Chaol let's out an exhilarating laugh, while slamming his palms on the table.
"HAHAHAHAHA! That's preposterous, Lana!"
The maid raised a brow at him and crossed her arms sassily. "You don't agree with me?"
"Of course I wouldn't. That's the best joke I've heard from you in years. Keep up the good job."
Chaol slowly lifted himself to stand. He gently pats the woman's shoulders and cunningly smiled. "I'll be going to bed now. Remember your duties. Don't let him slip."
Lana nodded. "Of course, My Lord. I will check on him immediately."
"Very well, give me your updates when I wake up."
 
With her garden boots and a pair of secateurs on her small hands, the young woman peeked from behind the rose bushes to see what the count is up to.She pretends to polish the plants while looking at him.The count was sitting on the nearby garden patio. On the table was an intricate marble teapot and a few cups, beside it, was a plate of steaming chocolate croissants and the count's favorite novel.His stare was static, as if he was lost in a deep thought."Is he alright?" Asty asked herself.The count suddenly yanked his head to the side, abruptly looking at her direction. Their eyes matched for a split second before Asty decided to look away and focus on her jo
Asty was stealing glances at the count who was casually making a cup of coffee with nothing on his body but a light, blue robe. She would shut her eyes tightly whenever the count would swivel his body to move. She didn't want to him to catch her staring at his unclothed body. She averted her eyes because the count's body was glorious. Her eyes couldn't stop fawning over how he looked extremely attractive with his coal-black hair— wet but parted to the sides. It also seemed that the count had visited a parlor and got an undercut, which perfectly suited him. She wanted to ask him about something, but her mind would always get the wrong idea and twist the words that she had already scripted in her mind. Chaol finally finishes making his coffee and casually sat on the kitchen counters, staring at her. Asty felt those blue piercing look strike her again. She honestly did not know what is wrong with the count, as he al
The human waited patiently in the living room for Chaol to arrive. It was already quarter to ten before Asty could hear the faint creaking of the rusty gates outside. She flinched upon hearing them and played with her fingers. The door opened, revealing three dark silhouettes. It was Owl, Yvonne, and of course, their master- Chaol. Their shoulders were slumped and it was evident in their eyes that they were beyond exhausted. The maid emerged from the corridors, carrying a tray of beverages in her hands. Owl took the glass and drank every single drop of it in one giant gulp. Yvonne continuously chugged onto the juice as if it was beer. Meanwhile, Chaol reached out to the glass and sipped it modestly without a rush. "You guys looked like you've crossed the desert." Asty croaked as she rested her chin on the couch's backrest. "There was absolu
Asthenosthene remained awake the whole night.With her knees compressed to her chest, her mind wrestled upon Chaol's final words before they left the living room.'They caught him and scorched him.'Her stomach churned as she kept her palms to her stomach from disgorging what she had eaten for dinner. She could feel her fingers trembling in fear, and no matter how she tried to calm herself- she just couldn't.The thought was unfathomable.That gardener. Who was he?There was a knock on Asty's door. She gasped in surprise"I'm c
"He was human? Then that's even much more worse!" Asty held on her breath and looked at him with determined eyes. "Imagine, taking the lives of your own kind! It's ludicrous, isn't it? Sometimes it makes me feel ashamed of being human. How in the world would someone have the heart to do that?"She places her palms on her mouth and clenched her fists. She couldn't help it. She was too engrossed at the thought of how humans were also merciless to their own kind.She imagined the torment of the gardener. He must have felt so betrayed to die at the hands of someone that was supposed to protect him."Do you believe in divine retribution?" Chaol asked her."I don't know," she replied to him. "But a part of me believes so, the part of me doesn't, it is probably because I haven't seen it yet.""The divine retribution is real. I'm sure that they got what they deserved. Killing someone isn't s
"Here is your cup of hot chocolate."Lana places the cup on the table to which Asty was facing. She smiled at her and chuckled. "Thank you very much, Lana!""Of course." she took a seat beside her and then looked through the window. "It's going to be chilly tonight.""Mhmm."It was finally the start of winter. From the inside, they could see the snow falling gently onto the soft ground, creating a massive coat of ice. The trees were covered in snow, and not even a single leaf hanging from its branches. The windows were starting to freeze, creating an intricate shape of frosted snowflakes on the clear panes.They breathed in. They could feel the coldness of the air inside the
