It was almost an hour when Amaris had left. The night became peaceful and the only sound heard was the calm waves crashing on the shore, and the salty smell of the sea was filling the air. Nemiah had already fallen asleep. She was unaware about the transformation of the tiger she was fond of. Namir turned into a beautiful young man as soon as she had fallen into a deep sleep. His shoulder length ginger hair fell on his face when he nudged his head to peek on Nemiah who was sleeping on his lap. He smiled and his golden eyes glistened under the moonlight. He gently tucked the strands behind her ear. Nemiah winced as his fingers brushed her skin. He remembered what Amaris did to her a while ago, and his face glowered. His closed fists were trembling in anger, annoyed that he wasn’t able to protect her princess from the beast. “If only I was in my human form, I could’ve smashed his face on the ground!” He grumbled to himself as he stared furiously at his closed fists, the
Drops of tears fell on the tactile painting of a beautiful princess smiling gracefully. The grievous queen stroked her fingers on the painting, reminiscing their good old days together. The wicket door creaked and Caius came in to greet her mother.“Was it today?” He asked fretfully, and wiped her tears with his gentle hand. The queen nodded and smiled bitterly. She tried to put back the painting on the wall but Caius took it from her and hung it perfectly.“Do you want to visit her grave tonight? I’ll give you a ride.” He offered. Queen Morrigan shook her head and answered, “Let’s do that after your marriage. I want Nemiah to come with us.” Caius frowned as soon as he heard Nemiah’s name. “Why would you want her to come with us? Her family killed Queen Tamara and her daughter. I don’t understand why you’re so fond of her. I get that you agreed to our marriage because of Dubheasa’s threat, but you seemed to like that little witch.” He prote
Vivar escorted Raven to leave the palace. Caius was still doubting Raven's actions towards them and thought that she had put on a quite convincing show. He presumed that the mother and daughter had a hidden agenda to persuade them and he must catch them red handed beforehand. “Are you still in doubt?” Morrigan barged in the middle of his suspicion. “Why? Did you fall for that facade?” “I’m a mother too. I know she was sincere.” She argued. She reached his son’s face with her gentle warm hand. “Please disregard your hate for witches at the moment. We need to find Nemiah first. And I’m also worried about that child. I don’t know why she ran away but she probably is going through a difficult time right now. So go, Caius. I want you to bring her to the palace first.” She requested earnestly. Caius was hesitant, but seeing her mother’s distinct agony, he finally gave in.“Fine. But we need to be careful. We never know what’s behind their scheme
The night sky was gleaming and glittering with dusts of stars. Back in the city, they weren’t this visible because of the city lights. But now my eyes are having a load of the beautiful view of the galaxy, which also reflects into the calm lake. My eyelids were heavy but I decided not to go back to sleep because Amaris might come back and steal our peace again. I’ve already had enough of his menaces. I need to find a safer place than here, though I actually love the tranquility of the ambiance here. I glanced at Namir who was crouching on the ground beside me. I wonder how I could’ve survived without this tiger. At least I know that God has sent me a guardian, and I’m glad it's not a human. The fire was gradually dying out. The breeze becomes colder as the night goes deeper. Fortunately, I have Namir’s warm body to resist the cold temperature. I cuddled my body close to it and was about to fall asleep when I heard a distinct clopping on the ground and horses whining.
