Hi my dearies! What's going on? Okay, okay, I know it's alright...don't need to kill me...I don't die at such a young age *sniffs*

TLP: Oh no no, I cannot quit writing this story. Don't you know that this story is one of the most important projects of me in this site? By the way, thanks a lot for your patience. Now, you can read another chapter.

I thank a lot to other readers who have read and reviewed it and added this story to their favorite and following list. Thank you thank you so much to all! :D

So...are you ready? Enjoy! XD

"Today, you've to feed the rabbits, okay?" The zinnia-eyed lady softly told her little students, "Be careful. All the rabbits should get equal portion of the munched carrots. Specially, the baby rabbits mustn't be deprived of their food. Got it?"

"Sure, lady Vetrova," A four-year old nodded, "But why are we feeding them these munched carrots? We could give them whole carrots and they could chew it happily."

"My child," Smiling, the motherly figure caressed the head of the child, "Baby rabbits have to work hard in order to eat a whole carrot. Besides, they may face problems in order to digest it. So, ground vegetables are good for their health, aren't they?"

"Lady Vetrova!"

While holding the basket of vegetables, the admirable woman looked back, carrying a small amount of confusion in her vibrant eyes and wearing a smirk all over her adorable face at the same time.

"Spencer! Ian!" She questioned curiously, "You both are here? At this time? What happened?"

"My lady…." The eldest one bit his inner lip.

"You can tell me everything without any hesitation, Spence," Kneeling down, the motherly figure gently caressed his cheeks, "Is everything alright?"

"Brother Kai is meditating in the Southern jungle, my lady," The youngest prince looked worried, "We tried a lot but couldn't break his meditation. He is not opening his eyes or talking to us."

"What?" The serene smile from the face of the lady disappeared within no moment, "What are you saying, Ian? Kai is not responding to you?"

"No, lady Vetrova," The flaxen-haired shook his head, "So, we have come here to call Sir Alexandrov. He can awaken Kai."

"But Spencer, Sir Alexandrov is not here at this moment," Vetrova bit her lips, "Last night, he left the kingdom for an urgent task."

"Oh no!" Ian's eyes got almost filled with tears, "Now what will happen, my lady? Won't brother Kai open his eyes anymore?"

"No no, my child, that won't happen," Swiftly, Vetrova pulled Ian closer to her and stroked his hair, "Kai will be alright. I'm going to him."

"Thank you so much, my lady!" Spencer's teeth got exposed in joy, "Let's go. We've also left Tala and Bryan in the forest along with Kai."

"Okay," Turning her head back, the sky-haired lady commanded, "Kids, feed them well. I'll be right back."

Done with her words, she started running towards the forest with the carrot-nosed and the whale.

"Catch me!" The little lass laughed, almost swirling like a butterfly, "Catch me if you can!"

"Salima, wait for us!"

Other kids were about to reach her but she again started running. Her tiny feet were raising the humming of bumblebees while smiting the marble-covered floors of the fort. Her blameless laughter was sounding like the streaming fountains or the waves of the mighty Pacific. Like a hummingbird, she kept almost flying from one place to another spot. Caring of nothing or no one, she remained crossing places after places, rooms after rooms, riding on the horse of streaming squall. She was so lost in her own world that she didn't notice that she had already reached one of the darkest portions of her castle.

"Ahhh!"

Hearing someone screaming like a bull being slaughtered, the redhead came back to the real domain. To her horror, she found herself in an obscure place. There were rooms in two rows. Each room had a gate made of steel. Through the gaps of the gates, everything inside the rooms could be seen. Her eyes were widened when she saw the dry stains of blood on the stony walls. Some tints of blood were wet too. A perpetual stench hit her nostrils. People inside the cells were chained with the wall or floor. Armed soldiers were mercilessly hitting them with whips. Some torturers were heating iron rods in flames and striking the prisoners with those poles. The ecosphere of the whole area was carrying the odor of death. Azrael himself was silently letting out his devilish laughter. Bit by bit, demise was arriving at the place riding on her black werewolf.

Shutting her eyes, she again started running. This time, her footsteps weren't sounding like the flying bumblebees. Rather, they sounded scared, much like rabbits which were fleeing in order to save their teensy lives from hungry and ferocious wolves.

"How long, princess, how long?" A horrible pitch could be heard by her, "How long will you keep escaping from the truth? Sooner or later, you've to face the truth. You may hide from it but cannot escape from it. What will you do then?"

She increased her velocity. Her heart was beating fast. Her garnet-colored bangs were clinging to her forehead and cheeks because of the droplets of sweats. Her lungs were silently crying for the shortage of fresh air. Yet, she didn't stop. She kept fleeing from the scariest yet truest domain created by her own father.

