CHAPTER 3

AVENA

Morning has arrived and its time for me to wake up, I heard the maids entered my room, realizing that I really need to wake up before I could her their chirps.. Funny.

I sat on my bed and continue to stare on the floor like shit.. I'm daydreaming again.. so what? I do this every morning.. back when I was still in earth, every time I wake up I sit on my bed and stare at the unknown. Anywhere my eyes stops I'll just stare right at that spot for thirty minutes hoping to see them move and...

Oh I miss earth, I was wondering if everything went back to normal again.. I wish I could be there to say goodbye. To my friends..

" Your ladyship!" I heard Yvonne's soft voice, and that's when reality slaps me in my face that I am here in another dimension.. well I guess it is..

I shifted my gaze to the three maids that was standing in front of me, they all wear the same smile they had since I have arrived here.. It must be tiring..

The days passed and I don't remember the day when I last saw their king.. He must be outside doing his job. I guess its been almost a week..

" Do you guys have ever been tired of smiling?" I asked as my stare shifted back to the floor again...

" That is a pretty weird question, your ladyship, but no we aren't.." Ila speaks to me..

" Yeah, our kingdom may not be very fond of it, but we are, it's the least we can do to serve our Queen " my eyes widened at the word 'Queen'.. What queen?.

" Excuse me?.. " I look at them with a puzzled face.

"uh we mean our guest.." Yvonne says..

" don't mind what Yvonne said. Why don't we get ready and have a stroll outside the palace your ladyship?.. Wouldn't that be great..." Venita changed the subject, and I didn't argue with it anymore, because I'd like to do the strolling outside the palace..

Beside I feel like rotting vegetable inside of this castle, I'm also bored without maximus, even though he is arrogant and shitty sometimes , I like teasing him and stirring him up.. I just like it..

After eating my breakfast, I dressed up in a gown they called a casual wear but actually it's not because it's too heavy with this petticoats on.. Ugh!!!! Petticoats I hate you.

" Hey Venita? Can I not wear any petticoats on? It's too heavy.. " I asked Venita and she looks at me. She's kind of amused by my question..

" You aren't really fond of those things your ladyship Huh? " she just smiled at me and I laugh..

" Thank God you knew haha" we both laughed so loud, I guess it was still heard from the corridors.. Who cares I get to laugh, anywhere and anyway I want..

" sure, let's look for something fresh and light to wear.. " she opened the drawer once again and digs inside to look for a new dress..

" I think this will do.. " she grabs a navy blue matte silk gown, it's pretty and I think I could go for it this day, it isn't sleeveless, in fact it covers my arms and shoulders, the only thing that was out was my cleavage, you see my mountains (breasts) aren't really that tall and big, but it's just fine with me..

I wore that dress and it perfectly fits my small and slim body, don't get me wrong I'm not tall, and I curse my genes for that, but I guess being small is an advantage because you can hide and fit anywhere.

So back to the dress, it's pretty and simple it hugs my curves and has a slit on the side of the hem that reaches above my knee, it has ruffles below that makes it perfectly cute, my hair was just hanging from my back, and was arranged by a two hair clips on the both side of my head..

" your ladyship, do want to put on some earrings?" Venita asked me and shows me the two earrings, I would wear it if it's just small, but heck when I saw how big it is, I immediately said no, really I don't like big earrings especially the round once their too big for my ears to carry.

" I'll just go for a necklace Venita, thank you.. " I smiled at Venita who immediately, nodded and puts on the necklace in me. It was a beautiful flattened crystal rainbow pearl that emphasizes my collarbone..

" My ladyship your done! Heavens you look heavenly!.. " Venita acted as if she was daydreaming and I just shrugged..

" Don't say that, I'm not pretty, I'm just me Venita, now why don't we go outside now, I want to see the village, because I've been stuck here for a week, I just wanted some fresh air.. " I suggested. And ran towards the window and watch the slow shine of the sunrise, I wonder what's in for me when I reach the town..

" OK as you wish milady.." Venita quickly puts the cloak in me and, we head out for some strolling..

I'm starting to get used to the ambiance of this place, the servants bowing while I pass them, the paintings on the corridors and hallways, damn I even memorized their names now, I didn't know I can cope up with this living so fast. It just felt like home.

And I'm now starting to lose hope of Simyon looking for me, I bet he's not anyway..

We reached the gate and the guards let us out, but some of them tag along, they say it's not safe for me outside to wander alone with Venita, so 4 soldiers is now strolling with me, I'm still wondering, they never glanced at the higher powers, well I'm not referring to myself but I'm just curious where are they looking at, do they not trip? even without looking down to the ground..

When we reached the village, many people were roaming outside, it's noisy like the once I saw from the movies, it's like the village noises from 'the hobbit'.

OMG!!! I think I'm in a movie!! You'll always be a dumbass Avena, stop daydreaming and just look around' my brain talked to me.

Yeah maybe I should.. Every villagers were walking to and fro, holding some baskets, anything, or whatever it is they're holding, some of them were staring at our direction and some shot a glare at us..

Do they know me? Or is it just because of the soldiers behind us..

