"I'm sorry if we were a bit late," Demitri whispered solemnly. "I don't know what would I do if..." he trailed off as though he can't say the words like saying it will pain him."Raja was there. He saved me. And you did, too." Then I looked at the three princes. "You all saved me. I don't think a simple thank you is enough to express how grateful I am to all of you.""You are already a family to us, Ophelia. And aside that we believe you are not capable of doing that, we also don't want our father to commit a mistake that he would regret," Prince David said."Well, anyway, do you know where is your dragon? I'm wondering," Prince Evan went out of the topic. "He is here." I smiled and pointed my necklace."Oh, right! I remember something I have read. Dragon summoners have dragon necklaces. So that must be it," Prince Evan said."You should eat now to fully regain your energy," Demitri said, still holding my hand like he was holding his fragile life.'It is the last day, my lady,' Raja
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
"You know what, darling? It makes me a little sad that I have to pass you on to another man. I had barely known you for a few days, but here you are, getting married very soon." Father laughed. "But do not get me wrong. It is okay to marry. I am fine and I am also glad too that there was someone like Ares who was there for you when I was not there. I will always be thankful to him, and I support your marriage with all my heart. And I think I know what could hush my little sadness away. You should give me grandchildren as soon as you are married.""That will not be a problem, Your Majesty," Demitri responded to the latter part of Father's speech. I looked sharply at him but he only stared back at me with gentle and loving eyes. How could I not love this very adorable man, anyway? Anyone in my shoes would certainly break her principles in order to be with him just like what I did. Loving Demitri is worth it. He is all worth it. And I am so lucky to have him as my man who would love me t
Raja slowly vanished and returned to a red smoke. It then went back to my necklace, and all I was able to do was watch the last trace of him vanish in thin air.‘Raja, are you there?’ I asked through our mind link, hoping that he’s just in the necklace and still could talk to me.But his response didn’t come. Not even his usual growl when he doesn’t feel like answering my question or when I’m doing something stupid. All I hear was silence. Empty silence that made me feel so cold inside.“Your annoying pet is now sealed, dear Ophelia. He can’t interfere my business anymore,” Ren said evilly.With tears in my eyes, I tried to talk to Raja again, but there was no answer. He was really sealed into endless sleep and I don’t have the least bit idea how to awaken him. Even King Arthur and Queen Romina thought that there was no way to awaken David. They said that the seal can only be broken by the one who did it, but in this case, I doubt if Ren would do me such favor or I could force him to.
I leaped and attacked Ren aggressively. Raja followed my move, probably thinking that he should finish Ren off before I lay my hands on him. But to my surprise, the hall’s floor turned to ice and I heard another growl, from an unfamiliar dragon this time. An ice dragon went in and attacked Raja. I saw how Ren smirked with satisfaction etched in his eyes, so I figured that the dragon must be his.“Surprised, sweetheart? You see, I am also a dragon summoner. The two of us are the same. We fit for each other. I guess it’s what they call destiny?”“Destiny, you fool! What did you do to them?! Where is Demitri?!” I yelled and lifted my hand in the air. My blazing sword appeared and I held onto it tightly as I sauntered forward.I lashed my sword in the air, creating waves of fire, but he blocked it so fast with his wind blades.“I heard you are pregnant? One month? Two? It’s not visible yet so I wonder. I suggest you should just kill that child. Its father is dead, after all. You can bear
I adjusted my posture before following Raxon to see who was knocking. I was somewhat uneasy because of what just happened."Hi Rax!" It was a beautiful woman, maybe on her mid-twenties. It had a big smile but when it came to me the look suddenly disappeared. Raxon's admirer, huh? Maybe, they are close. It just went in and went straight to the room."Katrina."She looked at him again and smiled sexily. He openly glared at Raxon's body which I almost felt. The fool, on the other hand, doesn't seem to care if anyone sees him naked."I heard you were coming, so I went right away."I couldn't escape the fact that her breasts were almost bulging because of the clothes she was wearing. I was overwhelmed with irritation. Just when I'm on the verge of leaving them, Raxon held my waist. I notice the sourness of the woman's face because of that."Yes. We want to take a vacation for a while. By the way, this is Amara. My fianceé." Katrina's mouth dropped open, obviously startled. Even I was also
