-Aria-I swallowed hard and began to think of a way I could quickly cover up the mistake I had made. How could I have forgotten and told them my real name? Now the two were looking at me questioningly wondering who Aria was. Why had I even offered to introduce myself in the first place? I almost hit myself. I am sure they knew who I was without any introductions.“Oh, can you just imagine myself?” I laughed nervously. “Did I say I was Aria? Please disregard that. That is a name I had given myself which my friends call me with. I am Jasmine.”That was lame but I smiled and hoped they would buy it. They seemed to and the tense atmosphere became light again.“Yes I know my lady,” Maria said and I wanted to hit myself again. Of course, she knew.“Well what do you want to make?” she asked me while the other lady I had walked in with left to join the others as Maria led me to a space I could use.“Mmm,” I hummed thoughtfully. “I had not thought what I wanted to make though.”“Are you cookin
-Ariel-Jasmine cooked? Do miracles happen overnight? Jasmine does not even know how to light a fire to boil water.We were not allowed to do any of those while growing up. Though Jasmine had always been the rebellious child who would sneak out to join local children in their chores of fetching water and firewood, I was still better than her when it came to work.“I did, with the help of the maids,” she said and I nodded. Thought as much.“Well, you don’t have to cook, do you? You have maids who do everything for you,” I stated.“Well yeah, I just wanted to,” she said. A question popped into my mind and I did not think it was necessary to ask but curiosity got the best of me.“Who did you make it for?” I asked.“Uhm, actually I…,” she stuttered and coughed. “It’s not like I made it, especially for someone you see, but I just thought to share it with Adonai.”I cocked my head in a direction with an amused smile on my face.“Wow tell me about it,” I said and she shook her head, waving h
-Aria-While the guard was explaining to him I could not get my eyes off him. They had said he was meditating but he looked like someone who had just come out of the bathroom with a towel around his neck and water dripping from his hair.“What is this Jasmine?” he asked me and I had to struggle to maintain my composure so I could reply to him.“My lord, good morning,” I greeted warmly. “I am so sorry to have disturbed your morning but the guards would not let me see my Lord. I tried explaining to them it was important I see you but they would not let me.”He held my eyes for some seconds with no expression in them and I fidgeted a little. It was all I could do not to look away and be intimidated. His eyes moved to the tray the maids were holding and it lingered there. I hoped he would not do something crazy like ask me to leave or even go back to the room and close the door in my face.“Let them in,” he finally said and I silently let out a breath I had not realized I was holding, bar
-Prisca-I paced around the room restlessly thinking about what Dante had told me and trying to figure out what he had meant by all those things he had said. Was he trying to blackmail me? And on what grounds? It seems he does not know who I am and he thinks he can threaten me because I am a scarred cat.Well, he must be mistaken and making a very big mistake because he was messing with the wrong person. Of course, I had no intentions of doing what he wanted me to because I would not be forced to do anything with force.And I know he does not love Jasmine as much as she loves him. Whatever his intentions are, he is not going to get it from me. I must not let him think he has a hold on me.I sat on my bed. Just who the hell does he think he is anyway? Coming to my house to tell me all that rubbish.I had stayed away from the empire for some days now because I wanted to give her some space but I had hoped she would come looking for me just the last time and as always. This was the thir
-Aria-The red stoned ring! She was wearing the ring on her finger. What is going on?I blinked my eyes rapidly and swallowed a lump in my throat. Or was I mistaken? I recognized the ring because how could I ever forget the memory that flashed in my mind about Jasmine’s death? It looked just like it.Prisca did not notice the look on my face as she unpacked the food she had brought from the basket while I just kept staring at her in what felt like fear and shock all in one. But I did not have the time to think further when a sudden nauseated feeling hit me and salty saliva gathered in my mouth.I held my stomach and ran to the bathroom to throw up.“Jasmine,” Prisca called out, running after me. I threw up and leaned on the wall, gasping for air.“Jasmine, what is it?” Prisca asked with concern on her face, placing her hand on my shoulder. I recoiled unconsciously, moving away from her touch.“Jasmine…” she looked worried.“Did you put garlic in the food?” I finally found the strength
-Lara-I walked briskly to the large sitting room where Vera and Agatha were seated and discussing.“Guys,” I stood before them and they looked up at me.“What is the matter, Lara?” Agatha asked, looking at me questioningly. “Why are you running like someone who has just seen a ghost?”“So none of you is wondering why the alpha did not join us for breakfast today?” I asked, looking at them one after the other. Agatha hissed and Vera shook her head, looking away.“So this is the reason why you were running as if something was pursuing you?” Agatha stated disappointedly.“Is it news that the alpha does not eat with us?” Vera asked. “Many times he is too busy to join us. Why are you acting as if you are a newcomer here?”“Yes it is no news that the alpha does that sometimes-“Most of the time,” Agatha corrected and I scowled at her and continued.“But have you cared to find out why he did not eat with us?” I further propped.“Can you listen to yourself, Lara?” Vera looked like I was milk
