"I want to explore the castle interior more. Please, show me every part of the castle!" I said as we approached the front of the castle.

 

"Yes, my Queen. It is our pleasure!" Eulalia said shyly.

 

The five of us walked along the edge of a moat that looked more like a river as Leonita nodded in agreement. I peered into the flowing water and saw the many fish swimming in all directions. I gasped at a large fish that looked similar to a Mekong giant catfish, but its size could not compare to anything I knew from my world. Its bright yellow color with red streaks seemed more appropriate for a tropical fish. But my eyes did not deceive me. This strange fish looked identical to a Mekong giant catfish. In fact, many fish seemed to be otherworldly to me. The deepwater was crystal clear, and the various colors of rocks at the bottom glistened in the rays of the sunlight. The contrasting colors of the aquatic fish sparkled the colors of the rainbow as we walked by.

 

Along the far bank of the moat, an imposing sight greeted us—a colossal wall, grander in scale than the protective barrier guarding the Virgin's Sanctuary. This towering fortification was an architectural marvel, with massive stone bastion fortifications jutting out at equal intervals, resembling the formidable teeth of a mythical dragon. Sidran soldiers stood vigilantly atop these vast defensive emplacements, their presence a testament to the city's unyielding determination to safeguard its treasures.

 

As we drew nearer to the castle, my eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of the long, hefty stone drawbridge leading to the keep, which defended the principal entrance. This drawbridge, reminiscent of London Bridge, appeared to stretch twice as far, beckoning travelers into the heart of the fortress.

 

The towers that loomed ahead were not mere structures but fortresses in their own right, standing as sentinels guarding the keep. Their size and sturdiness surpassed all expectations. They rose like ancient giants, their stone facades weathered by time and battles fought. Few windows adorned these colossal towers, giving them an aura of impenetrability. They resembled massive square stone fortresses, resolute in their defense.

 

From the corners of the keep, visible even from a distance, stone bastion fortifications extended outward like steadfast guardians, their stone surfaces engraved with the history of Sidra. The Sidran royal blue flags fluttered proudly in the wind, each bearing the golden seal of Sidra—a symbol of the unwavering legacy of the Virgin Queens.

 

As we approached the drawbridge, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The drawbridge itself was a marvel of engineering, its massive stone slabs supported by intricate mechanisms hidden beneath. It stood as a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of Sidra's builders, designed to withstand the test of time and siege.

 

Stepping onto the drawbridge, I marveled at the view that unfolded before me. The moat, now a shimmering ribbon of water, reflected the mighty walls and towers like a flawless mirror. The sight was breathtaking, and I couldn't help but imagine the countless battles and triumphs that had taken place here over the centuries.

 

Crossing the drawbridge, we entered the keep, and the grandeur only intensified. The interior courtyard was a marvel of horticulture, with lush gardens and vibrant flowers adorning the space. Tall trees provided shade, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. Stone statues of past Virgin Queens stood sentinel, their likenesses carved with exquisite detail.

 

As I gazed upward, I was struck by the sheer height of the keep's walls. It truly did resemble a medium-sized skyscraper, but one forged from stone and history. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, depicting the heroic deeds of Sidra's rulers and the stories of its people. Each carving told a tale of valor, sacrifice, and the unbreakable spirit of Sidra.

 

Entering the keep itself, I was met with a sense of reverence. The interior was vast, with towering stone columns reaching toward the heavens. The corridors were lit by flickering torches, casting dancing shadows that seemed to whisper secrets of the past. It felt like stepping into a different era, a time when chivalry and honor were the guiding principles.

 

The few windows that punctuated the stone walls allowed slivers of light to filter in, revealing glimpses of the city beyond. From this vantage point, one could see the bustling streets of Sidra, a vibrant tapestry of life and culture.

 

In the heart of the keep, a grand hall awaited, its ceiling adorned with ornate frescoes that depicted the history of Sidra in vivid colors. Massive wooden tables stood at attention, awaiting the feasts and gatherings that had taken place for generations. The air was heavy with the weight of history, and I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of privilege to walk in the footsteps of those who had come before.

 

The keep was a labyrinth of chambers and chambers, each holding its own treasure trove of history and secrets. From the armory with its gleaming suits of armor to the library filled with ancient tomes, every corner of the keep was a testament to the legacy of Sidra.

 

As I explored further, I came across a balcony that offered a breathtaking view of the city below. From this vantage point, I could see the people of Sidra going about their daily lives, their laughter and voices echoing through the streets. It was a reminder that while the keep stood as a symbol of strength and history, it was the people of Sidra who breathed life into the city's storied walls.

 

At that moment, I understood the true essence of Sidra—a city that had endured through the ages, a place where the past and present coexisted in harmony. It was a world steeped in history and tradition, where the legacy of the Virgin Queens lived on in every stone and every story told. And as I stood on that balcony, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of pride in being a part of this timeless city.

