CHAPTER 22...Carmilla It was both a threat and lack of disrespect to me. The sect leader, Jethro coughed loudly and pursed his lips. The lady jumped into his arms. He caught her.“Meet my sister, Brenda.” Jethro said.Like I asked. Duh! I rolled my eyes. The woman looked at me, starting with my feet, then to my face, and back to my feet. When that happened, I felt I was swept off my feet by her eyes.“Carmilla.” Evans replied sharply.‘C’mon say I am the one you wedded.’ I screamed in my head. Oh yeah…he didn’t.“She looks…” the lady was saying before she washed me with her sea blue eyes again. “She doesn’t look like someone who could stand being in the ring.” She said. Jethro and Evans found it funny, because they erupted with chuckles.I looked at the only person who did not laugh-Katrina. She had a very intense gaze when she looked at me.“The Luna is just recovering, my lady.” Katrina defended. Brenda folded her hands over her breast. “Luna! Interesting.” She smirked.It wa
CHAPTER 23...Carmilla Warm tears streamed down my cheeks. He had arrived at the peak of the moment, but I hated being saved by him always.Brenda’s voice was suddenly meek. “Evans.” She stood straight.“What is going on here?” Evans asked. “Oh, thank goodness you asked. You are always benevolent in judgment, Evans.” She cooed.I was obviously on the floor, teary and bleeding from my knee.“Speak.” Evans commanded.“Your Luna flawed my orders during training. She refused to do the tasks.” She replied.Well, to an extent, this witch was right. Evans looked at everyone’s faces in confirmation. “Is this true?” he asked, and of course, they all nodded. Katrina stretched out a hand and helped me up. Again, he had failed to support me. I leaned on Katrina’s shoulder, as I limped to the residence. There was a mixture of both hurt and betrayal.***********************************Katrina applied an ointment to the small scratch on my knee and made me a hot cup of freshly-brewed coffee
CHAPTER 24... Carmilla I lay there, helplessly, sprawled in the grass, waiting for someone, just anyone to come to my rescue. The, this situation felt familiar. It was like a replay of events, as though this exact thing had happened to me at this same location-on the grass. “Luna!” I heard Katrina’s voice from afar off. “Katrina!” I yelled with all my strength. Her figure emerged. She ran towards me and knelt, lifting me to sit up, with her hand supporting me from behind. “Luna, what happened to you?’” she was almost crying. The Katrina I knew was almost emotionless most of the time, but this time, her near-teary eyes gave me hope that I was loved and valued by someone.“It’s…” I was saying.She placed a finger over my mouth. “Shhhhhhh…” she hushed. I swallowed, holding the pain.“The wound was initially ruptured during training earlier. I am so sorry, Carmilla. I ruptured it.” She apologized. “Hey…” I whispered. I knew when she made the wound rupture, and I knew that she in
CHAPTER 25...Carmilla I was the last to process and understand everything they said. In summary, someone was obviously spying on me, and reporting to Russell Reeds, and this important information had missed his hearing, despite the fact that it was made public. At least, all my sect members on the training ground knew about it.These whole analysis all boiled down to one hypothesis- someone had been present when I passed out at the sacred hall, and after I was stabbed in the room, and this same person had done the spying. But who was it?“Likely suspects?” I asked. Evans shook his head. “Anyone. It could have been anyone in both scenarios.” “At the sacred hall, Cole was there, as well as the witch who had said the…” he failed to complete the sentence.“Who was the witch?” Katrina enquired.“Pythia.” Evans replied, then, he shook his head and swallowed down. I watched his sharp Adams apple jog up and down his long straight neck.“When she was stabbed, the guards were present. Co
CHAPTER 26Carmilla’s POVAs expected, there was a knock on the door. Katrina twisted the keys and let him in.“From the king.” A man’s voice was heard. I was feigning sick, so I squinted to see the guy, and also to register everyone’s expression. Including Evans’. I wanted yell, but I remained calm and allowed the guard to exit the room. Katrina followed behind and locked the room, turned the door knob to be sure it was properly locked. Evans looked like he had seen a ghost. I wanted to say ‘apologize!’, but it felt as though my tongue was heavy when I opened my mouth. I just sat straight up and watched him sit at the study table, staring into space. Unexpectedly, a part of me felt bad about what happened. It must have been so devastating to realize out your childhood friend was spying on your all along. Well, Cole had not done anything so bad thus far…The identity of the attacker was still unknown.I found my legs off the bed, meeting the cold marble floorings, heading towards
CHAPTER 27...CarmillaIt shattered my heart to see the friends fight. I knew that Cole had done something that betrayed Evans’ trust, but looking at it from another perspective, Cole was only acting based on the royal command.“You do not know how things work in the palace. Do you?” Cole yelled. A fight was already stirred up.“Oh! Teach me!” Evans hit his chest. His brows raised.“Wasn’t it better to have me do the dirty work?” he equally shouted. “Other than having another person do it.” His tone was lowered when he continued his statement.Evans turned his back against his friend. I could sense that these men had each other’s interests at heart all along.I coughed loudly to get their attention, and I did.“Hey…” I paused because the silence was deafening. “I understand that all this is happening because of me.” If this marriage hadn’t happened, the duo would never have raised their voice against eachother. “No, Luna.” Cole said.“The king was probably worried about me that h
