A Unique Token.

"I did not expect the time to move by so swiftly-it was as though we spent only but a couple of minutes." Diane stated, as they walked into the dark room. Diego shut the door behind them. "I was of the opinion that you would be glad; you appeared quite eager to return home, afterall." Diego said, as he seated himself on the bed. Diane went ahead to close the curtains. "You speak as though you have no intentions of returning." She muttered quietly, her hands still gripping the binders. Diego scoffed. "Why wouldn't I? There is nothing I deem scintillating about this wretched place- with the creaking doors and dusty window panes." He complained, before flopping on the bed. The corner of Diane's lips twitched. "I cannot help but wonder how your uncle would have reacted if he heard that." Diane mused, as she glanced at her husband from afar. Diego shrugged his shoulders. "What can he do? If he knows what I state Is the truth." He began. "There is no use In constructing a palace out of gold, if one cannot maintain it. It would appear no different from one made out of the mire." "Diego!" Diane called out in shock, her mouth agape, before sighing. "So long as we get home safely. That is the most important thing." She added, before walking towards the direction of the bed. Unfortunately, her eyes were already hazy due to exhaustion, and the room had reached a slightly darkened state- she was only able to distinguish the features in the room due to their outlines. But, she stubbornly persisted to move forward, so it came as no surprise to Diego when he heard the heavy sound. "Oh, dear.." He began, before bursting into laughter. Diane raised her head, glaring at him in an infuriated manner, or rather, at his direction. "That was rather pleasant of you." She said angrily, rising up To her feet. "Pardon me, Diane.. but the impact..." Diego gasped for air, glancing at Diane, who folded her hands while standing in place. "I would be amazed if the tiles are not damaged." "You must surely possess a unique sense of humor." Diane stated, with a superficial smile on her face. Only by hearing the light swish of her clothing could Diego know what her next intentions were. "Have you not learnt from your lesson? Just stay where you are, and do not move...lest you wish to fall once more." He instructed, before proceeding to search for the candle. "Ouch.." Diane shielded her hands the instance the candle was lit. She was unable to explain, why that small, flickering flame which was almost nearly extinguished by the southern wind, a sense of fear encroached into her heart, nearly paralyzing her. "Diane?" Diego called out, after sensing that something wrong in her demanour. But Diane could not respond, and the image of that unfortunate victim manifested itself crudely in her mind. Not only that- it was moving as well, creeping gradually towards her direction, the sound of bones being scraped across the floor, leaving behind, a bloody trail. "No, approach no further.." Diane muttered, as she subconsciously took a step backwards. But the entity gazed at her through its hollow eyes, staring blankly at her, proceeding with its occupations. "Do not.." Diane stated, recoiling even further away, in order to increase the distance between the creature and herself. Contrary to her expectations, her back hit a solid object; and that was when she realized it- She was rendered captive in a room of which guaranteed no means of escape, with a creature resembled a decaying corpse dug out of the grave, and the furious flames which burnt behind it. "No.." She stuttered, as the creature grabbed a hold of the helm of her dress, dragging her towards it. She tried to resist, but she was utterly powerless against this ethereal creature. Just then, the creature smiled.. revealing a toothless gum, making the entity appear all the more obnoxious to the sight. At this point, she could feel the sensation of the flames licking her bare skin.. "No!"