"I've seen you a few times at social events, but I always lose the chance to talk to you. Well, you look so stiff and distant. Looks like you don't want to get close .." He chuckled. Not interested of talking with him, I just smiled a bit."Are you ---""Amara." His words were drowned by Raxon's voice. I turned around. Standing with an authorative stance, he looked at me darkly. His forehead was furrowed, as if someone didn't like what he saw."You done?"He nodded once. He came closer to me and offered his hand. I immediately reached for you and stood up."Who is he?" He was looking at David. Eyes were cold, nothing can be seen but indifference for the person in front."Is he with you France?" David, now also standing. I nodded slowly."Raxon Bermudez, right?""Yes.""David Ardiente." It reached out its hand. But Raxon just glanced at it and then turned to me as if he had no intention of accepting it."Your clothes are already sent in the villa. You should change." My eyes almost wid
I was greeted by facilitators entering the seminar venue. I saw many acquaintances before. Mommy's friends were even there. Even though the smile was formal at me, I could see the judgment in their eyes. I understand it. It's been like that these years."It's good that your business is up and running, hija?" An older woman with a cunning look smiled at me. Her air wasn't friendly at all."That's good. Tito Demitri's expertise in business was a great help.""Oh! If so, it's true that you're marrying the second successor of Salamedas?"What?Even before I could recover, another elder approached. I never had a chance to answer the question because they had a new topic. I just excused myself and found a chair.The seminar was held in a five star hotel. My plan would have been to just book there so I wouldn't have to travel. But Kirk's offer is also okay. I really need to reduce the cost especially and more will be needed in the factory. So it's reasonable.There is a little more program b
Whatever happened to us then is no longer with me. It's been eight years. The amount of things that have happened in my life. And I can't almost remember how it felt. All I know is, I was so hurt when he left me. I was also very angry. But maybe because of too much problems, I eventually went numb and forgot about it."Uh, good afternoon. Are you the owner of RM Tower or just an assistant?" I asked first.He didn't look shock when he saw me. It was as if he was expecting that. Of course, for sure the agent mentioned my name! But why didn't the agent even say the owner's name? And I didn’t even ask?"I'm the owner, Miss Escareal.""Oh ..."It is not impossible that he acquired properties within those people."I'm sorry. The agent didn't tell me and I didn't ask. So ... order first?"I called the waiter."Sorry. I ate my lunch first. I hope it's okay with you," I said formally."It's fine."Even when the waiter was on the side, his gaze remained on me. If not lang the waiter laid the m
After talking to the principal, I left his office. I took a deep breath and turned down the pathway out through the row of doors. One more turn and I saw who was waiting for me at the corridor.Frowning and frowning, Zach kicked the plastic bottle at his feet. His hair was a bit messy and there was still a stain on his uniform. He was staring darkly at the bottle, looking so pissed. When he looked up at me, his expression softened and he straightened up."I'm sorry about it, Tita."I approached and adjusted the folding of his collar."I told you, didn't I? I don't want you to get into a fight, Zach. You shouldn't have punched that kid.""But I was pissed!"I stared at him."About what? Because he teased you about being an orphan?""No. I'm not pissed about that because that's true. I'm pissed because he called you crazy!"I sighed."And you know that I'm not, right?"He averted his gaze. "Of course."My life felt like hell after Ate Diana's death. I can't talk. I can't eat. I didn’t e
"It's you. You're too uptight. It's just your job that you're always doing so you don't know what's going on around you," he laughed."You're going to a seminar next week, right? Let's leave Manila together. How many days have you been there?""Three days or four. Maybe I'll talk to the agent for the property," I said."Are you going to a hotel? I have a condo. It's big and has three bedrooms. You can sleep there if you want."My eyebrows rose."In your condo? You mean, where do you bring your women? No thanks. I can pay for my hotel. I might get sick there.""Woah. It's serious! I don't bring them to my condo, Drey. I'll book a room, you know. I'm the one who's feeling good after all?""For all I know, you just have a plan for me."His jaw dropped and laughed hysterically. Of course that's just a joke. All these years, Kirk was with me and I am aware of his pure intentions.Back then, I never thought we would be this close because I really didn’t like him. But I found an unexpected f