Chapter Two: "Of Dreams and Holidays"

Thick smoke of darkness had swirled all around, causing Bloom to suffocate and squint her eyes. There was hardly any light filling the room.

Strangely as it was, she was in the darkened area with no beginning nor end, in her Enchantix form fluttering. It was as if she were roaming in pure darkness.

Bloom had furrowed her brows in confusion as she couldn't be able to identify the location, she was in. Coldness had swept over her entire body, her teeth chattering from the extreme frigid temperature.

Out of the corner of her eyes, bright blue flames had emitted in the darkness, much to Bloom's bafflement. Bloom still had no idea where she was. This place had seemed somewhat familiar to her, but yet it wasn't. Negative energy had overwhelmed her.

She shook her mind.

This couldn't be. . .

No.

Obsidian.

It couldn't be! This wasn't right. But yet the sensation that had washed over herself had felt utterly similar.

Bloom was snapped out of her thoughts.

"So. . . you're the Guardian Fairy of the Dragon Flame," the unidentified, frosty voice had spoken to her, sending cold chills down Bloom's spine.

She narrowed her sapphire eyes at the source, but the moment Bloom had tried to reach her hand out, grabbing it, she had realized there was nothing there but smokey shadows.

"And the Princess of Domino. . . granddaughter of King Hyperion and Queen Leilani, daughter of Crown Prince Oritel. . ."

She had never understood why everyone was so obsessed with her and her family's magical bloodline. Sure, a great part of it was due to possessing the magic of the Great Dragon, but still. . . it had annoyed the heck out of her. No one could leave her and her family alone. It was becoming more of a curse than a blessing.

Bloom was certain that this voice had belonged to a man's, but this voice was unrecognizable. She knew that this wasn't Valtor. This voice had sounded awfully sinister and cold, filled with utter vengeance.

Bloom still couldn't spot the man responsible for this—seemingly to be hidden within the shadows—not wanting to reveal himself to her (at least for now).

"What do you want with me?" Bloom demanded furiously.

The voice had only cackled.

"Oh believe me many things my dear."

Bloom had flinched at his brutal, cold tone. Fury burned in her eyes. How dare this faceless fool utter such foul words to her face? "How dare you—"

"I didn't expect a Princess to have such filthy language," the voice had rebuked her harshly, criticizing the girl to his own twisted amusement.

Bloom's sapphire eyes had fluttered wide open upon sensing the coldness swept over her entire body, feeling the presence of the unidentified man linger over her. Bloom had fluttered around to see a hand reach out to her—grabbing her the arm in a rough manner.

Dim lights had fallen on the mysterious dark man. Utter horror had crossed Bloom's face, never having to see something so disturbing and gruesome in her entire life. Nearly on par with Lord Darkar's lust for absolute power and the wickedness dripping from him . . .

This was far worse than what she'd imagined.

His long silky inky hair had caught the swirling breeze of the smoke. His face was concealed by a glittering dark mask, hiding his physical facial features including his own eyes. The man was dressed in a typical black robes with silver trimmings and the emblem symbol of the Shadow Phoenix.

Fear had plunged into her own heart.

"Please leave me alone," Bloom had urged desperately on a verge of tears.

Bloom had whimpered in his arms, feeling his strong grip on her intense. The man's face was closer to her own. Her heart palpitating and her face had trickled with heavy, fat sweat.

"As long as the power of the Dragon Flame burns within you. . ." the nameless man had chuckled wickedly. "You'll never be left alone my dear. Your powers alone is much bigger than you can simply comprehend to understand. You don't even know how to use the power of the flame to its full potential. Pity."

It had amused the man to see how easily the girl was provoked. He had twisted her, wanting to see her beautiful features. Bloom had muttered foul, cursed words directly at his face.

Once he had gotten a good glimpse of Bloom's face, he was drawn to her familiar eyes.

Those distinctive sapphire eyes. . .

"I'm warning you, if you don't let go of me, I will unleash my Dragon Flame upon you and I won't be sorry," Bloom spat lividly, as if trying to convince herself that she wasn't a person to be trifled with, but unfortunately her voice had come off rather pathetic and weak.

He let out a despicable laugh. "I'd like to see you try, Little Princess."

Bloom's face had turned bright red, like a tomato, upon realization that he was taunting her and using her title as an insult. She couldn't even summon a flicker of a flame. Terror had struck her like thunderbolts falling from the sky.

"You can't use much of your powers, when negative magic overwhelms an Enchantix fairy," the man said snidely, enjoying every minute of the girl's discomfort. "Even with possessing the Dragon Flame."

Bloom felt her energy was being sapped right out of her body. Her head was spinning all around, completely dazed. A faint glow had emitted from her body. . .

"What. . .what are you doing to. . .me?" Bloom said lightheadedly.

"The magic of the Dragon Flame is only type of magic I need to obtain in order to achieve my goals, you silly girl," the man snorted, his voice laced with absolute eagerness and desire for unlimited power. "What else do you think I want you for?"

Bloom's eyes had shot wide open as she was being depleted from her magic, for the third time. "You're stealing my powers?"

"Obviously."

Bloom had no longer had the strength to fight the faceless man back as she had easily wobbled into his arms; the man had gently held her and caressed her soft, well-rounded cheeks. His wicked chuckle had echoed into the depth of darkness.

"No. . . No . . . NO!"

Bloom had awoken from her nightmare, her entire body drenched in sweat. She had her fingers clutching the blanket. Bloom's chest heaving as she had breathed for air. Her body trembling from one hell of a nightmare.

"What was that?" Bloom muttered to herself, closing her eyes.

She had took a quick glimpse of the clock that stood on the nightstand; it was nearly the middle of the night.

Bloom buried her face in her hands, her mind fighting off the terrible nightmare she'd endured that had nearly felt utterly realistic to her. She had closed her eyes. It was only a nightmare. It couldn't have been real.

"Bloom?"

The girl had lost all coloring on her face—startled by Marion entirely. She hadn't meant to wake her mother up from her sleep. Marion had insisted Bloom to spend a couple of nights sleeping with her in own bedroom for some comforting reassurance, a mother-daughter bonding Marion had called it.

