Maria's POV:
"Lily,"
"Astral,"
I glance at my friends who greet each other with straight faces as they pass in the hallway. Uh…
"Daddy," A hand tugs at his hand as he looks down at purple eyes. "Can I-"
"Hey Astral," A voice speaks up as we direct our glances to a woman wearing a short black dress ending at her upper thigh. What is she doing here? "You ready?"
His straight face morphs into a minuscule smile. "Just waiting for you."
A giggle escapes her lips as she plants his cheek with a kiss. "You look really good tonight."
"Don't I always?" He gestures her to go first with a bow. "Ladies first."
"Such a gentleman as well."
"Daddy," My friend looks behind him as the girl pouts. "I thought you said you were going to help me build my doll house today."
"Sweetie," He crouches to her level. "I forgot that I have an appointment to get to. Perhaps your mother and Maria can help you?"
"No." She frowns even more swinging his arm back and forth. "That's what you said yesterday as well. You promised you would help me build it."
"I wish I can but I'm very busy these days and-"
"Why are you so busy these days?" Tears prickle in the corners of her eyes. "You don't want to help me build it."
"I do but," A conflicted expression etched on his face. "Snowflake, how about this? I'll make it up to you tomorrow. I can clear my schedule and-"
"No!" I internally jump at her sudden high pitched yell. Woah… "You always say that then something comes up." Tears drip down her cheeks as his gold and silver eyes widen. "You're a liar, daddy! I hate you!"
"Honey wait!"
She actually said that phrase…
My friend blinks in disbelief as he rises staring at her running figure down the hall. That has got to sting but to tell you the truth, he did somewhat deserve it. Maybe this will snap him out of it.
A sigh radiates next to me as she glances at her husband. "This is what happens when you neglect her."
"But I… why is she so insistent on it being me?"
She rolls her eyes with a scoff. "You still don't get it? She misses you. She wants to spend more time with you because you are her father. That's why she's been so persistent but apparently you would rather spend all your time with someone else."
"You seem to have a habit prioritizing things over family." Purple eyes stare at him coldly. "Don't say I didn't warn you when things don't go as planned."
"Come on, Maria." She starts walking down the hall. "Help me cheer her up."
"Right behind you." I look at the man next to me then back at my friend who is walking towards her room. I have never seen her speak so coldly to him before…
Liliana's POV:
"Melody-"
"Mommy, daddy doesn't love me anymore!" My heart aches as I hear her sobs through the door.
"That's not true," My hazel eyes friend runs up to me shaking the door knob frantically. "He's just busy. Your father still loves-"
"Stop lying to me!" Sniffles rings through my ears. "I know he doesn't love me. He likes that woman more!"
Astral… did you forget what you promised me? "Sunshine," My hands turn the doorknob. "I promise, no matter what happens, your father loves you the most."
A small hiccup escapes her mouth as whimpers comes from inside. What should I do now? How do I fix this situation?
"Give me some ideas here." I turn to the woman next to me who shrugs.
"I've never been in this position before but if I were you, I would focus on getting the door open."
"Thanks for the obvious." My eyes roll as I turn the knob harder. No use. I'm going to kill that man! What was he thinking going with Katherine?
"Lily… are you alright?" My ears perk as my friend curtsy. Golden eyes radiate with concern as her eyes drift from me to the door.
"Your Majesty,"
"Mother," I let out a breath. "I… Melody locked herself in the room. Do you have any ideas?"
She blinks eyeing the door. "Did something upset her?"
"More like someone." My friend mutters as she places her hand on her forehead.
"Do you have any way to get her to unlock it?" I ask again as she nods.
"Melody," She hollers as a I can hear a whimper from my daughter.
"Grandma,"
"My dear sweet child, who has gotten you so upset? If I run into this being, I'll personally give him a strangling for hurting my grandchild."
A strangling? Hah! I doubt she would do that to her own son.
"Daddy doesn't love me anymore." Her voice mutters with a crack as golden eyes widen.
"What?" A laugh escapes her. "Why would you think that?"
She stays quiet making a noise of protest as my mother-in-law stares at me. "Why would she think that?"
"Basically, Astral promised to build her doll house today but he went out with Katherine." Her hazel eyes narrow in disgust. "And since he's been busy lately, she's missing the affection she would only receive from her father." She finishes with a head shake as my mother blinks in disbelief.
"How could he prioritize her over his daughter?"
"Exactly!" My friend seethes. "What is he thinking?"
