“Zil!”
Ashriel opened wide her eyes as she gasped for air. The forest was cold, but she was sweating heavily. Nile was shaking her shoulders anxiously.
“Young Master, what’s wrong?” Siel asked worriedly and wiped Ashriel’s sweats. Ashriel pants, then slowly takes a few deep breaths. “Are you hurt? Is your stomach okay? Was it the poison? Or was it the antidote?” Siel bombarded. Ashriel shook her head and washed her face with her two palms.
“None of the above.” She whispere
The room was quiet, and the only sound that echoed throughout the whole room was Olive’s pen being tapped on the glass table. She took a deep breath and sighed deeply, then breathed again. She looked at her phone and saw that the code had been sent. Olive tapped her pen again as her feet shook. She leaped from her seat when the heavy door burst open, revealing a huge figure.“Y-Your Majesty,” Olive stuttered and bowed her head in respect. “What brings you here?”Valor looked at Olive, and his gaze fell on her phone. He frowned, and his eyes narrowed.“I just want to check something. Now that I
A shattered glass sound took the Cadre by surprise when Nathan suddenly lost his grip on his drinking glass. The Cadre stopped training, and their attention went to Nathan, who was in a state of shock too.“What’s the matter, Bud?” Natsuki asked, full of concern, and swiftly walked towards Nathan, whose eyebrows frowned deeply. Nathan gulped as he felt his heart pound wildly. What’s wrong?“I don’t know. I just… I feel something odd.” He breathed out heavily and flinched when another shattered glass sounded.&nb
Olive slumped into the black leather settee, calmly blowing softly on the surface of her steaming cup of tea. The aroma filled the air as her lips slightly curved a small smile. She is in a good mood. Olive inhaled the aroma as the peaceful morning started. That’s what she thought.“Quickly! Move quickly!”“Cover the whole palace!”“Secure the Ruler!”
Xieaniel leaned over the polished oak counter and pulled his laptop. He frowned when three familiar red dots inside their Headquarters greeted him. He fixed his glasses and clicked the dots for confirmation, then he gasped.“Huh? What’s wrong?” Raith asked curiously as he drank some water. Xieaniel did not respond and focused on the two red dots.“Why is it like this?” He whispered and frowned deeply. If it is three persons, then the three red dots must be separated, but that is not the current state. Xieaniel expanded the view of his laptop and checked his rings and Raith’s rings. They were close with each other now, but the dots were separated
It happened again. The devastating incident that none of them wanted to experience unexpectedly happened again. They lost their Ruler, their Leader, their Head. The whole Cadre and Elder grieved with Ashriel's demise. They cannot even see her body, only her ashes. After the Elders learned the devastating news about Ashriel's death and Edom's comeback, Emmette decided not to announce Ashriel's death. None of them are in the mood to fight yet. Moreover, it was hard for them to shake off the thought that their Ruler died because of them.The Elders and Cadre slowly left the palace one by one after hiding Ashriel's ashes inside her room, where only a few people were allowed to enter. All of them went to where they wanted to go to grieve personally. Nathan refused to go
Nathan looked at Ashriel’s favorite ocean with the whole Cadre waiting for him below the small hill where he stands. The breeze that once felt so cool now felt so cold without Ashriel by their side. The ocean, the waves, the birds… everything was not what it used to be.All the feelings that words cannot describe are in Nathan’s heart now. His tears were unstoppable. “I want to see you….” He said with a voice that disappeared in the wind, hoping it would deliver his message to her. But he felt his heart sink when he realized it was impossible. His eyes caught a bird that flew freely, then he looked at the sunrays that started to shine. “You’re free now, Ash.” Another tear escaped from his eye, but he wiped it.&
Nathan sat on the bench beside the lake and gazed at the shining water with the moonlight. He saw a figure lumbering towards him on the shoulder of the road. It was a dark silhouette of a woman. A very familiar woman. She then sauntered and stopped a few miles from him.“What do you want?” Nathan asked with his usual code tone. The woman smiled, not fazed by his coldness towards her anymore.“Don’t be in denial. I bet you know it already, Nathan.” She started with a husky voice due to the cold breeze. “I received a letter from Zillianie through Olive, and I was totally fazed towards the message.”
