The Chosen Heiress

Chapter Eleven: Stripped Glory

3rd Person's POV

The moment that the King had set foot in the castle, his anger was at its peak.

"How did it happen?" His voice merely a hiss. Walking around the meeting room, his violet robes swaying behind him.

Kim Mingyu, the highest in command soldier kneeled in respect,
"We will find her, Your Majesty. We will bring her safely---"

"Give me your sword." Hoshi's gray eyes, stared at him coldly.

He handed it to him with hesitance that is barely noticed. His eyes shaking at the sight of his sword taken away.

Yoon Jeonghan, seated on the King's right side, watched silently. His eyes staring right at Mingyu's dark orbs. He frowned.

"I am stripping you off your title. It is your duty to bring her here, as well as keep her within the castle. One which you failed."

Hoshi passed the sword towards Dani, who took it with both hands. Leaving Mingyu...defenseless.

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Dawn's POV

[/Flashback;

The door in my room suddenly opened, just in time as I am fixing my hair in front of the mirror.

Sora closed the door with a slam, running towards me in panic.

"Oh Sora, why are you hurryin----"

Sora held me by the shoulder, aggressively turning me to face her,
"Dawn, the Young Master instructed me to help you dress up. The others will arrive soon."

Confused by her sudden action, I tried to remove her hand off my shoulder but she held me tighter. This is not the Sora that I know.

"You want to go away, right?" She asked, instead of answering, I just furrowed my brows in confusion.

Why is she acting like this?

"Here," She let go of my shoulders and placed both of her hand together, a golden flower bloomed on her hand, shining brightly.

My mouth agaped. Sora....has powers???

She placed the flower on my hand, making me clasp it tightly. Still glowing mystically.

"It will bring you out of here. Someone is waiting for you. You must go." 

I looked down on my hand before I felt my feet become lifted off the ground, the surroundings spinning in every direction, so fast.

The next thing I knew, I hit the ground harshly. In an unfamiliar living room.

[/End of flashback;

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Joshua's POV

I stared at the golden flower on the dining table resting above the familiar books. Shining brightly as it slowly dissolves into thin air.

'The maiden's warning.'

Seungkwan stood beside me, watching until the last dust blown by the wind.

A sudden crash from the living room made me turn immediately, running to the direction. Hansol already stood by the door, frozen on his spot.

"Move." I pushed through the door, as my eyes met a rather small mess.

Broken vase and my coffee table flipped over, on the ground is a woman not older than 20, laying unconcious.

"That's her, Joshua." Hansol muttered.

I walked over to her, tapping her shoulder.
"Excuse me, Miss Da---"

"WHO ARE YOU!?" She immediately sat up, crawling backwards until her back hits the chair.

"Hey Dawn! You remember me? Hansol? Teleport?" Hansol spoke brightly, I can also sense him waving his hand energetically.

Dawn looked at Hansol then to me, then to Hansol then to me again.

"You...you're Joshua Hong...Eagle's Command...right?" She's breathing heavily as if trying to process what's happening. Her hair is a mess and clothes slightly ruined.

"Yes, I'm glad to know you've read the books we have sent you." I replied, finally standing up and sitting at the opposite chair. Crossing my legs.

Dawn continued to look at us in confusion. Seungkwan went over to her and helped her sit.

"Why am I here?" Dawn muttered, still breathless.

"Get her some water please---oh nevermind." I stared at the empty glass next to Dawn, immediately, water started to fill the cup.

"Drink." I said, but she continued to look at me with such distrust.
"You've read my biography. You know you can trust me. The water will calm you down."

Hesitantly, she took a sip of the water with shaking hands. I continued to stare at her, observing her facial features, she looks...normal.

"Why am I here?" She repeated, eyes glaring.
"This is Eagle's Command---where is Sora?" She added.

Oh right.

I took a deep breath, staring at her directly,
"To formally introduce myself, I am Joshua Hong, I'm the Eagle's Command leader. That guy is Seungkwan, and that one, you've met before, is Hansol. I was the one who asked Hansol to fetch you in Earth, originally this is your destination, however...it is unfortunate that we have to let you go for the meantime."

She placed the empty glass back down, it automatically refilled itself.
"How did you know me?"

"Like how the Tiger's Den knows you. You're Choi Seungcheol's sister." I briefly answered. Though there are further reasons as to how I knew her, this is not the time to discuss it.

"Your sister and my brother died the same way, you were aware of that?" Dawn asked with shaky voice, her knuckles turning white.

Anguish, disappointment, betrayal.
Her feelings are easily conveyed. How vulnerable for a heiress. No wonder, Junhwi's...in disbelief.

"The thing is...my sister is alive." I answered.

Dawn's shaking stopped immediately. Mouth agape.
"What...?"

"No one knows I have a sister, only Eagle's Command. In Tiger's Den knowledge, I have no family left. However, I personally included it in my biography to give you a heads up." I flashed her a confident smile, despite her expression not mirroring it.

"what... do you mean?"

"Sora is my sister." I replied. Smile sliding off my face.
"Sora is a spy in the castle. She has been updating us about you since the time you arrived, also helped Vernon escape to return back here. The books we've sent safely reached you... through her as well."

Dawn slowly sinked back on the chair, her body seemed to get weak to support itself.
"All this time...." she muttered under her breath.

"We have to keep my sister's existence a secret. Sora is safely disguised in the castle. As for now, Miss Dawn, I suggest you get some rest. Sora will meet us tomorrow morning."

Seungkwan gently held Dawn's arm.
"Miss, let me escort you to your room."

As they leave the living room, I continued to stare at the vacant seat in front of me.

Hansol's voice woke me up from my thoughts,
"Sora did a great job. Let's just hope she won't get caught."

I crossed my arms, my left hand caressing my lower lip in concentration,
"She won't. I doubt that Young Master of hers will let her face consequences."

Sora is my sister. I don't remember when was the last time I said that aloud.