Hmmmmm! That's strange! He specifically mentioned you,and I'm sure he wouldn't be mistaken.If it wasn't you,then who? I'm so confused
"Just calm down your majesty! It could be Stacey or even Dannice, that delivered the clothings. I'm sure it's just a mixup.If it would make you feel better,why don't I summon all the maids and caretakers,and verify which one of them delivered the clothing?
"Uhm,I don't think there would be any need for that. Like you said,he might be mistaking another maid for you.Besides I think his uncle sent the regalia to him.
"Oh,is that so? That's okay then! I heard about what's happening to Lucian.I am so sorry! I'm sure,if you do as the seer instructed,Lucian will be okay in no time.
"Oh,yeah about that,I don't need to do what the seer said.He was talking gibberish.I know exactly what to do now! Lora ended with a wide smile.
"What do you mean by that,your highness? I will advise you do exactly what the seer instructed. He could be saying the truth,for all you know. What are you planning on doing now,if not what the seer had instructed? Fiona inquired, acting restlessly.
"Hmm,the walls have ears Fiona. I can't disclose my plans to you right here. Come to my room later at night,and I promise to explain everything to you.Why is prince Louis here? You never told me anything about him and Allicia! Did father summon them?
"Well! I overheard from Stacey,that prince Louis came on behalf of his father to discuss with the king,concerning the bridge about to be built by the lake side.I am sorry for not informing you about their entanglement.They got married three years after you were banished from ALDEHEN.Even if I wanted to,I couldn't tell you,I had no idea where you were at that time,and the King would have had my head chopped off,if I dared went in search of you. After you came back,I thought letting you know was irrelevant.Allison visited the palace everyday during your exile. She craved for information on your whereabout.She missed you greatly.She stopped coming after a year,and only returned to the palace a year after,to invite us all to her wedding.I wasn't really happy about their marriage,but at the same time I couldn't blame her.She deserves to be happy too.I couldn't wrap my hands around the reason King Sachord,Louis's father allowed Louis marry a commoner.They have a beautiful daughter together,and their marriage is a happy one,I must confess.King Reginald also approves of their marriage.I am sorry you had to hear all these! Don't take it as betrayal okay.Allicia is a good person and she loves you greatly.I think you should talk to her,catch up on old times.She is still your friend afterall.
"Wow! I don't even know what to say.I feel so stupid right now.I know I made a terrible mistake by breaking the heart of the only man that loved me,and allowing the one who wanted to destroy me into my heart,but what Allicia did was terrible.She shouldn't have married prince Louis.I think the both of them were already seeing each other behind my back,even when we were still betrothed.Allicia is nothing but a two faced snake.I never should have let commoners into my life,now see where it has landed me.I won't grant both of them the liberty of seeing me.I will remain in the cottage till they leave the palace.Don't disclose my whereabout to anyone,not even the king.I have to go now,I don't want anyone seeing me here.
"Wait a minute Lora! What the hell are you saying? You think that low of Allicia? You now regard her as a commoner too? C'mon, Allicia could give up her life for you,if the need had arisen.She constantly begged you to leave cicerio and give even an atom of your love to Louis.She would have advised you otherwise if she really wanted him.Just talk to her,I beg you.Just hear what she has to say.You never loved Louis,even before meeting cicerio. So I don't see any reason why you should suddenly start getting jealous.It shouldn't matter to you who he marries.You never loved him or saw him worthy of you,but Allicia did. what's the big deal?
"Fiona! Don't tell me you're suddenly taking sides? I just can't believe you're the one saying all this! I am highly disappointed.Go back to whatever it is you were doing,I have to go now.
Lora ran towards the cottage immediately, without listening to Fiona's reply.She held the Hem of her gown in one hand,and covered her mouth with the other.Two hot streams of tears flowed down both her eyes as she ran harder.She ran pass the garden house,and towards the cottage.She flung the cottage door open,immediately she arrived at it's peak.By the side of the door was a wooden three legged chair.Lora sunk her butt into the chair,and gasped for air.She uncovered her mouth and wailed continuously.She reminisced on the mistakes she had committed,and how her life had turn out,and tears flowed her eyes more.After crying for close to twenty minutes,she consoled herself with the fact that,two beautiful souls came out of her mistake.She stood up from the chair,wiped off her tears and headed to the back window.She flushed in the fresh air and roses scent into her system.She yawned relievedly,and decided to watch the village from the window.The sight before her was beautiful and peaceful.She watched quietly whilst soaking fresh air.She moaned pleasurably at intervals.