Bloom had speculated that it had been a result of Marion's fears, not wanting her daughter to slip from between her fingers again. Bloom could hardly blame her mother for feeling this way. Bloom would've done the same as Marion if she would ever learn that her future child had manage to put his or her life in danger.

"Mum?"

Marion had lifted herself upwards in bed, glancing at her daughter with full worry in her eyes. "Is everything alright, darling?"

"It was just a nightmare. I'm sorry for waking you up, mum."

Marion quirked an eyebrow at her daughter, with a slight frown tugging at her lips "A nightmare?" Marion wasn't too surprised by this. Lassandra had warned Marion that with everything that had happened to Bloom, she was subjected to experiencing night terrors.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Marion asked softly, trying to get her daughter to be open about her disturbing dreams, as it could help lessen her stress and anxiety. "It would help."

Bloom had gazed at her mother.

She wasn't entirely sure what her nightmare had truly meant or what it was, but there was an unsettling feeling about it lingering in the back of her mind.

Her nightmare had been hazy.

Perhaps it was her brain playing tricks on her, a result of her severe PTSD. Every dark witch and wizard had seemed to be after her and her powers. Maybe Bloom was losing her mind to all the insanity that had surrounded her.

Bloom had snuggled in her mother's arms for a sense of safety, filling Marion in on her nightmare, as Bloom for one could not make sense of it all. The girl hoped that her mother would shed some light on the meaning behind her nightmare.

She had easily seen the concern on Marion's face, despite it being the middle of the night; there was faint moonlight spilling through the slit of the curtain. The girl had bit her lips in hopes it wasn't something too worrying, but it hadn't appease Bloom at all. Something about it. . . felt so sketchy.

"Mum?" she whispered, in hopes of something positive.

"Bloom," Marion wasn't entirely sure what to tell her daughter. Worry had flickered in her emerald-green eyes. If only her poor daughter could simply catch a break from the universe. "I would think it's best that we get some shut eyes Bloom. We'll try to figure it out tomorrow? What do you say?"

"That sounds like a good idea. I can't make out all the fuzzy details of the nightmare," Bloom yawned tiredly, slipping back into the thick blankets.

Marion had watched as Bloom had fallen asleep again, as she had gently stroked her daughter's hair. Her children hadn't deserved to be tortured by the evilness of the universe. Suffering and absolute pain had seemed to cut deep in her family, leaving them with nothing but scars and shattered souls.

"Oh, Oritel. . .why us . . . our daughters. . ." tears had glistened down Marion's pale face, as she had snuggled into the bed, wrapping her arms around Bloom—bringing her up close.

Bloom had awoken up to the following morning to see that her mother wasn't in bed. She had lifted herself from bed, rubbing her eyes tiredly letting out a yawn.

The girl had grabbed her phone to see the timing. It was quite early. She had blinked her eyes a couple of times adjusting to light in the room to see that there were a couple of bags out, opened, in the bedroom and closet wide open as piles of clothes were scattered all around.

Of course.

It had all came back to her—flooding her mind about the supposedly holiday she was going to be on with her mother's side of the family. The girl had jumped out of bed and headed to the bathroom to wash up and do her morning routines which involved washing her face, brushing her teeth, and brushing her hair.

Bloom had her soft, warm robe and velvety slippers on.

She had walked down the stairs to only see her mother glancing at the family album alongside Lassandra, flipping through different pages. Her mother had appeared to be in a better mood compared to yesterday.

Meanwhile her uncle seemed to be dwelling over the fact that he wasn't the only son of Lassandra. The situation itself had felt surreal to Alec, but he was also glancing at the photos of little Aiden.

"Good morning, Bloom," Adrian greeted her at the stairs, also in his pajamas and robe. He held out his arm to her, as Bloom latched her arm in her grandfather's who seemed to be pleased.

"Good morning grandfather," Bloom had returned the smile, though concerned had filled her eyes over Lassandra's well-being . "Is grandmother feeling alright after what happened yesterday?"

Adrian's smile was solemn; his green eyes slightly dimmed. "Lassandra, she had a difficult time trying to sleep. I suppose revisiting her past memories had reopened her old wounds again."

Bloom had given her grandfather a heartfelt look. She wasn't too sure how to comfort him or what to say to Lassandra. It was such a delicate subject for her grandmother.

"Life hadn't been so kind to her. It must've been so hard for grandmother to lose her first child like that," Bloom frowned deeply.

Adrian had looked at Bloom with a longing expression, though his heart had ached painfully for his wife's hollowness. Adrian had truly wanted to mend her heart in the best way he could.

"But what Lassandra doesn't know is that I'm still trying to look for her son, Aiden."

Bloom's eyes had gone wide, stunned, but awed at Adrian's deep, eternal love he held for his wife. It was simply beautiful. Men like her maternal grandfather were absolutely rare to come across.

"Even after all these years?"

"Well. . ." A flicker of a grin appeared on Adrian's lips, ". . . actually, truth to be told is that I did finally manage to locate Aiden."

Bloom gazed at her grandfather, astonished, as her mouth hung open. "What? How? When? Where?" were the only words that Bloom could utter, side-glancing Adrian.

"During your trip to the Golden Kingdom. It hadn't been easy to get in contact with Aiden," Adrian had expressed, though his green eyes had flickered with uneasiness.

Curiosity had gotten the best of Bloom. "Why?"

Adrian's face had darkened. "Someone told Aiden that Lassandra had abandoned him on the streets and that she really never cared nor loved him. That he was a painful burden for her to deal with."

"What?" Bloom had stiffened—her face had lost all of its color. She could hardly get the word out of her lips. "Wait? That can't be right. But he was kidnapped and not abandoned? I don't understand how could—"

"He wouldn't tell me any details regarding his life or who raised him. But one thing's certain, someone had brainwashed him into believing that his mother had neglected him and his father in favor of being in love with me," Adrian said irritably.

The girl was sick to her stomach. Bloom simply couldn't digest the newly founded information from her grandfather. "But who would do something like that? What if it was his biological father?"

