CHAPTER 18: THE PAST

Jane had quietly left the two. She went back and saw Ray in the distance.

She beckoned to him. "Keep an eye on them." She then left.

"So it is a win-win situation. Anyway there isn't much we can do with our life force anyway."

Austin:" But people's hearts are greedy and once this life of luxury is over they will surely want more."

"You are right. That's why we had already state that the condition is difficult to maintain and will be stopped."

'The carrot and stick strategy huh?'

"Yes."

"I believe there is something called privacy. "Austin glared at her.

"Not in my presence." Catherine said.

"What if my thoughts are impure?"

"Then I will distance myself."

"..."

"Your sister asked us to get married." He grimaced.

"Then I'll marry you."

"You were refusing just a moment ago."

"I changed my mind."

"You're fickle."

"Thanks"

He was exasperated. 'Spoiled brat.' he thought.

"I heard!"

"Good."

"….."

"You are ill-mannered."

"Right"

"You are not my ideal husband."

"Not my ideal wife either."

"I hate you."

"Me too."

"....."

"..."

Neither could say anything else.

"You should stay at the guest palace for a week before you go."

"Marriage will be in four days,"

Why was Jane so eager to send her off!!

Catherine did not understand.

They had just gotten their freedom back.

In Jane's office at night.

"I'm coming in."

Catherine entered.

"Care to explain?"

"Leave us." The maids went out. Jane shrouded the entire study in a soundproofing spell.

Catherine remained silent.

Jane looked straight into her eyes and said, "Do you know why there are no male successors in the family?"

Catherine: "No."

Jane let out a long sigh. "Let's begin."

The entire continent was divided into five great kingdoms-Rumield, Regiard, Laortis, Allandris and finally Mermadia. Each kingdom had its own specialty.

Rumield specialized in magic.

Regiard specialized in life force.

Laortis reared fighters with inner force.

Allandris had people with intelligence.

Mermadia's people rules the waters.

Mermadia was entirely under the sea. The residents were mermaids. They could take human form and come out on land but they could never stay for long. As such they were very dissatisfied with it as they saw the people conversing and laughing amongst themselves.

So they decided to conquer all the other four lands and declared war.

It was a bloody battle with numerous killed and missing. But Mermadia was finally eradicated by the joint alliance of the other four kingdoms. However The other four kingdoms suffered heavy losses to.

Apart from Rumield and Regiard the other three kingdoms dwindled over the course of time until they became wastelands. Regiard became half a wasteland because the water was under the control of the mermaids. Without them it was difficult to procure water.

Regiard's life force was slowly exhausted and Rumield' water attributed imperial queen was on the death bed.