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Chapter 40. Dylan
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-01-28 00:02:33
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The Valisteen Princess Chapter 41. Little One
Chapter 41. Little OneThree months. Ninety-two days. Over two thousand hours. That’s how long it had been since Dylan left. Since he walked out of my life without so much as a backward glance, leaving me with more questions than answers.And now, I was losing my mind.The mornings were the worst. I’d wake up expecting to hear his low voice rumbling through the apartment, teasing me with that infuriating smirk of his. But the silence that greeted me was deafening. I hated how my first thought every day was of him—wondering where he was, if he was alive, if he even remembered I existed.I sat on the couch, staring blankly at the TV that played some forgettable movie. My legs were curled beneath me, my fingers gripping a mug of coffee that had long gone cold.“Idiot,” I muttered to myself, taking a sip anyway.Dylan’s face filled my mind again, unbidden. His caramel skin catching the faintest hint of light, the sharp line of his jaw, the intensity in his eyes that made you feel like you
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-28The Valisteen Princess Chapter 42. Danger.
Chapter 42. Danger. I pulled the nozzle from the tank, letting the final drops of gas drip before securing the cap. The attendant’s words lingered in my mind, uncomfortably accurate. But I wasn’t about to spill my story to a stranger in the middle of nowhere.“Maybe I am,” I said, offering him a tight smile. “Maybe I just like long drives.”He chuckled, not pressing further. “Well, good luck, kid. Hope you find what you’re looking for.”I gave him a nod before climbing back into the car. As I pulled onto the road, his words echoed in my head.Hope you find what you’re looking for.If only I knew what that was.The next stop on my search was the place Dylan’s clan had been last time—where Mimi and I had visited before. It was the only lead I had, the only real connection to his past that I could follow.But when I got there, my stomach dropped.The place was abandoned.Not just empty, but long abandoned. The buildings, once full of life and activity, were now overtaken by nature. Weed
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-29The Valisteen Princess Chapter 43. Unexpected outcome.
Chapter 43. Unexpected outcome.My breath hitched.“Me?” I repeated, barely above a whisper. “Why?”Dylan didn’t slow down. If anything, his grip on my hand tightened, pulling me further into the thick shadows of the trees. His gaze flickered past me, scanning the darkness, his jaw locked tight.“I don’t know yet,” he admitted. “But they knew you’d be here.”A chill ran down my spine.“They?” I pressed. “Who the hell is ‘they’?”Dylan exhaled sharply, his pace quickening. “Not here,” he muttered. “We need to—”A twig snapped.I froze.Dylan did too, his body tensing, muscles coiled like a predator ready to strike. The sound had come from behind us, too close, too deliberate.We weren’t alone.Slowly, I reached for my knife, my fingers curling around the hilt. Dylan’s eyes met mine for a brief second—just enough time for me to see it.The shift.The cold, calculated edge slipping into place.He turned, stepping slightly in front of me, shielding me, his entire body wound tight like a l
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-30The Valisteen Princess Chapter 44. Lock up.
Chapter 44. Lock up.I cleaned up quickly, wiping away the remnants of the fight before stepping back into the main room.Dylan was standing near the glass wall, his back to me, staring out at the night. He looked deep in thought, his posture tense despite the calm setting.“Feel better?” he asked without turning around.I hesitated. “A little.”He nodded once, then finally turned to face me.“We need to talk.”I swallowed hard. “About what?”His gaze darkened. “About why they were after you.”I scoffed, “What makes you so sure they weren't after you?" I asked, raising my head up and crossing my arms. Nodding his head, he opened his mouth to speak, "Sure, I do have a lot of enemies," Dylan admitted, his voice calm but firm. "But they knew you’d be here. They were waiting for you.”A chill ran down my spine, but I refused to let it show. “That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe they saw an opportunity and took it. And isn't this your woods?” I said, using both my hands to make a circle in t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-31The Valisteen Princess Chapter 45. Little one.
