Maximillian "Justice, is something on your mind?" Edwina asked, joining me on the veranda steps. Despite the early evening hour, it felt like midnight. Dinner, although delicious, had gone unnoticed by me. "What do you mean?" I pretended ignorance. "Really?" She rolled her eyes. "You're going to play dumb with me?" "I have no clue what you're talking about," I innocently replied. "Fine." She sighed. "You were quiet during dinner, not enjoying your food as usual. It worried me." "I'm fine," I reassured her. "Thanks for your concern. I didn't expect this day to come." "I'm not as bad as you think," She insisted. "No, you're not," I agreed. "I actually want to thank you." "For what?" "For accepting me." "Of course," She smiled. "Does this mean we're friends now? Friends worry about each other." I asked. "Sure," she beamed. "Friends." "It's a beautiful night," I remarked. "It's starless and moonless. How is it beautiful?" She asked, confused. "It just is," I shrugged. "I t
Desmond Williams's obsession with Esther Jonas began when he was only sixteen years old. He'd met her for the first time at the market where he'd gone to collect his weekly allowance from his mother and without watching where he was going, bumped into Esther who was carrying a crate of eggs.At the age of sixteen, he wasn't a saint by any means but meeting Esther made him feel like he'd come across an angel sent from heaven. Cliche, right? Well, that was exactly how he'd felt and he knew right there and then that he had to make her his. Unfortunately, his romantic advances were met with rejection from Esther who refused to be associated with a notorious playboy like Desmond. Determined not to let anyone else have her, he threatened all the boys who tried to get close to Esther and made sure no one ever asked her out. Seven years later, his obsession with her was still going strong and she was still elusive to him.He was astounded when he found her clinging to the stranger with no me
MaximillianEdwina possessed an elusive quality that puzzled me. Initially, I pondered whether her beauty or sharp mind was the source of intrigue, but I eventually understood that it was her heart that held an irresistible allure, drawing me in like a moth to a flame. Despite having dated numerous women, none held my attention outside their presence. Edwina, however, was an exception, prompting her sisters to observe my preference for her company over theirs, leading them to question me about it."Do you like Edwina?" Esther asked me."Like her?" I feigned ignorance. "What do you mean?""Forgive me for saying this, but don't play dumb with me." Esther remarked. "Evelyn and I have noticed the closeness between you and Edwina. It's even more than the one she shares with Steven. Is something going on between you two?""Like what?" Confusion furrowed my brows."Justice!" Esther groaned. "Stop doing that."I laughed. "Doing what?" Though I understood her question, there was no way I'd di
A year ago "What do we have here?" inquired Dr. Garcia, one of the attending doctors, addressing the paramedic. "A male, 19 years old, victim of multiple gunshot wounds. His blood pressure is 90/60. We administered one liter of saline during transport; he lost a significant amount of blood." The paramedic replied. Upon being transferred from the gurney to the emergency ward bed, the patient was fitted with an oxygen mask, and sensors connecting to a heart monitor were attached to his body. Immediately, the alarm sounded, indicating a very low pulse. "He's going into cardiac arrest," Garcia's colleague, Dr. Saunders, announced. "Is the defibrillator ready and charged?" Dr. Garcia swiftly asked. "Ready, doctor." A nurse responded. "150 joules! Clear!" The shock was administered, but there was no response from the patient. "200 joules! Clear!" The shock caused the patient's body to arch off the bed, but there was still no response. "He's gone," Saunders stated as the asystole a
EdwinaDuring my mother's pregnancy, the midwife confidently announced that a baby boy was on the way due to my lively movements, sparking great excitement in my parents. They had eagerly anticipated the arrival of a son after having two daughters and had even chosen the name Edwin. However, upon my birth, their expectations were shattered as I turned out to be a girl, leading to my name being changed to Edwina, much to my father's disappointment.At the age of six, I had a vivid dream where I envisioned myself as the queen of a magnificent kingdom, a vision that filled me with immense joy despite the unlikely prospect of encountering royalty. I confided in my mother about this dream, and she fervently prayed for its realization. Unfortunately, my older sisters ridiculed me, labeling me "Joseph the dreamer." Esther, my eldest sister, dismissed my dream as impossible, doubting that even a royal servant would take notice of me, let alone a Crown Prince. She explained that it seemed imp
Maximillian People say we each have our personal prisons, even though we're not physically confined; sometimes, we choose to remain trapped. It had been a year since my best friend Darius passed away, and I hadn't moved past my grief. How could I, when everything around me served as a reminder of him? His face haunted my dreams, his laughter echoed in my ears, and his voice lingered, sharing dreams of a future he'd never witness, all ended by my own hands. I resented the pity mirrored in my parents' and siblings' expressions, and their delicate treatment of me as if I were a ticking time bomb. Rejecting their sympathy felt rude, and I couldn't openly express my disdain for my privileged life.Writing a farewell letter to my parents proved to be the most challenging task I'd ever faced, yet it was necessary. I couldn't be certain if leading an ordinary life would ease my guilt or bring slight comfort, but regardless, I'd acknowledge my suffering as deserved. Having completed my lette
