✨✨✨
After they left, King Osvaldo sitted alone in the throne, staring into space and Waylon enters.
“Greetings father” He said and bowed. King Osvaldo looks at him and smiles.
“What brings you here Waylon?” He asked.
“Shouldn’t you be resting rather than sitting in the throne, is late father” Waylon said.
“Thanks for worrying about me Waylon, but I’m fine sitting here” King Osvaldo said smiling.
“Sorry father, I didn’t mean to intrude but I heard your conversation with the ministers of Maelstrom. Is so cruel for Queen Anjali to have disclose Cheng’s identity, but don’t listen to them father” Waylon said.
“Meaning? King Osvaldo asked.
“Cheng might be a demon, but he’s still my brother. Separating him from us is enough punishment. Don’t exile him father” Waylon said and King Osvaldo smiles lightly
“I see you still care for him, as always” He said.
“I do father. If not for the demon that possessed him, we would have been best buddies. Though I kind of h@të him for turning into a demon with dark powers, but he’s still my brother and having him exiled from Maelstrom, is unjustified”.
“Thanks for still having Cheng at the back of your heart Waylon. I wasn’t planning on exiling him, he’s still my son” King Osvaldo said and Waylon smiles.
“Thank you father. I’ll take my leave now. You should also rest too” Waylon say.
“I’ll son”.
Waylon bowed to him and leaves. And just as he came out from the meeting room, Harlow blocked his part, with her hands on her waist.
Harlow is not a princess from any kingdom, but she was birthed from a rich breed and a noble family and as such, she’s always in the palace anytime she wants and it was also because she and Waylon are friends from childhood
“Harlow” He said with a smile and Harlow scoffs angrily.
“What with the angry mood Harlow?” Waylon asked.
“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t be angry Waylon? I’m sure you have heard news that I’m back in Maelstrom, but you didn’t even bother to visit me. I wasn’t in Maelstrom for a week and you didn’t even check up on me when I came back. Didn’t you miss me at all?” She asks.
Waylon smiles and wrapped her arm around her shoulder.
“Of course I missed my childhood friend so much” He said teasing her nose with his hand.
“Then why didn’t you bother to visit me. I waited for days” She said pouting.
“I was busy”.
“Busy with what?” Harlow asked.
“For the maid’s testing” He replied.
“More maids are needed here in the palace?”.
“Yes. Some of the maids are getting old to serve us, so we need younger maidens”.
“Your brother Thiago should be in charge of it, why bother to do it when you’re not the eldest?” Harlow asked.
“I don’t mind doing it Harlow. Sorry I couldn’t pay you a visit”.
“Is fine. Apologize accepted. Have you had dinner?” She asked.
“I was about to. Do you want to join me?” He asked and Harlow nods her head smiling.
✨✨✨
“So when is the maid’s testing?” Harlow asked as they ate.
“In three days time” He answers.
“I’m sure the palace will be filled with disgusting maidens” Harlow said.
“Why call them disgusting? They’re Humans” Waylon said.
“But to me they’re not humans but smelling creatures. I can testify from the servants working for my family” Harlow said.
“Just because the heavens blessed you with a noble rich family doesn’t mean you should looked down on those birthed from poor breed. They didn’t ask for such a fate”.
“Well that’s their own problem. You’re a prince Waylon and you should act like one. You and your sister are the same. Why associate with poor breeds when is clearly not accepted in Maelstrom”
“The rich breeds of Maelstrom created that rule, not like it was the heavens that made such law” Waylon said.
“Are we going to argue today again?” Harlow asked.
“You started it not me” Waylon said and stood up from the chair.
“Where’re you going?” Harlow asked.
“I just lost my appetite” He said and leaves.
“Waylon, Waylon!!. What the heck are you looking at!!!” She yells at the available maids.
“Sorry, my lady” They apologize.
“Sorry for your stupid selves. Don’t ever think about having an eye on Waylon, Cuz I’m going to kill you all, understood, now get out of my sight!!” Harlow shouted at them.
And the maids bows and leaves. Harlow hits her hand on the wooden table angrily.
“Why can’t he just support me?” She said clenching her fists.
✨✨✨✨✨✨
⟨ THREE DAYS LATER ⟩
Tatiana was about entering the palace that was guilded by five bodyguards, when Swati drags her back.
“What’s wrong?” She asked.
“You’re cruel you know that? How can you just enter the palace without a blink”.
“I already made my decision Swati and I can’t turn back now”.
“I’m really going to miss you so much Tatiana” Swati said sadly.
“Don’t miss too much okay, I promise to visit you during my off days if peradventure I pass the test”.
“Why I’m I suddenly praying you should fail” Swati said.
“Swati!”
“Sorry about that Tatiana. I hope you pass and reunite wh@tëver it is with prince Cheng and one more thing, please be careful and stay safe okay” Swati said crying.
“I’ll Swati. Although my Aunt might be annoying, but please help me check on from time to time, okay?”.
“I’ll Tatiana. I’m going to miss you” She said.
“Me too” Tatiana said and both hugged each other.
After waving each other goodbye, Tatiana entered the palace. And her jaw dropped on seeing how wide and beautiful it was. It’s her first time in the palace and it was beyond what she expected.
“I hope I pass so I can see you again Cheng. I do hope you still look the same” She said with a smile and joined the rest of the maidens who came for the maid’s testing.
“Welcome to the palace beautiful maidens. A lot of you came from the maid’s testing but we just need a few of you to serve the Royal family. The test is going to start soon and while waiting, take your time to explore the palace before it begins” A court maid said.
The maidens who came for the maid’s testing began looking around the palace with their friends who came for the maid’s testing too. And since Tatiana came on her own, she just walked alone, hoping to bumped into Cheng.
She was still looking around when she saw a beautiful bird and she smiles enchantingly. The bird has different colors, making it look like a rainbow bird.
“It’s so beautiful” Tatiana muttered, trying to caught the bird. But it flew and perched on a fence. Tatiana walks closer to it and tried to caught it, but the bird flew away perching on something.
And when Tatiana tried to get hold of it again it flew and Tatiana keeps following the bird as it went to the faraway side of the palace.
Tatiana was unaware of it, Cuz she was so focused in getting the bird. The bird landed in the hand of Cheng who was backing her.
Tatiana looks around wondering where she was, still she sees a figure all in black. Tatiana furrowed her brows wondering who he was.
And in her curiousness to know who he was, her feet made a sound. Cheng turns to look at her and Tatiana let out a gasp the moment her eyes came in contact with his handsome face and the next word she said was;
“Cheng”
Cheng furrowed his brows, wondering how she knew his name. Tatiana smiles more widely, he’s eyes were just like it was ten years ago, beautiful, charming and enchanting, everything about him didn’t change except for the expression on his face.
“You still look the same after so many years” She said with a smile and Cheng looks at her blankly.
“I’m so happy to see you again Cheng” She said and ran to where he was standing, hugging him tightly.
Cheng’s eyes shined red and his dark magic pushed Tatiana away from him with great force.
Tatiana flew and hitted her back on a tree’s trunk. And she winces in pain.
Cheng raised his hand and arrows that were in the ground raised up above the ground and Tatiana gasps when she saw that.
“Die” Cheng said in six voices, his eyes shone red the more and the arrows flew to where Tatiana was.
…..
TBC