Chapter 45. Little one. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, warming the room despite the cool air that lingered. I blinked against the brightness, momentarily disoriented. The bed was ridiculously comfortable—too comfortable. It had been a long time since I’d slept without interruption.Stretching, I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Late morning. I groaned, pushing myself up. I never slept in this late. The exhaustion from yesterday’s attack must have caught up with me.I ran a hand through my hair and stood, pacing toward the window. My gaze flicked to the landscape beyond the estate, where I caught sight of the garden I had noticed last night. It was tucked behind the main building, an expanse of green enclosed by high stone walls, with neatly arranged plants and a few benches scattered throughout. The place looked untouched, like something out of a different world compared to the fortress-like atmosphere of the estate.I wanted to see it.After freshening up and sli
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-01The Valisteen Princess Chapter 46. Brooding Menace
Chapter 46. Brooding MenaceI sighed, finally glancing up at him. He was standing a few feet away, arms crossed, watching me with that unreadable expression.“You weren’t in your room,” he continued. “Care to explain why?”I raised a brow. “Didn’t realize I needed permission to step outside.”He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. “You do when people are trying to kill you.”I rolled my eyes. “Relax, I didn’t leave the estate. I just wanted to see the garden. Where I met Sarah. She's nicer and sweeter than you, I don't really understand why she's here with someone like you.”Dylan didn't respond and turned to face Sarah who was leaning on the table with her hands, a smile on her lips and eyes darting for Dylan to me."You let her call you 'Sarah?' I thought Liam and I were the only ones who could call you that?" Dylan asked his voice cold and flat but had a hit of childishness in it.”Sarah chuckled, unfazed by Dylan’s cold tone. “She’s got a sharp tongue. Reminds me of someone
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-03The Valisteen Princess Chapter 47. Distance.
Chapter 47. Distance. Dylan didn't respond and kept reading. I rolled my eyes, stepping further in. “Had to get through Liam’s comedy routine first.”Dylan sighed, closing the book with a soft thud. “Of course, you did.”I crossed my arms, leaning against the nearest shelf. “So? What’s the big talk about?”He studied me for a moment before standing, his movements slow and deliberate. “Sit.”I arched a brow. “I’m good, thanks.”His eyes darkened slightly. “Mia.”Something about the way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine. Reluctantly, I dropped into one of the chairs across from him, my irritation barely masked.“You’ve been asking questions,” he said.I scoffed. “Yeah, that’s kind of what people do when they’re curious.”His jaw ticked, but he didn’t rise to the bait. “Sarah’s stories—about my past—they aren’t meant for entertainment.”I frowned. Nor is mine, but yet here we are” I said statistically. “I wasn’t looking for entertainment. I just wanted to know more about the
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-04The Valisteen Princess Chapter 48. Lost.
