"Wakey, wakey, sleepy head," came a voice. Am I dreaming? I don’t think so. The voice sounds very familiar. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ9RqBiTWN
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I finally opened them and the light hit directly into my eyes. I slowly sat up. My body felt heavy and it ached like hell. I felt like going back to sleep. There's someone standing near the window. It's Ariana.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGoyn4AgV2
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"Can I sleep a little longer?" I asked as I yawned. Stretching my arms is hard and painful, so I didn't even try.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPNtpPDyLL
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"I know what you mean," came her voice. My eyes are still so sleepy that everything looks blurry. "But I'm afraid I’ve to get you ready for today. So, if you don’t mind..."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9iV870cJH
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I muttered in frustration as I tried to move the bed covers aside. I groaned, both in pain and frustration. I hear footsteps and knew Ariana is coming to help. But somehow, I managed to get a big portion of the covers aside.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrbBoIlQNs
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"Thank goodness," said Ariana as I looked at her through tired eyes. "I thought I would've have to carry you to the bathroom outside."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmqfsbCgnh
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"I'm fine," I said.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F4bphGplT
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB66mdKxlf
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSMWvn9rCj
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr6BuZuvJs
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The two of us walked out of the room and just right next to my bedroom door is another. She opened it for me, and as expected, I didn't find myself in a modern day bathroom. There's a large wooden tub, that looked like a bucket in the middle of the room, big enough to fit two to three people. And it's full of hot steaming water. Am I really going to bath in that?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi4PsmdZAo
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iCbiabHlU
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlxnSEVdDI
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After my nice, warm, relaxing bath, I am back in my room, all dressed up in a long, black, 19th century dress, like the ones most of the females wore around here. I wish they could've given me in another colour, it did look good on me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXPI94xLGp
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"Wow, just stunning," said Ariana as she stood behind me, holding my shoulders and looking in the mirror hung on the wall next to the wardrobe. There wasn't a full-length mirror here yesterday, so I was surprised when I came back from the bathroom that Ariana had brought one.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa41fIvmxX
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"It's really nice," I commented.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLeMwrDRXJ
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxr3A054Oq
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A knock came at the door and Ariana quickly went to open it. The young nurse from last night came in with a tray.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU3DhpzLFq
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"Good morning, Ariana," she greeted as she entered the room. She turned towards me still standing in front of the mirror. "Morning. Well, you look stunning today."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRjJzRXHtq
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"Thank you," I said as I slowly turned around to approach the bed. The nurse already placed the tray on the table and I saw a white ceramic bowl and what looked like porridge in it.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheMbmcE0Zi
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBtSLWj0Tw
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh5k4hM2LX
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNjDFzjfvV
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"Do I have to continue drinking that medicine?" I asked as I approached the small table and looked at the small bowl filled with white porridge.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGJSMvEJnd
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDHg2z8U2s
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"I know it's good for me, but it's just so yucky!" I turned to look at her, sticking my tongue out.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln2P8PyicM
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Ariana couldn't help but laugh. "You really are something. Now eat up. The others will be here any moment now."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12lXxgxyhd
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After breakfast, Ariana escorted me out of my room. When we reached the bottom of the stairs, the place felt empty like it did yesterday. Now that I think about it, I feel Ariana and the rest of the High Order are behind this. What if people who aren't authorised to be here were told this part of the castle is off limits?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqj17PYUI5
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaNYjRWXrX
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I hadn't realised that I was looking down the long quiet passage leading to the other side of the castle. I've a feeling that there's a lot going on.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxmC1B6GUc
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"Coming," I said, slowly turning around and joining Ariana who still stood at the door. She didn’t make a move as she continued to look at me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXPDwxNNWW
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"What is it?" I asked.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpGivB3FVb
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"Nothing, just curious about something," she said as she walked out. She obviously didn’t want me asking her questions. Can’t blame her. I do like asking a lot.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBD0jqA0ys
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I slowly followed her outside and by the foot of the stairs, stood an elegant white carriage tied to two white magnificent horses. Wow! Now I know how Cinderella felt when she knew what she was riding in. I’m super excited. I felt like I had just entered a movie or something.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEfMPm2KmA
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Ariana went down the stone steps and waited in front of the carriage. She turned to look at me with a smile. Just a few seconds ago, she seemed different. Could I’ve something to do with it?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXlCftDmC3