They were gathered around the fireplace, with blankets all over them. On the wide table were a few bowls of chips and steaming chocolate drinks. They were watching a movie on the television. The movie was not very refined to the count's liking, therefore, he only took glances of it while munching on the snacks. He wasn't supposed to watch the movie with them, however, the group was already occupying the fireplace- which he intended to go, because his room was too cold. Lana, Yvonne, and Asty were cramped in the other side of the couch, blankets covering them together. They were too focused to even look away. They were watching a horror movie. As the grotesque, silvery creatures appeared on the sleek screen, the girls would cover their eyes altogether with their pillows. Chaol heaved a sigh. He didn't und
The count continued to stare at her for the rest of the night. Her body has finally taken the effects of the medicine and has been doing quite well since the upheaval she has suffered from a few hours ago. Chaol was finally beginning to feel sleepy as well, so he decided that maybe it was finally time to stop and slip under the blankets with her.He slowly took the space beside her and pulled her close towards him, making sure that Asty was completely secured in his arms. Chaol slowly closed his eyes and dozed off.A few hours later, the feverish young woman slowly opened her eyes only to see herself snuggling in the arms of Chaol. Her cheeks immediately reddened, she lifted her head to confirm if she was in her bedroom, but then realizes that it was in a completely different set-up than hers. She then recalls the moments earlier and panicked.She had just invited herself inside his room shamelessly!Her h
The bells rang from the distance. The woman with the bright orange hair stood behind the huge doors of the church. Her eyes were closed and a smile was evident on the woman's lips. Everything that she dreamed of was finally before her eyes. The moment had finally come. She opened her eyes and the doors finally parted ways. Her eyes fell to the long golden aisle that she so dreamt of walking one day. Beside it, on the benches, for all the people she loved and cared for. She felt her heart start pounding and racing faster and faster, when her bright persimmon orbs reached the center of the long corridor. There he stood, the love of her life, the apple of her eye, the man who taught her how to love. He had a smirk on his face and she just wanted to get over with that aisle wipe that smug grin off his face with a kiss. The music started. The harmonious synchronization of chorale brought everyone to their tears. Her mother who was standing also, in the aisle— staring at her beautif
Asty was walking around the palace when she noticed something strange everywhere. The maids seem to be avoiding her and she did not seem to see a single sentry guarding the gates.Everyone seems to be very busy and every time she would greet them they would only turn away."That's odd." she told herself. "They don't really act like this to me before."She walked around and around and even brought herself into the garden. But there was not a single person around.What was going on, she thought.She couldn't even find her friends anywhere in the Palace. She had woken up with absolutely nothing but the chirping of birds. She looked around to see if there was someone she can talk to.Yvonne wasn't there, Chaol wasn't there. Even her brother was not there."Where could they all have gone to?"She noticed that the maids were stealing glances at her. She would look at them and wave but then they would only avoid her gaze. A little bit
After being able to speak with her mother, Asty led the group to a path in the woods that led to a field of dandelions.They looked around and saw how beautiful it was. The sun was before them, and they could feel it burning through their skin, but even so— their eyes were fixed on the blanket of flowers that seemed to flow against the wind."This is so beautiful." Lana commented.Asty smiled at her. "This is where my mistress is buried.""Why isn't she buried in a proper grave?""That is because this is what she requested. That is a part of her will to be buried under the field of dandelions, chrysanthemums, and daisies. She wanted to face the sun and the skies. She wanted to look at the blanket of stars as she rested. That is what she imagined."They smiled at her and walked towards the field."I think it is better if we leave you be." Chaol told Asty, Yvonne, and Robynn. "I think you guys need more of an alone time with this,
