"The gardens are beautiful around here," Emma was enjoying her time exploring the Dukedom's land. After a good bath and a satisfying breakfast, she was in the mood to entertain herself with a walk around the gardens.
It felt so refreshing and pure that she could sleep under the shade of a tree for a few minutes. However, at the same time, she felt out of place. She didn't know why, but whenever she reached the walls surrounding the quarters, she felt trapped, almost without air.
Her eyes instinctively looked around, to the maids and guards, 'They are watching me.'
The servants looked at her from time to time, their inquisitive and curious looks came out without them noticing.
Even with all the colorful flowers, trees full of life, beautiful stone bridges, and ponds with little fishes, Emma could still feel that her peace and calm were disturbed by the soft murmurs. Maybe they thought they were being discreet and careful, but they were not.
She coul
"Who else knows about this?" Liam's voice didn't show any sign of anxiousness, but the coldness and anger were present in his gaze. His eyes had transformed into a raging red, an ominous red that could bring disaster to whoever dared to cross his path. "Speak!" Ilian gulped a bit and shook his head. "I don't know how many more received the notice, Your Highness. However, I heard the rumors about it being a joke to make Her Highness look bad in the eyes of the public. There is a saying that many nobles are opposing your marriage to her and are trying to dirty her image. However, I don't know who posted the reward note, but it originated in the south…" "Where?" "Three families in the South, from the faction of Duke Feiras." Liam narrowed his eyes, he knew that man very well, and nothing concerning him or his allies was good news. That man had been against Liam's brother Crowning from the first day of his mandate. His little group of nobles belie
"Did he send a message, Ina?""Yes, Your Highness, he had been meeting with the Generals until late and to have your dinner first.""I understand," Liam had been working non-stop from that time we separated. Emma hadn't seen him for a few days now. Not in the morning, not at night.'I don't feel him sleep beside me anymore, and I don't feel him waking up and kissing my cheek. His warmth is not anymore around me and I miss it.'"When is he coming back?" Emma said to herself, but Ina hesitated and lowered her face.She was worried too. The servants had begun to start whispering. There were rumors about the Duke getting distanced from his wife because of an imminent war with the luriems.The many generals that had been entering his study every day were the first sign. However, somebody heard that the armies at the frontier were starting to move. Even the fairy Kingdoms, allies of Avalor had given some reinforces."Is he eating well? Is h
The shout of the Duke echoed in the hall. The floor trembled, some books fell down. It was so strong and loud that the servants and guards outside heard it too.The two Generals on the front frowned and looked at the beautiful woman for a brief moment. They didn't say a word and waited for her to go out.Emma was shocked. She couldn't move, not only because of fear but from a painful punch in her heart. It was taking her breath and courage away.She wanted to see him, she wanted to make her see her. She knew he will be angry but, in the end, he will go to her and tenderly ask her why she went to find him. He will helplessly sigh, but he will show a gentle smile at her.However, he didn't do any of that. The eyes were tired and frowning. His aura was dangerous and filled with rage.Emma hesitated for a brief second, as she couldn't believe it still. However, she regained her thoughts and turned around to leave. Then the voice of the man stopped her
After saying his part, he left. She was still in the same position for a few minutes more, not moving, not waiting nor hoping anymore. She just looked at the window where his figure was vanishing from the view.It was then that she felt her heartbreaking little by little.Then she laughed, however, there was no joy hidden in her small chuckles, but sadness. A cruel and lonely sadness that came with tears in her beautiful eyes.She knew that it was time to wake up from the beautiful dream. The cruel reality was calling her back from that sweet illusion she had for the past months. It never crossed her mind that it would be that painful, though."Is this all?" she whispered and looked at her hands. The Duchess ring was still on her finger. "Is this over?"For the rest of the night, she moved to the side couch. With only a warm quilt to cover her body.She couldn't go to the bed as they had been sleeping there so many times together. If she wan
"What is the meaning of this?"Liam knew that those traveling words written in the book were not simple wishes. They were detailed plans. The woman was thinking of leaving."Plans for the future," Emma said without fear. She knew that it was useless to deny it. "My future, I don't want to be tied up to a loveless marriage. If you don't desire to let me be here, I said it to you once, I will leave."Her words were crude and cold. She tried to hide the pain in her eyes and the sadness of her heart to not start crying right then. The only option was to sound emotionless and indifferent, the same as he.Liam looked at her indifferent face and felt funny. For the first time in many years, he felt that a pang had hit his lungs and impeded for him to breathe with ease.He was not controlled by the damn Rosaline Fragrance. He knew it, but that didn't mean it was love.'Maybe it was some residual effect,' he thought and dismissed the feeling"