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnBcrQBInF
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Just as I am about to make my way down, the nurse who visited my room earlier came from behind in a hurry.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25ua4ElD6Y
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"Wait," she said, as she came to stand beside me, stopping me with a hand on my shoulder. "You forgot to take your medicine." She held up her hand and in it, is a small wooden cup filled with the black liquid.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfxVNhskRB
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"Oh, I completely forgot," I took the cup and quickly gulped the medicine down. The inside of my mouth and stomach burned like hell. I stuck out my tongue.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GN6F6yQAH
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb7dYKAuNS
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK7AvpR2v1
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMDWktxBqV
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I give the nurse back the cup, the strong bitter feeling is just unbearable. I now wish for something sweeter than the butterfly cookies Ariana brought me yesterday. I start to make my way down the stone steps as Ariana went on to open the carriage. I notice that the door handle and the steps leading inside, were covered in gold. I couldn’t help but admire how elegant it looks.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q4FEfapsy
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuFbpHVd7l
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucOK0bP6QS
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2htSrlRig
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I look around. I expected the troops that came to get me in the orchard to also be here. I turned to the stone steps and the nurse who had brought me the medicine is already gone.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh9JnIoG9o
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFICWCvDXQ
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"If you say so," I said as I placed my foot on the steps leading up to the carriage. I winced in pain and held my knee.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8kjSGABdK
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH50q3F5jBz
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPQLvNA2e5
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gqgoOACEe
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwSzKpau15
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrGy6jeVO4
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCokKa7Sgj0
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaccQSK81BZ
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4LHi0KHAe
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKIsJ66qoU
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She quickly drew away and I saw the look on her face change into an angry one. She quickly took my hand that was on her shoulder into a tight grip.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19nPoDBn11
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3gNVUF8mF
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXMDLdLytc
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"Get in the carriage," Ariana continued to insist as she started to push me inside, this time with her hands behind my back. I held both ends of the open door to prevent myself from going in. My shoulders hurt for doing so.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14ywxtASmm
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"No, I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are!" I also insisted, trying my best to stand my ground.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUrIZcJQdU
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbE6XVNIRf
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tIGJwdS2H
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"You leave me no choice." I felt her lift one of her hands from my back and I had a feeling she’s about to something deadly.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrvinZcKwd
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I pushed myself backwards with all my might, using my hands for force before this imposter could do anything. And in doing so, I pushed her and myself away from the door. I even hit her in the face with the back of my head.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsBseauUfc
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We both fall to the ground, and I’m quick enough to turn around to look at her. I found her holding her nose and there's a trickle of blood.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYatih4dSO
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjxSz1G3DL
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj0ZvV8m3D
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAoTgSrq4Z
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No way am I stopping for anyone. Who is this person disguised as Ariana? I need to get away and look for help.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pXEd4Iiiz
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I ran down the stone path that I used yesterday. When I reach the crossroads, I don’t take the turn that led to the orchard. I head for the iron gates straight ahead. There are probably guards there who could help.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWjKMT0LGC
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGXDJy9A3x
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I didn’t. And just when I’m approaching the gate, I noticed something is wrong. Before I could wrap my head around it, I felt the ground rumble below. When I looked, I found it cracking open. Before I could stop myself, I tripped over the upturned stones and went to ground.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlPf5ydsFh
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"You really should listen when I tell you to stop!" the imposter called out. She’s approaching. I've to get away quickly.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRnIDDgxWM
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I lifted my head and looked towards the huge iron gates. They are a lot bigger than I imagined. I finally notice what’s wrong. There are people on the ground just near the gate. The guards. There are only three bodies lying unconscious. This is bad. Could the imposter have done this?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWJtCWDF7y
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"For a new comer, you’re pretty sharp," came the imposter behind me. She’s getting close. "You figured out that I’m not Ariana. I’m impressed."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaAf8DrPgP
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I tried to get up, but my body hurt and I felt a sharp pain in my knee. I must have hurt myself pretty bad. I started to crawl. In one way or another I’ll have to reach the fallen guards. They’ve got to have weapons on them or something.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8kKsgNxgb
