Two decades agoA bawl of anguish and misery from a lady on the verge of giving birth reverberated through the Palace's top chevalier's classical residence. The space was crammed with all kinds of goods: plants, beverages, clothing, dust-coated jewelry, anything you could find on Palace, the room had it all. Nothing, however, appears to be enough to calm the strained atmosphere. The moon was nearly full and it was nearing midday. The night was shining brighter than normal, and the sky was filled with uncountable numbers of shining dusts, making the situation look quite amazing. Despite the beautiful velocity, sweat blood topples, not just for the giving birth lady, but for everyone who appeared anxious and bothered by the strain. After three hours of waiting and a few minutes before midday, the baby is still not out."Come on, breathe. Just keep breathing, Sonya." For the nth time, the midwife commanded softly to soothe the weak lady. "Just breathe, everyone is here. You are not alone
Why do people with tons of coins waste their money without thinking there are homeless people begging in the streets to at least have some food to eat? Why do people who has actually everything tends to receive abundance while those who have nothing gets their opportunities taken?Life is so unfair.Well, probably not. Life is fair but people are not. We breathe the same air and we walk at the same surface. Life just actually depends on how you live it. If you choose to work hard and just focus on your goal, notwithstanding how hard it is you'll get it. But still life is very austere. There are hard workers who doesn't get their needs and wants that easy, while there are some who just stood up and get a bunch of viands. I don't understand anymore; is life fair, or not?The night in the Kingdom of the Eufrata is very dim, the streetlights are glooming in their yellow shade but that is not enough to brighten the lives of the people living on the streets. The roads leading to the town ce
From the dawn's break, the roads to the town center were busy once again as the elites began to invade our district ignoring the paupers at the sidewalk. The merchants were bustling heavily against the stalls to the boulevard as if they own the place totally disregarding the beggars who are barely hanging at the place. The avenues for the homeless people were now a dirty driveway as the vehicles loudly and mercilessly impinges the papers and mats that was used as mattress to sleep on by the paupers."Bargain, bargain!""I swear to the heavens, if one of my jars breaks, I will murder these little pests here!" A trader cursed as one of the jovially playing youngsters smashed his products, spreading them across the floor and almost shattering them."How dare you curse my child!" Retorted an affluent mother, turning the cuss into rumbling."You should pay for what your child did to my jars!""I don't notice any scratch on your stuff, old man!" Said the woman."These aristocrats don't care
Despite the fact that dusk had not yet fallen over the Kingdom, a smattering of lanterns strewn about the grounds were now aglow, lending a pleasant warmth to the evening atmosphere. Laura's megalopolis' asphalt jungle is nothing like our sidewalks, and the boulevards' streetlights were bright and fine, glowing in their bright white hues healthily. There were also lamps hanging from the flower poles, providing a beautiful view; it was completely brilliant, in contrast to our sidewalks, which lack any shining bulb lights and rely solely on the moon for illumination. The aromas of sweet pastries and fresh flowers lingered in the air for a long time, and soft music blended in as people of lesser social rank engaged in endless chats and laughs. The stalls were already closing up shop, and the shops and malls were winding down for the day.Will the paupers experience this kind of life as well? We're not actually that bad, there's just no opportunity for us that's why we're driven to take a
The sun had completely set, the surroundings were gloomy, and the atmosphere was really tense. Despite the fact that there was no one else in the area, it did not feel safe. It's as if, despite our solitude, someone has been keeping an eye on us. I just wanted to take a step back and go back to where I was to avoid further difficulty and to entice Laura away from my way of life. But, when I looked at Marcus and Laura, I knew I had to do something in order to survive. After all, I'm the one with the greatest requirements, and they're the ones who are assisting me. I shook my head and hurried towards the store. I dashed into the business as quickly as lightning after breaking all of the cameras; I couldn't shake my anxiousness, especially because I was unfamiliar with the location."Be careful," Laura cautioned as I approached towards the shop. I simply nodded and strolled in and out of the store with ease. The interior was massively lavish and elegant, and I couldn't have asked for any
"Calm down, people of the 2nd District! Everything will be OK, we'll be fine, and we'll locate those individuals. Wicked people! They deserve death!" said the Duke, slapping me hard in my mind; recently, no one had been listening to him, but with those words, the people roared again in unison. They agreed with the Duke's statement. We have earned our death. What the hell are these people? They're worse than us, declaring death to persons they have abandoned. Had they not ignored our situation we wouldn't be stealing like this for our dear lives. Honestly, our reasons will never justify what we're doing and what we have done; robbing, but there would be a lot of difference if only they minded us. We wouldn't have gone this far just to survive, if only we were given opportunities like them, we wouldn't be doing such things. The folks who had before been silent made a sound as though the Duke had delivered an excellent speech. They had been angry before because the guards had forced the
