Three years had passed since Unah had officially become Queen, and Leon had taken over the throne of her father. Though she had lost her father to heart illness, her mother had made an admirable recovery, and was currently holding Unah's one-year-old child in her arms."The little prince is truly a naughty one," Unah’s mother complained with a smile, as she gazed down at the child's soft, rosy cheeks.Unah couldn't help but smile at the sight, as she reached over to touch her child's cheek. "My little prince looks very handsome, he takes after me," she said."If he’s handsome then he takes after me," someone suddenly interrupted.Unah's mother exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty!"Unah turned to see her husband, Leon, grinning from ear to ear. "Mother, can I spend time with my Queen?" he asked.She nudged Leon playfully, "What are you saying? Mother is already tired. Let's take care of our child," she said.But her mother just smiled, "What are you talking about? I'm happy when I tak
ALMARIOThe sun shone over the village, casting a warm glow over the busy streets. Lili strolled through the town, taking in the sights and sounds of her hometown after being away for so long. As she walked, she recognized the faces of strangers and old acquaintances, all of them engaged in their daily activities.Nostalgia overwhelmed Lili as she journeyed through the neighborhoods and greeted the familiar faces. Some people seemed surprised by her unbridled excitement, but most of them smiled and returned her gesture with warm greetings upon recognizing her. This gratified Lili, and the nods and warm welcomes made her feel content.On her route to her old neighborhood, her neighbors, astonished by her unexpected return, called out to her."Is that Lady Lili?" shouted one neighbor, her voice ringing out across the street."It is," replied another. "My my, how you have grown, child."Lili couldn't help but beam with pride and elation as they complimented her. It felt great to be back a
The Crown Prince's decision to leave the Palace was a welcome change from his monotonous life, and he relished the thought of getting a sniff of fresh air in his village. Accompanied by his trusted escort, General Alfonso or Master Ken as he was fondly known, the Prince strolled nonchalantly through the lanes of Almario Village. Despite the warmth of the day, Master Ken remained his stoic self, his handsome looks and robust physique betraying his inner calm.“Where are we going, Your Highness?” The Prince stopped walking and gave Master Ken a bored look. “In heaven, you like?” As they walked, a tantalising aroma wafted through the air, drawing the Crown Prince's attention. His eyes widened in anticipation as he spotted a bustling eatery nearby, heaving with customers devouring steaming plates of local delicacies.Without a second thought, the Prince declared his keenness to dine there. “I want to eat.” He blurted, but Master Ken stopped him. “There’s a lot of people, your highness.”
“What is… your name?” queried Lili with a sweet smile.Her question was met with a cold stare from the young man, his face hardening. "Why would I tell you?" he snapped.Lili's brow furrowed in confusion, "If you won't tell me your name, then how should I address you?"The young man let out a deep sigh of irritation. "This will be the last time we meet. So I don't see why it matters."Lili was taken aback by his snobbishness, and couldn't help but pout. Suddenly, she threw a bag of fruits at him. To her surprise, he managed to catch it, albeit clumsily."Seriously, Lili? Did you intentionally throw this bag of fruits at me?" he said, his voice sharp with annoyance.Lili chuckled, "Why don't you just be grateful that I'm giving you free fruits?"The young man frowned, "What makes you think I need your gift?"A hot blush crept across Lili's cheeks. She could sense hostility in the young man's stance. Desperately trying to ease the tension, she offered the bag of fruits again."Just take
Lili's eyes widened with shock and recognition as she locked gazes with the Crown Prince. The man standing before her was the very one she had met in the forest scantly dressed in the garb of a commoner. But now, he was unrecognizable – adorned in a regal costume reserved only for the highest positions in the land. She couldn't help but gulp in surprise, barely managing to look away from his intense gaze.The Crown Prince, on the other hand, was just as astounded. "Is she your daughter, Minister Roque?" he queried, still not quite convinced he was seeing the same girl from the forest."Yes, Your Majesty," replied Minister Roque with pride. "She studied abroad and is now a practicing Cardiothoracic Surgeon. I trust her completely, and I hope you will too," he added, his voice reverent.The Crown Prince fell silent, his gaze never once leaving Lili. The minister and his right-hand man exchanged glances, uncertain of what was going in the Crown Prince's head. With a cold voice that caught
Lili was taken aback by the Crown Prince's compliment, her heart racing as he smiled sweetly at her.“W-what?” she stammered in disbelief.He looked back at the river, filled with colorful butterflies, “Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked, referring to the scenery and not Lili.Lili felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, realizing her mistake. She was embarrassed, but relieved that he hadn't been talking about her. “Yeah, it’s beautiful,” she agreed.The Crown Prince turned back to her and his eyes slowly moved from her head to her toes, admiring her. “You look like a human now,” he remarked.Lili pouted, “Of course, I’m a human. Do I really look like a monkey to you? Are you having an eyesight problem?” She then shifted her attention to him and observed his attire. “Anyway, you look like a royal guard.”The Crown Prince's expression turned furious, “What did you say?”Lili, oblivious to his anger, continued with her statement, “I mean, the way you're dressed is exactly like Master Ken.”He s
