The wind blew as the old lady chanted words I'm not familiar with while holding the magical mirror. All were silent, waiting for the truth to prevail.Demitri went beside me and glanced at Raja. Although it was obvious that he has questions in mind, he didn't say anything and just held my hand as we faced together the mirror of the past."Oh, magical mirror of the past, posession of the great Queen Lynea of the ancient witch empire, grant us our wish! Show us who were the culprits behind the poisoning of Solterra's Queen Romina!" the old lady said while eyes were closed.All were astounded when the next moment, the real event was shown. First in the sequence of events shown was Lady Lilian giving Monroe Levitsky two small black bottles with black lid, exactly the same as the one found in my bedroom. Next shown was Matt Monroe sneeking to my room and putting the bottle on my belongings. The townspeople and the king especially, looked very shocked of what they have seen. They all knew t
"Are you with anyone, perhaps?""No. I was alone.""Wait. Let me help you a bit with your wound," I said. I have a little knowledge about aiding someone so I did what I know. I tore a little part of my dress and wrapped it on her wound to stop it from bleeding."I was also attacked by the bandits and my carriage was ruined. I don't know what we should do about this, but I guess we are left with no choice but to walk and try to seek for help along the way. Let's just hope that there are other travelers that will pass by who could help us, or there are people living nearby.""All right," she said and slowly stood even she was wincing in pain."Uh, you can hold my arm for support. Are you sure you can walk?"'"I think I can," she said and held my elbow.'What way should we go?' I asked Raja in my mind.'West,' Raja said.We went to my carriage first so I could get a few of my things before we walked to the west."In what kingdom are you from?" the lady asked. "I'm Lucia, by the way.""I
'You know what, even if I hate you for throwing your life like this, I still pity your situation and I can't help but be worried. You are back to being alone again,' Raja said while we are in the running coach far away from the kingdom of Solterra.His Majesty helped me to leave the palace without anyone knowing. He gave me a coach and many food so I have something to eat along my journey. He may be had me almost killed, but he has a golden heart willing to help. I'm very thankful to the king.'Who says I'm alone? I'm not alone, Raja. I have you,' I said.'How heart fluttering that is, my lady.''Indeed?''Indeed.'I shook my head and smiled bitterly. If this is my fate, then who am I to change it? I should just stop thinking about Demitri and Solterra. If I would train myself to care less about all that happened there, it would be less painful to me. After all, starting from now, I could never taste that kind of home again. I have to face it. To fully accept no matter how painful it
I laughed and sprayed him with water again. I swam away but at the speed of his movement he immediately caught up with me. We're near the coast, enjoying the seawater with the bright moon watching us from above."You don't play fair!"He just chuckled and hold my waist."I don't play fair when it comes to you."I hooked my arm around his neck. With my fingers, I traced the droplets of waters from his neck down to his chest. He followed with a look what I was doing."What are you thinking? Hmm?"He pulled me closer. Our bodies stuck together under the water. He rested his nose in my temple and caressed my back. The breath is calm."I just wonder ... will the time come when Devon will apologize to me?""Only time can tell, baby."I sighed."Don't think too much. And even if she will apologize, I'll never forgive her. I can't forgive her even if you're her twin. She inflicted you so much pain. She almost killed you many times. I'm sorry , but I prefer her rotting in jail. ""It's not tha
I can feel someone holding my hand firmly. That was the first thing I noticed when the spirit woke up. So even though my eyelids were heavy, I tried to open them. I want to confirm that it's him. I want to make sure I'm alive and not just fantasizing about everything.I saw the white ceiling as I opened my eyes. I blinked several times and checked my breathing. True, I'm still alive."Desire ..."I looked to the side. There, I saw him. His face was full of concern. He's still wearing his suit. But you are hardly contaminated. Maybe when entering the burning house. True, he came to save me. To fulfill his promise of protecting me and our child."Are you okay? Are you in pain? Wait, I'll call the doctor. You need to be checked again." He stood up, but I hold his hand.I shook."Please ... stay."He sat down again. He caressed my face. His eyes are filled with genuine care and concern. He put a kiss on my cheek. I closed my eyes for a moment to feel the warmth from his kiss.I really tho
A solemn, sweet melody from the citharas enveloped the palace. One signal from the chamberlain and I glided through the silk curtains, toward the grandiose hall.Poise. Calmness. Confidence.Three things I've learned from the mistress of imperial performers. The years of practice taught me the perfect stance, moves, and all the gracefulness I needed.Dancing for the royal court's entertainment has been my life ever since I reached puberty. I've long accepted the life fate had offered me. This is my fate. To be a slave, to be caged in this palace forever.The Kingdom of Eravia is where the mages rule. It was where my mother lived throughout her life. She was also one of those less fortunate people who was born as a slave, but not as unfortunate as the commoners, for she was a royal entertainer with imperial privileges. But to me, it wasn't privileges. All those years, I couldn't bring myself to enjoy whatever the palace could offer me. It felt as though I was always chained, someone wh
A disturbing noise woke me up in the middle of the night. I thought it was only a dream, but when I realized I was having difficulty in breathing, I moved my heavy eyelids at once to open my eyes.Smoke. I could smell smoke. And the noise outside... it seemed like people were shouting, panicking.It didn't take long before I realized what was happening. The smoke was suffocating. There must be a fire outbreak in the palace!My eyes widened in horror, terrified for myself and for everyone else inside the palace. It's just a few days after the royal occasion. How could this happen?I hurried down my bed and went straight to the door, never minding what I was wearing. I don't think I have the luxury of time to change my long nightdress with something more decent.My legs shuddered to a stop when I saw how thick the smoke in the hallway was. For a moment, I was afraid of going further. I could feel it. I could feel the heat from the fire. I could feel the burning. It was near.Sure, it wa
"Oh!" I reacted with horror. I forgot about that! I looked around, panicking, and was about to find a place anywhere out of the public's sight, when I felt something over my shoulders.I turned and my eyes widened when I saw who was standing tall beside me, putting a black cloak over my shoulders.Even he was meters away when I first saw him, it's impossible to not recognize him, nor mistake him for any other man. His crystal clear, pitch black eyes were like no other. And how could I forget how he looked at me that day?"Wait... your eyes," the man muttered in a low baritone. "Perhaps, are you from-""I-I beg your pardon, sir. Thank you for the cloak but I have to go..." Before he could move an inch, I turned away and walked as fast as I could.What if he recognized me? Will he bring me back to my kingdom? And where am I even? If that man is from Eravia, then does that mean I'm still around the kingdom?No, you're not. I guess we're in Solterra, Raja interrupted my haywire thoughts.