The next morning, Irina woke up late. Unlike her usual morning wake up time. It was because last night she got home late, like very late. Well, she liked hanging around with Lucas, both of them enjoyed each other company and lost the track of time. Her father and Nieal stood anxiously in the veranda, both with worry expression on their face. It was almost midnight when Lucas took her home. Nieal saw them first as they approached the house, there was something menacing in his looks towards Lucas. He turned to Roman, whispering something to his ear. “I’m in trouble.” Irina thought out loud. “Indeed, you are.” Roman agreed. He pulled Irina’s wrist so she stood behind him, then turned to face Lucas. “I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Roman. I should’ve asked your permission before—” “Save it!” Roman cut in. “You ill manner man. Go away! Before I call the guard and have you in prison.” Then Irina felt her wrist harshly pulled, she managed to give Lucas apologetic looks before Nieal slammed the
Irina’s scream alerted Mrs. Letty and the rest staff. They found Irina and the unconscious Lucas in no time. “What happened?” Asked Mrs. Letty anxiously. Irina panicked. “I don’t know. I swear. He fell before my eyes, he just fell. I did not—” Mrs. Letty put her hand on Irina’s shoulder, to calm her. It worked. Irina calmed, but worry still lingered in her eyes. Mrs. Letty instructed the male staff to carry Lucas to the inner office. Irina followed them. “We should call a healer.” Irina proposed when they were in the inner office. “He’s not dead, right?” Mrs. Letty amused. “I’m afraid, he’s not. No need to call a healer.” Then with reassuring smile, she continued. “I think his faint is because of the lack of sleep.” “Oh…” “I have some herbs here,” Mrs. Letty opened a second drawer on the lower table then rummaged it. She found the herbs and explained. “I’m going to boil this in a pot of water.” Meanwhile, Lucas had another weird dream in his sudden sleep. Unlike his previous co
The next afternoon, Lucas knocked on a door. He heard movement from inside the house. Someone in the inside walked towards the door to answer his knock. Thus, he waited. Master Nieal lazy expression greeted Lucas surprise looks. The master held the door half open as he blocked the house inner view with his body. “What do you want?” Nieal demanded in a way less friendly manner. Lucas didn’t expect Nieal was the one who answered the door, he thought it would be Irina or her father since it was their home. “Master Nieal.” Lucas returned Nieal’s unfriendliness with a polite tone. “I wish to see Mr. Roman.” “Alright.” Said Nieal briefly before slammed the door close. Few moments later, the door opened again. “Come in.” Nieal stepped aside. Cozy ambiance greeted Lucas when Nieal closed the door behind them. The house was clean. Nieal led him to the living room then he left Lucas alone. “Who’s here?” Lucas heard Irina’s voice drawing near. “The thief.” Replied Nieal’s voice. “Lucas?
Two days later, Lucas was doing his morning assignment in the library. He cleaned the shelves and adjusted the books order in the shelf. His hand did the work automatically, while his mind flew back to his failure attempt to touch Irina’s hand, because her guard which was the town master won’t leave them alone. Sighing, Lucas continued his work to the next shelf. A book with bright green cover was stood out among the library’s dark cover books collection. It occupied the space of the book in Lucas’s hand. Feeling a slight of déja vu, Lucas took the book and switched it with the book in his hand. “Who left this book?” Lucas murmured. As hard as he recalled, there was nothing green in library’s collection. Curious, he took the book with him, intending to read it when his break time came. Busy hour in the library made the break time came faster. Lucas hid the book under his shirt as he walked out of the library. In case the book was really one of the library’s collection, and he didn’
Sighing, Lucas jumped down. He made Irina jerk when he landed not far from her. “It’s me.” Declared Lucas. To answer the question in her eyes, while pointing his finger up, he quickly added. “I was up there all the time—” “On the peak of the tree?” Irina frowned. “Yes, I saw everything. I was too shock with why they brought you here and I’m sorry they hit you, then everything went fast when the cat came—” Lucas halted because Irina’s attention shifted to her dress. In her mind, she was busy sorting up a good reason about her messy appearance so that her father wouldn’t know she was hurt. “They already hurt you, you know…” Lucas eyed her bleeding hand. “I can heal it for you.” “That’s easy, I can wash it in the river.” “Are you sure, you want to go that far? Don’t you remember…” Lucas didn’t have to finish his words as the confident in her face turned into furrow. “Come on, I’m a wizard remember? I can fix your hand and your dress.” Reluctantly, Irina stretched her bleeding han
