As the car came to a stop in front of the school, George turned off the engine and glanced at Rudy and Alice through the rearview mirror. His eyes lingered on them, ensuring they stepped out of the car and made their way toward the school entrance. Satisfied, he watched as they walked toward the building, blending seamlessly with the other students bustling around.
Unbeknownst to George, Rudy and Alice were concealing their true intentions with practiced ease. As they stepped onto the school grounds, their footsteps resounding against the pavement, they exchanged a knowing look. It was time to execute their plan and escape to the castle in Rudy's dynasty.
With a simple telepathic connection, their minds synchronized. Rudy's eyes sparkled with determination as he channeled his powers, tapping into the vast reserves of energy within him. Alice mirrored his intensity, her expression focused and resolute.
In an instant, they vanished from the school courtyard, leaving behind only an empty space where they once stood. Through the power of teleportation, they traversed the boundaries of time and space, arriving within the grand halls of the castle in Rudy's dynasty.
The transition was seamless, as if the castle had welcomed them with open arms. They materialized within a majestic chamber, its opulent walls adorned with intricate tapestries and sparkling chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceiling. The air hummed with a palpable energy, a fusion of anticipation and relief.
Rudy and Alice stood side by side, their gazes sweeping across the expanse of the castle. The splendor of their surroundings mirrored the grandeur of their aspirations. They had left behind the confines of the mundane world, stepping into a realm of limitless possibilities and unfettered freedom.
As they stood within the magnificent halls of the castle, Alice's gaze flickered with curiosity and a touch of perplexity. She turned to face Rudy, her eyes searching for answers. "Rudy," she began, her voice filled with genuine intrigue, "I've been meaning to ask you... Why did you want me to bring up the bracelet when we were in the car? What was the purpose behind it?"
Rudy met her gaze, his expression momentarily clouded by the weight of unspoken truths. He realized that revealing the full extent of his suspicions about George would only burden Alice with knowledge that might shatter her perception of her own father.
Moreover, he himself wasn't sure about his suspicion and that's the reason why he had asked Alice to ask him questions about the bracelet in George's presence.
With a sigh, he chose his words carefully, opting for a partial truth.
"Alice," Rudy started, his voice soft yet resolute, "Sometimes, we have to play our cards close to our chest. Our situation is far from ordinary, and there are secrets we must safeguard until the right time."
Alice furrowed her brow, her curiosity still piqued. "But why involve the bracelet? What does it have to do with anything?"
Rudy's gaze softened, his eyes filled with a mixture of compassion and determination. "The bracelet held a symbolic significance, Alice. It was a means to divert attention, to create a temporary trail that would lead anyone who might be watching us away from our true intentions.
Also, Wasn't it getting awkward doing nothing in George's presence? I thought we had to ease up the mood by talking about something."
Alice nodded slowly, a flicker of understanding crossing her features. She realized that Rudy was sparing her the burden of knowing the full extent of his suspicions, shielding her from a truth that might fracture her trust in her own father. Yet, a lingering sense of unease gnawed at her.
"I trust you, Rudy," Alice whispered, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "But I can't shake this feeling that something is amiss, that there's more to the story."
As Rudy and Alice strolled through the bustling corridors of the castle, Rudy took a moment to share with Alice the latest development of his dynasty. He spoke with a sense of pride, his voice resonating with a mixture of excitement and purpose.
"Alice, you wouldn't believe how many beings, both mythical and human, have found solace and refuge in our dynasty," Rudy began, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Upon my order, they have moved here and begun their lives anew. It warms my heart to see them thriving, each finding their place within these walls."
Alice's eyes widened in awe as she took in the vivid tapestry of life unfolding around her. She marveled at the diverse array of beings, from mythical creatures to humans, coexisting in harmony within the castle's confines. The air was filled with a palpable energy, an atmosphere of possibility and unity.
"It's incredible to witness how your vision has manifested into a reality, a place where beings from different walks of life come together."
"Yeah." Rudy nodded, a sense of fulfillment radiating from his being. "I am surprised you remember something from our childhood. Don't tell this to anyone, though."
As Alice continued to take in the vibrant surroundings, she turned her attention to the majestic view beyond the castle walls. The panorama unfolded before her eyes, revealing a world that seemed both familiar and yet vastly different from the one she had known. The concept of different time zones suddenly crossed her mind.
"Rudy," Alice said, her voice filled with curiosity, "I can't help but wonder about the time difference between our city and your dynasty. How does time flow here? Is it the same as in our city?"
Rudy smiled, appreciating Alice's astute observation. "Time here operates on its own rhythm, Alice. In this dynasty, it flows differently, separate from the constraints of our mortal world. Days may turn into weeks, and weeks into months, while time in our city remains unchanged. It is a fascinating aspect of this realm."
"How is that possible when your dynasty and the rest of the continents exist on the same planet? Time shouldn't pass differently compared to others."
"This continent may be on the same planet, but it's in a different realm. It can't be seen via satellite. Unless, of course, someone crosses the boundaries of our realm, this continent is hidden from the world."
