"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8zyuUvom7
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjgOcvJdK8
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfePhWyj8O
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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..."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTjrfMzknC
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PYinVPaOf
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59BuUWpffT
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"I'm fine," I said.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh15XPDRanp
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNrHJZK18W
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiAjQ5qxPc
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D2txNwiPB
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVRBG4JjBx
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDhLj4EHft
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzzhGLGBBz
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTZ2Xbzqyn
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd082BpMbZf
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"It's really nice," I commented.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2RZzif1E7
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZCUoOdsvE
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4htEXjjaA
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9MtfiGikZ
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgWz0IQ4qf
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0EBCi7Po1
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdycdWgHbE
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXVQ3Q5dua
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdHFKCAz16
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgkit3KrWQ
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAQj7jHRA1
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfAAYwJHXv
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4wa7o3QEx
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNraFJv9Z7C
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbX7dIJRR63
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoBSDlsdlP
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"What is it?" I asked.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjKQ55DfvM
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW3Q4ovPgX
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEEioyTqfE
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIElCf8wWw
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUtxB0SJfW
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ8qqKCh0P
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AnyjnpSFI
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNxEamcPGs
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYx8K6NaFk
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUBIN9Yvli
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn3tmpDhA5
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78PEQfftGS
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9BBocQTwy
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7veqflLxY
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvIFcSiGl6
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSptJjYJaZu
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIp7NWIHeD
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXIcAod8vv
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoZ9WoQwT1
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnSyN4RmZd
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAycyAJybNL
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg4eGt0pGY
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipOkhctcco
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PLjrmouWE
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrZ1W5cc1P
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkFtUeFju6
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcLCRjjLgi
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS07laws5cO
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEefkKvdkKb
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S4fPJjOVl
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Y5q0wK3En
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaJoZ3qsfD
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTplzc6ITwO
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGftxM5mL6e
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V66o1nxhz
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemZ3xiDTXx
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4Y6y4JtuU
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc97mjFSuv
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmygNqXP0EC
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZIHGu4yfR
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qp2kIo6Nd
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwHrqU8wIq
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXIefPCNG7
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgAy22kY7b
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KG7pfYXei
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFm0KtYfNa
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtldHPprEuW
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3pDvmLGtL
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6lWWFMZbu
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIATrKVja6
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DgupsE9Ky
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR644JFZnoO
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7hSnKecdE
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVJjyPFEJg
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"Ask me something else, then."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwpBlMMH7W
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"Who are you?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofL3JjoYsX
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qJu8E7Vbf
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0QMzG2atH
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCKymuA9CY
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtRQxCE8b8
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhErqwhkVt
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"How do you know my name?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHaJ7RZdLz
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOL1DAkZQe
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOfar0d8XC
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYS1aSReM2
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjplKa4Xvo2
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQerGjNr4L3
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvRORm9vCX
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS8nJ4WoSk
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDJFQnRH6B
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbFNqKvTwF
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s1cc1OkYF
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bBT1u9vxu
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FkeMBezPI
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRQxHfKfnl
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"What are you going to do to me?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtNgfi4ryx
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkk2WD22wZ
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsD7p5hmBL
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ECVxwJWps
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuQoU4QUt3
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyu1UMrJc5
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQnXmT4SOV
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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:622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVDkWPHONF
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The birds.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESE6b4Azvl
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZMY69KIGt
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58m4Vyn72H
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dii6JqUQ4
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"I beg to differ."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinCWNTpmzM
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7j2A6Ntp6
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG6l2Y3m8D
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykFegEqQog
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl0E5LMdCc
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OvrbrZ0Lc
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnSsS1KBDy
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfoGrFoVa6
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKZeDpUhNV
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwELbpcltaG
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xz5qPblVg
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlTDpMv7fd
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2IRngimKd
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhvFsOoSoy
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJTlD3EIOO
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I winced. "She can do that?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6DwSmXpQh
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz7j9EzjqF
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunyESjHJld
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwv3Q7jNaR
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3oerosvD3
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIR6LjElD0
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OiHslWtzd
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdBEUNJxTQ
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF7G6lfUpd
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4KxCJKlIm
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM0hYiJT5H
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31MBULpcpD
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwghgLhuutA
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqWoEzidyK
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbAw7K14KF
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6yTCGWmnI
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL6JYBG1qt
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisuPRYK9wI
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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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6XAkWUbmJ
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclKlRB5yZA
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkUJovuaGk
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ8Lx0Hktu
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6TjFnRvs3
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTnZHGRLXU
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYXpNK5UdI
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10y4734ZKD
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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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg6iCdrD4o
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx5xpeWUzL
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzfO68d75c
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX5804yxrV
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGuqbMkif2
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1vIl0JGGs
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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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhcyNSRBmj
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlXUQPCDfL
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOngVffZrw
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rXxavxjiH
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWrlmQJnNL
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrDqEvhZx5
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCugW8R9il
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNIAkZVWql
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgJqfmXGer
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX18EZ5UJT
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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-?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeak27v5qvN
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92m67WTXgN
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAX2d7vLE7
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NeKJfBFsd
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYcfaEAFlu
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHs5wxa6x2
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqcl3D6saf
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QTRXMiCTT
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbwt3OFgFB
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFabSB459n0
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZXr0XuNAt
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h7xRoNVbU
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP0SPgYvnd
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnDEQeYMBW
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucHHcAhrVY
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsputBhxGmC
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZLWkX6ZUj
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABkGQdEpbR
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl1JYzdQHL
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8xQyctgVW
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5LJqBFZTJ
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNbo6aQvX7
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeAEt0dC2X
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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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4it7R6kVm
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsM6JF5yWe
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtnJ5z394d
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJsYoPgTmF
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQA1yxNx6W
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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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LypibtuZz
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo9tjbEFzo
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnkj5Uy32R
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63ehR3oCEZ
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YqAcZr8tm
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa12H8I0UOu
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yyikuEOc1
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtQJ6IcYqb
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM8oTzZcRa
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1WNmBr2Tv
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIGTcwFpEJ
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuFYr2IQKU
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlpWA1FCo0
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndD18i9a9N
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf5vJbPCPE
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILOaQS4F7x
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOKtavBubk
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pVz0TlxtL
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdDV9IfBl2
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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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjX2uCnn4F
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"Did you summon them?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gUMqT2EGi
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KDltoQUJM
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu6QcyXZcm
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrR4pOJCWu
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WGBC1MXgj
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFXu3fgtTm
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm6W2xS7HD
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sGM2dlmhD
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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?622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMd8cDkWFj
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws25kFxbJx
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwURjDQ7Xkg
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.1234 copyright protection618ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07m7vDypsl 尼

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