LeonidasDear Mom and Dad,Writing this letter fills my heart with overwhelming emotion. It's challenging to convey the depth of my feelings as I bid you farewell. Expressing this pains me, but I cannot pretend everything is alright in my world when it's not.I regret to inform you that I am not in the right frame of mind to continue as the Crown Prince of our great kingdom. So, I am relinquishing my rights to the throne. The time has come for me to embark on a new chapter in my life, yet you will always be in my thoughts and my heart.You've been my pillars of strength, my guiding lights, and the source of unconditional love. I regret taking that love for granted and disappointing both of you. Leaving you is difficult, but it's something I must do. Please understand that I carry your love with me wherever I go. Thank you for your endless love and support. Please take care of yourselves and don't worry about me. My love for both of you is beyond words, and I will deeply miss you.Wit
EdwinaI couldn't believe that a man so incredibly handsome could exist. In this Kingdom, I had never encountered anyone like him: soft, silky black hair, long eyelashes coveted by women, perfectly proportioned lips, a chiseled jaw, and a body I was sure even Steven would envy. I refrained from counting his abdominal muscles, but I estimated there were around eight."Where are you from?" I wondered. "Are you just passing through, or are you here to stay?""Are you speaking to an unconscious man?" Evelyn inquired."I'm just thinking out loud," I replied. "Are you back from the market? How did it go?""The same," She sighed, settling down on the low stool. "I'm sick and tired of everything that's going on.""Papa said that the farmers' cooperative society is willing to loan him the money he asked for," I informed her, trying to offer some reassurance. "They gave him six months to pay back.""Will that be enough to get what we want done?" Evelyn asked, her concern evident. "The roof is l
MaximillianEdwina possessed an elusive quality that puzzled me. Initially, I pondered whether her beauty or sharp mind was the source of intrigue, but I eventually understood that it was her heart that held an irresistible allure, drawing me in like a moth to a flame. Despite having dated numerous women, none held my attention outside their presence. Edwina, however, was an exception, prompting her sisters to observe my preference for her company over theirs, leading them to question me about it."Do you like Edwina?" Esther asked me."Like her?" I feigned ignorance. "What do you mean?""Forgive me for saying this, but don't play dumb with me." Esther remarked. "Evelyn and I have noticed the closeness between you and Edwina. It's even more than the one she shares with Steven. Is something going on between you two?""Like what?" Confusion furrowed my brows."Justice!" Esther groaned. "Stop doing that."I laughed. "Doing what?" Though I understood her question, there was no way I'd di
Desmond Williams's obsession with Esther Jonas began when he was only sixteen years old. He'd met her for the first time at the market where he'd gone to collect his weekly allowance from his mother and without watching where he was going, bumped into Esther who was carrying a crate of eggs.At the age of sixteen, he wasn't a saint by any means but meeting Esther made him feel like he'd come across an angel sent from heaven. Cliche, right? Well, that was exactly how he'd felt and he knew right there and then that he had to make her his. Unfortunately, his romantic advances were met with rejection from Esther who refused to be associated with a notorious playboy like Desmond. Determined not to let anyone else have her, he threatened all the boys who tried to get close to Esther and made sure no one ever asked her out. Seven years later, his obsession with her was still going strong and she was still elusive to him.He was astounded when he found her clinging to the stranger with no me
Maximillian "Justice, is something on your mind?" Edwina asked, joining me on the veranda steps. Despite the early evening hour, it felt like midnight. Dinner, although delicious, had gone unnoticed by me. "What do you mean?" I pretended ignorance. "Really?" She rolled her eyes. "You're going to play dumb with me?" "I have no clue what you're talking about," I innocently replied. "Fine." She sighed. "You were quiet during dinner, not enjoying your food as usual. It worried me." "I'm fine," I reassured her. "Thanks for your concern. I didn't expect this day to come." "I'm not as bad as you think," She insisted. "No, you're not," I agreed. "I actually want to thank you." "For what?" "For accepting me." "Of course," She smiled. "Does this mean we're friends now? Friends worry about each other." I asked. "Sure," she beamed. "Friends." "It's a beautiful night," I remarked. "It's starless and moonless. How is it beautiful?" She asked, confused. "It just is," I shrugged. "I t
