Look over there everyone is waiting.
I doubt they are waiting for me Lucien. They are probably thinking of ways to explain my demise, by the smirk on my brothers face I'm sure he just can't wait to give the joyous news to the rest of my family.
I'm guessing the one with eyes like yours, is the said brother correct?
Yes, his name is adryll and we both took our father's eyes unfortunately for me.
I think your eyes are beautiful well not just your eyes, you are beautiful.
If it were to be someone else Lucien I would have taking it as a jest but coming from you, and knowing your aversion to lies all I can say is thank you.
So when will you make your presence known to them, and who is the girl by the side crying?
Oh that's celeste the chatterbox friend I told you about.
You have someone who cares after all.
She is okay.
We are not that far from them why can't they see us?
That's because I made it appear so, however the moment you take a step forward you will be visible to them.
Okay, thanks Lucien for everything. Once I'm free I will reach out to you I said showing him my wrist with the bracelet on. This is beautiful by the way I said meaning it. The bracelet is unique. And you don't have to worry I won't breath a word to anyone.
Nodding his head as a form of acknowledgment he disappeared.
I walked towards the remaining fifty nine people and celeste was the first to see me.
Ionia! oh ionia! what happened to you, where have you been? said celeste hugging me so tight I found it difficult to breath.
Easy celeste you are strangling me.
Oh I'm sorry, I'm just so happy to see you alive.
Where have you been ionia? asked Frances.
I went in search of a purple flower.
So you are trying to tell all of us here that you've been searching for a flower all night?
Yes.
Where is the flower then asked adryll.
Reaching inside my bag I brought out the pouch and gave it to Frances.
How come you are alive and well didn't you see any wild animals?
I thought rhea said her dad told her that the demon will take care of any danger we might face?
That's enough everyone said Frances. Lets go back home, jasper myself and adryll will go fill illaesa in on the mission. You all are free to go to your rooms freshen up and rest if there is anything else you will be informed.
Are you really alright asked celeste on our way to our rooms.
Yes, you have nothing to worry.
I was really scared you know. It was really terrible of them to make you do that.
It's not your fault celeste beside majority of us happens to come from rich families. You really can't afford to offend these people. Just be good and leave them to me I can take care of myself.
If you say so ionia. I will be in my room sleeping then, I couldn't sleep at all because I was so worried about you. I will see you later bye.
I was about entering my room when I heard Frances call my name.
What can I help you with leader.
You have been summoned by the king.
Excuse me! What did I do?
Who are you to question me?
Who are you that I can't question I asked back, you act as if I stole something from you.
Watch how you talk to me freak I'm not clarissa you won't walk away with all your limbs intact if you cross me.
Not wanting to entertain this drama anymore I started walking to the throne room, that's where the king meets and addresses anyone.
Reaching the throne room I was met with the entire royal family some council elders including my father, illaesa, adryll, jasper and not long after Frances.
Greetings my king, queen and the royal family I said with a bow. Greetings to the council. You asked for me my king.
Ionia right?
Yes my king.
I was told you were the one who picked these flowers.
Yes my king I did.
Can you tell us how you did it?
I saw the flowers growing by the side of a lake and I picked them.
That's all?
Yes my king.
Did you pick them with your bare hands asked the queen?
No my queen I didn't, I picked them with the piece of cloth I used in wrapping them.
How did you know how not to touch them with your bare hands then continued the queen.
You are not to touch them with your bare hands? I asked feigning ignorance.
You didn't know? Asked the king.
My king I saw them at night glowing in the darkness they looked so beautiful, I was scared to ruin their beauty with my hands that's why I used a cloth instead.
Is that all? Asked one of the elders.
Are you telling the truth? Asked another.
My king and queen, elders indeed I am telling the truth. I haven't seen the flower before I don't know its name or what it is used for I know nothing whatsoever about it.
That's all ionia you can go back said the king.
Thank you my king I said with a bow to the king and queen.
I saw adryll whispering something to my father as I walked out of the throne room.
