CHAPTER 2341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXmLanYPAE
The voices of the birds showed the peaceful nature of a fresh morn. Zoe was still deep into her sleep when her new servant knocked on the door. She had cried herself to sleep. She quickly disrobed into her nightgown and opened the door for her servant. She came in with a tray of the meal ready for Zoe.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl67vScCKpT
''Did you sleep well princess?''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPem4lWe2R
''Yes, I did." she lied341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdsxarldUu
''I will go and make your bathing water.'' the servant said as she moved to the bathtub. She filled the tub with water after emptying lavender into it.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3z5JxY9bl
''Let me take off your gown.'' The servant said and quickly took off Zoe's nightgown. She requested Zoe to sit still in the bathtub and Zoe did.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYIESnqulP
''It's a privilege to be giving you a shower princess.'' The servant advertised.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMQGg7FiFm
''Rita'' Zoe muttered out 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMn5pkU8fA
''I'm not Rita, I'm..."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtaSAPrc8H
''From now onwards, you are Rita.'' She asserted 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWWKpFGhsF
''Yes, princess.'' the servant acknowledged as she delicately washed Zoe's s hair. After she was done, she dressed Zoe in a new blue gown and smoothed her hair to fall on her back.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnU7lXmDgp
''This will do.'' she said as she relished her handiwork.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyuOToFB6L
''You look gorgeous princess.'' she continued 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVZ4ukSB11
''Do you want to see your face.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp9GH6HaJ2
Zoe nodded and she went for a bowl of water.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxSBTy5OcQ
''Now look at yourself.'' she said as she handed the bowl of water to Zoe. Zoe smiled at her reflection in the water. Even sometimes, she found it hard to believe her radiant beauty. The kind of beauty which the hyenas were known to have; her almost cooper hair, straightly shaped nose, her provocative lips, and the most breathtaking of all, her amber eyes. Zoe, the princess of the hyenas, the next queen of the clan.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8imPkvM15
''Rita,'' she said.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawNqUH3sSj
''Yes, princess.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfI0oCX7Dk
''I want to go out alone. ''after Zoe concluded her statement, the servant swallowed hard and gave a startled look.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrZFCL48Sf
''Don't give me that look, Rita will be back before you know it.'' She assured her.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vTS3BJ5gJ
''I don't want to be on today's menu.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4BvUaRQkw
''Come on, don't say that.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDaUiSMjKF
''I'm afraid I can't let you go princess.'' the servant spoke the words as if her life was going to be taken after she was done.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRYaotw2qG
''Okay,'' Zoe said. The servant became relieved and headed for the door when she heard Zoe speak.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zcu5rJWmv
''boom!'' Zoe said smirking at the servant and Rita knew it was too late.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IQYYK60Y0
''NO PRINCESS'' Zoe disappeared into thin air before the servant could react.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7gQ9lG0JB
''I know am going to be used as feast this evening.'' The servant said as she left the room.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRYkzePzAn
''THE GURU IS HERE! THE PRIEST IS HERE!''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlOMSg2rY2
The guard shouted out as the Guru entered the queen's palace with an army of guards following suit. Queen Nepheli, dressed in total black with her deep green eyes and dark red lips, walked firmly to receive the priest, and her servants followed with their daily routine of rolling a carpet underneath her feet and holding her dress. She wore on her head a crown made up of diamonds about three feet tall, one could query how she could wear something so huge and heavy on her head. The priest stooped to Queen Nepheli and she did the same.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzISmZk1yzS
''It such an honor to have you here'' Queen Nepheli said entranced 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxkpFv8Ldj
''I don't expect you to overture this early'' She continued341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjkDq0BP0l
''You are doing a great job Nepheli'' The priest said. He looked at Nepheli for some time as if relating something to her and soon, everyone was gone.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpzh8oIoP4
''It's just the two of us now Guru.'' She said341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYlhwzCegq
''I did not only come here because you wanted me to find a gallant for your daughter. '' Guru said341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCR8VVopLl
''Is something wrong'' she whined out as she signaled a servant with a tray of blood wine to come over341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUGU8aZ3GQ
''No, in fact, i's good news.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhoFDZ4H2z
''What is it then. you of all people know how much I love good news'' she smirked as she took a golden chalice of blood wine and brought it to her lips341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMxmWx27LV
''The chosen one is close to us Nepheli.'' After the priest spoke, Nepheli became numb trying to make meaning of what the priest had just revealed.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBWbr1Nv4J
* * *341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7fQXiplNu
''Why did you have to blindfold me Dami?''Zoe asked as Damianos led her to an unknown scene.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVqM03JnTx