" This is the Vale Market, it's completely convenient you can find anything you want to find here, like dress, fabric, shoes, foods, meat and many more .. Most of our market here are the fish markets and weaponry market. " Venita explained..

I nodded " cool.. "

" but we also have mini restaurants here, the food is good and, you can look for them here everywhere. Plus the people is not the type to fuss or bug you around here, they're disciplined.." Venita proudly says.

I think Valentine is not what I think it is, it's just their way of living, honestly I want a community like this, no fussing around when a famous or higher positions roam with them, it's like their mind setting's a ' that person is just like me breathing and eating and pooping so I'll just mind my business though ' that is way more cooler than a community that is completely messed up...

We continue to walk around and look.. that's when I saw a park, oh I don't know Valentine has parks for kids, so much for the curse they're saying..

" Lets go in..." I happily said and quickly walk inside the lot..

" But you-

" Oh come on, your king won't kill me for this.. " I wave my hands not minding her worried face..

" Please we'll just be quick.. " Venita gave up and walks inside too..

The breeze touches my exposed skin when I sat on one of the swings, I remember the days when my parents is still alive, they use to bring me to the park and play there, had picnic, have foods and bonding..

But I guess bad things really happen in our lives, my mama died when I was 11 and my papa died when I'm 15, from then on I started to live independently, pay my own bills, do part time jobs, get a full scholarship and be the next top nerd in history. I finish my architecture course, and business course.. And I'm one of the most successful person in Evergreen city..

But I guess the media will freak out when they found out that I disappeared from that world... And here I am feeling the soft breeze in my face.. Hoping someone would come and get me out of here..

" You're ladyship, what's on your mind? " I saw Venita sat on the other swing beside mine..

" Earth.. " I simply replied

" Do you miss it? "

" there's a part of me that says yes, and no, yes because I have my life there, my achievements and success. And my only friend, the other one is no because I like to adopt new things here, coz I feel like I have been connected here long ago.. " I explained..

" The first time I saw you arrive at Valentine I really felt sorry for you, but at least you can adjust and cope with our living here. So that's not a bad thing, just don't let king maximus, remove your confidence, we all know he is the most arrogant king we had but, he never went home from battle without the victory.." Venita sincerely said as I continue to nod.

" I knew that since the first time I saw him, but I'm not afraid of him, he's just so arrogant, so full of himself and orders me around." I whined and pouts.

" he could be readable sometimes... And when we do we're all terrified, so we are careful not to mess with his mood. " she pointed out..

" I'd rather stir him till he explodes.. " I sighed and moved the swing back and forth..

But it all soon stopped when I saw an angry figure standing outside the park..

" Oh damn.. We're in trouble... " I muttered as I watch him walks inside the circle, shooting glares at me angrily...

" what should we do? " Venita panics besides me and stands up to give respect to her majesty, unlike me who just sat still In the hanging chair and stay calmed.

" Why the fvck? Did you bring her here? I gave you strict orders not to let her out.. " I hear him angrily spats at Venita who whimpers silently..

This is all my fault.. I shouldn't have said that I want to go outside..

" Forgive me my lord!! " Venita said..

" You don't deserve to be forgiven. You deserve to be beheaded.. " He added. And brings out his two edged sword.. I felt terrified of what I saw when he placed his sword on Venita's neck..

I was letting him do it but I guess I can't take it anymore.

" Don't lay a hand on her.. " I angrily looked at him and I met his furious eyes, returning the favor.. He looked more handsome today, since the last time I saw him, his beard grew a little longer, that makes him look like a rough man. His pointed nose, his lips are alluring As hell. But I need to defend Venita..

" No one has ever defy me accept you woman. I'm the king here and I do whatever I want.. " his disappointed face travelled in my figure.. I too was disappointed on how he acts, like nothing happened weeks ago.

He is so cruel, and I'm expecting him to at least be nicer if I ever see him again, but no he hasn't changed at all. Still a cold-hearted jerk..

" and what are you gonna do about that? Your gonna kill me? Go ahead, do it. I was the one who asked her to go outside, she is not to blame but me. " I firmly said and stared back in his fuzzy eyes..

" That tongue is too sharp for a small woman like you. You know I can do take your life if you ask for it. " he shifted his sword away from Venita and points it straight to my throat, my breath hitched, and gulped , as I saw it's blade shines when the sun hits it. I held back my tears, and hid all the frightening thoughts in my head. If this is my last day, I'm willing to accept it.

" You brought me here just to kill me? How pathetic of you. It's called kidnapping and assault in my planet you know. " I force to hide my fear.. I don't want him to see me vulnerable and weak, I should be strong..

I saw his jaw clenched as he puts down his sword and puts it back to its place. I mentally breathed in relief when he didn't do it.. He didn't kill me..

" Don't use my weakness against me Avena... You know I'm not a very good tolerant when it comes to you stirring my mood. I'm expecting you to be back before night arrives, you will have dinner with me.. " after saying those things he walked away from me and was followed by dozens of soldiers..

My knees instantly fell on the ground as I breathe hysterically. I held on to Venita's shoulder. Calming myself..

