"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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbRqHmHp2s
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuwDLTGhOk
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHcrPAfQzB
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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..."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw81uxxcaqx
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHpsvKsFHV
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBE9M6ZNsW
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"I'm fine," I said.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMbUs3zVWX
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqti36uibw
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEm1AdA2jhN
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnNey04Pk3
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5AWV2utQV
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D6o70vWDk
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30bb0BuMvg
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1pWJpu2oQ
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa3tBSrRc3
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"It's really nice," I commented.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5PGfpoKC5
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs71JvDUHma
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAxDLCL1DK
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYTvIq96oI
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFreI4pKRK7
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0P2Qiyghq
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHnNEP84WX
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr0eRPOztl
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxgcclCuUj
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cwGEW4sKk
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡligR2ecsw2
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrhjTjut56
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4guMkXbpme
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hoHTsrHB7
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xy4FaNfis
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUX6bAm8IL
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"What is it?" I asked.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadYO5oLx0q
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEhktOJIbp
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicwi3Qj7Yn
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySFINyHzjh
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuZ0vbkJWW
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fnZ0VwCyF
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXGWQn3WaG
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlb8ubN8lA
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqWpBOf5Ro
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRgNSzOW9a
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWiDqVXgL4
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnAciWlxmy
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2K1Ni3YoD
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t0lWPkGVI
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8faE97564M
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5XwZtcniN
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5UQQDgsPB
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLT2fpRTvq
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf4ErWI3ko
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLTQkxblyd
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ossD3rChV
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ72LFNa9T
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4CEpqL3AC
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr4Q47NEZA
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkbV2xmP1P
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mL0WrpdCi
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2qn2jTMri
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDdQLHWR7t
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznMS7rk7Ua
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDbFq0hpEN
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6egL9NCiOx
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgXRH2vesw
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQVHb6riQL
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3h4GIZ5FM
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw6Iwn9qRt
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhwiMSAFW4
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt7M6Q2GDh
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdKasQOmes
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSl98W93Q8
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYUvgdJiXW
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HgyVQjn0U
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdqkbo9wWQ
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ7aI8ix9M
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLii3gfN5rf
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2ymJAE9sg
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhed7BrUdH
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRaHBmem6X
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQjo5rRJai
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4YaRtS1aw
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAVPvxUuaA
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0ZqUaxUwC
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXZAjlRUv1
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDqA8dMsOL
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9yr9UhQI8
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"Ask me something else, then."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe5Hh89uoo
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"Who are you?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5e0i6i0uQ
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxX5ZaIczW
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulxVYwiIQA
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBpfLwzxBh
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSIxM8Sgvj
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WwCp2JWe8
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"How do you know my name?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yTJEhu3RZ
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2slAJWPPn
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOMw48U1mB
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zhzRyQKdy
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwMDNeI4Vz
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VSGSsTXoP
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6lmXGQOqp
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtq8SiOKhy
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbRCaXBWtV
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz2CJrR5Dn
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uPPsv77MP
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu803QJocF6
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcbwxzL9jC
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX30XqsAwY
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"What are you going to do to me?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxbNZzapS9
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwIIJ0F6Td
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvcRWE9W99
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydsqs9bAMX
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4eOSZvOoY
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7b1EJFKOt
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJeH31IwWw
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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:421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5pUrmLNd6
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The birds.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyPrWCmDFV
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhjE6n6FgG
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP2PdHgKDQ
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrTYIgbZmU
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"I beg to differ."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUgR3kN13M
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QnbjMBGdJ
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfmou7jgjd
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8tsAVeJTK
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuOwvhd83G
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTj8QJ7yTL
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ke06SRVN2
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK221rTBiG
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDPliQuw4h
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb1ruE2pCY
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT74qONyIOr
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcTAvB5huk
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsqrPNtIRj
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrJDsBJnZn
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxCcfliEML
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I winced. "She can do that?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL68Rz5LQdA
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvKvsQYSzV
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7prjqVc70
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyIak6SW1c
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeCcjoUChh
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR5q5p3Ecm
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C6JlL107P
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdJzKVlSQ2
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yhJT4bCOL
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWcPzjTdIY
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXB11fZddv
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ErHgnEUgB
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zXXxdybhI
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMThIchR21
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEThvhvsLus
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUc1VUZ3i3
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh76ySnNK7Z
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7vRPoscwv
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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?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdRamvgfLG
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUvZLTLYdX
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT5JGPWqY3
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjU4rCRBgC
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d1KyMjGqM
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEKLNAYWL8
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLdm3znepu
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e5lghn6JD
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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?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMR5thlgg0
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7ad81konQ
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR3hwEwwoM
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcu3MlVVeU
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwc2WiBYAJ
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLlMGFQz3J
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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?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnFuY0piIt
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimnO4Golaf
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv00AHEDkI
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCex4ahQhNy
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzZxJfbSBN
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELzkloWwq5
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiJCwl8Uur
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SjcvBCDNT
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxRDR5cMP6
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xrm7RlTwt
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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-?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4CokLjZXU
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58Kjix6wtc
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJTeBwo9aF
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsvKb5sAnH
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcERxXZY8bl
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxjnWXl0OK
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZkZ0gwhSR
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9J63jBU2i
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLEDUPPHqO
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02VsI5ONSC
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWItfiisY5
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBYRJYZrF5
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MNF4yOBMK
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59jxbJ65wD
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtIZcH7pRE
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOhrk14haT
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEq9Mo2Y7X
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v8oTwEqT5
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfvYkkWrwb
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvFEQSs470
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrIjirQJvr
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqWzBxMJgy
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYTIQb1fl9
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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?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAsK1zkrM4
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTrIHOA68o
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsyucozdLj
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOiAoDsEW8
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo7q3Z94WR
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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?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMikhKK7EK7
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEva6b3KYr
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwvbhZoJSv
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6xGw1yG25
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3fanicuPt
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVIUEg6q1X
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmTRZyn9Fb
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceqYHFgVCq
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoUggOgMzI
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtUboqgkN7
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9tc2ErJRK
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh5PEpxeMf
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGulbsNWDq
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnJrVxx0q4
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeE2rMDl1O
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v4ZotSYqo
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTO67OeIOO
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNA7PWPAqO
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilxicz1a97
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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?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iObkPvLCf
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"Did you summon them?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZLPnatCxQ
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa9Ws3RFqW
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnCtqF30Li
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF1xLpPXH3
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpArumqTvVm
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0XGzXLYTc
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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."421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBIVvBwyOw
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4aMY61Bb8
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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?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemfYI2XKy8
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ8TkGsK6E
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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.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02NNxhb4Gn
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.8964 copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkrsA7Vg9Z 維尼

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