Half a heart, half a crown

T H I R T Y F O U R

Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals quietly. No one utter a word. I, myself, was waiting for this day. Waiting. After seven, I could be free from this torturing place. But I will have to go back to Emercidin, and somehow, it does not excite me. Maybe it was from the guilt that I felt, but what necessarily is the guilt? The guilt from accusing King Antonio all these times, or the guilt from leaving this place when I promised to save him.

What time is it?

Six twenty-six

Thirty four more minutes until I fully escape from this place. Thirty four minutes, I still have time to decide.

I adverted my eyes and was met with silver-blue orbs. They were staring at me with emotions I can't read. I always promised to kill whoever killed my brother, but here he is, the murderer, sitting across from me, staring at me, and I couldn't do anything than to sulk.

Maybe because he was fearful, or maybe because I knew even if I kill him, I would not be satisfied.

"I am so happy for your return." Said the man who knew nothing about my revenge towards his own son.

As much as I am confused from this sudden agreement of letting me go, I still couldn't identify why. Maybe because I revealed King Devilon the truth, or maybe because guilt swallowed him alive when he found out that I am the sister of the king that he had killed.

And so I excused myself out into the garden. It was dark and, cold. The turquoise necklace was still in my palm. What can I do to help you old lady? You told me to save him. How do I do that when I couldn't even save myself? I don't know what trap will I be in next. Am I going to fall into the hands of King Edwards or King Antonio, or King Devilon....

It's crazy how blinded I am on wanting to take revenge on King Antonio but turned out, he wasn't the one who killed my brother.

How about you, King Devilon Arisen?

You told me the truth. I found out the truth. But I still couldn't hate you. Of course, of course I hated the fact that you tortured me painfully all these years, but I still couldn't find myself to hate you. And now that I knew you were the murderer of my most beloved brother, I just want to get away, and never come back to you, or anyone. I just hope, really hope that this was all just a dream. And I hope that when I woke up, it was the day of my brother's crowning moment and that he is alive this time. And that I am still the young princess Magnificent Dillionio who knew nothing about revenge.

Six thirty-four.

Do I really want to stay here?

Six thirty-five

Do I ?

Six thirty-six

It's not too late—

"Magnificent...." I shuddered upon hearing the familiar intimidating voice, "Magnificent." He repeated again.

With my back faced him, I spoke, "What do you want?"

Suddenly, a pair of hands snaked around my waist and his breath fanned my skin making me trembled until his touch. So he had been drinking.

"You're drunk." I said.

"Am I ?" King Devilon asked, "thank god I am drunk or else I wouldn't be able to tell you this when I'm sober."

What?

Tell me what?

I stayed silent. Why is he acting differently right now?

"Do you really want to go back?" He chuckled dryly, "how stupid of me to even thought that you would want to stay after knowing fully well that I killed your brother."