Aysling was stunned.

Charlie had told her they would use a special talisman to get to his house because teleporting directly inside wasn’t possible. She soon understood why.

They were inside a palace!

“Char… Charlie, what does this mean?” She clung tightly to the sleeve of the boy’s old shirt, thinking they’d ended up in the wrong place and would have to run for their lives.

“Aysling, you’re squeezing my arm too hard,” he said seriously, prompting her to let go, though still not entirely convinced.

“Welcome to the Emperor’s palace. These are my chambers—I’m a prince here. Come on, let’s go inside.”

And just like that, he started walking as if he hadn’t just dropped a bombshell.

Aysling was convinced that something had come loose in the boy’s head, but before she could say anything—

“Ahhh, Your Highness! I thought I would die of worry! How could you run off like that without telling anyone?”

A well-dressed woman, followed by several maids, suddenly appeared from one of the side doors.