StevenI found it disheartening that Edwina dismissed my cautionary advice about associating with Justice, a man she knew little about and who posed potential harm to her family. While I appreciated her occasional stubbornness, I wished she would heed my warning and keep her distance from Justice. Perhaps my concern was fueled by the notion that Justice was the type of guy who effortlessly captured hearts, evident in Edwina's older sisters being infatuated with him. This led me to fear that Edwina might also develop feelings for him.My decision to visit her arose from my insecurities, stemming from the scarce moments I spent with Edwina lately, as she was frequently engrossed in activities with Justice. Upon my visit to her house, I witnessed them dancing on the veranda, accompanied by music from the Bluetooth speaker she had borrowed from me, while her sisters enthusiastically cheered them on. Having been friends since the age of six, I had never witnessed Edwina dance before. Sh
Edwina Struggling to keep my eyes open at barely 6 am, I resisted the temptation to succumb to sleep. Rising from bed, I neatly folded the blanket, returned it to the wardrobe, then lifted and rolled my mattress onto the wardrobe. My sisters, exhausted from chatting all night, were still asleep after Evelyn's return from Eisner with our mother. Leaving the room, I headed to the sitting room and was surprised to find Justice, shirtless, engaged in one-handed push-ups. With a mischievous smile, recalling his earlier claim of weakness, I tiptoed and playfully dropped onto his back, prompting a loud grunt as he buckled under my weight and collapsed. "What the hell, Edwina?" He growled, turning to look at me. "Get off!" "I'm just helping you out," I feigned innocence. "With what?" He rasped. "Your weak muscles. Didn't you admit you're not as strong as you appear? Consider this my contribution to building your strength." "I meant my immune system is compromised," He hissed. "It has
Julian"I hope you have good news for me, Raphael?" Dad inquired as one of the bodyguards returned from the search for Max. Despite knowing the answer to everyone's question, I had made a promise to my brother not to disclose his location."I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Raphael replied, "but we didn't find him in Orlu either." "Well, we won't stop there. He's bound to be in one of the other two kingdoms. My father's cousin sent word that he's not in Oleus either." Dad asserted. "Eisner and Havindelle are the only kingdoms left to search. You can go, Raphael."After Raphael left, I spoke up, "Dad?""Yes, son?" He turned to me."Why don't we just end the search? We're wasting resources as it is," I told him. "He did say that he didn't want anyone searching for him."Dad's brows furrowed in confusion, wondering why I wasn't expecting news about my brother. Max's twin sister Bianca and his favorite, Annabeth, weren't overly concerned either."That's really funny," Dad remarked. "Because I co
MaximillianA week later "Good morning, Justice. Did you sleep well?" Edwina greeted. Initially, I thought her civility was a joke, but now she appeared genuinely concerned about my well-being, leaving me unsure of my emotions."Yes, thank you," I replied. "And you?"She nodded, saying, "Hmm. I've reconciled with my sisters, and my life is back on track.""I'm really happy for you," I expressed.From a distance, a familiar male voice called out, "Edwina!"As Edwina's obnoxious best friend, Steven, approached, I rose to my feet. Having met him once, I disliked him for condescending looks, assuming I had nothing to my name."Steven! Hi, what brings you here?" Edwina's smile brightened considerably, unaware of his crush on her."I came to see you and check on your sisters," He said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Is everything settled?""Yes, we're good now. You remember Justice, don't you?" Edwina asked."How are you doing, man?" Steven's handshake felt like an unspoken question,
Edwina Upon hearing Esther's scream, I quickly assumed she was in trouble. After hastily dressing following my evening shower, I rushed outside to investigate. To my surprise, I found Esther and Evelyn showering Justice with hugs and kisses, leaving me puzzled. "What's happening?" I inquired. "Edwina, look!" Evelyn handed me a paper from the Cooperative society. Initially fearing the worst, I realized it was a receipt. "This is a receipt," I noted. "Yes! Justice paid off our debt," Esther exclaimed. As I examined the receipt, confirming the five-million debt was settled, signed by both the chairman and Justice, a mix of emotions overwhelmed me. "Why... Why would you do something like this for us?" I questioned him. "You're not a member of this family." "Edwina!" Their shock mirrored my reaction. "I'm grateful, but you had no right." I tossed the receipt to the floor. "Where did you even manage to get five million within two weeks?" "Instead of questioning him..." "It's an
Maximillian The following morning, precisely at nine am and a few minutes after breakfast, I shared with them my plan to take a walk. Despite Evelyn's suggestion to accompany me, I politely declined, keeping my intentions confidential. Without informing Cyril about the acquired money, I left the house discreetly.After some time, I reached the urban area where I encountered the kind woman the day before, finding her in the same spot. Considering it a coincidence, I approached her, expressing gratitude for yesterday and requesting her phone, which she willingly handed over.Dialing Lucas's number, I put the phone to my ear, but he didn't answer, prompting me to end the call. Just as I was about to try again, a gentle tap on my shoulder made me whirl around, and there stood Lucas himself."Um... Good morning, Your..." He started to say.I interrupted him, asserting, "I don't want anyone to know who I am. My name here is Justice.""Oh, alright." Lucas nodded and shared, "I was just driv