"I don't think he's using his brain." My mother-in-law rolls her eyes with a breath. "Honestly, this son of mine… Lily, how do you tolerate him?"
I shrug as we focus our stares towards the door. How do I tolerate him? I don't know. I guess I don't tolerate him. He only started to act differently when she came into the picture.
"Sweetheart I can guarantee your father loves you very much." Her voice rings throughout the hallway.
"Grandmama," A hiccup comes from her lips. "Even you are lying to me."
"What? Me? Lying?" A hand retracts towards her chest with a surprised look. "I'll never lie to you."
"Honey," I chime in turning the knob once more. "Just unlock the door and I promise I'll explain everything."
…
…
…
"Really?"
"Yes," I gulp as we nod. "Now, listen to me and unlock the door."
(Click)
Oh thank goodness.
My arm holds my friend's arm as she leans closer to my ear. "And here I thought we would have to pick the lock if things get serious."
Brandon's POV:
"Estrella," My eyes narrow as she raises a brow. The wind howls making her hair flutter over her shoulders. "You know something about this, am I correct?"
Her green eyes blink with a head tilt. "Know what?"
"Katherine," Green eyes widen for a fraction of a second as my lips curve upwards. "You know something that all of us don't."
A scoff escapes her lips as she folds her arms in front of her chest. Defensive move. "Why would you assume such a thing."
"Well, you're her half-sister so the probability of you knowing something shoots up. And even if you don't know anything, there's no way you wouldn't have noticed her plan to get close to him."
"How did you…"
"Astral isn't the only one who researches individuals." I rub my fingernails and glance up at my friend. "So, tell me. What's her motive?"
The person in front of me sighs. "Isn't it obvious?"
"Let me clarify." I clear my throat after a moment as she sits on the couch. "What's her alternative motive?"
"I don't know and why are you questioning me? Just because I'm her sister?" Green eyes bore into mine with a frown. "Wouldn't it make more sense to question her instead?"
"I would love to but as you can see," He gestures to the room. "She's currently occupied and when it comes her time to be questioned, I won't be doing the questioning."
He will. Hm… how is his plan going by the way?
She blinks blankly at me. "If not you then who"
"You'll know in time."
A breath escapes her lips as I give her an expectant look. "Estrella, what's her alternative plan?"
"I don't know. I already told you that I-"
"If you consider me a friend then I would advise you to tell me." My hands flip through an open notepad. "The quicker we can get this resolved, the better it is for him and his family."
"But I'm telling you I honestly don't know." She give me an eye roll. "Besides, even if I knew her other motive, do you think she would tell me based on our relationship? You looked at my file didn't you? Her and I don't get along very well."
True… was that why he told me not to question her? Ah! I messed up big time! Now she knows! He's going to kill me!
"But you must know something." I stress as I click the pen. "Why is she so into him? Is it Love or does she want something else?"
"If there is another motive," She places a hand under her chin. "She's hiding it really well."
"So it's love after all?" I jot down on the notepad as my friend nods.
"Yup."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive."
"Nothing else?" I ask looking up. "Have you ever heard her mention her family?"
She shakes her head. "Nope. Not in front of me anyway."
Hm… could it be that our information is wrong? Could she just be a lovestruck woman without ulterior motives? No… he isn't the type to be wrong about this. If he says there's another reason…
"Hold on, why are you asking me about this? Shouldn't he be the one asking?"
"Why should he?"
"Uh… because he's the one she's trying to pursue…"
I shrug. "I don't know what he's thinking these days. Honestly, the ulterior motive thing was just a theory of mine."
My friend raises a brow in confusion. "Why?"
A breath escapes my lips as my notepad shuts. I run my fingers through my hair with a smirk. "I want to know why such a beauty would like him so much. Why does every lady seem to like him of all beings?"
She giggles with a head shake. "Have you looked at yourself?"
"Hey!"
Why this little…
"Just saying."
My eyes roll as she stifles another laugh. Great. Back to square one. I'm pretty sure Katherine has another motive but what is it? It somehow involves her family but how? In what way?
Star's POV:
(Flash):
"Mommy!" A girl screams as blurry faces take her away.
(Flash)
I blink as I stop walking. What the… what happened in the past? A hiss escapes my lips as my hand grips the pendent on my neck tightly. Why can't I seem to remember anything?
"Hey beautiful," A voice hums from behind me as I feel a pair of arms wrap around my waist. My body immediately stiffens as he sniffs my hair. Uh-oh… I knew I shouldn't have gone out this far! "Mm, you smell incredible. What perfume do you use?"