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN2PYB1i82
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I continued to crawl when all of a sudden, I felt myself being lifted off the ground. Am I floating? I felt a certain force push me upwards that I now stood upright in the air. I felt myself turn looking in the direction of the imposter. With Ariana’s smile, I couldn’t tell if the person is smiling or just smirking.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnz2IyGZzV
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzqe5HcQY0
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNzxLIv834
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nKUNS5tIk
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumXcasZpWH
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"Ask me something else, then."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x2duUFoXv
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"Who are you?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zZAawDp3d
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCErhsrjxOz
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsfds23U9h
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOnj4uh1Nd
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Ariana’s face started to change in an instant. Her blonde curly hair soon turned black and straight. The features on her face started to change, becoming more man-like with a chiselled chin and cheekbones. Her yellow robe turned to black and velvet. In front of me stood a man who looked to be in his late fifties.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvhw2aNfr3
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEIXhgrznJ
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"How do you know my name?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ8pVa9FJy
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Lord Vandell approached and the smirk on his face scared me a little. He looks like he has no good intentions.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7eq9g2S4D
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0CdmSTUnD
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZJThtqPuJ
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMgexX8XPG
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhUkS4jENT
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99852lR3XZ
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWOKa2z2HE
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd2HBXB0ka
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOhuriWTKy
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVA0jjVwFC
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I now start to wonder. Could this be why the others have been so protective over me? If it is, I totally agree with them now. This man may not look like it, but he’s a lunatic.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfiiMd12Zy
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"Aren’t the others going to be upset that you took down security and Ariana just to get to me?" I asked.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigBbUbcjQO
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"That’s why I wanted you out of here easily," he said with a smirk. "But you saw past my disguise. Not everybody does."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf1oQ2J4iz
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"What are you going to do to me?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa0gcheZIF
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiymlob0zb
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"Well, I don’t like your approach. You can’t just kidnap me and think you’re going to get away with it."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirQxJIrWFF
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He scoffed. "Enough talk. Let’s get out of this boring place. Something tells me, we’re going to have a lot of fun together."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lgrgtB7lb
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I squirmed around to get myself out of his invisible hold, but it’s no use. I can’t go with him. Who knows what he will do to me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYocwGU8qhX
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s7qWTFE99
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"Don’t make me laugh, Diana," he said. I slowly floated downwards that I'm now at eye level with him. "You simply can’t do anything to me. Well, not yet, at least."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBMurmCBIe
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He started to make his way towards the gate and still in his invisible grasp, I turned around in the air to follow him. I've to do something. I started to look around. There's still no one in sight. Where are Ryan and Stella when you need them? This is bad. Then I remembered something:319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUZKdYOmAj
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The birds.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlYLdS4la8
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We were approaching the gate and I looked around for any sign of them. Using the inside of my head, I called out to them. Calling out loud will be silly. Lord Vandell would seal my mouth shut if I did.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70Vsg9GtTb
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I started to panic when the birds were still no where in sight. We're now at the gate. I started to squirm around to break free.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY52DvONKS
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyVhRzByQa
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"I beg to differ."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvU1YpMEB5
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A high-pitched, chirping came from a distance, and I can't help but let out a sigh of relief. I turn my head. I expected to see the two blue birds from yesterday, but there's a large flock of the same kind, flying towards us. For a moment, I thought a blue cloud is descending upon us. There are so many.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15lOC055PK
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6kafN48Nf
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmlHp2S3ic
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSWXJ7DlNw
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9DQcbtAMi
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Before Lord Vandell could do anything, the birds came in one fell swoop, flying around us. For a minute, I can’t see what’s in front of me. The fluttering of their wings were like that of a strong wind.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAuZRN3A3r
