Everything was crumbling around me. Everything. Just like the day I lost everything, I was losing everything again. I could hear the blood-curdling screams, I could smell the stench of blood and I could feel the heavy air of fear. And yet I just stood there with tears in my eyes as I struggled to pull out the infamous Relicia off the wall behind that huge iron gate.

I couldn't scream or yell for help as I saw destruction around me. I know what went wrong. I know why our Kingdom was the magic sealer for all the other powerful Kingdom. And then I saw him and the black shadow around me. I pleaded with my eyes and I saw the distress on his face and tears in his eyes.

And then I felt the pain of sword plunging right through me. 

---

I woke up with a jerk, my palms clutched into a fist.

It took me a moment to recognize my surrounding. I was alive and still in the Sorceress Kingdom. At least she did not give me poison. But my whole body was sore and it felt like all my muscles would rip if I tried to move too much. I got up causing my head to spin.

As the surrounding started setting in there was soft music playing in distant and I tried to call out someone but just like my dream, I had no voice. I tried to clear my throat and everything but no voice came out. The suffocation started building in and I couldn't help but sob. Frustrated and scared I grabbed the bowl next to me and threw it on the ground hoping that someone would listen.

It shattered with a loud noise but no one came.

Just like my dream, I was crying miserably now all alone now. I got down the bed with much difficulty, everything in my body aching badly. Covering my face well I stepped out of the room and was surprised to find that it was night time. If the Kingdom looked beautiful in the day it looked even more stunning at night. Right outside my room was a beautiful garden with flowers of perfect blended fragrance.  The moon was shining brightly and the lake across the garden had fireflies over them that felt like the whole place was shining with stars.

There was a stone pathway over the lake that was not moderately possible. Everything around was fresh and had the scent of life and energy. The faint music made me curious and I started moving in the direction of the sound. As I crossed the lack and another garden filled with roses that glowed in the night I found people going towards the sound of music, the white palace hall lighted up with lanterns floating around the hall.

People noticed me in my outfit that stood out in the crowd dressed for celebration.

And they bowed to me lightly maybe because they knew that I was connected to the renowned to Celest Healer. I bowed back lightly not sure how to react in this situation.

"I can guide you to the palace if you need." A female approached me with a smile.

"May I know where the Healer is ?" I asked the important question first because I can't walk around more in so much pain.

"He is in inside for the celebration and dinner." She said and I noticed she was batting her eyelashes at me.

She can't even see me but my reputation as an apprentice to Healer was giving her false hope.

"Oh, okay. I would rather rest. "  I said moving a bit away from her.

"If that's what you want, I can assist you back to the room." She offered coming closer and holding my hand.

 I felt awkward and immediately moved back, "I will find my own way, thank you for your kindness."

She nodded looking a little disheartened and left.

I sighed in relief as she went away. But a thought struck my mind, I completely forgot about the dinner Sorceress invited Bretrarum to. I needed to get in see how the things were going and how much of a sweet talker Dark Prince was.

But I can't walk in as the apprentice because then both he and his admirer will be on alert.

As if my luck was being generous to me today I saw a group of dancers going in. They were dressed in flimsy clothing much to my distaste but had a veil covering half their faces which was good enough for me to enter.

I followed them discreetly and grabbing a chance I stole extra clothing for the dancers and hid my garb I came in which was enchanted by the Prince to give me a male aura. Our Kingdom had several of these dancing performances so I knew the routine by heart. I just hoped that it was not different here in the Kingdom. I felt slightly exposed to the clothing that was made of thin fabric. My waist and shoulder were bare and the neckline was lower for my level of comfort. But I have been fooled enough by every Kingdom, I needed to see if these two were plotting something together.

As I entered the hall with the dancers, I spotted the Sorceress first and on her left was a seat occupied by none other than the Dark Prince who was smiling with joy and held a drink in his hand. I have never seen him this carefree around me. Or maybe it was the drink.

The Sorceresses bend closer to him and whispered something in his ear to which he gave a smirk. I felt my stomach recoil in anger. The dance routine began and I sighed in relief as this was a familiar dance and I followed effortlessly. The men gathered ogled the dancers while some simply drank and enjoyed the music.

I felt like crawling in the ground due to my inappropriate clothing but I couldn't leave just yet. I needed to see how close Sorceress and Dark Prince was and were I fool to trust him again. But a few seconds later Dark Prince got up and came down to where we were dancing. I avoided looking at him or even in his direction now because the veil was not that thick. 

And next moment everything stopped, just stopped. Everyone gathered there stopped but the time was moving because the wind and fireflies did, the lanterns were still afloat.

But the Dark Prince took a large step and came next to me. Almost angrily he gripped my upper arm causing me to wince due to the ache already persistent in my body.

"What the hell are you doing here?"He asked in a very angry tone.

Had I not known him for so long, I would have trembled in fear under his gaze.

But how did he know? 

"Why? Was I suppose to lie unconscious and not know about your schemes with the Sorceress. You must enjoy doing this, mocking the helpless Princess who has no one left on her side." I spat out angrily.

His tight gripped loosened on my arms.

"How do you even know it's me?" I asked keeping in mind not to make the same mistake again.

"I can read your Qi Energy anywhere and-." He said and I waited for him to complete feeling a complete fool for not thinking about the powers of the Dark Prince."- and your scars."

I realized the magnitude of his power now. He just manipulated the whole gathering to come to a stop while he can sense my aura. His head hung in shame as he mentioned my scars.

"Let me take you back to your room, your attire," He coughed awkwardly, "is not appropriate." For some reason, he looked flustered.

I felt my whole body heat up under his gaze with sheer embarrassment.

He took off his grey overcoat and put it on me, "Don't dare put your life in danger again."

Before I could move, he lifted me up in his arms and I gasped loudly. No pain or anything followed but when I opened my eyes I was back in the room.

"Stay here. I will be back soon. And drink the tonic I made for you. It will help you regain strength." He instructed.

But before he could leave, jealousy got better of me, "You seem really carefree and comfortable with the Sorceress Prince, don't assume that the poison showed you some feelings and I will be a fall to trust you again. I might be delusional for the moment but don't think for a second you can break me again."

 I made it clear even though it seemed unnecessary for someone like him.

He sighed and glared at me like I said something wrong.

"Princess, do you need to poison me with the same parasite and see what happens?"

But I was speechless at his question and he left me feeling slightly guilty at my outburst. It was partially his fault that I had such trust issues. I still had scars all over me to remind me of the tortures.

---

And the drama unfolds. Prince is still here for a week and a lot might happen.

But why do you think is Prince get chummy with Sorceress? 

The poison is cured, so atleast these two can get closer ;)

NEXT UPDATE: MONDAY