"Rhys Darkfire is Aiden's father. And from what I discovered about him, he'd been murdered several years ago, when Aiden was only two years old by a group of thugs," Adrian said monotonously.

Bloom had felt absolutely nothing for the man who was tragically murdered in cold blood. In her own opinion, Rhys had deserved it for raping her grandmother and leaving her on the streets, practically naked, for dead. Just thinking about that man had aggravated her.

Absolute ire had sparked in her sapphire eyes. And as for her uncle Aiden, he had deserved a good-loving father like Adrian.

"So it probably isn't him who gave Aiden such an idea then," Bloom frowned.

Adrian had gave a nod. "It's someone else, but who, is what I don't know. I've tried to talk to him gently, to convince him that his mother hadn't done such atrocity."

"And how did he take it?"

"Aiden, well, he did listen to my side of the story. I gave him a photograph that had him as a newborn baby being in the arms of Lassandra and me." Adrian had smiled and continued on. "And I told him that we had always loved him from the moment he came into our lives."

A pang had rippled across Bloom's heart upon seeing the sadness reflecting in her grandfather's eyes over knowing that someone had intentionally given her uncle Aiden the wrong idea about his parents' love for him.

Whoever this person was, Bloom was seriously going to kick his or her ass to another dimension for such deception and for causing unimaginable pain towards her family.

"Did he believe you?" Bloom had asked.

"At first it was hard for him to understand, but after seeing the photos we had of him, Aiden had given some rational thought," Adrian glanced at Bloom, "and he asked me to get in touch with his mother. Aiden wants to know the truth from Lassandra, as you can imagine he's curious about her."

"Oh." Bloom in a way was touched. "And?"

"I gave him my number so he can reach out to me when Aiden feels that he's ready to meet his mother."

"And I'm guessing grandmother doesn't know what happened to Aiden's father?" Bloom's red eyebrows had knitted together.

Adrian had let out a heavy sigh.

"I've tried to talk to her about it, but she grew furious. Lassandra had despised the man, cursing him to the depth of Shadow Haunt. As far as she was concerned, she hadn't wanted Aiden to be associated with his biological father."

"I don't blame her." Bloom had agreed with Lassandra.

A trace of a small smile had graced Adrian's lips, lightly chuckling. "I told Lassandra, if she hadn't minded, that I would be the boy's official father. After all, Aiden is an innocent child, and he doesn't deserve to be dragged into all this mess."

"And let me guess she happily agreed to it?" Bloom had guessed.

"At first, Lassandra hadn't wanted me to be Aiden's father." Adrian had reminisced on his memories; a small tug of a smile played his lips. "Lassandra thought it would be unfair to me to bear her responsibility."

"I see." Bloom mumbled.

"But I wanted to help her out. It had been a constant struggle for Lassandra to see kindness from others and to know that someone would care and love her." Adrian's green-emerald eyes had shined with utmost softness.

"Of course, after convincing Lassandra for some time, she finally agreed to it. We've done the legal process and paperwork and the boy had officially become my son." Adrian had given his granddaughter a weak smile. "I would've given Aiden everything he'd ever wanted. The only thing he wouldn't inherit from me is the family title."

Bloom could see the undeniable sorrow reflect on his face. Her grandfather had truly loved the boy as his very own from the depth of his heart. There was a hidden part of Adrian being effected by the loss of Aiden from the way he reflected on his lingering memories.

Bloom had loosen her grip on her grandfather, as she had greeted her mother, grandmother, and uncle, giving them a good morning smile. Her sapphire eyes had fallen over the scattered family album on the coffee table.

The girl had joined her mother, glancing over the pictures of her uncle Aiden—pictures of him as a newborn baby wrapped in blue silk in the arms of his mother, Lassandra. Aiden's tiny fists were curled into a ball, eyes closed, snoozing off in deep sleep. Adrian had been besides his wife, a bright smile stretched across his face, looking down on his small family.

Bloom had watched as Marion fingered the photograph of her older, half-brother, sadness filling her emerald-green eyes like never before. She had gently touched her mother's arm, giving her the support and comfort that Marion had needed. There was another photograph that consisted of Aiden and Alec, both of the boys were sprawled out widely on the bed, sleeping. "If only he hadn't been . . ."

"Oh sweetheart," Lassandra had tried to soothe her daughter's aching heart, her fingers gliding through her wavy red hair.

"Our lives would've been so different, wouldn't it mum?" Marion said softly.

Lassandra had offered Marion a comforting smile, slightly nodding.

"He would've been in his early twenties, right?" Bloom noted.

Lassandra had given her grandchild a small nod. "Yes."

Bloom had casted a quick glimpse at her uncle who seemed to be hurting as much as Marion, as Alec had flipped through the family album. Alec's emerald-green eyes had widened in realization that he and his older brother were quite close in their toddlerhood years.

Aiden, around the age of two, had his chubby arms wrapped around his little brother, while their pregnant mother was behind them, smiling brightly at the camera—love filling her sapphire eyes over her small, growing family. Tears had dripped onto the photo, as unimaginable pain had rippled across his heart.

Lassandra was besides her husband across from Marion and Bloom, curling into his arms, as Adrian had gently stroked her hair.

Sadness had washed over her entire family.

The swirl of heartbreak still lingered in the air, unchanging from yesterday, but there was a sense of calmness, and less tears being shed. Bloom wasn't entirely sure how to make her family feel any better.

Bloom was snapped out of her own thoughts upon hearing Marion's voice. She could see the sorrow flitter her mother's face.

Marion's lips had twisted into a concerning frown as she posed an eyebrow at her daughter. "Is it true that you broke up with Sky, Bloom?"

Bloom had offered her mother a small smile, despite the fact that it had tore her heart to a million of pieces over the memories she and Sky had shared together over the past three years. It still had hurt her even though Bloom had wanted to end things with Prince Sky.

Bloom had supposed she'd been trying to suppress her genuine feelings towards Sky for some time and trying to force herself to love him. . . had been quite difficult and burdensome on her. It was as if her heart had fallen out of love with the Eracklyon Prince, no longer having such passionate, deep affection towards Sky. Her grandmother's input on things had shed so much light and clarity.

