Chapter 20 - Luxana Von Olar Mera Eana Kior
-Helia Palace; Roxana's Room-
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*Door Shuts*
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Sigh. Finally, I can breathe. I’m so tired of dancing. Haaaaa... I thought as I plopped onto the bed, stretching out like a cat basking in the sun.
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*SHHHF*
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“WHY DID YOU HELP THAT DAMN KING??????????” Veles erupted, his voice echoing off the walls, irritation etched across his dragon-like features.
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“As expected of a dumb dragon,” I remarked, still lying flat with my eyes closed, trying to calm my racing heart.
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Veles raged. "WHAT?"
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I cracked one eye open, glancing at him. “I will reveal myself in my true form on the day of your banquet—that’s what that Xerxes guy said.”
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“And so?” Veles questioned, squinting his eyes as if trying to pierce through my intentions.
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“I really had high expectations of you, Veles.” I sat up, meeting his puzzled gaze. With a resigned sigh, I continued, “He basically asked me to create a stage for him so he could reveal his identity. The best way to do that was to hold the banquet in my name. To get that done, I needed my father’s approval, hence, I saved his life. Does this answer your question?”
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“Oh...so that’s why...” Veles muttered, his expression shifting to one of contemplation as he rested his chin on his right hand, deep in thought. “What do you plan on doing now?”
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"What do I plan on doing now? Good question. Let's see......I plan on sleeping." I said, plopping back onto the bed, pulling the covers over my head.
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“HUH?!” Veles exclaimed, clearly taken aback.
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“What?” I mumbled from under the blankets.
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“Ugh...never mind.” He sighed, shutting his eyes and pressing his forehead with his palm. “Where are the witch and wolf?”
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“They’ve gone to inform Leena to get the wine preparations started.”
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“Oh. So, do the witch and wolf know who the owner of the wine is?”
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“No...............they don’t. They will definitely get mad.”
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“Haaaa.....how do you plan on confronting them?” he asked, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.
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“That's not the major concern right...now...” I mumbled, my eyelids growing heavy as I drifted off to sleep.
*DRIP*
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*DRIP*
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*DRIP*
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*DRIP*
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Ah. It's the sound of dripping blood again.........seems like I'm dreaming again. Luxana thought
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Luxana, a ghostly figure in the darkness, wandered through the pitch-black pit wearing a white nightgown, now stained with the despair of her situation. Her once vibrant reddish-orange hair, a fiery cascade that had once framed her delicate features, hung limply down her back, a stark contrast to the lifelessness that had crept into her piercing emerald eyes, their enchanting depths now dulled by the weight of her sorrow.
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The sound of dripping blood echoed in the void around her, each drop a harrowing reminder of the trauma that had shattered her world. Her legs, heavy with the burden of her grief, dragged through the thick, inky mud that seemed to swallow her whole, as if the very earth itself sought to consume her anguish. This was not the ending she had envisioned, and the absence of another soul to share her torment only amplified her feelings of hopelessness and isolation.
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It's not the ending at all........why isn't there anyone? Whom should I kill to wake up, now? Luxana thought.
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Killing someone in her dreams was the only way she knew to break free from these nightmares that had plagued her since her mother's brutal murder right in front of her eyes. Luxana's once innocent heart now bore the scars of that tragic night, her very essence tainted by the helplessness and despair that consumed her, a darkness that threatened to consume her very being.
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The once beautiful and powerful Luxana now resembled a fallen goddess, her soulless body trudging through the endless pit, a mere shadow of her former self. Her once striking features, a testament to her noble heritage and regal bearing, now contorted in a mask of anguish, a reflection of the torment she endured within the dark confines of her mind. Yet, even in the depths of her despair, a glimmer of the strength that had once defined her remained, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
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*CRACK*
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*CRACK*
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*CRACK*
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*SHATTER*
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*CRASH*
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*CRASH*
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*SHATTER*
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Luxana halted, her heart pounding in her chest. She forced herself to look up, watching in horror as the pitch-black sky cracked, shattered, and fell down like glass. But even as the pieces rained down around her, no light peeked through the darkness.
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Her eyes widened in shock as she realized she wasn't breathing. Am I.....not breathing? How am I still alive? Luxana thought, feeling no air moving in or out of her nose and mouth, no pulse beating in her veins. Yet, somehow, she remained conscious, trapped in this strange, broken world.
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Just then, a melody reached her ears, carried on the wind:
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🎶🎵"Sasayaki ga hibiku kage no naka,"🎵🎶
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Hmm? What.......was that? Luxana thought.
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🎶🎵"nigaku namida ni somatta sora no shimo,"🎵🎶
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Wait...I know that voice! Luxana thought as she turned back.
