Chapter 65 - The Little Girl
"𝔓𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔠𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔏𝔲𝔵𝔞𝔫𝔞? 𝔚𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔯𝔢𝔣𝔢𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔬 𝔥𝔢𝔯?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZniZJOeGR
"𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔞𝔫 𝔲𝔫𝔩𝔲𝔠𝔨𝔶 𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔩𝔡."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbx1CmQWXJ
"ℌ𝔬𝔴 𝔪𝔲𝔠𝔥 𝔠𝔯𝔲𝔢𝔩𝔢𝔯 𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔣𝔞𝔱𝔢 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔪?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX9RTDdnYv
"𝔏𝔦𝔱𝔱𝔩𝔢 𝔇𝔲𝔨𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔙𝔞𝔩𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔢? 𝔚𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔯𝔢𝔣𝔢𝔯𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔬 𝔥𝔦𝔪?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5CjzYAWNH
"𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔞𝔫 𝔲𝔫𝔩𝔲𝔠𝔨𝔶 𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔩𝔡."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgtbxossDJ
"𝔏𝔬𝔠𝔨𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔎𝔢𝔶𝔰. 𝔚𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔟𝔢 𝔞𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔬𝔭𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔡𝔬𝔬𝔯?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOJFOVeo8s
"𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔲𝔫𝔩𝔲𝔠𝔨𝔶 𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔩𝔡𝔯𝔢𝔫."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH3M2j24yX
"𝔐𝔦𝔫𝔰𝔞𝔫, 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔰𝔢𝔢 𝔦𝔱 𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔦𝔫𝔤?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7vHepTSW3
"𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔲𝔫𝔩𝔲𝔠𝔨𝔶 𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔩𝔡𝔯𝔢𝔫."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsGYvYrrWJ
"𝔚𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔨𝔢𝔶 𝔨𝔢𝔢𝔭 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔩𝔬𝔠𝔨? 𝔒𝔯 𝔬𝔭𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔩𝔬𝔠𝔨?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgiZHkHSMN
"𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔞 𝔡𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔣𝔲𝔩 𝔢𝔫𝔡𝔦𝔫𝔤."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFngV4VYFg0
"𝔚𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔊𝔬𝔡𝔰 𝔞𝔠𝔠𝔢𝔭𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔪?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhxCmAHCEq
"𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔞 𝔡𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔣𝔲𝔩 𝔢𝔫𝔡𝔦𝔫𝔤."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3su1Lj6PH
"𝔚𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔶 𝔰𝔲𝔯𝔳𝔦𝔳𝔢?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rALcm0Z3a
"𝔑𝔬 𝔬𝔫𝔢 𝔨𝔫𝔬𝔴𝔰."
-Helia Palace; King's Study-
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgphuZZIYS
King Hades paced the length of his study, his mind reeling from the devastating news. The loss of Lady Vespera and the disappearance of Prince Rowan weighed heavily on his shoulders. He paused before the portrait of his wife and son, his fingers tracing the frame as if trying to reach through the canvas to touch them.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEVvmLpCVZ
A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Enter," he commanded, his voice hoarse with emotion.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqSvSMnFkq
Kyle Brunte, his trusted advisor, stepped into the room. "Your Majesty, I've heard the news. My deepest condolences."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnANW7ryrO
Hades nodded grimly. "Thank you, Kyle. What news do you bring?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETCLbxpptH
"The search parties have been dispatched, Sire. We've also sent word to neighboring kingdoms to be on alert for any sign of Prince Rowan."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn48BFXOgOo
The King's eyes flashed with determination. "Good. We must leave no stone unturned. Have you any theories on the boy's disappearance?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p3zwfHrBl
Kyle hesitated before speaking. "Your Majesty, given the circumstances, we must consider the possibility that this was no mere accident. The timing, with the Hunting Festival approaching and the recent... tensions within the royal family, it's possible that-"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYZZ4DvGsT
"Speak plainly, Kyle," Hades interrupted, his patience wearing thin.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovcvnJZKHN
"Sire, we must consider the possibility of foul play. Perhaps even... an inside job."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NSjjwhr0T
The King's face darkened at the implication. "You suggest treachery within our own ranks?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGId0rt24O
"I merely present all possibilities, Your Majesty. We must be prepared for any eventuality."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFetBHTvDu2
Hades turned to gaze out the window, his mind racing with the implications of Kyle's words. "Very well. Double the guards on the royal family. I want every member accounted for and protected. And Kyle?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKnOWFYghc
