LATER ON, they stare at each other and laugh ever so loudly. Seeming to know the answer they wanted to know just seconds ago, two of them gathered around me.
"I wonder what it is that made your face as red as ripe tomatoes, Miss?" said one of them. She was talking to them but felt like that one question was for me, teasing.
"Indeed. Perhaps what happened between the two of them was a beautiful thing," said the other one.
"Maybe his lips and hers met."
"Or maybe more."
My forehead creased, not liking where the conversation was going. "No! It was just a kiss, mermaids," I defended but quickly covered my own mouth. I spilled too much.
Because of what I did, they eyed each other again and laughed harder than they did earlier, almost choking. I just frown at what they are doing. I am beyond annoyed by these mermaids, they did not deserve the name. It should be sirens. Sirens are evil according to the myths. It sounded better. Should I prohibit them from going here too?
"Just as I thought. Your cheeks wouldn't redden to the hilts if you hadn't tasted his lips then," said the one with the pinkish red ornament on her head, giggling.
"Now he's got my interest. I wanna meet him. The only man who made our dear maiden blush," said the one with the silver tail. I shook my head and washed my face again with water. I wish I did not say that to them. I am now full of shame that I could bathe in it.
"Should we go in the north to know who it was?" one suggested that caught my attention in an instant.
"Stop it, mermaids! You should never go there to meet him," I said in a threatening manner causing them to lose the smile and teasing face they have had for a while.
"But why, Aliara? You said nothing's going on but here you are being selfish about meeting him."
"Perhaps, are you having a feeling for him?" she asked suspiciously, which widened my eyes.
"No way!" I quickly said.
"But why are you avoiding him? Are you afraid that your feelings for him will get deeper?" she uttered. That caught my attention.
"I just said that I have never had any feelings for him. Not now, never," I said convincing them but they just laughed at me. I just frowned and approached the mermaids, not minding their teasing. "Do you think that is the case, Mermaid?" I said curiously. What she said got me thinking. "But it was just a couple of days since I knew the man," I added.
That got them to raise their brow. All of them.
"Couple of days since you got to know him and yet your lips met?" the one who has a silver tail asked.
"Unbelievable. This is utterly unbelievable," said another.
"Maybe this man is so manly that our almighty lady here rewarded him with her sweet kiss," said the annoying one. "I am sure that he's delicious. Right, Aliara?"
I can feel the heat crawling on my cheeks because of what she said. Indeed it was delicious, mermaid.
"What a term, Alicia? Seriously? Just what do you think of that man? A food to take in?"
"Why? Food is not the only delicious thing in this worl,." she defended while giggling.
Then someone suddenly approached me and asked, "Is the man really that handsome, Aliara?" curiously.
I stared at her for a moment, reminiscing Sevasti's face. His perfectly sculpted face from the Gods that every lady of the kingdoms would not miss. And his lips, his sweet lips.
Suddenly, the mermaid in front of me smiled so widely. "That man must be truly handsome," she said with finality in her voice, nodding. "That's what your smile is for, right? Truly beautiful. It's my first time seeing that kind of smile from your beautiful face, Miss," she added as if she knew me from before.
I just shook my head, not hiding the beautiful smile she said forming on my lips. "What do I call you for, mermaids?" I asked averting the topic of the conversation from me.
"Finally! In time for you to drop the question, Aliara. You're the type to not ask for names even if you have had conversations with anyone dozens of times."
I just grinned at them. Conversations from the past came running through my head. Everytime I go to different falls in Kozania, I never ask for their names. Never. It is not that I do not want to remember them again but the moment I ask about their names, it will be forever in my memory and my heart. They are my friends now.
"I'm Cora," said the one who had purple and black on her tail.
"Alicia," the one with the pinkish red ornaments.
"Hana," one with the orange ornament politely said.
"And I'm Nalani," the silver tailed mermaid said.
I smiled at them. "What a beautiful name you have, mermaids."
"But you should never avoid him. This is just my personal opinion about your avoidance to that man, Aliara. 'Coz the more you avoid him, the deeper your feelings for him will go.
I form a knot in my head, wondering. So I asked, "Is that so, Nalani?"
"Yes. The more you avoid him, the more he will occupy your headspace until the time comes when you can't remove him in your head even if you want to forget him so badly," she explained. I gaze at the other mermaids when they suddenly nod altogether as a sign of agreement.
"Just listen to her, Aliara. She's the one who has many experiences when it's about love we are talking about, so to say," smiling, Alicia said to me, that earned a glare from Nalini.
"Coming from the mermaid who says that food isn't the only delicious thing in this world."
I stared at nothingness. Reminiscing Sevasti's sweet smile when he uttered his promise to go to the northern falls just so to see me everyday. That smile is the most beautiful I have ever seen. I can never wash that away from my memory. Ever.
