Sir Kein and his soldiers arrived at the walls of the Dukedom, and Jano ordered to open the gates instantly. He had never seen the shadow guards forgetting their bow so blatantly.
'Something must have happened,' he thought of asking Kein the moment he entered, but they didn't stop moving until they arrived the inner quarters.
"Open the gates!"
Kein ordered the guards, but they didn't move.
"We can't let anyone enter without permission of Master Rufus or the Duke!"
They all were loyal to the orders, and Kein knew it. No one was allowed near her for even a second.
"Open them, now!" he didn't have time to give explanations, "Her Highness is in danger!"
The soldiers looked at each other and frowned, but they didn't budge.
Kein was already asking his soldiers to surround the walls to look for something suspicious.
"I will ask one more time, and if you dare to delay and something happen to her, I will have your head!"
T
"I apologize, Your Highness," Kian was on his knees in the main hall. He was looking up to the man in the main seat, but he hadn't stopped trembling. "I shall accept my punishment."A few hours ago, the moment he went outside to stop his people from hurting themselves, the shadow knights tried to pass through the gates. Some of them even transformed into their real dragon forms and kept relentlessly hitting the barrier.Kein tried to stop them and transformed too, but he was weak and tired. His energy wasn't the same as those soldiers that were controlled. They had forgotten their rationality and started moving by instinct.The walls became chaos and the barrier had many cracks because of the dragon's fire. Even the hits of their enormous bodies and strong claws shattered part of the wall.The people inside the barrier heard the sound of the battle. It was a terrifying roar, they all ran towards the other side of the Dukedom. Jano and the other knight ran
The crowd exclaimed in astonishment. Some soldiers and knights frowned with confusion, as they never thought that a powerful Duke would be tricked. However, they were biased in their opinions towards any of the luriem race. Therefore, they didn't stop thinking if the words of a dragoness, daughter of one of the most outstanding Generals in the Kingdom, could be false."Your Highness, I was in a daze when I came to the Dukedom," she said in a low and weak voice, "I didn't know why was I being escorted by Sir Rufus inside the Dukedom, I think I was under a powerful illusion. There were times I wanted to wake up, but it was difficult. The Crown Prince of the Luriems is powerful, and I couldn't do anything."The soldiers exclaimed in murmurs, while their hatred almost exploded in a shout of war again. They wanted revenge for the brothers that almost lost their lives and the ones that had taken their last breath. However, Liam only looked at the woman still without expressi
"Why is this not working?!"Gia went again into a crazy state. She threw everything when she was left alone in her room. Her hair was disheveled and her dress was all wrinkled. The pure appearance she wanted to present to the Duke and his people was nowhere.The maids were worried and scared again too. They thought that Rufus was able to calm their mistress down for a while, but it was all an illusion, a painful trick.Even more, the poor knight was still detained in the Duke's state and they didn't know when will he be able to come out, or if he will. The General didn't have enough strength to pressure the Duke or convince him. After all, his people were the ones to provoke the chaos."Why is he still thinking of that slut?!"*Crash*"Miss, are you alright?""Go away!"The two maids moved from the door when a fire attack passed through it. Their miss that was saved that day from the clutches of the Duke was imprisoned by the o
The rumors around the country started to flow like drowning the ears of the people, from the commoners the nobility, even the foreigners.Some said that the luriem silver fairy had betrayed the Duke, that she used a potion to make everyone attracted to her. On the other hand, the rumors said that some traitors to the Crown had kidnapped her to force the Duke to ask the King the crown. However, the Duke hadn't made a move to save her.It seemed that he had been using her to lure out those traitors, but he will let her die. They said he was only making her bait."He is so cruel…""What is cruel in that? She must have been bewitching him.""I don't think so, they looked so in love in the tournament.""She is a luriem, how can she be the Duchess of our Kingdom!""What are you talking about?!""The real Duchess is Miss Gia… didn't you know?""Spill it out.""The Duke had personally requested an audience w
The shadow knights were prepared for a dreadful battle. They knew what that man, Uriel, can do to the minds and how he had used his illusions to send their friends to a gruesome death. They knew it, but they were prepared.This time, the Duke was coming with them. And there is no way, their General will lose against that man at all. Not even in the last war, that Crown Prince was able to do anything against the Duke."She is going outside, get closer to her," Kein murmured, and two shadow knights followed Gia. She was sneaking out from the house of the General through a hidden path.From the moment she had returned to the General's house, they had followed her every move for more than a week, and now they finally had an answer. She will reveal the location of that man."Don't lose her," Kein murmured to a small crow in his hand, it was a magical pet he used to pass messages to his people. Only the ones with the tattoo would be able to summon it within a c
The knights followed Gia closely without missing a single move. They planned to step on the same path as her to not get lost in that man's illusion. However, if they get too close to her, she will discover them, and she will alert that man, so they had to be cautious and stay a few meters behind her. Even if that means getting there a few minutes later to capture them.Gia moved quickly towards the exit of the manor, and she jumped into a horse without getting caught. The road was very well known to her, as she had grown there and traveled around many times. She even knew where the traps were hidden. Therefore, she was sure that no one will have the ability to follow her. At least no one didn't know about the special land of the General.However, she never thought that the one following her would be the Duke's people. The special shadow knights.She thought that he was already preparing to take her with him. Her delusion made her believe that he was already head
The day Emma woke up, she was in a beautiful room adorned with soft muslins and cloths to keep the warm temperature. She felt so invigorated and strong at the moment, that her first thought was to escape."Where am I?"She stood from the bed and found out that she was dressed in simple clothes, like a commoner girl from the town, even more, the chains on her ankles had already disappeared.She looked around the room and heard some noises coming from the other side of the door. Then someone opened the door."Emma, my dear disciple!"The voice of the old man helped her feel relieved and safe. She was already preparing a few enchantments and spells to fight, however, it seemed that she didn't have to anymore."Master Jin?" Emma approached the old man with joy. "How come? What happened?""I found you, my dear…" he smiled widely while Gennie was flying around his head and chirping with joy. "There is no one who can hurt you here."
"Did you hear?""What?""About the Duchess…"The rumors around the Capital and the towns of Avalor hadn't stopped for several days. The news about the wife of the Great Duke of Avalor and her scheme with the Crown Prince of Luriem, hadn't stopped spreading around.Now, not only the towns near the Capital had known about them, but the whole country knew about them."She is a traitor!""After the end of the war, how despicable!""But… are we going to war again?""I don't think so, the King of Luriem had already sent an official response that his son had acted on his own…""How can we believe that?"The fear of another war of hundreds of years had enveloped the hearts of the population. And so, the hatred for the Crown Prince and Emma grew to new heights among the commoners.On the other hand, the nobles and ministers knew that something else was happening. There were other rumors, more li
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