The howling voices from afar, disturb my slumber in the middle of the night. My feet lead me to the balcony, swiftly the cool breeze brush against to the hairs of my arms. I rub my skin to cause friction that might help to heated my body.

Billions of stars are glowing, their lights reflect in the still water of the pond. The fireflies were quite cheerful as they fly on the pathway and trees. It was a calming scene, mesmerizing that could clear my mind.

"Hmm," I hummed as I closed my eyes and blissful night embrace me.

Then the blurred voices became louder which made me startle. In the serene dark room, every tip of my finger touches the cold wall that brought shivers down to my spine. Silently, I twist the doorknob and walk in the hallway with my soft slippers that I'm wearing.

Memories that I recalled yesterday. I fell asleep while arguing with Crystal that left a satisfied impression in my heart. Her reaction couldn't be described in words when I put my mask on to retaliate with her mockery. Nothing feels better when all of her insults were ignored.

A small light from the office of the Grand Duke slip away. Then, I noticed that the door was partly open. My hands suddenly tremble and my heart race but it was different compare to whenever I see His Excellency. My stomach was churning, not the usual feeling of butterflies when I was excited.

More like, I was nervous about something that didn't happen yet. If I took a little peek inside the room perhaps, I might know the reason. However, some half of me want to turn my back against the entrance to his office for me not to hear and know the source of this rat feeling inside of my chest.

As if my feet were stuck in thorns, I could not take a step and if it seems that my knuckles have its own mind to knock on the wood. Various tone of voices was debating, leaking out mix with high pitch that scares me more on finding out what's beyond the door.

"Enter."

Because the door was already slightly open, I decided to slid my head inside for me to see what was all about their argument. I was already expecting Crystal to be here just by the sound of her voice alone.

Though, even that I was aware, it still left a huge impact of surprise. I tried so hard to dismiss the thought and force myself that it didn't bother me, the fact that she was standing on the place that I should be whenever we have to tackle something.

"Forgive me for interrupting. I came, it was quite loud. Is there anything that I could help you?"

Now, I literally entered yet without leaving the open door beside me. At first, they stared at me that result of me, imagining peculiar things. They must have taken me for their own dinner, I can tell with their look that gave me chills.

Suspiciously, they gaze each other as if they were secretly communicating through with their eyes. Here comes again the disturbing feeling I dislike. It seems that I was an invisible and out of place the way they treated me.

I was taken aback when the Grand Duke massaged his temple with a sigh. Was he stress after seeing me or burden? Believe me, I should have followed my guts if I knew this would happen.

"You should rest more. What if you fainted again?"

"But, I have enough of sleep." To the point when I lay down, all I ever do is overthink and become fidgety. Even I stretch my body and spin under the lonely sheets, it wasn't sufficient to be drowsy. I have a ton of energy flowing in my veins perhaps, he might want to permit me in the library now.

"Geez, let her be. Shall we continue our discussion?" Crystal proclaims. She went closer to His Excellency and move a pawn on the ancient style chessboard. "Like what I stated, if we attack them now there is a high chance that they will be wipeout."

Jackson as always, served them with a beverage however with a heavy atmosphere that was surrounding him. It appears that he detests her suggestion while Josh shook his head in disagreement with the Princess.

"Pardon me Your Highness, I'm not being insolent yet I wasn't sure what do you want to imply by saying that we should ambush the enemy," the Knight exhaled. "May I ask you how much knowledge do you have about Celtic and their military forces?"

She kept her mouth shut and raised a brow; she couldn't answer because I knew the reason was neglecting her studies. They were having a staring contest as sharp as the needle. I'm afraid to stay here any longer, I might engage to their battle.

I shall make it out here alive. My feet were about to tiptoe silently to escape, I was force not to do it though, when Sir. Josh suddenly turned his eyes to His Excellency and slam his hand on the table that made me jump.

"Sire! We should hold a meeting with the generals!"

The pieces of the chess were stumbled and few of them rolled under the table. Jackson, who had no chance to voice out his idea remain calm. However, it was obvious that he was nervous as he keeps wiping the sweats on his forehead and his habit of adjusting his eyeglass. He was alright a moment ago, that sound of the desk must have shock him as the tension grew heavier.

"What do you mean? If we will keep postponing it even for a day, who knows when will the opponent choose to draw their swords or flee."

Sir. Josh release an intimidating aura. It was the same feeling when I saw him training with the other knights. He throwed a dangerous glare to the woman in front of him that I've never witness before as he was always gentle and kind to me.

"Were talking about treason to the Empire here! We are trusted and assigned by His Majesty to seize the traitors!"

