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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJZBIFlqeH
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ6Q0iqEHw
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToJhg1KGOR
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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..."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOCgz6St2N
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZslcZAm9c
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ydNIendWn
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"I'm fine," I said.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdCkuCij1G
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She held out her hand for me to hold on to as I got out of bed.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskqmf8hHD2
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"There's a bathroom here?" I asked as I stared at the door.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxWrs59slS
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"Looks like you were in a hurry to get out instead of looking around you in detail yesterday," Ariana teased.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglpwhZX3hr
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg9JkjpNUe
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"Don't worry," Ariana said as she closed the door behind me. "I'll be nice and gentle."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkjtH4NuFA
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"I doubt that," I muttered to myself as I approach the huge bucket. I sure hope so.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6amGyOqQYf
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOmHmGpWZv
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjdzy0Fl6u
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"It's really nice," I commented.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2DBhT2GKh
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"I know, right," Ariana couldn't help but giggle. "It really brings out your lovely skin colour."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw4uGWuVS7
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF90ppipkJw
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYPUtBK8TN
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9T5AXAEJq
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"Breakfast is served," the young nurse announced. "We'll bring your medicine for you to take before you leave."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3SvYUhk2g
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She quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4Y1bgAcWR
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"You better eat up," said Ariana.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKd6i6eF9J
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10L7A8tqSd
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"You have to," said Ariana as she came up behind me. "It will heal your inner muscles."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNAQogDVRz
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPRTqat9Uo
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ocw6KuyuH
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhDE4CXToh
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"Aren't you coming with?" Ariana called out to me.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAWVAgnnmL
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1OXMeJrKw
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSPydYWlyY
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"What is it?" I asked.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3poRCuNCSk
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW73Gs2cIcd
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4Ny51oGNq
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANXlvx4nzw
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"We better get going," she said. "We don’t want to be late."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEHkwibDHP
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbFCvXnTRc
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8a1ZGyQC3
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2KWD6DUOC
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The nurse chuckled. "Sorry about that. Just a few more of these and you’ll be better in no time."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXvolABk96
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"I beg to differ." I furrowed my eyebrows.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUQFjMMquo
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"Time is of the essence," Ariana called out to me.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBJsYpQzzw
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRsnp35kYY
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Just as I am about to get in the carriage, I stop in my tracks to look at Ariana.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDyel8rTBd
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"Weren’t Ryan and Stella supposed to be here to escort me?" I asked her.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZZLC28sjA
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"They’ll meet us along the way," she answered.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT4A5vxE63
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFb526icNn
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"Aren’t we going in?" Ariana asked. "You don’t want to be late."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBMrC7rJUW
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjuRuisyZi
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"Are you okay?" Ariana asked as she held my shoulder.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AhngwG3oG
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"My knee hurts," I said. "That’s all."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUitm85P7aR
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"We can check you out later. Right now, we've to go."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJDm2W6cuT
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I looked at Ariana with an eyebrow raised and she looked back at me. She shrugged her shoulders.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH8sQ4rV30
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"What is it?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me all weird?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYUdm0Je6U
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"I wonder who's weird," I answered. "You or me?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgirUe3HMN
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She shook her head as she chuckled. "What do you mean?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8OUC754EC
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I held her shoulder and brought her closer so that I could whisper in her ear.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuFE3JsetJ
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"You aren't Ariana, are you?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbIW3wWfbo
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8At5VRixd
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"Well, I didn’t see this coming," said Ariana. "Get in the carriage!"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxfiKHAXm3
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"Let go of me, you..., whoever you are!" I exclaimed as I tried to pull away.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ6N1hDCu0
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBpqp0jncI
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAPeX9LqsN
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"You little brat! Don’t let me drag you in there by force!"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLRKuc22FG
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"Who are you? And what did you do to Ariana?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo0cLQF0sL
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpamdr5BOL3
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJQl4F44So
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBXDiSo92v
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"For a brat, you really have a hard head!" she commented.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMCukt82iB
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I got up and started to make a run for it, passing the white carriage.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS3XtrsLNc
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"Hey, stop!" she called out to me.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGLbv5Diri
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hhIPSm2SN
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRfakofy9G
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"Hey, I said stop!" came the imposter behind me.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAby3EHJ9X
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXWkf3Dw91
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToQtg1BuVd
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQEjVMt8bs
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezagNuyM9k
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct5dYjbW4H
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"Ah, you’ve a fighting spirit, don’t you?" she asked. "Like expected, you’re quite a surprise."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRrVI6SzB3
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaiQ23vLeb
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"In your injured state, you can’t get away from me that easily," said the imposter.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyMez2Yk6n