 A Vase came crashing to the ground. Diane stared at the fragments of what remained of it, her chest rising rapidly. Her heart pounded In a frantic manner, causing her eardrums to hurt. Her wrist ached as well- as though she had forcefully yanked it put from a restraint. "Diane.." Someone mumbled her name. She beheld the figure of the man, who stood there with am anxious look dominating his feautures. "Come here." He instructed, but the damsel could not bring herself to move. It was as though she were still trapped in her terrible illusion, as she gazed at him absent-mindedly. "No, let go of me!" The blonde screamed, when she felt something wrapped itself around her. "Calm down, Diane!" Diego yelled, as he grasped hold of the one in his arms, who scratched at him with all her might, so much so that she even attempted to bite him. "Diane." He called out in a gentle voice, his lips nearly making contact with her earlobes. "Everything shall be alright." It was as though the assurance finally showed its effects, as her quivering muscles finally relaxed. They both stood at the middle of the room, neither saying anything to the other for a while. "Are you back, Diane?" Diego inquired, as he glanced at the face of the woman in his hands. Diane glanced down, saying nothing. Speaking had become.. a burdensome task at the moment. Diego gave a light exhale; it would have been, more advantageous for him If she had cried. But she did not. "Don't avert your gaze from me, Diane." Diego muttered softly, as he raised her chin. Diane did as she was bid- her hand trailing absent mindedly to his neck. A familiar odor had wafted into her nose, and it was one she was familiar with quite well. "You are hurt." She whispered in a cracked voice, as her fingers brushed against the three shallow lines. Diego hissed lightly as he felt the sting. "Did I.." She began, as she Stared at the blood in her fingers. She probably caused him Harm whist still being in her half-conscious state. "You did not do it intentionally, Diane." Diego stated with a smile, as he clasped her hand in his, placing it beyond her sight. "So you need not worry about it." As she stepped closer, she heard a crunching sound- it was the broken glass. She remained protected because she yet had her shoes on, But Diego however.. "Are you an idiot?" She asked, banging her small fists into his chest, while the tears finally made their descent. "What could I have been done? I possess not Thaniel's ability of teleportation, nor am I gifted in the art of flight." He explained, as he brought her closer unto his being. "Besides, the only thing in my mind at the moment was to prevent you from causing further harm to yourself- The time was simply not sufficient to make logical deductions." He elaborated. Diane sniffled. "What now?" He asked in surprise, when he felt the grip around his waist tighten. "Diego, I will ensure that as the time goes by, I will get stronger- be it just to protect you, or the ones I love." Diane said, as her blue eyes shone ever more brighter, Amidst the tears in them. Diego simply patted her head. 'I would focus on myself first If I be you, Diane.' He thought as an uncontrollable smile came to his face. 'You are incapable of protecting yourself from danger, how then do you expect to protect others?' "Why don't we get some a period of respite for the now? It is already as late as it is." Diego quipped, as he led her to the bed.

 While Diane slept soundly in Diego's arms that night, the same could not be the same for the latter. 'Perharps it was a foolish blunder on my part to bring Diane here.' Such was his train of thought, as his fingers brushed Past her face, gently tucking behind her ear, the few strands of hair that fell across her face. She was only but a child in his eyes, and one that had constantly been shut off within her manor, preventing all contact with the outside world. If she has been of a royal blood, probably the only princess of the imperial family- then that would have made more sense. It was only now that she had begun to experience the real world for herself.