~•~
A young girl,about 5ft tall,in a beige loosened gown,with black gloves in both hands,a black heel and her shiny black hair rolled in a bun,walked courteously out of the throne room.She bowed her head to four adults in the throne room before leaving.She saundered elegantly into the ranch, through the help of the backdoor.She watched without being noticed, as three lads raced themselves on a horse.She smiled at the sight before her,and waited for the people on the horses to reach the finish line in front of her,so they could finally notice her presence.A brown haired girl halted her horse,immediately she sighted the girl in beige gown leaning her hands on the fence,next to the finish line tracks.The brown haired girl alighted the horse,and ran in her tracks to the beige gown girl.They both entangled in a tight hug,which followed after a French peck.
"Why didn't you tell me you were gonna visit today? I would have lined up series of activities for us to do.I have missed you!I thought I won't see you,untill school season.Celia reciprocated,releasing her self from the tight embrace of the beige gown girl.
"I actually had no idea,I would be visiting today too. I overheard Father earlier, asking mum to accompany him to Aldehen for an important meeting,and I pleaded to tag along.I have missed you too and your palace also.So tell me,who are those boys on the horses over there?
"So you're telling me that Lady Allicia and Lord Louis are in the palace right now? OMG,I need to go see them.I have missed them so much.Well, thoes boys are my cousins.The ones I have been telling you about.The ones that live in ivy lake City, remember? Don't worry,I will introduce you to them.
Celia tucked the beige gown girl's hand in hers,and they both sauntered to where Johnny and Lucian were feeding sugar cubes to their horses.Lucian and Johnny bowed to Celia and her companion slightly on seeing them approach.Both girls reciprocated the bow with a smile.Celia introduced the boys to the beige gown girl as Lucian and Johnny,and introduced her to the boys as Princess shantara of Thalidan. Johnny smiled to shantara after the introduction,and stretched his hand towards her for a firm handshake.They shook hands briefly,and shantara kept beaming unending smiles at Johnny.They released their hands slowly from each other's grip,and shantara ended with "It's really nice to meet you Johnny"! Johnny reciprocated with "The pleasure is mine! Their attention was suddenly drifted to Lucian,who stood agape,adjacent to shantara.They was shock,bewilderment,fear and surprise written over his face,as he stared akwardly at shantara.Celia was quick to tap his shoulder and inquire if anything was wrong.He swirled his head from side to side,causing his hair to splatter on his face.He used his right palm to wipe his eyes and took another glance at shantara,then Johnny and Celia.
"I'm.... I'm sorry princess.I am sorry for acting obscene.It's not my nature.it's just that the pendant on your necklace looks quite familiar.Where did you get it from?Who gave it to you? Lucian inquired, stuttering.
"Oh this!(holding the dragon in flame shaped pendant),well my parents said I was born with it.I have had it ever seen I was a baby.I feel like this necklace protects me,because everytime I take it off,I start experiencing evil dreams coherently.I have promised my self,never to take it off.Why do you ask? Shantara's soft voice played in.
"Really!! What kind of dreams? Asides your necklace,have you seen this symbol somewhere else before?
"Yes! The lady in my dream had the same symbol tattooed on her neck.The dream isn't really that clear.I just see my self in the dream, in a wedding dress, when suddenly, a horrible looking lady with huge horns appears out of nowhere and drags me into a realm of fire.I see thousands of her kinds, surrounding a huge throne, whilst laughing hysterically at me as I weep for help.I see some sort of flashing and blazing fire coming towards me,then I suddenly jerk and wake up.That's all! Why are you interested in this symbol? Have you seen it somewhere?
"Uhm,No! I'm sorry for all my insensitive questions.I just got carried away,by the work of art on your necklace.
Lucian vehemently stretched his hand towards shantara for a hand shake, and she immediately shook his hands.Immediately their hands clocked, Lucian's irises turned blood shot red.His eyes flared up,and he stood glued to his tracks.He shouted loudly,and placed both hands across his head, before he eventually passed out.
Shantara, Celia and Johnny rushed to Lucian's side whilst screaming for help.Three soldiers came running in shortly,and the tallest of them carried Lucian in his hands.The soldier,carrying Lucian in his hands,
rushed him to the royal car,whilst the two other soldiers ran to the throne room to inform the king.The king,Queen Zarah,crown prince Louis and lady Allicia all ran from the throne room,to the garage where the royal car was parked.The soldier had already laid lucian's unconscious body in the car,and was waiting for a direct order to drive him straight to the hospital.The king inquired from Johnny,Celia and shantara who were seated in the car besides Lucian,and were all crying profusely,what had happened.Celia was the first to speak,and she disclosed to the king that,they were all just talking when he suddenly slumped.Queen Zarah,lady Allicia and Crown prince Louis all went with the soldiers to the hospital.They urged the children to stay behind in the palace with king Reginald,that Lucian will be fine and back in the palace in no time.Queen Zarah ordered General Robert,to get a hold of Lora and inform her on the new development before she left.