CHAPTER 28...Carmilla “Yes, Brenda. I heard you need quite some training, and she offered to help with that.” Russell smiled while saying this.I scoffed, but managed to restrain myself from sounding repulsive and irritated.“Not a bad idea, afterall.” I heard Evans’ voice. “She was always a kind soul.”‘A what!’ I screamed within.“I apologize my Lord. I am not sure I am interested in a vacation.” I said, rather angrily.“Do not reject the royal offer.” Russell Reeds replied in a calm tone, which still managed to sound like a threat. I looked at Evans to observe his expression. His gaze was fixed on his food as he munched on. I wanted to protest, but I knew better. It was best not to offend this man. But c’mon! Brenda offered to train who? Me? Gosh! I didn’t need any sorceress to tell me I was doomed. The rest of the dinner was the most annoying moment of my life. I munched and swallowed angrily. After the horrendous meal, I stormed to the residence, with Evans trying to meet
CHAPTER 29 . . . Carmilla I knew there was everything wrong with this trip. I felt the world juggle me like a ball. Evans looked equally frustrated. Same with Brenda. She looked like she had been slapped in her face. Yes, it was awkward, but I liked the look she gave. She looked defeated. Evans gave me a questioning look as if asking if I had any way out of the mess his father had put us. We obviously had no choice. He distributed the keys amongst us. Every other person had a room to himself, except Evans and me. Evans unlocked the door and moved his things in, while I grudgingly followed behind with mine. As expected, there was only one bed in the room. There was also no couch which one of us could lay on. I nearly ran wild at the thought of having my bath, while he sits in the bedroom waiting for me to come out with the towel hugging my wet skin. I shook the thought off my head. It was already night fall, and of course, I needed to have my bath after the long trip. We h
CHAPTER 34...Carmilla I felt a really powerful force, similar to a gush of wind. The force lifted me off the floor and threw me towards the door. Katrina continued muttering those words which echoed in my head, now sounding like it wasn’t her voice alone-as though there were several others chanting with her. When the chant had reached its peak, the lights in the room blinked, and Brenda dropped to the bed. Katrina’s eyes became normal instantly. Although, she was sweaty and quite red around her face region.“Are you not leaving?” Katrina asked as soon as she opened the door. I followed behind like a pet strolling behind its master. When we arrived at her room, she pushed her hair backward, finger-combing and cussing.“What was that?” She raised her voice at me.“I don’t know. I thought you were going to harm her.” I whispered. My body still shivered. “You cannot leave her with such information, Luna.” Katrina didn’t shout again.I nodded meekly. “She would be fine. I only er
CHAPTER 33.. .Carmilla She looked puzzled. Of course, there was a masked man running frantically out of my room with small droplets of blood dripping from somewhere, she was expected to be shocked. But, I was satisfied because this is the third most powerful fighter in the park. Regardless of who this man may be, he cannot stand her blows.Well, I was so disappointed to see Brenda step back. She gave him quite a distance and stood aloof while he sprinted out the corridor. She neither chased him nor yelled at him. I stood up immediately, in an attempt to run out, at least to see where he was heading to, but Brenda wrapped her arms around me, pulling me to a hug. “Are you okay?” she asked. I nodded. Okay…this was weird, but I shrugged it off, because Brenda was being so nice to me. Super nice huh!I pulled myself out of her arms and shook my head. I was still in just a towel, and its grip was starting to look loose. I hurried back into the room with Brenda following me. “I’m fin
CHAPTER 32...Carmilla I struggled to understand if Brenda was being mean or she was asking out of pure concern.“I know that the marriage was enforced on the both of you,” she said, leaning on her back now.I nodded. I don’t think she saw it/“There’s really nothing going on between Evans and me.” I found myself saying.Brenda arched herself to the side, facing me immediately. “Really?” her eyes were lit up. I nodded, then turned away.I felt a mix of guilt and pain for just intruding their relationship. I’m sure Evans did not see this marriage coming.I saw Katrina approach us with some oranges. “My lady.” She called. I sat up and took one orange. She gave me a puzzled look, tilting her head and gesturing at Brenda. I exhaled.Katrina openly pulled me away from Brenda to a spot she could say anything without being heard by her.“What were you doing with her?” she whispered.“She apologized.” I replied calmly.“I thought you didn’t like her, Luna.” Katrina’s face was firm while