Disgusting! My stomach lurches in my throat as I scan the area for people. No good. There's no one here except for the two of us. Considering I'm in such a deserted area, I'm assuming he followed me. Not to self: always check my surroundings for creepers like him.
What should I do now? I obviously can't scream for help. Should I fight him? No… I could get seriously injured if I do. Not to mention I do know any moves. I knew I should've taken some self defense lessons from Astral! Argh! But if I don't do anything, he'll…
My eyes widen as a hand trails down towards my hips. "Let go of me." My heart pounds as I gulp. "Do you know who I am? I could get you executed."
"Oh?" He laughs as his hand settles on my upper thigh. "And who might you be, gorgeous?"
What should I say?
"If you know what's good for you," I clench my fists tightly. "You would let me go instantly."
"Hah, sorry but no can do bugaboo. You're mine." His voice dips into a whisper as his lips touch the back of my neck. "You can scream all you want but this is a deserted area. No one can save you."
He's right. I… what do I do? Should I kick him where it hurts? Fight? If I do nothing… My eyes narrow as I shut my eyes tightly. Here goes nothing!
(Whack)
A pair of arms release from my body as my eyes open. Huh? Did my threat work? What was that noise?
"Men are so despicable these days." Eh? I turn around to meet ocean blue eyes. "Are you alright?"
The woman in front of me holds a look of concern as she ticks a strand of long blonde hair behind her ear. So she was the one who… My eyes drift to the man laying on the ground with blood on his head.
"Oh my gosh! Is he dead?!"
If anyone finds out, I'll be a murderer and have to go to jail! Wah! I'm too young!
The woman in front of me laughs as she looks at him with a smirk. "No need to worry. He's not dead unfortunately."
Oh thank goodness.
"Thank you for-"
"No need to thank me." Blue eyes narrow viciously at the guy. "I despise beings like him so in hindsight, I wasn't really helping you."
Ah… so helping me is collateral damage. Great.
I blink as I crouch to his level. "But thank you anyway and," I poke his cheek. "Shouldn't we bring him to a hospital?"
She crosses her arms raising an eyebrow. "Why should we? He was about to take advantage of you yet you want to help him?"
I mean…
"It's not like we can leave him here all alone like this." My green eyes meet hers. "If someone finds out about this, we'll be in huge trouble."
A yawn escapes her lips with a head shake. "Trust me, no one will find out about this as long as we dispose of him."
"Dispose?" I blink in confusion as a thought flashes in my mind. She doesn't mean… "You can't kill him!"
"And why not?"
"If anyone finds out about this, you'll be in-"
A snicker radiates from her lips as she comb her fingers through her hair. "You still don't get it, do you."
What's that supposed to mean?
"Nobody will find out about this. Besides if they do," A smirk crosses her lips as she walks to me offering her hand. "I know someone who would automatically let me get away with it."
What? How? Who?
"Who are you?" My eyes narrow as I take her hand to rise. "You're obviously not a regular being."
"And who would have enough power to let you get away with killing someone?" I ask as she smiles. Is she a Lady? Duchess? Marchioness? Wait, is she bluffing?
Her tongue clicks as she stares at the bloodied rock next to her. "Let's just say I know someone who can kill beings if provoked pass a certain threshold. Who controls enough power to destroy this world."
An assassin?! Ninja? No… by the looks of things… the person she's talking about must be very powerful… hm… who on Astral World would have such an immense power?
I gulp as my eyes drift to the guy still unconscious on the grass. "So… are we just going to leave him here to rot?"
"Eh," She shrugs as she flings the rock into the body of water nearby. "He'll most likely wake up soon anyway. As you would most likely guessed, I didn't use that much force to kill him."
He is literally bleeding from his head! What is the matter with this woman?
"Oh," She holds out her left hand looking at me with a small smile. "I still don't know your name."
"I'm Star."
My hand shakes hers. "Nice to meet you, Star. I'm Elena."
"Nice to meet you as well." I retract my hand back as my eyes linger on the guy on the ground. "Are you sure we shouldn't take him to the hospital?"
The woman in front of me waves an arm dismissively. "Don't tell me you actually feel bad for him?"
"It's not that but still…" Not helping him would be wrong.
"I told you, Star, he'll wake up in any minute. Besides, he deserves it." Her eyes narrow with a scowl. "I could've done a lot worse."
Scary!
I gulp fiddling with my fingers clutching my pendent. Does she have something against men? Or is it just these types of guys? I'm willing to bet on the second one.