The atmosphere was rife with excitement as Minister Roque's birthday celebrations unfolded. The extravagantly designed garden exuded a vivid ambiance with its vibrant lights and sweet aroma of mouth-watering food. The guests indulged in a festive mood, soaking in the vibrant music that rang through the air and sharing joyous moments. Amidst the throngs of attendees was His Highness, the Crown Prince, who graced the occasion with his presence. Seated at an outdoor rectangular table was a group of friends, elatedly enjoying the splendid party and the tempting drinks.Lili was surprised when the Crown Prince called her by her name, a departure from his usual reference of "newbie" to her. Her heart filled with delight as she savored the moment. Introductions were made, and they settled down to continue the celebration.Cris didn't want to sit beside Lili and was seated next to Mahara, leaving Lili to sit beside her. The Crown Prince was seated between Avoi and Thone, who was attempting to
A mysterious woman stood like a dark sentinel, her black warrior suit and mask making her blend into the shadows. The full moon cast an eerie light over the Palace grounds, creating a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. With a smirk that held malice, she lifted her gaze to the sky, as if taunting the universe with her presence. She had a task to complete, and no one would stand in her way.The guards patrolling the Palace grounds were active and alert, but they were no match for her stealth. She moved like a cat, landing on the ground with a silent grace and precision that would make even the most skilled ninjas jealous. "Pathetic," she muttered disdainfully, sneering at their incompetence.Making her way towards the King's quarter was no easy task. Despite observing the Palace from afar, she found herself lost in the labyrinthine corridors and halls. She treaded carefully, her senses on high alert, always ready for any challenge that would present itself.As she drew closer to the King's
Three years had passed since Unah had officially become Queen, and Leon had taken over the throne of her father. Though she had lost her father to heart illness, her mother had made an admirable recovery, and was currently holding Unah's one-year-old child in her arms."The little prince is truly a naughty one," Unah’s mother complained with a smile, as she gazed down at the child's soft, rosy cheeks.Unah couldn't help but smile at the sight, as she reached over to touch her child's cheek. "My little prince looks very handsome, he takes after me," she said."If he’s handsome then he takes after me," someone suddenly interrupted.Unah's mother exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty!"Unah turned to see her husband, Leon, grinning from ear to ear. "Mother, can I spend time with my Queen?" he asked.She nudged Leon playfully, "What are you saying? Mother is already tired. Let's take care of our child," she said.But her mother just smiled, "What are you talking about? I'm happy when I tak
The passing of time had only deepened the profound grief that had shrouded the Roque couple. Every day seemed to be a struggle, with each moment an agonizing reminder of the life that they had lost. For Lili, it was like watching a slow-motion tragedy unfold before her eyes. She could barely bear to see her friends in such a state of despair.As she stood by the graveside of their beloved Cris, her heart ached with a sorrow that she could not fully comprehend. The world around her had lost its luster, and the once-vibrant hues of life had been replaced by a somber, gray pallor.But despite the overwhelming sadness that threatened to crush her, Lili knew that she had to keep going. She could not allow her grief to consume her, not when her step-parents needed her now more than ever.With a sense of grim determination, Lili set about fulfilling her obligations. She cooked their favorite meals, did their chores, and tried to keep the house in order, all while struggling to come to terms
Minister Luna, the man who had always been like a father to the Crown Prince, stood before him with a sword pressed against the neck of the woman he loved. Mask Princess trembled, her heart heavy with emotion as she watched her world unravel before her. She had never expected to find herself in such a precarious situation, and the fear that gripped her was almost too much to bear. "I never thought that the person he loved was you, Mask Princess," Minister Luna said, his mouth agape in amazement as he looked at her. His voice was filled with a mix of emotions, ranging from disbelief to anger. Mask Princess could see the pain in his eyes as he struggled to come to terms with the reality of the situation. She could sense the turmoil within him, the conflict between his loyalty to the Crown Prince and his love for her. It was a battle that she knew all too well, one that had consumed her own heart not so long ago. Her beloved Leon, who had always been a source of strength for her, now