"Oh Bloom," Marion said, her eyes glossy. She had gently cupped her daughter's cheek, trying to soothe her heartache. "I'm so sorry. . ."

"Don't be, mum," Bloom had returned a smile. "In fact, if it weren't for grandmother's insights, I'd be trying so hard to earn Erendor and Samara's approval that it would make me feel miserable in the end. And Sky hadn't made it any easier on me. We're just not compatible anymore."

When Bloom had visited planet Eracklyon for the first time, it hadn't been such a warm welcoming. Sky's parents hadn't took a liking to her nor approved of their son's relationship with her despite Bloom trying to rewrite her wrongdoing after attacking Diaspro.

Bloom knew it had been utterly foolish and childish. And until this very day, it was one of the most embarrassing moments in her entire life that Bloom rather not relive again.

Then there was a fact that Bloom was an inexperienced with politics and the world of royalty, something that Erendor and Samara had greatly frowned upon. She was a lost princess of a dead kingdom and had no knowledge of royal training or proper etiquettes of a princess.

Erendor and Samara had made sure in a way that Bloom was belittled subtly (and it was out of pettiness too) due to ruining Sky's relationship with Diaspro who the perfect fit was to being Sky's future wife and the Queen of Eracklyon.

Marion had gently stroked Bloom's red hair.

A small smirk had slipped on Bloom's lips, already imaging how Oritel's reaction is going to be like since she had discussed her relationship with Sky. "And I'm sure dad's going to have a heyday about that, not that I would blame him or anything."

"Oritel's not going to—"

Bloom had rolled her eyes at her mother's comment.

"Knowing dad, I doubt it. And I suppose the real reason for breaking up with Sky was because I'd fallen out of love, and I don't want to be in a relationship right now. I'd rather spend time with my family and deal with my issues."

Marion had engulfed her daughter in a tight, mama bear hug.

"Oh sweetheart. . .we're always going to be there for you, no matter what. Your welfare is the only thing that matters to us, Bloom."

Bloom had just wanted to be in the warm, loving arms of her own mother, smelling her sweet rosy scent. Her mother certainly had a way of managing to lift her broken spirit.

After having breakfast with her family, Bloom had glanced at her phone to see there was no single message left from her father, nor a missed call. It had infuriated her to know that Oritel was purposely ignoring her (after getting back from the Golden Kingdom).

Like hadn't Oritel wanted to know what she'd encountered in the Golden Kingdom? Or perhaps her mother had filled Oritel on everything that happened, while she'd been in deep slumber?

Bloom could use some support from her father, after all, he had hidden many things from her, and lied directly to her face. Oritel was getting on her nerves. No matter how many times she had managed to send him text messages, Oritel wouldn't reply to her, or even try to give her a call (and Bloom knew that he was free at the end of the night. If he had the time to talk to Marion, Oritel could squeeze in some time for her as well).

Bloom had let out a puff, glancing at herself in the mirror as she had adjusted her red curls and smoothed down her velvet skirt. Perfect. The golden-honey colored dress had suited her complexion, though Bloom wasn't normally a fan of yellowish clothing, but the color itself was very subtle in which had caught her eye.

"It's great that you stopped by Oritel. It would do the girls some good after everything they've been through."

Bloom heard Adrian's warm voice, welcoming the prince inside the manor. The girl had snorted. So instead of calling her and letting her know. . . but no Oritel decided to pay a visit instead.

"I know. I've been extremely busy, but. . ."

Bloom frowned, unable to hear Oritel's muffled words.

"Is it true that Bloom had broken up with Sky?"

Bloom had easily detected the sadness laced in Oritel's voice—worried over her. Perhaps she had been jumping to conclusions and assuming too much of Oritel's disappearance. Men had the strangest ways of communicating with others.

"Why don't you talk to her, Oritel?"

"Oritel!" Marion's chirpy voice had snapped Bloom back to reality. Bloom knew that her mother had nearly crashed into the arms of her father, nearly knocking a vase over.

"Careful Marion." Adrian said.

". . . sorry. . . dad. . ."

Oritel had chuckled at Marion's expression.

Bloom had sucked in her breath and swallowed down all of her irritation and worries she had on earlier. It was time to greet her father. The girl had walked down the spiraling stairs to see Oritel and Marion sitting together in a lovely manner.

Oritel had placed roses in his beloved's hair, as he softly caressed her rounded cheek affectionately. It had warmed her heat, though it had caused her to nearly skip a step, stumbling, as Bloom grabbed onto the stair railing for dear life; her face going bright red as a tomato once her parents turned their attention onto her.

Oritel lifted an eyebrow, amused, letting out a few chuckles.

"Clumsy as your mother I see?"

Bloom was still red in the face—embarrassed.

Oritel's warm brown eyes had soften on Bloom; his lips curling into a frown. Marion had spilled all the details that he needed to know from the Golden Kingdom and the painful choice that Bloom had chosen in the end. His heart had ached for his daughter, an ever-growing hole expanding in his chest with no way of mending it back together again.

Then his daughter's breakup with Prince Sky.

Cold shivers had ran down the back of his spine. The prince had pulled his daughter into a tight embrace, not letting go of Bloom anytime soon.

Tears had spilled from Bloom's eyes. The pain hadn't faded away like she hoped it would or perhaps she'd been too busy burying all her emotions deep within her. Bloom wasn't entirely sure what had made her weep like a young child in distress.

Bloom had fought hard to keep from trembling but failed, her entire body had shook with her heavy tears. Bloom hated this feeling so utterly pathetic, as if someone had died.

Technically she did, but. . . that was another matter entirely.

All the responsibilities she'd took on as being the Guardian Fairy of the Dragon Flame, she had never felt more like a little girl. Oh Dragons. The feeling of being in utter despair was horrible.

"I. . . I. . ." Bloom's lips trembled.

"Shhh. . .Bloom," Oritel had softly pressed his lips against her forehead. "I don't expect you to be okay and I'm sorry for keeping secrets from you. I wanted find a much better path for you. One that doesn't involve any type of pain."

