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Sally has gone to the mines too. Left alone, Danika needed some fresh air outdoor.
She got up and slipped her legs into her sandals. She looked around. Her room looks beautiful because of the way Sally decorated it.
She smiled taking in the new features. The fresh flowers. The lightbulbs. The new floor carpets. Already, she was counting the minutes before Sally comes back again.
She walked out of the palace and took a first visit to the library where she spent a good number of time.
It was afternoon by the time she got back into the palace and strode towards the garden of the palace. She was staring at them with fascination when her back prickled.
Someone is watching her.
She looks behind her and stared up. There she stood at the window, staring at her with eyes fille
917 word(s) Published 31 She was walking through the back of the palace when a hand suddenly shot out and pulled at her. It startled her so much, her mouth opened to scream but a deep voice cut her off. "Don't make a sound or you'll regret it." Karandy snapped at her. Danika snapped her mouth shut. The man was holding her tight from behind and he was hurting her wounded back. She bit her lips hard. He dragged her to an isolated part of the palace, entered a small store, and locked the door. "You've been a very bad bitch, haven't you? What did you keep doing for the chief maid that makes her give you days off repeatedly?" He snarled at her. Danika swallowed the fear she was feeling at being alone with him. Instead, she stared the slave trainer square in the face, "I don't know what you're talkin
1219 word(s) Published 32 "The king is waiting." One of the older maids said to her. Her eyes found her bangle on the nightstand. The gold glistening bangle screamed royalty and it was priceless. She had the urge to wear it. You're no longer a princess, Danika. She looked away from the jewel, got up, and walked out of the dressing room towards the King's Chambers. When she got to his bedroom, a guard out there informed her that the king is not in his bedroom at the moment. He's in the bedroom at the end of the hallway. She thanked the guard and started down the hallway. On the door, her heart was already beating out of her chest. She knocked once and waited. "Come in." The deep voice she hasn't heard in three noon days came through. She opened the d
1254 word(s) Published 33 He walked closer to her. "Look at me." She forced her eyes away from the floor and she stared at his eyes. Someone can easily get lost in the blue-troubled cold sea that is his eyes. He allowed the silence to stretch for so long. They stared at each other and for a moment, the world fell away. There was no pain. No introduction. No slave. There was no impending pain and humiliation. Just Danika and Lucien alone in the world, staring at each other in the eyes. Suddenly, she remembered everything they talked about on that night in his room. Those questions he answered. His scars run so deep. His eyes have been cold for so long, he is sure it would never be warm again. His torture session she oversaw. Her father roasted his privates. The knowledge made her cling inside an
1307 word(s)Published34Now, she understands what the king meant by the unmasking, she thought as she recited the words.With their permission, she put back her mask on and finally padlocked it.King Moreh continued his speech and the more he talked, the more agitated she is. From everything he said, she got to understand a few things.While the Mask Festival is going on in this Royal Court, she'll be taken to the inner room where she'll be, and the kings will visit her one after the other.She swallowed tightly. Suddenly, she wanted to use the bathroom. This horrible impending torture was seriously upsetting her bladder."You can go back now, slave." King Moreh said to her in the middle of his speech.She breathed a deep sigh of relief as she walked back to King Lucien's side and lowered herself to the ground in her usual
1019 word(s)Published35Danika was so pressed, she knew she'll urinate on herself if she's here any longer.She knelt down in front of King Lucien. "I w-want to use the bathroom, m-master." Her voice trembled."Five minutes." Was all he said."T-Thank you, master." She got up and walked towards the door, the guards opened the door for her and she walked out.Outside the door of the courtroom, Danika had the insane urge to run away. To run as fast as her legs could carry her.And she did.Only, she could run to the bathroom. There is no escape from this place...from Salem...from the palace....from the introduction.In the bathroom, she was breathing heavily and tears was running down her cheeks. She closed the door, leaned against the wall and started sobbing.It's like her world is crashin
