Jotham, Silveran capital
2030***
For a moment, Hazel was frozen to the spot, too shocked to move. She hadn't expected the queen to notice her presence. But again, the queen was no ordinary person.
Hazel's wide eyed gaze met Yuka's and he sighed, wiping off the blood from his lips.
"There's no one there. I'll take my leave now" he said and the queen narrowed her eyes. "I was so sure I sensed-""You must've sensed the maids and the guards" Yuka interrupted her, his eyes discreetly telling Hazel to leave. She snapped out of her daze and walked away, feeling troubled.Why was Yuka being treated like an animal? Why did they despise him so much?Hazel did not have the answers to these questions and this worried her to no end. So, when the royal family joined her at the table, she felt utterly ill at ease. "Hazel, are you alright?" Caden asked her as he sat down beside her."I'm fine""You look troubled" he said to her and she forced out a smile. "It's nothing really. I was just thinking about the fact that I didn't get to say goodbye to my brothers" she responded and he nodded in understanding."You met Yuka, I presume" the king said to Hazel."Yes" she responded."We asked you to stay away from the East wing for a reason, Hazel. Yuka is dangerous, you shouldn't be anywhere around him"So, what? Because he's a black blood you decide to isolate him from everyone else? That's brutal, Hazel thought."Hazel, are you listening?" Caden asked and she nodded.
"You have no idea what he's capable of and I need you to be safe. Promise me you won't go to him again" he said and she blinked."I promise" While they had dinner, none of them knew that Hazel was planning to go to the East wing later on, to make sure that Yuka was alright. She couldn't shake off the guilt she was feeling.Hazel had always been the rebellious type. She always broke the rules no matter the consequence. She felt sorry for Caden and his parents, they truly had no idea what kind of person she really was. The more they tried to tame her, the wilder she became and this was what made her different from everyone else.
"Your wedding with my son is in seven days. You know that, right?" the queen said and Hazel's grip on her cutleries tightened.
Seven days?How did that even happen?Caden gave her a warm smile and she forced out a smile in return."Yes, your highness" she said to the queen."Have you two started to know more about each other?" the queen asked, her expression stoic as always."We're taking it slow. Hazel needs time to adjust to her new life at the palace" Caden said and the queen rolled her eyes."We don't have time-" she began but was interrupted by the king."Enough, Clarice. Do not put pressure on the red blood"Hazel lowered her gaze, feeling out of place. She really wished there was a way out of her new problems. The queen seemed to dislike her and it had officially become part of her long list of problems since she'd arrived in Jotham.*** After dinner, Caden decided to take a walk in the south wing garden with Hazel and as they walked hand in hand, Hazel didn't feel totally comfortable like how she'd felt when she was around Yuka.Caden was gorgeous, kind and considerate. She had literally no idea why she was unable to relax completely around him.
"How many brothers do you have?" Caden asked her."Three brothers. They're all triplets""Really? They must've toughened you up""They sure did""So, does that mean I'm about to get married to a superwoman?"Hazel snorted."I'm just a mere red blood just like your mother said" she stated and Caden's gaze softened."Does my mother intimidate you?" He asked and Hazel shrugged."A little. She clearly doesn't like me" she muttered and he embraced her. She closed her eyes, inhaling his lemon scent. There was still a part of her that was wary about him. "Why do you hate your brother so much?" Hazel dared to ask. Caden stiffened and she looked up to gaze into his silver eyes."Someone who was dear to me died because of him. He killed her. He is too dangerous, Hazel. He almost burnt my mother to death a few years ago"Hazel suspected that there was more to the story but he just wasn't telling her everything."I'm tired, Caden. I'll like to retire to my room now" she said and he nodded.When they got to the entrance of Hazel's room, he gazed into her eyes for a moment and pressed a kiss to her forehead before walking away. Hazel's heart began to beat faster as she stepped into her room and shut the door. Why am I feeling like this? She thought.
Why does Caden keep doing things that makes my heart flutter? Is he trying to make me fall in love with him? That night, Hazel kept tossing and turning on her bed, unable to sleep. Two people were on her mind: Yuka and Caden. The urge to see Yuka was almost overwhelming and she tried not to give into it, but it was useless anyway. She was rebellious by nature. She got dressed in a fitting pair of brown trousers, a pair of brown boots, a black long sleeved shirt and a black cape. Then, she took her small dagger with her, just in case the need to defend herself arose. Nevertheless, she didn't believe Yuka would hurt her.She skillfully avoided the maids and the guards. Soon, she'd arrived in the East wing of the palace. She headed straight for the chamber with the largest doors. Then she knocked on the door. The doors immediately swung open, revealing Yuka's large bedroom. Most of the things in his room were purple and black. She noticed the figure lying on the bed with blankets wrapped around him. He was shivering so hard, she noticed. Alarmed, she rushed to his side and bent over him, brushing the damp strands of his hair away from his face. Then she placed her palm over his forehead, flinching when she noticed how badly he was burning up.