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"Who are you?" I asked. I tried moving, but I felt stuck, like a huge invisible hand had held me.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcApOiVq1n
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"Not tired of asking the same question, huh?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveoOMK1qF2
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"I can ask a bunch of questions if you would like."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ6ozc2Km9
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"Ask me something else, then."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdIMF8nc9O
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"Who are you?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCfKuB1ueu
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The imposter playfully scoffed. "You’re stubborn, aren’t you?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVsCLDiZlh
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"If you aren’t going to tell me who you are, then yes."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGuUOVREI0
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The imposter raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I’ll tell you. But prepare to be amazed."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWoFWc40DR
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MKKL9zKan
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"My names are Lord Simon Vandell. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Diana."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD0ZnQkf5h
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"How do you know my name?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjLJSUL8Hs
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhuZbLacAJ
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"It’s always good to know someone’s name, especially if they’re interesting. And you, Diana, are beyond interesting."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKBIIGnh8V
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Now he’s freaking me out. "What did you do to Ariana? Where is she?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjstJ4FDxe
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"She’s fine. No harm done." This time he smiled with his hands behind his back.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWunuT2dSP
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"And those guards at the gate? Did you kill them?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUuwGTf8B1
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Lord Vandell chuckled. "To kill them will be silly, my dear. They’re my own people after all."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqV5gxyIcs
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I raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you leave them unconscious?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7J7QmWiRP
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"To get to you. I was just simply breaching security, you see."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA9R7oIOFk
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My eyes went wide with realisation. "You’re not supposed to be."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUubUhcre3X
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"Especially on this side of the castle, yes."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr34kfyfNSW
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AGtUl8yUC
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdidq8buMt3
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGawSxN9HJ
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"What are you going to do to me?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGJ7AbzmkD
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Lord Vandell sighed. "Nothing, really. I just want to get to know you better."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTViwvDX3pQ
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJq5RHRNFf
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE9GnP0ZQo
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXmxLjif8M
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"You can’t take me with you," I said to him as he came closer.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02I0Y08e4o
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFYGSA9k9r
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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:377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbkcwP0lkL
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The birds.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9pObAI3qw
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW5V4BMLZj
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEzRmrJV1A
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"You should stop doing that," said Lord Vandell. "You aren't going to get away."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uYPWifPuL
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"I beg to differ."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbv7p6kbaI
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EjPvC7Xhq
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"What is this?" Lord Vandell asked, surprised to see such a sight.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6HS3RcfaK
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He turned to look at me and he didn't look the least bit happy. I looked back at him.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiCpRVL7lH
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"You did this, didn't you?" he asked.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidt5CmK5M5
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"And if I didn't?" I asked. "I'm just as surprised as you are."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jk8Y2YW9X
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UT3scZTG2
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx8jamd5Sk
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BUjh832nN
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGAQO1Mzkf
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"I should be thanking you," I said. "I thought you weren't going to hear me."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9qMSceFms
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzahgurvqz
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr6YiXpiue
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"Ariana, are you okay?" I asked when she came close. This time I’m sure she’s the real Ariana.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYD0i3sr0q
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9HymgumgM
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I winced. "She can do that?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBWNJP2qkY
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"When she gets mad, yes. I’m just glad you’re okay."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRqreevwaG
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F6AavyYDd
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQOhNg6HTF
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"Her Highness won’t be happy about this," said Ariana. "The others will also kill me that this happened."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SN3rmb7ma
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2ivc5KSDw
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjOjp1zbsS
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDudKwnwfBP
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"I don’t want to fight you, Lord Vandell," said Ariana. "Let’s talk."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6rQGZ6sgJ
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"Careful, Ariana," I said. "He might not listen and try to attack."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsDeIZkdSB
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtp247nF9a
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dSGM4HPOr
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9bWYfVz5Z
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzYYpgviGB
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Lord Vandell smiled at me. "You really are full of surprises. It's why I needed to test you."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZfpF1VpBP
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I gave him a look of disapproval. Just how many tests am I supposed to go through in this place?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXkzIIxh6T
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"You weren't allowed here in the first place, Lord Vandell," said Ariana.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqU3wuZjcH
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0ErbTkTIn
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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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOTiBlQqSq
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY98mvSSmW
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"That's for Her Highness to answer," came Ryan's voice behind me.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKserlpf79
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIlQdbBxgn
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"Ryan, Stella," Lord Vandell didn't sound happy.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHoOkj6kF1
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"Causing trouble as usual, aren't you?" said Stella. "What were you planning to do to Diana?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd36ZOUMDr
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"I bet he was going to experiment on me or something," I said.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJROjveUy6Q