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🎶🎵"katsute wa kagayaite ita tamashī ga ima wa haiiro ni ōwa re,
-kō no yume wa kiesatta." 🎵🎶
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🎶🎵"Chinmoku no naka de ikari ga tsunoru,
daremoshiranai itami kara." 🎵🎶
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Luxana's eyes widened in shock and despair as the realization hit her. "MOTHER?" she cried out, her voice echoing through the broken sky.
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Amidst the chaos of the shattering and cracking, Roxana, Luxana's birth mother, stood there, singing the haunting melody with her hands held together. Luxana's heart ached at the sight of her, a thousand questions and emotions swirling within her.
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"MOTHERRR!!!" Luxana screamed, her voice filled with longing and pain, as she reached out towards the woman who had given her life, the woman who she lost 7 years ago.
Roxana Von Olar Mera Eana Kior, the 2nd Princess of the Kior Empire, was a radiant figure of grace and beauty within the Kior dynasty. With her fiery, waist-length tresses—a striking cascade of sunset orange—framing her delicate features, she was a vision that captivated all who beheld her. Her piercing emerald eyes held a depth that spoke of wisdom and compassion, reflecting a heart that was as nurturing as it was fierce.
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Her radiant porcelain skin seemed to glow from within, accentuated by the soft luminescence of a delicate silk gown that gracefully hugged her slender form. The gown, a celestial blue, was adorned with intricate gold embroidery, weaving tales of noble heritage with each shimmering stitch. An air of elegance and dignity surrounded her, a testament to the inherent strength and beauty that defined her every move. As she walked, the whisper of silk against the stone floor echoed the reverence with which she was regarded—a woman of unparalleled grace, whose legacy would continue to shape the lives of those who knew her.
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Yet, beyond Roxana's striking physical appearance, her true beauty lay in the depth of her character and the brilliance of her mind. An insatiable thirst for knowledge drove her to devour the wisdom of the ages, her intellect as sharp as the finest blade, effortlessly cutting through complex problems. Roxana possessed a keen strategic mind, allowing her to navigate the intricate world of nobility with finesse and skill, forging alliances with the brightest and most influential minds of her time.
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Her charm and wit were legendary, and her uncanny ability to read the intentions of others set her apart in the court. Yet, for all her shrewdness, Roxana was deeply compassionate. She could sense the needs of others, offering guidance and comfort with an empathy that was both genuine and rare. A true visionary, Roxana's intelligence and strength of character left an indelible mark on the hearts of those fortunate enough to know her.
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That was the sort of person my mother was before she fell in love with my father.
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But right now, it was different.
She was enveloped in a heavy air of melancholy, wearing a white gown that mirrored the somber mood that had settled upon her. Once a symbol of purity and elegance, the garment now appeared almost ethereal, its luminous fabric drifting around her like a ghostly shroud, reflecting the weight of her sorrow.
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Her radiant orange hair, once a vibrant cascade, hung limply around her shoulders, the fiery hues dulled as if echoing the sadness that had taken hold of her heart. The captivating green eyes that had once sparkled with wisdom and warmth were now downcast, their enchanting depths clouded by a profound sense of loss and longing.
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The delicate embroidery of her gown, a testament to her noble heritage, now served as a stark reminder of a life once filled with promise, overshadowed by the burden of her grief. As she moved, the whisper of silk against the stone floor seemed to sigh in sympathy, a reflection of the depth of her despair.
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In this gloomy state, she appeared almost otherworldly—a tragic figure of beauty and sorrow, her once-vibrant spirit muted by the heavy weight of her heartache. Yet, despite the sadness that enveloped her, there remained an undeniable strength and dignity in her bearing, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit even in the darkest of times.
"MOTHER!!!" Luxana kept screaming as she ran towards her mother amidst all the crashing and shattering of the glass-like sky. With every step she took, the distance between her and Roxana seemed to stretch further, as if an invisible barrier pushed them apart.
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Luxana's desperate look and the heavy sounds of her breath made Roxana smirk, a glimmer of amusement flickering in her eyes as she continued to sing.
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🎶🎵"Sasayaki ga hibiku kage no naka,"🎵🎶
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🎶🎵"nigaku namida ni somatta sora no shimo,"🎵🎶
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🎶🎵"katsute wa kagayaite ita tamashī ga ima wa haiiro ni ōwa re,
-kō no yume wa kiesatta." 🎵🎶
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🎶🎵"Chinmoku no naka de ikari ga tsunoru,
daremoshiranai itami kara." 🎵🎶
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What? What is that thing mother's singing? Is it some sort of... Luxana's thoughts raced, but before she could complete them, a piece of the breaking sky was only seconds away from falling and crushing her.