-Aria—I could not sleep. I lay on the bed staring up at the ceiling. Yet, Prisca lay beside me on the bed sleeping peacefully. I could feel her steady breathing and I wondered how anyone could sleep peacefully beside someone they killed.I could not help but wonder. It was not certain who had done it now that there were three of that kind of ring, I did not know what to think. Should I believe that Ariel had killed Jasmine, or it was Prisca, who is also her best friend, who killed her?But what reason would Prisca want to kill Jasmine? At least, Ariel had a reason. Jasmine was secretly seeing her lover. Now that I thought of it, I did not know if Ariel knew about Jasmine and Dante. It was possible she did not know so there would be no reason for her to want to kill her sister.Though it was obvious Jasmine and Ariel were not really close, it was normal sometimes and not enough reason for her to kill her if Jasmine had not done anything to her.Perhaps, there was something under the c
-Ariel-I opened the door to find Dante putting on his clothes and he turned to look at me with a frown on his face.“Hey darling,” I greeted him cheerfully.“Don’t you knock before entering someone’s room?” he asked, looking away and I rolled my eyes.“Who’s room please? And what are you trying to hide from me?” I asked him, walking into the room.“Why are you here this early morning?” he asked me and I scowled at him.“Good morning to you Dante.”He did not say a word further and went to sit on his bed, watching him while he dressed up.“While other ladies are up early preparing breakfast for their men, mine is asking me what I am doing in his room,” I said, intentionally starting up a conversation and driving it to where I wanted.“Which ladies?” Dante asked me casually, looking at his reflection in the mirror while he brushed his hair.“Well, on my way here I met Jasmine with a tray of food going to serve Adonai,” I told him and waited for his reaction. He paused and I could see a
- Zafa -It was such a dramatic evening. I couldn't help admiring Adonai for how well he solved everything. Ken walked away shamefully with the family he almost lost from the fire he created. Those innocent kids would have died because of his foolishness. I hope this teaches him the lesson he has refused to learn all these years.Everyone began to disperse, and I lost track of Loveth in the crowd. My eyes had been on her until she suddenly disappeared. I had wanted to have a word with her after everything had quieted down, but she was just out of my sight the moment I blinked my eyes.Was she avoiding me? Not after the hot night we had, right? Perhaps, she was just shy, or was it the moral guilt? I could not tell which it was. You can never tell with women.I might have to wait till she was done with the running and hiding games. One thing was certain, she wouldn't run forever.- Dianne -I dismissed the rest of the maids after dinner and finished the rest of the clean-up, humming a s
- Zafa -I woke up with a hangover and rolled off the bed. I walked straight to the bathroom to have a bath and felt much better afterward.I returned to find only a heap on the bed. Loveth was nowhere to be found. Now I couldn't remember if she was here when I had gotten off the bed or if she had left earlier.The memories from the previous night came rushing in and I felt a wave of excitement run through my veins. She had come to me.I knew she wouldn't be able to stay away for so long. That's my girl. Which makes things easier for me. I had thought it would take more to get her back but apparently, she was not as hard as she imagined herself to be. Leaving the army to stress me when all she wanted was a good fuck.I would have to let her know though, that doing what we did doesn't mean I had feelings for her. Sex wasn't love. After all, she was the one who came to me. Secondly, I was drunk so it wasn't me taking advantage of her.I knew how women can get when it comes to having sex
- Zafa -What the hell is wrong with me? Why have I allowed my emotions to get to me and make me treat Loveth the way I did?I did not mean to hurt her, even though I was upset with the way she was always with Dante. Now she has withdrawn from the army, and not only do I need her there, but that would mean she would be away from me.I can't have Loveth out. She is one of the best warriors I have."You can't resign...please," I instinctively added the last part. This is not the time to let my ego control my decisions, so I dropped it off and pleaded. But not even that could persuade her. She was rigid, so I decided to meet Aria instead. Perhaps she would listen to me.Aria had a blank look on her face when I spoke to her."Well, what do you want me to do?" She finally said when I was done."You could help me talk to her," I told her."I'm sorry but I can't. Loveth has made her choice and I respect her decision," she said."Luna please," I pleaded. "You know Loveth is one of the best w
