Chapter 42

**Katrienair's POV**

"Oh, it's been a long day." I said as I was brought into my own chamber by a maid. No it's not a long day, it's a big day. Back there in that cage, I never thought I'll be here. Like I'll be an army in this territory that have threatened to kill me so many times. Well I still do not trust them. Not after I've been appointed the crown prince as assistant. Everything about today looks like an illusion to me. I, Katty, now wearing an head of army coat. And my new name, Claudia. It's engraved on a golden pin on my coat. I pulled it of and glared at my image on the mirror. My hair's looking longer, still golden, dirty gold anyway. My eye brows were saggy (I'm tired) but I'm still that beautiful girl I know or rather beautiful woman. But this whole thing is still a shock to me anyway. More ridiculously, I saw Joel yet again. Well, he isn't Joel, he was introduced as prince Jullian. He's my assistant but why does he look so much like my Joel... oops! I mean Joel.

Aargh! Damn you Katrienair...huh.. Claudia, you just became one of them and you are already being delusional. Joel's on earth and we are thousands of heavens apart. Try to believe that. Really I wish he was Joel, I won't feel as lost as...

My thoughts were interrupted by footsteps. I swung around frightened. The Young lady wearing the maidservants uniforms spoke rapidly.

"Milady, you should go have a wash. I've prepared the water bath. Let's go in." she said.

Wow! A maid would wash me. This is real royalty.

"I'll help myself when I'm ready okay?" I said trying to sound calm. "thank you"

"No milady," she bowed. "it's the king's command. I dare not go against it milady. Please allow me do my job well. You will love it. I'm sure of that."

Gush! Demons and rules.

Why must she wash me?

" Fine, I'll join you in a moment" I smiled back at the mirror winked at Luna who was standing by my side. I had a long bath—one I haven't had in years.

After the bath I was dressed into a nightie by the maid and surprisingly she didn't leave. She sat comfortably on the cushion to talk. How bold.

Be careful Katrienair. My subconscious warned.

"milady, how do you feel now?" she asked.

"Better, thanks to you." I said still feeling suspicious. I tried to reach out for her thoughts but got nothing. She was thinking but her thoughts were guarded. I just couldn't help but feel paranoid. I felt like I was being taunted by my past. She looks like a special object of my past, but i can't say what exactly and isn't in the mood to think. Her charisma, her voice... And all looks familiar. Oh... I'm already being delusional. Really, I can't help but feel like something is wrong somewhere.

"it's my pleasure milady "she replied. "By the way, congratulations on your new position. I witnessed everything. You're really a good fighter milady and you deserve more than this."

Wow! What can I say? I love this lady and I feel like I know her. I just sat there staring into her, trying to arrange my thought and discern exactly what it's telling me.

"But be very careful milady. I know how tempting and overwhelming being a soldier can be but I'll advice you be focused and alert. Demons are not nice, they know what they want and would do anything to get it done." she stood up to leave.

" Hei wait" I stopped her. " who are you?"

"I'm you personal maid milady." she bowed.

"like your name? Are you a demon also?"

She bent over and showed me her calf (the downward cross) "do you trust me now milady. That's the mark."

I smiled and she walked to the door.

"wait!" I followed her." you didn't give your name."

"Names aren't necessary milady" she walked away. I was shocked that a maid could be so sharp-witted, I shut the door and walked back to my room, to the dressing table. This time glaring at my new tattoo. The downward cross mark of allegiance. God what have I done? What is the significance of this mark? The throbbing pain has lessened since the maid help me massage it. This is real darkness, Katrienair.

Suddenly the door opened and I heard a voice that almost swept me off my feet.

"you like the tattoo?"he said.

I was shocked because of his voice... He's Joel.

"Joel?" I gasped. He was wearing a T-shirt and he looked exactly like prince Julian. I have a strong feeling that he's Joel but...

I guess there's more to this place that I do not know about.

"Joel?" I said again, hoping to sound louder. "What... " my throat rain dry, he was moving closer to me. "What are you doing here?"

He moved closer and to my surprise he embraced me tightly. I felt like it's the first I've gotten from him, his heart beat in mine felt like heaven. He held me closer like he wasn't going to leave me ever again. Then I heard his husky whisper.

 "Katrienair, listen, every being have different heartbeat ours is the same." he chuckled silently.

It's Joel! I could not help but cry, what is he doing here? This place is just to bad, too risky. Gush! Why? First it was Emiliar, now he. Why are they here? How did they get here? I pulled away from his hold and hit him on his chest.

"you punk!" I spat. "what are you doing here?"

I wanted to add «you're supposed to be in school, on earth.» but then I realized Joel was no longer a boy but a man. A very hot and handsome one. What else do I expect anyway.

But wait!

How many years have I spent here? I mean... Down there