1109 word(s)Published36Danika followed Baski to the backyard where the woman ordered her to carry some woods to the store and arrange it properly.She'd wanted to question Baski but already, the older woman dismissed her by turning and on doing another thing altogether.How would Baski bring her out from something as important as 'Introduction' according to the kings, just for her to carry log of woods?Something is definitely off.Time dragged by. The more Danika carried the wood, the more her back prickled. Her chest became heavy. She was feeling uncomfortable.Something is off. Something is definitely wrong. Whatever it is, is very bad to be affecting her this way.She forgot all about a slave never questioning orders and she dropped the next log of wood she carried."B-Baski...?" She called. It surprised her that her vo
1042 word(s) Published 37 Danika renewed her struggles. "Holy h-heavens...! No, he'll k-kill Sally...Baski, he'll kill h-her! I can't let that happen! I'll n-never be able to bear it!" As she struggled and cried and struggled the more. Sally started screaming again, and this time it sounded....more agonizing. With each scream, Danika cried louder and struggled against Baski until the woman finally freed her or risk getting seriously hurt. "Danika! No!" She cried. Danika was beyond hearing, her heart was breaking in her chest. With each scream coming from the Royal Court, a little piece of her heart dies a little more inside. She dragged the doorknob and swung the door as open as she could get it, which isn't much but it'll do because she can pass through the narrow way. She took the first step
1250 word(s) Published 38 "Snap out of it, Danika! Sally would never want you this way at all! You have to be strong for her!" Baski said as they walked out of the passage that divided the palace from the Royal Court. As she talked, they saw Chad. Baski left Danika and ran towards him, she relayed the King's message. Chad's eyes darkened and his hand fisted tightly at his side as Baski quickly run him through everything that happened. He walked past them and started towards the route of the Royal Court. That was the only thing that snapped Danika out of her trance. She turned and started running after him, determined to go with him. She has to see Sally, she just has to! Baski didn't waste time trying to stop her. Instead, they all followed Chad. There's another way that leads to the inner room
1499 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 3b. Final Excerpt.Hours later, the sun is down. The moon rose high in the sky, glowing beautifully with the stars surrounding it. Anarieveta got down from the carriage, paid the carriage-rider some coins, and watched him drive away.Then, she entered the huge property of the Raskins. Staring at the elegantly decorated big home, she contemplated knocking on that huge door several feet away from her.There's no turning back now. Her baby, Merrily, needs her.With that in mind, she covered the distance and knocked on the door, her heart in her throat. The door swung open.Gedony Raskin stood tall behind the door. The sleepy look fled from his eyes as he saw Anarieveta standing uneasily behind his door.When he sent out that crazy message about Merrily being sick and needing her, he never expected that s
1035 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 3a.She didn't let him.In fact, Anarieveta began avoiding him again. This time, harder than the first time.Two months after their night together, Gedony Raskin has had it with her. He has done everything within his power to see Anarieveta again, but she always evaded him.He's in the school? She's suddenly out of the premises according to her assistant.He's in her office? She's not around.He goes to her home? Everywhere is locked.The next thing he heard is, she has gone to the palace to spend some time with her godson, the little Prince.Their night together lives in his head always, he hasn't been able to forget it. And frankly, it hurt him that she moved on without him. How can she just forget that beautiful intimate moment like it never happened?"Papa, papa,
1433 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 2b.Several hours later, Anarieveta admitted to herself that she's happy again for the first time in a long time. Genuinely, womanly happy.He was right there in the kitchen with her when she was making omelets and he found every reason to make her laugh. At first, it was difficult—she doesn't really have a lot to smile about.But he was always making jokes. And when jokes weren't working much, he told her stories about his children in the past. The stories were so funny, they made her smile. Smile so hard. Laugh.It didn't take long before she was laughing out loud as he told her tales elaborately.They ate together. Went out on a walk together. When they got back, they sat in the wooden chairs in the backyard, talking with each other.It was beautiful. It made Anarieveta so happy