"Yes, Sire?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNiagIH49T
"Investigate discreetly. If there is a traitor in our midst, I want them found and brought to justice. No matter their rank or station."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnTgFpXJSV
King Hades turned back from the window, his face a mask of grief and determination. He cleared his throat, his voice rough with emotion as he addressed Kyle once more.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmI5qXxQWJ
"One more thing, Kyle," he said, his eyes fixed on the portrait of Lady Vespera.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUlS3ZLewZ
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Kyle replied, pausing at the door.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrF4xxS7Uf
"Begin preparations for Lady Vespera's funeral," the King commanded, his voice barely above a whisper. "It should be... befitting of her station and the love she brought to this family. But keep it discreet for now. We don't want to alarm the public or give our enemies any advantage."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJjc6NSnPN
Kyle bowed deeply. "Of course, Sire. I'll see to it personally. Shall I consult with the royal undertaker for the arrangements?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JMkLEBvyS
Hades nodded slowly. "Yes, but ensure absolute discretion. And Kyle... let's wait on announcing Prince Rowan's disappearance. For now, let the kingdom believe both perished in the accident. It may buy us time to find him without interference."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIiYI9LZeg
"A wise precaution, Your Majesty," Kyle agreed. "I'll ensure only our most trusted staff are involved in the preparations."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDT6gcNKtT
As Kyle left to carry out his orders, King Hades sank back into his chair, the weight of his decisions pressing heavily upon him. He stared at the portrait of his wife and son, silently vowing to find Prince Rowan and bring justice to those responsible for this tragedy, no matter the cost.
-Vinar Palace; Arabella's Room-
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNxsOb5X2h
In a dimly lit room within the palace, Princess Arabella, Lord Heron, and Leena huddled together, speaking in hushed tones.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffRkcc0P2v
"How tragic, the disappearance of young Prince Rowan," Princess Arabella said, her voice dripping with false concern. "Such a tender age, only eight years old. It's truly heartbreaking."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7zfzdUFJM
Lord Heron nodded solemnly. "Indeed, Your Highness. The kingdom mourns for Lady Vespera and fears for the prince's safety."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9MCk5oL4s
Leena glanced nervously at the door before whispering, "Are we certain no one suspects our involvement?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9uDSDUkNQ
"Calm yourself, Leena," Arabella hissed. "Everything went according to plan. Lady Vespera's unfortunate 'accident' was flawlessly executed, and the boy is securely hidden away."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK4LTyiHBu
"But for how long?" Leena pressed. "Surely the King will leave no stone unturned in his search."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlWn6F6nC6
Lord Heron's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Let him search. By the time anyone gets close to the truth, it will be too late. Our position in court will be unassailable."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFctSCD3uq
"And what of the child?" Arabella asked, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "How long before he outlives his usefulness?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEdtXJvRyD
"Patience, Your Highness," Lord Heron cautioned. "Prince Rowan is our insurance. As long as he lives, we hold all the cards."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeISbs8HVF5
The trio exchanged knowing glances, their feigned sorrow for the missing prince replaced by cold calculation.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnxWUBF2RB
As they continued to discuss their next moves, Lord Heron's gaze turned to Princess Arabella. He reached out, his fingers gently grasping her hand. With a gallant smile, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSzDCAZjG7
"My dear Arabella," he whispered, his voice filled with affection. "Soon, we shall be married, and our union will secure our positions within the royal court."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fz7ynkpJB
Princess Arabella's eyes sparkled with intrigue, her smile hinting at the power and influence their engagement would bring. "Indeed, my lord," she replied softly. "Together, we shall navigate the complexities of court politics with ease."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjyI1Zbl5P
Leena watched the exchange, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution. She knew that their actions were fraught with danger, but she also understood the potential rewards of their alliance.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnxKiDNnqt
As Lord Heron straightened, his eyes locked with Arabella's, the room seemed to fade away, leaving only the promise of their future together. In the shadows of the palace, their conspiracy deepened, while outside, the kingdom mourned unaware of the treachery in its midst.