"I know," Bloom murmured.

The sorrows had weighed heavily on her as if it were creeping up behind her and dragging her down by the ankles. Bloom had been juggling too much, facing too much and a part of it felt like she was all alone, despite her family being at her side, reassuring her in all of their attempts.

Oritel had brushed the tears off his daughter's face.

"Come on darling, you're so much stronger than this. Just take a break from the world and take all the time you need. It really does help ease your mind."

Bloom had given her father a heartfelt expression.

The anger and the resentment Bloom had held for her father earlier had dissolved away as she was being comforted by his mere presence.

Marion's emerald-green eyes had teared up upon seeing Oritel comforting their daughter, in a beautiful way, wanting to give father-daughter duo some space. Marion had given Oritel a warmhearted smile.

The small family of three were sitting in a close knitted circle, entangled in each other arms. They sat there in silence, relishing such a tender moment.

Bloom was the one to break the silence as she glanced at her father. "So I'm guessing you've heard about the breakup?"

The warm smile had faded from Oritel's lips, replaced by worry. His brown eyes had a subtle hint of fury, but he kept quiet.

In a way, Oritel would never tell Bloom that he was secretly relived over the fact that she had managed to break up with Sky, despite being the son of his best-friend. Sky wasn't compatible with Bloom and there were other things that Oritel hadn't liked about Sky. Oritel had gently rubbed Bloom's back in a fatherly way for trying to cheer her up.

"And so I've been told." Oritel's face had darkened, not liking how Sky had treated his daughter on the ship in front of everyone. No man should ever dare to raise his voice at his own daughter otherwise Oritel would unleash pure hell on that damned man. He should really have a word with Sky due to his attitude.

"I should've been there for you. I could've given Sky a good b—"

"Dad!" Bloom criticized not allowing to finish his words, narrowing her sapphire eyes at her father. "There's no reason for you to do that! You'd be no better than Erendor."

It had made Oritel's face turn bright red. Deciding to change the subject, Oritel had gazed at his daughter with a softer look in his brown eyes. "So I've heard you make excellent hot chocolate."

Bloom had blushed as her eyes had lit up at her father. "Oh, I do."

" Would you as so kindly make me one, Bloom?"

"Of course!" Bloom beamed, as she headed off into the kitchen, leaving her parents alone.

Oritel heard Marion's foot tapping on the marbled floor—annoyed—glaring directly at him with her piercing emerald-green eyes as Oritel had swallowed hardly. She had her arms crossed over her chest.

"We need to talk Oritel," Marion said sharply. "It's about setting boundaries and about what to tell and not to tell my brother. . ."

"Bloom?" Alec had noticed her in the kitchen, an eyebrow lifted. "I thought you were with Oritel an—"

A sly smile had tugged at her lips. "Apparently someone told my dad all about my hot chocolate so I'm making it for him but. . ."

Bloom was currently sitting in one of the tall chairs, giggling at the sight of her own mother scolding her father right in the open where it would be displayed in front the rest of her family members.

Alec had turned his attention onto where Bloom was gazing at—his blond eyebrows had rose upwards, in confusion, as he neared his niece's side—blinking his eyes a couple of times.

"Is Oritel getting lectured by Marion?"

Bloom nodded with a smirk on her face. "Yup. And I think it has something to do with communication skills. . ."

"Oh, I see," Alec mouthed amusedly, though he hadn't felt bad for the prince, since he was also chewed out by his little sister for not being so opened with her and Bloom.

In fact, Alec had let out a few chuckles to see how utterly quiet Oritel had gone from the moment Marion had opened her mouth, letting the words slip out.

Lassandra and Adrian had noticed that Bloom and Alec were chilling around in the kitchen, bonding as the duo had chuckled away. Bloom was adding the final touches to the hot chocolate. The couple had took a quick glimpse at Oritel and Marion. . . they also had managed to suppress in their own amusements.

"I'll be right back," Bloom had given her grandparents a playful wink, as she was holding a tray that had the cup of hot chocolate to take to her father, Oritel.

Poor dad, Bloom couldn't help but smirk at his helplessness.

Being reprimanded by a woman. . . wasn't an easy thing to deal with, and Oritel had truly deserved it for keeping all those secrets from her mother, Marion.

Bloom placed a happy smile on as she handed her father his cup of hot chocolate. Although seeing the sour, glumly expression on his face. . . had caused her to slip out a few giggles under her breath.

"You think this is something to be laughing about, young lady," Oritel had tried to reprimand his daughter in a parental fatherly tone but had failed epically.

"But it's kind of your fault dad. I mean, you and uncle weren't being honest with us. What did you expect?" Bloom's words had spoken utter truth, which had made Oritel even more discontented, groaning under his breath. "The least thing you should've done was to tell mum first."

Oritel had casted a regretful look to Marion, sighing. "I know. And I'm sorry for being an absolute idiot, Marion. I didn't want you or anyone to get hurt in the process. . ."

Upon seeing Oritel's big brown eyes pleading to her; Marion had rolled her eyes and softly smiled. Marion wasn't oblivious to Oritel's antics as she knew how he would make her melt like a puddle while being in his presence with his soft, calming voice. It would make her squirm on the inside, trying to make her feel some guilt. . .

"Oh Oritel. . . I do forgive you on one condition," Marion smirked.

"Which is?" Oritel said slowly, trying to read his fiancée's expression, but apparently, he couldn't get a read out of her.

"You will not hide anything from me that concerns our daughter's life and I'm the first person you should tell not my parents or my brother. You got that, Oritel?" Marion had personally emphasized her point.

A sweat trickled down the curve of Oritel's neck, as he simply nodded to Marion.

"Crystal."

"Good." Marion muttered. "I really do hope so."

Oritel had took a sip from his cup. A wide smile had stretched across his face as he gazed at his own daughter. "This is delicious Bloom."

Bloom blushed brightly in the face. "Thanks dad."

"Maybe you should teach your mother your recipe," Oritel said cheekily and continued on, "that way, it would help soothe your temper."