The next day, Irina stared at row of books that neatly arranged in the shelf while leaned lightly on a standing-shelves across it. Once in a while her eyes glanced over to the man who stood next to it with books in his arm, he was rearranging the books in the shelf. Turning around, he caught Irina was staring at him. One of his brows lifted playfully. “Enjoying the view?” “Yea… that’s why I always come, the view in here is fantastic.” Lucas chuckled. His eyes followed Irina’s hand pulled a book from the shelf. “You haven’t read that book?” “I want to read it again, or is there a law that forbid me to read the book I already read?” “No…” Lucas laughed. He thought the way she defended herself was amusing. Then he stretched his hand. “Let me help you process that book out, or do you have anything else in mind?” “Actually, I have…” Dropping his hand, he said. “Alright, I’ll leave you to enjoy the view again.” “Wait…” Irina called Lucas when he was about to leave. “That’s not what I
Chapter 19 “Are you alright?” Irina asked calmly. Having the same experience for a few times, she didn’t as panic as before. Plus, Lucas grew stronger, he didn’t faint nor in a weak condition. “Yes, just a dull headache.” Lucas rose. “It’s nothing. I’m able to stand already.” “Don’t push yourself. Let the headache gone first, then you can try to stand.” “You’re right.” Lucas sat on the ground immediately. “Now, I feel my head spinning.” Irina laughed. “I’m sorry, but you look cute.” “Cute?” “Funny, I mean you’re funny.” Irina smiled. “Too bad, I like being cute.” Lucas grinned. “Nope. You’re funny.” Irina chuckled. “Thanks, by the way…” Lucas lifted one brow. “You thank me a lot. What was that for?” “Well, this is my first time to see vast sea with my own eyes.” “Really?” Lucas was astonished while Irina gave him a nod as a respond. “Let me guess, your knowledge of beach, sea, and even ocean is from books?” “Yea…” Replied Irina sadly. “Hmm…” Lucas shifted his attention to
The next morning Irina and Roman were having breakfast. As usual Nieal joined them. They all were in the dining room sipping tea while butler Rhys was preparing the table. He served food which he freshly brought from the manor and was cooked by Nieal’s personal cook. Eying the food in the butler’s hand from the basket on the way to the table, Lila thanked the butler. “Thank you, butler Rhys. The food smells delicious.” Butler Rhys smiled. “Cook Ryan prepared it for you, Miss. He knows you like the stew that he usually prepares, but for this morning stew, he said he made a little modification with the ingredients, he hopes you like it, Miss.” “Tell him I’ll love everything he prepares for me, and will eat them wholeheartedly.” “I’m sure he’d like to hear that.” Replied the butler kindly. Putting his cup onto the saucer, Nieal snorted. “Why don’t you learn how to make it, then you can make it yourself.” Irina lifted her forefinger, then moved it sideways left and right. “Na-uh, I d
“Come in.” Said Julian. Irina stepped in to his study inside his castle. He was reading some book, then he stood after put a mark between the pages. “Hey, I hope I don’t disturb you.” “It’s a pleasure to have you here. What can I do for you?” Julian motioned her to take a seat. She pulled a chair behind the clean polished round table, before Julian could do it for her. Julian took a seat across her right after she was settles in her seat. “I want to see how are you doing. You were not there, in the cottage, when we were saying goodbye to Deandra this morning. Lucas taking her back.” That look again, thought Irina. The miserable mixed with sorrowful in blank look. It was just too sad to see. Irina could sense the hurt that he felt in his heart. It seemed he truly love Deandra. “I know.” He said. “I’m so sorry.” Julian wanted to look alright, that’s why he smiled at her as he couldn’t mutter any good respond.
Two days had passed since Lady Cotts’s stiff body dropped dead on to the floor the same time as the last grain of sand in the hourglass. They hadn’t burry her lifeless body yet, she was placed in the glass coffin. Her eyes were cannot be closed, they were wide open and black, with the trace of suppressed fire on them. Roman put his arm around Irina’s shoulder. They both were staring at the glass coffin. “I made her dead.” Said Irina blankly. “She asked for it.” Roman calmed her. He was back as soon as he sensed the energy that he had been avoided for over twenty years had faded and gone. His comeback arrival was welcomed by his daughter enthusiastically. “You did the right thing.” He squeezed her shoulder lightly. “You’re right.” Irina nodded. They heard foot step drew closer, but they didn’t turn to look who it was. “Mr. Roman, may I have a moment?” By then both father and daughter took a look. He was standing next to Roman. “
Irina looked to her side. A strong muscular big black jaguar stood firmly next to her. Little companion? She thought inside, this Iolomb surely had a real bad vision. She gave the Iolomb a sly grin. How to make the Iolomb dead was the only thing on her mind. Ro nudged her as if he could read her mind. He wanted her to go on, leaving the Iolomb with him. Irina shook her head harshly. Ro nudged again. This time, Irina heard disgusting chuckle from the Iolomb. She hated it. She hated being looked down by the creature. So, she turned to face Ro then nodded. That was all she had to do. In the blink of an eye, Ro launched with incredible speed that normal eyes wouldn’t be able to follow. Soon, he was towering in front of the Iolomb. The look of surprise on the creature’s face was only lasted for a moment. Ro made its face down onto the cold floor. What had happened next to the Iolomb, Irina would never know as she took herself upstairs. The map of t