I left the palace quarters and was walking towards the soul shadow quarters. Soul shadow what an amusing name for a bunch of people fighting to protect a kingdom. I usually refer to the lot of us as guards. I wonder how the name came about. Maybe I really need to start paying attention to things going on around me like celeste mentioned.
I was lost in thought when a voice caught my attention.
Wait clarissa are you trying to tell me that the flower is important?
Yes that's what I'm saying. Adryll told me that his dad wanted him to be the one to pick the flowers, if not him then Frances or jasper since they know about the plant. He said they searched and searched but couldn't find it. We shouldn't have sent that low life to go pick it. Frances told me to pick it and give to her she only told me not to touch it with my bare hands. She did not tell me how important it is. I was happy when you suggested that the freak do it and I didn't tell her that she is not supposed to touch it hoping that something terrible will happen to her. But now look not only did she return unharmed but the king has noticed her.
But how did she do it? She is without powers or any real skill at combat she is only average.
How would I know rhea I swear whenever I see that girl I get angry for no reason.
So what is going to happen now?
I'm waiting for adryll to be done with the meeting.
Meeting? What meeting?
The king summoned ionia, adryll and his dad including Frances jasper and some elders, my father and yours are there as well. I think they are discussing the issue.
Woah! Don't tell me that freak will be rewarded?
I really don't know rhea I'm so frustrated right now. Adryll is even mad at me. He said I was the one that gave that witch the opportunity to shine.
I'm sorry clarissa I didn't know it would turn out like this.
It's okay you were only looking out for me.
So that's what's going on I thought to myself. But what would the king want with such a flower? What did I even do to this people to make them hate me so. If it wasn't for Lucien I can't dare to imagine what would have become of me.
Speaking of Lucien since I have nothing to do and everyone around me is wishing for my demise, I better go hang out with him. At the very least I could learn a thing or two.
I walked into one of the most famous tavern in ataraxia, the tasty tigress.
The tasty tigress is enchanting on the inside as it is on the outside. Stone beams support the upper flooring with lights attached to them. The walls are decorated with mounted animal heads, hides and small animals. Its clear the owner is an avid hunter and the smell coming from the kitchen indicate the animals don't go to waste.
The tavern is best known to come alive at night. They were not much people inside at this time. Finding a secluded corner and making sure no one is looking or coming my way I whispered Lucien's name on the bracelet.
I waited for five minutes, with no lucien in sight. I was about to say his name again when I saw him sitting beside me.
Woah! i really need to get use to you appearing from thin air.
You called?
I did where you busy?
No what is the matter? We said our goodbyes a couple of hours ago I wasn't expecting to see you this soon.
Same here. I just have nowhere to go and I decided to check on you to see if you are free.
I was patrolling the woods when I heard my name.
Patrolling the woods? Do you really hunt other animals?
Why are you not in the palace what are you doing in a tavern? He asked obviously ignoring my question.
I love drinking. It's not a crime you know and for the record the tasty tigress is one of the best in ataraxia.
Can I tag along with you? We were giving the rest of the day off and for some reason I don't want to be alone as funny as that sounds.
The woods is filled with all kind of creatures. It is not safe for you to come with me.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah! I think I will be fine especially with the infamous demon there to protect me.
Do you have a thing for demons and beasts?
Hahahahahahahahahaha why would you ask that?
Because you seem to be at ease with being with a demon.
You can think whatever Lucien but please take me with you.
Fine, stay close to me.
And just like that we both appeared in the woods.
You know Lucien next time I would be the one to take you around and you will try out the different delicacies the tasty tigress provides. Trust me it will be worth it.
Hmmmm if you say so. Now tell me what happened.
Why do you think something happened?
It is your choice to tell me or not. I'm not forcing you.
Well I was summoned by the king because of the flowers. And so you know I did not mention anything about you. After that, I overhead my fellow soul shadow sisters gossiping about me. Apparently they knew if I were to touch the flower with my hands I will be hurt yet they allowed me to go without informing me with the hopes of me actually getting hurt. I really don't care what anyone thinks of me or say about me. But I have to admit it is getting exhausting.