-Yuria Palace; Daleyza's Room-
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5noajhCADi
Princess Lilith De Lyria Von Draken Mistglen De Zorathian and Lady Aeliana Emberheart sat in Queen Daleyza Limonizer De Carna Domino's opulent chambers, the air thick with tension. Daleyza paced the room, her earlier composure now completely shattered.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rv27wJaUh
"Daleyza, why do you harbor such hatred for Luxana?" Princess Lilith asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU56yOZlrlm
Daleyza whirled to face them, her eyes blazing. "Because she's the daughter of that wretched Roxana Von Olar Mera Eana Kior! I despise everything about her."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqI2eSontf
Lady Aeliana leaned forward, intrigued. "But surely the child isn't to blame for her mother's actions?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqchD14w1JN
"You don't understand," Daleyza hissed. "I didn't just hate Roxana. I eliminated her. I used Luxana's own nanny to do it. And now, that brat dares to wield the power of the Dragon Flames?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8htV9CP6Dj
Princess Lilith's eyes widened in shock. "You orchestrated Roxana's death?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46UdOonMMX
"Of course I did," Daleyza spat. "And it should have been my Isabella who inherited the Dragon Flames. She's the rightful heir, not that half-breed wench!"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuonWOevnNW
Lady Aeliana exchanged a worried glance with Princess Lilith. "Daleyza, these are dangerous words. If the King were to hear-"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5ppe2RNjt
"The King?" Daleyza laughed bitterly. "Hades is too blinded by his precious Luxana to see the truth. But I'll make him see."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wqWMtMUu2
Princess Lilith leaned forward, her brow furrowed in concern. "Daleyza, we've heard rumors that you've removed Luxana from the Family Registry. Is this true?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfLqCPFldF
Queen Daleyza's eyes flashed with defiance. "Of course it's true. That girl has no place in our family."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIZ2CnQS1U
Lady Aeliana gasped. "But how? Surely the King must have approved such a drastic measure?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKKvAtscMM
Daleyza's lips curled into a smirk. "The King knows nothing of it. I have my ways of... managing such matters discreetly."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZNjpgxBpg
"But the entire kingdom seems to be aware," Princess Lilith pressed. "How is it possible that His Majesty remains in the dark?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhBNfnqfk0
"The King is often... preoccupied," Daleyza replied dismissively. "And I've ensured that those who matter are aware of Luxana's new status. The rest is mere gossip."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6In9T8fBY
Lady Aeliana and Princess Lilith exchanged worried glances, realizing the extent of Daleyza's machinations and the potential consequences of her actions.
-Circus on the east of Elas, Capital of Elmir-
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORlYo3Ahe0
The Circus Joker's voice boomed across the fairgrounds, a twisted fanfare announcing his prize. Beside him, perched precariously on a rickety crate, sat a little girl who seemed plucked from a melancholic fairytale.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhvYt0V9qn
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq50Ymkhpt
Her complexion was porcelain, almost translucent, and framed by a cloud of short, dark curly hair. Her eyes, a haunting shade of blue, were wide and unblinking, giving the impression she saw far more – and far less – than those around her. She wore a light, vintage-style dress with puffed sleeves and a large, slightly askew bow at the collar. Beneath the dress, a darker long-sleeved shirt peeked out. Her legs were crossed delicately, her feet adorned with dark, strapped shoes that seemed too heavy for her small frame.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHvi5vP3dR
Hovering above and around her, as if an extension of her very being, were the phases of the moon, each a ghostly, luminous disc. Delicate blue flowers, connected by equally fragile stems, formed a whimsical arch around her, a stark contrast to the menacing shadows of the circus tents.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aMpRjpUV1
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the Joker roared, his painted grin a terrifying parody of joy. "Tonight, behold the Daughter of the Whisperer! She cries jewels, commands nightmares, and carries the legacy of a broken realm!"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxGc4MO8fE
The crowd gasped and murmured, their eyes fixed on the small figure beside the Joker. The little girl's haunting blue eyes swept across the sea of faces before her, unblinking and eerily calm.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUpUf9qztt
A brave soul in the audience called out, "What can she do?"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnaiPsUX7j
The Joker's laughter echoed through the night air. "Oh, my curious friend, she can do so much more than you can imagine! This child holds the power to haunt souls, to bring your deepest fears to life!"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOLMXv2QaA
He turned to the girl, his voice dropping to a stage whisper. "Show them, my dear. Show them what you can do."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3xBFpd5vI
The little girl's eyes flickered, a spark of something ancient and terrible igniting within them. She raised her small hands, and suddenly, the air around them began to shimmer and distort.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcugqBWwkQF
But the little girl remained still, an unsettling calm radiating from her. When she finally spoke, her voice was a fragile whisper that somehow carried to the farthest corners of the circus grounds.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQQNkGWfs5
"Once upon a time," she said, her eyes fixed on some unseen point in the distance, "there was a man who loved a broken soul. He thought his love could fix her, make her whole again. He was wrong. Broken things only know how to break."
