The night sky was gleaming and glittering with dusts of stars. Back in the city, they weren’t this visible because of the city lights. But now my eyes are having a load of the beautiful view of the galaxy, which also reflects into the calm lake. My eyelids were heavy but I decided not to go back to sleep because Amaris might come back and steal our peace again. I’ve already had enough of his menaces. I need to find a safer place than here, though I actually love the tranquility of the ambiance here. I glanced at Namir who was crouching on the ground beside me. I wonder how I could’ve survived without this tiger. At least I know that God has sent me a guardian, and I’m glad it's not a human. The fire was gradually dying out. The breeze becomes colder as the night goes deeper. Fortunately, I have Namir’s warm body to resist the cold temperature. I cuddled my body close to it and was about to fall asleep when I heard a distinct clopping on the ground and horses whining.

After Caius helped me tie the strings of my dress, I asked him to leave for a moment so I could fix my hair. He told me that the queen wanted to have their breakfast with me. I was already full, though, but it would be unmannerly to refuse the queen’s request. I wondered why they still asked me to join them when someone had already brought me food. It wouldn’t be Caius, and probably not the queen since she’s inviting me now. Who could’ve got the food for me?I was startled to hear Caius’ loud pounding on the door. The jade comb I was holding got slipped from my hand. “Aren’t you done yet?” He shouted.“Coming!” I responded and quickly got up from the mattress. I was not comfortable wearing the white gown because it squeezed my paunch. How could I eat from this?I pushed the door, and an angry face flashed in front of me. Caius’ insolence wasn’t new; he always looked at me like that. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting." I grinned cautiously."Foll

“Oh. But you won’t believe me either if I tell you that I am not the Nemiah you all think I am.” I tried to convince her. Caius just refuted me when I told him that. I don’t know how I will prove my identity when he’s ears are closed to anything I say. The queen thought for a moment. She examined my eyes, and then he burst into peals of laughter. “That was an amazing joke.” She squealed.“I am telling the truth.” I persisted. She stopped laughing, and she narrowed her eyes at me. I was taken aback when she took my hand and pulled me beneath the dark curtains behind the throne. She pulled down the sleeve of my left shoulder. I didn’t know what was in there, but she sighed, smiling at it, then she turned her eyes on me. “You are Nemiah. Here’s the proof.” She said while stroking her soft fingers on my exposed shoulder. I raised my left shoulder to glimpse what she saw there, and I was surprised there was a little rose tattoo.“Where did I get this?” I whispered

It was almost 3 am and the chandeliers were dimmed. I watched the faint glow of the stars on the broken window while Namir rested in my lap. He hasn’t woken up yet and it’s making me worry. The tiger is still breathing though, but still unconscious.While I was deep in my thoughts, my stomach growled audibly. I wasn’t able to enjoy the food before the party was over. It’s all Amaris' fault for ruining the night. I decided to go to the kitchen to grab something to eat. I walked cautiously not to make any sound. As I was on my way, I saw a shadow of a woman walking toward a small rigid door near the chimney. She was wearing a cloak so I was not able to peek at her face. I hid under the long table and watched her open it. She lit a candle and entered the small portal. I was anticipating following her, but my instinct was pushing me to heed. I took a lamp and followed her. The space was like an abandoned tunnel. She was already far away but I was afraid she

It was too dark in the forest. The light of the moon was clouded and it seemed it would rain anytime soon. As gloomy as the outlook, Nemiah’s heart was heavy as they ran through the deep woods. As expected, it started to rain. Nemiah’s tears streamed down, synchronizing with the cry of the heavens. Namir heard her whimper so he stopped and took shade under the lushes of trees. She cried louder as the rain became heavier. Namir saw Nemiah's burden so he wrapped his body around her to give her warmth. “Why is this happening to me?! I want to go home! God, please… I can’t take this anymore.” She cried to the night sky and flashes of lightning struck through the large tree in front of her. The impact was so powerful that it made the tree split up into two. Suddenly, it stopped raining. The dark clouds uncovered the outstretching light of the moon. Nemiah was astounded as she saw thousands of fireflies aligning forward from the split tree. She stood and wiped the tears clouding her visi