Hi there! I'm sorry for the late update. I was busy with moving back to my country and many stuffs. Plus it's really difficult to get internet connection in my country :(

Thank you for the reviews in the last chapter. Hope you like this one too :)

Chapter 11

It was an old house with only two rooms, a bedroom and a kitchen. All furniture was old but dustless as she cleaned it every day. In fact she doesn't have any important thing to do besides cleaning and selling vegetables from the small yard she has behind house. And taking care of a knight.

In the bedroom, lying unconsciously on bed was the knight. She had found the knight during her way back from forest twenty years ago. She was surprised to find the knight unconsciously in the forest. She decided to help the knight. But the knight never woke from the unconsciousness since then.

She was getting old but she couldn't abandon the knight. It seemed the knight was under a strong spell. She had no magic so she couldn't break it. She only wished someone would come and find the knight before she dies.

She sat on the bed and touched the knight's hand. It was warm. "Good morning. Did you have good sleep?" She smiled taking bowl filled with warm water and cloth. "I didn't have one actually. My back hurt again." She started to clean the knight's body. "But don't worry it happens every day now." She chuckled. She loved to talk to the knight. "This morning everyone in the market was talking about the Prince's birthday party. Yes, last night there was ball in castle.

"I don't know but lately it seems there are many parties there. Too many parties, don't you think? And I just heard rumor about tax increasing." She rolled eyes continuing, "It's expensive now and the King wants more from us." She sighed. "Everything changes lately."

She stopped for a brief moment. "Oh yeah, there's another news, or is it rumor?" she tilted head, "anyway the Evil Queen has returned." She turned when she noticed a slight move of the knight's eyes. "Do you know her?" There was no reaction. Perhaps just her imagination, she thought. "I don't really care actually, her or the presence King. Nobody cares about poor people like us. But you don't need to worry. As long as my field can grow vegetables, we'll still have something to eat."

She had finished cleaning the knight. She put dress back and took the knight's hand. "Now you look fresh. I'll prepare dinner now." She pushed body up and took the bowl. "Ouch, my back."

Kai was looking at her glowing bracelet. He was confused. "Is that…Did I make it?"

"Yes, you. If it's me, the bracelet would hurt me, but it didn't."

"But…how? How in the world could I…" Kai reached for the bracelet. Soon as his hand made contact, a strong energy ran through him. His eyes glowed blue. Then he saw images.

...

A blast of wind hit his face. Purple cloud coiled up.

A portal was opened.

A woman was standing in front of the opened portal. The hard blowing wind ruffled her long glowing dress. But once again he didn't recognize her.

"Come here," the woman said. She held a hand out. "Come with me. In the new world nobody will hurt you."

"How do I know?" the Queen said. "You've lied to me before."

The woman lowered her hand and said, "I'd never betray you. I love you like my own."

"But you let them hurt my sister," the Queen said in anger.

"Come with me Ray. I promise you there will be no more pain. I will give you a new life. If you stay here they will hurt you, like they did to your sister."

"I need revenge."

"No, Ray," the woman said. "Revenge will only bring pain and regret. It will just hurt you more and more."

"How am I supposed to do!? It always hunts me, pain and regret!" The Queen sheared tear. "I couldn't forgive myself."

"That's why I'm asking you to come with me. I will give you a new life, new memory. You won't feel the pain anymore. The memory will be your past, buried forever."

"Really? I won't feel pain anymore."

"Yes, my dear. No more pain. I promise you."

The Queen took a step and walked toward the woman. The woman held a hand out. "Come with me."

Kai felt something changing. The Queen suddenly let out a laugh. "Never!" And raised both hands. Blue lights hit the woman's chest and she fell into the portal.

"No!"

The woman disappeared and the portal closed.

"Well done dear, well done." Saeko walked out of green smoke. Her lips curled up. "You made a perfect decision."

"I've done what you say," the Queen said.

"I keep my word dearie. Now let's get your revenge started."

Both disappeared in blue and green cloud.

...

There was fireplace. Another image. The orange flame flickered in the silent room. From the mirror on wall he saw the Queen's face. She looked different that he almost didn't recognize her. Black eyeshadow masked her warm gaze; made a mysterious feature. Crimson lipstick gave a mature and sexiness. She was a different person.