The soldiers drove speedily to the biggest hospital in the city,Blue stone hospital, which is located at the down side of town.The hospital is filled with foreign doctors and practitioners.It was a twenty five minutes ride from the palace to the hospital.The nurses brought a stretcher,and wheeled Lucian into the hospital.After much examination,the doctor informed the Queen,Lady Allicia and Crown prince Louis,that Lucian passed out as a result of shock or fear.The doctor revived Lucian to consciousness with the aid of an oxygen mask.Lucian was placed in a private ward to recuperate,with drip in his hand and an oxygen mask plugged to his face.
The Queen called the King on phone, immediately she attested that Lucian was fine and awake.She informed the worried king about lucian's development.The king heaved a deep sigh of relief,and informed the queen that Lora and Xander were already on their way.The Queen hung up,and thanked the crown prince and his lady for accompanying her to the hospital.She urged them to return back to the palace,in other to return to Thalidan on time. The prince and lady Allicia refused,and said they weren't planning on leaving Aldehen till they met with Lora.The trio sat besides Lucian as he rested peacefully.The queen held lucian's hand firmly, and kept stroking his long hair while he rested.She blew kisses on his forehead.Lady Allicia admired lucian's face,and said her friend was lucky to have such a handsome son.Prince Louis attested to what she said,and Rose the question in everyone's mind. "What shocking thing did Lucian see or hear that made him pass out? The prince asked rhetorically.Before anyone could respond,The door nob to Lucian's room squinted,and the door opened abruptly.The trio's eyes were fixed on the door,when Lora walked in distressedly,with prince Xander and prince Adrian closely behind her.She ignored everyone and went straight to her son.She placed his head on her laps,and used the back of her palm to feel his temperature constantly.Hot streams of tears flowed down her cheeks and she sobbed loudly.She was still crying and caressing her son's hair,when a soft hand held her shoulders.She raised her head slightly to verify who it was,and was greeted by Alicia's beautiful face.She shrugged,and flashed a fake smile at Allicia.Allicia reciprocated by pulling Lora from her sitting position to a standing one,and giving her a heart felt hug.She hugged her dearly,as if her life depended on the hug.Lora stood still unaffected by the hug.Allicia noticed her inactive mood,and whispered to her ears "Stop acting moody! Your son is out of danger already.Let's catch up,come with me.it's been eighteen years already! Lora said "okay"under her breathe,but Allicia was still able to hear her.She kissed her son who was deep asleep,bowed to her mother,who in return asked her not to worry,that Lucian will be okay.She turned to prince Louis and bowed to him also,without meeting his eyes.Xander was already seated besides Lucian,and Adrian sat besides Louis,and they both exchanged pleasantries.Allicia and Lora excused themselves out of the room and headed straight to the lobby. Allicia hugged Lora again and held both her hands.
"My dearest friend! I have really missed you dearly.It's been eighteen long years.I never thought I would see you again! I searched for you everywhere but up to no avail.I never thought I could go a day without seeing,but circumstances made us go eighteen years without each other.I greatly wished that on my wedding day,you would be my maid of honor but fate dictated otherwise.Look at us,from teenagers to mothers. isn't it funny how time flies?How have you been my friend? I heard what that ill hearted cicerio did to you.He is such a huge jerk. Your son is really handsome.He has grown to be a fine young man.He has your eyes too.I can't wait to see your other son.I am sure he would be as handsome as his brother. I am sorry it had to take us this long to see each other. It was only a year ago,when news reached me that the King had forgiven you,and allow you into the palace.I pleaded with a caretaker in the palace to inform me immediately you come visiting again.She informed me immediately you came visiting the last time,but I was busy with something very important and I came an hour after you had gone back to ivy lake City.I was overjoyed when she informed me you were in town again.I,my husband and my daughter decided to come see you at once.I will introduce you to my daughter,once we get back to the palace.I named her after our favourite secret park. "Park shantara". Prince Louis was devastated and heartbroken after he found out about you and cicerio.I occasionally visited him to do the best I could to tame his anger.One thing led to the other,and we fell in love.You know what? I'm not happy about what cicerio did to you or what you went through,but everything happens for a reason Lora.You were blessed with two adorable boys.I just hope you can move on and find happiness again.I am sure you're happy for me.Fate really has a mysterious way of playing things.Am I blabbing? I'm sorry, I'm just so happy to see you.
