The Queen's Secret Palace

The guard led Vero through a door next to the entrance. They entered a dimly lit hallway. The walls muffled the sound of music and the noise from the club. Hidden red neon lights in the ceiling gaps enhanced the mysterious atmosphere.

A staircase led downward into seemingly endless darkness. Vero swallowed nervously. Beads of sweat, signs of anxiety, moistened her forehead and back.

Her hand groped in the darkness, searching for the staircase railing to prevent herself from falling. From the railing, she realized that the staircase was curved, taking her deeper underground. With each step she took, doubt grew in her heart.

Her conscience whispered, urging her to escape right then and there. She felt uneasy, questioning whether her decision to come here was the right one.

When Vero looked back and contemplated turning around, the guard who had escorted her abruptly stopped, causing Vero to bump into his back.

“Ouch!” she exclaimed, rubbing the side of her face that felt sore.

“Verona W