Bloom's mouth dropped—gaping at her father's outlandish comment.

"My temper?" Marion was completely scandalized by Oritel's words. The girl had narrowed her green eyes at her fiancé, and she had personally shoved him off the couch, glaring directly at him as Oritel moaned.

"I know that you're my father and all. . ." Bloom's lips had twisted into an amused smile, looking down on him. "But you kind of deserved it."

"Fair enough," Oritel had gotten up, glancing at Bloom.

He had flashed his daughter a beaming smile. Marion had her hand on Bloom's shoulder, smiling warmly. Though the trio's attention had snapped back to Adrian who appeared to be holding a lengthy letter in his hand. His vividly emerald-green eyes had met his daughter's gaze.

"It's a letter from your uncle Dante. He's inviting the family to his place."

Marion's eyes lit up in delight. Her mind had reeled back to all the times that she had visited her father's extended family members—her two uncles, younger cousins, her paternal grandparents—the only grandparents that Marion had known.

"Oh really? It's been awhile since we'd last seen him," Marion smiled warmly, shifting her gaze on Bloom again. "They've been wanting to meet you."

"Do they live close by?" Bloom's lips had curled into a smile. She was rather curious of them. Though from what her mother had explained to her, they hadn't been at the engagement party a few weeks back.

"Up in the Northern East End of Frostmount."

It had Bloom confused as to where the location was, as she was still not accustomed to all the well-known cities on her planet. Once Bloom was done with this holiday trip, she had considered to start studying the geographical locations of realm. A princess simply not knowing anything about her supposed realm was an embarrassment.

"It's up in the mountains—about a two-hour drive from here, but the view is magnificent." Oritel had placed his hand on her shoulder, smiling softly at Bloom. "You'll find magic pouring everywhere."

Oritel's mere words had drew in Bloom's curiosity, as he had gone into exaggerative details about him losing control of his snowboarding skills that caused him and a couple of his friends to roll down the steep mountain.

Apparently, they hadn't been injured, but Bloom wasn't too sure if she'd believed Oritel's words, but she was engrossed with his tale.

"We used to always go up there when we were kids, Bloom." Marion had chipped into the conversation, as the girl had reminisced on her childhood memories. "There's a lake that we'd used to ice skate on."

"You know how to ice-skate, mum?" Bloom wasn't entirely sure why those particular words had slipped out of her mouth.

Of course, when reading history books regarding her parents and their greatest accomplishments: from forming the Company of Light, to defeating many dark wizards and witches that the Magical Universe had ever seen and being the legendary King and Queen of planet Domino, and for also possessing the ultimate Dragon Flame.

There had been no other details in regarding their personal activities. It seemed rather strange to Bloom to see her parents having personal hobbies that doesn't revolve around royal politics. Bloom had supposed even royals had their own personal activities outside of their working schedules.

Marion had noted her daughter's facial expression, though she furrowed her brows out of confusion. She wasn't entirely sure why her daughter seemed to be so shocked about her having a sport hobby.

"And why wouldn't I know how to skate?" Marion had an amused smile stretched across her face—though easily spotting the embarrassed blush run across Bloom's cheeks. "It's one of my favorite winter hobbies. In fact, I used to participate in the ice-skating competitions."

"Really," Bloom was rather intrigued with her mother's sport hobby.

Marion had given a nod. "I have a few first-place prizes in my room."

Bloom was astonished by her mother's ice-skating medals that were all laid out on the wooden shelves in her bedroom. Lassandra and Adrian had elated smiles over their young daughter's victory and Bloom noticed how adorable her mother and uncle were as young children.

Bloom had never took notice of all the details that were in her mother's bedroom or what her mother's personal hobbies were from before. It had made her feel utterly pathetic that she hadn't known the simple, little things about Marion.

"I wasn't really aware that skating was your thing. I used to ice skate all the time on Earth when I was younger with m—" Bloom had nearly froze in her place. Her sapphire eyes had widened in utter realization.

For the first time in like what Bloom had felt like was an eternity. . . her adoptive parents had popped in her mind: Mike and Vanessa.

Oh. Dragons!

What a horrible daughter she was!

Truly, a despicable daughter.

How could she simply forget all about them? She wasn't entirely sure what to say to Marion and Oritel who glanced at her, worry reflecting in their faces.

"Bloom, are you alright?" Oritel asked, as he softly pushed her red bangs away from her face.

"Um yeah, sorry, just lost in thought is all," Bloom couldn't help but smile rather sheepishly at her father and mother.

Marion's smile faded away and was replaced into that of concern. The girl had easily seen her daughter's inner spirit that was being utterly conflicted about the people who had raised her—the adoptive parents, much to her own discomfort.

Marion was utterly glad that at the very least that Bloom hadn't grown up in a world without loving parents. Her lips had twisted into a reassuring smile.

"Bloom, we know that you grew up on Earth under the loving care of adoptive parents. I don't want you to feel like you can't talk about your childhood years with me or your father," Marion had encouraged her daughter to speak her mind freely with no fear of being judged by her or Oritel.

After all, it was something that Oritel and Marion had come to deeply acknowledge and appreciate even though. . . it had stirred unwelcoming feelings within their chests.

Marion couldn't help but reassure her own daughter. Her lips curled into a sweet, gentle smile. "And we really want to hear more about your childhood years, sweetheart."

It had made Bloom's heart tingle out of utter delight as her expression had soften on Oritel and Marion who were still very much curious about her Earthly life.

Once Bloom had slipped away from her parents sights—taking a quick bathroom break to pee. Oritel had observed all of Marion's golden metals, chuckling.

"Looks like our little girl has inherited your favorite hobby," Oritel grinned at her, gently twirling Marion's red curls between his fingers—eyeing her lovingly.

It had made Marion blush furiously. "But I'm definitely not a talented artist like her, but I can happily say that Bloom is quite a bookworm just like me and has a love for magic."

Oritel had cupped Marion cheek with his hand lovingly. He had grabbed her hand with his other, and gently placed his soft lips on top of Marion's hand.

Dragons.