"Your Highness." A man in black armor walked into the room. She kept looking into the mirror. "Did you find them?"

"They are in the other castle," the man said. "We are waiting for your command."

"Not yet." The Queen lifted her chin. "I want them to feel fear and anxiety."

Kai felt a chill as she smiled.

"Our aims are to root out those idiots and take this land into my hand."

"Yes, Your Highness," the man said. He looked hesitant when continued, "There's something I need to tell."

She knitted her brows. "What is it?"

"I heard there is a knight coming to the land," the man said.

It made the Queen's brows grow closer. "A knight?" She turned to the man. "Where is he coming from?"

"I don't know. But the knight is looking for Your Highness."

"Looking for me?"

"Yes, Your Highness. But I don't know if the knight is a friend or enemy."

"Then what are you doing here?"

The man quickly straightened up. "Yes, Your Highness." He then hurried out.

"A knight." The Queen looked back into the mirror. Her lips curled up.

In the next moment Kai was inside castle. The Queen was walking hurriedly through long corridor. Roar of soldiers was heard from outside. Suddenly Kai felt chill from fear. He somehow realized the situation. Asahi and Hinata were right, he thought.

War.

A dozen of guards stormed up toward her. The Queen raised her glowing hands toward them. They got blasted by her magic. She wiped away rain of arrows from archers like sending away flies. Now everyone had chosen to save their lives. As Kai thought nobody could stop her, a knight stepped into her way. He couldn't see the knight's face as it was hidden behind mask.

"It's enough."

"We meet again," the Queen said.

"Something I never wished for actually."

The Queen rolled eyes. "Now I see. You are an enemy."

"Just like I told you before, I'm under nobody order," the knight said. "But I can't let you destroy this Kingdom, and yourself. Don't let your anguish destroy you."

The Queen let out a dry laugh. She said, "My anguish destroys me? You know nothing about me or my anguish. My anguish will destroy everything, every people in this land. Now get away."

"Sorry but I can't let you," the knight said.

"You leave me with no choice." The Queen lifted a hand, ready to attack the knight. She threw hand out. A glowing line ran toward the knight but then vanished. The Queen held both hands out attacking. Nothing happened.

Kai was confused as well.

"You can't do that to me," the knight said.

The Queen bent her fingers. She was trying to strangle the knight. Again, the knight was standing still. "What the hell?"

"You cannot use magic to me, just telling you now."

It got the Queen confused. "Do you have power?" The knight stepped closer- Kai bet the knight was smiling behind the mask –and said, "Yes, I do. Absorbing magic is my power."

"I never heard such power," the Queen said.

"But it does exist." The Queen sent a fireball but it vanished as it touched the knight's armor. "You can try everything but useless."

The Queen clenched her jaw. She was insulted. "So you mean you're stronger than me?"

"I didn't say that," the knight said. "But I don't mind you put it that way."

Kai felt her anger rushed up. She said, "I get it. You can dismiss my magic." She stepped toward the knight. "But I wonder if you can handle this." She then popped out before the knight and grabbed his armor.

The next moment they were in the forest. The knight released himself. "You're wasting time. You can't harm me with your magic."

"Who says I want to harm you," she said. With a snap the mask was removed. Kai saw long brown hair fell over the armor but a cloth covered half of the face. The Queen took the knight's face. "What are you doing?" the knight said, confused.

"My present for you."

Kai was surprised when the Queen leaned to kiss the knight. The knight tried to pull away but was late.

Kai watched as the knight fell on the forest ground. The Queen squatted down and trailed hand over the knight's face. "Enjoy your sleep dear." For a moment she just starred at the unconscious knight. "I don't need a knight in shining armor," she mocked, "or anybody else."

The Queen snapped her finger and the next moment she was back in the castle. Kai could only watch as she attacked King's army as she made her way toward main hall where the King and Queen were sitting anxiously.

"Ray." The King was trembling with fear. "Please forgive me."

"Did you spare mercy to my sister?" the Queen said. "Let me see it." She put hands on waist and continued, "Oh, you didn't. What a poor girl."

"Please." The King fell to his knees, begging.

"It's too late." She raised hand. Her eyes glowed red with anger.

Kai didn't want to watch the scene. 'Enough!'

Kai jumped back. His hand was hurt by the heat from the bracelet. "I saw…"

"What did you see?"

