"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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ50pIQCfk
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHeq8WtF2K
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1UKlIDHLc
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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..."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULVMYFFURj
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJaJ5ODyyH
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XEP5XkwDo
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"I'm fine," I said.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9gDi256XE
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFlrm5E5dP
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwQK6KF5iA
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqSW4q0MVd
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡposm976Moe
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2meQMel7o
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DgPBrgkZ7
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ8FgpwAtE
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg7g6eAmtx
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"It's really nice," I commented.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnRmrvKGIf
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wwPkNNVZ0
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE8JXUbmav
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC5BHUsxQI
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7wPDsNMEa
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqLK9d5xmR
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qwfqxwnrF
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBOxIVbxRm
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw94AAXd9L9
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPVuPzkF6R
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYNygR5AtJ
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqFwEJL42o
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVNuhaydWE
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YgDd8rF4T
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lOs4NPbcH
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWsbAjzyq4
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"What is it?" I asked.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gcof5pbJ0
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCYOXkNAgk
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy4IgX7Y5X
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdymdjw3tF3
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAIXCfVjdL
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOl57H7oS4
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IQtbZmo9T
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4pQRR8Uja
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuLwEQDVtV
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zX28sxrAQ
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAF6DVDrBL
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz86FqM68hF
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6QrzleQFV
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAYEUCbNpr
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtNVyhsZWx
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9aSIk4qW6
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9hwGWRZub
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oTv2usDvy
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVjj4S557s
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nCsQUhZs5
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aIro8SG1b
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fXNdWkLxm
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpJiFesJXr
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUuqgQfFKx
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNVrdHQBVJ
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8QFY83wkS
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXC3zmO2WZ
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBuyXXC5vl
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ir4lFnWkN
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsrBetVT6E
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0KyPtAUK3
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJE3b06QSB
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqddgRIDTdn
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhCRnDWCNc
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxpXVRArZL
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYI2CkhmIK
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL1kcpzuWV
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIgdMZ3bzh
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlnBf8qSbd
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf1wRlS8TM
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8Keowoeii
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72yOuQqyQ6
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHY7Nr53FH
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij9SoGx22V
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdNWbr5HOC
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLn8LdUFHk
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HMbGevJvk
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFbG6IvI6n
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNhx8ixpLv
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr2iDSTyH0
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrgwT10S5a
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PS9nrODiw
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXr01fyCdT
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO1w48AL5l
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"Ask me something else, then."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLDugG0ft0
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"Who are you?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvMBkScBPe
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTU4Fkxy4C
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5cdTgqKyf
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGrvWDGCWY
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuZzvQZVHj
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP4qwn0aFe
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"How do you know my name?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJzlald1jk
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEff4d4ch9
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRsIuWt2bN
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZC7tsBo15
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp8LjJGB6s
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yEhDsOSWs
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy0q0jfzLv
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0crXhyDLx
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OfyQoH7nq
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe0xqn3hrt
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXiOXT30AA
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRsn0KHmza
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxuwFccRXA
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbRRT6MerR
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"What are you going to do to me?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdf7FrfZbu
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xxjAZLR25
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTYJrDPE6e
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXgZwELRYS
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUOkzSC9Ki
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnmd3JUkUM
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHlF0ykryu
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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:233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZmzj0CITF
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The birds.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzQs5ELg8R
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlab18RnvM
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBtQV6F18e
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw02LNBz0Ge
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"I beg to differ."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdSKPCMV74
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m4om40xAX
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYSLWpeKzm
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7zXdYMSqf
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCai1aRnJw
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIHq6CBXUb
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6glpsm7Yrq
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBDmJRpGjF
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinTujX9JpF
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaVLCsPufJ
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKW9YKaFig
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tWgsZ6Nlg
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pee1E0a3j
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlC6NWclsF
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwkGPZw4i5
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I winced. "She can do that?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcDF2KTFla
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbaeVrmGCd
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrYLSwhmpB
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTocmxe9FEj
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcENR7tV8x
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1bCzsH8cG
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwS76HE2SC
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPNS5u5lw6
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yWiHACO5L
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3kJfcdM5I
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsMwVb83Ir
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCujYMoZ5fJ
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoAmUabu5C
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAC13TwfdH
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4ZTT6onhd
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpWFSQsi3u
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcHifDZ4lO
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaHU7CVozU
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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?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf3dWgqvh0
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VQ0c5Ohac
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCIn9EANLx
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzXnYnOqBM
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Apb7yFYBE
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb1GOp2pC0
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSwwa1fXPa
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtu2zPwYfd
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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?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhpAIGBGQR
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu41uQOMMPB
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2M6n8KFHj
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZec3cgl3Xs
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyYpJ3WRTq
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXDhRXDUNJ
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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?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOS3B7sZZQ
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFFwSDlbT7
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdboCVCGYI6
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPEnXVkhqI
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnjM0YjU5P
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5OvuZtaUE
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV8zDbjdME
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVrjexFckO
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHEyi7OiQF
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ5CUn11jb
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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-?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f2AYt6pL8
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9cjQGcsVj
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvNQS0bCiR
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAEZYfyVdi
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIubic6qXn
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAnV6Hryew
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHB6aFeIy2
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77saG0rIhe
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLeqUS94Te
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi3esxWI7Z
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXmI1iSJei
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfctqVT9THK
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkcC9nhA5c
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCWILKMZNU
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQK16iAEBN
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l3WW4iuR3
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKuGvndz69
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpgacWdkHw
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0704MgGk7
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByi408zHkN
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBFqr1PAm1
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2wbnKX9Yp
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRMBxUmdeL
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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?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IgXfLWSrM
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFD9npBCMY
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWATfT29HBC
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ipUjIW7wa
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHS90fUrzD
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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?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh1QIt23nq
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaS8DJaSR1
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuqkacfadj
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoUFlWGEuP
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTB1F29QRz
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTufrx1A9V
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNR0361brD
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH0yxVzvNr
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk92fuU7KEQ
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8a5ii98oA
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFaNXwZJG1
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P1hJOqSBe
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSV1m4Ir3Y
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93D6KC8sIP
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAvUiPGPXM
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IoDsKPHqS
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM8Jl0rhNw
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyaVZLRfz6
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJreKpdbHrd
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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?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvzVQotdH3
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"Did you summon them?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dF0Ts4vhs
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljthWCe6SY
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VOluJ7KiQ
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHLw6QaopA
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPYbb0Dofq
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGUciLqiQH
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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."233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv47JhEMwOn
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx781I1XJ5v
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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?233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ1WSsY7Kt
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO56dkdy36
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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.233Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQjsAtFEIm
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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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