Lili's mouth was agape with amazement at the sight of the long table adorned with distinct delicacies that made her heart race with joy. She gazed at her mother with crystal-clear, tear-filled eyes that represented pure happiness, accompanied by her sister Cris, who has now softened her usual angry glares. Her father was grinning with delight as he watched the joyous faces of his wife and daughter.
"I thought it would take you two weeks or more to wake up. I was so worried about you, Lili," her mother's voice quavered as tears streamed down her face.Lili returned the embrace with a tender smile etched on her face. Her mother hastened to fill her plate with a generous number of vegetables."Eat a lot of vegetables so you can get stronger," she tenderly advised.Lili flickered a grin, nodding her head in agreement. She joyfully savored everything on the table and bestowed a beam on her family. She reciprocated the servers' kind smiles too.As soon as they finishedIn his quiet chamber, the King sat hunched over a canvas. Slowly, he painted the details on the face of a woman with a radiant, joyful smile. When he was finished, he carefully added a caption beside her."My beloved," he wrote.Putting down his brush, the King chose a fresh sheet of paper. He began to draw a figure of a woman, formulating perfect lines and curves. But as he reached the part where he should mark her face, he faltered. There was a nagging feeling that he didn't know her face at all, and his hand stopped.Almost abruptly, he put down the pencil and simply wrote on the paper instead."Unah," he wrote, the name of his child.After finishing, he looked at the sketch for a long moment, clutching it tightly. A wave of regret and sorrow washed over him as he realized how little he really knew about his child. He had never been there for her, and he didn't even know her face.Suddenly, a knock on the door shook him out of his thoughts. General Ybarra strode in, and the King's
The inconsolable sobs of the young lady echoed within the cavernous chamber, filling the silence with an intense feeling of despair and loneliness. Her head hung low, her face seeping with tears of sorrow, an intricate mask adorned her features, as if to hide her true identity from anyone who sought to discover it.Suddenly, a pair of feet approached and stopped in front of her. Trembling with fear, she peered through her tears and caught sight of the stoic Warrior General. He elegantly lowered himself to the ground, taking ahold of her tense hands and slowly drew down her mask.Soothingly, he wiped her tears away with his thumb, his eyes filled with deep sadness and empathy. She choked out through sobs, "Marco...""Your highness," he replied, his voice soft and assuring.Her emotions continued, “I am Unah… that’s my name.”The Warrior General nodded, "But I can’t call you by your name."She was taken aback. "Why not? I'm not a princess anymore. My father abandoned me a long time ago.”
KING's DAYThe palace was bustling with activity on the King's special day. The servants scrambled to and fro, carrying various items and preparing for the grand event. The royal guards were on high alert, watching every movement with hawk-like eyes. As Lili made her way to her chambers to change, she encountered the stunning Queen. Her beauty was breathtaking, almost ethereal, with a complexion as fair as snow. However, she looked dismal and did not even pass a smile. Every person in the vicinity quickly bowed as a sign of respect. The Queen halted her movement, and Lili raised her head to look. Much to her annoyance, she saw the Minister of War, Luna. The man grated on her nerves, and she suppressed a growl of disapproval as they breezed each other without uttering a word. When Lili glanced back, she observed the Queen walking away, and her hands balled into fists.Without hesitation, Lili headed towards the gathering of dancers who beckoned her. The celebration was a grand succes
His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes brimmed with tears that threatened to spill any moment. His hands were trembling, as if he were standing in a gust of wind. The weight of the truth and the pain of betrayal was too much for him to bear. He was disgusted with himself for falling in love with her own sister, and the realization that he had only played with her emotions left him feeling sick to his stomach. His fury towards her was indescribable and almost palpable.The Crown Prince rose abruptly from his seat, his movements sharp and quick as he attempted to control the anger that was gradually building up inside him. His entrance was met with the figure of Master Ken, who had been searching for him."Your Highness, there you are!"The Crown Prince responded with silence, his hand moving swiftly towards the hilt of his sword."Your Highness, what are you doing?" asked the General in shock.With a firm grip, the Crown Prince held his sword, keeping his eyes fixed on the girl who was w
The story of the nameless princess was a tragic one that spoke of an individual who faced life's challenges with a heavy heart. She grew up in a world that was shrouded in darkness, filled with anger, and resentment. Her existence was nothing but a mere pretense as she feigned her life and sought revenge against those who had wronged her. She longed for justice, not only for herself but also for her mother who had gone through a lot of tribulations towards the end. Her mother's notebook did not contain the entire story, and the past events remained solely in her memories.Twenty years ago, a beautiful baby was born into the world, and the mother's face lit up with delight as she gazed at her child. Every worry that she had dissolved, like a fleeting memory. The mother lived in fear that their secret would be revealed, so she never took the baby anywhere. She opted to keep the baby locked indoors to protect the newborn from prying eyes.Thanks to her steadfast friends Ramon Roque, the
Tears streamed down Mask Princess' face like a raging river, glistening under the dim light of the room. She tried her best to hold them back, but the tears kept flowing relentlessly down her cheeks. The anger inside of her was boiling over as she approached the King, her hands shaking as she grabbed him forcefully by the collar of his robe."How can you be such a useless King?! How dare you claim to be the ruler of Almario! Are you even worthy of that title? You abandoned the ones you loved, your own child and the woman you claimed to love! You were supposed to take care of your family, be a father, and treat your loved ones with respect. But you never did any of that, not even when they were in danger. You are the King of Almario, a leader who should care for the people, but instead, you only care about yourself and your own desires. What kind of King are you?! You may be ready to die as a King, but you have never been able to take care of your throne! You let the true traitors rise
The next day, the Palace resembled a gruesome battlefield. Lifeless bodies were strewn across the halls, and pools of blood stained the polished floors - a ghastly sight that made even the bravest of soldiers’ quiver. Word of the incident had already spread throughout the town like wildfire, causing a wave of sorrow and fear to sweep over the people. The entire Palace was in a state of mourning, and everyone was heartbroken.Despite the agonizing pain that he felt, the King knew he couldn't show it. The words of the Mask Princess echoed in his head, urging him to become a just ruler. He had to make amends for his past mistakes.To weed out those who were responsible, he dismissed several guards and eunuchs who were loyal to the Queen's father—his primary suspect. He replaced them with new men handpicked by Minister Roque. To uncover the truth, he went to great lengths, interrogating the male suspects with harsh tactics and cruelty.Though he had a hunch about the traitorous Ministers,
In the dead of night, a conversation between the mother and daughter revealed that Lili's mother watched her in secret. Knowing that her mother understood her well, Lili realized that her mother had been monitoring her every move nearby, from a safe distance.Feeling like someone was tailing her, Lili scanned her surroundings, her senses on high alert. As she quickened her pace and changed direction, she turned into a narrow alleyway. Her feet propelled her onto a rooftop, and as she peered over the edge, she spotted a shadowy figure trailing her. The figure, too, looked for something, as though they knew precisely what they were searching for. Ready to defend herself, Lili vaulted off the roof, brandishing her sword as she confronted the masked woman. "Why are you following me?" Lili demanded, already aware of who the woman behind the mask was.Despite the quiet surroundings, the masked woman remained quiet for a long moment, only shifting slightly as a faint rustle betrayed her posi
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,"