I glance at the clear sky of the afternoon now turning dark. It will be night in a moment. Is he still there, waiting for me?
"Go if you must. I'm sure he's still waiting for the most beautiful woman in Kozania there," Cora said, smiling at me.
"We know that you're thinking if that man is still there and we're sure that he is. He'll never leave without seeing you first, even just a glimpse of you," said Nalani.
Eventually, I found myself smiling because theirs is so contagious. I did not waste another second, I quickly finished bathing and put on my clothes to go to the most handsome man I have ever met in my life, Sevasti.
WHEN I reached the north, I immediately saw him. He was seated on one of the rocks which was situated near the flowing water, his arm stretched. That is where Vivi is.
This is the reason why I did not see that bird because he is with Sevasti. He must have liked him so much because he never approached just anyone.
"Is she arriving?" he asked Vivi but my pet never answered him. "I hope she comes," he added, sighing ever so slightly.
I was at some huge tree that is why they cannot see me coming. I was about to approach them when he said something to my pet.
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"WHY ARE you silent? You were not like that when we first met. I was talking to you but I did not receive a single response from you," he complained, glancing at the surroundings because the fireflies are starting to get active.I hid at the tree fearing that he would catch me for no particular reason."If only she was here, she would see how beautiful these little fireflies were. I wanted to see her lovely smile, her sparkling eyes and her reddened cheeks bathed in this wonderful scenery," he said with amusement evident in his voice.I was stunned for a moment by what I heard, my hand reaching for my ramming heart inside my chest. My heart was rejoicing. Rejoicing for what? Why am I feeling like this? Is this the right thing?"I really like her so much, bird. She was the only woman who made me feel like this, too much adoration. I can never remove her from my mind now."I bit my lower lip and gradually peered at him. He was just staring at nothing
"I am not a thief. How many times should I tell you that for you to understand, Miss?" said Adrina. It sounds sarcastic but that is her normal way of speaking. The angry lady was now furious because of what she said. Considering the age gap, the lady must have been offended."Fool! You have no right to answer a noble like me. Your tongue is too sharp. I will make sure you are punished." The lady tried to put a finger again at her when I interrupted and flicked her hand."Did you see her touch any of your belongings for you to accuse her of thievery, Miss?" I said. She did not hesitate to show her annoyance at my intrusion."And who are you? Do you have my permission to intrude in this? Mere people have no claims here. I have no need for your opinion," she said, her voice laced with filth as she looked at my being from head to toe. I did not have my cloak with me so I am left with a blue humble clothing.I wanted to glare at her or at least roll my eyes be
ADRINA LOOKED at me before speaking again. "Why do you want to know? Who are you, Sir?" she said.I wanted to scold her because of her attitude but I controlled myself. If only it was the other guard she was talking to, I might have dragged her a long time ago and punished her for her bad behavior."Fool! You should not talk like that to--""Favier," Sevasti interrupted what his comrade was saying. When their eyes met, they understood what the other one meant, Favier bowed his head subtly as an apology for what he was trying to say."Adrina," I said, catching her attention. "Respect him. He is one of the guards of Farianio," I continued. Her expressions did not change but she eventually nodded, forced."Are you a guard, Mister?" said the lady that caught my attention. Then she eyed him from head to toe that I unconsciously do too. It was not that grand compared to what he wore the other times we met but it was not too plain either. It is only right
"Let us go, Adrina," I said and dragged her out of that scene. I cannot even lift my head to face the two gentlemen who were still waiting for my answer. "We are going home! We are going home!" said Vivi. I calmed myself enough from the shame I have felt earlier before I talked. "Yes, we are going home," I said with a glint of annoyance in my voice. "Why do you have to join in the conversation, Adrina? I wish you would just shut your mouth with your unsolicited opinion," I said glaring at her but she just returned that kind of look to me. "Are you not the one who said that I am your child? I just stood for you," she countered. "Why do you have to do that? You know that I am just kidding." She scowled at me and removed my hold on her. "Why? Because you do not want that man to hear it? Do you know him? How do you know that he is a guard when he did not look like one such as now?" I averted my gaze away from her. Anywhere just not
HE IS also the one who moved away from that kiss. Both of us were chasing our breaths, our forehead against each other. I laughed heartily as I bit my lower lip while I eyed his."I almost believed her when she asked where her father was.""And I almost smacked that insolent woman when she held your arm for the second time."He slightly moved away from me, hands unmoved on my waist. His both brows arched while having a small grin on his lips. "I did not think you are the jealous type, my beautiful miss," he said, teasing.My eyes sharpen, "Do I have something to be jealous of, Mister?""None," he quickly said, the grin on his lips widening. "You are really mine now, my lady.""And how so?" I said while I raised a brow at him, removing both my hands on his nape.His forehead knotted at what I did and the way he groped my waist tightened thinking that I might run away from him again."Are you not?""Hmm," seems