The next few days, Liam went to the Capital accompanied by his major Generals. He made a secret appointment with his brother, the King, to inform about his findings.The King was aware of the recent movements of the armies. Not only he but the other Ministers and nobles knew that something was happening. They had raised their complaints and questions in the assembly, but they never received clear answers."How are you going to manage it, Liam?"The King was in his study with the Duke, but he was distracted with a strange sphere in the middle of the desk. His eyes were focused, and they had a special golden glint that didn't look natural nor ordinary."I will have to eliminate the traitors.""You will need a reason to do that," the King knew that they can't reveal anything about the pearl or more enemies will stand in their way. "You won't like to harm her, do you?""…" Liam thought of the beautiful woman that accompanied her that nigh
The days on the Dukedom were full of rumors again. However, the love life of the Duke and his wife were not at the center of attention this time.The soldiers and knights from the frontier and the outskirts regions were passing to pay their respects to the Duke. The air of war and battle was echoing in the land.Some servants were scared, some others couldn't contain their ire. They thought that the Kingdom of Luriem was again raising their swords against Avalor.Those servants were quickly shut up and take out of the Dukedom with a warning. Of course, their silly comments were directed at the inner circle, their contempt was, however, on the woman inside the walls.Emma didn't know anything about what was happening. outside. Her life was peaceful and calm without any disturbance.She will go out to train and read in the library and no one would upset her life. However, her eyes were not looking with glint anymore anything.He will look at t
Master Jin was one of the few men who can enter whichever place in the palace without being shouted at by the King. The poor servants and assistants by the side were glad that the old man had arrived to give some sense to the King, that recently had succumbed to debauchery with his Queen.Even the Duke, his brother, was now about to explode in anger from the work his older brother had ordered to do. The many reports that came to his desk every day were not his work."What is that brat doing, Liam?"Liam visited the Palace for a few days, and he didn't plan to stay longer, but he didn't know that the shameless brother of his will shove him with decrees right when he arrived.The many documents with his royal seal were too much for him to handle, so he had to bring Jano with him and two other assistants."He is having fun with his Queen," Liam sounded irritable almost to the point of anger.Master looked at the young lad with a smirk. He knew
The lights in the Hill Mansion summoned the eyes of the entire City. The spectacle, the elegance of the dresses, the makeup at its highest expression and perfection. All the glamour and wealth of the year was invoked in one day.A big event enthralled the Capital City. The expectancy grew more when the guest list was published on the web. The Major and the big shots from the four main families of White country topped the list. However, mixed with the top actresses and all people from the most influential sides of the world, a name was the focus of every pair of eyes.They could not let go of the opportunity to witness what was about to happen. To have a glance to the man who had confirmed to arrive.“When is he coming?”“I don’t
Night and thunder surrounded the castle; the tall towers of stone crumbled with the echoes of the wind hitting the walls and windows. Fear was easy to feel, anxiousness could invade the heart and soul of the weak, but the woman lying in the last room of the tower was still indifferent. The terror of residing on an earth that had been already taken over by murderous creatures didn’t make her succumb to shivers and sorrow.Even when strong golden chains gripped her fair porcelain legs, leaving painful red marks in the soft skin of her ankles, she didn’t care, nor did she make a whimper. The man who trapped her never unlocked them once from the first day he took her a year ago. He only watched as she sat on the floor with her back to the wall, occupying one corner of the room. Lonely and lost.His eyes were filled with more than desire, but a strong lo
"What is the meaning of this symbol?"The man looked confused. The sweet voice of Emma made him lose control of his words and actions. He didn't know why was that, he had never been subjected to hypnosis nor any kind of suggestive game. However, this time, it was as if some drug had entered his body and made him a week to listen to that woman's orders.Emma showed him the ring and waited for his response. The golden symbol engraved in the ring glowed with the two little red gems. It was a magnificent piece, almost as if a genius craft maker had taken inspiration from heaven. The way it was done was marvelous. A masterpiece. Victor's eyes stared at the ring for a few seconds and wondered where did she get that kind of gold. If she had sold it before, then her debt would have disappeared too. It was not as if she didn't try it, but the elders didn't let her do that. They knew it was the clue to find her real identity. However, Emma didn't hesitate to go to the ma