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPSmpJXR9M
As she spoke, the crowd began to shift uneasily. Some clutched their heads, whimpering as if in pain. Others stared blankly ahead, tears streaming down their faces. The phases of the moon above her head seemed to pulse with an otherworldly light, casting strange shadows across the fairgrounds.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllpQ24YGSK
As her words sank into the crowd, a wave of unease spread through them. The carefully constructed illusion of the circus began to crack, replaced by the creeping dread of something far more real, far more terrifying. The Joker watched, his smile faltering just for a moment as he sensed the power emanating from the small figure beside him—a power he could never truly control.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOBgBmBAi3
The Joker cackled with delight. "You see? She brings your nightmares to life! The perfect addition to our little family of freaks and wonders!"
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ19jxwASTH
But even as he reveled in the chaos, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his painted features. For in the girl's eyes, he saw something that made even his twisted heart skip a beat—a darkness that threatened to consume everything, including him. The legacy of the Whisperer and the broken realm of Omeen seemed to pulse within her small frame, a power far beyond the Joker's control or comprehension.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGiRZiSA9l
The Circus Joker's laughter died in his throat as he watched the scene unfold before him. The little girl, her haunting blue eyes now gleaming with an otherworldly light, stood at the center of the chaos she had unleashed.
The crowd's cheers had turned to screams of terror. People clutched their heads, tears streaming down their faces as they battled unseen horrors. The phases of the moon above the girl's head pulsed with an eerie, pulsating glow, casting twisted shadows across the fairgrounds.
"Oh, but don't be fooled by this small frame, my dear spectators!" the Joker called out, his voice wavering slightly. "For this one—this one—she is special. And I intend to break her until she knows it."
He threw her to the ground, the impact sending a dull shock through her frail body. But she made no sound. No cries. No resistance. This wasn't new. Pain was an old friend, one she had known since she was small enough to still believe in kindness.
Memories surged through her mind. Her mother—once beautiful, now a broken soul, twisted and hollowed. The endless lessons, the relentless torture. The chains, the darkness, the words that cut deeper than knives.
"You will be nothing," her mother's voice echoed in her mind, soft and sing-song, full of venom.
"You are nothing."
The Joker circled her, his painted grin now a mask of uncertainty. "Ahhh, how dull," he mused. "No fun at all when they don't break properly. But that's alright." He squatted down, gripping her chin in his fingers. "I know just how to fix that."
With a snap of his fingers, performers surged forward, ropes in their hands. They bound her wrists, dragged her toward the center of the tent. The crowd roared as the circus took its cues from the Joker, performers spinning around her like a storm.
The first lash struck her back, fire streaking across her skin. By the third, she was floating, detached, watching it all happen to someone else.
And then—something cracked inside her.
The lights dimmed, flickering as if caught in the grip of an unseen force. A hush fell over the circus, broken only by the sound of a single woman's scream. Others followed, hands grasping at empty air, eyes wide in horror as unseen figures loomed in their vision.
The ghosts had come. Their mothers.
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mUp6OjQF0
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKafNkEHaY
To be Continued...
ns3.149.253.111da2
and then Add to home screen.