"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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgjSGkDyx1
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OlcT8DF3M
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFiSZLLA93
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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..."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACbpqvd61z
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbVxFV3Cp4
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9sP3gFhH1
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"I'm fine," I said.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EXepVwhSR
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN308DFCRcz
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleiZGAVnED
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTCh409gcp
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaWOkmQSJs
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWs0kRoyoY
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhFhrEZ6WA
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1GURcWAmf
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyAm4Chwv7
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"It's really nice," I commented.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT4XUyxFcP
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrbDdhsYeb
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0WyX9Up8r
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DaugfQENT
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfApdSsEmF
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmtfDuowEC
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz8Dkjanph
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUjmESYCiK
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR0qZJfaIt
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mjn8MJHuJ
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ7mqfWG8D
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q7d8Wem6v
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoMyjAh7cW
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdsddDh312
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkUN7PfB6L
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcOwY6uSVI
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"What is it?" I asked.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOxGBLLnVj
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ1a6NW13y
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xJeAVJ95U
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrzUz0Yhdd
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHT3zrYKtp
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U39waKoS6
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MKYa5ENZn
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarITG0DOq9
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTnHsHXw6C
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRzKLFWAOW
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPGdAoAp5D
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrYzokRSVa
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk5GYZNSGM
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k53rRw6Rz
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39rd3OhMVd
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yk4CPQkGP
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7sgvVExCf
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKiFqvDWDv
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMyZp4vRss
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGagJ5c1XBY
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5KQoQXKgz
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCeRVbrNjC
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEtUkTtArB
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6GOEyB524
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yGLZRRXW8
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWb37nKB7N
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LihpQa1AS
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VqjVTMHyE
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ41h6C4qc
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudSzVLR72E
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZhUgOWS0N
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgSigOgXvJ
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRyjd06naC
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ55vkypIj
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmtwxhywAH
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAU3k7xdl3
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3d6P2kSFP
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQUAuXmOQN
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdNCTJMrVw
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoPSZDFquy
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55axUrSgaz
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3WWA0djHl
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCzLeeVarU
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04HkvMtVnn
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGolUkfY3uD
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYoT2SSIaT
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6voBIkpJs
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HNEusB5lD
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZLXoNqjG3
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY65BA4HsD
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL73XJItz4
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzFxI8f0ZN
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5CLfeQPL0
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2QyzPoDTa
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"Ask me something else, then."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtreaZSz4QO
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"Who are you?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaHbInju9A
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPS2usOsRl
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5Fvs02KyX
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf98bgiP2R
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurzQEfIoSI
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24PvUuL8Qh
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"How do you know my name?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8hwgz1oxS
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgjHTJJGoe
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03vMs5ZOep
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4xHDUlZME
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWqk9sMQbm
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq5fCT5JRc
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShZv3CWgqK
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl98bxuV8u
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaozwwdaHw
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8Xm18GnU1
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNQNroKMlm
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPKH7o2RK8
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCje95qjHUI
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzPEUDf3Kq
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"What are you going to do to me?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuZxdoCgxd
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp35g8p7iol
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsf7fJ3Hd7
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw4gnF0Cn2
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCFe23ZOQq
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rFoXDEhoI
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjTbUi40pX
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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:358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmbGUlSXS3
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The birds.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7IM9LpviB
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvS32BEvDY
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXHAnRIjzp
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNapMObaLAb
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"I beg to differ."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCFBpsSKkf
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOez57cnCH
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiVh3d0M65
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHqtmDG9as
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv00ltKf6L
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNwgCWhfW6
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUHgqIjafp
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqogQ0agry5
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HQi9xiBxc
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySEUKCBrqk
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNApUkGlB4
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfZs7CnXIT
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7DxDf43ZG
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjkqekq3BN
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVXFfTZGnE
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I winced. "She can do that?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzHTQxxw5l
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp2DiCo6Ns
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyADhfVDei
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamGNeXb76W
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxVCqtpVKX
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysf9XtUkuj
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjdK5R9ltT
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKL3uojtYD
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuloVq6azZ2
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e6HHh7gT6
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXZVgtmCJz
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZTStUnXhI
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdB2bylNAZ
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnMnP3XXC0
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7hATV3ycO
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH0tnTgI4E
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGykVZdvvJ
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m1W8hMuJE
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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?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PTL6kA0fj
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcaYU3vJGe
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHRpvWkAAz
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalx5NN9uva
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw7tzQ2mJW
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6oJ9bCQ5r
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RSaFmSPhT
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaK9ZQOV8c
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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?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa5fyuC7I3
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2skOqM509
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRhwPLZTQm
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdndEPO6B4
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5Pezf1XWJ
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHDnzdhQNf
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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?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySVqinmZbZ
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9la0jXQt8
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF5ql7iqTS
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnZYS5UuKn
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXe5iMYWbu
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80aPP8gh3M
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrvpITM52r
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XCiqn03mr
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGfuw5OKlM
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxlZ9Ro0MU
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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-?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG14B9upWlB
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1cYZe4RHI
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbJwpEgEe9
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEX3nMNbj8
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU0ssYkRM6
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ414nwMG0
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbZZXumRPW
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDAhoAx7Go
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5O2FwxsNb
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcPQPxKkXS
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnxJGzUns8
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAiWgWHpE6
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhIrjouU0C
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajOhQt6Lw1
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUPUgfsXxU
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZcTRd2jgX
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx3iOYnvou
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtikUAg5cuZ
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kxz5lgKM9
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg3TB251Nb
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre934z2nOl
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwLXYg6q7T
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z3l4C2ldc
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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?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfgnSEYAF4
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVJ4Sq8OvF
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXMiNV7Nqo
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DDpcXsLD3
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzgasuWbHA
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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?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOeXviwNrU
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuUreIjJqt
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyBxF8WXLk
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLHUBBUlKB
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwVURX63jc
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwrgQdNl3A
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bDd4ioUVt
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw0QHuDn1D
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vkJ4EDk6Q
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwnAQWflAj
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoegzZSvjJb
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquNXtE943U
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb4ZyM3Dmy
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWodWLf49c
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZhpi1OLw4
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfa6ApXUZl
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Js5dG6Nw0
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E8Tmrp4sM
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f4DclW8ff
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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?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YaxGjjBi3
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"Did you summon them?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9m8KdDy7K
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4lIpV7a5C
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dQTumhSol
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkBMS6KQ5s
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS5zC5wrr7
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsoyfMsAyt
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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."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRlMBvgxFb
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIlBqvpBi3
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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?358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21zUvaJnD3
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BKnwgHRfT
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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.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X61ew9cku
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.8964 copyright protection354ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i9Us8jjMY 維尼

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