The sun was high in the sky and Lili felt herself being gently rocked back and forth as she rode on the Crown Prince's back. As she gazed at his side profile, she couldn't help but appreciate how handsome he looked. His sharp jawline, deep black eyes, perfectly shaped eyebrows, and pointed nose were all features that made him look like a true royal. She was mesmerized and couldn't take her eyes off him.When the Crown Prince turned to face her, their eyes met and Lili's heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, but she knew it was too late. The smirk on the crown prince's face indicated that he knew exactly what she was doing. Their conversation began with him questioning why she was staring at him. She gasped quickly, trying to come up with a response. "Oh, no-nothing, Your Highness," she stammered. However, the Crown Prince didn't believe her. "I caught you," he teased. Playing along with his teasing, Lili tried to laugh it off. "It's just a coincidence… I didn't actually sta
Lili's heart pounded in her chest as she gazed around at her surroundings. She recognized this hall, it was the Royal Princess' place, a place she had carefully avoided for so long. Her mind raced, trying to comprehend why she had been brought here. As she was led towards the center of the room, she caught sight of a woman standing before her, donning a magnificent royal dress, obscuring her face. The gravity of the situation hit her as the guards made her bow and kneel in front of the mysterious woman."We finally met," the woman declared, her voice regal and commanding. The sword pressed against Lili's neck, causing her to break out in sweat.Gulping, she slowly lifted her head, and to her surprise and horror, the guard moved the sword closer, causing her to bow again. "Your Highness," Lili stuttered, nerves getting the better of her.The woman narrowed her eyes before demanding that Lili introduce herself. "I-I am L-Lili Roque. The Crown Prince’s personal doctor," she stuttered,
Thone's grin widened as he saw the Crown Prince and rushed towards him, throwing his arm around his highness's shoulder."Hey, Master Ken! It's great to see you here at the Palace," he exclaimed.Lili sprinted towards Thone, quickly yanking him away from the Crown Prince. "What the heck are you doing? Don't touch him!" she hissed."Why?" Thone responded, looking bewildered.The Crown Prince straightened himself up and cleared his throat, his expression serious. "You must stay a meter away from me, Thone. Don't speak to me casually or touch me."Thone gave Lili a puzzled look. "Why am I not allowed to do it?"Lili's eyes flickered as she bit her bottom lip, trying to come up with a plausible excuse. "That's because... everyone should fear me," she finally managed to say."Oh, I get it. You want to appear cool, like the rumors say," Thone exclaimed, nodding his head.Instantly, the Crown Prince's face darkened. "Cool? Is that how you view Master Ken?"Thone turned towards Lili, arching h
Their lips collided, locking into one another in an instant, igniting a fierce electric energy that coursed through their veins. It was unexpected, sudden, and took them both by surprise. She never imagined that she would be kissing her enemy, especially not in a place like this. Her heart was racing, and her mind was in turmoil as the realization hit her. How could she be kissing the Crown Prince? He was the one she was supposed to hate, the one who stood in the way of her goals.She broke away from him quickly, turning her attention to Thone, who was as oblivious as ever. He was holding up a squawking chicken with triumph, completely unaware of the tension between the two. "I've caught it!" he exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "What's with those faces? Aren't you happy that I've caught it?"Lili forced a smile, her heart still pounding in her chest. "Yes, Thone. I'm thrilled that you caught it. You're still the best chicken hunter around." She purposely put distance between her an
The atmosphere around the palace had become increasingly tense in the days following the intrusion. The heightened security measures were palpable, with a larger number of soldiers patrolling the grounds and rumors circulating throughout every nook and cranny of the palace. Despite their best efforts, nobody had been able to identify the intruder, leaving everyone to ponder about the looming threat.Though it had only been a few days since Lili had last seen the Crown Prince, it felt like a lifetime. She had been informed that he was extremely busy, but she found solace in that because she didn't want to spend every waking moment in his company. Feeling exhausted from the lack of stimulation due to the strict security measures implemented by Head General Ybarra, Lili lay down beneath a towering tree. She rested her head on her own arm and gazed up at the sparkling sky with its radiant shining stars."I'm so tired of all this," Lili murmured. "And it's all Head General Ybarra's fault."
Trembling, Lili withdrew her hand from the King's tight grasp and gracefully lowered herself to the ground before him. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke, "Your Majesty," and she respectfully inclined her head towards him.Unexpectedly, the King's voice was laced with surprise as he said, "I didn't expect you to recognize me." Lili's heart nearly stopped; he knew who she was. Had her surreptitious observations been discovered? Every fiber of her being screamed for her to remain calm and composed. "Your Majesty," she stammered, "my father often speaks of the elegant and majestic garments worn by the King and mentions how handsome your face is. I merely noticed that in your attire," she murmured, her stomach writhing with anxiety.The King chuckled, his gaze still fixed upon her, shrewd and unyielding. "Is that so?" he said, a hint of amusement still presents in his voice. "And what news have you brought before me, my dear?" His eyes flickered briefly with a keen interest.
Lili had been holed up in her chambers for the entire day, deep in thought, as she strategized her next moves. She knew that the palace was heavily guarded, preventing her from taking any action just yet. Even worse, she was unable to reach out to her ally, Marco, or even the minister. Her nerves were on edge, constantly worried about making a slip-up that could end her efforts for good.As she sat lost in her thoughts, a sudden knock at her door jolted her from her musings. Upon answering, she was greeted with a broad smile from Eunuch Dom, who held out a bracelet with her name inscribed upon it.Confused, she asked for an explanation, and Dom explained, "It's a reward for your excellent medical work, Lady Lili. I'm here to give you a chance to escape the palace and enjoy the festivities taking place in the local village."At his words, Lili's heart leapt with joy. Never had she imagined that she would have the opportunity to leave the palace after being locked away for so long. Full
Lili stared at the Crown Prince with wide eyes. The realization of what she had done hit her like a ton of bricks, and she couldn't believe the words that had come out of her mouth. "YOUR HIGHNESS?!" she had exclaimed, feeling flustered and embarrassed.The Crown Prince looked at her quizzically. "Are you shouting at me?" he asked."N-No, no. I mean… I don’t like you," Lili stuttered, her heart racing in her chest.The prince gazed at her in disbelief. "How can you reject me when I am not even courting you?" he asked.Lili was stunned. She had never thought of it that way before. "And I don’t like you either, so don’t you dare reject me! I also have no intention of courting or liking you because I have high standards for women!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in frustration.Lili felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She understood that the Crown Prince was angry because she had rejected him, but his words and reactions seemed more convincing than her own, even though she had only
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,"