Irina was climbing back through the transparent hole. She put firmly her foot one by one in Deandra’s bedroom. Her face was sour and she was sulking. She was never be in this worse of mood. Deandra stepped back. As the hole diminished, her conscious came. She blinked, then her eyes normal again. “Miss Irina?” Narrowing her eyes for a second at Deandra, making sure that she was free from any form of her mother’s influence. Irina closed her eyes, she forced herself to stay in control. The door swung open. Lucas was still able to see the diminishing of the hole as he came in before Julian and Hilda. “Good. You’re back.” Irina didn’t mean to sound harsh, but she sounded like one and startled Deandra. “Where are you from?” Lucas snapped. His eyes drilled into Irina’s. Hilda and Julian exchanged a look, then threw Lucas a questioning look which ignored by the later. At the same time, Deandra became more and more uneasy. Irina
“Get… Up…” Said Lady Cotts coldly. Shaking her way up, Deandra managed to stand. She stepped back. Didn’t want to be too close. “Speak!” “The king and his group are still alive.” The Iolomb stepped forward. ”I wouldn’t worry about them, Milady. They have been damaged.” “I don’t care about them.” Lady Cotts looked straight into Deandra’s eyes. Blaming her. “I want my daughter to join us.” She tore her haze, shifted to the tall glass window behind her. No one dared to respond. The Iolomb made a side glace at Deandra, while Deandra seemed more interested in her shoes. “Well?” Asked Lady Cotts. Her voice sounded gentle and sweet but somehow send shiver to the Iolomb and Deandra. “I will gather an army, Milady.” The Iolomb bowed and left the room hurriedly. From a far, Deandra saw tiny black dot moving between the treetops through the tall glass
Plakk… Deandra felt burning on her face as the tickle sound and smell of flesh burning filled the air. She fell down the floor, on one side of her body with her hand supporting her weight. Knowing that tear only made the burning felt more painful, she held in as hard as she could. “Now I have to deal with this stupid war.” Lady Cotts looked down at Deandra with loathe in her red eyes. “Milady, I have nothing to do with the war. They hate me. Especially Miss Irina, she AAAAAAAHH…” The palm that marked in her face burnt deeper into her flesh. “Don’t you dare talking about my daughter with your filthy tongue, useless human.” Right, Deandra was an ordinary human before she met the lady whose look bear a resemblance to someone she missed very much, she used to address her dearly with Miss Irina. The one who left right after her wedding. Leaving her father, Master Danieal, and Deandra. It was then in a middl
Deandra walked back and forth in circle in her bedroom. She was locked up in her bedroom, and she didn’t know why. Anxiety crawled into her heart and her head started to tell her things. ‘What did I do?’ Was the first question in her head. ‘Did I do a bad thing?’, ‘What kind of bad thing? Last time I remembered I was being pinned on the floor’, ‘Did they find out who am I?’ ‘Who am I?’ the last question echoed in her head. Her stomach growled as she didn’t touch her food since she had woken up this late afternoon and it was already dark outside. She had no appetite. She was hungry but had no intention to eat. The kind of feeling she acknowledged as a sign. Something had wiring in her vein, running with her blood through her heard then send signal to her brain. She could see but her vision was not hers, she went blank inside. She screamed. Screaming a name that she used to say it dearly. The door opened with a loud bang. “Miss I
Squeaking slowly, an older scholar two seat from Master Tobias pushed his chair back as he stood. Master Z, Lucas said inwardly. Then he turned to Julian who gave him a shrugged as he too didn’t understand. “Antony, don’t give me further reason to regret my decision of letting you pass the final assignment.” Master Z scolded the young scholar. He turned gracefully to face all the royal members in the room. “His highness is not done talking. Please continue, Your Highness. We all are listening.” Lucas nodded. “Thank you, Master Z.” He directed his stare to Antony and all of the younger scholars at the back sit. Antony got up then bowed. “My apology, Your Highness. I was wrong, jump into unreasonable conclusion.” Second later all the younger scholars raised then bowed, murmuring their apology. Taken aback by the sudden bows. What is this? New tradition to become a scholar? Thought Lucas. He swiftly shook the thoughts away. Absurd. Pullin
The sky outside almost dusked. Lucas and Irina hadn’t show themselves at the cottage. Making the atmosphere in the common room tense and anxious. Common room was full, chairs were set pushed against the wall. The large table in the middle of the room was circled by the older scholars, younger scholars were sat on chair by the wall. “Why they aren’t here yet?” Julian heard Hilda whispered softly through his ear. “It’s getting dark soon.” They were standing by the open door of the common room along with Sebastian, Darren and Captain H, waiting for Lucas and Irina. “You’re right.” Julian agreed in low voice. He turned to his best friend. “Sebastian, let’s find them.” Sebastian raised one of his brows, then without any word he followed Julian out. At the front yard, they met with the rest members of Julian’s castle. They saw Julian and Sebastian walked toward them. Julian dismissed their bow instantly as he wanted to asked them questions.