The man let her stay in his lap for the rest of the journey. As they were moving around the roads, she noticed that they were leaving the small town and entering what seemed a base surrounded by tall trees and a metal fence."We will stay here, for the time being, my love," the man whispered and kissed her long hair. Emma didn't care as she was tired. For now, she shall pretend to agree with the man and his needs.She closed her eyes and slept without care. When she felt that he carried her to a room and into a bed, she let him caress her face as she succumbed to her dreams. Again, the man with the red eyes showed up. This time, however, the symbol on her ring appeared in the chest of the man as he was more intense in making love to her. He pulled her to his body and it was as if he was really there sharing his warmth. Emma didn't fight it, she wanted to see him, to touch him and remember when she wakes up in the morning. "Who... who are you?"She whispered as s
Nothing.The eyes and the figure suddenly disappeared without a trace. There was no red glinting and calling her that night, but the feeling remained. She knew it was someone from her memories, that person was looking for her eagerly and she wanted to be found. She returned to the restaurant that night with many thoughts filling her mind. The man's figure, the red eyes, the longing in her heart. She even forgot about the testing of her powers, she had more important things to figure out that night. However, just as she was about to reach the entrance of the street, she heard screams. The voice was from her aunty and many other men. "Trash everything! Don't leave a single piece standing!""No, please," the voice of the old woman came with a painful cry. "Leave him alone, he is already badly injured." "Shut up!"Then more screams and shattering of windows and wood. There were at least a dozen tall and strong men with bats and metal long bars dest
The restaurant, which once was filled with chatters and laughter, was now echoing with silence. The few last days, the old elders kept it closed as it seemed that no one would enter the business for fear of the consequences, they will go to the neighbor town to sell some of their goods, though the journey there was a bit long."I will go out," Emma said after her training in her room. She had been having more progress in controlling her illusions, but it was not enough, she needed to test them. She came down the stairs and the two elders were already finishing preparing for the next day as they will go to a faraway market. "Is there something you need from the shop?""Darling, I thought you were already asleep," the old aunty came forward with a caring look, "you should go and sleep, you must be tired."Emma smiled, she knew that the old woman had seen her training, "I am fine, aunty, but I wish to take some fresh air now. There is something I want to test
I turned around. There was a young boy with a tired face, dark circles underneath his green eyes, disheveled black hair and wearing a long white hoodie with an image of a smiling face. He seemed to have just woken up from the look of the dried saliva in his mouth and cheek. I didn't need to guess who he was. "Jason""Yes, Mr. Hill asked me to fetch you, but...""You fell asleep," I smirked at the cynical face before me. He was not even feeling guilty. "It's okay I arrived fast and well," I said with a smile that was not reaching my eyes. Later I will have a little play with him."Mr. Hill will call you for your first task this evening, *yawn...*"Mr. Hill was one of the top assistants of that old man. I had never met him before, but I heard about him by listening my father's talk over the phone. His tone was always respectful even when he was the son and heir of Peter Lark and Mr. Hill was only a mere assistant. It was evident that Mr. Hill was not a
They lived without worries for that entire week, with no news about the mafia group nor their men. The old madame was still recovering in the hospital and afraid to return to her house though. Her younger daughter came to see her take her away from that town as quickly as she was informed. Her son, on the other hand, never showed up, no one knew where he went. However, it was almost like an illusion of safety. Quiet and calm in the streets, not many passersby, just dust and the clash on the windows. Everyone knew that the thugs will come, they had already waited a lot of time to unleash their attack. The residents and friends who had heard about the situation with the Larks were afraid to go to the restaurant; those days not many customers went to eat or even order some take-away. Only after the harsh efforts of Emma going around the neighborhood town to set a stand in the market, they were able to complete the rest of the money for that month. "Emma, my dear, you
The local police arrived at the small house with a small ambulance to take the old madame to the local clinic. They all knew her, and some of the neighbors had already reported the situation as they heard the scandal from afar, however, all of them were scared to get out of their houses. Even the policemen that arrived."Miss Emma, she will be fine, are you alright?" The old officer kept looking at the man on the ground who was still mumbling incoherent words. His team and he knew very well the identity of the man. In fact, Emma also knew it as there was only one mafia group that controlled the town, and those men were from that group. The same one that had lent money to almost all the little business in the town. However, their shady treats had made the little town fear the consequences of not paying their fees. "Miss Emma, this..." one of the police officers looked at Emma with a bit of worry in his eyes. "You should go to the old Larks, they are waiting for