"Hmmm! It's been almost two decades and you're still the Allicia I once knew.Nothing has changed.I am pretty happy your life turned out great.I used to think you were void of love.I am happy you now belong to royalty.I missed you more than you can imagine.I can't wait to meet shantara.My heart is at peace now, knowing fully well that you're doing well.Thank you for bringing my son to the hospital.Nothing can separate us ever again.
The duo hugged genuinely and exchanged exciting tales.They conversed for a while and both exchanged digits.Adrian showed up at the lobby, immediately Allicia excused herself to the restroom.He assured Lora that the hospital was the right place for them to carry out their exorcism.Lora thought about it for a while,and gave in.He asked her to find a way to send everyone home.She assured him,she will try her best and come up with something.He left with an unusual smirk on his face.Allicia came back immediately he left,and proposed they both go check on Lucian.On their way to Lucian's room,they saw Adrian and Lydia rushing into the hospital.The couple both had a worried look on their faces.Adrian stopped on his tracks, immediately he saw lora and tried to inquire what happened to Lucian,and if he was okay.Perplexed and confused,Lora wasn't able to answer him.After a moment of waiting for an answer from Lora,he swooned pass her,and headed for lucian's room,with his wife closely behind.She looked confused,and found it hard to make something sensible out of it. "Didn't Adrian just speak to her? They both came to the hospital together.Why was he actually eerie?He must be pretending! Maybe he doesn't want anyone to suspect that we're cooking up something.Lora thought inwardly.
After much deliberation, argument and plead.Lora managed to get everyone to go back home.She, Adrian and two guards were the only ones assigned to pass the night with Lucian.The doctor came in thirty minutes after everyone had left and administered a sleeping shot to Lucian.Once it was 9pm,Adrian assisted Lora in switching off the lights, putting down the curtains, and lighting a single red candle in Lucian's room.After everything was done, Adrian excused himself and went to the restroom.Lora laid on a sofa in the lobby,and left Lucian all alone in the dark room.The moment it clicked 12pm,a chilly and invincible wind swirled into lucian's room.
"Leon! "Leon! "Leon! The beautiful lady with a very long and white hair that swooned all the way to her waist,who just suddenly appeared in Lucian's,now slightly illuminated room called out.
Lucian turned a little,and slowly started opening his eyes.He jerked up the moment he saw the mysterious woman.Onlike the man that appeared in his dream,she was extremely beautiful.Her Long white hair swooned all the way to her waist.She had a single huge horn on the middle of her head.She was a little on the plus side,but naturally endowed.Just like the man,she wasn't wearing anything on her upper body.Her huge fluffy bosom was visibly in sight.She had the dragon in flame tatoo on her Left breast.Lucian tried to run,and scream for help the moment he saw her,but she made it clear to him that no one would be able to hear him.He tried to run out,but his feet were as heavy as a bag of cement.He shouted on the top of his voice for help,but no one came.He finally gave up, and decided to stand up to the mysterious lady.
"Who are you? and what do you want from me? Lucian asked in a terrified tone.
"I'm the mistress of the night.The flammable damsel.They call me Zendaya!What I want from you? I want you to redeem your people Leon.Your people are in grave danger.Only you can save us!You need to know your true identity before your eighteenth birthday. You are our successor. You've almost come of age Leon.Find the key,and do as destiny foretold.They will end us,if we don't find the key.You are not human,so stop portraying weakness.I will help you discover your true identity,only if you let me. You won't be able to run away from us after your eighteenth birthday.The spell would have wared off by then.Redeem us! Learn how to use your powers!
"Stop it! I'm not Leon! I'm Lucian! I'm not your successor and I don't know you. Stop trying to destroy my life,I beg you. I know my identity. I'm not a beast.I am Lucian! brother to Johnny,son to Lora Reginald and the grandson of the king of ALDEHEN.Stop bothering me. Lucian bellowed.
"I guess it's time! Time to take you back to the day it all begun.Sit down Leon! I want to tell you everything.I want you to know the story of your real parents and your root.You need to know everything,only then would you be able to believe me.
"I don't want to listen to you! Stop calling me Leon.I am not like you! I don't have a horn or that ridiculous tatoo.
"Hahahaha! Every zedecon has the tatoo! Check your left biceps and you will find yours.
"How did this appear here! You made it appear.Make it disappear right now!Stop trying to make me one of you!
"You've always had it! It wasn't visible to the ordinary eyes, because your human side overshadowed the tattoo.Sit down and listen to me or I will make that tattoo permanent!