Chapter 5: The beast has returned

'Hello darling, did you miss me?', he said delightedly knowing my frustration and anger. I felt his green eyes on me, making me feel unpleasant.

'Not in a million years, Falcon. I heard you would get discharged soon, but you were released sooner'.

He laughed hearing my response, so much that he had to hide his brutal smile by his hand. Hearing his laughter, I resorted to any further conversation.

My head was hurting badly and my body was about to fall, if my symptoms were correct then I may have caught a slight fever, the only problem was talking to him.

With a graceful face, I tried to excuse myself, 'Thank you for your time, Mr. Falcon, your presence has _'.

'It's General'. He said without letting me finish my words. Normally in this type of situation, a person gets offensive but to my horror him being appointed as a General was not believable.

'General? Are you joking?', I said sarcastically. 

The position of the general is high maintenance, not only it takes more than thirty years to be appointed by this title but the person has full control over every weapon in the empire.

He walked forward placing one hand on my cheek,' It's no joke darling, I'm back and I'm not leaving, never again'.

I resorted, slapping his hand off, 'Don't call me darling, it's childish'.

'How about "Eve"? I heard the Emperor call you that'. He revolted.

'That's because he is family and we are close'. I wasn't going to let him win.

'Close huh, well I wouldn't recommend that'. He said causing my feelings of suspicion.

'And why is that?', I asked with curiosity.

He smiled and said,' I don't think your famil_'. Just as he was about to finish, someone burst into the room, and that someone was...

'You spawn of a devil, I was looking everywhere for you', spouted Malisa, she turned her head to William, 'Ah, General Falcon, the Emperor was looking for you, he is acquainted with other guests but he would really want to have you there'.

William's eyes switched to me, he didn't say anything and left the room. I don't know if it was just me but the atmosphere got pleasant. I looked at Malisa who as always was overdressed for any event. She looked mad but I didn't have the energy to argue with her.

The energy in my legs was gone and my body felt heavy. Just as I was going to fall Malisa caught me—her one hand on my waist and the other on my forehead. 

'You are burning up Eve, you got a fever, how about retiring to my room? I can ask the maids to prepare a spare bed'.

I nodded and shut my eyes, and in just a few minutes I felt someone was carrying me. And by the time I entered Malisa's room, I heard her calling a maid by the name Anne. She massaged my head and feet with smoothing palm oil. God bless her soul.

With just plenty of sleep, I woke up, all refreshed and well. My fever went down and my headache was gone. I glanced out the window and it was still night. I noticed that I was sleeping beside Malisa and that my clothes had been changed.

Seeing my annoying cousin resting beside me made me feel relieved. Soon my muscles became relaxed and I laid down covering the blanket over my upper body, 'William'.

A sudden rise of my body was seen, my blue eyes opened wide and my hands started to tremble. Was I scared of him? No, I shouldn't be, in fact why think about him? There are many things to be thought of.

I lightly slapped my face, took three deep breaths, and thought about taking a small stroll outside. 

The back garden was as beautiful as the night sky, I remembered my mother walking with me in her flower garden. She always used to tell her tales about the trees hearing our voices and how the winds carry our souls. It sounded stupid and crazy but for some reason, she made it believable.

There was nothing but silence, yet I enjoyed it. But after a while, I heard some noises, rather than someone speaking. It was coming from the north, the soldiers who were guarding the back wall of the garden.

They were talking and laughing about the recent newspaper that was released just a few minutes ago. Seeing them enjoying their time I turned away and minded my business when suddenly my body froze upon hearing the main title of the newspaper.

'THE BEAST OF LADEN HAS RETURNED AS A GENERAL'

The subject was quite interesting and I found myself hiding behind a bush of leaves hearing what the soldiers had to say.

'I heard that getting a general's position takes time, like umm, thirty years'. Said a soldier to his mate.

'Well from what I heard that lad deserves it, my little nephew was in his class and he told me that the boy is unstoppable'. Praised the soldier. 'The lad, he is dangerous, not only does he score high scores in his training but also set a world record in his gymnasia'.

But that doesn't make him dangerous or special, Is what I thought to myself with a relieved sigh.

'But that doesn't make him a beast?', questioned the soldier.

'Well there is more, he escaped the Siberian jungle and wrestled with Norman and won. Plus he even defeated Calva of Orident and Remies of Kola'.

He defeated not just Norman, but Calva and Remies, the monsters of their nation, undefeatable champions, and first in line for their throne.

'Mate you are right, he definitely is a beast, a mad one'.

'I know but you know what, I heard he has a lover'.

'What? A lover?', asked the soldier with curiosity. 

'My nephew said that he once saw a picture of a beautiful girl in the lad's room, she was so pretty that everyone in the boy's dorm fell in love with the painting'.

'Must be really pretty huh, what did she look like?'.

'My nephew said that he didn't get a chance to see it but he did say that the girl had red hair'.

Red hair, that's the color of my, no wait, no stop, no no no no, what is this, why am I feeling hot, what's wrong with me? A painting in his room, but there is a possibility it's not me, yes it must be someone else, yes that's right.

I returned back to Malisa's room and slid in the sheets. She was sleeping peacefully while I was feeling hot and sweaty. I tried to relax my self but the words of the soldier remained in my head. William Falcon, just what are you going to do to me?