''It's a surprise remember'' Damianos susurrated into her ear as he guided her from behind.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWJvwkNdGD
''Easy my light'' he said.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESZvdwv2Hi
''Okay, are we there''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCPgt17mAV
''Don't be so impatient''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JqWhdHfzZ
''Come on my light, we are almost here.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CMMd5V7fj
''My love I'm curious.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlVxSxTkAL
''I know, now stand here.'' he commanded Zoe.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WyTo2v26N
He untied the blindfold and Zoe became stunned by what she saw. Blue Morpho butterflies arranged so beautifully to right ''I love you'' in the air''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkQhBhP8Gz
''I love you too Dami said'' She said as she hugged him.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV60C06IEVq
''Wait, my light, there is more''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFRitiCmTn
''More'' Zoe said surprised.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaOqONIOfT
''Let's move to our love tree'' He takes her hand and led her to the tree.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87UqAVHhZT
''What are we coming to do here'' Zoe asked curiously.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSAceXPURG
''Zoe, princess of the hyena clan, the light of my eyes, I want to create paradise, but without you, it's impossible'' bowing to Zoe he continued 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLutck5W7Hi
''Let's create paradise together and live in it. Will you be my better half, my life partner, my beloved wife. Tears filled Zoe's eyes after Damianos was done.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QZNI93Heq
''How can you even ask me Dami, It not suppose to be a question, YES, YES, YES'' She threw her hand in the air and turned herself around as she insisted on her answer, yes. They both laughed ceaselessly as Damianos took Zoe and spun her around. * * *341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA8o4Ngkda
''We don't joke with such things Guru.'' Nepheli said angrily 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHixuGUp7d0
''Do I look like I am joking'' Guru replied341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUFI2H0ZO1
''Our ancestors have been waiting for this news for years, it never came and now...''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzL0W9BHyV
''The chosen one is from your league Nepheli. she will rule the whole of Zukard.'' He said after he caught Nepheli short.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0WvqO24Nr
''A ' She' '' She spoke with excitement in her voice.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QkO7aWw27
''Yes, your granddaughter.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv3SRtmcLR
''My granddaughter, then let's get Zoe married as soon as possible. we need to act so fast that the lions won't see us coming when we ensnare them.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WB6PGNDEP
''Not so fast Nepheli, She can only have the chosen one with the man our ancestors have provide.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZknymd8Vk
''So that is where the suitor comes in. who is he?''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdzmmVuNJi
''A striped hyena, Achilleas, the son of Iasonas.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooRmN5ktFX
''Achilleas... I least expected him.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bnGV2Yjws
''Yes, Nepheli, your daughter must get married before the full moon.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtS0JvkA29
''Before the full moon, that is so soon.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPCQ5B9JQk
''If you want to defeat the lions, soon is not enough.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSedXO0uLD
''How will I get Achilleas to come here?''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLhnsHwa26
''No one can refuse to marry a maiden like Zoe. You and I know she is breathtaking.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6uogUqoei
''Yes, that is because she is my daughter. Don't forget in my youth, I was the fairest.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71EbHy3yq7
''You still are my queen. Achilleas will be here this evening. You can introduce your daughter to him. She is lucky she will have the chosen child.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JZTwn9shs
''Thank you, Guru, for making my day with this news.'' Nepheli sat her blood wine down on the tray again to properly acknowledge the priest. The Guru turned to leave when Nepheli called out to him.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB7bB8G6qW
''What is it, queen?''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLquH4r3oGz
''After my daughter gets married, we will range another war. I have to avenge the king's death."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn6oUp8gVC
''It's up to you, queen, it's all up to you.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6YGBzCTCf
''Give me your right leg Zoe'' Damianos demanded 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrycqUczmId
''What for?'' Zoe asked 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsrBtgJMQP
''Just give me your right leg''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6CZGQp7EZ
Zoe stretched out her leg to him without another word and he tied an anklet to it.'' this, my light, is a symbol of my love for you.'' he said as he tried it.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPoLIQM9mQ
''I will always love you Dami, but our marriage is almost impossible, It is like treason.'' Zoe divulged 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjyHlyKyHT
''love can never be treason Zoe'' Damianos shrieked341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0F6bbtK8T
''I know but if we want to be together we will have to elope my love''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ltupjv6hc
''Zoe we won't elope'' Damianos said as she cubed Zoe's face in his hand341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3t1e18nfm
