(Before nightfall...)
“Leonor said he will be reporting at midnight,” My servant, Fish, informed as we stood by the crowd. I then glanced at the window with curiosity; it was still giving off evening signs.
“And what about the girl?” I asked next.
“I don’t think she is here, sire.” Was his reply.
Hmm.
She is a royal, yet she isn’t here. But the party has not started though; maybe she will be coming by any time sooner.
The room was getting crowded as visitors were piling up. Everyone is clothed with nobleness. That it shone together with the dazzling light of the glow stones. The place was wide enough for four full-grown dragons to fit and quite grand.
Well-furnished maroon tiles, an old canvas of dragons and human beings painted together on the domed ceiling, and a kindled crystal chandelier in the middle. A throne is nowhere to be found, and
“How dare you fail to show up yesterday, Rhys.” Fiona furiously probed as she fixes my hair at a bench by the garden. I was meant to be scolded today either, but with my aunt around, I managed to avoid that, yet sadly, they dismissed me from my hunting job and must remain inside the walls once again.---since I so-callingly broke an important protocol.“Ouch,” I softly mumbled when she accidentally pulled my hair a bit too harsh. Involuntarily, my gaze traveled upon my bandaged hands, resting on my lap. Then, it slowly averted onto this thin, white, average-length dress that my aunt forced me to wear today.How unpleasant“Look at you, you are growing old.” She madly spat with the voice I could hardly recognize, “Do not wait for love to find you and just go on, MARRY someone and leave this crappy place.”“Yeah, and be stuck with some crappy guy too, huh,” I coldly responded. She didn&rsquo
Damn, I can’t stand her, leaving just like that in the middle of a discussion. Where did she even go?I scratched my head as I remember how I waited for her to come back only to know she runoff.But looking back earlier, with that plain white dress she wore and her braided hair. I never thought she has such side, I mean, she looks good in it.Her behavior is a drawback though. She even blabbered about seducing someone; I am not planning to go that far, that bastard!---And she did not even thank me for lending her a hand to go home, how ungrateful that is.I left the mansion and fled back to Leonor’s resting place, planning to investigate. Who even bothered to start an assassination on such a prestigious day?---The place will obviously be well-guarded.My mind then flashed a memory. I don’t know but; it is bothering me, why she opened up to me just like that. It was kind of unusual for someone wicked like her.
Fierce untamed flames and flailing dreadful screams became my everyday bedtime story. It creeps into my mind, corrupting my once lively dreams into nightmares. I tried to bury it all deep down into my guts yet it only kept resurfacing, pleading to be released from this benighted prison of misery and sorrow, wishing to see the so-called light one more time.I realized I was the one foolish on that part. That these dark cold demons inside me crave for the warmth of the light even though they know they would perish, and I obliged them from that due to the fact that I cannot just let things go.Just because I am afraid to remember, I am afraid to feel too much. I have prolonged my agony for so long that it clouded me from recognizing freedom.After all those terrible years of being alive, I decided to let it go. I faced my demons head-on with the courage that I could muster. I devoted myself to ending this century-year-old suffering of mine once and fo
Too much happened today;A lit-up motivation to end my connection with her and then,---a waver.Surely, the past has nothing to do with her anymore; she is not the person they knew back then, but, why is it bugging me?I thought as I stared at the candle-lit wooden ceiling while lying on my bed.What made it worse is that she is loved regardless of her sins, and even though she is at her worse. The fact that those kinds of people, the good one, are the one who is still hoping for her to come back is unrealistic. I mean, is it even possible, for humans, to create such a pure and strong bond?How come someone still loves an evil-deprived person?What made them think she has hope?I heaved a deep sigh at these idealistic questions in my mind.Betrayal and greed,---that is their nature, so I guess, forgiveness and selflessness either, huh,I closed my eyes, deciding not to think much about it, but I failed when I rem
An intimidating silence somehow woke me up, just to find myself alone in a grim and prison-like room, as I rested my back on the wall. I tried to stand up, only to find myself cuffed from hands to feet which I just recently noticed. My hands are roped on my back and on my ankles too.“What happened?” I softly mumbled, trying to remember what came to pass.I went to visit Rhys by early midnight at the Bescheil residence to ask her about her upcoming birthday, only to hear she was not there. Well, my actions were quite questionable too, since it is already midnight, and I am known to be cold-hearted around her.Upon leaving, that was when I blackout. For heaven’s sake, who dares hurt a princess and store her in such a filthy place?!I glanced at my surrounding. The walls were made of mud bricks, a table far in front of me, and a wooden door on the left side of the wall that I am facing. The floor is made of stone. There are no windows, and
