Resplendent Fire 23, Realm Year 768

The Cathak Residence,
The Imperial City

Cathak Tor's PoV

Was I too harsh with her?

She didn't show up for breakfast yesterday, so I wanted to check up on her to see if she's alright. But why must she be so careless and cause me to shout at her?

I haven't seen her since. The major domo said she hasn't come home yet. How irresponsible of her! Where could she be at such a late hour?

...I just hope she's safe.

Maybe I shouldn't have shouted at her. Maybe I should have just asked her how she was.

From up at a balcony, I can see a carriage stopping in front of the mansion. Two people step off. Its Shima... and that insolent mortal!

How dare he kiss her hand!!!

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"Thanks for having me over, Valen," I say as he kisses my hand.

"Shima, I'm just glad you came to me instead of going off and doing all those dangerous things you were planning to do."

I chuckle. "Valen, staying at a hotel for two days and partying for two nights are hardly dangerous at all."

"Still, I can't bear the thought of you all alone out there, and at night."

"I'm a Princess of the Earth. I'm quite capable of protecting myself, you know," I assure him.

He doesn't look convinced. "If you say so. Anyway, my dear Princess of the Earth, I think you should get some rest. Its almost midnight."

We hug, bid each other good night, then I head inside the mansion.

Resplendent Fire 22, Realm Year 768

The Cathak Residence,
The Imperial City

I hurry out of my room and down the corridor, and accidentally crash into the very person I don't want to see this morning. Sheets of paper rain down around us as we stare at each other.

Finally, one of us breaks the silence. "Do you have any idea what those documents are?" he growls.

I don't want to fight him. I bow my head. "I'm sorry, Uncle - "

"If one of those pages gets ruined, I'm going to have to re-inventory all of the artifacts assigned to my unit."

There is nothing for me to say. I keep my eyes on the floor.

"Well?? PICK THEM UP!!!"

I try to ignore the fact that he had just ordered me like a common servant. I gather the sheets together as fast as I can. I really need to spend some time away from him.

What's he doing in this wing of the mansion, anyway? His room isn't located here, and neither is grandfather's office.

I avoid looking at him as I hand him the documents. He snatches them from me.

"Watch where you're going next time."

I bow to him, niece to uncle, hoping my gesture would dampen any further tension between us.

He stalks off, and I continue hurrying down the corridor.

Resplendent Fire 21, Realm Year 768 (part 2)

The next thing I know, he's grabbed me by the shoulders and is shoving his tongue into my mouth.

What on Creation is he doing? I try to push him away but he's too strong, and his tongue is muffling my screams.

"What are you doing?" I hear him say between kisses and through gritted teeth. "You're tempting me!"

He pushes me onto his bed and pins me under his weight. I doubt he notices me struggling as he undoes his trousers while kissing me some more.

Then, he reaches under my dress and pulls my underpants off.

"I must have you!" And with a rough grunt, he thrusts himself into me...

Oh... he feels good...

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Cathak Tor's PoV

This... This is freedom! Every moment brings me closer... closer... Mmmmpphhh!!!

I breathe heavily as I let the waves of pleasure wash over me... I stare at her beautiful face...

"NO! What have I done?!?!"

I leap off the bed, I back away from her as fast as I can.

"The honor of my House, I..." Where is my belt? I grip it tightly because... "I must chastise myself!"

"NO!" The foolish girl runs to me and hugs me tight!

"Tor, it wasn't entirely your fault, I..."

"Get away from me! You should be hating me right now! I just took ten talents off your bride price!"

She just continues hugging me, and sobs on my shoulder.

"Don't... don't cry, I..." ...kiss her again...

NO! I push her off me, and she lands on the floor.

"You must leave. Now."

"Tor, please let me stay..."

"NO! The next time I see you here, I'll have the guards drag you out. I'll have the guards drag you out now if you don't leave right away. Now go!!!"

She looked at me with so much hatred before standing up and storming out of my room. She slams the door behind her.

...I don't want her to hate me.