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9c8uGeDMC
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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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwIv2tnbE4
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pT6aPiNwp
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"People talk," said Ariana. "But they don't know who she is and what she can do."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LGL5lPage
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"I don't need people's opinions when I already know what happened in the maze," said Lord Vandell.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4HxrdMZ4C
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iePKKfGMh
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"Sneaky as always," said Ryan. "Nothing ever goes past you, huh?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ukz7kzSeC
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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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bRRDdOaer
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What is he saying? Is there something about me that even I am not aware of?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFWtrQ2bn9
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUlV0fi3yf
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrOkSvcN74
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSVpz9T3Vp
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"But she can stay with you? Aren’t you the ones keeping her hostage?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqZNgmhhzm
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"She’s injured, you idiot," said Ryan.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFzgJZxiJ0
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ju0zFTslR
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"And we’re making up for it by taking care of her," said Ariana.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKRxLRdcGX
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"Are you really?" Lord Vandell asked.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7jgX4p4VC
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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-?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUgik9ITzj
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC3iNlbxFa
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uuDkVoAZI
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"Unhand me, you fool!" Lord Vandell demanded. "You can’t do this to me. Do you know who I am?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW2qHeNI3z
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZP9GZNibC
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"Come on, Diana," said Stella.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWrMaUug0b
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"You aren’t going anywhere with her!" Lord Vandell yelled. I quickly looked away.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWz3nYvUA4
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"Oh, shut your mouth!" Ariana said to him. "For a Lord you sure are a handful."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchsiaLCuHm
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ931g1ngrmP
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8akXXNVzz
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"Looks like we might have to cancel your lessons, Diana," she said, without looking at me.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcHuKdt8dv
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"Why?" I asked. It’s like she read my mind. Well…, part of it.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcVc75wO3n
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"Because this happened it’s only a matter of time before people start showing up here to demand answers."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9sOff9kly
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"What do you mean? Are you referring to everyone on the island or people just like Lord Vandell?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9DrkFw6Tb
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Stella managed to chuckle. "I think you already know the answer to that."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoidz6zE8u1
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTTziQ0RRC
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UWNytvoqx
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"Her Highness will not be happy about this," said Ariana. She sounded worried.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwkCySuIv1
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pnl5AlqT1
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEo2S1FaAz
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISYHIZyJ4Y
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS4HJz6807
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"You’re special, Diana," Stella finally answered.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDylRHmDAz
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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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hUgdqaVQw
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"You’re right. This place is filled with people with special abilities, but none aren’t as special as yours."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdIsB8PfeB
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnZfYNu2f7
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TgdvgWNpU
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHOqwdgxJh
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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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkuyF6qbJ8
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"Maybe not, but that doesn’t make me special. It just makes me lucky."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y5fuuDz6R
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKAmOnPcUs
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nPBPCZsv7
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7vAATWDRr
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfId8cvMDo
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"You’re leaving me alone?" I asked. "What if another person like Lord Vandall comes to get me again?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9erzW3gdM
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"We’ll be extra cautious from now on," Ariana answered. "So if you don’t mind, please go back inside."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk35zgz25RB
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYM21eQ2B2
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkMWlsKevn
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4WJyqOZF8
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I gave them a nod. I guess I won’t be starting my training today until all this is sorted.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf4E17DRI0
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRsNvOMoPy
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm9kx7rcxQ
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudgXasNla1
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I managed to smile at Bob as I approached him. "You couldn’t have come at a better time."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fsTwBPhB6
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"Before we start, you better get patched up."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1DAz0sB4r
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"That’s what I want to do," I stopped in front of him.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjezuG6KmlW
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"I would also like to know about the birds." Bob looked on at me.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ9ABsslV9
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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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzw8QYyGqy
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"Did you summon them?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKVP53m7fF
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I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqCkwgXt5W
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOz8fnAlKL
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W3HRPqaE2
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"And what if I did?" I folded my arms which ached like hell, but I tried not to show it.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6om844OdJt
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95LfRLM4OK
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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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRFTMbyQtt
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavTI6n9RUF
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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?377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2FHEd0UFY
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"Come on, Diana," said the nurse as she came to stand beside me to place her hand on my shoulder.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz8QsajUpl
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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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJue0e1fRXZ
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It’s then that I realised that the excitement of starting my training today, had suddenly dissipated.8964 copyright protection373ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpEM6qml2r 維尼

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