The Next Erased Title for Security Reasons

Part 3- Chapter 10: The Calm before a Storm

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Merdane, Meltinzer

When Prince Naffiel heard a circulating rumour that his fiancée, the Crown Princess of Chara was dead, he was shocked. Shocked that his chances of being King had just died with her. Three days later, word came from Chara that Princess Mami was well and alive. Naffiel threw a party to celebrate. At the same time, in an little corned of Meltinzer, a pretty young girl, with thick black plaits, was found. She had a birthmark resembling a crown, and was immediately carried away, by the people, to the capital. Naffsetar noticed the striking resemblance to his daughter, but she wasn't the lonely princess who had no one except her father. She seemed more woman now, quiet and charming, who longed for the fun she had on the battleships and wing boats. She sighed and handed a letter to the King.

"Take her. We have no use for her anymore. Yours in all enmity, The 'Prince', The Federation of Anarchy."

A tear rolled down the girl's face when her father read this out aloud. The Prince had ordered Creovind to drop her off at a forested edge of Azari, and let her find her way back to Merdane. To top it off, she didn't get to say goodbye to Ioscis or Sara.

She was questioned by Amanda, and confirmed to be the missing princess. Amanda took her back to the west palace, which had been rebuilt within the seven months that she had been in the Federation.

A week later, Merdane resumed it's usual monotony. Pappillia was informed that her fiancé had cancelled their wedding to marry the Charsch Princess. And so, when Pappillia stared endlessly out of her window, at the sky, all alone, and tears glistening in her eyes, everyone assumed it to be because of Naffiel. When Crown Prince Saphniel returned from his inspections, he was officially engaged to Pappillia.

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Fleit Emeyeong, The Floating Islands

Tha sky was dark, and the night was cold. The Behemoth sat huddled among the leaves of the weeping willow that overlooked the lower world. He swung gently, not feeling the frost that formed delicate patterns on his knuckles and cheekbones. His unusually sharp senses were focused on Meltinzer's Royal palace, lighted beneath the floating Fleit.

The 'Prince' knew something was wrong with him. He felt the night's cold, and his senses seemed in clouded disarray. And he knew who exactly was responsible. His ice-doll body had warmed to a human, and those passionate moments had robbed him of his wariness. But he longed for that warmth, sweet warmth that emanated from Shadow's body, and enveloped him in it's cocoon. All he could think about was the adoring face that pressed kisses all over his body.

Shadow.

He sighed when his imagination carried him away, a dull ache throbbing in his chest.

Strange, why was it, that he, an unapproachable and cold overlord, with senses sharp enough to notice the ant crawling down the willow's trunk, this blissfully unaware in the arns of a mere puppet? And why was his heart pounding and why did such new sensations take him by surprise?

He jumped down and landed on the streets of Merdane. It was an odd, dirty alley. He walked through, and though it was midnight, this particular area seemed to be bustling with activity. He saw shady shops and taverns, and women in scant, flimsy, bright clothes, and gaudy gowns roamed around. A few shot him dirty looks, he looked like a beggar, and a few desperate ones tried seducing him. The stench of the alley was unbearable, and he hastened to escape. Suddenly, incense greeted his nose. He looked at the signboard. "Hirha Dauba: Fortune teller, alchemist, and healer." There was an old woman sitting inside, wearing a shabby cloak.