Matthew followed in front of the Scavengers, as they didn't want anything to do with the Diamonds, but it was charity they were forced to take.
Francis looked back, letting Matthew catch up to him. Francis slung an arm around Matthew's neck, slowing the line down as he leisured with Matthew.
"My son, how have those pesky Spades treated you?" Francis wooed Matthew, his voice toned obnoxiously.
"Son?" Matthew asked, but brushed it off with a shrug, "They're nice, after all, they're the only family I have."
Francis stopped, stepping in front of Matthew, "Oh, Mathieu, you always have my support. Always."
Matthew nodded with a smile, "Thank you…?"
Francis showed a charming face in return, "Anytime, son."
Matthew had brushed off Francis's use of "son", though the thought was stuck in his head, was Francis serious?
Matthew didn't stop to realize the Scavengers weren't following him and Francis any longer.
A worried thought grew as his stomach dropped, Matthew felt his feet fall heavy, and his blood run cold.
"Mathieu, are you alright?" Francis splayed a worried look, looking back to Matthew, but Matthew didn't turn to face him.
Matthew started to nod, but his actions slowed. His half-hearted nod rolled into him frantically shaking his head in a 'no.'
Francis hurried back to meet Matthew, "You look shaken, do you need to rest?"
Matthew mumbled something, then said it once again, raising his voice, "Where did they go?"
"W-what?" Francis responded, unclear to whether he didn't hear Matthew, or he didn't understand.
"Where. Did. They. Go?"
Francis smirked, "Oh your friends? They're just going somewhere else in the palace, this wing is only reserved for royalty."
Matthew felt a snarl grow on his face, but he forced it down, he shouldn't get angry about this. It may just be a misunderstanding.
Matthew swallowed, his breath returning to normal. The mix of emotions he felt before faded away, now, all he could notice was the expensive aroma from Francis's cologne.
Matthew felt goosebumps ripple along his skin, as the thoughts continued to slip back into his mind, then he would settle once again. The process repeated continuously, and Matthew simply felt anxious.
Francis led him down a brightly decorated corridor, similar to the ones he had already passed.
Francis stopped at a door, opening it to reveal an enormous room, set with a bed, tables, paintings, and of the such. Matthew had assumed this was where he was staying. As Matthew kept staring, he noticed smaller details, it made him think about how extravagant Francis's room would be.
"We stop here, Mathieu, talk to people, meet for dinner later on- at 6." Francis winked, turning on his heels, Matthew's eyes following his elegant stride.
Matthew entered the room, closing the door with a soft click.
His room compared to this was nothing, despite this room being merely a guest room, as he assumed. So much effort from so many people must have been put into this room, only for it to be used a small handful of times. It made Matthew's heart sink.
Dinner at 6, huh? The dinner hall? He assumes me to know all of this…
Matthew shook his head, clearing the remaining thoughts about the room or dinner or Francis.
He wandered the room, arriving at the closet. Out of curiosity, he opened the closet. It was filled with similar outfits, all with the same color scheme. These outfits were dazzled with embroidery and gems.
Matthew couldn't possibly wear this- it was all way too expensive- he'd just ruin it.
"Mr. Williams? Dinner is soon… I was told to prepare you?" A small voice, a younger royal peeked into the room.
"A-ah, yes, alright." Matthew shuffled around, closing the closet behind him.
Matthew learned that this unique woman was named Michelle, and she was a foreigner who became the agricultural advisor for the kingdom. Michelle had been popular among the people, as she still had her young charm.
Matthew was properly dressed now, his taste of clothing from the Spadian kingdom now blended in the Diamondian kingdom's culture.
Matthew followed the same caretaker down a series of halls, wide corridors lined with flourishing wall designs and expensive decor.
Matthew couldn't help but whisper to himself his amazement every turn, it was such a different world inside this castle.
They stopped at a set of large doors, engraved with beautiful swirls, yet almost calming, as the whole sight was a soft, warm brown.
They entered the door, the soft ring of kitchen working hitting Matthew's ears. The room was much grander than the entire kingdom of Spades- dozens of bright lights shining throughout the huge hall, the usual, bright yellows and oranges immediately catching Matthew's attention.
Each second he continued to stare, he would notice intricate details of every part of the room, enormous murals painted at the top of the room, chandeliers cascading from the center of the lighter brown roof.
"Mr. Williams, this way…" Michelle lead him around the back of the room, towards a set of large seats, in which Matthew assume to be the royal family's.
Michelle pulled one of the chairs at the side of the table out, right next to the tallest, fanciest seat.
She nodded towards Matthew, who promptly sat in the chair as signaled.