"Say," A voice snaps me from my thoughts. A finger points to my chest as her eyes narrow. "Where did you get that pendent?"
Astrana's POV:
Nighttime:
Ay ya! Pick up!
"Anything?"
"I'm not here currently so leave a message after the beep."
(Beep)
"Brother, where are you right now? Anyway, never mind that. Something serious has happened in the palace so come home right this instant!"
(Beep)
"Nope." I shut my phone off with a sigh. "It seems like his phone's off."
"I want daddy." A little girl whimpers hugging a stuffed gold dragon with her knees up to her chest. "Auntie Astrana, daddy doesn't like me anymore."
My heart breaks at her tears as I move my body closer to hers. "Hey, that's not true."
"If not then why hasn't he come home?"
"Melody," A fatigued voice rings out from the restroom as she shuffled onto the bed. "I already told you he's busy with a lot of things lately."
"Hey, you're looking quite pale." My eyes shift to my sister who is adjusting herself next to her daughter. "Want me to call in Nistro?"
"No need." Her purple eyes start to shut. "I'll be fine after a few minutes. It's just fatigue that's all."
Where on earth are you? I swear if I find you I'll turn you into minced meat! I still cannot believe he left his pregnant wife and daughter all alone in the palace when he and Katherine are out there just the two of them.
"Mommy," A small hand shakes my friend's arm as a groan escapes her lips. "I want daddy. Where is he?"
"How should I know?" A yawn radiates from her mouth as her eyes slightly open. "It's past your bedtime, sunshine. Get some rest."
Her brows furrow with a pout. "But daddy said-"
"My sweet niece," I interrupt as my hands carry her onto my lap. "Let your mother get some rest. You know how tired she is."
A pair of arms hug the gold stuffed dragon closer as she frowns. "But I want my daddy."
How should I go about this? My eyes drift to my best who is soundly asleep pulling the blanket up. She must be very tired. Hm…
"I know you want my brother but like your mother said, he's out at the moment." Her frown deepens as I bite my lip. "How about this, when he gets back, I promise that he'll spend all day with you."
Purple eyes with speaks of gold and silver looks up at me. "You're not lying, are you?"
"Of course not," I peck her head with a giggle. "Who do you love more? Your mommy or daddy?"
I'm betting a hundred bucks she will say daddy.
My niece blinks turning her head towards the right then look at me. A minute later, she turns her head to the stuffed dragon in her arms biting her lip. Is it that hard of a question?
"You can pick both of you want." I said after a moment as her little hands touch her mother's head gently with a frown.
What's with that look?
"I love both." Big eyes look at me with a grin. "But if I have to choose," Her head turn towards her right stroking dark locks as my friend sleeps peacefully. "I would choose daddy."
See? Just as I expected. She obviously has a preference. I wonder if I had a preference when I was little.
"Why's that?"
"Because mommy is unhappy when daddy is gone." My eyes widen as a thought flies into my brain. "I don't like it when daddy gets close to her."
"Was that why you…"
The girl on my lap nods looking down into her lap. "I want daddy to spend more time with mommy and me. Only then will mommy be happy again." She blinks gripping the dragon tightly. "Then everything will go back to normal."
Incredible… My jaw slightly hangs open as those words comes from her mouth. And here I thought she didn't know anything about what was happening between the two of them.
"But why do you want him in particular?"
"Because he will make mommy happy and if mommy is happy, I will be happy as well and everything will go back to normal."
"Auntie," Purple eyes meet mine. "I want daddy."
I let out a sigh as my arms pull her closer. "Don't worry. He'll be back soon."
All this time I thought she had no clue what was going on but in reality… My hand clenches into a fist. I'll do everything in my power to get things to be like before.
Enna's POV:
I walk up towards my husband who is staring at a wall blankly. What the matter with him today? At court, he didn't seem all that interested… hm…
"Honey,"
The guy next to me blinks and turns his head in my direction. "Hm?"
"What are you thinking about so deeply?" My hand hands him a glass of water as he sighs placing it on the table with a clink. Uh-oh… this looks serious.
"It's about Astral."
I blink a bit raising an eyebrow. "What about him?" I mean… surely he's not still under the false pretense of Astral hating him, right? He didn't say it and I don't think he hates him.
"He's been acting a bit…" My husband's tongue clicks as I lay my hands on his. "Out of character recently."
Does he mean…
"You mean staying out late and hanging with Katherine?"
"Yeah."