"Yuka!" She whispered, patting his cheek to awaken him. His eyelashes fluttered slightly and he let out a low groan. "Hazel, you shouldn't be here. You're going to get yourself in trouble" he croaked, opening his eyes a little. "You're burning up badly. Isn't there something that can help with your fever?"
He stared at her through half closed eyelids.
"Hazel, didn't you hear what I just said?" He asked, his voice hoarse."I did. But, that's not the problem right now. You were punished because of me. So, I need to fix it" she said. He coughed and gave her a half smile."I'm fine. The poison will wear off soon""Poison? Wait, they gave you poison to drink just because I came to the East wing?""This is not your fault, Hazel. They have been doing this to me, long before now. They're always looking for a chance to get me to die because they know that black bloods have nine lives" he responded.
Dread sank deep into her as she stared at him."Are you sure you're going to be fine?""The effect was supposed to last for three days but my body has gotten used to it. It will most likely last all night. I'll be as good as new when morning comes" he rasped. "I'll be back" she said and left his bed chamber. When she returned, she was carrying a bowl of water and a couple of towels.
She sat by his bedside and soaked the towel in water before wringing it with her hands. Then, she placed it on his burning forehead."They don't know that you have adapted to the poison, do they?" She said and he mumbled a 'no'.
"Why do they hate you so much?" She asked and he gave her a half smile."A story for another day, I guess. It seems I'll be seeing more of you soon" he said and she sighed.She remained by his side and when it was midnight, she noticed that his fever had reduced a great deal and his shivering had lessened.He opened his eyes, surprised to see her still in his room."Hazel?" He whispered and she smiled wearily.
"Hey. Are you feeling better?""Yes" he responded and she nodded."That's good. I have questions for you"He raised a brow and she smiled sleepily."Can you really change into a cat? I like cats, I've always wanted one as my pet" she said and he grinned."With how rebellious you are, I think a tiger for a pet will suit you better"She laughed softly."I don't have a death wish, Yuka"
"Yes, I can change into both big and small cats""Really? That's cool. Can you change into one now? I want to see you in all your cat-like glory" she said, yawning."Hazel, you can go back to your chambers now. You're exhausted" he said and she shook her head as she rubbed her right eye with her fist."I don't wanna. I want you to tell me more"
Yuka sat up with a wince and wrapped his hair into a messy bun."Come on, Hazel. You should get some sleep" he said and she frowned."I'm scared"His gaze softened."Why are you scared?""I'm scared that I'm never going to get used to living in the palace. I'm scared of falling in love because I don't want to get hurt. I know I sound stupid, Yuka. But, it's the truth. There's still a part of me that wants to say 'fuck it all' and be done with it. I'm still human and I'm just a red blood. What if all this is too much for me? I don't belong in the palace, Yuka. I don't want to be your brother's queen. I don't want to get married to Caden and I really wish there was something I could do to put the wedding on hold" she ranted, her eyes glazed over with unshed tears.Yuka sighed and got out of bed. Then he rose to his feet and brought her to her feet."I'm going to help you" he said and her eyes widened."Really? How?""The royal sceptre. Without it the wedding cannot hold. I'm going to have to steal it and hide it" he said and her eyes widened further. "You would do that for me?" She asked and he nodded.Overly thankful, Hazel threw herself into his arms and embraced him, tears of relief filling her eyes. She'd totally forgotten about the fact that Yuka wasn't wearing a shirt and his muscled chest and torso was in full display.
