CHAPTER 2342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0mzXNn7dP
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQhH0hPWmS
''Did you sleep well princess?''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kh8UTEHrI
''Yes, I did." she lied342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLLe8PS2qD
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ie0tNod4I
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyQ9Z9DKv1
''It's a privilege to be giving you a shower princess.'' The servant advertised.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAeGsJy3Yl
''Rita'' Zoe muttered out 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFnOI1l1Qe
''I'm not Rita, I'm..."342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bMaa0rfW7
''From now onwards, you are Rita.'' She asserted 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlde8ZLW1vQ
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqddl3suB4Q
''This will do.'' she said as she relished her handiwork.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DdIWFWM2a
''You look gorgeous princess.'' she continued 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqJTgs9vIi
''Do you want to see your face.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC8dreR4bT
Zoe nodded and she went for a bowl of water.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡituKQJOivJ
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWGipv5ZCs
''Rita,'' she said.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtZy42VfyW
''Yes, princess.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhlAbrDAkp
''I want to go out alone. ''after Zoe concluded her statement, the servant swallowed hard and gave a startled look.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwbZEsJOPR
''Don't give me that look, Rita will be back before you know it.'' She assured her.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpR2R5PWZ9
''I don't want to be on today's menu.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUdz90hH92
''Come on, don't say that.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpaqMiEHGS
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOoX3PfcRO
''Okay,'' Zoe said. The servant became relieved and headed for the door when she heard Zoe speak.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQqVjCS5Km
''boom!'' Zoe said smirking at the servant and Rita knew it was too late.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQUfBLUH6I
''NO PRINCESS'' Zoe disappeared into thin air before the servant could react.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH8KRzAw4l
''I know am going to be used as feast this evening.'' The servant said as she left the room.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj76m7lm8tc
''THE GURU IS HERE! THE PRIEST IS HERE!''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryjEnHAvNl
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp0OUJqHWb
''It such an honor to have you here'' Queen Nepheli said entranced 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeb7nAGoVR
''I don't expect you to overture this early'' She continued342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVTTi29A5m
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOYnnNG4YT
''It's just the two of us now Guru.'' She said342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0HM8Otohx
''I did not only come here because you wanted me to find a gallant for your daughter. '' Guru said342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbqQw4ON0h
''Is something wrong'' she whined out as she signaled a servant with a tray of blood wine to come over342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2dgl1l2ir
''No, in fact, i's good news.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZiaYkIx4B
''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 lips342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jNtHfetl2
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbGc2cUhdG
* * *342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LTUvwzpVu
''Why did you have to blindfold me Dami?''Zoe asked as Damianos led her to an unknown scene.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5MkivZxqZ
''It's a surprise remember'' Damianos susurrated into her ear as he guided her from behind.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bWOHaln93
''Easy my light'' he said.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvpgL0YVV2
''Okay, are we there''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1wCIZeJXh
''Don't be so impatient''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOLqopGQb0
''Come on my light, we are almost here.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpFurWrs8e
''My love I'm curious.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6IRsHddie
''I know, now stand here.'' he commanded Zoe.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhvZnBr7re
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''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4T1rtHa8d
''I love you too Dami said'' She said as she hugged him.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf46OgLtYS
''Wait, my light, there is more''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IJFqVjWSF
''More'' Zoe said surprised.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAwNu9u7SD
''Let's move to our love tree'' He takes her hand and led her to the tree.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNIa60BSSL
''What are we coming to do here'' Zoe asked curiously.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlXyEsFr3E
''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 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhJLLxuyoz
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsbGyZ1gD9
''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. * * *342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV9Cbv1C7a
''We don't joke with such things Guru.'' Nepheli said angrily 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOLFXyVmTO
''Do I look like I am joking'' Guru replied342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz2baVi4ic
''Our ancestors have been waiting for this news for years, it never came and now...''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNHDNMhed7
''The chosen one is from your league Nepheli. she will rule the whole of Zukard.'' He said after he caught Nepheli short.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt4OO9zxFp
''A ' She' '' She spoke with excitement in her voice.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRloKyTetRC
''Yes, your granddaughter.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rfUZQIpmT
''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.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuEwLI9mo4
''Not so fast Nepheli, She can only have the chosen one with the man our ancestors have provide.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH25ixUeftG
''So that is where the suitor comes in. who is he?''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIhdGWThbP
''A striped hyena, Achilleas, the son of Iasonas.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEFaZOEORr
''Achilleas... I least expected him.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMziChhxbK
''Yes, Nepheli, your daughter must get married before the full moon.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7vk3elNdT
''Before the full moon, that is so soon.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dDw9JabSi
''If you want to defeat the lions, soon is not enough.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSuEPobuFt
''How will I get Achilleas to come here?''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs68acNV83
''No one can refuse to marry a maiden like Zoe. You and I know she is breathtaking.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4upaequPYF
''Yes, that is because she is my daughter. Don't forget in my youth, I was the fairest.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtn6pB7dJG
''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.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxuJtL7D7F
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyKZqBjjp7
''What is it, queen?''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1l8kyXS0u
''After my daughter gets married, we will range another war. I have to avenge the king's death."342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKInMEsChX
''It's up to you, queen, it's all up to you.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E04RSB6JW
''Give me your right leg Zoe'' Damianos demanded 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPevO4AkiKB
''What for?'' Zoe asked 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3h7O8QwlB
''Just give me your right leg''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6aQzkAPS9
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEE6iDZ5e7
''I will always love you Dami, but our marriage is almost impossible, It is like treason.'' Zoe divulged 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHrVCsjoec
''love can never be treason Zoe'' Damianos shrieked342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP33yEaPJg
''I know but if we want to be together we will have to elope my love''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGHNY5SPsA
''Zoe we won't elope'' Damianos said as she cubed Zoe's face in his hand342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR7S0AaI7o
''We will get to marry in front of everyone'' he affirmed 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTHszfaEUy
''I have a bad feeling about this dami''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BuvUL9LWq
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt458aYIZK
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O3Xw7zaQE
''Dad was is going on here'' he asked342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWQmnx18lw
''Son'' Vasilis answered 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGJ8fV030d
''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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYGWQfw9ES
''You are finally back.'' Rita scolded Zoe 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37vQ5yZcPX
''You are lucky I came early.'' Zoe replied342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPswS7d9Hc
''Change and go have your seat beside your mother.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuNnlF1phS
''Is something wrong, Rita.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fhsaj7pJC
''No, just let me help you dress.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE5yn7mvVl
''Okay.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTUtJR2m9Q
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.''342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ddFGyjxld
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGigT2DvEe
''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.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2HPzqn1Vm
''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. 342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyaYdjrnuH
