In the world of dragons, werewolves, mages and magic, Ophelia is a slave in the kingdom of Eravia. She was a royal entertainer, until a catastrophe in the palace happened. In the middle of life and death situation, something magical happened to her. She discovered she actually can manipulate fire and has a dragon spirit within her soul. She managed to escape and later on found herself in another kingdom. As she discovers a new path with the goal to know her real identity, she unconsciously entangles her life with a powerful prince, and later on made a deal with him to be his temporary royal bride.
Lihat lebih banyakA solemn, sweet melody from the citharas enveloped the palace. One signal from the chamberlain and I glided through the silk curtains, toward the grandiose hall.
Poise. Calmness. Confidence.
Three things I've learned from the mistress of imperial performers. The years of practice taught me the perfect stance, moves, and all the gracefulness I needed.
Dancing for the royal court's entertainment has been my life ever since I reached puberty. I've long accepted the life fate had offered me. This is my fate. To be a slave, to be caged in this palace forever.
The Kingdom of Eravia is where the mages rule. It was where my mother lived throughout her life. She was also one of those less fortunate people who was born as a slave, but not as unfortunate as the commoners, for she was a royal entertainer with imperial privileges. But to me, it wasn't privileges. All those years, I couldn't bring myself to enjoy whatever the palace could offer me. It felt as though I was always chained, someone who couldn't bend any orders from those in power.
The moment I reached the center of the hall, I felt nothing. There was no anxiety nor excitement. I felt empty, just like always. Through Mistress Ursula's very strict guidance, I learned how to dance with one, golden goal—to entice the audience. That job is nothing to me now. It comes out naturally every time I perform. But it wasn't passion. It was more like a necessity. Something I mastered through effort and time to avoid punishments.
Mistress Ursula knew I can do this better than any of the royal performers. The reason why I was chosen to perform in this special occasion. It's the King's birthday, and a lot of special guests are present, nobles and even royalties from other kingdoms. She knew I wouldn't fail to entice every eye in this huge hall with my dance.
My hair, black as ebony, was flowing down my back, with little crystals hanging from the golden hairpins. My eyes resembled the thin, silk dress I was wearing—sea green. Even the thin cloth I wore as a mask had the same color. My nose down to my chin was covered by it. It was always like that. As part of the palace rules, an entertainer is not allowed to let any of her audience see her face. A mere slave couldn't offer more.
I placed one foot slightly behind the other, bending my knees as a respect to His and Her Majesty. The moment I rose back to my stance, another rhythm enveloped the hall and it was my cue to start.
Hundreds of eyes were watching me but my heart not even leaped a bit in anxiousness. Dancing with utmost gracefulness has been my job for years. Now it only felt as if I was just doing a simple routine.
My eyes drifted to my King and Queen, then to the people around. Only in occasions like this I get to see people from the outside. We, slaves, are never allowed to go beyond the palace's tall barricades unless an imperial decree is issued. So every time I perform with massive audience, I take the opportunity to look, stare at other people.
With the little sorcery I've learned from Mistress Ursula, I proceeded to the next level of my performance. I went to the pool of water with petals of roses, and started the next phase of my dance, which is dancing at the water's surface.
I do not have any exceptional abilities. In this Kingdom, majority are mages. Those in high ranks, like the nobles and royal families, held the most authority not because of their status but because of their abilities, in particular. They are the spirit mages. The ones who doesn't need any aid from tangible things to perform sorcery. As for the those in lower ranks, they need aid from things like mage papers, amulets, and rituals to do sorcery, but their abilities have limitations. They can only do things like make a little fire, fix a broken glass, or something not very substantial.
However, in my case I cannot do any of that. I tried many times to do something out of mage paper but I just couldn't. Only ten percent of the population in Eravia can't perform even a simple sorcery out of mage paper—the most basic sorcery that a pure blooded mage can do, and I'm part of it.
Fortunately, through years of practice, I've learned how to dance in the water's surface, a dancing trick Mistress Ursula had taught me. Well, at least I finally got something I can do as a mage, right?
Water splintered like glistening crystals as I turned and followed the rhythm with precision. I closed my eyes as I continued on my track, there was another smooth splash. Once again, I turned and leaped a little, then faced the audience and opened my eyes.
I thought I'd see my expectants watching me in awe. But to my surprise, my line of vision was directed to a pair of unfamiliar pitch black eyes, the darkest shade of black I've ever seen in my whole life.
His eyes were round, deep, but very clear like it was made of dark crystals. He was staring at me—straight to my eyes, as though he was waiting for me to look at him, to notice him. Or... I could be wrong.