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I soon felt the invisible hold around me loosen and I fall to the ground. I didn’t fall too hard. The birds continued to fly around, but I realised that they are more concentrated on Lord Vandell. Almost the whole flock of birds surrounded him that it looked like he's stuck in a middle of a blue tornado. I could see him with his arms all around trying to keep the birds away. I noticed a few of them pecking at him when they got the chance.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9npVXJ0Hj
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I stood up, grateful that the birds were of help. They could hold him at bay for a while until the others arrive.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EmNWN1AyS
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Two birds came to sit on my shoulders. It’s the ones from yesterday. It’s weird how I could tell them apart from all the others that were flying around. They chirped at me, sounding relieved that I managed to get in touch with them.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0haUpSNfZ
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUQYwSnPof
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The two birds chirped on, telling me that the others will be here soon. They went on to join the other birds peaking and pulling at Lord Vandell’s robe. He’s having a hard time dealing with them.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA75asBQ5Gd
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"Diana!" came a voice behind me. I turned and saw Ariana with the nurse who had visited my room this morning.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtvCkVJSEA
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A4Pbo6YRa
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"I’m good, he just knocked me out cold, that’s all," she said. Her eyes turned to the flock of birds bullying Lord Vandell. "He can stay there for a while. He can’t use his powers on them. That’s if he wants Her Highness to break him."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UpbyLDvQ6
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I winced. "She can do that?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1ANRBl7d9
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErar5W8em3
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"Diana, you're hurt," said the nurse. She quickly rushed over to me and knelt at my feet, lifting my dress a little higher. I then remembered that I had fallen to the ground earlier and had a cut on the knee. A stream of blood trickled down my leg.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrI00fZ36T
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"I actually fell thanks to Lord Vandell," I said. Now that I think about it, my whole body ached like hell. I’m not completely healed and I had to do a lot of running, hence stressing all my muscles again.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvQjmck0C1
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh8H2MpP7d
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"How did he get you?" I asked. The nurse cleaned my wound first. Apparently, she carried some ointment in the pocket of her apron in a tiny brown bottle. My wound stung when she applied it.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAPwfEHNk4
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"After your bath when you went to your room and I remained in the bathroom," Ariana explained. "He knocked me out. I didn’t see him coming."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQUEJLQben
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The birds continued to attack Lord Vandell, who kept yelling at them to get away. Ariana came closer and drew out her hand. The birds in an instant left him alone and flew away. He's in such a mess. His hair is all over the place and the birds had torn through parts of his robes that he almost looked like a beggar in rags. Not forgetting that some birds had angrily pecked at his face, leaving a few cuts and bruises.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZIk8PemRY
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQacvyxFl4
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdBGd7boM2
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Lord Vandell chuckled. He sounded like he’s about to lose it. The birds must have messed him up. I should've told them to go a little easy on him.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTY4mFGkdN
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"And how sure are you that you won't call the birds to attack me again?" he asked, looking at me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3m4ijnbor
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Even when Ariana had her eyes on him, I could feel her stare through the corner of her eye. She must be surprised by this too. Or not.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JeLv0MRpm
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"I didn't tell the birds to attack you," I lied. "They obviously sensed that something's wrong and came to my rescue."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94ueqliF1c
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6xrNLPCRo
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡberHleD1EI
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VkOytMrrr
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He straightened himself up and even in the state he is in, he looked like he had some ounce of dignity left. He also didn't seem bothered that he had been attacked by angry birds.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxsSraAQKt
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"Tell me, Ariana," he said, as his dark eyes fell on her. "When were you going to tell us about this treasure you've found?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUPA5WHHAU
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His eyes were now on me. And what did he mean by "we?" Who else isn't supposed to know about my whereabouts?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8xhVSs8Ry
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZPsX33zz6
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I turned around and the nurse who had been attending to my wound, stood upright to see Ryan and Stella come towards us. Looks like they teleported themselves here.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6P1lkPprF
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfHEIs72ZZ
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MRrsXmjR4
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb1WqG2Q4G
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"You committed a terrible offense, Lord Vandell," said Ryan. "Her Highness strictly didn't want anyone on this side of the castle, and you knew that."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmQXsSAM0L
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Lord Vandell scoffed. "Her Highness and all of you in the High Order really think you can do whatever you like around here. So what’s the use of keeping her hidden? You do know, everyone's talking about her, right?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMXsXiRM8f
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I now remember what Raisa told me. I know I'm already a rumour, but he must have heard something specific from someone about me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC2IGTCXRM