A damn miscalculation, that is what you get from letting idiots do the job. Everything always ends in disaster or surprises. Just like meeting a cunning girl or some annoying brat similar to this person in front of me.Her fair twisted blond hair plus her spotless and clear skin as wore a classy purple dress hinted her extravagant way of life. How does it feel, leaving your comfortable tower?“Geez, this bread is quite bland, don’t you have some cream or sauces to add some flavor to it?” She protested while chewing some of the bread I gave her as she sat in front of me, untied. She has been complaining about it a hundred times already. It is irritating me.I threw my Katana on the table, making her squeal with shock. It is to remind her she is a hostage and not some guest to feed. She isn’t even overwhelmed from this abduction and was acting like she is home.People here are horrible. They are accustomed to saving themselves that t
As I quietly sat on this dirty and cold stone tiles inside this mud-made prison, solely remembering how we even ended up here.After we reached Leonor’s grave, we found no one, no one but a fresh ‘R’ mark carved on a tree, which Rhys must have left for us to follow, leading us towards the gloomy woods until we reached this mound-like place.I fathomed she is aware of the situation, how?We were supposed to give a signal to the army, but this idiot ran towards the front gates swarming with guards like some fated hero while shouting “I’m coming for you, retarded sister!”“What the heck was that, Prince?!” I annoyingly shouted onto him as he was sitting far from my side while resting his back on the mud-brick wall. We are in some war zone now, let us put courtesy aside.“Geez, Theon,” He slightly laughed, forced one. “But we managed to enter this place unhurt, right?” He scratched
(Before the quake..)After leaving the two behind, I decided to investigate more. I was lucky and unlucky at the same time, to take a glimpse of the situation when I visited Leonor’s grave just to find something.A flying black dragon passed nearby my location. I am not interested actually, not until I recognized that curly blond hair of hers dancing with the icy wind on top of that dragon. I then followed their trail by keeping my eyes on it until I reached this place. I also managed to leave traces behind, hoping someone would even come there to look for it.I wonder if the dragon that fought Leonor is in this same group.Astrays huh, I wonder.Astrays are old enemies lurking around but I haven’t fought one though, since the other generals and Harith are mostly obliged to those kinds of works.Why did they suddenly suspect the Astrays? Did they find that piece of old paper?There is no dou
: RHYS’s POV “I want a dozen, no, hundreds of copies of books, original or not,” I demanded. “I’ll be opening a library in Weinthwoods and I need a supply.” Here at the Main Trading Center that works directly for the King himself, I boldly ask. “Your highness,” Old Sir Desmond trembled with fear as he sat on his desk. He reasoned, “Just as the Wise king had said before, books are not needed in the country.” With a swift swing of his hand, pushed his silver bangs that fell from his quiver. He bore a fake grin on his pale lips. Praying that I will take his advice of not going against that foolish king. I am not exactly 'going against', as if that King could even resist my will. “The King has nothing to do with my decisions, Sir Desmond.” I raised my voice. “I am the second princess of the court, the future Marchioness of Weinthwoods.” I appealed, “What makes you think my evaluations aren’t in the m
: THEON’s POV “Wake up, Theon!” a familiar young voice called out as she pulled my blanket away. “It’s almost sunrise!” She added, forcing me to wake up. I slowly dragged my body, compelling me to sit on my bed, but the not-so-bright light that crept on my open window sent me blinking three times just to adjust my blurry vision. Another day broke, and I, no, we---are still alive. Who must I give my thanks to? “Damn,” I muttered before massaging my heavy and aching forehead. Not only that, “Damn, what a terrible dream.” I shrieked quietly and covered my blistering face with both of my palms. Hangovers are problematic, it gives such unrealistic nightmares. “What did you dreamed of?” Luna, who seemed to have heard my grumbles, asked as she stood beside the edge of my bed, “You’re turning red.” She added, causing some unwanted memories to flash through my mind. “Don’t ask!” I ann
: RHYS’s POV “The Smith household is really that popular huh,” I astonishingly mumbled while reading some reports about the Smiths here inside the evil devil’s lair. “How come I failed to hear about them when I was at the castle?” “Nah,” I smirked, “As if I care about humans before." Earlier, after a thirty-minute or less stroll under the night sky, I reached the manor. I asked Fish to collect all valuable information about that foolish household when I finally reached home, but he assertively led me here instead. He also informed me that the Marquis had been keeping an eye on them ever since…--um, I don’t know; he didn’t tell me. That guy Fish, what a funny name. Even though his voice isn’t that familiar, his face does. The second time I took a closer look at him earlier, he is certainly that old man’s former dragon partner. Well, it doesn’t look like he didn’t have a choice, though. To stay her