ALMARIO WARThe Mask Princess, known for her beauty, courage, and intelligence, stood tall and resolute before the Head General, her eyes flashing with conviction and concern etched on her face. She was a vision of strength and poise, with her long black hair cascading down her back, held in place by a golden tiara. "Ring the bell," she said sternly, emphasizing her words with a steely gaze. Her voice was strong and unwavering, commanding respect and attention from those around her. The Head General of War was taken aback by her unexpected request. "What? Are we declaring war within the Palace itself?" he asked incredulously, readying himself for the worst. But the Mask Princess was firm in her resolve. "There will be no revolution," she replied, her voice ringing out clear and strong. The Head General took a deep breath and mounted his horse, clearly shaken by the Mask Princess's solemn words. As she surveyed the area, she noticed someone familiar in the crowd. It was Cris, her tru
The day of reckoning had arrived, and the winds of change were sweeping fiercely through the land. A sense of liberation, of something momentous and cataclysmic, shrouded the town like a heavy mist, with everyone holding their breath and bracing for what lay ahead.As the first rays of sunshine began to creep across the horizon, a hush fell across the land. The hum of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance as the soldiers of Minister Luna made their way towards the Palace. Their glistening armor and sharpened swords glinted and flashed menacingly in the golden light, a stark reminder of the power and ferocity they wielded.All across the town, people gathered in crowds, stretching for miles in every direction. They were fervently discussing the upcoming revolution, with some spreading rumors of further plots to overthrow the new King before he even sat upon his throne. The streets were alive with voices, filled with fear and anticipation. anticipation.As noon approached, the t
Mask Princess felt a twinge of unease as she sat down among the group of men with concealed faces. She knew that her reputation preceded her; she was known for being a fierce and elusive vigilante, dedicated to bringing justice to the people of her city. However, despite her impressive track record, it seemed that these men were still wary of her.As she waited for Minister Roque to arrive, Mask Princess couldn't help but notice the way the men watched her every move. Their eyes bore into her, suspicious and calculating. It was clear they were assessing her, trying to determine whether she could be trusted.Mask Princess tried not to let their scrutiny get to her. She knew that earning their trust was essential to completing the mission at hand. She needed to convince them that she was on their side, that she was committed to their cause.But as the minutes ticked by and Minister Roque failed to show up, Mask Princess began to feel a sense of frustration. She had gone to great lengths
Mask Princess emerged from the dark and cramped warehouse with a stick in her hand. She trembled with exhaustion and her face was caked with undisguisable blood. Her hair was now a mess barely held together by a single hair tie that had seen her mother's last embrace.The lady struggled to keep her balance as she knew every move was crucial. Once she stepped into the light, the people who captured her would not hesitate to take her back and torture her again. She looked around with rolling eyes, making sure that no one was around before taking a step out of the warehouse's door.What filled her sense of smell next was not the familiar odor of blood from inside the warehouse, but instead a sweet aroma of vanilla coming from her mother's house she visited thousands of times as a child. She inhaled a deep breath of calming fresh air and unknowingly tumbled towards her escape to the outside world.The lady reached for her mother's house, a single dwelling bestowed upon by Minister Luna. I
Cris Roque had been assigned a task by her mother, Risa Roque, to clean their lavish house since she had nothing else to do that day. Thus, she began sweeping, dusting, and tidying up every corner of the house with a spring in her step.As she was cleaning her sister Lili's room, she suddenly got injured under the bed, and a sharp pang shot through her finger, leaving it bloodied. Still in shock, she slowly peered under the bed, and her eyes widened as she saw a sharp sword gleaming back at her.She picked up the sword. It was heavy yet smooth, and its long silver blade scintillated in the sunlight streaming from the window. She wondered who owned it and how it ended up under her sister's bed. At first, she thought it belonged to her father, who was an avid collector of antique swords. But when she saw other things under the bed, she shuddered. Her delicate fingers trembled as she observed the black garment, still stained with blood, and its silver mask, the emblematic attire of the
Lili stood before him, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it. She had never expected their meeting to be like this. What was he trying to say? Why did he look so sad?As he walked towards her, Lili felt a sense of trepidation wash over her. She had always thought she was ready for anything, but this was different."I know who you are now, Lili. And I also know where I belong," he said, his voice filled with emotion.Lili felt a sense of confusion wash over her. What did he mean, where he belonged? And how did he know who she was?He seemed to read her thoughts and continued, "In the forest, I was furious with you because you deceived me. But I couldn't control my feelings and I even kissed you."Lili looked away, feeling a sense of shame. Everything had happened so quickly, and she had never intended for things to go the way they did."I also found out that I'm not the true son of the King. But I don't know who my real father is or why the Queen did what she did,"