Dylan punched the wall of his bedchamber severely and his knuckles started to bleed, "that bastard is never going to be emperor no matter what" he said and gave the wall a final blow "I will be emperor and I would own Maya" he said then clenched his bleeding fists tightly. "Riley, you have made a mistake by showing up in my life, you want to share everything that belongs to me" "you share my face, mother, father and even voice with me, but I'm never going to let you share Maya or the throne with me" he said and sat on his bed.
"I'm sorry mother, but I guess I have no other choice than to fight for my love and right" he said with eyes closed "talking about love, I have to meet Maya again" he thought "we never had a conversation and we've not officially met yet" "I have to impress her and win her over at all costs". He took in a deep breath then pictured Maya's smiling face in his mind "your smile is so beautiful" he said then smiled "you should only reveal that smile and cute dimples to me and not that jerk" he said and hit his fist on the bed, remembering how she smiled and seemed close to Riley when she practically didn't notice him.
"I promise you Riley, you can never have Maya, no matter how close you two may seem now, I'll break you apart" he said then clenched his bed sheet "I would rule the heaven realm after father even if you posses the necessary characteristics and I don't, I would never let you have a upper hand against me" he said to himself then laid on the bed.
...…
"What do you want to talk about, sister?" Elena asked Sophia when they entered the gazebo "is there something wrong with wanting to talk to my sister?" Sophia asked "no, I just wondered why you would seek for me at this time of the morning" Elena said "the weather today is bright and beautiful, so I thought a nice chat and walk with my sister would do no harm" Sophia replied smiling "of course sister, you thought well" Elena said returning her sister's smile.
"I hear gossips that you had a handsome male-guest at you chambers yesterday" Sophia said "how true are they sister?" she asked "it's completely true; I invited my friend to have some snacks with me and he accepted the offer" Elena said to Sophia with a smile "where did you meet this friend of yours" the latter asked "at the peace garden" the second princess answered "peace garden?, what was he doing there?" Sophia asked "he claimed he sensed Maya's pain during her meditation so he came to check on her" Elena said "he's friends with Maya" she added like it was nothing, but Sophia frowned at her sister.
"What do you mean friends with Maya?" Sophia asked "are you out of your mind Elena?" she added "I'm not out of my mind and I don't see anything wrong with Maya having friends" Elena said "she's your maid, Elena" Sophia said "and you don't mind if she makes friends with handsome men, and to think the man in question is your friend" she added shaking her head at the second princess "I don't mind if Maya or Ava makes friends and I don't care who they make friends with as long as it's not my enemy" Elena said and shrugged her shoulders "did you hit your head, little sister?" Sophia asked with raised brows and Elena stared at her before answering the question "no I didn't, older sister" she said.
"You're being unbelievable, Maya and Ava are not just my maids, they are my friends and I won't stop them from making friends with whoever they want, even if the person is my friend" Elena said firmly to Sophia and the latter looked at her sister wide eyed "you're mad at me because of your maids?" she asked "no, I'm mad at you because you're speaking like they're not people too" Elena replied "I'm sorry, but I can't go on with this conversation, have a nice day older sister" she added and left the gazebo to where Ava stood with Maya and Sophia's maids, then she left with them to her bed chamber.
...…
Riley arrived back at their place and found no trace of Sarah in the garden, and she wasn't in the lake either so, he decided to check her bedchamber. "Mother, I'm back" he said standing by the door of the bedchamber "oh, Riley son how was your visit to his majesty?" Sarah asked her son, standing up with a smile plastered on her face, then she led him to her bed where they both sat down "it was okay mother, how are you" he asked her "I'm okay, but I miss Dylan already" she replied him and smiled "it's fine mother, he'll return soon and also, I'm here with you" he said to her and she hugged him "I know, I just can't help it" "I understand, it's known as mother's love" Riley said and she disengaged from him then looked at him with a funny expression "are you teaching me about mother's love?" she asked him and he laughed out "mother, you look hilarious with that expression on your face" "you're such a naughty, hmph" she tapped him and pouted
"Mother, I'll be going to the empyrean cloud palace tomorrow" he said to her "what for, son" "father said I have to form my army and pick my guardian knight, he insisted it's very important" "I understand son, you have to resume duties as prince immediately" Sarah said and sighed "that doesn't mean I would neglect you, mother" Riley said and hugged her "father said the palace is safe for you now and wants you to come back, I think he's right" he added "why do you think so" she asked looking up at his face "it's safer for you because when I resume duties as prince, I wouldn't be able to protect you properly since father insists that I live in the palace" he replied "Dylan would be happy if you live in the palace with him" he added "okay son, I'll think about it" Sarah said "go freshen up" she added then Riley kissed her forehead then stood up before heading towards the door.