1403 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 2a."You're right. So, let's talk about the present." His arms wrapped around her back, successfully caging her in his arms so she wouldn't escape, "Why have you been avoiding me?""I'm been too busy. I wasn't avoiding you.""If you're going to lie, at least look me in the eyes while doing that, will you?" He sounded amused."Alright. There was nothing to talk about. Mr. Odin makes sure any problem concerning the kids are solved." Shifting uncomfortably in his arms, her eyes darted to the door behind him longingly."What about the problem between us?""Mr. Raskin—"He kissed her. Gently. Passionately. Intensely. His lips molded with her perfectly, licking and tasting hers so thoroughly that a moan tore through Anarieveta's throat.Her body
857 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 1b.Note: There are only three excerpts...********In the early evening, Gedoni Raskin stood inside her living room with his daughter plastered to his body, his broad shoulder cushioning her head, her small arms wrapped around him."Why are you sick, Pumpkin? Don't be sick, you know Papa doesn't like that." He said, tenderly."I know, Papa. You get sad when we get sick." Merrily mumbled against his shoulder, her eyes closed."Yeah. Papa loves you two so much, he gets sad when you're not happy.""I am happy, Papa. Miss Ana gave me food and bitter herbs and sang to me. I don't feel so bad anymore.""Oh, guess we have Miss Ana to thank for that," his eyes found her across the living room and held."Yes, Papa. Miss Ana likes me, and I like M
981 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 1a.FIVE YEARS AFTER MOMBANA'S WAR.Anarieveta entered her Bed Chambers, her eyes darted to the fire pit which produced heated light into the bedroom, and felt satisfied that the fire hadn't burned out in her absence.A small figure occupied her king-size bed, the figure moving her body to glance at the door when she entered. Anarieveta smiled at the little girl, walking towards the bed, she lowered herself on it."I've seen Aiden off. Your father will be here very soon to take you home, okay?" She reassured the little girl.The sad lines on Merrily Raskin's small oval face disappeared immediately after her teacher appeared at her doorway. She isn't feeling so good, but her good teacher tells her that everything will be alright. So, everything will be alright."Alright, Miss Ana." She whispered, her br
1037 word(s)PublishedEpilogue...EPILOGUE.Five years later....It is a happy day in the Palace of Kingdom Avalon, as Kamara and Declan celebrate the birth of their second child, Princess Ainaa.A huge feast is held in the Court, a lot of people attended too. Sally and her family sat at one side of the round table, a huge smile on her face as she tries to feed solid food to her own second whose her youngest.Baski, Remeta, and her best friend Corna sat at one side, laughing and talking. Beside them; Haydara, Corna's mother, and her husband Gunther are trying to wipe the oil Raira, Corna's little sister, poured on her clothes.King Lucien has tried to hold Prince Nikolai repeatedly so he'll stay in his seat on the round table, but the Prince isn't having any of that. Instead, he has snuck out again with Princess Auroria, h
1392 word(s)Published296: Final Chapter 2.Name: KING LUCIEN AND QUEEN DANIKA'S FOREVER.....In the next three months, a lot happened.After the war and the birth of the Prince, the people of Mombana practically begged King Lucien to marry their Queen and keep ruling them. The Ministers were most in support of it after they saw the way the King protected their Kingdom, saw the intense love the King and their Queen has for each other, and heard the rumors of the heavy rain in Salem at the birth of the Prince.They wanted the King and the Prince in any way they can get them. In fact, they practically begged the King to merge their Kingdoms back together again and marry their Queen, if it means that he will keep ruling Mombana.Of course, the King agreed to it. The Queen was in support of it wholeheartedly.
1338 word(s) Published 295: Final Chapter 1. As Prince Nikolai nursed, that was when the King gave the Queen the good news of Vetta's survival. Danika was so happy. Tears of joy returned to her eyes again. So much joy, it was contagious. She kept thanking the heavens over and over again and immediately she was done breastfeeding, she insisted on going to see Vetta. No matter how Baski and the others tried to discourage her because of her vulnerable state, she refused adamantly. In the end, the King instructed Chad to carry her to Vetta's bedroom while he stayed with their sleeping baby. Vetta teared up at the sight of Danika. They were hugging immediately Danika's body touched the bed. They were crying together too. Vetta was thanking her for saving her life while the Queen is thanking her for being alive. Today has