 

After a few moments of taking in the scale of the fortifications, we reached the rising granite steps to the principal entrance to Sidra's Castle. The light gray and blue-gray of the granite steps created a masterly artistic look. I looked up and gasped at how many steps we would need to climb to reach the entrance. There were no fewer than twenty landings before reaching the top of the stairs. I felt like we were about to ascend to the top of a pyramid.

 

"Is this really necessary?" I asked.

 

"You wanted to see everything, my Queen. So why not start with the view everyone else receives when they first visit the castle," Leonita said with a smile.

 

"Oh man, I didn't mean going up another flight of stairs. Look how many there are!" I said in a whiny voice.

 

"I will carry you, my Queen!" Diethard said.

 

I regarded him for several moments as I considered his offer, but Eulalia interrupted me.

 

"My Queen. That would not be Queen-like of you… to be carried in such garments… You could inadvertently expose yourself," Eulalia said softly.

 

"Ahem… my Queen. I had not thought of such possibilities. With your garments as they are… Lady Eulalia is correct in her assessment. I implore your forgiveness for suggesting such an absurd proposition," Diethard said as he bowed to me.

 

"Come on, don't do that. You were trying to help because I complained. It will be alright. Let's just get this mounting hike over with. Maybe you can carry me some other time when I am not wearing an open-invitation dress, lol!" I said with a slight smirk. Although I genuinely desired him to carry me.

 

"My Queen, a significant portion of your wardrobe is like or identical to what you currently wear. Should I inquire about other outfits? Naturally, the Regency will need to approve whatever I requested," Leonita said as I walked up the steps.

 

"Figures it would be something like that," I said as I sighed.

 

With Eulalia and Leontia beside me. My escorts and handmaidens journeyed up the numerous steps leading to the entrance of the Sidran Castle. The castle was grander, more illustrious, fantastical, and more impressive than any castle I had seen. There was nothing like it in all the books, movies, and lore from ancient Earth or my homeworld. Nothing could compare in scale except the mega skyscrapers of my world. And yet those achievements paled in comparisons. A medieval society should not have the capability or knowledge to construct such mega structures.

 

For this reason, only their engineering prowess surpasses anything constructed in my world. The sky's the limit when the people of Sidra reach the technological awareness of my world. If medieval Earth had this level of knowledge, humanity would colonize the stars centuries before we eventually did. ‘Are royals like me responsible for their sudden advancements?’

 

After an epic climb of the century, we finally found our way to the Sidran Castle entrance. The top landing was the largest and spanned the length of the castle. We were greeted by an enormous steel double door that reached three stories high. There was an imposing feeling emanating from its presence. I found this door to be impenetrable. These monstrous doors can only be opened with the help of large golden loops. The architects of these imposing doors carved the imagery of the Sidren Capital City, the Castle itself, and the many Virgin Queens of Sidra into the doors themselves. Metallic gold embroidery interconnects the different murals. A golden steel-coated frame braced the door in place. Soldiers dressed in golden and silver armor from head to toe stood at their posts along the front of the castle. Royal blue, gold, and silver plumes topped the great helms they wore as they stood like stone statues. The rays of the sun reflected off the elegant armor. The impressive soldiers held enormous pikes with gold and silver tips. These shining soldiers of Sidra gripped their swords in their other hands.

 

“It feels like a castle out of a high fantasy,” I mumbled. The vast magnitude of the castle left me speechless.

 

“It is a castle, my Queen. Do you not possess them in your world?” Eulalia questioned as Diethard and Gottwald spoke to the soldiers before the doors.

 

“Well, we have military bases, but they look nothing like this. Not even close. We have other technologies instead of the massive defense which prevent our military bases from being attacked. Old Earth may have had castles still standing from the middle ages when humans left Earth,” I replied.

 

The four men pulled the large steel double doors open. The metal hinges creaked and groaned as they slowly opened inch by inch. A gold light spilled through the small opening as the doors opened. The three of us walked through the entrance magnificently, impressive and grand foyer. Six enormous grand staircases lead up to the second floor. Four of them were directly in front of me. The other two were on the right and left sides of the foyer. Beside each grand staircase were more large steel double doors with more upstairs. The second floor had four grand staircases, which led to a third floor with more large steel double doors. As we walked in, Eulalia came close to me.

 

“My Queen, all the soldiers inside this part of the castle are female. The General at Arms is a female, and she hands-picked every soldier herself,” Eulalia whispered in my ear.

 

“My goodness. So many women in one place,” I said as a burning in my womb ignited.

 

“It is tradition, my Queen,” Eulalia said.

 

“Well, what about in the Queen’s Keep? That is how we met Diethard and Gottwald?” I asked, looking her in the eyes.

 

“You and the administrators can assign any soldier to the Queen’s Keep,” I asked as we walked up the grand central staircase.