My sis's in the hospital (suddenly) and i don't know why. I've to visit her like.. now. And I'm sorry that all my work are like super-bad quality cuz I'm in a rush lately.
TheDreamChaser: thank you for pointing that out. I've missed that one, so careless of me! argh... anyway, thanks :)
Psych101: yea, i have to agree with you. im in a rush lately and lots of things happened in my house, i don't want the readers to be kept waiting so i've no choice but to copy/paste things from other stories. thank you for telling me, i really appreciate your review. i hope i'll never repeat this mistake again. :)
Love Story
Chapter 21
"Lady Rachel," Malchior greeted Rachel as he walked up to her in the city park.
Rachel felt a surge of heat flushing up to her cheeks. She drew up the hood of her purple satin cape to hide her blush.
"Is it very cold here, I know winter is approaching. But... well, I'm sorry I requested you to meet me here," Malchior glanced at the hood.
The cape was lined with creamy white fur. Rachel looked just like a goddess, clad in her royal cape.
"Uh no, what is it that you wanted to tell me?" she asked.
"Um... I... I am going away for a while. I had to attend something gravely important with my uncle."
"Uncle?" Rachel asked, slightly surprised.
"My parent were dead when I was a child. They were killed in a war. Only my uncle and I survived."
Rachel's eyes softened, "Oh I'm sorry."
"It is all right."
"Anyway, how long are you be gone?"
"I don't know. All I know is that we are going away to a distant town."
"Um..." Rachel don't know what to say, not because she was shocked, but just... just... couldn't find anything right to say.
They stayed like that in the awkward silence, Rachel looking away from Malchior and Malchior gazing at her. None of them said a thing.
Malchior cleared his throat and broke the silence, "What about you"
"Me? What about me what?" Rachel asked, surprised.
"Well... Your life in the castle..."
"Hm... Well..." Rachel searched for something convincing to say. "It's... good... fortunate... well, you know..."
Malchior looked somewhat disappointed, but continued, "I must get going, my princess."
He raised her hand and kissed the back of it. "Well... Um... Have a good journey...?"
Malchior chuckled, "You sure had a lot of ways to illustrate your well wishes."
Rachel waved at him as he went off towards the city gate. When he was out of sight, Rachel heard a grunt coming frrom behind. Sun around and met her protective bodyguard.
"Princess," he greeted her.
"Duncun... Are you spying on me just now?" Rachel said in a disapproving tone.
"Don't get to close to him."
"I know... And I didn't."
"He's prying information out of you!"
Rachel rolled her eyes, "Yes I know... That's why I didn't tell him much just now."
Duncun stared at her, and she stared back. They were caught in a staring game not long after.
"Ha! You lost!" Rachel gave a triumph grin as Duncun blinked.
Being a gentleman for letting you win, my Princess. I fear for my head to be cut off if my Princess gets angry."
"Admit it," Rachel pointed at him and turned away. "You lost."
Duncun crossed his arms and turned away. Rachel did the same. Both of them were ignoring each other... which was so childish.
"Hey, Duncan, um... I... Can you... you know..." Rachel turned back and faced him.
Duncan smiled, "Princess Rachel, you want me to visit Prince Richard?"
Rachel blushed, "Uh... yea..."
"No problem, it is my duty to serve my princess."
"It's been months now."
"Please, do not worry, I'm sure they're doing fine. I'll bring back news too."
"Thanks."
"There's one thing that worries me, my princess," Duncun sighed, not sure whether he should continue.
"Do tell," Rachel looked at him earnestly.
"Well... Who is this... Malchior?"
Rachel averted his gaze, "He's... a new friend."
"Then what about Prince Richard?"
"Malchior and I were just friends."
"Let's just hope nothing gets beyond friendship between the two of you."
"..."
"I'm off, my lady. Take care and don't stick too close to him."
"Bye."
Sir Duncun started off and Rachel turned away to gaze out at the creek. With a late-rising moon and nolampps nearby, the stars were brilliant. Close to the dork the water rippled, then lay quietly again, hiding the creatures that moved beneath its surface. The darkness was beautiful; the secrets it held, enticing.
Rachel sighed. She then headed for the refuge of her room.
RxR
"Woah... Princess Rachel's sent you to visit us?" Babara asked in disbelief.