Routing through the murky passages, she didn't have any idea of where she was going. When she opened her eyes, she saw a large, very large and open arena whose floor was made of darkish grey-shaded boulders. Two or three leafless trees could be seen here and there. A few ignited torches were tied with those trees. At the center, there was a high pillar. Leaning against it, a feminine figure was tucking her head amidst her knees, wrapping her arms around her legs. Her ebony hair was untidy, blowing in the peaceful night breeze. She was wearing a shabby, off-shoulder and sleeveless top and a torn ash-colored long skirt. Hearing someone's swift footsteps, she raised her head and looked forward.

"Hush!" The little girl placed her index finger on her lips, "I was playing with my friends. While playing ice-water with them, I lost my way. Then, I came to this scary place. I'm scared. Can you tell me how I can go to my father?"

The prisoner smiled, recalling her vibrant childhood and honey-coated past. Holding the smile, she queried, "Who's your father, my girl?"

"You don't know my father?" Pouting, she placed her hands on her waist, "My father is the mighty Zagart, the most powerful of all emperors in this world!"

As her voice chimed into the ears of the convict, her eyes remained amplified. She gasped, almost standing up from her position. Then, looking at the sky, she smirked.

'Thanks a lot, my dear Lord,' She murmured, 'I wanted Zagart to be the father of a daughter. You've fulfilled my prayer…..'

"Hey lady!" Salima yelled, "Why are you smiling? And what are you saying looking at the sky? You were talking to me, weren't you? I'm here, in front of you. Cannot you tell me where my father is?"

"Salima! My dear, where are you?"

Having heard the most familiar tone, the face of the lost daughter became radiant like the full moon. Showing almost all her shiny teeth, she leaped up in joy.

"Father!" Looking back, she ran towards him, "You've come here!"

"Oh my sweetheart," The adoring father took his daughter between his arms, "What are you doing here? Don't you know that naughty and wicked people are punished here? Let's go from here!"

"Father," The innocent child softly pulled the sleeve of the notorious ruler, "Who is this woman? What has she done? Why have you locked her with chains?"

"Sal…." Staring calmly, yet lustfully at the stranded one, Zagart smiled, "She is a traitor. Do you know what a traitor does? A traitor cheats everyone and breaks everyone's trust. She has tried to kill us, you know?"

"Oh my God!" The redhead gasped, "Then she must be a bad, very bad woman. Why don't you kill her, father?"

"Killing is always not correct, my daughter," While licking his lips, the emperor remarked, "Sometimes, imprisonment can be more tormenting than death. But you shouldn't be hearing these things, princess. Let's leave this place. Otherwise, we'll also be very bad like these people."

Convincing the almost eight-years old, the king was about to leave the place. Turning back, he had to stop when the captive blurted, "Falsehood may conceal the truth for a while, Zagart. Nonetheless, it cannot escape from the truth."

Pretending not to listen to her, the tsar left the place in a speed of whirlwind. Sitting back, Riza again smiled, looking at the starless sky.

'This world is nothing but the game of lives and deaths, Zagart,' She pondered, 'You're going to lose this game very soon. If you are able to bear the consequences of your defeat, bear them!'

"It's been almost a long time," The falcon had already started itching his elbows, "Where have Spencer and Ian gone? When will they come with Sir Alexandrov? Kai hasn't opened his eyes yet!"

"Relax, muscleman!" Tala kept a hand on his shoulder, "Soon, they'll come."

"Brother Tala! Brother Bryan!"

Having heard the excited voice of the carrot-nosed, both of the boys looked at him who was running towards them. Trailing him, the zinnia-eyed lady and the whale were also coming. Reaching the place, Ian stopped.

"Has Kai opened his eyes, Tala?" Spencer worriedly asked.

"Nope," The redhead shook his head, "He hasn't yet. Lady Vetrova, can you make him open his eyes?"

"Let me check, boys," Vetrova approached the slate-haired boy who was still sitting in a lotus position. Patting his shoulders, she sofly called, "Kai?"

Within no moment, the eight-years old toddler fell down on the broad roots of the old tree.

"Kai!" Everyone gasped.

"Don't worry, children," The lady tried her best to be calm and cool in the situation, "He'll be alright. He must be very exhausted. Let's take him to the center."

"Yes, my lady," The blonde kid moved towards the motionless phoenix prince. Carrying him by holding his hands and feet, they started moving in order to leave the forest. Before leaving, the lady looked at the tree underneath which the unconscious boy had been meditating. Gasping, she turned her head back. Then, she started walking.

"Brother Kai, what happened to you?" The youngest of all princes worriedly inquired, nearly sniffing, "Why were you meditating under the tree? What if a tiger had eaten you or a snake had bitten you?"

"Ian, don't talk too much!" Bryan chided, "Look, Kai is still ill. He should take rest now. Let him rest for a while."