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Only millimeters away from being crushed, Luxana saw her mother’s lips move, her voice cutting through the chaos.
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"Luxana De Carna Mera Domino, No.....Luxana Von Olar Mera Eana Kior." Roxana said with a smile as Luxana was crushed.
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*GRAP*
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“Mother?” I shouted, my voice echoing in the silence of the room.
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What was the meaning of all that? I thought, my mind racing to piece together the fragments of my dream.
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I breathed extremely heavily, my chest rising and falling as I tried to shake off the remnants of the nightmare that had gripped me.
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“Daijōbudesuka, ojōsan?” A soft, feminine voice inquired, concern evident in her tone. I turned to see a woman I didn’t recognize, her kind eyes searching mine for answers.
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I blinked, trying to gather my thoughts. Who is she?
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I took a look at my surroundings, the gentle aroma of tatami mats filling my senses as I surveyed the enchanting blend of traditional and modern Japanese décor. A vibrant silk scroll hung against the wall, its ancient calligraphy symbols dancing beside a contemporary artwork, a captivating display of the room's harmonious fusion of past and present.
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Outside, a stone pathway led to a serene Japanese garden, its tranquil pond and cascading waterfalls creating a soothing backdrop to the fiery hues of the maple trees that framed the view. The colors were so vivid, so alive, that I felt as if I had stepped into a painting.
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As I clutched the luxurious silk sheets beneath my hands, their vibrant colors reminiscent of kimono designs, I couldn’t help but wonder who this woman was and how I had found myself in this enchanting, yet unfamiliar room.
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"Umhh....who.....are you?" I asked, looking into her eyes, hoping she would understand my simple question. But that was definitely a stupid thought.
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She made a puzzled expression. "Nanite itta ndesu ka, ojōsan?"
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Haaaaaaaahh..........I can't seem to understand their language, I thought as I looked down at the blanket covering me.
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The woman made a pitiful face, "Dō shita ndesu ka, ojōsan? Totemo komatte iru yōdesu ne. Nanika otetsudai dekiru koto wa arimasu ka, ojōsan?"
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What is she saying? I thought, making an upset face and turning to the other side, going back to sleep. I didn't want to face anyone at all anymore. I just wanted to escape this strange place where I couldn't even communicate with the people around me.
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As I closed my eyes, I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder, the woman's voice speaking softly, as if trying to soothe me. But her words were lost to me, a jumble of unfamiliar sounds that held no meaning.
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I sighed deeply, letting the darkness of sleep envelop me once more. Perhaps when I woke up, I would find myself back in my own world, surrounded by familiar faces and a language I could understand.
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But deep down, I knew that was just a dream. I was lost, trapped in a place where I didn't belong, with no way to express my thoughts or needs. The fear and uncertainty of my situation weighed heavily on my heart, making it hard to breathe.
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As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder what would become of me in this strange, foreign land. Would I ever find a way to communicate, to make sense of this bewildering new reality?
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Only time would tell. For now, I would rest, gathering my strength for whatever challenges lay ahead. With a heavy heart, I let the darkness take me, hoping that when I woke, the world would make a little more sense.
I awoke slowly, the soft light filtering through the shoji screens casting delicate patterns across the room. For a moment, I lay there, disoriented, trying to piece together the fragments of my dream and the reality that surrounded me. The fragrant aroma of tatami mats lingered in the air, grounding me in this unfamiliar place.
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As I sat up, I noticed the woman sitting nearby, her hands folded in her lap, a gentle smile on her face. She seemed to be watching me with a mix of concern and relief, as if my awakening was a moment she had been waiting for.
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"Ohayōgozaimasu, ojōsan." she said, her voice soft and melodic, her words tinged with warmth.
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"I still don't understand you," I muttered, letting out a deep sigh.
This woman, who sat beside me had a striking appearance a captivating fusion of tradition and uniqueness. A cascading mane of fiery red hair tumbles down her back, held in place by ornate combs adorned with intricate floral designs. Her almond-shaped eyes, a brilliant shade of golden yellow, glisten with intelligence and warmth, framed by long, dark lashes that flutter gracefully with each blink.
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Her porcelain complexion seems luminescent in the soft light, a subtle blush gracing her high cheekbones as her delicate, full lips curve into a gentle smile. A traditional kimono envelops her slender frame, the rich silken fabric patterned with vibrant cranes in flight, symbolizing grace and longevity. The obi tied around her waist accentuates her feminine curves, its intricate knot a masterpiece of artistry and skill. As she moves, the gentle rustle of her kimono's hem against the tatami mats echoes the elegance and refinement that define her every action.
To be Continued...
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