''We will get to marry in front of everyone'' he affirmed 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ43J4GtCy
''I have a bad feeling about this dami''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bvF1nM4Qc
''Don't be scared, now come'' Damianos led Zoe to the tree and suddenly came to a halt. He began to speak without turning to face Zoe '' let's write our names on the tree, this tree is immortal therefore, our love will be immortal.''. Zoe nodded and took Damiano's hand.'' Yes, let's do it'' she murmured. They both wrote their names on the love tree later, Damianos stood back to read it out loud'. ''ZOE AND DAMIANOS FOREVER'' he hollered. They drew a love at the end of their written declaration. For some time, Zoe got lost in thoughts thinking of what to give Damianos. She remembered the necklace around her neck with her name and took it off. Stretching her hands to Damianos she said ''Take this Damianos, this is a titanium necklace, it will never break'' Damianos took it and hugged Zoe tight. ''We will eventually be together Zoe.'' he muttered out. ''I know.'' she responded and kissed him.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXayjR4r8Zz
Everything felt awkward for Damianos as he moved into the pride lands. Half of the lion league had transformed into lions and half paved way for him without taking their eyes off him. For some time, he thought he had messed up something but he realized his father would have come looking for him already. When he entered the lion's castle, he was bewildered to see every royal seated but what caught his eyes was a new set of lioness in the castle.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURru34g0TW
''Dad was is going on here'' he asked341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCrNwSEu1s
''Son'' Vasilis answered 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCHvgi9Y8n
''Everyone, my son is here!'' he continued. As he spoke, there was some pride in his eyes. Everyone in the kingdom gathered outside the palace, both lions and their colonies. ''come son'' Vasilis said as he led his son to the top balcony of the castle. That place was only used when there was either good or bad news. ''Everyone! listen up!'' Vasilis hollered. "The moment we have all been waiting for is here'' as he spoke a park of lions came from behind, the leader of the park transformed to become human. She looked perfect-deep blue eyes with blond almost white-like hair in a full gown-and she came to stand beside Vasilis'' Father.'' she said. Damianos was completely taken by surprise. The only sister he had was married and out of the castle. However, his doubt was cleared when Vasilis spoke once again. ''The forefathers of the kingdom have spoken. The chosen one is about to be born...'' before Vasilis could finish, everyone begun to jubilate ''That is not all, the chosen one will be born to my son, Damianos'' he continued lifting Damiano's hand ''and lady Halsey'' he once again recapitulated taking the blond blued eyed girl's hand. Damianos became shocked upon his father's last statement, he was broken down the more when Vasilis continued ''They will get married in four days.'' Damianos repeated.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLDAZ5UspW
''You are finally back.'' Rita scolded Zoe 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig2XEHMJ50
''You are lucky I came early.'' Zoe replied341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIctL7XzQ2
''Change and go have your seat beside your mother.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK10Pcd9949
''Is something wrong, Rita.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgc1LqQbuD
''No, just let me help you dress.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEihdA44sc
''Okay.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLw0kwDQRqQ
Queen Nepheli was addressing a clan of hyenas who sat comfortably in a Cushing pillow when Zoe entered. Zoe stooped to her mom and went to sit beside her. ''You look stunning as always Zoe'' Nepheli whispered ''Thank you mom'' Zoe whispered back. Just then, Achilleas the son of the head worrier of the hyenas entered moving graciously to Queen Nepheli. He bowed to her and Queen Nepheli ordered him to sit at her left-hand side since Zoe occupied the throne on the right. ''Queen Nepheli, what is Achilleas doing here?'' Zoe whispered to her mother. Queen Nepheli ignored her and began to address the clan. ''As the queen of the hyenas and its colonies, I have gathered you all here today because there is both bad and good news.''341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY3RFCQV0z
As Nepheli spoke, Zoe became nervous. She felt something was watching her closely and turned to see Achilleas admiring her. ''Can't he just listen to my mother'' she said to herself and became surprised when Achilleas answered ''Why should I listen to her when you are here'' Zoe turned to him and realized he was listening to her mom. How would he have heard something she said to herself. She heard her name being mentioned and looked intensely at Achilleas. He was calling out to her without even speaking. She turned to look at her mom again ignoring her name.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nrFjOXwKV
''The bad news is, the Lions are yet to bring forth a chosen one'' Queen Nepheli continued. Everyone began to freak out when Queen Nepheli silenced them.
341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Np9aAxyO9
''However, we will also have our chosen one. The chosen two chosen ones will battle against each other, the one who wins....wins the entire Zuk'' Nepheli recommenced. Nepheli turned to look at her daughter for some time and simpered. ''The chosen ones, the ancestors have said, will come from my daughter princesses Zoe and the great worrier son Achilleas'' After queen Nepheli spoke, everyone began to jubilate once again yet, Zoe found herself up and going to Queen Nepheli on impulse. However, she came back to her senses and sat down to look at Achilleas who was only smirking. Then, the realization began to hit her hard, she raised her gown a little to see the anklet Damianos gave her and remembered the proposal. Her greatest fear had set in and now she was ready than ever to abscond with Damianos. 341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8YANzANTy