"Your past," Kai said and looked up at her. "You killed many people."

"They were trying to kill me. I just defended myself."

"Still you're murderer." When the Queen avoided his gaze, he regretted his word. "I don't mean that…"

"It's alright," she said. "Honestly I didn't really remember it. I remembered going to the castle to give one or two lessons to the King but after that I didn't remember anything. I suppose my power took control of me." She looked down at the bracelet.

Kai reached for her hand and held it. "Maybe you have the right. They hurt you."

"You didn't hate me? Like you say, I'm a murderer."

"I don't have the right to judge you." He took her other hand. She surprised him by planting a kiss on his lips.

"Thank you."

Kai smiled shyly. "Now I remember something. Have you…ever…" he tilted head a little. "…kissed someone before?"

"No."

"You're lying."

"No, I didn't."

"You kissed a knight before."

"Really? I didn't remember that."

"Yes, you did. When you attacked the castle, a knight tried to stop you and you kissed him."

"Right." She finally remembered. "That knight. I couldn't beat him so I cast a curse on him."

"By kissing him?" Kai said and she nodded. "It's a curse?" Another nod from her. "You killed him?"

"It's a sleeping curse. So he's just sleeping, forever though."

"He'd never wake up?"

"Who cares about him?" she said. "Honestly, I thought you're him when we first met. You have same eyes and I feel something familiar. But it's impossible, you're not him."

"I'm certainly not a knight," Kai said. She encircled arm around his neck caressing his cheek. She said, "You're a lost boy."

"Sounds cool." Kai grinned. "By the way, who's that woman? She's trying to get you into a portal." He caught slight change in her eyes.

"Fairy godmother," she said. "She wants me to come with her to new world, I guess your world, but I refused to go."

Kai said, "She's lied to you." She nodded. "Has she returned yet?"

"I never heard about her since then. I don't care anyway."

"It means she's still in my world. A fairy godmother," Kai said in amazement. "I wonder if she still can use magic."

"I have no clue. Let's talk about something else, about us."

"Us? Like…?"

"Like," she stepped closer, "why did you kiss me?"

Kai gulped. "Oh, it's just…just…I don't know…"

"I see," she said with disappointment.

Kai held her waist before she could move away. "I'll tell the truth." He took deep breath saying, "I like you."

Kai smiled as the Queen leaned to take his lips.

In the palace, King Sarukawa was sitting in his throne. A hand was supporting his head while he tapped fingers over armrest. "What should I do? I'm gonna die. It's just matter of time before she comes back to me."

Saeko was standing by window, sipping her beverage. "Do you forget that you have the greatest witch? I am insulted."

He sighed. "I didn't say that."

"Then what are you mourning for?"

"The prophecy," he said. "Now she has that boy. It means he will soon break the curse. He will free her. And that is what I'm mourning for."

Saeko sipped her beverage silently.

Sarukawa sighed in frustration. "Do something." He rose from his throne. "You say the bracelet is the key to control her. She would lose her power."

"It is. And she will," she said calmly. "The more she uses her power," she raised a hand, "the more powerful I become."

Prince Katsuyuki just finished his breakfast and thought to spend the day with riding his horse. He stopped by door as he heard his father and Saeko's conversation. "What did she mean by becoming more powerful?"

He leaned closer.

Saeko said, "I put the bracelet so I can take her power off. The bracelet is my other heart; it's the source of my power."

"I don't get it," King Sarukawa said.

"Every time she uses her power, it will be transferred to me. I had explained it to you."

"Oh, I didn't remember it," King said.

Katsuyuki watched as Saeko rolled her eyes. He guessed his father wouldn't put attention at anything but her body. He continued to listen.

King said, "But her magic is white magic."

"Before," Saeko said. "But after she sold her soul, it's black."

King started to laugh. He didn't seem to be afraid anymore. "I see now. She's not a problem."

"She isn't but he is," Saeko said.

'Who is he?' Katsuyuki thought.

"That boy," King said. "What should we do?"

"I have a plan," Saeko said, smiling slyly. "The news of her appearance has spread over the land. It's a great chance to get ogre, chimera and other creatures' trust. We can use them to destroy her."

"You mean war?"

"Exactly," she said. "War."