"Yes. She wanted me to send regards to all of you. She wondered how you all are doing. "
Richard said nothing but just smiled. Surely, his Rachel was always curious about things.
"Look at this! Princess Rachel even told someone to keep an eye on you. I'm so disappointed in you, you didn't even send someone to update you on your girlfriend's life!" Bruce teased.
"How's Rachel's life in Steel City?" Richard blused.
"Well... Rachel's..."
Bruce chuckled as Duncan told the story about their life in Steel City, then peeped out of the tent, "I'm very happy that you would actually come here to update on my future daughter-in-law's life, but it's late now. It won'be good if the spies caught you."
Then, in that case, I'll take my leave, King Bruce."
"Babara..."
"Yes, my lord." Babara then gestured to Duncun, "This way, sir."
Duncun stopped a few feet from the tent to contemplate whether to tell Babara abouMalchior. "Is anything that is bothering you, sir?"
Duncun sighed, "Well... Princess Rachel has been very close to this... Malchior lately. I have a bad feeling about this."
"Malchior?" Babara questioned. "Don't be so suspicious. He may be a good frrend that Princess Rachel met in Steel City."
"I... But This Malchior is getting very close to Princess Rachel. He is also prying out information of Princess Rachel's life."
"Now you are being paranoid. It's nothing," Babara reassured. "How does Malchior looks like? Shall I alert King Bruce?"
"He... Well... spikey and creamy white hair, blue eyes." Duncun thought for a while, then said, "No, please keep this from King Bruce and especially Prince Richard. They have too much to be worried on already."
RxR
"Slade Wilson called us here, I wonder what is so important that we had to stop our training and gather here."
"I heard it is about King Trigon."
"Rumor has that King Trigon had passed away."
"No, he was killed."
"He is not even dead, he was just sent away to Steel City to visit Queen Arella and Princess Rachel."
The hall was filled with whispers of curious soldiers, each had their story to tell. The low whispers gradually became loud chatters as they debated and some even fought with one another.
"Silence!"
All eyes were focused on the man clad in the leapoard print cape. Everyone gasped. He was taking The Sceptor and was wearing the king's crown! And he's not Trigon.
"I'm the new king."
"Like real! I know King Trigon is not dead yet! You just locked him up!"
"Yea! Maybe, you killed him!"
"I said SILENCE!"
The hall became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. No one dared to speak.
"King Trigon is dead. No one can change this fact. Before he died, he handed me this," Slade took out a scroll. "It is the will, the will that King Trigon made. It says: I, King Trigon, King of Azarath, I would bequeath this throne to my loyal commander, Slade Wilson. Slade Wilson, I shall hand over my precious daughter, Princess Rachel of Azarath, to you. Shouldst thou not take good care of my daughter and my country, thou will be haunted by my spirit."
"I dare not believe that ol' King Trigon would do that," an old general said. "I've been with him since he was a young man. I know him better than anyone of you. He certainly would not do that. I request to see his will"
Slade sighed, "Then in that case, I shall prove to you..."
Slade held out the scroll to let the soldiers have a look. "God... Even King Trigon's stamp is evident there!"
Slade smirked, "From now onwards, I want everyone to pledge me as your new king and obey me. I shall bring this country forward and achieve our goal."
"Wait! The will is a forgery! Slade Wilson killed King Trigon and established himself as our king!"
Anger exploded inside Slade, "Then I challenge you to come up and prove it!"
The loyal soldier went up to Slade and scrutinized te scroll. Without warnig, Slade stabbed the soldier from the back. Everyone gasped and were speechless. The soldier grimaced in pain and pointed at Slade.
"You..."
Slade chuckled as if it was a fun thing killing people, "My dear soldiers, this is what happen when you do not obey me. You will end up like this wretched thing. Guess what I'll do? Mammoth and Gizmo, throw him down the swamp, let those creatures feed on him!"
Mammoth and Gizmo gulped, "Yes, your majesty."
"And now, shall we invite our guest here to this hall. He shall be the new prince of Azarath."
The soldiers whispered among each other. They cast worried glances at each other.
"Silence!" Slade raised his right hand.
"We shall welcome the new prince of Azarath, Prince Malchior."