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo1g7BnOef
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y8Gscg0pW
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I felt the mood around me change. I could tell Stella, Ryan, Ariana were just as surprised as I am, but did well not to show it. He was there?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0QALWgAKX
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHiHjQaFs1
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Lord Vandell scoffed. "I know the Butterfly Order rests their hope and trust in you, but why keep this girl hidden from the rest of us? Is there something about her that we don’t know about that you want to keep her all to yourself?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUwzNDaJJE
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lIE7IvIl6
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"Keep on thinking like that, and you will regret that you ever did," said Stella. I hear her walk up to me and the next thing I know, she’s grabbing my shoulder. "We need to go, Diana."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk5mC7Uxam
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"Where do you think you’re going with her?" Lord Vandell asked as soon as Stella and I turned around. "You aren’t taking her anywhere."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuZ8f0g79r
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"She’s our responsibility, Lord Vandell," said Stella as she turned to look at him. "We know what we’re doing, and she’s not coming with you."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQOoIaBG5d
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCiBvDBhA7
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4ZV8Vyi6W
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"Watch your tongue, Ryan," said Lord Vandell, sounding serious. His voice could scare even the smallest of animals away. Even I felt terrified. "It’s not my fault that you were all careless."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza0QCm8wOn
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQOeZ0dSxh
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d0VM33tti
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I felt the air grow tense that I couldn’t even move. The hairs at the back of my neck stood. Something is about to happen, but what could-?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmBETdj7AO
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Something suddenly ran past me, and I didn’t realise what’s going on until I saw Ryan stand behind Lord Vandell who is now on his knees. What just happened? How did Ryan get there so fast?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6Cz3rjXrj
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"I’ve had enough of you talking," Ryan said, looking down at Lord Vandell, holding him down with his hand on Lord Vandell’s shoulder.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehRKq7fYb1
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcdNIJxcr5
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"Ariana, Stella, take Diana away," said Ryan as he looked at his colleagues. "I think she has seen enough for one day."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRthkN7nUk
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJJ1aTBWvy
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunltGndhSc
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqWdbvgtia
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I started to walk away alongside Stella, with the nurse and Ariana joining behind us. Lord Vandell continued to yell not to take me away and that he would burn this place to the ground if he had to. Could he do it?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft3haLllFW
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I turned to look at Stella and she looked pretty upset. Maybe it’s best I don’t say anything for the time being.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG2JrTQgdn
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5JLIzF9wD
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCO2hoeiv3
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObw1Qz5DCi
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDnvinAZEs
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9zACqY6Te
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Lord Vandell did mention something about people finding out about me. There are already people who know. But there are others, who just like Lord Vandell, know more. I wonder who they could be.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ1mkyjwQm
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Lord Vandell’s yapping continued behind us, but soon enough, he became quiet. I don’t know what Ryan has done to him, but when I turned my head to look, it’s like they had vanished in thin air. I can’t help but worry about how fast Ryan is. Should I? Probably in the future.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7e6PReKuG
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNneWEZaqc
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"Definitely not," Stella agreed. "If things turn out like this, we might be forced to bring Diana out to the public."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8TtQe1Hzn
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"May I ask why you’ve kept me hidden if you didn’t want this to happen?" I ended up asking.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcopvNGq1ex
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Stella didn’t say anything, her eyes still not meeting mine. I could feel her body grow tense. I’m really dying to know why all this is happening. What is it about me that they don’t want me getting exposed to the public?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtwsSInTFi
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I turned to look at Ariana, and she had the same expression as Stella’s. For how long are they going to be quiet?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9r3SFSROq
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz37xveFlB
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"Aren’t we all?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "I might not know much about this place, but I can tell a lot of people have special abilities like you do. How am I any special?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHYtroDU4J
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhWef03JcV
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I shook my head. "I still don’t understand, Stella. How can I be ‘that special?' I’m just an ordinary human being who happened to develop some mysterious abilities uncommon to our kind, like you guys."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwz4Tc6h3T
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"True," she stopped walking to look at me. The rest of us did the same. "But you met Death, and that’s a whole different story."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLPJfvroAi
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"What does Death have to do with all of this? Big deal, I got lucky and managed to live for another day. Don’t people meet Death and some of them happen to survive by circumstance? I just happen to be one of them."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw6CawT1Gm
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"But have you ever heard of anyone meeting Death and not only do they get out of his grasp alive, but develop abilities?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozEtuK0dyY
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE3nLtDu5a
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"You’ll only understand what she means when you start training," said Ariana. "You’re different from a lot of the recruits we’ve seen so far."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtGtRdfMaC
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I wanted to protest some more, but it isn’t the first time I’ve heard all this. The first time Her Highness and I met, she talked about my encounter with Death. I should wait and see what they mean during training.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5JijrKjBb
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I looked ahead and didn’t realise we were only a few feet away from the castle with the carriage still waiting there. Looks like I'm not going to ride in it today.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi3pQQKZzd
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"Make sure Diana is attended to," Stella said to the nurse behind her. "Ariana and I have to sort something out around the castle."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVsjZucMG4
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nTIwGjTrB
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQNpbfBgJa
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Ariana sounded serious. I wonder what she means by that. Will they put up more security? I glance at the gate in a distance. Lord Vandell was able to take down the guards. Maybe they have other forms of security I’m yet to know about.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4EdRNgi3F
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I make my way to the short stone steps with the nurse walking beside. As I walked up the stone steps, I felt the air change all of a sudden. The ground below rumbled a little. I looked above and it felt like the whole place has been surrounded by an invisible barrier. I quickly look behind me and find Ariana and Stella by the foot of the stairs with Ariana on one knee with both of her hands placed palm first onto the ground. I notice a line of runes appear on the ground in glowing yellow, surrounding the whole castle.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3IS66jabu
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"Nothing to be scared of, Diana," said Stella as Ariana stood upright, the runes on the ground soon disappeared, but the presence of the barrier remained. "This is just a protective barrier to keep you safe. We’ll come check on you once we’re finished."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMuaT7e1BJ
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe55GQfVhdw
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Ariana and Stella turned around and walked back the way they came. I watch them go before turning around to head back in the castle. Surprisingly, Bob is standing in the open doorway. How did he get here? I didn’t even feel his presence.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukxwuaQVgR
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"I had a backup plan if things weren’t going to go as planned," he said. "You’ll still start your lessons today."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWNZ1iXoPj
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I don’t know whether to feel excited about it or just keep it cool. Starting my training will be good for me to try and forget what happened just now.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n2X7S08DU
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzmF5Xm0Jx
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzsxU2o7fM
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F6k6WvTpO
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmAUsLKXvo
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"Birds, what birds?" I quickly asked. I’m careful enough not to stammer. I’ve to choose my words carefully. "What about them?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqQsfxHzYP
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"Did you summon them?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53zVLBcabn
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynPudY2Wv9
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"Don’t try to pretend with me, Diana." The corner of his mouth raised to a smile. "One of the recruits who was with you yesterday told me that you can understand the birds."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt3wcILaXX
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There is no hiding from that. I should’ve warned the recruits not to say anything. But they don’t know me and I don’t know them, so I’m not surprised that they reported this.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjH3LK5Czd
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxTrGGozIy
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Bob continued to look at me before turning around and walking through the door. "Understanding creatures is a great ability," he said. "But people don’t develop it right there and then. They only do so after training. You, on the other hand, already have an understanding for them. That just shows you really are something."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWWBotNS9S
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I'm not ready for this speech again as I quickly said, "we’ll see about that, won’t we? I’ve been lucky and quite fortunate so far. My training will reveal if there’s anything special about me."319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJvWyz14qZ
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Bob slightly tilted his head to the side as I started to follow him inside the castle. "If it’s your destiny, Diana, you simply can’t run away from it," he said.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vJCZs8P50
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His words got to me and I stopped in my tracks. Could he be right? I didn’t want this to begin with. I was meant to die that day, but I didn’t. I don’t know how I survived. Now all this is happening because of that encounter. Was all this meant to happen? And if that is the case, for what?319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U3g0OM24I
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEB8Pcmqaz
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"Of course," I said as Bob went up the flight of stairs. The nurse and I followed behind him at a slow pace.319Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mamirj72S
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.
Penana
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