Judging his clothes, he could be an aristocrat or something. He must be closer to that since this celebration wasn't open for commoners. But if he was from this kingdom and part of the upper class, I should have seen him at least once in the past royal occasions. It was the first time I've seen him so I was thinking... maybe he was from another kingdom?
His attire was all black, only accented by gold and silver linings, face was stark like it was carved from the most expensive granite, jaw was angular and clean-shaven which made him look more manly than any man I've seen, nose straight and pointed, tall and lean but more than his physical attributes, what caught my attention was how he simply stood there, with air screaming in power and authority as if he was some sort of invincible man.
Who is he?
It was a useless question, I know. Regardless of how curious I am, I would not have any chance to know the answer. That is beyond what a slave is capable of. And why would I want to know who he is anyway?
I ended my performance with a sigh. Praises and applauses for me filled the hall, but like what should be done, I exited at once.
"Job well done, Ophelia!" Mistress Ursula was waiting for me beyond the curtains where I came from.
"I made the right choice of choosing you to perform in such big event. The jewelries and gifts from the King is already in your chamber as compensation for your service."
She touched my cheek happily. At times like this, she's nice, but most of the time, she's strict and really has a bad mouth. I guess I should just accept that I'd be working under her guidance for as long as I serve in this palace. At least, you're not starving, Ophelia.
Right.
I didn't say anything and went straight to my chamber. I've already done my part in the occasion, and slaves can't stay long after we've done our designated jobs. We are only living for our superiors. To serve, to entertain them with all we've got.
Life was never fair. Some are born with silver spoons in their mouths, while the less fortunate people like me, are born as a slave, and will also die as one. Ruthless as it seems, but that is how life plays with people's fate. You can never hide from what is destined for you, you'd just end up accepting it no matter how worse it could be.
I looked at myself in the mirror—something I always do every time I miss my late mother. Her exquisite beauty was a reflection of my own. Only that, her hair was dark ocher, and her eyes were brown. But except those two traits, we looked so much alike.
Maybe I got my sea green eyes from my father. I never had the chance to meet him, or know his name at least. My mother didn't want me to, and I couldn't push her to do something she didn't want. She was a very soft spoken and kind woman, I wonder what could have went wrong between her and my father. But later on, I concluded that maybe he did something that hurt her. That simple idea gave me so much motivation to hate him. If it's true, I don't know if I could ever forgive him.
A tear rolled down my cheek.
I miss you, Mother... I whispered silently. She was my home, my only peace in this palace. And now I have no one but... silence. Just empty silence.
I could not believe it. Marching down the long aisle, with hundreds or even thousands of witnesses, it felt so surreal. I still couldn't believe that I did really reached this point, that I am finally marrying the man I had ever loved and the same man I will love till I die, or even beyond death. I couldn't express how I feel. I am so happy to the point that I can't help my tears. Yeah, tears of joy. Why would someone so happy would cry in sadness in the middle of her wedding anyway? No one would. Especially not me. What I feel is nothing but pure happiness. My father, Orion, Lucia... my whole family was there. And the whole De'beuvor family was also present. King Arthur and Queen Romina had big, genuine smiles as they watched me walked towards their eldest son. Actually, Orion wanted to walk me to the altar but Father said that he should let me walk alone because he believes that I am a strong and independent woman who would shine better
Demitri, his brothers and Prince Evan joined us in our table with Father, Orion, Lucia and her parents, Aunt Amelia and Uncle Benedict. I then started explaining to my newly found family what I had went, how I met Demitri and how I became the crown princess of Solterra. They all were surprised, of course except Orion and Lucia because they had known it all along. Demitri also announced to everyone that we are getting married as soon as possible.Marriage has never been in my mind ever since. It felt like I am too young for it and I still have so many things to do, to discover, to explore, without a man beside me. Before, I always wanted to be independent. Someone who doesn't depend on others. But since the moment I realized how I feel for Demitri, I knew then that I have no chance to turn back the time and avoid meeting Demitri with all my might. I have no chance of unloving him because he is the man who gave me so much hope and love. He sheltered me. He showed me the kind of
I led Demitri to the palace garden where it was only the two of us who were around."What are you doing?" I asked, frowning at him.He gave me a serious and lethal look as though I have something like unpaid debt to him."Aren't I the one supposed to be asking you that? You just disappeared all of a sudden leaving nothing but a fucking farewell letter! Now answer me. What the hell are you doing, Ophelia?"I sighed. I was lost at words. Right. I know it was wrong to just leave like that after all we have went through. After all those moments we shared. But what could I do? It was the best thing to do at that moment! I can do nothing because I knew that if I would stay, he will die. I have no choice but to stand by that decision. Loving Demitri is a poison to me. I know that from the very start. I know that if I would love him, there is no way for me to get over him.He is the kind of man that once you start to love, you will just find yourself drown