: THEON’s POVAs I stood beside the open window, I shrieked. “This is bad.” I glanced at them, “A wedding a month from now?!”“Yeah,” Rhys corresponded without hints of anxiety, “It is what the paper says,” she added while she stilled her attention on that rolled-out scroll.Why are you so calm? Damn it!Ryu, who was leaning on the closed door behind Rhys with his palms on his nape, joined the conversation, “I wonder why the king declared such all of the sudden,” He slowly strolled towards Rhys’s sitting figure and bent his back down to read the scroll with her. He actually wore that freaking attitude. Yeah, he unerringly smirked.“Days from now, they will hold an engagement party at that kingdom, huh, both of your presence is needed.” He informed.“They even decided to concurrently hold the wedding together with that once
: RYU’s POVMy three days after the official opening of the Fall festival was boring. Yet, not as boring compared to my time back at the Underworld.One thing that had left me astounded was the lantern moment. A wish for another from a genuine heart, will it come true?Futile, who in this retching world is going to grant such hope? That festival is nothing but created for fun. No one up above will hear your pleas, because none exists up there.I know, because I tried.I cringe at myself whenever I remember that time I knelt on that verdant ground, and with the top of my lungs, I clamored to the night sky; just at least make that one wish come true.It was the stupidest thing I have done in my entire life.Two weeks must have passed ever since I left Underworld and has been forty-three years since I left that home, but not a single regret is gnawing my core. Who wouldn’t? ---since the ‘m
: ANEMONE’s POV“Calm down, Ane,” I furiously mumbled to myself as I walk straight ahead, “David is not acting weird, it is just like Theon. That their trivial gentleness does not mean something more like special meanings.”You are no special Ane, to begin with.You are just one desperate woman longing to be loved and because of that, you almost lead someone to their misfortune. With those stains, you have no right to love again.David has been with me as a friend, and I don’t want to cross that line twice.Since I am now free from my old self, I have the need to maintain it. I guess.Your priority right now is to protect those that are important to you without the necessity to have them do the same.So Ane, you do not need a hear—“Oy,” A warm hand suddenly gripped my cold one. I shivered upon the contact, compelling me to stop.
: DAVID’s POV“It is getting late,”I mumbled as I stood at the entrance of the town, waiting for a certain person to show up. The cold air embraced me while the cacophony of chattering voices jammed my ears. A gentle wind wailed, taking along the pleasing scent of the once stapled cuisines.Even though losing my other vision is making my head throb, the bright placements of lights were a lambent sight.At this rendezvous. I want to spend my time here with her.---but I am just the guy whom she barely notices.Just like her, I kept this ardent feeling for myself. I have lived long enough to understand that such affection can artlessly spawn, but the act of reciprocation isn’t some sort of bonus.Taking the risk is beyond me and yearning for more is out of my league, knowing that we do not feel the same.Asking for such a meeting and expecting her to come is some intrepi
“I guess there is no helping then,” I muttered, and then cupped the right side of my face with my cold palm. “Since Ane failed to hurt me after knowing my identity. We’ll have to wait for the one last bet to finish.”That demon! Interfering with my goals. He has the guts to stick his nose in my game. What is he up to?Why did he suddenly decide to help this green-haired devil?I can’t blame him if he started continuing his lame plan, but it doesn’t matter now. The last bet is something he cannot predict and impede. It is such a bother I made this bet to work fair and square.Unpleasantly, my mind flashed a horrible memory. Back to the time I actually cried.--once again.Those tragedies that once troubled me before do not inflict the same pain anymore. Instead, it only made me recognize it, sadness.How troublesome.From the corner of my eye, I noticed him move, making me glance at him.
: THEON’s POV “I feel sick.” I mumbled as I rested my cheek on the rough surface of my table, feeling my stomach turn around like a whirlpool. It has been growling too loud lately that I can’t even stay at the dining table for more than a minute. Where did I get these? Was it from our food earlier? “Come on, Theon,” Luna exclaimed after she entered my room with her furnished ponytail matching her new orange dress outlined with white maple leaves at the brim, ready for the festival, “Midnight is coming,” “I’ll pass,” I mumbled with my weak, sour voice. “But,” She pouted, “Everyone will go, except for Rhys though.” Yeah, simply because she is injured; I don’t think she can go. Now that I am kind of sick, I don’t want to move a muscle with this twirling belly. The festival is a one-week celebration; I will visit right after I am fine. “Go on now,” I uttered, sending her off on her journey, “Mid