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"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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoJvsW28ld
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ykqHMYsEv
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aCMP9Tyw0
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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..."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8dlzvufPR
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ71daMJrw
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9Wi9cqOsr
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"I'm fine," I said.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCFy9fyZrH
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBcRi3PAlU
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4hqghlwBD
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9eO8bJH6E
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck1OshE4o5
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO33plizs4
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBNLDpJe0g
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD28eX7kD8Y
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkHNVvWiSJ
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"It's really nice," I commented.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSps8pp8y8
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bsH1FtMmi
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPZf1eVBOq
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDQ7LjSDLx
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5pARIrKqw
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08wkFwqIE1
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws0JwrG8CI
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrCUYnIdvN
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgQK8nmnn2
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzOOfOVO15
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquUrujbm4x
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypdbD4IaXe
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARhQ3ht1pW
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSoQbrHAD0
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHidxOTmdIO
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WIRfnRXho
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"What is it?" I asked.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dMAaOveS9
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds1jx07YKQ
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcPQCPbJ2y
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiMT4Ir1jr
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgMw3IO6jq
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WeAbp3EEI
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NqreggqtP
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCJ4A8HGfY
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FdJKuFxNn
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHs9DYfraA
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpT6O0Ycon
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9UcXqPhHu
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgU5KGN6Tu
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GB3sQjyEt
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEhOBm68MZ
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifFXxDlRcS
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcYu1UHQqK
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0y4ZzlnUZ
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66W44Bnm6m
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIEY0MaBYC
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK8rLOabGX
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnBU4qPRCE
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxiLFxqTrq
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1fql1gIhI
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4BtBkLbM9
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpKPzHQFl0
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu2MxH5ucA
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmANswHyMw2
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid4y7Z86qG
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLrwbZajVb
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFJ1gj14dq
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0fdkFmCJH
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd1l1KIBhf
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGODSHBhjU
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nh1OpL7e6
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK1MqhAhGk
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVccdxQpaS
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwiQIBeYsb
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2IjQwOzj4
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu423A7nCM
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJByOJcSUK1
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hRWpbu7YR
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpBVxGlJ8e
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ33wmxiWlb
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFsMW3LAZs
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDi3t4mWBa
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfiS7cAbpL
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROTLwgtHG4
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN3kAx8kYP
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NVxHUUNdO
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7xarTcMBo
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEyqemLS2T
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UhpZUTu6h
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wLrIFk2ib
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"Ask me something else, then."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDpKwNS26g
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"Who are you?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8wPGgAzv4
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9wYL1Xwse
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRCQEfb9Pu
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoAorNP4Np
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I1RlUURHn
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCwozzUu13
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"How do you know my name?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FPIgV44Jp
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozXva0UfDc
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDpjTlF1C4
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddqFMQmEtH
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHxSZgFPDc
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6EqWKCJVh
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSHucObKCY
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwoCjVBraf
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYjhkiV9PC
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvcCBMECkY
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRPmADHYPG
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9yuweSQQZ
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UpjGeJUhr
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zYbv6qV52
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"What are you going to do to me?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1iWWJfic1
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcyUqmdTSt
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlbmUvqrml
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4yVQ13Mr3
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGq9HrNeFu
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVdZBlReUa
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmDiFuguQx
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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:375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpBk8mdIMb
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The birds.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCHjpboyI4
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yGnkBjEiX
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqNGJy4Xch
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LCThhBkNo
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"I beg to differ."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWQZ9mtjcG
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZWdhqJV0I
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mM8hCXBU5
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZb8a7NrvV
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwwHqRLxdt
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJqVOccjob
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYZdfWmiv8
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qIOKJKtBm
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dmv75NPCq
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh3NCRSmu5
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi8wpslyBy
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86b44qao2P
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1AZrFelpl
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pnqdkvRW7
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZny4Y8YYhX
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I winced. "She can do that?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJyjCMsTo8
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdPonHVcTZ
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt3jRChX3D
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxPYvMvvyS
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoauu5MFnN
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1BSBvqCXE
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y2IvWzPAv
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPMetjxfuY
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZjb0NN5GE
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbRGpNBFiK
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaR0r3iAhZ
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGGZBb3wD5
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCSu0UYS46
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MSSQjjWpC
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTrZ9PbUIT
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP0n6VvpaH
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn13XxdfB2B
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP1Iq4qINn
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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?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKPwNZxzMY
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XIMPEvPQ3
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDtKjB3RNI
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph2rwQvARw
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tQ0EeOJVT
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vrdeQxrmI
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIebCTFTVr
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI0NzIyisC
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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?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIycMfkQvTj
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPPJwZxUxC
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRWECxVR6o
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdoRNQkjTu
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8Oluqe5K2
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbfndrJeLs
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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?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEPiWJDLAX
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GR4tpuxEU
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXmcfA3DEm
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gpJAtargL
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclYEQhL1Jf
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjbaEO9wCg
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeYablHZ7y
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBH7M4L0Ua
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oldO3VHP4
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdAdXrQhBr
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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-?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeRubUFUXB
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C99oSWDpB
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxex0Cx4gqd
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8pIwCPUA5
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBkaZdpnpl
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU8fxPlcKE
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3PBwmFoEo
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNjtipTS6E
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGem5kgT2QJ
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwMsFTb1lV
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoFH1oLbCo
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxz8SOAbpm
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXQkTdZSpw
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvH8eMf98T
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHVZiEiRVA
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst6YcbV7nv
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwEkjBC47X
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZS9gPoGkB
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bN762NgGE
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe02Wz0TF7
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoToDskhZS
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDakC5bMSP
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8qtogfd4U
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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?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ISNsDpWs2
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dc8TYnZzz
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2CtIUjjIv
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqdvNMTtcH
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLxPzpt2Du
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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?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv6foriHEW
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNFvgsef2G
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKKG0RyNGV
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfLz8L2Gx8
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlSzAE7DLP
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM0qV9XJr8
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcpfQrbTe7
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHkSZxlD3h
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9p3B2fyyp
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdAOgRUTOY
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkJ7iEWIrq
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObTVNhAEL8
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOWfYhYLbB
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HRdNTOLro
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh2bsgk4HA
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3fOMbzXqt
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnaI1WCzSL
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvREW1P86wr
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWzr0FPgZ0
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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?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wgu0UWxZW
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"Did you summon them?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQZeXiwnof
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRSxl5XdTx
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjdJFDUvea
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkItL28GcA
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZULn9QPlH
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kQDOkaDTE
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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."375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSwAQJi1Z9
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3owGsX05Ln
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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?375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCs02vZs8v
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZlggOXeJ8
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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.375Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdHVYY8EFQ
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.8964 copyright protection371ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLMvwCHSxs 維尼

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