MOONLIGHT KINGDOM
People gathered around a place while staring at the painting on the wall. It was the picture of Omar. They drew it just like the man described and it really looked like him. The only difference was that he looked bad now.
They wrote that if another person found him or knew him, they should come to a particular place. They would be rewarded with bars of gold if they could help.
"Who is he anyway?"
"Why are they that huge?"
"I haven't seen him before. He looks strange." The people commented as Omar, who was wearing his dark clothes as usual, passed by and his eyes widened when he saw his painting on the wall.
He went to tear one of them because there were so many. The people stared at him strangely as he walked out of the place.
He appeared in the king's chamber and met him getting ready for a court meeting.
"So you finally decided to show yourself to me. I kept expecting you throughout the time I was in that kingdom, thinking maybe we could just find something to do," the king said.
"I can't go to the kingdom. That kid is mad. He actually found me and attacked me. I had to run away for my life," Omar said and removed the cap he was wearing. The king almost laughed but held himself together as he stared at Omar's bald head.
"He did this to you?" the king asked in surprise.
"Of course he did. Because he sensed me at his palace. He is surely going to pay for it," Omar groaned.
"Sorry. That must have hurt you a lot because I know how much you cherish your long hair," the king said.
"There is another problem," Omar said and dropped the painting on the table. The king picked it up to check.
"Someone is looking for me. I don't know how they found out my identity. My picture is all over the kingdom and they wanted to reward anyone that finds me," Omar said.
"I hope this won't ruin our plan?" the king asked.
"It won't, but I don't trust the guards that work for us," Omar said.
"They can't reveal your identity, so you don't have to worry about them," the king said.
"Good," Omar said and wore his cap back.
"I visited the cave today and I was surprised the blood had passed half of the stone," the king smiled.
"That's thanks to my beast. They go everywhere in this world to bring people. The only kingdom they can't go to is the Crystal Kingdom because of the shield protecting it," Omar said proudly.
"That means the operation will be faster than I thought," the king grinned.
"That's right," Omar smiled.
"Your highness, the ministers are already in the courtroom," a guard announced from outside the door.
"What did they want this early?" Omar asked.
"They are here to discuss the sudden disappearance of the orphans in the kingdom," the king shrugged.
"It may be the work of my beast," Omar said.
"That's what I think. It's good that it's actually washing those dirty looking kids out of my kingdom," the king said with a smirk.
"You should go now. They are waiting already," Omar said and vanished.
He appeared inside Princess Amara's room. She was still asleep because it was early in the morning.
"Maybe I should wait till another time. She might be tired from her trip," he muttered and vanished out of the room.
**CRYSTAL KINGDOM**
The emperor opened his eyes gently and they settled on the little cutie that lay on his chest. Without being told, he now knew she was really the one making him sleep. He woke up late yesterday and now today. Thanks to her, he had slept three days in a row.
"I slept again. But how is that even possible? None of the spirits disturbed me last night and I wasn't even angry when she yelled at him," he thought while still looking at her.
"You look so confused," Flower's voice said behind him and the emperor banished to her front. She almost lost balance on where she was sitting.
"Tell me what I want to hear," he said calmly.
"And what is that?" she asked.
"You know, Flower," he said. His voice sounded deadly.
"I told you already. You have to figure this out yourself," Flower said.
"Don't tell me that. I can't figure anything out and I am getting frustrated and you know what happens when I get frustrated," he said.
"Raven, calm down," she said.
"Don't tell me that. Tell me what I want now or disappear. I don't want to see you again," the emperor said.
"You are kicking me out?" she asked in surprise.
"Yes, so go away before I snap your little head out of your neck," the emperor said.
"I can't really tell you, but I can help you with a hint to make you figure something out. Maybe after that you can put everything together," Flower said.
"Go on," the emperor said and moved away from her.
"That mark on her forehead, you should do research on it. I am sure you will find something out. I recommend reading some ancient books," Flower said. The emperor didn't say anything so she vanished. The emperor sat on his chair and stared at Arizona. His focus was on the mark on her head. He looked away when she stirred from her sleep.
Jade sat alone under a tree. She was very sad and confused too. Almost all of the guests were gone. She wasn't even sure if her sister was gone too. It was bad she wasn't able to see her.
"What's wrong?" Alicia asked while sitting beside her. She had noticed her behavior since yesterday.
"It's my sister. We lost our parents when I was ten and she was seven years old. We had to start fending for ourselves. Our parents were owing a lot of debt so one of our debtors forced me to start working at a club at such a young age. I was just thirteen years old. I would serve men and even perform for them. I was so ashamed of myself then as people looked down on me. That made my little sister suffer too. When I was seventeen, which is five years ago, I was taken to the palace to start working as a maid. The man promised to take care of my sister. I wanted to work hard so that I could pay all the debt I was owing the people but it was not just enough. When I was finally able to get out of the palace, I couldn't find her again. I heard she was sold to a merchant. I have been looking for her since then. When I found her dancing some days ago, I was so happy. Finally I had found my sister but I wasn't even allowed to come close to her. I can't even see her and I don't even know the kingdom she came from," Jade said sadly.