"If we can destroy her, the other creatures will follow us," King said. "And finally I can rule this land. All will be mine."

"Yes, my dear. All will be yours."

Katsuyuki left the door. He was angry and disappointed. For years he thought the banished Queen was the villain, but now he just got to know that it was his father and Saeko.

"I can't let them destroy this land."

Katsyuki passed guards heading toward his horse. He mounted on and spurred it to gallop. He needed to find the lost castle.

Jiro quietly climbed stairs up. He was still inside palace. After they found out that the Queen was inside palace last night, the King has placed guards everywhere. Two guards stood in every corridor, exit and stairs. Three soldiers had patrol through the palace. That was why he couldn't follow the Queen and Kai out.

He halted at stairs top waiting. A maid came to give drink for the guards. He took the chance and ran to the other corridor. Unfortunately, the patrol was walking toward his direction. He hurriedly hid behind armor standing by wall.

Jiro was surprised when the wall behind him moved. A secret room.

"Damnit." After making sure he was alone, he walked into the hall. He saw an altar and a statue by its side. He immediately recognized the statue. "Asahi!"

The eyes were open but blank. "Asahi," he called. "What's happened to you?"

The eyes were still staring at him. She was cursed. "What should I do?" He turned to the woman lying over the altar and looked back at Asahi. He touched her face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't leave you alone. I'm so sorry."

Suddenly the skin turned warm. The soft skin had returned. "Asahi,"

Jiro watched as the cursed slowly broke. Asahi sucked in deep breath. He caught her body. "Asahi, are you all right?"

"I…" Asahi grabbed his arm straightening up. "Yes, I am. Where's she?"

"Who?"

"Saeko," she said after another deep breath. "She cursed me."

"I should have known that." Jiro released her. "I found you here, only with her."

"Fairy godmother."

"She is?"

Asahi nodded. "You saved me?"

Jiro gave light shrug. He was surprised when Asahi hugged him. "Thank you."

"Y-Your welcome," Jiro said nervously. "W-We should leave now."

"We have to save her too."

"But…" Jiro trailed off. He watched as Asahi approached the altar. "Is she under spell?"

"I believe so."

"Do you know how to break it?"

"I'm not sure," Asahi said. "But I can try."

"Do you need my help?" He cleared throat when Asahi flashed a smile. "I guess no? I have no magic after all."

"You're funny and kind."

"T-Thanks." He stepped back as Asahi started to break the spell. The first was failed. The second failed as well. "Are you sure you can break the spell? Perhaps we should leave her."

"I just need to concentrate. We can't leave her. She can help us."

"I bet the opposite."

"What do you mean?"

"The Queen told me before that fairy godmother betrayed her."

"That's why she put a spell on her."

"She didn't," Jiro said. "She'd never do that."

"She's tried to kill fairies and other creatures."

Jiro palmed his head. "Listen, what you heard out there were lies. She didn't kill them."

"Who did it? Many people died that day."

"It's her," he said. "Saeko."

Asahi was shocked.

Jiro continued, "All was her plan. She's been using my Queen to do black magic."

"Is it true?"

Jiro nodded. "I can't say she's innocent, but I know she's a good person. Once she was."

"How long have you been on her side? You seem to know her very well, and loyal to her."

Jiro lowered his gaze saying, "She's created me."

"You are…"

"I'm just a toy when she found me. She gave me life. Since then I follow her. I've given my life to her. It's her after all."

Asahi lifted his face and kissed his cheek. "You are a great man."

Jiro smiled.

A cough interrupted them. "Can I have a cup of water?"

The woman was awake.

"You did it," Jiro said. Asahi was surprised and happy that she had succeeded breaking the spell. "Are you all right, ma'am?"

"Besides my dry mouth, I'm all right," Marilyn said. "Where am I?"

"In the palace," Jiro said.

"Palace?"

Jiro exchanged glance with Asahi. The woman looked surprised. It was like she just realized something. "Is something wrong?"

"I didn't die in the accident," Marilyn said. "Instead was returned to magical land."

"Ma'am, everything all right?" Jiro said.

"No, it isn't." Marilyn climbed down and lost her balance. Jiro quickly caught her. "I was back to magical land. Wait, I've gone for twenty years."

"Yes, ma'am. The war was over twenty years ago," Asahi said.

