Felt like a puppy in Lions claws.

Golderine's View

I finished bathing and I took out clean pajamas and wore them I decided to study and do my homework a little bit but I was disturbed by a nock at the door it was Mary , she came in and sat down on my bed while looking at me.

"Your cousin Lucien will be here tomorrow you are so you have to arrive early tomorrow after school. He says he can't wait to meet you ." Mary said

"Okay ." I said but then I remembered that I needed to ask Marry where she went yesterday. "Where were your yesterday ? I was worried when you did not come home at night even in the morning ." I said .

"I went somewhere else to prepare for Lucien. " Mary said .

" Okay . Aunt Mariam I always wondered something. We're did you get the money if you are not working?" I said while looking at her . Her face straightened.

"I use my savings to feed us , and you don't have to worry about money. The only thing you should focus on is school, your friend and my secrets. " Mary said with straight face and soft voice.

"Okay then tuck me inside bed ." As I said so she really carried me and tucked me inside the bed . I was amazed how did she get all of this strength.

"Are you all ways this strong ? " I asked

"Yes , I'm always this strong you just never asked me to carry you ,now sleep well . Tomorrow you are going to school young lady." Mary said as she went out of my bedroom switching of my bedroom lights.

"Good night Mary ." I said to her.

Morning came too quickly, and as usual, I scrambled to get ready for school and not forgetting about that morning sun bathing. My mind was still spinning from last night's conversation with Aunt Mariam. I couldn't stop thinking about Lucien, this cousin I never met. Why now? Why did his arrival feel so… significant , especially today when he is coming ?

I barely had time to eat breakfast before Mary ushered me out of the house. "Don't forget," she called after me, "come straight home after school! No delays."

"Yes, Mary!" I called back, rolling my eyes but secretly planning to heed her warning. Something about her tone made it clear that this wasn't a suggestion.

At school, the usual buzz of the hallways felt oddly distant. I tried to focus, but my mind kept wandering to Lucien. Alice, Tristan, and Caspian noticed my distraction during our morning classes.

"What's going on with you today?" Alice asked as we walked to the cafeteria.

"Yeah," Caspian added, nudging me. "You've been off all morning. Did something happen?"

I hesitated. I didn't want to lie, but I also couldn't explain the truth—not when I didn't fully understand it myself. "It's nothing," I said quickly. "I just didn't sleep well."

Tristan narrowed his eyes. "You're a terrible liar, Golderine."

I forced a laugh, hoping to divert the conversation. "Fine, you caught me. My aunt is making me come home early today. It's a whole thing."

Alice raised an eyebrow. "That's it? You're acting like the world's about to end."

I shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. "It's just... complicated."

Thankfully, they didn't push further. We spent the rest of lunch brainstorming ideas for our project presentation, but my thoughts remained elsewhere.

By the time the final bell rang, I felt like I'd been holding my breath all day. I said goodbye to my friends and practically ran home, my nerves growing with every step.

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Lucien's view

I packed everything that Mariam asked and took files that continued information of three people she asked about. I didn't pack my clothes Mariam will have to give me her credit card so I can spoil my self with her money ,it has been long after all.

I activated bracelet on my wrist with my powers and opened my bedroom door , and as Mariam said that I'll find my self in some abandoned random flat after walking out using any door and I used my bedroom door. I decided to call her.

"Mariam I'm here, you can come and fetch me ." I said

"Okay I'll be there " Mariam said.

I waited for her while looking at the view in font of me since this flat did not have any windows nor nothing inside. I looked outside and saw many different buildings but further away from them there was a green forest. This town is nice and peaceful. I looked down and there were people who opened their shops and some walking down the street. Everyone was minding their own business.

I heard footsteps behind me and looked behind me , I found that is was Emm . I gave her a hug before she could say anything after all it has been more than sixteen years.

"Ohh Emm I missed you ,you know ." I said while giving her a hug .

"Well I missed your annoying ass Lucien." She said as she took a bag from my hand .

"It seems that you have changed a little , Scarlet made you little soft . I need to thank her because there is no way Emm I know would say ' I miss you' ? I said so that I can annoy her a little.

"I'm sure you are hungry let's go to Café, to get breakfast." She said

"A Café?" I looked her with interest.

"Yes let's go , get inside a car . " She said while opening up a her car door for me. I sat inside and she closed the door and went on the other side and entered, not forgetting to shut her door . She drove to Café.

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Mariam's View

I took Lucien to Café because I was lazy to make breakfast for him and he arrived after Golderine left . We ordered breakfast and we chatted.

