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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD5Su76fRQ
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQQDu8w3qk
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvOcg6Q0mX
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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..."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPDXu1p3Cx
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMarOSCQQG
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xgnGnipZz
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"I'm fine," I said.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRaLtG50OX
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq14m4GMeT8
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGorqqvurIb
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozi5aQEkrx
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmxFF2bpUu
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIt8H10V9v
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNLtYn39BQ
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cn2j6X8TC
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDexHNzI0I
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"It's really nice," I commented.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1kalwqEJI
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp32DkcUibx
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtw2tXpnHO
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoP4kU4ygU
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Axx5qypJg
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPbdcevpya
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT1EjX2j8Z
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpppBkrJxP
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAzz1l5bt6
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8Ut2nO8zl
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggQrfapxei
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp40JMotT5v
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEN4QWiZye
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZFqVaN41y
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFwSFxgvne
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C5fewChbL
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"What is it?" I asked.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsSiMxpguh
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9MJEj3s4J
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGWD5uvUAs
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12948TU4UD
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RLfmQub1y
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ggwYqYVXQ
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ty4YdfTkN
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1UxRUBc0C
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pDnIYk01s
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMUzuUmI6a
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Zb4NilGB
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh1jlMvDh0
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pILyM2a8n
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMikNJkzwdf
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjlTThB3FK
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPNNwLyKMJ
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NPVxAx07L
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNN7O4MNOu
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbYYR56k7h
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF9UPZPpbC
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5C2tPe70C
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltwxrpUPDx
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNdrJKXPq6
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tbcmEq8Lt
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TlKvYE3lz
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTU9FuqZIP
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8wLNHGGve
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlF3xZGdVx
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcQce0JJ5p
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2jPDQuRBJ
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqepnSsVFQ
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogNiqeit4p
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlkiOx0Css
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa89bnAEgv
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8wv9fX2eQ
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qo7tL5mWP
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDgG1IIFl1
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYaom0gdDg
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOK3t8Wa1x
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XqqwRIDxy
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQRfpJz1qf
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxenx3rExX
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29byHi0QxI
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4abJdTDRo
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1On7DG1pxr
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu4VO1vYoQ
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoP4fsf2vr
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjYsK95CJl
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfaUYKipjv
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnGPEhjPZR
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6gCP1sQOo
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoSWb6O164
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5vUEVx1vJ
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDER6je98vs
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYYSPE9z7r
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQysgMcGyfz
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh56HNVl2w1
"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkEWTK6gfd
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgzN8vafsV
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"Ask me something else, then."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjbJbTkezz
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuzdJUdvZP
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"Who are you?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmDd3XSKnw
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX4xJH9LHf
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSr6TvqYGF
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiARsBU23Q
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaKRa6jRHz
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XSv0n1EBn
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GVIJlhBlA
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNnV8NQjz4
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikddxw5o6R
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"How do you know my name?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctnlhFNsw3
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTyWaaVx40
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCB2x2cHw0
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisQUHLCZmf
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONfbt9p3LE
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6EsaRwC5p
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vdzg5jdjR
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx3BcsL0dY
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij0tZVcpI2
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI6rR3Acih
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb40ueR4Qs
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgsEvpVu1i
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4WELcXpHw
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfREqHTyHJ
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"What are you going to do to me?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3MVeNYvKR
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwnlu42y57
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElRI6BB0NG
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GFY3gHtRK
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrde5VZdH1C
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuufwqcpeQg
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrKUP4otl0
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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:396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7feeK2XRNq
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpd4XGvvBz
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The birds.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlj62cR3Mo
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz72bDmzPD
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4n39Uzk7x
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5DEwb3PEm
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSvRidcgsb
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"I beg to differ."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKdSDXh7YL
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr87tBDEk4e
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5io8CvRdTg
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZARk1hpsB
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxpAlNo2tL
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHQGUaxUgS
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF7XcGsuY6
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sjEE4RMvx
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSnfUsXKcs
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY81IDWoQ8
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlrey3u8Du
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS709zmACN0
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d9uM2U0Zb
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP3rwnYsLo
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRIAwsvmL9
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I winced. "She can do that?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarTKx86Dze
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJqmxSN1Lu
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fENo8kOP7
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VdQKHkWDN
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXcWkclF3m
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Ifn0XqIA
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSSf0fTDBd
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks7xmZMXE0
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K9vIqB2hd
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkhiMpyi0V
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaBHG2aP8u
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNGMKpiAl9
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4TsHHnScN
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo67pqeEkkl
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DB5Ju9D0R
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswJoC1uezV
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcT4a5PjNy
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XwRkKN4KU
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIQkX3Hgx0
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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?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbc2KooUxl
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX7bjVxTg9
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrHBWaw63Z
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJOMXdorzv
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1J9lqikws
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBH51k5beY
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqhfoxwCXf
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbIsJxIoUu
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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?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXAViW3QgD
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo6Nt5tHw2
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmouJZ2wq2
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6NHi2JTpr
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsFch3bTZ5
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6FhOzfJrq
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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?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7GYZT22hz
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6CzB1Cl40
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze63vsRovP
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ppkIEr0sx
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vsQSz0gYu
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lgJhadlsF
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi53ZnirbC
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeWs8ujgni
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQSjAg5CmR
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPfhylnPRZ
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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-?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwjYI8feVe
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWusf1rodns
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMEHqVyiF1
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4COJz6IJJB
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF69JlIBU2
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdeyRHC8Cn
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUCKquZkX0
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQd3v1kLcA
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtzrvz5yYz
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMA0i5NRnV
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7jzqaVwpy
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOgO0OvqO5
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tDdf314bX
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdVdqZA9Fb
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooLCkvIeOm
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U1FdG9L80
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8VV8fha4M
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabR33RTJEG
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUkywQO3cl
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Pzs2AZEc
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjFI3uMcq8
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf41L2uqD3A
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt8W4Eg7Cn
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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?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rgYV4C4DZ
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhJa2XzQs4
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEqybAmRPj
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMIW0t8KcU
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡineB4Iu8Yl
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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?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTLQKQEARE
396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmPaGV9kqL
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryRThV7jOz
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJTGtw7ZwO
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZH6xKPypK
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul9TLUDmGC
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ196raWCexu
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLTGNJjj7x
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeAOh6JB1z
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0sirG9Ybi
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIaUVuEk1H
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH829HivLM
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrkOGYbbBJ
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡochdqwR4a2
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapQkewIuVI
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOWNh0ti7M
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQRZGJA7GC
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2FjdJXbeN
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1NVbKsgWX
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2o0kRZ0Id
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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?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQnu1HusHp
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"Did you summon them?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49AMyXG0im
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17D7nZM5Dl
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmybHeSqbSW
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax4owLm4rt
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfmAYYFoZq
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjlIot2B1F
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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."396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAJLOzuCYh
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb4L1BDZEZ
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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?396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfPQhOcZIZ
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhF4BYP1gy
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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.396Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARCAD6oomn
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.8964 copyright protection392ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXRktlrNUJ 維尼

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