I GAZE at the streams of water of the falls. I can hear its sound, as well as the chirping of the birds nearby. I smiled as I touched my lip at the memory of him claiming my lip in this very place.Seems like I can never really force myself not to feel anything for him at this moment. I was almost drowning to this happiness whenever I saw him and got to be with him. Even at this second, he is all I can think about. The wind is like putting me to sleep with its gentle breeze, it feels good.But I know I made a promise to myself that I will not let this feeling hinder all of my plans of revenge in the future. For the people of this kingdom and more importantly this kingdom, Kozania.I tightly gripped the hilt of my sword resting on my waist when I felt the fast approach of a presence. When I felt that someone arrived, I removed my sword from its sheath and positioned myself prepared for an attack. When our swords met, the clanging sound resonated all over the plac
"WHAT are you doing here, Verdantes?" I asked.I was on my way to the falls where the mermaids are swimming to bathe when I caught a glimpse of them here in the middle of the woods of Kozania.There are only three of them in count and Dardo, their leader, is not one of these three. The one in the middle proudly faced me so I raised a brow on him and put my hand on the hilt of my sword, readying to defend myself and attack if anything goes wrong."We were just taking a walk, Miss," he said, slightly backing away looking at how I held the hilt of my sword."Taking a walk?" I said sarcastically before continuing. "And where do you say you are going here in this dead land, Verdantes? Are you familiar with this place?" I added with a glare on my eyes."Apologies, Miss. We are going now," said one of them and signed for the other to go."Right. Just go if you still want to have your horns before going home," with a grimmed face I said. All of them
I FELL to the ground when Matias hit me on the shoulder with the hilt of his sword. I immediately got a hold of the part when I felt the pain radiating through my upper left chest now.I glared at him because of that strong attack of his. He just grinned at me and lent me his hand to help me stand on my feet again but I refused it and stood on my own."You feel a little distracted today, Aliara. Where did your mind drift to?" he said that made me peer at him.I picked up my sword who was lying on the ground near me and used it as a prop to help me stand."It is the first time that you had me defeated but you are already proud, Matias.""That is not being proud of me to say that, Miss. I was justasking because that is what I am seeing from you," he said. His annoying grin was removed from his lips."The grin in your face earlier says otherwise," I said in an irritated tone and rolled my eyes at him.I put my sword on its sheath a
Sevasti's Point of View I WATCH her in the middle of the forest, here in Kozania. She was sitting in front of the clear water of the stream, the thing that is between us. I was so far away from her the reason why I think she did not notice me. Also, she seemed to be out of it and was thinking deeply to even notice my presence. She had been here earlier in the afternon and now it was getting dark but her position did not seem to change even in the slightest. I exhaust my eyes just staring at her beauty, at her hair wavy every time the wind blew. She is dressed better now than before. Truly, she became the queen of Kozania. She had achieved her dream of rebuilding her kingdom, and I am happy for her. Even if it costs the death of my father and us losing the ownership of the throne in Farianio. It was never ours to begin with so it was only just for it to be returned to its rightful owner. This is my only free time to stare at her because as soon as she feels my presence, I will immed
I LOOKED at Adrina when we reached Farianio's palace. Tonight, to be sure to really surprise them with our attack, and another is for them not to be ready so that we can easily conquer this kingdom.Everyone is in the dark, hiding and waiting for the signal so that they can show up to the opponents. We use the sturdy weapons made by the Verdantes.It also took a long time before Dardo made his decision but in the end he chose to be my ally. I gave him a chest of gold which he really enjoyed. But he did not join our attack, considering the welfare of his kinsmen. I did not force him either. We have enough weapons from him and I think that is enough.He nodded at me so I smiled and turned to Vivi."Vivi," I told her. He flew away from my shoulder and fly freely through the air."Start the attack! Start the attack!" he shouted repeatedly with his shrill voice until it reached all our comrades.I pulled the sword out of its sheath and jumped fro
"I LOVE you so much, Aliara! And yes, you are wrong if that is what you are thinking about me. You are the only woman I have ever loved in my whole life. The woman I will continue to love and will love until the last of my breaths," he said, seemingly trying to make me understand what is being said by him as the heaviness of his breath intensified. He looked down and when he spoke again, calmly. "I am sorry that I am not with you in all your suffering. I am not there when you need me. I am not there when you are looking for me. But, Aliara, I really want to go and see you at times you want me to be there. I want to save and protect you but my father always stops me. He does everything just so I cannot see you." His mouth clenched his jaws and turned to face me again, his eyes full of anger, longing and sadness. "I really love you, Aliara. That will never change. I hope you will forgive me for all my shortcomings. And please, do not take away your love for me. I cannot afford to lose