"Did Arizona know all this?" she asked.
"She doesn't. I don't want to trouble her, that's why," Jade said.
"She will be disappointed when she finds out, you know right?" Alicia said.
"I know. I am ready for it," she said sadly.
"Close your eyes," Princess Alicia said.
"Why, my princess?" she asked.
"Just do as I said," Alicia said. Jade closed her eyes but her eyes snapped open when she heard the voice of her sister.
"Janelle," she called in surprise.
"Jade, I miss you so much," Janelle said and hugged her sister.
"How come you are here?" Jade asked in shock.
"The princess helped me," Janelle said while pointing to Alicia. Jade looked at Alicia in surprise.
"I found out from Gael yesterday and I went to meet them this morning as they were about to go. I had to buy her. They didn't want to sell her but I had to offer them a lot of gold," Alicia said.
"Thank you so much, princess," Jade said and hugged her.
"It's okay. You are my friends, okay?" Alicia smiled.
"You are so pretty," Janelle said to the princess.
"You too. Let me leave you guys alone so that you can catch up," Alicia said and left.
She saw Jimmy training some guards. She smiled and stared at him. He was looking so handsome. She remembered that he had been acting strange since yesterday morning. He even gave her hangover soup. She was so confused because of how nice he was. She was about to get to his place when the image of them kissing flashed to her brain. She stopped on her track immediately as the image became clear. She knew she was the one that kissed him herself. He suddenly wanted to look at her direction but she took to her heel and started running away. She was so embarrassed that she couldn't face him. Maybe that was why he had been acting strange since yesterday. What had she done? She was interrupted when someone suddenly caged her to the wall.
"I didn't see you throughout yesterday. I almost thought you were avoiding me," River said while staring down at her.
"Let me go," she said angrily and tried to release herself but he was too strong.
"Are you still angry because of five years ago? I told you I am sorry. Can you just forget about it already?" he said.
"It's easy for you to say," she scoffed.
"I am here to make it up to you now. We can get engaged right now if you want," he smiled and stared at her lips.
"I am not interested," she said and wanted to go but he dragged her back.
"Don't tell me you have stopped loving me already. You shouldn't stop because I am here to reciprocate the love," he smiled and touched her face.
"Don't touch me," she snapped.
"Come on, Alicia. You shouldn't be like this," he said and wanted to kiss her but she turned her head.
"Let go of me," she snapped, but he kept trying to kiss her.
"When a lady says let go, you should. It's not appropriate forcing yourself on them," Jimmy's voice said behind him.
"It's nothing. We are just talking," River said.
"It doesn't look like that," Jimmy scoffed and grabbed the princess's hand. They left together.
"Just like I thought, he is going to become a problem," River thought while glaring at their backs.
"Thanks for saving me," Alicia said and released her hand from his grip. She left without sparing him a glance.
"What's wrong with her?" Jimmy thought.
"Princess, look at my drawing. How is it?" a little girl asked Arizona. She was checking on the children and she was satisfied that they were looking good and happy.
"It's perfect," she smiled and walked through, checking on all the children. Even the guardians were happy to see her because she was so fun.
She even played around with them. Soon her clothes had become dirty from excess playing. They were all free with her unlike Samara.
"Your highness, your presence is needed at the courtroom," a guard said behind her and her eyes widened.
"Why am I needed? Did I do something wrong?" she asked in confusion.
"I don't think it's something like that. You will find out if you follow me," the guard said while looking at her messy clothes and hair.
"Bye for now," she waved at the kids before going after the guard. As they went closer to the courthouse, she was feeling very nervous. She remembered when she was called to the courtroom after fighting with one of the minister's sons. Her father was very disappointed then. She wished it wasn't like that.
They got to the door and it was opened. She started entering and Samara also joined her. It seemed like she was called too.
They started walking to the emperor's throne. It was far because the courtroom was very big. The ministers focused on the two ladies and whispered among each other. They were actually talking about how messy and dirty Arizona looked.
Samara had her head up while Arizona was just looking around. She saw Madam Sara sitting beside the emperor. The woman smiled at her and she returned it.
They finally stopped in front of the emperor. His eyes were on Arizona. He was looking at her from head to toe.
"Since the emperor didn't have interest in any of the princesses at the festival, these are the two women closest to him and one of them, I mean the person that is qualified enough—will be chosen as the Empress of the Crystal Kingdom," one of the ministers announced. Samara was smiling while Arizona looked shocked to the bone.