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 Diane stirred lightly, before opening her eyes. She felt something wrapped around her- but since her mind was yet still in a half conscious state, her cognitive process was still slow.. Not thinking much about it, she dozed off to slumber once more, trying to tilt her body as much as the compressed space would permit her. Not too long afterwards, however, the Same rthymic rapping come into her hearing. "My lord, my lady, Have the both of you been roused of your slumber as of yet?" A familiar voice called out. Diane's eyes shot open. 'I did not hallucinate afterall!" She thought, as she tried to break free from the grasp of her constrainer. "Diego." She called out in haste, while giving a desperate struggle. 'Why on earth did this man grip me so tightly? Does he want my cause of death to be the lack of oxygen?' She thought, as she stared at him. Unfortunately, she did not have the privilege of admiringly that handsome face of his- her mind was fixated on something of greater importance, at the moment. "My lord?" Lisa's agitated voice called out once more. "Diego!" Diane called out desperately, making her attempts with more vigour now. She wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised, if she ended up tearing a few ligaments in the process. "Uhm.." Diego's eyebrow furrowed, as he felt the sensation of someone Squirming. "You suffocate me, Diego." The voice came unto his hearing. And it truly sounded as though the entity was being stangled. Diane felt a slight sense of jubilation in her heart, when the man suddenly released her, but he did not awaken- he flipped over to the otherside, much to the Amazement of the latter. "Patience, Lisa." Diane said as she unlocked the door. "I have had just about the right amount of Patience, My lady." Lisa quipped, as she trotted into the room. She appeared to be in a frantic state of being and was absent minded to the extent that she forgot to perform the necessary formalities, before crossing the threshold. "My lord?" Lisa called out in surprise, when she beheld the sight of Diego, laid upon his bossom, his dangling right hand nearly making contact with the floor, a sliver of drool slowly making its escape through his half opened lips. 'It seems as though that they have spent so much if their time together, that their mannerisms are beginning to reflect the format of the other.' Lisa thought, as she shook her head. She cautiously approached the man. "My master." She called out loudly, enough for the man to hear. Diego slowly opened his eyes, only to see Lisa, staring at him with a smile planted across her face. "Of what reason do you come here, Lisa?" Diego stated. It was quite clear that the slumber was yet to be cleared from his eyes, given the tone of his voice. "Dawn has arrived, my lord." Lisa reported, as she clenched her fists ever more tightly. "Oh? Is that so?" Diego inquired, as he turned over to the other side of the bed. "Depart. I wish to slumber some more.." He stated in half of a mutter, half of a whisper. Diane proceeded to hang up the curtains, since It appeared that none was willing to do so. "My lord, today is the said day of which the departure was arranged." Lisa stated, her voice more strict. "Do you sincerely wish for the arrangements prepared by the Duke to be In vein?" Diego sat erect the moment he heard that, his eyes half shut. "You ought to have said so sooner." Diego rebuked, as he glanced in her direction. Lisa resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I would advise you both to freshen up, lest we tarry here for a day longer." Lisa Said, as she proceeded to walk towards the wardrobe. "Your clothes are yet to be arranged, and.. Oh, my goodness gracious!" Lisa exclaimed awkwardly. She stared for a while at the bloody prints and shards of glass which laid on the floor. Diego craned his neck from where he sat. "Oh, that. Do not make inquiries as to what happened.. also it shall serve you right to clean that up for us." Diane stared in her husband's direction. 'You speak as though you were not the one who was hurt last night.' She thought, while she rubbed the sight of her hand awkwardly. When she raised her head, however, she saw Diego glancing in her direction. A smile came to her face uncontrollably. Seeing him seating there, with his half shut eyes and Ruffled hair, it formed quite the contrast to the Master Raymond she knew. "Diego" She called out softly, dabbing at the corner of her lips. Lisa on the otherhand, was already on all fours, furiously scrubbing at the dried up blood with a wet towel. She could not careless whatever shenanigans the young couple was up to. Diego wiped at his lips with the back of his hand. "It appears that I have caught on to that terrible habit of yours." Diego muttered, much to the vexation of the damsel. "It is a probable depiction of how well you slept!" Diane refuted immediately. "I believe it to be taken in the opposite sense, actually." Diego commented, sliding his fingers through his Hair, causing it to appear even more Ruffled. "Lisa." Diego called. The latter glanced up at him immediately, something akin to a frown on her face. Diego raised a brow. "You shall do well to excuse us."

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After all the necessary formalities had been fulfilled, Diego's carraige finally made their departure towards their own humble abode. "My goodness, I am exhausted." Diego stated, as he placed a palm on his face. Diane on the otherhand, busied herself with fiddling with the item on her hand, while Lisa sat, somewhat cold and detached, not sharing of the same atmosphere as her master and mistress. "I only hope that this carraige would move faster- I have been away from Morris for far too long." Diane stated. "However, we did spend a splendid time there." Diane said, with a smile. "Diego, do you know the date of Thalia's engagement?" Diane asked. The man partially removed his hand from his eyes. "I do not." He said simply. 'Forgive me, Diane- but you do not have a plausible reason for going back to that place. Nor do I ever want you to return, if I can help it.' Diego thought. Of course, he would not tell her that. But a slight frown came to his face when he felt a tug at his sleeve. "Diego." Diane called out once more. He exhaled, as he glanced into those blue, shimmering eyes of hers. Could anything cause him to hate this woman? "Lisa has been sulking since the moment we left." She whispered into his ears. Diego glanced at the said person for a moment. "Well, I am her master. But that does not imply that I could force the information out of her." Diego quipped. "If it be anything serious, she will reveal to me in due time..." "Ah, we have arrived!" Diane explained suddenly, causing Diego to feel a slight throb in his head.