With the help of Orion, I finally had broken the agreement between me and the magical healer. It was a relief that I was finally freed from that agreement that bound us at some way. I was relieved too that I had finally said to Lancelot what is the truth even if I knew it was very painful to him. I had no choice and I knew I had to do it or else he would just waste all his efforts and just be hurt at the end. I do not want him to go through such pain. It was already enough that he was frozen for decades and lost the chance to have a life with his beloved. I feel sorry for him but I know that the least thing I could do is to be honest to him, to say everything I know.Lancelot left Rousiana to meet his father. He was glad that I said the truth to him and was hoping to see us again. He also promised that he will try to live by the life he has now and try not to live on his past that he will not be able touch again."You look so beautiful, Ophelia! Before, I thought you w
I didn't thought that just one snap and my whole life would change. I never wanted to have great position nor power. When my mother was still alive, all I ever wanted was for us to be freed and live a simple life outside the palace. When I was left alone and realized that there was something I didn't know about myself, my goals changed and I then wanted to know the truth behind my identity and who my father was.But I never imagined that there is this kind of life waiting for me here. A life I never thought I had nor I ever dreamed of. I only wanted a simple life, away from complexity of the lives of those in the high society. Although I didn't want to be part of a royal family by marriage or by blood, I am happy that I had finally met my father and my brother. It wasn't a dream this time. It's very real and I couldn't ask for more but to be with them."I can't believe it, Ophelia! It must be the reason why I felt like we are connected in some way I can't name. I
"Ophelia!" Orion called my name in horror and immediately went to me.I lifted my head and told him, "I'm okay. Go to Lucia. She fought with Nerissa and probably got worse injuries."His eyes scanned the place at once. We both found Lucia down in the ground, her leg wounded and the way she looks gave me an idea how weak she is at the moment. She forced herself to summon her white snake, and I'm sure that took her so much spiritual power. It must have been hard especially that she is still so young."What happened?" I sighed in relief when I found Lancelot at my side. He is the sole reason why we are here, and thankfully nothing bad had happened to him or else all our efforts will be wasted."I don't know who you are, but please look over her for a moment," Orion said and looked at me once before he went to Lucia."He must be Orion?" Lancelot asked as he helped me sit down."Yes.""You look so weak, Ophelia. You vomited blood which mea
I already expected the worst and one of the possibilities I had thought was what Nerissa had just said. It could be possible that she would opt to kill us all since that is really what she wants, to kill, to inflict harm to others.But even if I had already seen this coming, I still said what was in my mind, I still hoped that I would get a different kind of response wherein it will not be necessary to engage into a fight with her in which our side has only a fair chance of winning, but not really sure. If only I face Nerissa myself, I would not hesitate, but on this case, Lucia, Orion, Lancelot... all their lives will be put at stake.All of them are already friends to me, that is why everything is worth the try."If that is your decision, then, we will have no choice but to force you," I said."Force me?" Nerissa laughed. "How will you be able to force me? I know that you are the mistress of fire because you
The moment the three monster guards saw us approaching, they immediately sauntered forward to attack."Let me handle this. You two go in first. I will follow after I kill these monsters," Lancelot said before he touched the stone near him and made a long and huge axe out of it."You sure?" Lucia asked.Lancelot smirked. "Don't underestimate me, young princess."Lucia's eyes widened. "Young princess? How did you—""Go now," Lancelot cut her off before he leaped to face the monsters head on.I didn't waste any time and pulled Lucia towards the entrance of Nerissa's den. As expected, it was the part of the River of Flames with the most fire. A norma person would surely not take it. But because I can manipulate fire and I'm protecting Lucia, we are able to successfully infiltrate it."Do you feel hot or burning?" I asked Lucia to make sure."No. I feel warmth, but not to the point that I feel burning so you have nothing
I could see that Lancelot loves Dahlia so much. How could I have a heart to fool him and pretend that I am the love of his life? He is so good to me and I know that he is really a kind person. I don't want to fool him but what can I do if that was the agreement I had with the magical healer? If I won't follow what we had agreed with, I'm afraid someone else has to pray the price which is the thing I will never want, especially if it is Demitri's life that will be put at stake."I really wish we could get out of here as soon as possible so that I can go find and save Dahlia," Lancelot said in a hopeful tone."I hope you would be able to find her. You are such a good man, Lancelot. You deserve happiness.""Thank you, Ophelia. If you didn't come, I don't know how long I would be frozen or if I would ever wake up. I owe you my life that is why I will give all I've got to help you and your friends.""Thank you, Lancelot.
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