"This is the final boarding call for passenger Camilla Alfaro booked on flight SA073 to Orlando City. Please proceed to gate 2 immediately. The final checks are being completed and the captain will order for the doors of the aircraft to close in approximately seven minutes. I repeat. This is the final boarding call for Camilla Alfaro. Thank you." She was on her toes the moment she heard the call. Camilla was dozing off on a corner when the pre-boarding announcement aired and she missed it. She was finally roused when her name was announced. She mumbled an apology to the staff awaiting her at the gates. She then headed to join the others on the shuttle and apologized politely to the other passengers. It was her first time flying and alone at that, she kept scolding herself in her head for not being alert. What if she hadn't woken up and the plane had taken off? It would have been another exhausting hour of waiting. Not to mention the extra charges for rescheduling. She'd be in rags by
48 million miles from Planet Earth… White lights blinded Camilla's vision, as her body seized up to a harrowing intensity. Shrieks can be heard throughout the cabin growing louder by the second.She felt her skin burning from the overpowering heat, and when she thought she couldn't tolerate it anymore, like a firework, the plane exploded and its remains dispersed into space. Camilla couldn't believe her eyes everyone had turned into shadow-like creatures, barely shaping their human form. In a flash, she was sucked into a seemingly bottomless pit resembling that of an animal’s gut—as though she had been devoured by a huge monster. She had been falling for quite some time as darkness surrounded her, and even a faint light gave her relief when she saw an opening below. When she landed on her bottom with a thud, all feelings and emotions came flooding back to her senses as she laid down on the ground. Her clothes have been destroyed by the explosion while her flesh, blood, and bones had
After 15 Devian years, Camilla had built a solid reputation in the small town where she lived. It didn't take her long to learn their language, which sounded Arabic to her ears, and their way of life is very similar to some she knew back on Earth. She had a rough start learning, but she excelled in them by the end.The community let her stay for as long as she wanted, they helped her generously, and they built her a hut and weaved clothes for her. Food was plentiful and never seemed to run out. In return, she made it her job during the day to assist the community. While their parents are at work out in the fields or the sea, she could clean, babysit, and teach the children. She then continues her studies at night. She may be intelligent, but learning a completely different culture takes time. She had immersed herself in studying their politics, culture, science, history, and geography from the town hall which also serves as a library. Though limited, the slave towns in each kingdom's
Princess Thalyn gazed at Camilla, who was laying on the bed, and noticed how different she was from her. Her ears are strangely shaped like half the sun, her deep tone of beige skin matches the desert sand, and her hair is as black as coal—she looked amazing in her eyes.She couldn’t stand her growing curiosity any longer and raised her arm towards her. Her hand landed on the woman’s forehead brushing down to her hair and moving to her left ear. Her gestures stirred the woman from her sleep. It startled her when her lids lifted and found herself staring at her brown orbs. She was tongue-tied. Camilla opened her eyes when she felt a hand on her face. She fixed her gaze on a strange woman with a doll-like face. Even though she appeared fragile and had an almost bleached color to her light gray complexion, she was nonetheless quite attractive. She can never get used to how good-looking these people are. All musing left her when she remembered how she had been abducted. She quickly rose f
Movako, Land of Gold Crown Prince Fazan Acheus Movako, raised his sword towards the sky as the thundering roar of the crowd was heard throughout the arena, his opponent lying on the ground writhing in pain. The Imperial Prince bestowed with formidable strength is unrivaled in combat. Known for his intelligence, fearlessness, and unrelenting nature—a born leader revered by all. The citizens of Movako regard him as the perfect prince. But only a few were aware of his tyrannical nature and ruthlessness. He threw down his sword and walked off the field, the mob cheering him on. “You’re Majesty,” his advisor greeted and ushered him inside his quarters “the Emperor has demanded your presence in the royal court.” The prince simpered as he ordered his servants to prepare his bath and went off for the meeting. The current Emperor, Mohart Thaddeus Movako sits impatiently waiting for his son. He couldn’t stand the deafening silence any longer and shouted for his valet; at the same time, Prin
The sun was already high up by the time Camilla and her group crossed the border, they had left the city at the break of dawn expecting to arrive before noon. They stopped by a creek for a quick rest, before continuing. She held her breath as the group advanced toward the palace gates. They had just passed by the overly ornamented towns on their way. Her hands shook as she gripped the window sill looking out into the open. It had been a year when she agreed to King Rupert's plan. A lot had happened since then. It was barely a hundred days but to her, it felt longer, with all the training she went through and the strict rules she followed; she couldn't help but be tense about what was coming. She strained herself, steadying her throbbing heart as she leaned her back. She smiled languidly at the memories on her mind, and she slowly closed her eyes. Reminiscing the silly, almost crazy lessons which she had to put up with, that nevertheless made her stronger and even wiser. ***** A
“HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCESS OF YVEDRA” All attendees as well as the emperor halted their movements with the announcement, their heads strained towards the entrance of the Great Hall. Camilla took a deep breath as she heard the title being announced. She could tell a lot of people are on the other side of the door. She eased herself knowing that no one in this world could have known where she came from or what she was. The doors opened wide and the eager faces of the attendees flooded her sight. Soon, whispers and the sounds of surprise filled the room. She may not be the most beautiful person they’ve seen, but the uniqueness of her beauty, grace, and poise are out of this world. All men gawked at her, while the women leered at her—some with jealousy and some of scrutiny. “Look at her skin…!” “What’s with her ears… are they even real?” “She doesn’t… a monster at all. She does lo… strange, must’ve… illness.” Camilla had e
Prince Fazan removed his clothing and had them tucked away. He didn’t expect anyone coming in as he rushed out of the princess’s chamber. He was slightly surprised, but seeing they were just maids he couldn’t care less and turned around to leave. The unexpected cry made him stop on his tracks, realizing the princess was present. He studied her briefly, his eyes sharp despite the lack of light. She wasn’t as ugly as what he’d heard, but not as attractive as his friend had claimed. Though he agreed with her uncommon semblance—her oddly modeled face and her bright skin—which stirred an unfamiliar desire in him to strip her bare and examine. He ignored the strange feeling and made his way to the tub. ***** “OH HOW INSOLENT, how rude!”Camilla couldn’t accept what just occurred as she kept pacing around the room. When the man brazenly left without a care nor a word, she rushed to help her maid before getting inside. She unlocked the wooden chest relieved
Dawn arrived and the great hall buzzed early in preparation for the Imperial’s meeting. The servants cleaned the area thoroughly and had the green curtains removed and changed to gold and Tyrian purple. The ornaments were replaced with blue breeze flowers and azure plants. Only Imperials and Royals are allowed to have these colors in their homes, as it represents wealth and power. Princess Laryn had never worn anything other than these colors. They had known the princess to be finical in every way from her rare but dreadful visits. She had even brought her bed once, beating slaves to carry it on foot. They had the arrangement and food all according to her preferences. Everyone present is more concerned about offending the young princess than their emperor, who on the other hand is tolerant and easy to please. That morning, Princess Laryn came earlier than the appointed time. This had caused panic in the kitchen below as they make haste. She was escorted by a large number of maids and
The sun had settled in warmly on its nest, when a knock was heard on Camilla’s door step whilst she was soaking in the hot tub. She appreciated how thoughtful her maids were, they had used her favorite lavender scented oil. It always helped calm her senses and made her feel rejuvenated. “Come in!” she called out and her maid Nala appeared in the room. “Your Highness, here’s the list you’ve asked for.” “Well done, thank you.” “No one’s guarding your door tonight, your highness?” Nala says concerned, as she placed the thin sheet of paper inside a desk drawer. “Oh I dismissed them. The others kept annoying me thinking it was some kind of special treatment, I don’t want to give them further reason to hate on me.” “But Your Highness…” “I’ll be fine there are guards nearby. Besides, the man’s locked up already. So don’t you worry.” She gave Nala a carefree smile to which she returned with a curt nod. Her maid left after fixing
Chapter 12 “What is wrong with you?” Prince Fazan questioned her as he wiped his hands with a towel. ‘How come it’s still beating?’ Camilla was perplexed when she lowered the salver with the animal’s gleaming ticker on it still cladded in viridescent grume; pulsing despite being weeded out from its owner. “You didn’t tell me I’d have to play servant.” When he said she wanted her to accept his catch, she came running just to be in attendance—not to accompany him while he eviscerates the heart of the poor thing, even though all she did was to display his harvest. “Assistant.” He corrected. “Same thing.” She whispered to herself.“That is how a lady receives a hunter’s yield, as it had been for centuries. What kind of Devian royalty doesn’t even know her own traditions?” “The kind that doesn’t treat tradition as a sport, Your Imperial Highness.” She says begrudgingly as the elders returned and took the tray fro