 Standing before them full of smiles, was the entire family of the Raymonds- even Egiel was present, as well. "You welcome us as though we return from war." Diego quipped, as he led his wife towards the manor, her Hand clasped in his. "Welcome back, son." Regis stated, as he calmly placed his hands on his son's shoulders. Diane on the other hand, caught Dorothy's warm gaze. "Welcome back, my lady." Dorothy mouthed, as she bowed her head. Diane nodded in reply. As a servant, she could not just go ahead and welcome her mistress as she pleased- she needed to wait until the family members had exchanged pleasantries amongst themselves. "Where is Morris and Leonia?" She inquired, after receiving a warm embrace from Natasha. She felt a tug on her dress, and saw Morris, looking up at her blankly. "Oh, Morris!" Diane exclaimed immediately, picking him up, instantly showering him with kisses. "Sister, I am still mad at you!" Morris Exclaimed, squirming around in her grasp. "Why so?" Diane inquired, with a perplexed expression on her face. Morris pouted, turning his head away from her. "One day you said to spend, but you were gone for five instead!" Morris stated, as he turned towards Her on his annoyance. "Leonia and I kept count!" "I am sorry, Morris. Do well to forgive your sister- I did stay than what was intended." Diane stated, planting a peck on The child's forehead afterwards. "You should not blame Diane for what occured, Morris." Diego quipped, as he held Leonia by the hand. "It is I who is to blame for the late return, not Diane" He replied. 'He really has a way of comforting children' she thought, as she let Morris down. Maria walked up to her. "Are you alright, my dear?" She inquired, whispering into the latter's hearing. "Diego informed us about what happened." She added, grasping the latter warmly by the hand. "There Is no cause for your agitation, aunt." Diane replied, glancing at the latter. "I am alright, at least." She assured her, with a smile. "Anyway Diane, I have been wondering." Theodore began, as he glanced at Diego. "Who was it that gave you that medallion?" He inquired. Diane gripped the item on her fist more tightly. "It was.. Targen." She muttered, a slight smile coming to her face. Theodore stood, fixated to the spot. "That melancholic narcissist?" He blurted out loud, earning him a snack to the back of the head by Natasha. "Lower your voice, you fool... the children are but yet to depart." Natasha hissed angrily. "If you think so terribly of him, what opinion then, do you believe he shall have of you?" She asked him. Theodore massaged the back of his head. "I am sorry, sister- but it is quite unbelievable." He added. "Standing underneath the sun makes me feel faint ." Diego chimed in, suddenly. "It shall be behooveful to us all, if we head indoors."

