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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbonuMmcGjg
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10gtcRPOPi
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI24odvljr
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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..."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwKmoggtCN
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fOQ4l1NZ0
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNgQvOo7k0
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"I'm fine," I said.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPEGygTYRO
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnfL424HOb
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZOQNB2GXK
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFqUAeFDdc
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcf3MIlgUB
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYkKsMQAvo
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLYPxZqH3n
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a23fxn3O0
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3Ufdligr3
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"It's really nice," I commented.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuze8HqjpI7
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPIzs98cQk
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXQHyWHFFz
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wcY686UkA
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHrXXQuS3Z
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w4sdYmsac
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwPwwaKWVP
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPqhjXfyKr
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorIWMQlza3
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLSWuMnHLe
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfmEygaiST
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBt1vjdOtz
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboC5fD7ALD
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwIQjBPFGx
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR28acOzMal
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSCcxlC5gW
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"What is it?" I asked.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLvtatzaTO
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCjdBzrXfy
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3y16FMFPi
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBz7BQwNvs
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AxEvKDlC4
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWGbr4uHQK
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCim48Q6sEz
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXutcnfro9U
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAFDfCit8t
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55m8fSc86a
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi2sqJhPW4
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjalPcQW4a
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9yfV7SnDo
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsxhnEF1LI
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2MgB6j3NL
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1GvV3fXvb
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOtuDQUCSs
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZakhpYo31
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zr8Ql934Y
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybhv9wI9x3
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhqvhKFQFZ
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfSmgu8EWY
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDp1VZjE87
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nbwg0l0qq
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPZ9nzwIWx
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba3XHYKPgI
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0YBFH9up0
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04pv3WT2MJ
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj96QIplUqM
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe7ly0jmHM
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfKkgK9VdD
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamtUPkxBB9
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kkQompz1x
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKOJLtEpaJ
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzrlypgeNC
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ms7Dy7yIx
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlTlyy2CYN
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6edUB4T24
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfcSUNf7Bm
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc3tM6cziS
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o27I6OXBA
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8W0QMVdfm
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0k3zPF774
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN0hT7W3TP
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxOd3TTIeZ
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBrTWMnZgh
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwuam0hRpG
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zVYc4MZQ2
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40ik9n3zCn
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKsIJJ7GXk
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTo4akaisy
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPtV5DY9Kh
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J33edu9m1
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbrdFWzpjs
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"Ask me something else, then."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab3J9TP1YP
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"Who are you?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGNqV4gVvt
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwtl1kaSl3
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB3ihQLrmO
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33yuY4EMYb
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvlqy9V14j
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPaKM7Aik9
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"How do you know my name?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUy2ykbG8o
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhUVPM2H2i
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lWfnaykMC
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4qrHvhxk2
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tczqADfvE
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMWjXBhq5H
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7FS9wyVHE
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaplS7diSS
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxflP9yOqbw
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRir8TTr16h
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr4t22nbM9
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2jxxcl02Y
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡushDOdOvHe
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWknetpRB5U
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"What are you going to do to me?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG02KmdZRN
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYHbn7Tr4c
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PdwFOqGX4
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGmd8Hzau9
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVbbphl7Nx
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVl2KBT0p7
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4KTuNOkY5
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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:321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWxsdxLAoc
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The birds.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFDDS8Q82T
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqt20qqbgB
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmpdnFQxYj
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eNz40Pv6K
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"I beg to differ."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37iNB9lc36
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa48eZgmCSE
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY24U5IBUi
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq2DXPLnZO
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjS8aHVBEn
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSKtB6dm1P
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5WHiw5Sfk
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CuL1Dw5s7
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfckIUbfzTv
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYQjDnt4uL
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1zON8wp4p
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QZ3cfR9vF
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNUXzDxzPs
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAwEsTjepP
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9S6NuojUV
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I winced. "She can do that?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0VAaO2UUS
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevR4DnsUPe
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4jdeAKtb7
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3t0ELkUZf
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGbsHTS093
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96ESzWZQuG
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVWRtP6F9r
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrhIOyh6VI
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ1fxTPIYu
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxoUD8ySUX
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIFUNCxYqn
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltI37hAxOw
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvsLJhf1cC
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYp5tVHpcT
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KXmsOtzmU
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnvJTC6Vrj
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3lf07jMPT
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgv3CFuFsG
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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?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eYY46Gnym
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRmCOrzRMM
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChajVzJhyp
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZiWVDdmB3
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpc69lmsZB
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZApH75FBR
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn98O5nICD
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMKQohugdW
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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?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU94z50KJg
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLs0fBUD38
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OyT68o64Y
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm2Mg7Arwh
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYiXmcvNMd
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEkwXYQV0I
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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?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11d6HDqLZd
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoaU9ys0pv
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8kq0kDdqO
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFsj1vSsDm
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkqxiAwfjo
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAdgdkkVF4
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj2LJvwVej
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kU49ZaOkZ
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYetafRiVX
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwJHw8snF8
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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-?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Vxy3OfBa
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvI0C3aq0E
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOt0uASZUl
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduPw9zvPFJ
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBfpQbPrjc
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQnFAB4XIw
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjjhEk4f90
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGiCJAoYlu
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ343BDmm5lY
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaRf8HL9ws
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRut20jKPd
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qUtFhzZGR
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvDj2hjW2U
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi5TwGf74d
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBEJKPp3DS
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vijw6mQh7
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOSE9mc6Bj
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF2TP9GoEg
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE3v5Gkpla
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcZjeVGUVT
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsFeia4geK
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZIoKR16Mx
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcXz3w461k
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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?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPR4VglqE9
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIQWKMPkoV
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewtpYgjKHp
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopZ2rlsjxN
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7LbM8enTj
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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?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsMR4RmXUm
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdTFBzTTEd
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfVOLmuf0X
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRQLMQEyYz
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUQE5j3IgQ
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEewlqr0Gc
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS3O0P4YPU
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIpZwLi89g
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gPZnfdkco
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ug43uCF8V
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1v57sfyPK
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPmwmaZshS
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K4LfvF7xO
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Oe5kWk1m
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQxrWxjcBb
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyzo0CK4CW
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3bfh6axiH
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ385HvyAn8u
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4Gjf2cVko
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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?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b4mjmWkpp
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"Did you summon them?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuI02zcIt6
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnErqxn3GI
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GyegnjBQd
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nEtuuakhd
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKaBztwaen
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTi12BPahz
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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."321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyGlnSMFRZ
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy6PQapyNw
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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?321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQWYpxrQBh
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9Lxx0shHC
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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.321Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvnDErqLoq
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mxBcIkX9W 維尼

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