CHAPTER 31...CarmillaAs I loosened the grip of the plastic hand, Evans's eyes still lingered on it, his face pale. "It's just plastic," I reassured him, trying to hide a smile. "It's not real."He looked up at me, relief washing over his features. "I know, I know," he said, nervously. "I just...got caught up in the moment."I nodded, understanding. "Let's keep moving," I suggested, tugging on his hand. "We don't want to get left behind.As we walked further, the lights flickered, and a sudden gust of wind blew made the room ghostly. Evans's grip on my hand tightened."I didn't expect this" he whispered, his voice low and husky.I felt a shiver run down my spine as he pulled me closer. I was equally frightened, but I tried to shrug it off."Just Child's play." I whispered back, sounding sarcastic.Suddenly, a faint whispering started around us, the words were unfathomable. Evans's arm wrapped around my waist, holding me tight. I felt a rush of emotion.The whispering stopped, and
CHAPTER 30...Carmilla “Excuse me.” I whispered, placing my hand on his face, pushing him backwards. He reeked of alcohol in his breath. It then dawned on me that he had been drinking with Brenda. If he was putting up such act here, who knows what had happened with Brenda in her room.He sat on the floor before me, drunken and dizzy, his head fell the side occasionally as he stuttered unscrupulous words which I could not fathom. I threw the blanket on him and climbed to the bed. I was generous enough to leave the bed cover to him. Afterall, he should have been in the arms of another woman, buried underneath her sheets. Evans came up to join me on the bed. He spread the blanket over both of us. I couldn’t resist the warmth of the cotton on my skin, but I couldn’t bear being in the same bed with him. I made a move to leave the bed, but his hands grabbed my waist and pulled me close to him in such a way that I felt my butt resting against his rock hard abs.My heart jumped within.
CHAPTER 29 . . . Carmilla I knew there was everything wrong with this trip. I felt the world juggle me like a ball. Evans looked equally frustrated. Same with Brenda. She looked like she had been slapped in her face. Yes, it was awkward, but I liked the look she gave. She looked defeated. Evans gave me a questioning look as if asking if I had any way out of the mess his father had put us. We obviously had no choice. He distributed the keys amongst us. Every other person had a room to himself, except Evans and me. Evans unlocked the door and moved his things in, while I grudgingly followed behind with mine. As expected, there was only one bed in the room. There was also no couch which one of us could lay on. I nearly ran wild at the thought of having my bath, while he sits in the bedroom waiting for me to come out with the towel hugging my wet skin. I shook the thought off my head. It was already night fall, and of course, I needed to have my bath after the long trip. We h
CHAPTER 28...Carmilla “Yes, Brenda. I heard you need quite some training, and she offered to help with that.” Russell smiled while saying this.I scoffed, but managed to restrain myself from sounding repulsive and irritated.“Not a bad idea, afterall.” I heard Evans’ voice. “She was always a kind soul.”‘A what!’ I screamed within.“I apologize my Lord. I am not sure I am interested in a vacation.” I said, rather angrily.“Do not reject the royal offer.” Russell Reeds replied in a calm tone, which still managed to sound like a threat. I looked at Evans to observe his expression. His gaze was fixed on his food as he munched on. I wanted to protest, but I knew better. It was best not to offend this man. But c’mon! Brenda offered to train who? Me? Gosh! I didn’t need any sorceress to tell me I was doomed. The rest of the dinner was the most annoying moment of my life. I munched and swallowed angrily. After the horrendous meal, I stormed to the residence, with Evans trying to meet
CHAPTER 27...CarmillaIt shattered my heart to see the friends fight. I knew that Cole had done something that betrayed Evans’ trust, but looking at it from another perspective, Cole was only acting based on the royal command.“You do not know how things work in the palace. Do you?” Cole yelled. A fight was already stirred up.“Oh! Teach me!” Evans hit his chest. His brows raised.“Wasn’t it better to have me do the dirty work?” he equally shouted. “Other than having another person do it.” His tone was lowered when he continued his statement.Evans turned his back against his friend. I could sense that these men had each other’s interests at heart all along.I coughed loudly to get their attention, and I did.“Hey…” I paused because the silence was deafening. “I understand that all this is happening because of me.” If this marriage hadn’t happened, the duo would never have raised their voice against eachother. “No, Luna.” Cole said.“The king was probably worried about me that h
CHAPTER 26Carmilla’s POVAs expected, there was a knock on the door. Katrina twisted the keys and let him in.“From the king.” A man’s voice was heard. I was feigning sick, so I squinted to see the guy, and also to register everyone’s expression. Including Evans’. I wanted yell, but I remained calm and allowed the guard to exit the room. Katrina followed behind and locked the room, turned the door knob to be sure it was properly locked. Evans looked like he had seen a ghost. I wanted to say ‘apologize!’, but it felt as though my tongue was heavy when I opened my mouth. I just sat straight up and watched him sit at the study table, staring into space. Unexpectedly, a part of me felt bad about what happened. It must have been so devastating to realize out your childhood friend was spying on your all along. Well, Cole had not done anything so bad thus far…The identity of the attacker was still unknown.I found my legs off the bed, meeting the cold marble floorings, heading towards