Yuka froze when she embraced him, his eyes widening.Yuka stared at Hazel as she embraced him. She seemed to be completely oblivious to the fact that he was shirtless. But then, he felt her crying, her tears dampening his skin. It bothered him a lot. He knew that she was probably going through so much and was barely adjusting to life as the future queen of Silvera. He felt sorry for her. "Yuka?" She whispered, her head still resting on his chest. "I really don't want to make you uncomfortable, but you're so warm and you smell so good" she said and raised her head from his chest to look at him."You know that, right?" She asked with a smile on her face, despite the tears in her eyes. "Of course, I know. It's my body, isn't it?"She grinned and embraced him again. Suddenly a bubble of laughter escaped her lips. "I have no idea why I'm enjoying this. I really wish..."She stopped herself, but Yuka knew what she was going to say. She wasn't going to say that she wished that he wasn't Caden's brother. Neither was she going to say that she
"Your highness? Can I come in?" Hazel sighed and stroked Yuka's fur one more time. She watched him as he jumped down from her bed and was soon staring at her from the window."Come in" she said, still staring at Yuka's cat form."I'll see you later" she whispered and he jumped out of the window right before the door was opened.Violet stepped in. She was dressed in a white blouse and white pants, her blue hair in a ponytail. Hazel's eyes widened when she saw her. "It's good to see you, Violet" she said and Violet grinned. "How is the royal life treating you?" Violet asked, smiling at her."Adapting to it isn't as easy as I thought" Violet squeezed her hand gently and set to work. A bluish glow appeared on the tips of her fingers and spread further to her upper arms. She gently touched Hazel's black eye and healed her. By the time she was done with healing the future queen, Caden walked
"Are you threatening me right now, your highness? No, wait. You are threatening me. Wait until Caden hears about it" The queen was getting more riled up by the second. She couldn't understand why Hazel was so immune to her. She hated it. Evey other person in the palace was completely under her control. Everyone but Yuka and Hazel. She was frustrated. Since she couldn't get either of them to fear her, she was pissed. "I have a hunch that you stole the Sceptre. But since I have no proof, I'm going to let that slide.... for now.You want to act all tough and fearless. That's fine by me. Maybe, just maybe, you're going to end up six feet below the ground sooner than I thought" the queen said and walked away. Hazel glared at the Queen's retreating figure even though, deep down she was worried. Prince Caden was boiling with anger by the time he arrived right in front of the door of Yuka's chamber. He
"Yuka. Hey, can you hear me?" The second prince groaned as he slowly came to, Hazel's voice sounding like it was coming from far away. "Can you hear me?" Hazel asked one more time as she gazed at him. He squinted at her when she finally came into focus. "How are you feeling?" She asked and his eyes widened when he realized that she was in his chambers again. "No, no, no. Hazel, you shouldn't be here. The queen-" he began but was silenced by the finger she placed across his lips. "Forget about the queen. You lied to me" she said, her brows furrowed. He sighed and lowered his gaze. "You told me that the effects of the poison was only going to last for a night" she said. "Hazel-""Don't 'Hazel' me. What the queen has been doing to you is just not right. How can you even stand it?""I'm sorry, I just didn't want you to blame yourself for my punishment" "How are you feeling?" She asked and he gave her a h
Jotham, Silveran Capital2030 To say that Hazel was tensed would be an understatement. She couldn't stop pacing back and forth in her room. She needed to act quickly, but a couple of guards were outside her room. She wouldn't be able to sneak out of her room without being noticed. Hazel had a hunch that among the men standing in front of the door, one of them was a spy that the queen had put in place to monitor her. Negative thoughts invaded her mind.What if she eventually told Yuka to help her and he refuses? What if he agrees to help her, but ends up being too late. She swallowed hard and shook her head, trying to ward off these ugly thoughts. Just before dinner, Hazel decided to sneak out of her room through the window. It was a strenuous task, but she did it anyway. She managed to sneak into the East wing of
The silence that followed the crashing sound of glass shattering as soon as it made contact with the floor was deafening. For a moment, everyone was frozen to their spots, mouth agape. When they all finally snapped out of their daze, the queen rose to her feet with her eyes burning with anger. Her gorgeous light blue dress had wine stains on it and the silverish- blue liquid that was also now staining the previously spotless marble floor was proof that the glass shards had injured her. The king rose to his feet, knowing that his wife was about to do some real damage to his daughter-in-law."Clarice, calm down. It was an accident. Right, Hazel?" the king said and Hazel nodded, her eyes glinting mischievously. Prince Caden's gaze met Hazel's and he frowned when he realized that there was nothing remorseful about her. If anything, she looked like she had hurt the queen on purpose."Hazel, apologize to my mother, wil
Anslem, Rubian Capital2030 The triplets exchanged bewildered glances. "How do we know you're not lying?" Trey asked, his eyes narrowed. Yuka let out an exasperated sigh and using his mind's eye, he displayed what was going on outside, on the wall of General Spiers study, like a projector.Eight men were trying to break into the front door of their apartment. General Spiers immediately went pale. Now, do you believe me?" Yuka asked. "What's going on? Why are we suddenly being attacked?" Trey asked."There's no time for questions. It's a life or death situation and if you want to survive, you have to come with me" Yuka said."To where?" Carl asked."Galactica. You'll be safe there" "There's no way I'm going to Galactica! We might be jumping from the pan to the fire itself!" Carl said and General Spiers shook his head. "Listen, if the queen has placed a kill order on us, the only place we can be safe is Galactica" he said to his sons. "But-""Make your decisions quickly because the
Queen Clarice stood behind one of her guards as she waited in front of the door to Yuka's chamber. This was the first time in eight years since she was stepping into the East wing. This time, she was even more upset than she'd been, the last time she'd decided to make her way to the East wing. Apparently, Yuka had bitten off more than he could chew. She couldn't believe that Hazel had suddenly gotten lucky. There was absolutely no way Hazel would be able to rebel against her unless she had someone to support her, a back up. There was no one more perfect for the job than the black blood himself. "My queen, he isn't responding" the guard who had been knocking on the door for the past two minutes said, an apologetic look on his face. "Disrupt the magic that is holding the door locked in place" the queen ordered and the rest of the guards instantly prepared to carry out the Queen's order. But just before they could execute it, someone tsked from behind them. "I don't think that is a g