THE FADING FALLEN ● Bucky Barnes X OC ● 18+ ● ENGLISH [COMPLETE]

Chapter 17

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The palace was a mixture of traditional and modern. Even though Emilia didn't mind climbing stairs, she was glad to take the elevator after a long day like today.

They got off on the fourth floor. Bucky, who also decided to follow the two friends quickly and try to get some sleep after this nerve-wracking first day, said goodbye and disappeared into one of the first rooms.

"What's going on between you and Barnes anyway?"

At Shuri's smug grin, Emilia responded with an irritated: "Nothing!"

Shuri's quiet, if skeptical "Huh..." only punished Emilia with another warning look.

The curved wide corridor, which Shuri led her friend along, stretched over a length of about 100 meters and was - like almost everything - decorated in a dark anthracite and gold.

On the walls there were a few tapestries and paintings in warm earth tones. The dimmed light illuminated everything in a pleasant warm glow. It reminded Emilia a little of the African sun.

On either side were several of the large black doors decorated with ornaments, behind which were the other rooms. Although these looked quite antique from the outside, inside was ultra-modern technology.

Where usually there were some metal latches or knobs, a control panel was located, with which the doors could be opened and locked.

As one of them at the near end of the hallway opened and momentarily disappeared into the wall, suddenly Tony was standing in front of them.

"Oh, I guess Miss Marple was successful. A little longer and your friend would have commissioned the Salvation Army and requested search dogs, Carson."

Emilia looked questioningly at Shuri, who didn't reply at first and just gave him a evil look: "Surely you were going somewhere, Mr. Stark. Weren't you?"

"That is correct", he said and left the two of them standing there.

"How can a person be so arrogant?" asked Shuri her friend when she arrived with her at the last door after only a few steps.

Emilia didn't answer anything to that, because the sight of the huge beautiful room left her speechless.

Like everything else in the palace, it had high ceilings. Through the glass front opposite, one had a breathtaking view even from the door of the room.

On the left wall was a large four-poster bed with some kind of fabric trim. As she walked towards it, she recognized the mosquito net attached to the beams like curtains. It was very practical, but Emilia seemed to be the only person in the world who was safe from the blood-sucking insects thanks to her skills.

The beige sheets and pillowcases looked almost white in contrast to the dark stained wood elements of the frame.

As she approached the large windows, she only now noticed the spacious balcony in front and stepped out through the open glass door.

Shuri must have insisted that she get this room. From here, Emilia could see directly into the park where she had been with Bucky just a few minutes ago. Behind it, the lights of the city could be seen.

Her friend knew how much she needed nature - and the sun, which in South Africa also rises in the east.

"Now that's what I call an upgrade", it came across her lips. "I wish I'd asked for the presidential suite last time."

She turned and walked back into the room, smiling.

On her first visit a few months ago, she had been given a much smaller room right next to Shuri's. Emilia was very happy to be near her, but had felt a little uncomfortable. After all, Shuri had her room a few floors above them in the south wing - and this was actually reserved only for the royal family.