"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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe1Ozv0zy9
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNAuVhCsg7
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPojHbxSGV5
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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..."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSEi29wkwv
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwZEuuVbcq
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuzUUdavQt
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"I'm fine," I said.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRTeRqpmd1
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTudNeJ8VhC
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfWRrTxKvJ
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa4fX1QtNz
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YiYmLj7BI
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibQI6gugcC
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK9KjBIyrO
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ony9OW6hM
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQJnCiLE0J
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"It's really nice," I commented.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wdsTrjDGf
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2yxQ5iZFm
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNuW8MbvRD
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDyNziEYUe
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7Qks6cvNN
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlHPms1Hzn
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYWl4thm6v
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ywCWNfhWw
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRNJVvoKQ1
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcLjNHWrwm
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQQcP3NvH1
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDQC5Jrj3n
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewCCKSFIHM
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkLYoVAjQa
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1AyjKmE7N
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvpguvYpo7
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"What is it?" I asked.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiE9pRlLkN
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdLnOTgrGr
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTUiZGs1dW
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuKNtsR1Yz
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4PbxIJvU4
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCMUCIhFub
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJPeeEzNFk
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1St2V931y
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M35ZXkge1
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATLh7XHWE1
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxcXGVJGS5
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH6QTF5wJE
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVhGeEmMHj
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3fVfElmNU
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRkPnASAyb
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn48Ox1Kx5
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtYNvlvGNc
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmBXDzBvrx
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADcmIBNxC5
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgaS9RqDnm
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXFaXeT4iv
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlsNj9bxTG
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdFhVuq3Hm
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDHryBwAIn
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vPJUH7HnK
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvBd1rSBfo
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8SwMkwHhB
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnU6yQZ6Io
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMEgR9Bhrm
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQjFdQGuJL
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJzBAJKKHo
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cm5EQsSqc
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NiApQnNxt
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNWN1yif0f
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavByqZ2cz1
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSiGqhC7PK
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW2KK3BizK
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qGkSnFOP3
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q4jA4RWru
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VjlR4nU3K
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPgjrZzCuu
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceUCoKtKGm
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNqMCg6ILk
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8PxL2habz
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TPE2tbRQs
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ocalEiOT
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwzLaMuv6R
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLVu8QcARS
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDoaLiK38o
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89ZJIDeEUQ
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSZdTGskWi
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNBjOf4RGV
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ079YTHFKZ0
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oaiDi7uys
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"Ask me something else, then."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNra4ymcybw
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"Who are you?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndJM5Utrq5
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20lsRdibRK
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSv5tnX0sJ
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMKdpiqGHy
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpBpPZFZuf
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI60c3OPIsH
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"How do you know my name?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy62FgqHLG
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC7MNxDdzy
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yq9fAyqkP
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrzuYiKJrR
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9enLQvC9N
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVPkQSDKG1
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1TEXcC3U0
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xPf7tZ7F9
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCjiezqY23
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytdIuiGUIZ
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR5BtX5RKS
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRRmkSvgkU
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjB6iEpw9K
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZepfopKS2
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"What are you going to do to me?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg4MeSz5zG
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCOfGHJFFc
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlThyUuSwJ
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeZ7aPbYzi
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpOG7Gi3oT
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjfIaKLsGc
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c21KLgMZ5
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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:317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPlms7Bgf8
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The birds.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsnfpSEYxa
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrbWmE4s68
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxXzZCaqmP
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v41CEdu9Y
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"I beg to differ."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqkiMqap4l
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFleBucdGa
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8drdUPwPd
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKBYTp07ys
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhWSfK0HY3
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q4IZdmDrx
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiOaIs4Vwa
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGTNfwijEy
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHytYjpfNc
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0IemlBqti
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rluyEBdUa
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6uYKfhkuF
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaT0lyNUrF
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchEEamDVRL
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCbGHrjFJN
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I winced. "She can do that?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17KMtdDAzn
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu5qCOwYjp
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpltMa2uN4S
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgZupHzx3x
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLqI1K5mXw
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NKC9i3ESw
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTODdH3j2t3
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcA05AEwun
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjR5Y6NTPu
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLUuEitY08
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnsxc1Je4N
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZDzk4hvG8
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuabr1CIFh
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliRAYkjxng
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYnsd64x9v
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHT9zc6NlK
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iRgqXLtkZ
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEy9QJPSAx
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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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFygIYA13TP
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbwbrKR72z
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFoM8llY76
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MNrgOtkAE
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkkePzS90B
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlCLwHBNhy
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5tFNaYhQO
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAE81ermS0
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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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJulyxYXPjq
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPvD48OqIP
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hwq67w2Oj
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQD0Xa3ghn
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb12zrfUDNt
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlmy3HqKHK
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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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBIupIp9ha
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0aDRT0TIA
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd6sdXWIeR
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwd3wpLQbg
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9A1y8a73V
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcq3LFEaJ2
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyIoIb3By6
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYenwjRjknr
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChwNjm4IJH
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8BZIxwyFr
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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-?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWeRS9ROeD
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gQgE1Idej
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOhkLTEOmo
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u9okxC21A
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV12GYz8VF8
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHshKxVmk2i
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1VBpzHWzV
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0fl8VDNku
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty8hAD9BeP
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfYymPXV5Q
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHh10kH8jY
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkyMgF7cuv
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V0XeY8sri
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo42Rw8c4ts
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3I2JVmSQW
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXcQJgz79b
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWZxU8aYZk
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNwsyNd783
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoCOqEi4Zu
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3ATASqyso
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WWKXJhmtP
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yrd2Nckra
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTb1byKfFF
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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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WB5BpAmEz
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijEbI8fDq0
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtb32sRnp2
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28zYCU4Jkr
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb28MGJXV6
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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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmglnUurkqU
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUSIz4MZSo
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYMtMdRLPB
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwOFMfzrOL
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAsKVH0dhp
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuzCU7CjF5
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbbW1pCtCq
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oArslUP7U
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX7iFkkuNU
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFhBLFGRAF
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt4RhbiOvr
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnFjkhNKU6
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE4rP1zO5W
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfFG4etCE4
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyVTbXu6ij
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NhCtKNzff
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgizVwK3Y6I
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5HoAmcvjJ
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJoLzfh9wX
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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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uz9w0YPAh
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"Did you summon them?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmVt5uoIDO
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RTBslMm5h
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHT2T8ErGa
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o02BAqLIj
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7mPiq4hwf
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aQMnTruBp
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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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCAY1ydG1O
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9Yb5MtvQA
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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?317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HNLwJdbhi
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe66dHSBht
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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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTSNihwhpc
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.8964 copyright protection313ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHKEkIPAnq 維尼

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