Chapter 48. Lost.Dylan’s expression didn’t change, but I caught the slight flicker in his eyes. He knew this was coming—probably had from the moment I started asking questions.He turned back toward the window, his voice even. “Then go.”I clenched my jaw. That was it? No argument, no demand, no cryptic warning? Just… go?I should’ve been relieved. Instead, something inside me twisted in frustration.“That’s all you have to say?” I asked, folding my arms.Dylan didn’t answer right away. His fingers curled against the window frame, his posture stiff. “You don’t belong here, Mia. You never did.”The words stung more than I wanted to admit. I scoffed, shaking my head. “Right. Because everyone around you is just temporary, right? What about the whole I have to figure out who is after you before you can leave. Where'd Dylan go? One mention about your childhood and you're all locked up and distant.” Still, he didn’t turn to face me.I hated this. The distance, the coldness.“Fine,” I mutt
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-05
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The Valisteen Princess Chapter 78: Ashes and Ascension
Chapter 78: Ashes and AscensionDawn painted the sky in muted shades of gold and gray, casting a solemn glow over the ruined docks. The scent of blood and gunpowder clung to the air, mingling with the salty breeze from the sea. The battle was over, but the weight of it lingered. Bodies lay motionless across the cracked concrete, a stark reminder of the price we had paid.Celeste had surrendered. Her once fierce eyes were hollow now, devoid of the fire that had driven her. She had dropped her weapon without a word, letting it clatter against the debris-strewn ground. I had given her a choice—to live, to face the consequences of her actions, to see if redemption was even possible. Yet as she sat slumped against the cold metal of a shipping container, I wondered if she had already accepted her fate.Dylan and Liam moved with quiet efficiency, securing what was left of Celeste’s forces. The chaos had faded into an eerie silence, broken only by the murmurs of survivors and the distant cras
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 77: The Last Reckoning
Chapter 77: The Last ReckoningDawn’s first light glimmered on the horizon, its red and gold hues cutting through the lingering darkness of the docks. The cacophony of battle had subsided to a simmering murmur as smoke curled upward from the debris. I stood amid the ruins, every breath heavy with the weight of what had transpired and what was yet to come. Celeste was cornered. We had reached the climax of our war, and in that raw, suspended moment, I knew that destiny was within my grasp.I stepped forward slowly, the gravel crunching underfoot, each step echoing like the beat of a war drum. Around me, the battered forms of our foes lay scattered, and the acrid tang of spent gunpowder filled the air. Every piece of shattered metal, every scar etched into the concrete, bore silent witness to the blood that had been shed in our struggle for freedom.Celeste remained at the far end of the open space, her back pressed against a rusted container. Her eyes, wild and unyielding, were fixed
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 76: The Dawn of Reckoning
Chapter 76: The Dawn of ReckoningThe passage was dimly lit, the only light coming from scattered emergency bulbs and the occasional flicker of neon from a distant bar. Here, the air was thick with dust and the bitter tang of oil, but it was our only sanctuary.In the cramped space, I could hear our attackers reorganizing outside. My heart pounded in my chest as I looked at Mimi’s determined face. “We’re almost there,” I murmured, though every second felt like an eternity. The passage led to a side alley that opened up near the docks—a perfect spot to intercept Celeste before she could vanish into the maze.Emerging from the passage, we found ourselves at a crossroads of shadows and harsh light. The docks were spread out before us like an industrial battlefield: towering cranes, rusted cargo containers, and winding pathways that formed a network of escape routes for the desperate. I signaled for silence, and for a moment, everything was eerily still. Then, the enemy burst in from the
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 75: Reckoning in Blood
Chapter 75: Reckoning in BloodCeleste’s breath came in sharp, shallow gasps. Dylan’s grip on her wrist was iron, unyielding, and for the first time, I saw something resembling fear flash across her face. It was quick—so quick that if I hadn’t been watching her so closely, I might have missed it. But it was there. And that meant she knew she was cornered.I stepped forward, ignoring the way my own pulse pounded like war drums in my ears. My hands curled into fists at my sides. “Tell us who you’re working with, Celeste.”She scoffed, shaking her head with a forced smirk. “You think I’m just going to hand you a name? Just like that?”Dylan’s fingers flexed around her wrist, and she winced. “You don’t have a choice.”A beat of silence stretched between us. Then, with a quiet laugh that lacked any real amusement, Celeste lifted her chin. “You think I’m the only one who’s been playing a game here? You have no idea what’s coming.”My stomach twisted. The way she said it sent ice down my spi
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 74: Regaining Control
Chapter 74: Regaining ControlI paced the small, cold prison cell, trying to keep my mind calm, but it was hard. Every inch of me was screaming with frustration and confusion. How had things gone so wrong so quickly? Celeste—always so calculating, so manipulative—had taken control, and now we were the ones paying the price.I could feel the bitterness between Celeste and me simmering beneath the surface, like it always did. I hated her, and she hated me. It wasn’t just personal; it was power. She wanted to take over, wanted to take what was mine, and now she was using me as a pawn in her game.Mimi sat on the edge of the cot, her eyes red from crying earlier, but she was trying to hold it together. I could see the fear in her eyes, but she wasn’t saying anything, just silently pleading for something to change. I felt helpless, completely trapped by a situation I had no control over.Then, the door creaked open, and I immediately stiffened, ready for whatever Celeste or one of her lack
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 73: Surprise.