He also smiled and seemed defiant. "How can I not know that there was such a commotion that day. The rebels that were a threat to the peace of Farianio escaped. The fairies only saved you, the reason why you are still alive today. Who would have thought that even the fairies were on your side? Maybe you really ought to live quite a long life.""It will still take a long time because I am barely done with everything I have to do." I moved closer to him, he did not budge and just stayed in his place. "But how do you make sure they are fairies? You just heard that they can control plants, do you not? You know it was not just fairies that had the ability to control plants."His forehead furrowed, wondering, and eventually that was replaced by panic."But--how ..."I proudly smiled and nodded softly at him. Agreeing with what is currently in his mind right now. Yes, Dardo, Hederon. They are not yet dead. They are just hiding from our sight. And now, it is time
WHEN Adrina and I met again, she gave me another hope to continue what I had started, revenge on Henicio. She talked to me a few times about it but when I asked her why she was encouraging me, she did not answer and in fact, changed the subject.Now, I am standing in the middle of the forest while looking at the moon as I realized why she wanted me to kill Hencio. She wants revenge because of Matias. It is not hidden from my knowledge that she loves the man and even though I did not see her grief at his death, I know how much she felt at that moment.Perhaps, she has not forgotten yet. She has not lost her anger for the creatures that were the root of all of this. Especially with Hencio. He is the one who is responsible for all of this so he is the one to be avenged.I turned to Zalina who was by my side, she was Adrina's mother but she seemed to have aged just a little ahead of me when it came to appearance. Adrina and I were with her when I went to the V
We now face the creatures who were watching. The reactions they show vary but curiosity prevails. I closely watched them as the soldiers adjusted the rope at my height. That only faded when I heard Vivi’s loud whistling in the air. He circled the creatures in front of us before approaching them. He did not stop flying, but his eyes were focused on me.A soldier pulled me up again to attach the rope to my neck, I just let him do that, still looking at Vivi. Earlier, he had been quiet all the way down as he followed us and I know he was sad now as he witnessed my fate. Her chirps seemed to be crying as I heard it so I also felt sad. I will leave him. It was just now that thought crossed my mind. That I will be leaving him.I smiled at him to convey that it was all right. That he did not have to cry and be sad. I know he can do everything without me. She can find a new friend to love and take care of him like I did. Otherwise, he will join other birds and live
THE SURROUNDINGS were bright as the sun had already risen when we reached the center of Farianio. The creatures parted to give way to us, curiosity was written in their eyes as they looked. The soldiers were in front and on our side, watching us closely as if we could still escape in this condition. Aside from chaining our hands, we were already tired and weak from the long journey. And most of us were still wounded.I could no longer walk properly because of my trembling leg. The aching wound in my thigh seemed to spread all over my body. My sweat was dripping, my throat was dry and I was definitely pale because of the blood I had lost.These stupid soldiers do not even give us a drop of water."Aliara," Casias called, he was just next to me. Hands were also tied and had nothing to do but obey these soldiers. He called me several times but I never looked back at him.This stupid traitor! He still really wants to talk to me."Do not talk to me," I
I nodded and stomped on his foot. His jaws clenched and we applied more strength to our swords, still stuck to the air. I quickly backed away and struck the sword I was holding on his stomach but he immediately dodged so it just touched his clothes.He gripped his sword tightly and successively rushed at me but I avoided everything as he continued to retreat. When he stopped, I turned around and rushed first, with each strike of my sword he shielded it with his weapon. However, I hit him several times with my arm and hand. But because he was strong he was not shaken by those measly attacks.Annoyed, I blew a massive puff of air when he kicked me on the side, I backed away and stopped. My eyes were firm as I turned to him. I was ready to rush again but I stopped when an arrow hit my arm causing me to release the sword I had in my grip.My mouth stopped at the pain I felt here. I did not notice it coming! However I no longer paid attention to it when Favier rushed
"YOU ARE a princess, Aliara?" Rowan spoke again but I ignored him.And since Casias was also not surprised by that, it was only a fact that Favier was stating the truth, that he was affiliated to the palace.I smirked after a while, sarcastically. There are many questions in my mind but I am slowly coming to an understanding on what is happening now. They have known each other for a long time, even before I came here to Ohayas. It was very clear that Casias had betrayed me, he pretended to know nothing about me, that he did not know me. Perhaps that fool Henicio is watching over me. And this is the right time to kill me.Am I quick to trust so I am always betrayed by the people around me?I want to laugh at myself for that question.But even if he deceived me now I do not intend to question him. It also does not matter if I ask him why he did this to me. All of them wants only my life.And I will not just give my life without resisting.