I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS FATE.....OR RATHER THE CURSE

Part 12

He ordered me to stay still and accompany him, his eyes filled with anger and hatred, piercing through me. Instead of responding, I attempted to break free, but his grip tightened progressively. With my eye still bleeding, I struggled to find cotton to wipe it off. When I tried to pull Nathaniel's hand towards me using my powers, he resisted, preventing me from grabbing the cotton. I stood there with blood dripping everywhere. Suddenly, the tiger, nearly dead a moment ago, lunged at Nathaniel, pushing him down. I, too, was pulled down, and facing a nearly 10-feet fall, I thought this time it might be the end...

however, the giant seized me by my dress, causing Nathaniel to lose his grip on my hands. It returned me to its protective embrace, and the tiger I had rescued leaped onto me, expressing gratitude through affectionate licks. Relief washed over me as the situation resolved positively. I reciprocated by embracing the tiger warmly, and it placed a note with a flower in my hand. Expressing gratitude, I thanked the tiger and dismounted the giant, only to find Nathaniel lying in a pool of blood. Despite his unwarranted actions, I chose to heal him and left a message on a rock: "You're welcome, and I won't return, Nathaniel. With love, Laura Natalee."

Liam and I returned to the house with the flower and the note, settling into the garden. As I began reading the letter, it conveyed the following message:

"Dear Laura,

You have just one more flower to find, which is currently with the emperor. In my bedroom, you'll discover a secret door located behind the bed. The passcode is ######. Retrieve the flower and offer it to the nine-tails in the giant's stomach. Before doing so, meet the siren. Keep in mind that the flowers won't survive beyond two months. Hopefully, that will provide enough time. I trust you can hasten, my dear. Don't risk your life.

With love, Laira Natalee"

Taking this risk was monumental. The likelihood of failure was astronomical, but the inevitable discovery of this place loomed on the horizon, spelling trouble for everyone. Liam and I found ourselves alone in the garden, contemplating the castle map we had drawn, deciding that the heist had to happen that very night. Despite an unsettling feeling in my stomach and anxiety levels soaring, I had to compose myself. The kingdom's inhabitants were oblivious to the impending threat, unaware of my father, the emperor's, radical ideology. His plan involved using a deadly weapon to annihilate humankind, aiming to ascend to a god-like status with my powers by his side. However, since I escaped that fateful day, he couldn't execute either aspect of his plan. The weight of it all became overwhelming, prompting me to sit down and catch my breath. Felix and Seraphina approached, expressing their concern, and soon enough, engaged in a playful bout of banter, resembling an old couple. 😌

Oh, how I long for the days when Nathaniel and I shared a life together. He married someone like me, someone seemingly heartless, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Throughout the years, I've harbored a certain indifference, feeling neither pain nor sadness. A pervasive emptiness in my heart led me to distance myself from everyone. However, since marrying him, a strange sensation has taken residence in my lungs.

The way he used to console me, the warmth of his hugs, the playful manner in which he treated me like a cherished possession, and particularly the moments we spent together, gazing at the stars while he slept on my lap — they etched themselves into my memory. The recent disdainful glance from his beautiful emerald eyes, framed by his long black hair, pierced me with hurt. I yearn for the Nathaniel who cared, the one who loved. This time, I'm ready to reach out, to kiss him. Nathaniel, I'm on my way to you.

I left with everything I needed, concealing the other two flowers at the undisclosed location (not telling yall). Instructing Liam to be vigilant as I advanced, I teleported into the kingdom using his powers. Nausea lingered in my stomach, and the sight of guards scattered throughout heightened my unease. Silently slipping into the area, shivers ran down my spine, and nervousness permeated my aura. Stepping into the bedroom...