They all looked at the lying dual-haired boy whose eyes were still closed. He had regained his consciousness before a while but he wasn't feeling to talk to someone. His eyebrows were clenched. He was seeming exhausted and annoyed a bit at that period.

"Are you feeling better, my child?" The motherly figure entered his room, with warm milk in an earthen pot on a tray made of cupper, "Have this. You'll feel better."

As her honey-coated voice flowed through his auditory nerves, he hurriedly opened his eyes. Sitting on the bed, he faintly smiled.

"Children," Vetrova cleared her throat, "Your brother needs rest now. Please, leave the room. After a while, you can meet him."

"Sure, my lady," Spencer nodded, "Tala, Bryan, Ian, let's go."

Sighing, the three Russians left the room, following their elder one. Wearing a sugary smile, keeping the tray on the wooden side-table, the teacher sat on the bed.

"Take it, my son," Handing him the wooden pot filled with warm sweetened milk, she spoke, "It will energize you once again."

"Thank you, my lady," Speaking for the first time, the boy took the cup. While taking the first sip, he heard, "My son, are you tensed regarding something?"

"No," He shook his head.

"My child," The zinnia-eyed caressed the head of the dual-haired Russian, "You can tell me everything without any hesitation. What happened to you? Why were you meditating alone in the forest? Have you experienced something bad?"

Staring at the lepidolite orbs of the caring teacher without blinking, he drifted to the image of his mother. Thinking for a few moments, he decided what to do.

"My lady…." He whispered, "Actually, last night, I dreamed a dream."

"Dream?" Placing her hand on his shoulder, she asked, "Of what?"

"Of…..a girl…." The phoenix-prince uttered, "In a forest…"

"So you went to a forest to discover her, didn't you?" Vetrova giggled, "My son, a dream is a dream. It hardly becomes real."

"But, Sir Alexandrov told me one day that each dreams has respective meaning," He seemed to plead, "I just decided to meditate with a view to finding out the meaning of my dream of last night."

"Kai," Softly holding his hand, Vetrova almost requested, "Can you tell me of the girl? I mean….how was she looking?"

Lowering his gazes, the baffled toddler thought something for a few seconds. Then, raising his head, he spoke, "Please wait."

Keeping the pot on the side-table, he rushed towards his cabinet.

"Kai….wait…." The lady stood up, "Where are you going? You're ill, you need to rest now."

"Here, my lady," The boy had already come back to the bed with a canvas enclosed in his hands, "When I got up last night, I drew her in this canvas. Look at it."

Being curious, she took the canvas and set her eyes at it. Then, she couldn't blink. Her jaw almost dropped. She couldn't move for a while. The picture seemed almost real to her. The hair of the dream-girl was looking like fresh almonds growing in trees. Her pupils seemed sparkling like garnets. The rays of setting sun in the western direction fell on the canvas. Crimson red, golden and white made the skin of the girl in the picture ethereal.

"My son," Placing the canvas on the bed, she caressed his head, "You had better rest now. I'm going to the prayer hall. If you need something, you may call me. Okay?"

"Sure, my lady," The obedient boy nodded. Smiling back, Vetrova left the room. Then, almost running, she entered the prayer hall. Her heart was pounding fast, almost in the speed of a running leopard. Reaching there, she began panting. She was heavily sweating even in the typical weather of Russia. Although the sun couldn't be seen at all in the sky, its modest and malleable beams were still all over the blue.

Taking the fire-stone, Vetrova lit a few oil lamps and two fragrant candles. Mixing with the declining sunlight, those minuscule blazes created a mystical biosphere in the whole hall-room. The unsteady zephyr of evening hastily entered the room through the open windows, almost blowing the silky embroidered curtains. Kneeling down on the wooden floor, she joined her hands together.

"Oh, my holy lord!" She pronounced, "Am I right? Have I seen the right thing when I was bringing Kai from the forest? Was the tree really growing new leaves? But….how can it be possible? The tree was very old. It was on the verge of its demise, my lord! How can it regain its life? My lord, is Kai really an ordinary human being? What about the girl in his dream? Is she a normal girl? I don't think so, my lord, I don't think so at all.

Please, show me the right path, open my eyes and guide me. Is the century-old prophecy going to be true? Will it be real? Is the girl the same girl who will change the lot of Russia and bring only happiness to our lives? Is she the same girl who will also change Kai's cold attitude? Please my lord, quench the thirst of my wishes. If she's really the same girl, it will be good for our kingdom….but will it be good for her?

After all, the old prophecy says something else….."

Done!

Please don't make me wait for reviews in order to revenge...do read and review. Pardon all the grammatical and spelling errors. I've started writing after a long time, you know. So, please, go easy on me :P

Take care :D

-Misty :*