My hands were shaking as I slowly opened the box. My mind was in haze, I can't believe what's happening. I know I'm like a freak, maybe a total freak since I have an odd ability, but witnessing someone do the same odds as mine gives me shivers and uncomfortable feeling. Is this how my friends reacted when they first witnessed my ability? I say, it's freaking astonishing. I can't believe.When I opened the box and came out, the face of an old woman smiling was exposed. My heart thumped loud, she's smiling— should I take this a threat or just a simple greetings from her? I know something's up. She would not react like this if nothing's a problem. I'm in jittery, I want to run away but I'm scared I just get cornered and accused of anything. I need to be careful, I still have to come back home."What are you doing? And why are you hiding there, hija?" She asked. I looked away, I still do not know her but I knew I couldn't lie at the moment, not to her atleast. So I did not answer."You kn
My steps into the labyrinth were heavy. I still wondered if I would continue or not. By the time I turned around, I felt like the guard would pull out his gun and fire at me. So I slowly entered the maze, and I was almost stunned as the place grew darker. I feel like I’m somewhere else. I feel like I’m not in the palace anymore. I feel like I’m not alone in using the ability I have. Now I totally realize I’m not the only one with a unique ability in this kingdom. And I'd like to think that all of this is not true! I want to think that this is just a dream, but this isn't!This is real!I'm in deep trouble. I've entered a place I don't know where in the world it's located. The surroundings are dark; the bushes and stems of dancing trees are thick. The trees are not just ordinary; they're very large and the leaves are thick.I heard a thundering roar. I was taken aback. I can't be wrong; that sounds like a fierce lion! On my left are wild beasts on the ground, I could totally feel it. G
Zalistaír Vandross Magnaté CaésarWe only have a few days left before the search, and my team is a whole mess. I am somehow worried because Zandrus' group is well set up while my group is in trouble. We sent the officials to the districts to get someone to help us, but they haven't arrived yet, which is why my group is still confused."Prince, we need to talk to you." Greyson suddenly entered Princess Zavannah's room, which I was in. I nodded and planted a kiss on Zavannah's forehead before leaving. There isn't a day that I don't visit her; it's been years since she fell asleep after the fall of Luciano Ferrero. I was still young then, so I don't know what really happened. There was chaos in the palace; the brave Ferrero died, and my brother never woke up again. Now we only have the stones as our hope—to wake the princess, to free the kingdom from crisis, and for me to get the throne.We have arrived at the old haunted storage room; the group is already there except for Chrysler, for
Chapter 59I still remember a saying from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."A year ago, I was a hopeless and lifeless person. It was so hard for me to live. The life I had was not ordinary, and everyone saw that. Since I was young, I used to be alone. Until Marcus and Laura came, they were the only ones who made friends with me—no one else. I thought my life would be forever a mess; I can't see any path, so I don't know where I'm going. Until something happened, which led the way for me to become stronger, braver, fiercer, bolder, and more dauntless.The search happened; it turned out to be the search for the beryl and the search for me, and I left a trail. I realized that life is not about what will happen to you but what you do that will happen to you. We choose, we determine, and we live our own destiny. I was the negative yet brave girl, so my life was also negative. I was lost in an unknown place where I
CHAPTER 58A MONTH HAD PASSED. The houses of the paupers were built and established. I have no news from the palace either. Maybe everyone has been busy because of their duties. It's funny; people didn't laugh at me in the first district. They chose me as their mayor, but they call me commander instead. Until I played it. I have been in charge of the first district, and the place they used to trample on has been settled.The first and second districts became good friends; the barriers between neighboring areas are gone. But the status is still not lost; the elite and paupers still can't live together. Maybe there is nothing I can do there, but at least the friendship between the districts will grow. There are no more poor people in the Euphrates; everyone has their own place to live, including us."Mr. Rody, how is your garden?" I shouted at the farmer."Good day, commander! The rice fields are fine; this Elmer has grown his corn!""You can visit there, Commander! Don't worry, the cor