"So how are the things going there , are there any uprisings wars I should know about? "I asked

"Nope everything has been fine all these years and thanks to you all of the five kingdoms are afraid to say your name or to make any moves . And rumors spread after four years of your disappearance ,they said you went to seclusion. After eight years someone spreaded the rumors that Aurora gave birth to a powerful baby that's why you went to seclusion. "

"And did Ethan capture the person and kill him ? " I asked Lucien

"Yes , without blinking . And that's what made people of high power 'Royals ' to believe into this rumor , they wanted you out of seclusion but we warned them that if you came out of seclusion you will come for their heads for disturbing you , finally they gave up the idea ." Lucien said.

"And ?" I asked

"Someone spreaded rumours again , same year . That Aurora and her family are dead , the one who spreaded rumours was a seer . He killed himself. So people believed that the whole family died including the baby , but there was a full moon for ten days and people went through different seasons from spring to winter within those ten days even weather was so terrible . " Lucien said and continue . " People and Royal Families wanted to know who was being chosen by both Nature and Moon ,but none was chosen even children were not chosen then they figured two plus two .That if your sister and her family really died you would come back to make announcement unless if a child survived. Then they new that it was a child that was chosen ."

"I understand , it seems that the God choosed Golderine first without making people aware then made them aware after . Do they know her gender and is anyone who wanted to cross realms or who really crossed realms." I asked .

"No one knows her gender , and they tried but nothing passes Ethan's eyes . He slaughtered them all. " He said while drinking his coffee.

"Did you bring all the things I asked you ?" I asked

"Yes even the information you wanted . All I need is your credit card to buy my new clothes and spoil my self since Golderine is not here , just to kill time " he said. I took out my credit card from my purse and gave it to him .

"the spending limit is unlimited, you can buy anything with it ." I said . Well I allowed him to spend anything because I will send Golderine to stress him . So he should relax and work out later.

I took my time driving Lucien in and outside the town, boutiques and shops all day so that Lucien can buy all the clothes and things he needs or catch his eyes . He even bought expensive jewelry for Golderine and himself ,and damn this boy can shop .

I looked inside my car from the boot , there were lot of shopping bags of different brands. He gave back my card with a smile "Thank you big sister Emm ,I'm satisfied " Lucien said. It seems that other side of Lucien came out, he is sassy .

"Well let's go and grab food , Golderine's school will be out within one hour and we need to be at home before she arrives . " I said .

We went to restaurant and ordered take aways . Today and tonight I will not cook ,I really feel lazy. We went home and I told Lucien that he will be sharing a room with me but he is going down . He agreed and stated packing his clothes in side my closet of cause I made a space for him. I putted all the take away in the dinner table and stated warming them up .I went to garden to look over my flowers.

I felt footsteps behind me and it was Golderine. This time she did not call out my name loud as before .

"Aunt Mariam, I'm home ." She said with a shaky video and her facial expression showed nervousness.

" It seems young lady is nervous ,even calls me by my full name " I said to her while holding her hands that are sweaty " your cousin Lucien is here , and relax he is not going to eat you now come inside and greet him " I said and went inside.

______________________________________

Golderine's view.

I followed her from the garden to sitting room or couch room , my stomach twisting in knots. I had imagined this moment a hundred times throughout the day, but now that it was happening, I didn't know what to expect.

When we entered the couch room , I froze. Standing by the window was a man—tall, with sharp features and dark hair that seemed to absorb the light. He turned as we entered, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine. I felt oppressed by him so I looked down.

For a moment, the room felt unnaturally still. There was something about him, something familiar yet completely foreign.

"Golderine," Mary said softly, breaking the silence. "This is your cousin, Lucien."

Lucien stepped forward, his movements smooth and deliberate. "It's good to finally meet you," he said, his voice deep and warm. And he hugged me .His hugs are warm.

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. My mind was racing. Why did he feel so familiar? And why did his presence make the air seem heavier, as if the walls themselves were listening?

"It's nice to meet you, too," I managed to say, though my voice sounded small even to me.

Lucien's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he smiled faintly. "You look just like her," he said, almost to himself.

"Like who?" I asked, frowning.

"Your mother ." He replied.

"Well you look handsome too." I spoke out .

"Thanks at least you find me handsome, unlike someone." He said while looking at my aunt .

We spended our day with each other and he told me his stories . He is funny but he has that oppressing Aura around him ,I felt like a puppy in a lions claws. Every time when I'm not looking at him I'll feel his eyes on me . If only I was powerful and knew how to fight I'll take out those eye of his ,so I can relax a little bit.