"Mother, I'll be going to the mortal realm for a while, I'd like to sink this entire 'reunion' events thing deep into my mind" he stopped and said "alright" she replied him and he went to his bedchamber.
...….
FLOWER REALM
"Your highness, you seem upset, I hope nothing's wrong" Ava asked consciously when they arrived in Elena's bedchamber "I had a little argument with my sister, that's all" Elena replied "if you don't mind, may I ask what happened" Ava asked and Elena sighed "I don't know what is wrong with her, she's trying to change my perspectives about you both" she said causing both Maya and Ava to look at each other "maybe you're misunderstanding her, your highness" Maya said "give her some space then talk to her, you both would understand each other by then" Ava added and Elena smiled at her "thanks both of you, but I know I'm not misunderstanding her" she said "but, I'll follow your suggestions" she added with a wider smile.
"Would you like a soothing cup of tea or orange juice?" Ava asked and Elena placed her left hand under her chin, looking left and right, pretending like she was in deep thought and both Maya and Ava laughed "I think I'll prefer juice" she said "yes my lady, I'll be here in a very short while" Ava curtsied in a teasing manner and Elena threw a pillow at her then they all laughed before she went to get the juice "does your highness wish to change into a more comfortable dress, or you prefer this one?" Maya asked after Elena left "I think that would be a good" Elena replied and Maya helped her change into a simple and comfortable dress "thank you" "it's my pleasure, your highness".
Ava returned with the juice and served it to Elena "thank you, I really appreciate you both" the latter said smiling at her maids after Ava gave the juice to her "it's noting your highness, we're more than happy to serve you" Ava said and looked at Maya who flashed the princess her dimple smile "we're glad you're happy and content with us" Maya said "oh my Maya, you need to go for your revitalization process" Elena said and Maya shook her head "you can get going, Ava would be with me till you return" the princess said and Maya bowed before grinning at Ava the disappeared to the peace garden leaving only pink smoke that soon dissipated.
...….
MORTAL REALM
Stephanie reappeared on a hill in the outskirts of Selona, then walked the streets, taking in every detail like a normal tourist would, though the realm looked familiar, she felt different because unlike before, she wasn't there with the intention of trouble or violence but instead, she was there to admire the place. Stephanie walked from street to street making sure she entered each shop and stopped at each stall to check them out. While looking around, she saw some women who appeared to be nobles talking under a pavilion and she decided to approach them.
"Good day ladies, mind if I join in?" she asked them politely and they all looked at her "who are you?" one of the ladies asked "my name is Stephanie" she replied calmly and with poise which was unlike her normal warrior self "Ella, what do you think?" the lady asked another one of them named Ella "are you from around here, I've never seen you before?" Ella asked looking her from head to toe, concluding the newcomer might be a noble like her considering her outfits "no, I'm not from Selona in general" Stephanie said "then where are you from, Silvia?" Ella asked with a raised brow "I'm not from Silvia, I'm from another continent" she replied and the ladies looked at each other then at Ella.
"You can join us Stephanie, I'm Ella" Ella introduced herself and created space for Stephanie on the two sitter bench she was occupying "nice to meet you Ella" Stephanie said and sat down, "these are my friends, Kara, Anna and Mary" Ella introduced her friends, specifying each one as she said their names and Stephanie gave each of them a soft smile "it's a pleasure meeting all of you" she said "same here" Anna said and the other two nodded in agreement and they all continued with their conversation while ensuring to tag Stephanie along.
.....
Riley appeared in his dark cabin in the mortal realm and gently sat down on the wooden chair which was there; he closed in eyes and took a few deep breaths before opening them back then lit the fire lamps. He found a few things out of place and he smiled to himself remembering they were caused when Maya had visited the cabin, he placed everything back where they belonged then lied on the bed and drifted into a world of deep thinking.