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"You can always count on me. I will protect her with my life."
He nodded once. "Thank you. It's early night now. If you both set out, you can be in Mombana around early morning. The night journey is always the fastest with a better carriage. Go with one of the palace carriage, not the horse."
"Your wish is our command, Your Majesty." They'd bowed their heads and left his bedroom.**
"Yes. He sent us to come and take care of you. We don't know how long we're staying yet, but he requested that Chad be made your Head Guard because no one can protect you better." Baski explained.
Danika's mind reeled. He sent the two people so close to him...so important to him, to come stay with her and take care of her. "Who will take care of him?" She whispered.
Baski smiled and patted her shoulders, "He will be fine." She
943 word(s) Published 251 "I am stripping you from being my mistress, Vetta. And from today onwards, I'm setting you free." Vetta stood there staring up at King Lucien, hours later. She was finding it hard understanding those words he spoke. "W-What?" Surely, she didn't hear him correctly. It's those memories again tormenting her and blocking her hearings, she concluded. But his eyes... That guilt was still there. That Remorse. And a new look too. "Henceforth, you will no longer be a mistress to me, Vetta. I am letting you go." "Y-You're throwing me away?" It was hard for her to believe. She can barely hear above the clamours in her head. "No. No, I'm not throwing you away. I will never throw you away." He stated firmly. "But, you're stripping me from being your mistress.
1170 word(s)Published252His eyes took on the gentlest light. "Alright, I will not. But, you understand my message right?""The only t-thing I understand is that you're touching me willingly. And you're h-hunching in front of me with a d-dirty scarred part of me in your kingly hands. And you're sending me away.""No part of you is dirty, Vetta. Not to me." Done with her legs, he let them go.She wiped her tears, staring at her ugly legs. "I can't be Anarieveta ever again. Cone made sure of that. You don't know half of the things I've done, My King. Or what it's like, leaving in a head like mine.""I have a good idea, because I know what it's like leaving in a head like mine. You can always be Anarieveta again, you know why? The things you did do not define you." He took her hand and placed it on her chest, "What defines you is your here. Your heart d
828 word(s)Published253Eight Weeks Later......"You have to be in court, Your Highness, everyone is waiting for you." Baski announced as she entered Queen Danika's bedroom.The thirty-three weeks pregnant Queen was standing in front of the mirror in her expensive, extravagant royal gown made by the finest lace and silk, rich in velvet. The red and gold-colored luxurious tunic gown also contained embroidered lace and gems. Her long blond hair was wavy and styled, it pulled down behind her back.The Queen looks so devastatingly beautiful—even in her condition—but she isn't happy.She misses King Lucien with an intensity that is so terrifying, it remains indescribable.As days go by, she misses him so badly that she has to cry herself to sleep in her cold empty bed most of the nights, unless Sally comes
980 word(s) Published 254 Kamara is desperate. She can no longer sleep in peace, nor can she eat without indigestion... especially since she has no appetite at all. Not since she overhead her father's conversation with his General about Callan. It has been two months since Callan was put in that godforsaken dungeon, her father only ordered that he shouldn't be fed, but he has not ordered any torture session or any verdict about what will happen to Callan. That had gotten her worried as hell because she knows her father. His feigned ignorance doesn't mean he forgot at all, it only means he is planning something much more worse. Her worries was confirmed last week, when she overhead his conversation with his General when he was angrily telling the General that he's been waiting for King Lucien to come calling for her, but the King was determined to shame him after
1190 word(s)Published255Two months has not changed the fact that Vetta knows nothing to do with her life.These past two months have not been easy, as she always finds herself resisting the constant urge to go back to the Palace.But, she'd promised King Lucien that she will 'heal', she was determined not to let him down...whatever 'healing' means. The wounds she has cannot heal.But since she already made a promise like that, she was determined to try and live as a free woman, and she set her mind to keep that promise.In the past two months, she has tried to do everything normal women of the Kingdom of Salem would do. She goes to the market to get groceries for food, she goes to the fair whenever she hears there will be a carnival entertainment, she keeps her big house and even goes out back to pick fruits that fall in the garden.
1046 word(s)Published256King Lucien just returned from the Royal Court, very tired with a pounding headache nagging his head. He walked with a slight limp that comes with standing on his feet for so long. It was a very busy day like it has been for the past two months.Earlier in the day, he got Princess Kamara's letter, and he was forced to open it.Other letters, he did not bother to open because frankly, he does not care whatever its content might be. He has no intentions of marrying the Princess.But, when it came from a messenger, he deduced that there must be more to the letter—there has to be for the messenger to be sent all the way from Navia to Salem.So, he'd opened and read it.Indeed there was more to the letter. It finally made sense, the Princess's behavior here in Salem. Her heart already belongs to another.
859 word(s) Published 257 "Your good wishes for me are quite overwhelming, Whóre Slave." He was still amused. Vetta whirled towards the entrance of the cave, ignoring the blow to her chest by that name. "You truly don't think you can just walk out of here, do you?" His amused voice came again. "You only have to watch my back as I leave, Monster!" She spat without turning back. "I need your help." Vetta whirled around so fast, it was a spin. She took two deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down. When she got a semblance of control, she pinned him with eyes filled with so much hate it would have staggered a lesser human...or a lesser monster. "I will rather die than help you with anything." She stated matter-of-factly. He clutched his chest in mock
958 word(s)Published258Vetta's steps faltered. Silence descended.Then, she turned and faced him.The venom on her face DID make him cringe this time around."You despicable sneaky monster." She hissed, "it's always about threats is that it? Always threats. Blackmail. Always."He shrugged, unperturbed. "It does the work better than anything else. Mostly because you know that I am a man of my words.""While other men's words are gold, your own word is aluminum." She crossed her arms, "I will still work out of this door, and let me tell you what will happen. I will go to the King and I will tell him everything. The rat he thinks is dead is not dead. Instead, he's in a dirty cave craving power.""Poor Vetta. You are so so so pathetic. I heard he gave his love to another? After all the sacrificing and everything
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