Perhaps, they're tackling about the trending rumors that Duke Nababaliw located from the Northern Dukedom committed a grave sin against the Emperor. He betrayed his own country and sided with the rival.

Is what I've heard though I was not sure at first but since His Excellency were planning to eliminate the Nababaliw Dukedom then, indeed it was not just a false hearsay. Now, I'm curious why the Duke resolve such misdeeds. They have a good business and bountiful of territories which also gain them an influence to the society. Has he finally gone insane?

"What can you say my wife?"

I look at the Grand Duke widely and pointed myself. When I opened my mouth, Crystal interfere.

"I believe that we should not procrastinate!" All heads turned at her that was supposedly gazing at me.

"I'm referring to Madelaine, the Grand Duchess."

"Pardon?" she paused and took for a second to gracefully cover her mouth. "Oh my, I thought you were pertaining to me. My bad."

With her crossed arms, she scoffed at me. "Is she even aware of the topic?"

"Please don't underestimate our Madam. She is the best among the best!"

I can feel my blood rushing up unto my cheeks. I unconsciously held the arm of Sir. Josh and hide my face behind his armor to stop him from blabbering such nonsense to them. "Please, I'm not worthy of your praise."

He somehow quiets down however; I felt a different blazing air that surrounds the room. It was black and perhaps glaring towards at us. Josh's palpitating heart was loud and can be hear despite his thick protection.

"Josh, you're dismiss," the Grand Duke commanded with a sour mood. He was the source of the wicked bad omen. What is it now? To be mad at nothing.

"As you wish. Thus, kindly consider my perceptive."

He clenched his jaw. "That is not needed, we would go as what the Princess wants."

Crystal winning smirk is highly visible on her red lips. She tilts her jaw, proud and beautifully enjoying her victory. Her strategy might reckless but once it was acknowledged by the leader, it won't matter anymore. That is why, Josh rejected her idea.

He sighs and bowed his head before leaving us. "By all means, Your Excellency without a doubt. I will prepare the soldiers instantly."

"Then what about you?"

"Yes? I thought, I would help you on something."

"Go back and rest. I will come after these works had finished," he ordered as he comb his hair with his thick fingers rigidly.

"Alright."

Before I could even close the door, I took a one last glance at them and spotted Crystal hugging him from behind. And the last thing that didn't leave my mind was Crystal suggestion that made me turned numb.

"Your Excellency, why don't you spend the night in my chamber?"

Finally, the scene was block as I let go of the doorknob. I realize and absolutely sink in my mind the reality that I kept denying. Throughout walking in the depressing hallway, my eyes refuse to blink as it was in a dire situation of fear.

The fact that slowly, seeing them together while laughing happily was rather painful. It was hard to breath and there was unexplainable growing inside of my chest that made me forget all the lessons that I've learned in these past living of sixteen years.

A nightmare in a surreal world. In the midst of the serene ocean, my emotions are currently in tidal waves. Unstable and couldn't figure it out this tightening of my heart and the picture of them as if it was glued in my brain.

I gulp the lump of my throat that I haven't notice if I didn't lay down on the spacious bed. What would I do with this king-size and feather pillows if I'm alone? He said that he'll follow but it was past midnight and still nowhere to be found beside me.

Emptiness, the only thing I can describe to my disturbing feelings. I was not adapted without him on the same bed with me and doing mischievous things that will keep us awake together. Before I knew it, his presence was the one I always look for.

I covered my eyes with my elbow and right from there, I was waiting the whole time. Unaware of my surroundings, praying that he wouldn't stayed the night with her. I was planning not to sleep yet I accidently dozed off and when I woke up, he wasn't here.

My head is bombarding me with assumes that they are together for the whole time. Different scenarios are appearing and my imagination intensely gone wrong. I found myself getting up, leaning on the board of the bed.

Then, I felt a water drop on the back of my palm. When I touch my cheek, it was wet and I instantly understood why my eyes are tearing.

"No..."

I tried to refuse in believing what my mind have kept insisting on me. I shook my head to dissolve the idea but my cries are growing. I wipe my face with the blanket that I was grasping tightly.

What's this? Any seconds and I will feel that I could vomit. It's troubling and my mind were in chaos early in the morning where birds are busy chirping. My heart beat faster like I was being chase, it was a sound of storm. Loud and heavy, quite a disturbing rhythm.

A vexing thought whisper in my ears and a warm tear fell across my cheek. I blink, why is my chest aching for a longing arm that I should have embraced. It's painful that my whole body feels like a mirror that was shattered.

I hated to admit,

The fact that he already captivated my heart a long time ago.