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 "Urgh.." Diego groaned, as he lightly gripped his head with his hand. "Are you sure you are alright, my lord?" Egiel who was standing at his right hand, asked worriedly. Diego opened his eyes. "I am perfectly okay Egiel; it is nothing but a slight headache." Diego stated. "Why don't I fetch you some Lemon tea? It may help abate it a little." Egiel commented, but Diego impatiently waved his hands at him. "There is no need, I can but still manage for sometime." Diego said. "But My lord, you will surely break down at this rate.." Diego turned his head instantly in Egiel's direction- an indication that the latter better hold his tongue. "Forgive me for my overindulgence, my lord." Egiel muttered to himself, but there were signs of a slight frown on his forehead. "I am here if you need assistance rendered- you know that." Theodore quipped, after witnessing a bit of tension which sparked between master and servant. Diego glanced at him, but his gaze was more directed towards the dark circles under the eyes of his younger cousin. 'It appears that he was worked all the way to his core.' Diego thought, as he continued to scribble on the document. "You ought to be resting- you are even worse off than I am." Diego remarked. "And were you not informing me of how glad you were that I have returned, and how you almost died due to overwork?" He inquired. Theodore rubbed his neck awkwardly. "You know I have the habit of exaggerating." He muttered, glancing away from Diego's vision. The office defended into serenity, as Diego stopped conversing. Theodore, who had lain his head upon the table, was half-asleep. "Egiel." Diego called suddenly, after a brief moment of reflection. The sound of his voice caused Theodore to be alert once more. "Yes, my lord?" The man, who had given most of his attention to adjusting his sleeves, replied. "Kindly go and fetch me some moonstones." He ordered. "Of course my lord." Egiel replied, giving an elegant bow, before making his exit. "Moonstones?" Theodore repeated, a slight frown on his face. "Whatever shall you do with those?" The scribbling pen paused for a moment, before proceeding with its course once more. "It Is no concern of yours." Diego replied coldly, without bothering to glance up. Theodore on the other hand, frowned lightly. He was not offended with his cousin's reply no- the young man had fixated his gaze on the latter's nape. It was not obvious because he had it covered up earlier- but due to the perpetual heat in the office, he was compelled to.. unwind a bit. 'It is not as though Diego would deliberately scratch himself.' Theodore thought, as he glanced away. 'Even If it was accidental-it would not leave such long gashes. Did they fight again?' He thought, as he averted his gaze. 'But the scuffle would have been of no small degree.. No.. that can't be possible. They didn't seem like it though.' He discarded such thoughts, when the scene of them walking, both Hands intertwined came to his mind. A low hum on the table interrupted his thought processes. "For what reason does it glow?" Theodore inquired, flabbergasted at the sight. Diego smiled, grasping it warmly, which brought an end to its disturbance. "No particular reason, truly." He replied, placing it on the table once more. "I believe, she is just playing with her new toy."

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 The glow of the medallion faded slowly, in Diane's grasp. She beamed delightfully, glancing at the maid who held a brush in her hands, a small smile on her face. "Did you see that, Dorothy?" Diane inquired. The latter exhaled. "I did, my lady-this Is the upthirteenth time you ask that." She stated, while brushing her lady's hair which lay about her In shambles. "...Ouch! .. Careful, Dorothy! Do you intend to harvest all the hair on my head?" Diane exclaimed. "I hadn't thought of that, My lady, but it does certainly seem like a noteworthy idea, now that it has been mentioned." Dorothy stated, while Diane shut her eyes due to the pain. "I would probably sell the hair of a noble lady for a huge sum at the black market.." "You shall do no such thing!" Diane exclaimed, causing Dorothy's occupations to come to a halt. "And what sort of monsters would demand for such a thing, anyway?" She inquired. "My lady is beautiful anyway- how can you tell if you have a secret admirer or not?" The latter asked with a smile. Diane just gave the woman a slightly disgusted look. "Dorothy, I am marri.." She paused for a moment, her eyes widened as she stared at the brush in the hands of her maid. "Why. How come.." She stated, the corner of her lips trembling. "How is it that I lost so much hair!"

 Dorothy stared at the brush In her hand, which had strands of blonde hair sticking out of its teeth, before turning to the damsel, who peered intently at the mirror, her hands patting her head, certain that she was going bald. "Why not, my lady, when all you did for almost a week was to part your hair into two cornrows, not even deeming it a necessity to brush it?" She stated, with a click of her tongue. "Do you no what it was that I missed about you the most, Dorothy?" Diane inquired. "What was it, my lady?" Dorothy muttered, her curiosity piqued. "Your consistent nagging.." No sooner had she said that, than the latter retributed by giving her a slight tap to the face. The damsel laughed, causing Dorothy to harrumph. They were however interrupted by a knock on the door. "You may come in." Dorothy stated. "The door was pushed open, revealing the figure of Lisa. "You summoned for me, my lady?" She inquired, closing the door gently behind. "Yes, ahem." Diane cleared her throat. "Are you alright, Lisa?" The addressed tiled her head. "Why do you suppose that I would not, my lady?" The latter inquired. "Well. It is just an assumption.. but you seemed rather upset in the carraige today, so.." Without realizing it, a smile slowly formed on Lisa's face. "It is alright, my lady. The matter Is nothing of importance, afterall." Diane pouted her lips as she heard that-but there was nothing she could possibly do to force the information out of her. "Our lady is considerate, is she not?" Dorothy began. "Although she can be quite a handful." "What.." Diane began, but Lisa spoke next. "I couldn't agree more, I nearly fell out of my Master's Good graces because of her." Lisa nodded, a hand on her cheek. "All that running around for her sake, only to have my employment on the line." Diane suddenly stood up. The two maids watched as the damsel trotted over to the door. "The both of you may now speak ill of me as you please." She stated, closing the door with a bang. "Oh dear.." Dorothy muttered, cupping her hands to her mouth. "Will she be alright?" Lisa inquired. A grin came to Dorothy's lips. "She will, I am certain of it."