"Wait." We were already halfway through the panoramic stairs. My legs were sore and I needed to rest for at least a minute or two. Caius continued ascending without looking back at me. I gently massaged my leg muscles but it noticed that something was missing. Only then I realized that I haven’t seen Namir since I entered the palace. “Where did it go?”“Hey, hurry up.” Caius called.“Have you seen my tiger? It was just with me when I entered the gate.” I asked while searching for the shadow of Namir at the foot of the staircase. “It might have gone back to the woods to hunt. That’s better than chewing on humans here.” He continued to ascend. I glared at his back, not expecting that he would turn around — and he did. He caught my fierce eyes but I smiled at once. “Were you trying to cast a spell on me?” He paused, his forehead was puckered. I shook my head. “I was just staring at the stain on your cloak.” I lied. I was not expecting him to fall for that but he h
After Caius helped me tie the strings of my dress, I asked him to leave for a moment so I could fix my hair. He told me that the queen wanted to have their breakfast with me. I was already full, though, but it would be unmannerly to refuse the queen’s request. I wondered why they still asked me to join them when someone had already brought me food. It wouldn’t be Caius, and probably not the queen since she’s inviting me now. Who could’ve got the food for me?I was startled to hear Caius’ loud pounding on the door. The jade comb I was holding got slipped from my hand. “Aren’t you done yet?” He shouted.“Coming!” I responded and quickly got up from the mattress. I was not comfortable wearing the white gown because it squeezed my paunch. How could I eat from this?I pushed the door, and an angry face flashed in front of me. Caius’ insolence wasn’t new; he always looked at me like that. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting." I grinned cautiously."Foll
Namir was awakened by the loud crash of the window. It jumped off the mattress and roared before me, trying to drive the invader away. “Hey, kitty. We haven’t finished our duel yet. I’m gonna spar you later, and you must be on your human form.” He talked to Namir.“Why is he talking to the tiger?” Novelli whispered frantically behind me. “Because he’s a beast. A psycho beast.” I answered her.“Oh.” She gasped. “I want you to leave this room right now. This man is dangerous, and I don’t want you to get involved by his wrath.” I told them. “But how about you, Milady?” Novelli asked. I touched her face and gave her a confident smile. “I am a witch too. I‘ll be fine.” I lied. I covered them as they slowly went to the door.“Who told you to leave?” Amaris asked the maidservants who were about to open the door.“I did,” I answered him and signaled the maidservants to continue opening the door so they could leave already. I sighed when they finally exited the ro
“Oh. But you won’t believe me either if I tell you that I am not the Nemiah you all think I am.” I tried to convince her. Caius just refuted me when I told him that. I don’t know how I will prove my identity when he’s ears are closed to anything I say. The queen thought for a moment. She examined my eyes, and then he burst into peals of laughter. “That was an amazing joke.” She squealed.“I am telling the truth.” I persisted. She stopped laughing, and she narrowed her eyes at me. I was taken aback when she took my hand and pulled me beneath the dark curtains behind the throne. She pulled down the sleeve of my left shoulder. I didn’t know what was in there, but she sighed, smiling at it, then she turned her eyes on me. “You are Nemiah. Here’s the proof.” She said while stroking her soft fingers on my exposed shoulder. I raised my left shoulder to glimpse what she saw there, and I was surprised there was a little rose tattoo.“Where did I get this?” I whispered
The crescent moon shone brightly on the open window of my room. The night sky looked so peaceful and Caius was standing there, watching the spectacular view. But seeing Caius's dropped shoulders, I knew his thoughts were clouded tonight. "Can't you choose to stay?" He asked in a melancholic tone, still has his back on me.I bit my lower. I can't. Well I don't know how I'm gonna get back to my real world but once my mission here is done, I'll probably be gone in this place. And I don't really belong here. I have a family in my real world who are waiting and might be worrying about me by now."I'm sorry, Caius. I can't." I gasped, almost sounding like a whisper.He took a deep breath, loud enough for me to understand that he wasn't happy about my response. He slowly turned around, trying to make a smile. "Maybe the place you really belong to is so beautiful and peaceful that you don't want to stay here." He muttered."Well…" I paused for a moment to look at his sullen eyes. "It's not t
"You're dazzling, honey!" Queen Morrigan clasped her hands in awe as she looked at me from head to toe. The dress perfectly fit me like the sewist seemed to know the exact measurements of my body, though nobody came to take measures.I turned around as I stared blankly at the mirror. The queen helped me a lot with all the undergarments. Though it looked so lavish, the weight of the fabrics were a bit uncomfortable. She also fixed my curly hair with golden pins. The messy bun perfectly matched the shape of my face. It looked elegant in a simple way. I didn't know the queen had such a talent for this. I thought it's her maids that style her all the time. "Let me put some tint on your face. You're looking a little pale. Are you sure you're already feeling better?" She took my hand and guided me to the couch to let me sit. "Yes, your highness." I forced a smile to convince her.She stared at me for a moment before. Then she sighed giving me a simper. "Can you stop calling me like that?