Chapter 73: Surprise Lam walked alongside, who was chatting as always, our footsteps quiet on the forest path as we made our way back to the clan's estate. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the trees. We'd finished our mission a day earlier than planned, and I couldn't wait to return to the clan and share the news. The weight of the artifact in my pack was a constant reminder of our success.As we emerged from the forest, the estate came into view. Something felt off, though. The village seemed...different. The usual bustle of activity was missing, and an eerie silence hung in the air.My eyes narrowed as I scanned the woods around us. Maybe we were being followed and didn't notice or the clan had been under attack while we were away. "What's going on?" Liam asked, his voice low and cautious.I shook my head. " Don't know." We quickened our pace, our senses on high alert. As we entered the villa, I noticed that the guards were standing at attention, thei
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 72: You're a Problem (Part 2)
Chapter 72: You're a Problem (Part 2)I didn't lower the knife.Jared's pale green eyes gleamed through the crack in the door, sharp and assessing. The kind of gaze that made your skin itch—like he was peeling back layers you didn't even know you had, searching for cracks to dig into.The kind of man who could tear you apart without ever lifting a finger.Too bad I'd been torn apart long before I ever stepped foot in this place."You always sneak into girls' rooms at night?" I whispered, keeping my voice steady.His mouth curved behind the black mask, slow and lazy."Only the ones worth watching."I squeezed the knife tighter, the rusty handle biting into my palm. He was trying to rattle me—poke at the edges until I slipped up.He'd have to try harder."You came to flirt or deliver a message?"Jared leaned a little closer, the faint scent of smoke and cold metal clinging to him."Both."His gaze flicked behind me—just for a second—to where Mimi slept, curled up on the thin mattress. M
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 71: You're a Problem.
Chapter 71: You're a problem.I didn't answer right away.My fingers gripped the windowsill tighter, the cold wood biting into my palms. The night air carried the faint scent of pine and damp earth—clean, untouched. A stark contrast to the rot crawling beneath the surface of this place.Tell him?The secret buried so deep inside me that I could barely breathe around it some nights.If Dylan knew what I was hiding... what we were hiding...He'd never let us leave.I glanced back at Mimi, her wide brown eyes reflecting the faint moonlight. She was waiting—patient in that quiet, heartbreaking way she always was. Like she'd already made peace with whatever answer I gave.But she shouldn't have to."Not yet." My voice was steady, even though my pulse hammered in my throat. "Not until I know he'll keep his end of the deal."Mimi's small face twisted, like she wanted to argue but didn't quite know how.Smart girl.I turned back to the window, eyes scanning the shadows stretched across the co
The Valisteen Princess Chapter 70: Silent Pacts
Chapter 70: Silent PactsThe faint blue light from the laptop screen flickered across my face, casting shadows along the cracked walls of my room. Mimi sat beside me, legs crossed, clutching the edge of her oversized sweater like it would somehow shield her from the conversation we were about to have.Victor's face appeared on the screen, his dark eyes heavy with exhaustion. The scar running down his temple looked deeper under the dim lighting—like the weight of the clan had carved itself into his skin."Mia." His gruff voice filled the small space. "Mimi.""Victor." I nodded, keeping my expression neutral.Mimi mumbled a small greeting, eyes flicking between the screen and her fingers knotted together on her lap.I leaned forward, elbows resting on my knees."How is everyone?"The silence that followed was answer enough.Victor's jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for half a second before he forced himself to meet my eyes again."Not good."I swallowed hard.I already knew that. I just