"But why General?" Olive uttered in disbelief. "I want to join-" "Are you disobeying me now, Olive?" Olive stopped with Nathan's words. Olive gulped. "You are Ashriel's secretary, so while we are on the battlefield, you'll help Lady Venice manage the whole Empire," Nathan explained plainly. Ashriel would probably snicker if ever she heard Nathan's words. Olive cleared her throat and began at once. "Y-Yes, General," Olive mumbled and secretly crumpled her fist. How can she know their moves if she is ordered to stay at the Palace?
Leon took Oriana to the Noble’s Cemetery where Aparctias nobles were buried and her eyes widened upon seeing her mother and father’s name carved to two of the gravestones. So that’s why she couldn’t find her parent’s corpses in the Atherton grave because they were buried in the Noble’s Cemetery. “Mom… Dad…” Oriana whispered, holding back her tears. “I missed you… so much.” Leon knelt in front of them and placed two bouquets of white lilies. He smiled and put another bouquet to his father’s grave beside them. “Dad, look. She’s my beautiful girlfriend and the future mistress of House Norton.” He said proudly, making Oriana flushed. She quickly wiped her tears away and Leon then looked at the Athertons. “I’m sorry for putting your precious daughter in harm's way.” He said and brushed their names with his palm. “C-Colonel, you don’t have to apologize. It’s my job after all.” She stuttered. “I’m not talking to you.” “Sorry.” Leon cleared his throat. “But I just want to thank you
They won and the Quislings were completely eradicated. Ashriel stood in front of every soldier who fought and behind her were the fallen. “Behind me were the people who lost their time. In front of me are the people who still have time.” She started. “Throughout the whole war I learned a lot. One of those is to value every moment you have with the person you love.” She glanced at Valor and Emmette who were smiling proudly. “And to follow your dreams. But following your dreams requires sacrifices.” “From now on, the whole Two Great Empires will have new rules and systems. People will have a new life. New chances. Everyone who died gave their lives for all of us to live. Therefore let us fulfill that and starting today, let us value life.” It was a mass burial and the whole Austere was showered with white flowers. Even the graves of the fallen were filled with white roses and lilies, and varieties of white flowers. After the mass burial, the first Rank Nobles and the Elders liv
Ashriel glanced at the small child sleeping comfortably under the baby’s incubator. He was so small and so lovely and so… fragile. She clenched Amber’s locket and another tear escaped her eyes. She just lost her twin. She held her tummy while looking at Jasper. “I promise… all of you will live comfortably and safely. I promise…” She whispered and bit her lower lip. She sighed deeply.On the other hand, Donovan found Oriana in the airbase, giving orders to her troops. His eyes dimmed.“Attack the base.” With his cue, hundreds of his men attacked the air base. Oriana was alarmed with the sudden attack.“How the hell did they entered?!” She grinned her teeth and took her gun. She turned back and was about to command her men to attack when she felt something warm covered her. She completely knew who it was. “Don’t worry about that fool and focus on your part.” Leon whispered, tightening his hug to her shoulders. Oriana flushed but then shook her head. It’s not the right time and place
Everyone gathered as Ashriel gave her words. “I might have no chance of telling this soon therefore I want all of you to know how thankful I am, as your Leader, with everything you contributed. It’s my honor to lead all of you.” Her eyes looked at the countless armies filling the whole Austere. She smiled. “Let’s win this battle.” “Long live the Ruler!” “Long live the Ruler!” “May light be upon Theupholis and La Elora family!” The armies roared and cheered, strengthening each other. Ashriel turned to her Cadre behind her and smiled. “Let’s see each other again.” They nodded and with one final hug, everyone departed to their positions. But before Nathan left, Ashriel grabbed his hand and kissed him dearly to which Nathan quickly responded. They broke the kiss and Nathan kissed her forehead. “Promise me you’ll come back alive.” Ashriel whispered and Nathan pecked her lips. “I will. Let’s see each other after this.” Ashriel nodded and they went on their way. After armi