I still haven't talked to Aries since they figured out I'll be leaving this place soon. He walked out as soon as I confirmed to them that what the elders said was true. Caius was also speechless about it. He wanted to talk to me but I refused. I wanted to take a break first. I'm overwhelmed with this situation. And now, the elders held a ball to celebrate my arrival. I'm already flustered with agitation due to my mission. And I'm dead worried about Aries. How am I going to explain everything to him? Now I regret not telling him the truth right away.*Knock*KnockI was awakened from my misery when I heard soft knocks on the door. I was currently in an extravagant room prepared by the elders for me. The entire room was as big as our townhouse in my real world. Every piece of furniture has a touch of gold, making me feel suffocated with the luxury around me. This doesn't help elevating the pressure strangling me now."Do you need help, Nemiah?" Queen Morrigan called from the other side o
"What's wrong?" Dubheasa wondered why her soldiers came back to the shore looking frustrated."The houses are empty." One of the soldiers reported."What do you mean empty? Where will the people who live there go?" She snapped. "W-We searched each house but no one we're there. They left all their belongings but no one was found." The other shadow uttered in a trembling voice."What?! There's no way they've already escaped. How would they know?" The veins on her forehead showed how much she was enraged at the moment. Unconvinced, she sprinted to the village and checked some of the houses herself. She got more furious each time she wrecked the door and no one was inside. She tried to contemplate what could have happened. "Amaris. That ungrateful idiot!" She growled. She couldn't think of any other reason for the people to know about her conquest. Only Amaris knew she was going to attack the village tonight."Find them in every corner of this island and kill them! They have no other pla
The sky was dark and thunderstorms roared synchronizing with the heavy gushing of the rain. It was supposed to be a glorious day for Dubheasa but the weather doesn't seem to cooperate with her plans. She slouched on her throne while distressingly pressing her temples with her fingers. She was waiting for an alternate plan to destroy the village."My queen. The rain still hasn't stopped. Should we wait for it to cease before we proceed with the plan?" One of her soldiers came in to report. Dubheasa threw a sharp glance at him, making his body tremble in fear. He decided to bow his head to avoid the eye contact."Hasn't Jack come back yet?" She asked in a cold voice. Little did she know, the man she's waiting for has already turned into ashes."N-Not yet, your highness." The servant stuttered in fear."What could have happened to that old man? I just asked him to spy on Amaris and they both haven't returned yet." She straightened her back and took a deep breath. "I have a bad feeling ab
(While Nemiah and her allies were stuck in the mansion..)Druji was feeling dizzy, keeping her eyes on her mother as she walked back and forth near the entrance of the cave. The anxiousness was written all over the queen's face as she took glances at the entrance, hoping the people she's waiting to return would show up anytime now."Mother, you've been like that for an hour already. Please calm down. Maybe they couldn't return yet due to the incessant pouring of the rain." Druji stood from her seat and stopped her mother from wandering around."I just can't help it. It's almost dark and there's still no news from them." The queen fretted, her hands were trembling as she clasped and unclasped them."Your highness. Aries is with them so don't have to worry. They're probably on their way now. Let's just wait here." Gili sighed as he watched the pouring rain outside. He knew that Dubheasa and her armies might be on their way now to destroy the village. He's also wondering why they haven't
"Let's get inside, Nemiah. Everyone is waiting for you." Caius took my hand, about to lead me back to the portal."Hang on. How about the queen and the kids? I thought we're going to save the people too?" Aries pondered."The guy who welcomed us said that they're already inside. I haven't checked, though." I informed him. I began to wonder how they took the people and convinced them to come. I'm really curious about that place.Aries's forehead creased as soon as he heard me. He seemed faltered. I know he's also wondering how they're already inside. The rain almost stopped. Dubheasa probably has released her army to proceed with her evil plan. Just as I thought about it, the trees and nearby bushes rustled clamorously. "Let's get inside, Nemiah. I think Dubheasa's troops are already searching for us." Caius carefully looked around, tracing any shadows of the enemies."Aries. Come on!" I called him, who was also checking around."What did you just call him?" Caius's face dazed as he l
"What are you doing!" I was finally able to get my energy back. I pushed him as hard as I could. He started to faint and fell on his knees. He spewed some black pearls like that of what Druji has vomited when I touched her. It vanished in the air as soon as it touched the ground.I dashed to approach him and gently rubbed his back. "Are you feeling alright now?" I fretted.He raised his head and wiped his mouth with the back of his hands. Grinning at me, he said, "More than alright." Then his eyes lowered on my lips, making the blood rush throughout my body. I could feel my face burning so I quickly stepped away from him."Pervert," I grumbled to myself as I touched my lips with my shaking fingers. "Why did you do that? You could have just touched me." I complained. Amaris chuckled as he got up and dusted off his pants. "Because I want to remove the curse that way. It worked perfectly though.""I shouldn't have stepped out for you.""But you did. Why did you?" He teased me, gliding s
“What is this place?” I jumped off the horse to get a better look at the breathtaking view of the paradise we were currently in. I heard everyone gasp in awe as they entered the portal. We were on concrete pavement and it was leading to a stunning white palace ahead. It was three times bigger and extravagant than that of Queen Morrigan's palace. Looking from afar, everything was painted in white and the windows seemed to be made of dazzling gold. What kind of people are living here? Or are they even people? This place is terrifically marvelous. I badly wanted to ask the horses since they're the one who brought us here. But it won't make sense since I don't understand them. I wonder if Namir could do that for me. I wandered my eyes around. There are thousands of white roses along the path. It looks exactly like what we have in Kuu's cave. Did those roses come from here? I could also hear the calming sound of a gushing falls somewhere. I wonder how this kind of bewildering place exists