Chapter 11 A satisfied smile broke into Camilla’s face as she looked at the scholars who are keenly engrossed on the models, she had allowed them to hold and examine it for themselves. An old man with the brightest shade of the golden band approached her. His solemn face riddled with fine lines and wrinkles bearing the years of relentless learning. “Your Royal Highness, I am Geron, the chief of scholars and one of the advisors of the emperor. I am very much interested in knowing how that machine works? I have traversed many cities but I’ve never seen anything like it.” He was pointing at the microscope, it wasn’t anything like the ones they had on Earth. Camilla designed its structure with stones and steel and with only one lens and had them built by slaves skilled in crafts. She used the best glass stones she found in the castle, still the outcome wasn’t much as it barely resembles that of a 17th century Earth compound microscope to be con
Like a rabbit entering the lion’s den, Camilla poised herself. The feeling of pride and satisfaction for shutting him up and leaving him on the floor the other night, vanished into thin air. She doesn’t want to put her shoes on such slippery hell, but what’s done is done. She turned the knob and peered inside. With no sight of him, she fully entered the room. There weren’t much decorations—no artifacts, no trophies, nor flags—with only a few maps on the walls, seven chairs, a couple of books piled up neatly on shelves, and the biggest ovoid table she’d ever seen positioned at the center. There were golden and silver statuettes of two armies occupying half the table like a massive chessboard. The prince does like to keep things plain and simple she thought. Camilla held one of the statuettes, she particularly chose a golden knight. She mused at the weight of a real gold, never in her life did she expect to see this much. The knight’s head slipped off from her ha
Camilla held her breath as the prince snaked his left hand on her lower back their pose similar to a closed dance hold position, except that he is not holding her hand, the other was placed on her waist instead. His stature towering over her small frame. She focused on remembering the steps as she hadn’t learn them well, thinking of it unnecessary. She suddenly felt lightheaded—despite their measured movements—her surroundings growing unsteady ‘must’ve been the drink’. She unintentionally leaned her weight to her partner her palms resting on his shoulders. Bracing herself, she looked at him straight in the eye and realized one thing. “It was you… It was you that night.” “If I was…” “Why? Did you come check me out?” “And if I did…” “Well... I suppose you’re here to apologize then.” “What for?”Camilla is starting to get pissed off with his flagrant attitude and she had it with his condescending tone. “You
Prince Fazan removed his clothing and had them tucked away. He didn’t expect anyone coming in as he rushed out of the princess’s chamber. He was slightly surprised, but seeing they were just maids he couldn’t care less and turned around to leave. The unexpected cry made him stop on his tracks, realizing the princess was present. He studied her briefly, his eyes sharp despite the lack of light. She wasn’t as ugly as what he’d heard, but not as attractive as his friend had claimed. Though he agreed with her uncommon semblance—her oddly modeled face and her bright skin—which stirred an unfamiliar desire in him to strip her bare and examine. He ignored the strange feeling and made his way to the tub. ***** “OH HOW INSOLENT, how rude!”Camilla couldn’t accept what just occurred as she kept pacing around the room. When the man brazenly left without a care nor a word, she rushed to help her maid before getting inside. She unlocked the wooden chest relieved
“HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCESS OF YVEDRA” All attendees as well as the emperor halted their movements with the announcement, their heads strained towards the entrance of the Great Hall. Camilla took a deep breath as she heard the title being announced. She could tell a lot of people are on the other side of the door. She eased herself knowing that no one in this world could have known where she came from or what she was. The doors opened wide and the eager faces of the attendees flooded her sight. Soon, whispers and the sounds of surprise filled the room. She may not be the most beautiful person they’ve seen, but the uniqueness of her beauty, grace, and poise are out of this world. All men gawked at her, while the women leered at her—some with jealousy and some of scrutiny. “Look at her skin…!” “What’s with her ears… are they even real?” “She doesn’t… a monster at all. She does lo… strange, must’ve… illness.” Camilla had e
The sun was already high up by the time Camilla and her group crossed the border, they had left the city at the break of dawn expecting to arrive before noon. They stopped by a creek for a quick rest, before continuing. She held her breath as the group advanced toward the palace gates. They had just passed by the overly ornamented towns on their way. Her hands shook as she gripped the window sill looking out into the open. It had been a year when she agreed to King Rupert's plan. A lot had happened since then. It was barely a hundred days but to her, it felt longer, with all the training she went through and the strict rules she followed; she couldn't help but be tense about what was coming. She strained herself, steadying her throbbing heart as she leaned her back. She smiled languidly at the memories on her mind, and she slowly closed her eyes. Reminiscing the silly, almost crazy lessons which she had to put up with, that nevertheless made her stronger and even wiser. ***** A