Stephanie felt someone strangling her in her sleep only for her to open her eyes and see Dylan standing by the foot of her bed strangling her with an invisible force "l…let go of me y…you b…bastard" she said choking and Dylan freed her and she immediately jumped out of the bed amidst coughs "how dare you come in here and strangle me" she asked him yelling "how dare you instigate two mortal kingdoms against each other" he asked her "blame that on yourself and your father" she said "oh, so you and the demon lord are still thinking of avenging your brother?" he asked in a mocking tone "you better let go of that or you'd be next, then your father" he said really coldly and the atmosphere within the room chilled but Stephanie ignored his threat.
"How could I have slept so long and not even noticed that the war started" she asked herself looking confused "yes, I cast a sleeping spell on you last night because I wanted to be up before you so I can be aware of anything you do" Dylan said "and I'm glad I did. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known of your hideous plan" he added "you crazy jerk" she said and shot a spear like object at him but he dodged it and bounded her with a spell "let go of me now" she yelled "not until you get home beautiful" he said with a seductive smirk then sent her back to the demon realm before he teleported back to the heaven realm.
...…
FLOWER REALM
"Your highness, don't you think it's time we return to the palace" Maya asked Elena as they strode around the shores of the sacred floral lake "no, I still want to stay out. I rarely come out of the palace" Elena replied "your highness, Maya's right, the sun is so hot and you may get sunburned" Ava said and Elena simply made herself an umbrella causing the two friends to look at each other and shake their heads. "Your highness, I would be leaving for my meditation soon and I can't leave you alone when you're still out" Maya said trying to convince her "yes your highness, her majesty would be angry if only one of us is with you when you're not in the palace" Ava seconded "then let's all go to the peace garden and Maya could revitalize her energy when we're there" Elena said leaving the girls speechless.
"Why are you guys looking that way?" she asked them "it's nothing your highness, it's just that we're surprised how much you want to stay out" Ava said "it is okay, you guys wouldn't expect that from a princess" she said "let's go now" Elena said and they all teleported to the peace garden.
"Wow, the peace garden looks more beautiful, the last time I was here, I was still a kid and it wasn't this pretty" Elena said when they arrived in the garden "it's because different flowers and plants have germinated through the years" Maya said "if you'll excuse me your highness, I have to find a silent spot for my meditation" she added and Elena nodded then she walked away to somewhere more quiet. "I honestly thought I might be able to find Riley and go to the mortal realm with him but her highness is here and I can't do that" Maya thought to herself when she was alone then transformed into her true form after finding a nice spot, then rooted herself to the ground.
Maya danced to the wind in her true form and glittered brighter than normal, spraying glittery dusts on the floor around her as a part of her revitalization. She tried to bloom but stopped halfway and transformed back to her human form when she felt her heart ache at the thought of Riley. She sat on the floor holding her chest and wondered what could be wrong with her when all of a sudden, Riley appeared in front of her and knelt before her looking worried "what happened Maya, are you okay?" he asked her "I don't know, my heart ached all of a sudden" she replied him "is that so" he asked "yes" "okay, let me" he said and she gently removed her hand from her aching chest.
Riley raced his hand to her chest level and turned his palm to face the part of her chest that ached, and then fiery red waves moved from his hand to her chest. After a few moments, he stopped the process and she felt relieved "thank you Riley" she said smiling sweetly showing off her cute dimples "you're welcome" he replied fighting the urge to poke her dimples then helped her up.
"By the way, what are you doing here today" she asked him "I sensed your pain, that's why I rushed here" he replied her "do you always sense people's pain?" she asked curious "no, I don't. Just on rare occasions" he replied "okay" she said "I guess my revitalization would be incomplete again today" she added and just then, Ava and Princess Elena who had been walking round the garden showed up "Maya who's this man?" Elena asked startling Maya and she looked down in fear which was evident in her eyes "you highness, he…" Maya was saying but Riley cut her off "I am her friend, I sensed she was in pain so I came here to help her" he said calmly.
"Really" Elena asked "yes" he replied "are you okay now Maya" Elena asked "yes, your highness" Maya said and curtsied slightly "may I invite you to my chambers for tea?" Elena asked admiring the beauty of the man in front of her. Riley looked at Maya and thought if she was the princess's maid then he would see her for a little longer before going back home "It'll be my pleasure" he said and smiled at Maya "so then, may I know the name of my guest" Elena asked "Riley" he replied shortly "I am Elena, second princess of the flower realm" Elena said "pleased to meet you princess" he said and Elena blushed a little "same here, mister Riley" she said.
"Let's go to the palace then" Elena said and they all nodded then she opened a portal which led to the room where she attends to guest in her chambers and they all crossed it.
...…
HEAVEN REALM
Dylan appeared in front of his father's bedchamber then asked the guard to inform him of his presence, "your highness, his majesty says you can come in" the guard said bowing when he returned and Dylan entered the bedchamber. "How have you been father" he said as he entered "I'm doing great son, how was your stay in the mortal realm" Richard asked "it was a nice experience" Dylan said "I was able to stop that demon princess from doing something stupid" he added "that's one characteristic of a true emperor" Richard said causing Dylan to smirk.
"Father, I have something to ask you" Dylan said "what is that" Richard asked "did you maybe give someone the other half of my pendant" Dylan asked and Richard stared at him in shock "why do you ask that" "I met a man who looks exactly like me, has the same voice as me, wears the other half of my pendant and doesn't feel intimidated by me. In fact, he appears to be as strong as me" he said "I guess it's time you learnt the truth" Richard said and walked towards the window then stared outside.
"I am certain you just met your twin brother" Richard said and Dylan looked like someone who just got the biggest shock of his life, in a sense, he actually did "that pendant was given to him by me on the day you both were born" Richard added "you're saying, I was born a twin" Dylan asked "yes, you were" "so then, I guess my mother is not dead as you claim, since my brother could not have lived on his own as a baby" "yes, Sarah is very well alive" Richard said "who is Sarah" Dylan asked "your mother, the name you knew as your mother's name is a concubine's name" Richard said "I killed that concubine so people would think your mother died while giving birth to you, it's the only way you could have been alive and that's why your mother left with Riley" he added.
"Why would my life be in danger when I am the Heavenly Emperor and Empress's son?" Dylan asked "it's because Sarah was not the empress but my servant and secret lover which is forbidden. To keep you and your brother safe, Sarah had to go with Riley" Richard explained and Dylan raked his fingers through his hair not knowing how to take the bitter truth he just learnt "so, I'm not a sole heir" he said to himself "how do I find my mother?" he asked his father "you can't unless she wants you to" Richard said and that angered Dylan causing him to storm out of the bedchamber.
...…
DEMON REALM
Stephanie arrived in her bedchamber and fell on the floor before the binding spell finally freed her "I'll make that pretty boy prince pay dearly for making my plan fail" she said to herself with clenched fists then went to take a shower and had a change of clothes before going to her father's chamber.
Demon Lord, Lewis was having a soothing cup of tea when Stephanie walked in on him "father, I'm back" she said and went to hug him "how is your plan holding up" he asked her "it failed father, and it was all thanks to that crown prince Dylan" she said "don't worry about it my dear, I'll personally deal with that father and son pair" he said "I don't want you involving yourself any longer" he added "okay father, if that's what will make you happy" she replied smiling and laid her head on Lewis' lap before closing her eyes to savor the moment.