So what do you want to do about it?
Unlike before that everyone kind of treated me like I don't exist now however it has become dangerous for me. I need to learn to protect myself. I refuse to lose to them.
For someone who can't even protect herself, you have too many enemies
I know which is why I want you to teach me.
Me?
Do you have any idea what you are asking? Believe me I'm not someone you should be around let alone a teacher to someone. Listen ionia what I am capable of make your entire soul shadow sect in comparison seem so inconsequential. I'm not a hero or a valiant warrior or an idol you look up to. I'm the stuff even nightmares are scared of. I make your worst nightmare seem like an exotic dream. You should stay clear of me while I'm still being nice.
Lucien i've heard your threat and believe me I understand them. However I still maintain my stand. I really want you to teach me. And I never said I was looking for a hero. If this proves anything then it clearly shows that I'm not a nice person either. Not being nice doesn't always mean a bad thing and being nice doesn't always mean a good thing. I've been rejected, forsaken and abandoned. I have nothing and no one to call my own. Trust me Lucien I chose the path I thread. This time around I make the call. I am in control of my life. Every call, every decision, every action. I dance to the beat of my own drum. If they want my life. I will make sure I make taking it worthwhile for them.
Hold my hand and picture your room said Lucien.
I held his hand and pictured my room with my eyes closed. I opened them to find that we are already in my room.
Rest ionia and think of what you just told me. If by tomorrow you still want to go through with it you know how to reach me.
What if someone tries to kill me before tomorrow?
You can call me anytime you are in danger that bracelet was not given to you to make your hand pretty.
But my hand do look pretty.
What I'm trying to say is as long as you have a way of reaching out to me, I dare anyone to make an attempt on your life. With those words he vanished.
Wow! and here I thought my oddity was bad enough.
Knock knock.
Who is it?
Ionia it is me.
Celeste come in.
Ionia what did the king reward you with? shrieked celeste
Reward? What reward are you talking about?
The news is all around. It is said you were rewarded by the king for picking the flowers.
Celeste the king did not give me anything.
Really?
Yes really, why would I want to lie about the king rewarding me?
But I heard the king summoned you.
Yes he summoned me but it was not to reward me. He asked how I picked the flowers.
How else are you supposed to pick flowers?
Well my little chatterbox apparently if you touch the flowers with your bare hands it is extremely dangerous.
What!?
But you are fine how did you pick it then?
With a piece of cloth?
Did you know it was dangerous?
No.
Then how did you know to use something?
I didn't, I found the flowers growing by the side of a lake they were glowing. They were giving off this purple glow in the darkness. They were so beautiful that I was scared to ruin their beauty with my bare hands so I decided to pick and wrap them with a cloth.
Woah! they were really glowing?
Yes.
I would have done the same thing if I were you. So how did you know picking them with your bare hands is dangerous did the king tell you.
No he didn't mention it. I overhead Clarissa and rhea gossiping about me. They knew it was dangerous but didn't say anything to me. In fact they wanted me to get hurt.
What!? Those girls are taking things too far. Will you report them?
Report them to who exactly celeste? Rhea's dad is a member of the council, Clarissa's dad is a member of the council and a close friend of my dads as well as the king. Not to mention that clarissa is a good friend of our "leader" and also my bothers girlfriend. And then there is me the abandoned and worthless daughter of the esteemed fallenvale family. Trust me celeste I will only make matters worse for myself.
But you can't continue like this.
I have a plan celeste do not fret. I will be fine.
Becareful ionia
Don't worry I will. Why don't we go look for something to eat I suggested.
After the food I stayed with celeste till it was bedtime and headed to my room.
I washed up and laid on my bed.
Looking at the bracelet and wondering just how powerful Lucien is. I made up mind to learn from him. I've already made the decision. Starting tomorrow he will be my master.