"Don't let it get to you so much," I move one of my hands to his shoulder. "He's doing this to draw out time and find out her plan."
But I do agree. His tactics do seem a bit… unsettling…
"I hope that is the case." The man next to me mutters as my eyes widen. What?
"You think he's doing this for another reason?"
"Enna," Green and red eyes meet mine. "You saw what happened today, didn't you? He left his wife and daughter to go out with her and still isn't back yet."
My head turns towards the clock as it chimes. It's midnight. What could he be doing at this hour? And it's just the two of them as well…
"That's not all. What seemed to be a little argument between him and Lily is dragging out into a huge deal that's not only affecting everyone around them but also our granddaughter."
I nod as a breath escapes my lips. "You're correct. All this time I didn't think she understood the situation but it's clearly taken affect on her well-being."
If this continues…
"I don't get it." A hand runs through his hair as he plops himself on the bed. "I don't understand what he's thinking anymore. Is this just an act or is this real? I just don't get it anymore." My husband shuts his eyes with a yawn. "Then there's the whole thing with the fates calamity. Why on earth did it flash again? Didn't it already happened once? Oh, and on another note," The man on the bed glances at the stacks of papers on his desk with a grunt. "I have to look over those documents in time for the next meeting."
So many things to do. People think being king is easy but nope. It's actually very hard to govern a world.
"Love," My body lays next to his. "About our son, just let him be. Let him do his own thing."
"But-"
"Didn't you say you'll stop interfering with his relationships?"
"Well yeah," A mutter escapes. "But he's being-"
"Whatever his decision may be, we have to let him live his own life, Eliphas." My husband shuts his mouth as my eyes softens. "We already intervened as much as it is and looked what happened?"
He stays silent at my words. "But you know what would've happened if we didn't do that."
(Flash):
"I want you to stay away from my son."
Pink eyes widened at my statement as she places her cup down on the table. "Your Majesty," Her eyes drifts towards her lap. "I know I'm not suited for His Highness. After all, I'm merely a commoner."
I grip my hands together at her expression. "Then you should know what I'm about to say."
"Yes, but," She looks into my eyes with desperation. "I…" The girl in front of me bites her lips lowering her eyes. "I just want to be beside him. I know my place. I don't dare dream of being anything other than his friend-"
"No."
"Your Majesty-"
"That won't work." My fingers grip tightly on the hem of my dress. "As long as you're around, he will just keep on trying. Only when you are gone from his life will he stop."
A hurt look etched on her face as I gulp. "I know you love him." Her eyes widen. "I also know that he means a lot to you." My hands hold hers firmly. "This might seem a bit rude of me to say but all I want is the best for my son. He's going to be the next king and when that happens, he'll need someone with political power and connections to back him up. Do you get what I'm saying?"
Tears prickle the corner of her eyes as she blinks rapidly. "I… I understand, Your Majesty."
(Flash)
Astraea. If there's one thing I regret in this life, it's probably saying all of that to you. If you were someone else… if you weren't his fated calamity… I would have agreed but… it just so happens that you and him couldn't be together.
"I know that look. You're thinking of her again, aren't you?" A voice snaps me from my thoughts as I blink.
My head nods as he sighs. "Honey, it wasn't your fault. You were not the cause of her passing."
"But still…" I bite my lip as his hands hold my shoulder. "To break them up when they loved each other… I…"
"Honey, you know what would've happened if we hadn't done that." My husband said after a moment letting out a sigh. "Truth to be told, I feel bad as well but what else can we do?"
I know but… if things were different… if she wasn't his calamity…
"How long are we going to keep this from him?"
"He already knows."
My eyes widen. "What? How? You told him?"
"Yeah."
"Everything?"
"I told him some parts." A hand grips mine. "He knows what a fated calamity is and what happens if he gets close to that person but I never told him that she was his calamity."
But why? Why not just tell him everything?
"Why would you only tell him parts of it?"
"He was only 14 at the time, Enna. How did you think he was going to react if I told him the one he loved was his fated calamity?"
Ah… I see the problem now.
"But shouldn't you at least tell him about it now?" I raise an eyebrow. "It would most likely clear up any misunderstandings he has with you."
"I considered it but what's the point in bringing up the past? He's married. If we bring this up now," My husband shakes his head. "I fear it will only tear open a wound."
"And it will most likely affect his relationship with Lily."
"Mhm." A hand pulls me closer planting a kiss on my head. "That's the last thing I want to do."
Yup… I wonder how she's handling things. Did Melody stop crying?