Asty and the others were sent in a carriage that was intended to traverse them into the village of Erana. Asty watched as the sea of trees ran across her vision. She stared at it for a long amount of time before wondering something in her head.Chaol reached out to her head and made it rest on his shoulders."Is something troubling you?" he asked her."No nothing at all." She told him. "I was just wondering a few things.""Like what?""They are not very pleasant things." She told him and smiled. "It's best if I keep it to myself.""You can always tell me about it. I won't mind." Chaol smiled at her. "Is it because of the battle?""Yeah." she nodded. "Polo was... in pain. I didn't know that he had to go through all that that's why he became the way he was. He went after so many painful things in his life that I cannot even imagine happening to me.""You saw his memories?""I did." she nodded at him. "They were not very go
TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ECLIPSE WAREverything was starting to get better and better. The castle was finally starting to have its exterior and interior repair. It was not an easy path for them to take. The villagers that survived the war still had fear lingering inside their hearts. But nevertheless, even if there were fear and there was uncertainty, villagers continued to place their trust in the king. The king provided them with all the construction materials that they will be able to use to fix their houses that were crushed and broken during the war. While the villagers were singing their songs as they hammered their walls, a man came and frantically told them about the good news."Everyone, everyone! King is holding a celebration in the square! We must all go and watch it! Everyone's heroes will be displayed! And the parents of those who had lost their lives will be given compensation and medals for the achievement of their
Asty walked within the flames of the ground as she approached the lifeless corpse of her beloved. she clenched her fists upon seeing his torn body and closed her eyes as the tears streamed down from her face. There is no greater pain in the world than to lose someone you love.It is a pain that will be permanent inside your heart and will linger around for so many years. And she was not sure if she was prepared for that. Everything was so sudden, so fast, so abrupt. Did not know what to do or what to expect. The betrayal, the revelations, and then suddenly turning back the tables to prove that the ones she thought were the criminals were actually the innocent ones.She crouched on the ground and reached out to his cold body. What else can she expect? He is gone and he will never come back to her. The eclipse was an unfair event. The people viewed it as equal, but to her, it was only another cruel event.
"Please pull the lever, Polo!""I got it!"It was another day for the folks to work. Polo, who was now one of the known people in their village, was helping them with the fences against the wolves."Is that all for today?" the builders asked one another."Yeah I think so." he then looked at Polo. "Good work today, boy. Your wife must be so happy to have you around."A blush escaped from the male's cheek. He scratched the back of his nape while looking at them. "S-She isn't my wife, yet.""So when are you, lovebirds, planning the wedding?" one of them nudged his arm.Polo chuckled hesitantly, feeling pressured at their constant teasing. "We planned to do the ceremony on the fourth." he told them. "You guys are invited, of course.""That's what we'd like to hear!"They all gave Polo a smack in the back, a customary thing for them to do to and express their encouragement to their buddies.Minutes later, a familiar vo
Have you walked in the same path for so many years again and again?Have you ever wondered how tiring and exhausting it was to see the same things on your line of vision?Have you ever wondered if you'll ever be able to finally get a chance for a change?For the tenth moonchild, yes.Unable to find his true purpose of life, he found a vessel of his own and walked the lands of the earth for eons. He crossed seas and loitered in land, to find his very reason of living.It was unusual, for he could not find it.He would lift his head to the stars and ask the skies above if they could give him an answer of who he was, but his plight were mostly ignored. He was troubled.He did not know who he is.There he was, in the middle of a snowy mountain, surrounded by wolves and white-colored bears. The creatures did not pounce o
His soft flesh made way for the blade to sink inside.The tenth moonchild screamed in agony as he felt that searing pain as Asty's blood mixed with his and felt that burning sensation of the area, started to fizz.The laceration she had inflicted on him was deep. Polo crashed into the ground, as Asty's hands were still fully attached to the hilt of her sword. She looked at him with a cold expression and whispered against his ear, showing no ruth."It's over—"She was not able to finish her words. All of a sudden, Asty's head started to hurt.'Ah...' she winced inside her head. 'What is going on?'The woman's head felt like she was being drilled. She attempts to remove her hand from the hilt of her sword, but it wouldn't budge. She started at the glowing blade that was pierced onto his spine.In that brief moment, it felt like everything around