When dinner ended, everyone began to rise. My grandmother held my arm and walked me to my room, telling me how much she loved me the entire way. At the door, she said:
"Come on now, get some sleep, my girl."
"Good night," I said, entering my room. I changed and lay in bed. It was my first time sleeping somewhere other than my own home. It felt strange… But this was my home now. And my family was with me. I fell asleep with that thought.
The next morning, the maids were waiting. I got dressed quickly and went downstairs. I wanted to look around. Kohl was standing at the door.
"Where to?" he asked.
"I just want to explore a bit… I'm curious," I said.
"Alright, but you're coming with me. And you haven't eaten breakfast," he said.
We stepped outside. The courtyard was beautiful. As we walked, I heard an animal's roar.
"What's going on?" I asked.
Kohl said, "Come on, I'll show you." We headed to the left side of the courtyard.
Behind the palace was a wide area with rows of small, single-story buildings. The sounds grew louder as we approached.
"This is where our soldiers stay, Mono. The training grounds are ahead," he explained.
Soldiers were lined up practicing sword forms. They moved in perfect synchronization—it was an impressive sight.
I walked toward the animal noises. Giant, black, fearsome dog-like creatures were being trained by guards.
"What are those? I've never seen dogs that big," I said in shock.
"They're called Hellhounds, Mono. Terrifying and savage creatures," he said.
"Why are they here?" I asked.
"They're part of our army. They represent death," he replied.
I swallowed. "Are there other places to see, Kohl? I want to explore more."
"The grounds are huge, Mono. You'll see everything eventually, but for now let's go back to the palace. Eat something—and I won't worry," he said.
"Are you going somewhere?" I asked.
"I've got business in the city center," he said. I wanted to ask more, but held back.
At the palace gate, he parted ways with me. I went inside. Agatha was in the kitchen.
"That dress looks lovely on you, dear," she said. I thanked her.
"Agatha, have you seen my brother?" I asked.
"He was at breakfast, but left the palace afterward for work," she said.
I had a quick bite and headed to the hall, but a girl was watching me from the side.
"Hello, I'm Mono," I said.
She was cold. "Hello, Mono. I'm your cousin Ruby. I wasn't in the palace yesterday. I only learned you arrived this morning."
She was blonde, but her demeanor was firm, almost harsh.
"Word must have spread… The other families have heard about you," she said.
"Which families?" I asked.
"The other families. They'll soon make their move to meet you."
"Make their move?" I repeated.
"They're not good people, Mono. Each of them is dangerous in their own way. Be careful," she warned, and walked away.
I stayed frozen where I stood. What was waiting for me? Would I be able to handle it? I didn't know.
That evening, everyone slowly gathered at the table. When my grandfather arrived, we all stood. Just then, the palace doors burst open. Someone walked quickly into the hall.
It was my brother. His face was tense.
"Grandfather… A letter arrived," he said.
I didn't understand.
My grandfather replied calmly, "Alright. We expected this."
"What is it?" I asked.
My brother turned to me.
"You need to be presented to the public, Mono. They have to know you. In two days, there will be a ceremony at the central royal palace," he said.
My eyes widened. "Do I have to?"
"Yes, sister. All the families will be there. They'll want to meet you—but be careful. They can't be trusted," he said.
I stood frozen.
What am I going to do now…