Oritel wasn't even sure how it was possible to keep falling in love with Marion all over again. Her eyes was breathing taking, glistening spectacularly under the light that spilled through tall window.

Though, Oritel could faintly see the brokenness in her eyes as the girl was trying to the best of her abilities to keep her calmness, not wanting to trouble him with her own complicated problems.

Marion was just too irresistible for him, and the magic she had on him. . . his heart would simply bleed out endlessly for her. Marion's tender touch on him, made his heart launch all the way up to his throat.

At times, Oritel had often thought this was all merely a long dream—not his reality— but he was utterly glad that this wasn't the case and that it was all real and knowing that he would have daughters with his beloved Marion.

Oritel had offered Marion a beam—his brown eyes gleaming out of gratification.

"Bloom is becoming an incredible woman just like you and I can't be any prouder than being her father. But on a happier note, here, I'm glad that she and Sky had broken up."

Oritel had expressed his complete enthusiasm to Marion. His warm brown eyes had danced with utter excitement, and it was music to his ears.

"I don't have to worry about Bloom having sex with Sky behind our backs. And now I can finally keep her away from men for all eternity."

Marion wasn't entirely sure if she was scandalized by Oritel's words or was secretly grateful that he was such a protective father in a way that it was sort of cute in her eyes. The girl had found herself giggling, as she glanced at her fiancé.

"I doubt that Bloom would be very happy about the idea, Oritel."

"But it's not a bad idea Marion. Bloom doesn't need to have a man in her life to satisfy her or give her the desires. And frankly, I don't trust any man to be with my beautiful rose." Oritel's smile had continued to stretch across his face—entertained by such an idea. Yes. It was simply perfect for his precious daughter. "After all, she has the love of her family and that's all what she'll ever need."

Marion rolled her emerald-green eyes at Oritel's ridiculousness. "As much as you find the idea cute in itself, Oritel but I'm going to have pop your bubble and say it's not going to happen."

"Why not?"

Marion had managed to shatter his one moment of utter happiness, causing Oritel to deeply frown.

"You really can't be serious about this right?" Marion had facepalmed, side-glancing her fiancé. "And what if Bloom wants a man to love her? What if she wants her own family? Oritel you can't give her a substitute for that. It wouldn't be fair to her."

Oritel's perfect daydreaming solution for his daughter, Bloom had been torn down to pieces. He had scowled at such a prospect even though Marion had a point. It was just. . . it would be too difficult for him to give his daughter away to a man in just a few years' time.

Oritel couldn't imagine his own daughter marrying a man in a year or two. . . no he'd simply have a heart attack. Bloom was his little girl and should be no one else's girl. It's the one thing Oritel had wanted to be selfish about. No man would ever be good enough in his eyes for his own daughters.

"You know something Oritel," Marion's soft voice had snapped him back to reality as the man had glanced at her with concern shining in his brown eyes. He furrowed his brows.

Oritel had spotted the troubled look written all over Marion's face as if she were in some sort of deep thinking that most likely had revolved around their daughter.

"What is it?"

"If she's permanently stuck with us Oritel, I just wonder what's going to happen to Bloom by the time I get pregnant with her?"

The warm smile had vanished from Oritel's face, and he had grown utterly solemn as if he had never considered such a thought from before.

He didn't have an answer for that, but from what Oritel knew, it would be utterly impossible for two people to co-exist at the same time. "I'm not so sure, but I'll look into the Book of Fate regarding that matter."

That fear within her hadn't shifted away from Marion's heart, as she grabbed onto Oritel's arm, glancing at him. He hated seeing such fear in her green eyes. "Don't worry my love, I promise I'll give you—"

Bloom's chirpy voice had broken the heaviness within the room; her bright sapphire eyes filled with nothing but curiosity. "Give mum what, dad?"

Oritel had glanced at his bubbly daughter, and he cracked a grin. "Oh, I said I'll give her my heart the day I marry her."

Marion's face had turned positively scarlet.

Bloom had made a face at her father's words. "I don't need to hear that kind of particular detail, dad."

"Well, what can I say, I'm deeply infatuated with your mum. She's just too lovable." Oritel grinned like a mad man, causing Marion to avert her gaze—glancing at the floor in hopes of it swallowing her up entirely.

Bloom only giggled. "Awweeee. You and dad are truly meant to be together. You two should already get hitched. I don't know what you're waiting for."

Oritel's lips had cured into one of the wide, wicked smirk, trying to intimidate his beloved fiancée. "Even Bloom sees that, Marion."

A rap on the door had disrupted the trio's moment, Alec had glanced at them, from seeing Marion's bright red face, to Bloom's giggles, to Oritel intimidating smile.

"I'd really hate to interrupt your so-called bonding moment, but we need to get packing and leave to Frostmount Ville soon." Alec had reminded his sister and young niece.

Oritel lifted an eyebrow. "I suppose it's a good thing that I stopped by. Maybe I'll send my guards just to make sure you have a safe trip to Frostmount Ville."

"Dad! Please," Bloom had begged of him, looking rather uncomfortable. "We really don't nee—"

Oritel had wagged his finger in front of Bloom. "Ah, remember what you said last time? That you'll be fine with your mother and somehow Valtor had suck up on the two of you?"

"But—"

"I can't say that I fully trust your judgment, just yet," Oritel had glared at her sharply, unimpressed with Bloom's mere response.

Bloom had grumbled under her breath, knowing that she had lost her argument with her father. With his sticky, moody, and stubborn attitude, Bloom knew that it would be impossible to change his mind about it.

Bloom had glanced to see her mother gazing at her with tenderness—feeling for her entirely. Marion's hand was placed on her shoulder, giving her a slight squeeze.

"I don't think it's going to be that bad, Bloom."

"Yeah," the girl had muttered after giving it a moment of thought. "Maybe you're right mum."

Oritel had shot Marion and impressive look.

"You'll love it up there, Bloom."

Apparently Oritel had decided to stick around and stay until the moment that they would leave the manor—departing to Frostmount Ville.