" your ladyship, a-are you ok? " Venita asks, but I didn't answer, because tears were starting to pool my eyes, I'm so damn scared because of what he did.

" I..I thought he was going to kill you, and me.. " I cried as my hands held unto the ground for support..

Last time he was good and now he's not.. I don't really know what am I gonna do with him. He's too much..

" Oh my ladyship, I wish I could do something to make you feel better. " Venita rubs my back to comfort me..

We stayed there for more minutes and finally decided to head back to the palace before the sun sets.

I walk the hallways tiredly and curse it for being so long, and so hard to find my room..

" Curse this hallways for being so long.. " I mumbled between my echoing footsteps..

I'm so down right now, and I feel like bursting into tears, when I remembered what happened earlier, his sword, in my neck, was he going to really kill me?

Why is he so harsh, why do he keeps on hurting my feelings.. And why do my body reacts to him when I see him. I hate it, I hate it that my body likes him, I hate it because every time I look Into his eyes, I instantly forget all the hate I should be having for him..

I felt a lone tear escaped my eye. My chest really hurts for that. I didn't realize I was standing in front of this big chamber. I entered it without making a single sound. And when I did, I shove my clothes, out of my body and entered the bathroom, I rested on the tub for more than hours.

I just want to stay here in this room, and skip dinner but his majesty wouldn't like the thought of it. So here I am quickly getting up to chose a dress for me. I let Venita go with her chores and did not ask for her help in this matter. Even thou I know she was worried sick about me, I said that I'm completely over with what happened earlier, but truthfully I'm not. Can I just drown myself? No that is not the fucking way to end your problem you motherfvcker..

I pulled the black strap silk gown to cover my nakedness, I'm not wearing any bras, because I know it's not popular here, I only put on some bandages to cover my two unnoticeable breasts. I only have undies on me. I put on some red lipstick on my lips and tied my hair into a stylish messy bun, for a minute I

Stared at myself in the mirror.

I look dull, so lifeless, so dead..

I lost hope of Simyon getting me back. Well at least I didn't even remember his face now. Or how he looks..

The days are passing on but nothing has ever really changed, I'm slowly getting used to the ambiance of this placed, but not with the ambiance of its owner.. I accepted my fate and decided to walk out of my chamber and head towards the dinning hall.

He still has the nerve to order me like a hound, after what he did, all I want was to get out and have a stroll outside, and then he came into the picture, crashing all the things I'm slowly building. My feelings and ego is hurt, first he couldn't tell me what was his purpose of bringing me to this damn place, second he is blaming me because I just went out to have some walk, three I really him hate to hell and back!!

My shoes stopped tackling when I reached the entrance, I glared at the soldiers standing in the both sides of the door as I entered hell.

I held my chin high, not showing any fear in my eyes, hiding feelings is one of my best enhanced talents. I guess I'm gonna use it for the meantime..

He looks so gorgeous sitting at the very end of the long table with his hands resting on his cheeks, he looks at me with dark eyes, and possessiveness, but I'm not an easy to get type...

I don't like him, and his attitude, too high for my standards..

I quietly sat down and start eating my food without even sparing him a glance. I get distracted by his alluring features to the extent that I forgot all he has done to me. I can't let him win my heart. He will just hurt me..

I ended up finishing my meal in seconds because I don't want to stay for too long, plus I don't like the travelling heat here.. It's messing my mind..

I stand up and was ready to go, when I heard a crashing of spoon in a glass plate.

" Why leave so soon? " I impatiently shot my glance at him and found him staring at me intently..

Foolish man that won't ever work on me..

" Because I'm done, we don't have anything to talk about anyway, why stay here? " I quickly turn my head forward and steps out of my chair, I didn't look at him, as I reach the exit a tall and big figure blocked my way..

Obviously I'm too small..

" what do you think you're doing? " I hissed as I look up to him..

He is so tall. I didn't even reach his shoulders.. Damn my genes. I wish a was taller.

I found him smirking while looking down at me..

" I didn't say anything about leaving. Yet you are so hard headed.. I really wanted to punish you for being a bad girl. Do you know that? " suddenly a jolt of fear mixed with excitement sipped through my body..

The Fvck!! He is a total flirt, and it's really working..

He slowly takes a step forward while I voluntarily stepped backward, not breaking an eye contact with him. Lust and desire is everywhere visible in his fuzzy eyes.. Damn!!!! Why lord why?

" don't come near me. I will scream.. " I quickly spat but he didn't seem to be bothered with it, he still continued to take a step forward.. Shit!!!

He chuckled before uttering his words" you are a bad girl. And I really can't wait to punish you. You can scream but in pleasure, that only I can give you.. . "his voice is too deep, and my body was instantly heated because of his words, o God! my back hit the cold cemented wall, and I was finally cornered by him..

He was really good looking up close.. But I have to stop waking my hormones..

" Stand back. Don't do this Maximus.. " I roughly said..

" Fvck, even you pronouncing my name, gives me chill just so you know that I don't want to.. " he leans closer to my face, now it's only inches apart, I can smell the strong smell of liquor from his mouth., I look at it, and realized how closed it is to mine.

I gasped when his hands pulled my waist, causing our bodies to collide with each other..