His Witch Queen

The wide gate was opened for them when they reached the castle. What Alice saw from the small window was that the queue of the carriages they were in, was entering into the giant gateway. 

Without any idea about the location, her face tilted in Prince Cyrus's direction, "What is this made up of?" 

"Just like how the big gates are made, to protect the castles. It is of the same wood, which protects and separates the castle from the normal hustle and bustle. It is a bit high from the rest of the town." Hearing this, Alice's subconsciously eyes rotated to see the sight of the way they crossed. 

Knowingly, she knew that they have entered the campus of the Kingdom and the journeys left of the few countable moments from now on. The thought that she will now rest in her own chamber, made her heart giggle. But at the same time, the fact that resided in her mind was simply to learn that this will be her in-laws' house. 

She won't get the same comfort like that of her own chamber anymore. Neither can she dance as per her own wish, nor can she use the notes of her mother to play the keys of the piano. At this thought, her lips were tightly sealed when she lowered her head. 

However, there was no chance that Cyrus let her mood be soured when he told her the information, "You will meet the ladies at the entrance. Do not worry about their gestures towards you. With time, you will get used to it." 

"Why? Who all will they be?" In return,  Alice asked with the same curiosity that resided in her brain, to which Prince Cyrus didn't reply for the next few seconds before he opened his mouth to say, "The Queen Of the Gazelle Kingdom. The Queen is no one else but Prince Alex's mother. Along with her, you might see some concubines who have the high positions allocated to them." 

'I see...' Alice thought but she wondered, were the concubines even given the position? it was strange and unusual in her eyes. 

Wasn't the Queen's position unchallengeable by anyone? How come the concubines reside in the same castle as that of the high esteemed Queen? Tons of doubts were raised in her mind but she held them in the back of her mind. 

For now, she will have to face the rest of the ladies who must be waiting for her. When their carriage was pulled just in front of the entrance, Alice took a deep breath before she saw  Cyrus giving her an affirmative smile. In response, she nodded her head slightly before he got out from the cart and came to her side. 

Opening the door for her, Alice lifted her gown a bit before Cyrus extended his hand for her. Taking the same, Alice took a deep breath as she stepped down from the cart. 

Rounds of applause were heard, and she felt the rose petals pouring over them. 

At this point, all Alice felt that the grand welcome was not as bad as she expected it to be. Rather people of the Gazelle empire were treating her well, despite being a human bride for their Kingdom. 'Not that bad for now...but who knows the future..' this thought arose in her mind. 

While holding her hand, Cyrus brought her to the entrance where her eyes fell on the five ladies who stood. But among them, one had a large crown that was long and heavy on one of the lady's heads.

A bright smile was plastered on her face, giving Alice's heart skip a beat. 

"Welcome to Gazelle Empire, Princess Alice. We are delighted that you have set your foot in our Kingdom." the Queen spoke when she came forward and held her hands tenderly. "You have no idea how happy we are once we heard that Prince Cyrus has married now.." 

"T-thank you...." Alice answered with a small and faint smile that was still lingering on her face. With this, her eyes shifted to see the four other ladies who stood to the right of the Queen. 

As they sensed her gaze as well, they came forward one by one in the hope to introduce themselves. 

"Myself Sierra." One of the concubines kept the subtle expressions on her face while introducing. 

It didn't bother her but did give Alice a hint that she wasn't interested in meeting her either.

On the other hand, Alice simply nodded her head before she saw the other lady who stood beside her. This specific lady seemed to be hesitant in greeting. Her eyes were dancing between Alice's figure and that of Sierra as if she was waiting for permission.

This intruded on Princess Alice when she couldn't help but speak, "May I know the second lady's name?"

"Tia." Is a small voice that came with a bit of unwillingness. 

In return, Alice gave a small smile before she looked again at the next one.

The next lady was still not as aloof as the first one when she, also gave her a bright smile with the sparkle that was present in her eyes, "I'm Aura, the in charge of the Welfare of the Left-hand castle. It is nice to see you, Princess Alice."

"All my pleasure, lady Aura." Alice didn't bother to make any perception as for now. She was interested to learn the names for once and heading towards her chamber.

At last, it was the turn of the last lady, who was holding a garland of flowers. She came forward on her turn before she made Princess Alice and Prince Cyrus wear the same.

The bright smile of hers was even shinier than that of the sun when the lady stepped to give Alice a bear hug, "Princess, we are so delighted that you have agreed to this alliance and stepped in our Kingdom."

"Y-yeah…" After a bit of formal introduction from the first four ladies, she had least expected the fifth one to greet her with such enthusiasm. 

At this point, Alice found this to be weird but at the same, she can't help but feel a bit flushed as well, "M-may I Know your name please?"

"My name is Ashley. You can call me mother as well if you wish to..." Saying this, her eyes trailed to see Cyrus who was still standing as any rock nearby them. "If this man agrees, only then..."

"Sure.." Alice gave her a small smile, overwhelmed with tons of the emotions that appeared together. 

All she was filled with confusion. While one was too much of the clumsy one, it was hard to tell about the other one who was already too much aloof. The Queen seems natural but Alce refrained from forming any misconception in her mind. 

That was the last thing she would like to do, since judging a book by its cover wasn't something Princess Alice learned in her life either. 

When the introduction was finished, Queen cleared her throat a bit before she lifted her eyes to smile at Alice, which wasn't reaching up to her eyes, "I should tell you about the title as well. I'm the Queen of the Gazelle empire, you must have already met with my son, Prince Alex."

"I did...." Alice muttered where her eyes were averted as the Queen pointed at the first Lady, "Sierra is the head of the harem, where she is the one who holds the duties and responsibilities when it comes to dealing with the outsiders."

"While Tia does assist Sierra, in managing the right-wing of the castle. They both work together in this. Meanwhile, as Lady Aura already told us about her position in the left-wing of the castle, Ashley has taken over the task of all the kitchen and stuff.." 

"Oh...." Princess Alice nodded her head as she realized that the politics here is similar to that in Human land. 

The ladies aren't involved in the court work, which was somewhere disputed. 'What else can I Expect from these monster vampires?' 

They have a higher ego than humans! 

When the Queen was ready to go ahead with the further introduction, it was Cyrus who broke the silence after long, "Queen of Gazelle is forgetting that she is your daughter in law, will you not even let her inside the castle and keep us waiting there?" 

A depend husky voice gained everyone's attention when they turned and stared at the annoyed expressions of Prince Cyrus. 

Looking at him, the Queen of Gazelle nodded her head before she looked at the Princess, "You all have a rough and long journey. We can have the rest of the talks tomorrow when we all will have breakfast."

"The maids will show you your designated chamber. Please welcome, Princess Alice...." Queen Gazelle muttered, to which Alice smiled. 

Taking her hand into his, Cyrus brought Alice inside the castle as she set her foot inside the floors. 

She was taken by the maid, and Cyrus did follow behind, leaving everyone to go behind her, except Queen of Gazelle. 

Her eyes turned crystal shaped as she couldn't help but snicker, 'You have already come here...Princess..but your stay won't be here for long...'

A faint curve on her lips when she can't help but think, 'Welcome to the house of hell...Princess Alice....be ready to die...' 

....

Do not forget to vote. Also, let me know your views through comment section!