“Carsillion?”
“Nathan?”
They asked in chorus. Nathan stopped for a moment and looked directly at Chaster’s swollen eyes and crumpled his fist.
“Why are you here?” Nathan asked him coldly. Chaster remained silent.
“That’s my question for you, Carsillion. I thought I told you to settle-“
“I settled everything before following you here, Ash.” Ashriel stopped with his unusual tone. “I-Is he angry? No. It’s not anger. Am I imagining things? What’s wrong with him?” She asked herself. An awkward silence covered them. Nathan could not stand the silence, so he walked towards Ashriel, making Chaster flinch. Ashriel only looked at Nathan, who cu
The interrogation and the execution were over. What remains undone now was the investigation. The useless investigation for they already know who was behind everything – Edom. Ashriel sat on her chair. The grand chair has a red velvet cushion, a frame made of gold adorned with diamonds, and a lion crafted on the armrest that had blue and green diamonds as eyes. An eagle was also crafted on the top rail with red diamonds as eyes. It was a chair that was the epitome of luxury and the symbol of her power, authority, and responsibility. It was the chair that Edom greedily desired to have. The chair that was protected by many blood – both innocent and not. If not for the responsibility Ashriel carried, everything is vanity for her. “Carsillion.” She whispered. Nathan, who was observing her for a while now knelt before her in respect. “Everything that I do wa
“Oriana,” Leon called but she did not respond. “Oriana,” He called again but still, no answer. Her eyes never blink and her mind was somewhere else. “Hey.” She flinched when Leon held her hand and she quickly took it away. “What’s wrong, Sir?” She asked, befuddled. Leon looked at her with his usual look. “That’s my question for you. What’s wrong? I called your name a couple of times yet your mind is somewhere else.” He asked with a soft, worried voice. Is he usually using that voice? No. But when did he start using that? Oriana again remembered Teb. He was such a good man but why? Why did he join the Quislings? Why did he become a traitor? “Will Teb die, Colonel?” She asked carefully but that made him piss
“Mother?” Ashriel asked as she rested her head on her luxurious sofa inside her office. Olive and Xieaniel took care of Teb’s body and the other Quislings and the rest did their usual job. “Your birthday’s in two months.” Lady Chalier started and Ashriel pressed her hand on her temple, fully aware of her mother’s next words. “When will you go home here at Thrascias?” She asked firmly. Bull’s eyes. Ashriel sighed and transferred her eyes to her file-filled folders. “Next month, I guess mother.” “Next month?!” She fumed. Ashriel pulled her ear away from her phone and brought it back. “You’re turning legal and that night will be your Coronatio
“Lady?” Oriana asked softly as Olive gently tied the bandage on Oriana’s palm. “Hmm?” “Can I sit beside you on the plane? I mean-“ “Sure.” Olive cut her and smiled slyly. “Did you two fight?” Hearing her remarks, Oriana felt the heat rising on her cheeks as she nodded slowly. “How on earth did I do that to him?! I’m really out of my mind!”Oriana whispered to herself, feeling hopeless. “H-How did you know?” Oriana stuttered. “You two act differently, you’re not with him right now, and you asked me if you can sit beside me. What else could it mean? If you two did not fi
After taking off, Oriana checked the fuel log to ensure that the fuel burn matched the flight plan. Nathan also did the gross error checks. Their attention transferred from the buttons in front of them to the metal door that opened. “Flying light?” Ashriel asked, holding a tray in her hands with three cups of coffee. “It’s not a commercial flight, but we will be flying red-eyed.” She kicked the door closed and walked towards the two, and gave their coffees. “Thank you, Your Highness,” Oriana said shyly. “Also, for letting me operate.” Ashriel opened the lid of her golden cup and smelled the freshly brewed coffee. Nathan did the same. “I just did what’s best for everyone. That’s a leader’s responsibility.&r
“Your Highness, please look up.” Click! “Your Highness, please look here.” Click! “Boy, toss the trail!” Click! “Prepare the helicopter!” “The boat! The boat!” “Where are the flowers!” “Faster, retouch her makeup!” “Her hair!” “Cool Her Highness! Wipe her sweats!” The people ran back and forth faster than lightning. Flashes from different cameras in different angles blinded her eyes. The people panic
“Boss! Happy, happy birthday!” “Your Highness, happy birthday! Pardon our intrusion, but we have no time left.” “Young Master, the dawn has cracked. Please get up.” Ashriel sat in surprise at the deafening thunder-voice of the four-woman who barged in her room before the rooster even crow. She didn’t even have time to open her mouth when the four carried her, and Venice quickly undressed her when they reached her massive, luxurious bathroom. Tory clapped her hand three times, and Ashriel’s eyes widened and covered her body when the door banged open. Countless maids entered with various bath essentials. “W-Where did they come from?!”Ashriel asked to herself, amused.  
Ashriel stood in front, where everyone could see her properly. The symbols on her long trail and her cold eyes made everyone shiver. The buzzing crowd became silent when Ashriel opened her mouth to speak. “I believe everyone of you is aware of the indelible incident that took place five years ago. Aside from my birthday and Coronation Day, this day marks the death of the former Ruler, Meredith Eleanor Theupholis La Elora, and thousands of people who surrendered and who fought until their last breath. Being the Ruler is not something to joke about. Now, as the official Ruler of the Two Great Empires of Aparctias and Thrascias, I pray that God would give me the wisdom to carry out the responsibilities I need to fulfill and promises that I should then be made.” The crowd remained silent as they listened to Ashriel’s speech. As nobles, they were all used to lis