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
“You think y’all can stop me?” Amaris snickered as he was surrounded by the royal guards. They were pointing their swords and spears at him. They looked at each other in fear, and their hands were trembling while holding their weapons. I was more concerned about my tiger. I ran weeping towards the motionless tiger. “Namir? You alright?” I sobbed. Fortunately, Namir was not injured and he was still breathing. I gently shook its body but the poor tiger was still unconscious. “That scumbag!” I scowled at Amaris who was pouting at me showing fake compassion.“What happened here?” Druji barged into the middle of the commotion. He paused for a moment when she saw Amaris. “You…” She gasped.“And who are you?” Amaris asked.“Don’t you dare touch my sister!” Caius yelled at him and pulled Druji away from Amaris.Amaris glanced at Druji from head to toe and he smirked. “Not interested.”“Why are you here? Are you having an affair with tha
It was almost 3 am and the chandeliers were dimmed. I watched the faint glow of the stars on the broken window while Namir rested in my lap. He hasn’t woken up yet and it’s making me worry. The tiger is still breathing though, but still unconscious.While I was deep in my thoughts, my stomach growled audibly. I wasn’t able to enjoy the food before the party was over. It’s all Amaris' fault for ruining the night. I decided to go to the kitchen to grab something to eat. I walked cautiously not to make any sound. As I was on my way, I saw a shadow of a woman walking toward a small rigid door near the chimney. She was wearing a cloak so I was not able to peek at her face. I hid under the long table and watched her open it. She lit a candle and entered the small portal. I was anticipating following her, but my instinct was pushing me to heed. I took a lamp and followed her. The space was like an abandoned tunnel. She was already far away but I was afraid she