Marilyn palmed her head. "Oh my goodness. How about Ray?"

"Queen Ray," Jiro said.

"She's not a Queen," Marilyn said but then sighed at Jiro's glare. "Where is that Queen?"

"It will take long time to tell the whole story. But for now we need to leave," Jiro said.

"Why?" Marilyn said but then lifted a hand. "Let me guess. Is it Saeko?"

Jiro nodded. "The sooner we leave, the safer we are."

Marilyn clenched her fists. "I need a talk with that witch first."

Jiro stopped Marilyn. "No. We got to leave, immediately."

"All right, I'll save it for later."

"How to go out?" Asahi said. "I don't know this place."

"I know secret passage," Jiro said.

"Why have to walk?" Marilyn snapped her fingers and a wound popped out. She caught the wand and winked. "Better use magic, right?"

Jiro and Asahi watched as Marilyn swung her wand but nothing happened. "Why didn't it work?" She tried once more but no spark came out.

"I suppose you need rest to restore your power," Asahi said.

Marilyn sighed. "You're right. Lead the way."

Jiro led them out the secret room. Fortunately they could find the passage without being caught by soldiers.

Hinata was pacing inside main hall. "A day has passed and they haven't come back yet."

Kiku was leaning against pillar. An apple in hand. "Just a day."

Hinata turned around. "Just? It's enough to have them inside jail."

Kiku took a bite before replying calmly, "Jiro can keep her safe, trust me. You worried for nothing."

Hinata grunted. "How could that girl stay calm? She's indeed heartless."

"Hey, I heard that."

"Yeah, I did say loudly." Hinata spun to resume her pacing but Kiku was standing behind her. Kiku held her in a hug. "W-What are you doing?"

"Trying to calm you."

"I don't need…" Hinata pushed back but Kiku held her still. "I know you're worrying your friend," Kiku said. Hinata leaned her head against Kiku's chest. "Thanks."

"But don't cry over my shirt."

Hinata lifted her head glaring.

"Just kidding, you can use my shoulder," Kiku teased. "Or my chest."

Hinata pouted. "Don't tease me."

"You want the hug or no?"

Hinata leaned head back on Kiku's chest. "Just sixty seconds."

"Okay, just a minute."

Kai laced hands behind back as he walked through the garden which was fragrant with bloomed flowers. The Queen bent her back taking the sweet scent. "Why roses?" he said. "Is it your favorite?"

"It's her. My sister's."

"Sorry,"

"It's alright. She loves roses, red rose in particular. We've always dreamt to have a rose garden. She would talk about roses through the night until she fell asleep."

"She must be pretty girl." He saw small smile when she picked one of the roses. She held it in hand. "I wonder what kind of girl you were."

"Beautiful and smart."

Kai rolled eyes playfully. "Well, it's true though."

"Did you just admit that I'm beautiful and smart?"

"Drop it."

She let out short laugh and put the rose in his shirt pocket. She then took his hands. "What else did you see?"

Kai noticed that she wanted to know what he thought about her past. "I've told you already."

"Are you afraid?"

"Honestly?" She nodded slightly. "No."

"Why?"

"I prefer not to dwell on past. Something happened in the past can't be changed," he said. She let out a giggle. "What?"

"How old are you again?"

He rolled eyes again. "I know you're older than me. Very much."

"Not very much."

"Okay, not very much. Just two or three?" Kai said. The Queen lightened up instantly. "You're indeed a spoiled girl."

"Hey,"

Kai laughed. "Tell me about the bracelet." Her smile slowly vanished. "Did they put it on you?"

"She put it on me," she said. "And after that I was imprisoned here. Some spell still works inside castle, but outside," she shook head, "I have no power."

"If it happens twenty years ago," he said, "how can you still look young?"

They were interrupted by Hinata's scream. "What's that?" Kai said in alarm. Hinata ran up, pulling Asahi with her.

"They're back! They're back!"

Jiro and Marilyn followed behind them.

The Queen was surprised to see Marilyn. "How on earth are you here? Didn't you…" she trailed off as Marilyn rooted to her spot. Marilyn seemed to be surprised to see Kai.

"Kai," Marilyn said. Her voice quivered. Tears welled up.

Kai froze as well. As if he was seeing a ghost.

"Mom,"

Thank you for reading, until next :)