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"Diane.. goodness, it is so dark in here." Diego muttered, as his eyes tried to adjust to the darkness. "Diane, are you asleep?" He interrogated, in a soft whisper. He could sense albeit with much difficulty, the silhouette of a woman seating upright on the bed. "I was about to." Diane stated, as she lightly rubbed her eyes. Diego sat himself on the bed Beside her. "Why did you not light the lamp?" He inquired. "That, I.." Diane muttered, as she fiddled with her hair. How could she possibly tell him, when she herself was unsure as to what the actual situation was? "Diego, what are those?" Diane inquired. She sensed the sound of pebbles being placed on the bedshelf. "You will see soon." Diego stated, as he poured his Essence into each of them. Slowly, the transparent pebble let out a soft glow. Although it was just five of them, it was beyond enough to illuminate the whole room. "This is.." Diane began. "Moonstones." Diego completed the statement. The glow was gentle, and, just as the name implied as pale as moonlight. "I figured that the flames may distress you, so I told Egiel to get me these instead." Diego explained. "And all it takes to activate, is the appropriate amount of essence." He explained. Diane stared at him. "Tha.." She was interrupted with a pull from her cheek. "Do not thank me, Diane. I have heard just about of your appreciations to last Me an entire lifetime." Diego teased. Diane glared at him angrily, causing him to chuckle. "Why is it that you are so infatuated with my cheeks?" She grumbled, after letting the man pinch it to his heart's content. "Because, they are rather chubby-reminds me of Leonia when she was but an infant." Diego stated. "And you appear so similar to a little chipmunk when you stuff your face with food." He added, with a slight smile. "I have heard enough." Diane interrupted, flopping on the bed. "It is indeed a good idea to sleep early- your personality has so much so washed up on me that I wonder if I shall rise early the next morning." Diego stated. but the damsel rose up abruptly, walking towards the door. "Whatever Is the matter?" Diego inquired. "Someone knocked on the door just now." "Truly? But I heard no such sound." Diane on the otherhand, proceeded to open the door, only to behold Leonia and a half sleeping Morris on the threshold. 'That is the item she gifted him.' Diane observed, as she glanced at the stuffed animal in Morris's arms. "Can we sleep with you both tonight?" She inquired, with shimmering eyes. "Why of cou.." "Absolutely not." Diego who had stood beside Diane, chimed in. Although he only laid for a few seconds, his hair was already Ruffled. Leonia poked her head into the room. "Why not, brother? Is the bed not large enough for the four of us?" Diego glanced directly into his sister's eyes. "It is not." He admitted, breaking eye contact. "Such lies, you spew." Leonia said, as she clicked her tongue. "Diego." Diane whispered sharply, pulling him by the hand. "It has been a while since they saw us. What harm could it possibly cause." Diane inquired. "No, Diane, you only serve to spoil them. They will come into our room whenever they Deem fit." Diego refuted. "Diego." Leonia could only watch the exchange between man and wife. Both Stared at each other for a while. "Come in, children." Diane stated, after Diego exhaled, admitting defeat. "Goodness, May I rise early tommorow." Diego stated thoughtfully, as he closed the door.

 But neither of them arose early the next morning. The sun was well above the horizon, and the four of them were stil asleep, each lying comfortably in their domain.