The work in the Palace had finally decreased thanks to the quick and efficient management of the Duke and his assistants. The Ministers were happy and satisfied with the results. They even had already forgotten the sudden increase of soldiers stationing on the borders of the Capital and some villages in the south.
They thought the Duke had only let them rest for a while in some comfy villages and visit their families. Although, some others were still suspicious but didn't dare to raise their thoughts.
"Your Highness, Sir Rufus requests an audience with you."
Liam raised his head from the document in his hand. It had been a long time since he had seen and spoken to his old friend. Now that he thought about it, the other idiot hadn't returned from his stupid trip too.
"Let him in," he said, and signed the report. "Bring some tea and refreshments too."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Jano went out and let the handsome knight inside the study. He wa
"This is enough for today," Emma had become stronger with the daily training with Ina.They had even expanded the time they had been clashing swords. The other little maids and servants in the inner circle cheered for them every time the battle turned serious.It was an impressive battle of two beautiful ladies. However, they all knew that Ina was the one teaching and winning every single time."You had done well, Your Highness," Ina was impressed. The talent of Emma was certainly out of the ordinary, in a few weeks she had advanced several levels. It won't be late when she had surpassed the lowest ranking knight in Avalor.Though, with her space magic and her witch enchantments, Emma was many times stronger than any low-level dragon. Even more, the strength of her phoenix was also a powerful resource against any enemy."Do you want to go bath, Your Highness," Hannah handed a couple of towels for Ina and Emma, "I had already prepared several scents
The next part was easy, the magic detectors around the outer circle were low level, so she managed to jump inside several space circles to move from the most guarded zones to the low-risk ones.Now she only had to find a place to stay the rest of the night and wait for the gates on the outside to open. She had to be quick, or they will find out that she had escaped."That one," she looked at one warehouse with low security.She sneaked inside and waited. The night was cold, but she had the warm energy of Gennie to help her stand the night.The movement and the tension made her weak, but she couldn't stop and fall asleep carelessly. It would be catastrophic if she let that chance escape her hands."Everything will be fine," she repeated in her head, "I will go out and find a way to be happy, even…" even if he is not by my side.For the few days she had waited for him, she found that it was impossible to stop thinking of her when everyt
Emma ended in a narrow hallway inside the quarters of the servants. They all had gone out to be inspected, and so the empty room helped her hide for a while.Her black clothes were not good for her at the moment, they will find her very quickly, therefore, she decided to borrow some servants' uniforms."This will do for now," she wrapped some cloth on her hair to not let anyone see her long silver hair. Then with a simple enchantment, she changed her facial features.The window was opened, and she took a careful peek outside to watch out for guards or knights. The rain was still pouring hard. The sky was stormy, and she felt a heavy sensation in the wind, as if sadness was also spread on the land.It was a strange feeling, and somehow she knew why was that happening. The Duke, he was anxious."No, I mustn't go back," she moved quickly, hiding in the darkness and while mingling with the people in the streets.Some of them had umbrellas and we
The two soldiers had the bad luck to fall into her illusions. Their minds were guided into a strange dream and so, she used them to guide her around the streets with a spare uniform of a soldier.However, she still looked small and frail, a very eye-catching soldier even with the other two blocking her sight.They walked around a few alleys and the soldiers were still looking inside the houses. Some had magic detectors with them.'Crap!' she muttered and made her little prisoners go with her to a secluded alley."This is bad," she fidgeted for a while. "What should I do now?"Her hands were sweating, and she was lost in thought when a group of soldiers passed by with the machine working. The alarm resounded even in the heavy rain."What is going on?!""Oh no!" Emma jumped to climb the roof of one of the houses and ran away."Look at that!""Go after him!"Emma was now panicking, and soon a whole load of soldiers w
Emma was cold, almost freezing. She felt how her limbs had grown cold instantly from the moment he chained her. If it was not because he moved fast to take her in his arms, she would already have her heart in shock.Her clothes had not dried yet. The cold and heavy rain had made her drenched a few hours ago, and she didn't have the time to dry herself yet.Moreover, she had already lost a lot of energy when trying to escape, so she was weak and shivering in cold. Only the warm chest of the man carrying her was helping her calm."Take them… out," she pushed her body to his chest while still trembling. "Now…"She could feel the chains, those awful chains made to restraint the power of the witches. They were widely used in the war, and she knew them very well. Her father dared to gift them to her the day he mercilessly sent her to another Kingdom.However, this time, her very husband was the one taking advantage of them. She couldn't fee
That night, he took her body as if he was desperate to make her heart closer to him. To make her know what he was feeling, and also punish her because she wanted to leave before even trying to win him back."Emma…" he whispered in her ear as she struggled underneath him. Her hands were gripping the sheets, almost breaking them.His mouth traced the skin on her back with little kisses as he thrust inside. The soft moans of her mouth only rolled him up more, making her shudder."Emma…" he bit her ear and she let out a loud moan when he pressed her deeper.He pushed inside her harder each time pouring everything inside her. This time, not just his heart was aligned with hers, but his obsession. He wanted to make her stay with him, to make her have another reason to stay and never leave.He turned around and kissed her plump lips. Her eyes were still shedding small drops of tears, but she didn't separate from him."Emma…" he
"My lady, are you up?"Riel and Hannah were beside Emma's bed watching her with smiles on their faces.She had finally rested after so much passionate exercise the day and night before. There was no way for her to wake up in just a few hours, and so she had slept for the rest of the day. The many times she collapsed in that man's chest were so much that she ended up begging for a time-out.That Duke said that he needed to punish her for the grievance she made him go through. But, in the end, she was released to rest as a gesture of pity.'Damn Duke!'She thought that he will let her go for the rest of the day, but he dared to leave a message behind: he was coming for her in the evening."What time is it?" Emma sat on the bed that was filled with tight-furred covers and quilts. She didn't dare to take them out from her naked body. Even after so much exercise and dragon energy deep inside her, her body was still cold."Almost noon, Your
The night had become the worst friend for Emma, she would always wait for him but he never appeared. This time, she looked outside from the balcony and insisted on staying there despite the cold. The couch was filled with covers and a small burning fire was on the side carefully warming her hands.That day she was not allowed to go anywhere as a part of her punishment. However, she could still look outside and into the sky. Her thoughts wandering to the world outside those walls. The little glimpse she had before was not enough and was dying to see more."Your highness, aren't you cold? Should I give you another cover?" Hanna asked a bit concerned. The frail silver-haired woman's face was pale but she insisted on staying outside.Even when the chamber was heating with little magical fires and many mantles to keep the warmth. Hannah and Riel couldn't help but sweat from the intense heat of the flames. Even their foreheads were cover in a soft layer of sweat. Howe
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