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"Princess Kamara, you have arrived?" His soft tone belied the hard man he is.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I hope your journey was smooth?" As he asked, he came out of his chair and walked towards her.
"Yes, it did. Thank you, Your Majesty." She outstretched her a glove-covered hand.
He took the hand and kissed the back of her palm. "I'm glad."
With all protocols observed, there was nothing more to say. Silence descended.
Princess Kamara broke under the silence. The tears she has been holding filled her head, she lowered herself to her knees in front of him.
"Princess, this is not necess—"
"Thank you so much, thank you so so much, King Lucien." She cried, "Thank you for answering my desperate letter and coming to my rescue! I was s
1089 word(s) Published 274 BONE-DEEP HATRED "Greetings, Queen Danika. We meet again." Then, the mistress stated with a cold blank face. "Mistress Vetta." Queen Danika's voice held firm belying the fear inside her. Vetta can only keep staring at her. Coza has been disturbing her for the past weeks for her to carry out her own part of the deal. She paid him no heed at all, because she is not killing Danika as part of any deal she made with the monster but because this is her revenge. This is her revenge. Her pain. Her hate. Her vengeance. She will do it on her own terms. In her own time. Which is why she's in this bedroom today. The hatred she feels for this woman. She pain she and her father had caused her. Here she is, living a good life again as a Queen, after she and her father had destroyed her life. How is that f
1512 word(s) Published 275 : AND A WHISPER OF CONSCIENCE. Vetta gaped at her, "WHAT!?" She swallowed tightly, "When he was roasted...it happened. The seers said that it's a miracle we are having a child now..." She caressed her belly lovingly. The world tilted around Vetta. She wanted to rage at Danika for telling her a lie like that in an effort to save her own head, but suddenly, a lot of things were starting to make sense to her. Why she never got pregnant for him for the past five years she's been his mistress even when she took fertility pills, only to get pregnant with Karandy's child after that one time... All those women were brought into the palace and slept with in the next year after their slavery... Why he was so happy when he found out about this child... It suddenly made s
1118 word(s)Published276That night, King Lucien's sleep was disturbed much more than it has always been.For some painful incomprehensible reasons, nightmares about what happened to Declan plagued his unconsciousness. His waking moments are no better.An hour after midnight, he was wide awake with a hurting heart and a head filled with painful memories of his cousin who died in the most horrible way right in front of him.In the dark of the night, he clenched his hands into fists, wishing the pain will stop. If only Danika was here...Danika. His heart unclenched a bit at the thought of her. How is she? How is his child?Getting up from the bed, he entered the bathroom, turned on the cold water overhead, and let it wash over him.Not for the first time, he regretted giving his word to help the
1433 word(s) Published 277 Long after sunrise, Vetta laid on her bed staring out of her window. Her eyes were swollen and there's no strength left in her body. She'd been crying all the way from Mombana back to Salem, all through the night. Danika's apologies had thrown her off guard. It was so unexpected. As unexpected as hearing her name from her lips. She'd freaked out. Till now, there's no way to explain the way she felt in those moments, she'd done something that she'd never expected she'll do. Running away. That unplanned, uncalculated, escape cause her to bruise her arm at the unceremonious fall she'd landed on. But, the pain was hardly felt. With a soft sigh, she got up from the bed and walked towards the window. As she watched market men and women go about their daily activities and children playing around, Danika's words filled h
917 word(s)Published278Vetta arrived at the palace, going straight to the training ground, knowing that the King will be there training the young warriors.Indeed King Lucien was there, but the training session is over. When she saw him, he was addressing Dargak in a low tone. He hasn't seen her yet, so she used that moment to really look at him.He has changed indeed. If you aren't so close to him, you will not notice the subtle change because physically, he still looks the same. Hard, huge, scary, calm with a dominating presence that is almost domineering.But that coldness that surrounds him like a cloak is not there any longer. It makes him look a little more...approachable."Vetta."His deep voice dragged her out of her thoughts. She looked up, her eyes meeting his. Her lips stretched into a smile as she walked closer and b
1086 word(s)Published279King Lucien glanced up at her, curiously. "You want tea? I will send words to the Royal Kitchen to make you the one—""Please, I'm t-too thirsty, I c-can't wait. Let me drink this one while Maima m-makes you another one. Please, My King." Vetta has no idea what's inside that tea but she'll be damned before she let him drink it in front of her.Shaking her head, she walked towards him and took the tea from him. It's an insolence, to snatch what the King is holding without his permission, but that is not her thought at the moment.Taking the wooden cup, she stepped out of his reach.King Lucien does not understand Vetta's insolence. But, it didn't get past him that it's the first time Vetta is making such an insolent move with him."Alright, you can take that one. I'll have Maima make me another one."
1161 word(s)Published280REUNION: The Ocean Of Unexpected Truth and Pain.....A tear dropped from his eyes and splashed into his hands.The sight broke Declan's heart. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Brother. You did everything you could. You did as you promised. You brought us out of that shíthole like you promised.""Not until it was too late," his voice sounded scrapped raw, "Not until all the damages have been done.""No, you're wrong. Damages was done, but here we are today. Salem is magnificent again, I was flabbergasted when I entered the Kingdom," Declan closed the distance between them then, grabbed his shoulders and shook him, "The Kingdom is wealthy, beautiful and prosperous again! In just six years! No, all damages was not done."Deep into that hurtful place King Lucien was buried int
1144 word(s)Published..."I didn't do it alone. The mistress did it with me." Her eyes lifted and landed on Vetta, "She killed Prince Declan with me."King Lucien stilled."What....!?" His head swiveled and landed on Vetta, "What...!?" He repeated.Vetta did not move a muscle. There were tears in her eyes...tears of guilt and pain. But, she did not say a word."The Mistress has no words because she knows I speak the truth! We killed Prince Declan together and we enjoyed it!" She laughed maliciously, "It's a pity that he is still alive!"King Lucien returned fierce blue-eyes at the woman.She lifted her chin, "Yes, it's a pity that he survived! I hate it! But, I'm not worried," that evil laugh again, "My master will still kill you all! He will have the victory! He will—"
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