I feel so weak so I slump on my bed. I... shouldn't be crying right now, but...

Why must things be this way? A different life perhaps, but the Dragons placed me here for duty.

So I can't help but cry.

...There's something on my bed...

...Pink, with white lace trimmed on the sides...

Resplendent Fire 21, Realm Year 768 (part 1)

The Cathak Residence,
The Imperial City

Cathak Tor's PoV

I can't stop thinking of her.

It's been a week since that bloody ball. The first thing I did after the chaos was to look for her. She was hanging around that annoying mortal, but I was glad to know that she was safe.

Glad. I don't understand why I'm feeling such things. I am the son of Cathak Cainan! My duty is to the House and to the Realm. She's nothing but an irresponsible girl, a poor example of a Princess of the Earth.

Yet... I wonder what its like to be free like her...

Someone's opening the door. Probably Shen again.

"Uhm... Tor...?"

I jump from my bed. What is she doing here? She must leave right away! But I want her to stay... "What do you want!?!"

"I... just want to talk..."

I know its summer, but those clothes she's wearing are almost indecent.

"Tor... I know grandfather gave you command of an elite unit, and you know the Deliberative is going to march us against Walker in Darkness, and I just thought... you're probably affected by the ball incident just like the rest of us, so... if it isn't too much, can we rely on your help in this campaign? I mean, I know we'll have different commanders and we'll have different assignments but..."

She looks so sincere, and so... no! I must not think such things! I clear my throat... "Since we have the same objective, it will be beneficial to the success of the mission to share my resources with you, if the situation permits."

"Thanks, Tor!"

She gives me a hug... and a quick kiss on the cheek! She's turning towards the door now...

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BUKAS KO NA ITUTULOY KASI MAGLALARO PA KO NG PERFECT WORLD OKAY

Resplendent Wood 13, Realm Year 763

The House of Bells,
Nishima

"I'm proud of you, Shima. Remember what I taught you, and don't ever let them take your dreams away." - Yeddim's first and last words

He looks as if he's only asleep, but I know Yeddim always sleeps standing up. I am looking at his back, but I know that if I circle to his front, I will see a tiny river of blood flowing from his chest.

I am horrified that I did this, just for the sake of power and knowledge.

I had to run, and I run all the way to the barracks. People are giving me strange looks, but I don't care. I reach our quarters and try to hide in my bunk and what little sanctuary it could offer me.

My unit mates are crowding around me, asking me what's wrong. Can't they see that I obviously don't want to talk about it?

In a rare act of kindness, cousin Rae ushers everyone out. Finally, a bit of privacy.

"Okay, Shima. They're all gone. Now spill."

I sigh. So this is the price.

I have to tell her what I've become.

Resplendent Fire 22, Realm Year 760

The Imperial Court,
The Imperial City

We didn't want to receive the summons, but we must obey the law.

Mother and I are in the Imperial Court, awaiting the verdict. She keeps saying that everything will be alright, but I know we've already lost the trial. It would be foolish to hope to win it in the first place.

Across the room is the grandfather I've never met, come to take me away to what he believes is a better life. I'd much rather stay, but I don't really have a choice in the matter.

The judge is banging his gavel now, and everyone listens to what he has to say...

Mother takes my hands in hers, tears flowing freely on her face. She bids me to be a good girl, to do my best, and most importantly, to be true to myself. No matter what they force me to do, I must remember who I am, and I must pursue my own dreams and happiness.

I shall never forget those words.

A Black Helm approaches my mother and asks her to please step away. She gives me one last look, then allows herself to be escorted to the door. She didn't even look back.

I'm stunned. I couldn't say anything, couldn't even cry. I ought to be shouting for her, running after her. I could only stare in disbelief.

And then, she's gone.

I hear someone call my name. I couldn't turn around to face him though.

When he touched my shoulder, that's when everything broke lose. I screamed and tried to pull away, but grandfather's grip was very tight. He calmly drags me out of the court house and into his carriage.

I squeeze myself into the corner and weep.