Bloom was surprised to see how opinionated Oritel could be about certain things especially when coming to hers and Marion's wardrobe and what they should take with them. Though it was cute to see how utterly flustered Oritel could be when Marion had showed her sophisticated clothing style.

Lassandra stopped by and doubled-checked on the girls. She had also voiced out her own thoughts and opinions on the matter.

The rest of the day had gone by in a blur with the servants helping Marion and Bloom packing their necessities: clothing, accessories, shoes, heels for specific occasions, their hygiene essentials. . . etc.

All of their luggages were being settled into the trunk of the black car, being neatly organized by magic. Bloom was impressed by how the servants were taking care of the matter—making sure that everything was in perfect order before they would leave.

Adrian and Alec had finally the rest of their family members who were currently waiting for them in the living room. Alec had grabbed the car keys—claiming the driver's seat as he wasn't going to allow his father to be the one driving not in his current condition.

Adrian's smile had stretched across his face as he was rambling on the phone with one of his family members. Butterflies had danced all across Bloom's stomach. She wasn't entirely sure why she was nervous about meeting her extended relatives.

"Don't worry Bloom," Marion said gently. "They're going to love you."

Bloom had bit her lips as uncertainty filled her sapphire eyes. She hadn't wanted to say something that would break her mother's heart. . . but she couldn't help feel like she was a screwed up girl with a messed up life.

"What if they think I'm a screwed princess or something. . ." Bloom trailed off, looking rather discomforted.

Lassandra's lips had curled into a warm, loving, reassuring smile. "They aren't going to think that about you, darling. They've been pressing your grandfather in wanting to meet you."

The heat had rushed to Bloom's cheeks—turning bright pink—due to her self-doubt.

"Well, we better get going before it gets late," Adrian had approached his wife's side, looping his arm around Lassandra's shoulder, grinning at the girls.

Bloom had noticed that there was a few special security guard cars that immediately caused her to groan. Her father Oritel was truly one-of-a-kind man—truly stubborn about things not going his way.

"I just want to make sure you get there safely, Bloom." Oritel informed her.

"I know." Bloom whispered, glancing at his roguishly handsome. Though she had noticed that he was starting to grow out his beard for some time, but she couldn't deny that it made Oritel look even more attractive.

"Was this really necessary, Oritel?" Alec asked, posing an eyebrow.

"Yup. Totally necessary to make sure that my girls get there safely," Oritel had a sadistic grin that caused Alec to roll his eyes, scoffing due to the prince's silliness.

"Anyways are you going to be okay for the next two weeks without me and mum around?" Bloom wasn't entirely sure why she was so worried about her father.

"I didn't realized you cared about me so much," Oritel had casually joked which had earned him a giggle from Bloom. His expression had soften on her. It was good to see her laughing again.

"It just feels like you can't go a day without seeing mum," Bloom replied, smirking.

It had made Oritel's face turn bright red like a tomato. "Don't worry about me Bloom. I'll survive the next two weeks. Besides I'll be busy with setting up projects all over the kingdom. . ."

Bloom had given her father a tight hug and had whispered. "But I'll miss you, dad."

Oritel was touched by his daughter's words, softly stroking her beautiful red-hair. "I just want you to enjoy your holiday trip, sweetheart."

"And I will. Promise." Bloom smiled back.

She had pulled away from her Oritel and had given her mother and father a bit of privacy to talk things out, alone, as Bloom had joined her grandmother and uncle in the car. Oritel wrapped his arms around Marion's waist pulling the girl up close to him. He had tossed her a sexy grin.

"That was really sweet of you Oritel," Marion's emerald-green eyes were filled with so much love towards her fiancé.

"I'm definitely a good father to Bloom."

"That you are."

Oritel had leaned forward in, cupping her chin with the index of his finger, his soft lips had met Marion's as he so desperately wanted to kiss her before she would leave with her family. Marion had relished Oritel's lips on hers, but even she knew it had to come to an end, despite her heart yearning more for Oritel's touch on her.

Maybe Bloom was right about one thing: she and Oritel couldn't get out of each other's grips. A wedding wouldn't seem to be such a bad idea after all. . . as Marion had blushed rather intensely.

Author's Note

Heeyyyy I'm back again! Sorry for the long awaited chapter two, but eh, you know life can keep you pretty busy! Omggg! There's so much to do for this story and I'm only just staring and I do have all the plot ideas outlined. . . hehehehe. . .but of course its gonna take time to write out and stuff!

I gotta make this clear and please don't jump / throw book at me. . . Bloom isn't going to jump into a relationship sooo soon, not after her break up with Sky and she of course needs time to heal and deal with her issues and complicated family (I guess *laugh*) butt. . . I've gotta say there's going to be interesting stuff happening next chapter.

mikan26: Ooohhhh thank you so much! You make me blush for your kind words! Yeah about time Sky and Bloom broke up LOL. Ooohhh I can't say anything about Alec's older brother but you may be onto the right idea. . . but I don't think believix is going to be in story sorry about that but I promise there's gonna be other surprises! :)

ikran feysal: Oooohhhh thank you! As for Bright Lights, Black City chapter ten update is soon falling between 25,26,27 of this month. I was just suffering through writer's block on that story. . .( *cries*)

bex55: Omgggg! Thank you! I'm blushing right now! Hahahaha Oritel is definitely happy that Bloom had broke up with Sky and now he gets to fulfill his idea of keeping his daughter away from men (as if that's gonna ever happen LOL). And yeah I feel so bad for Marion! *weeps* she's suffering too much.. . but don't worry things will get better for her :)

Louiich: Thank youu! I'm running out of words to say xD Hahahahah Oritel is definitely happy knowing that his daughter is no longer with Sky. Yeah Marion is hurting a lot poor her. . . her mother's life, and her two daughter's tragic fate. . . can't be easy for her to digest. . . and knowing she has a half-brother. . .ugh. . . but she'll recover but needs lots of time. .. :D

shadowhunter1400: thank you! You're too kind! :D

I hope you had enjoyed this chapter!

Like always please leave your reviews and comments down below! I really do appreciate it and love to hear your thoughts about it!

Until Next Time!