CHAPTER 57What I did was spread fast in the first district. That's why I was surprised when I was greeted by the warm music of the poor people there. All the sentries I passed at each gate saluted me. Those in the second district couldn't be found; they just silently watched me pass by their place.I don't know who made the announcement, but far away I heard loud shouts, clapping, the sound of trumpets, and the beating of drums. I smiled when I saw the people on the streets; the palace moved quickly because someone was already building houses there for the people.They fulfilled their promises. A poor man grabbed me from the carriage and put me on his back; then they jumped down and carried me. These people, I love it! I feel like I've won the lottery or an election; there's nothing more fun than what I feel when I see those who used to be sad on the streets now having fun because everyone has a house."FOR VELURIYA!""FOR VELURIYA!"I burst out laughing. That's what they call my nam
CHAPTER 56All of them were speechless because of what I said."You are selfless, as ever." The Queen's voice prevailed in the room we were in. Her footsteps echoed as she made her way to my seat. The upper echelons, including the princess, gave way for the queen to reach me. "Can't you change your mind?" she asked.I shook my head, my tears falling spontaneously. If it had been possible to rush, I would have done it, but I understand that his decision to forget me and Zavan is for everyone as well."You want to use your stone for the first district?"I nodded. She sighed, "You can hope. We'll work hard to give the homeless people a shelter."I felt happy because those on the streets, including us, would finally have a place to live. I will not stay in the palace; I will go back to Lola and Laura. I will try to forget everything, just like they tried to forget me and Zavan."Everyone in the first district will live happily again," said the Queen. "Maximus said that the people there li
CHAPTER 55The prince is recovering in his room as the upper echelons, including myself, are summoned for our requests. The prince was so weak, he was lifeless. Until now, my tears have not stopped pouring. How is this all happening to us? What did I do wrong that I deserve to suffer this much?I was never a survivor of happiness or love. What exactly is wrong with me? I was deprived of meeting my real family; they were erased from my memory. It was only Manang Omeng who removed my memories, but I still had a hard time remembering them. What about the prince? He was surrounded by elders, and no chant could break the spell they put on him.I'm broken; the prince had forgotten about me. I can't even stand properly because of my weakness, so I remained seated while facing the void. I couldn't think clearly, and after the incident, I didn't speak anymore. Life is so cruel; why does life seem so angry with me? Am I that bad to suffer like this?"Beryl..." Corinthians called. I almost forgo
CHAPTER 54"WHO ARE YOU?"I frowned because of Zavan's question to me. I slapped his arm and said, "You're not funny." I forced a laugh as I had said those words.He laughed at me and faced me again: "I'm not kidding, who are you?"I stopped laughing. My knees shook when I noticed that I was slowly disappearing. It's not Zavan who's missing, but me. What is it?"Za-Zavan?" I asked nervously."Who are you?" he asked again. His expression was blank, and my heart was breaking because of what was happening."Zavan!" I called because I was disappearing and he was becoming a blur in my sight. "NO!"The scream slowly entered my brain. Zavan's voice sounded like he was struggling. What was happening was very blurry, and after I screamed, I heard his voice.I heard a loud bang that woke me from my sleep. "Oh sh*t! Sh*t! Sh*t!" It was a nightmare! I had a nightmare!It rattled outside again. I quickly got up, stood up, and hid in the back of my room. I made sure I was awake because maybe this w
CHAPTER 53I was supposed to be immune to the pain; I shouldn't feel anything anymore, so I don't know how I felt the prince's presence at that time."Hush, you'll be fine, precious."That was the only thing I was holding on to at that time—that I would be safe in his arms despite the hardships I was going through."How dare you, Maximus?" said Zavan. "I've heard everything, and you will pay for it."I seem to have been revived by hope. They came before my death; at least it wasn't too late. I have done justice to my father as well as my mother. I protected the Euphrates from the hands of Maximus, and I still triumphed in spite of everything. It's not too bad to die to end all this; I'm having too much trouble... I can't take it anymore."Don't you dare die, Beryl? It is a command," whispered Zavan.I don't even know what happened next. I only felt two drops of hot tears on my cheeks and a long kiss on my lips before I finally took my breath away."I love you..."I feel that someone i
CHAPTER 52"Because you are Lucianno Ferrero's daughter,"What Maximus said ran through my mind over and over again. I tried to understand everything; I was about to explode, not only my body but also my brain."You're an animal!" I screamed and lost my mind. "You have no shame! What have you done to my father?""Do you want to know the true story of your life? I know your story better than you, Ferrero." He said.I cried again while crawling on the floor. Is this as hard as most people say it is? It's not only my body that feels pain but also my mood, and I think that's the most painful of all. I tried to cry while trying to fight the pain. I can't breathe anymore; my problem is increasing with every word Maximus utters. I gasped for air, but I sucked nothing. I'm just forcing myself to breathe because if I give up, I won't be able to live anymore."One night, a girl was born." Maximus began that the more I tortured, I vomited blood again, more this time. "There was no more fun that