- Loveth -"Hey," I heard someone call and turned round slowly, recognising the voice. Not again..."How are you doing today? Loser?""What do you want this time?" I asked Sheila with a sigh. She was facing my existence with those two puppets of hers."Funny of you to think I would want anything from you," she said and they giggled. Talk of sound effects."Well, you keep budging me, leaving me with no choice but to think you want something," I told her, and she frowned."Well maybe I do," she moved closer and pulled my hair to its roots. "Maybe I want you to shut your crab up when I am talking to you.""Let go of me," I sucked in the pain. I would not give her the pleasure. But she still held on, pulling it harder."Or what, you're gonna fight me like you did last time? You never learn, do you? You think you are something because Zafa let you off the hook the last time."I knew she was trying to provoke me to react so she would leverage on it but at the same time, I would not have he
- Loveth -I did not know how I lost hold of my emotions and fell into Dante's ready arms. Love for Zafa was causing me so much pain, and he was doing it intentionally, yet I could not help it."What is the matter, Loveth?" Dante asked softly into my ears and I was tempted to tell him. I moved away and wiped my tears."I'll be fine," I said with a smile."Are you sure?" He asked with a look of concern on his face. "You can tell me anything.""I know and I appreciate you for your concern.""Hmm," he breathed out, observing me. "You promise?""Yeah." But even as I said that more tears gathered in my eyes, and I had to leave quickly.Immediately, I made a turn, and someone grabbed me roughly by the arm."What the hell," I gasped in pain and turned round to meet the angry eyes of Zafa piercing into mine."What is wrong with you?" He said between gritted teeth."You're hurting me," I struggled to get out of his grip while wondering what the hell he was talking about."Are you so cheap that
- Sheila -I brushed my hair gently, making sure it was well-straightened. I loved my expression in the mirror—so pretty. I took my time. I am attending a council meeting as the assistant general of the army with Zafa for the very first time, and I have to look my best."You're still here?" Miley said when she walked into the room. "Zafa said to make sure you're there early.""Why worry about that? I'm just trying to look good," I said and she shook her head. I don't think that is a good idea, Sheila. You should have done all that before now.""Pssst," I waved her off as I adjusted the lip gloss, which needed no adjustment. When I was finally satisfied with my looks, I blew her a kiss and walked out the door with her staring after me. There was nothing to be worked up about, I rolled my eyes. It was just a meeting, and I'm sure everyone goes late for events as well.When I arrived at the meeting, the confidence I had gained seemed to have abandoned me at the entrance. All eyes turned
- Dante -"There is something I have been meaning to ask you, brother," I said to Adonia and he looked at me expectantly. "The new cook..." I trailed off."Okay?" He pushed when I suddenly went quiet."Who is she?" I asked and he pursed his lips thoughtfully."She's just a young lady who looked for the position in the palace and got it because of her skills," he replied."Right. But the chief cook has always been someone we know. At least, someone like Maria who has been with us for years. We trust her with our meals. I would have to say this lady is young and inexperienced but she has good skills.""Well, Aria thinks Dianne is doing well and if she thinks so, I trust her judgment."I wanted to ask him if he observed something strange about her, or familiar with her cooking but I was not certain how that would sound so I let it slide."Is there anything the matter?" He wanted to know. "Did you notice something?""Oh, I was just wondering," I covered up.Later that day, she found me as
- Loveth -I tried everything possible to ignore Shelia but she was bent on getting into my skin until she mentioned my parents and I lost it.I lost my parents at a very tender age when they both had to go to war. They did it for the pack and not just for me but many rumoured I was a forbidden child and that was why my parents did not mind leaving me behind.But I knew my parents loved me. Yet, as the rumors thickened, I could not help but worry about it."Get off me!" Sheila screamed but I did not listen to her. Her puppets, Ashley and Miley came to fight her off me and I beat them all."Hey!" I heard a masculine voice and I was already ready to pounce on whoever it was as well. I turned round but the familiar scent made me stop in my tracks."What the hell is wrong with?" Zafa asked, dragging me by the arm."Don't ask me, ask her," I retorted, pulling away."What happened?" Zafa turned to Sheila who was struggling to catch her breath."She was not doing her job well and I corrected
-Prisca- Yes! My plan has finally worked. I am going to exchange marital vows with Adonai and legally be his wife.It does not count that I am impersonating Aria. He is not going to be tied to Aria in reality but to me.I sat beside him, before the crowd with my face veiled and a sly smile across my face which no one could see.A few people had suggested I take off the veil so they could behold my face but Adonai politely declined. No one pushed it, and I successfully got tied to Adonai.I had feared that Dante would have wanted to expose me because he didn't seem pleased with the plan, but he didn't.I was led to Adonai's room while the party continued in the hall. There I took off my veil and sat comfortably on his bed.He was not here yet, for he was still having some drinks with his visitors. I chuckled happily. Alas, my dream has come to pass.The door opened and I quickly adjusted. I hissed when I saw it was Ariel."What are you doing here?" I asked sharply. She did no