The dripping blood from Xieaniel’s back keeps on repeating in her mind. Olive was still lost in her thoughts when she felt something cold touched her shoulder making her jump from her seat. “S-Sorry, Lady. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Said Oriana who drew her hand back. Olive sighed and held her head before shaking it. “No, I’m not frightened at all.” She reasoned out. “And stop addressing me ‘Lady’ since we’re sisters.” Oriana stopped for a moment before letting out a faint chuckle. “Yeah. Sisters.” They stopped and Olive pulled Oriana behind her when the door opened, revealing the three bastards. Olive never lowered her guard ever since she worked with them since a snake will always be a snake. “You didn’t kill her but that’s okay since I knew we would sooner or later.” Edom greeted and pushed the things from Olive’s table, shattering some glasses to pieces. Olive rolled her eyes. Oriana observed Edom carefully. She heard a lot of rumors and stories about him but she ne
Elias woke up with the sound of his phone beside him. He quickly picked it up and saw one of his men's names. He stood up and glanced at Siel who was still lying on her bed. It was four in the morning. “What?” “Sir, you’re brother planning on ambushing and killing nobles.” Elias’s eyes widened. “WHAT?!” Siel flinched and her body quickly stood up without any delay. She just came back from Ashriel’s wedding and was tired from all the swaps she made with Ashriel. “I think you must call Siel back, Sir. Or else she’ll be in danger.” Elias eyebrows frown. “What? What do you mean?” “I saw her entering Austere a moment ago, Sir. But since I couldn’t enter the city, I was not able to warn her.” Elias froze for a moment and glanced at Siel who was alarmed. “Are you sure?” “A hundred percent, Sir.” “Very well. I’ll fetch her myself then.” Elias ended the call and before Siel could ever move, Elias pointed his gun at her. “Who are you?” He asked with his crisp voice. Siel tossed h
“YOUR HIGHNESS!” “BOSS!” Everyone exclaimed and tears flooded the whole Meeting Hall aside from the La Elora family. As soon as the wedding ceremony and celebration ended, The First Rank Nobles gathered in the Meeting Hall. It was 3 a.m. in the morning yet sleepiness had no inch to them at all. “Boss, I-I thought you’re already-” Leon stopped when Ashriel embraced him and Oriana, patting their backs. She looked at her remaining Cadre and with her cue, everyone ran to embrace her. “Y-Your Highness, please, don’t ever do that again. EVER.” Kate pleaded followed by Raith and the rest. “It’s part of Granny’s plan.” “But why?” “For everyone’s growth, sometimes the Leader must disappear.” “I don’t like that word.” Tory blurted out. “You knew everything, Bud?” Nathan asked Natsuki while the others coped up with Ashriel. Natsuki laughed. “Only yesterday, Bud. All of us were bemused you know.” “Now I understand why Gil and Bri like her so much. She was their aunt after all.” V
It’s been two months since Siel showed up and since then, they were all staying at Thrascias Empire. Olive was in total turmoil and the whole First Rank suddenly hyped and motivated since they now have a clear path to take and actions to make. No more walking in darkness and critical investigations. “Tell us about Seiron.” Venice commanded and Siel nodded. “It was totally different compared to the past. Its glory all faded.”“I see. The last time I went there was almost a decade ago.” Siel gave Xieaniel a flash drive which he quickly scanned and presented. The Hall dimmed and they all focused on the huge screen.“Taking pictures there was quite hard.” Siel mumbled and glanced at Olive who was grinding her teeth. The Elders who used to go there also have faces no one can paint. “This was the place they now called, “The Small Village of Fear.” Siel said and hearing the name, Kate’s face soured. “It was the only way through the main city and going to the base. This village is proof
Her body felt warmer and the coldness from the bathtub she experienced finally felt unknown, as if nothing happened. But she knew something happened. Something unexpected. She opened her eyes with the sound of the door that slid open and footsteps getting closer to her. She saw a man’s broad shoulder and firm back. It was Leon. Suddenly, Luis’ words suddenly crept into her mind. “And our parents died… Because of his father.”Oriana’s heart suddenly ached. Her beloved parents died and she hasn't even seen their bodies since the Great Bloodshed, their house fell, their reputation was destroyed and she was treated like a pest. Everything was because of two persons; Ashriel and Leon’s father. Anger started to cover her heart.“You’re awake? Thank God!” Her creased brow ironed when her eyes met Leon’s worried eyes. He quickly dashed towards her and cupped her hand and face.“Are you alright? Feeling any hurt? Are you hungry? What do you need? Tell me, please.” He bombarded her, full of