THE RING OF REDEMPTION

chapter 11

AUTHOR POV

In the span of two days, Darya and Daisy found themselves unable to finish the voluminous book, necessitating breaks for rest. Daisy's father, preoccupied with meetings, was compelled to postpone whatever plans he had for Daisy.

"Darya, my brain is still grappling with something," Daisy said. "It's as if you are not a mere human being," she added, prompting Darya to roll her eyes.

"Then what am I?" Darya laughed. "I was simply fortunate to be entrusted with that responsibility. Should I say fortunate? Because it ultimately led to the death of my parents," she sighed. "I truly don't understand why I felt a sense of peace within me since this part of my life has been revealed," Darya stared at the book before her. "Like the king who loved my father," she added. "Because of this RING, my childhood was taken away from me, Daisy," she looked at Daisy, who was listening attentively.

"I don't know whether to feel happy or sad," Darya said. "All I want is for you to find happiness," Daisy said with her red and swollen face. Daisy was adept at crying; her eyes easily shed tears.

The king's kindness towards her family softened Darya's heart, but it didn't diminish the hatred she harbored for men. "Food is ready," Grandma peeped through the door to Darya's room, which was left open.

"Okay, ma'am," Daisy said. Grandma left after Daisy responded. "But that doesn't mean I won't seek vengeance against this so-called Ralp and his bloodline."

"That's assuming he's alive," Daisy said.

"I believe he is alive; evil people tend to endure longer," Darya nodded. "I will eliminate them all without remorse. I am avenging my parents' deaths."

"What about the RING?" Daisy asked.

"Well, if I can find this murderer, I will be able to retrieve it," Darya replied. "You know I can't locate the Ring. According to the book, the rod will bring me closer to it since the rod is with me," Darya explained.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot. Let's go eat," Daisy stood up, but staggered; Darya immediately caught her. Both girls fell to the ground due to their weakness, and they both laughed.

Sam entered Ronin's room. Ronin, now fully recovered and using the computer, greeted him. "A few days ago, I noticed a bright light coming from your room," Sam said, observing Ronin for any reaction, but Ronin, adept at controlling his emotions, remained unchanged.

"What light?" Ronin asked, feigning ignorance.

"I saw a shining bright light coming from your room. That's not a normal electrical light," Sam said.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ronin lied, continuing with his task.

"Hmmmm," Sam sighed, knowing Ronin wasn't being truthful but choosing to let it go.

"So, how far have you progressed with the preparations for this year's interdisciplinary collaboration?" Sam asked.

"It's going well," Ronin replied.

"We haven't found a personal assistant for you yet."

"There's still time."

"But we need to act quickly."

"Ronin, I have a question," Sam added.

Ronin shook his head, signaling for Sam to proceed.

"Since the interdisciplinary collaboration is nearing, why don't we attempt to find the necklace? It's of significant importance, you know," Sam said with a hint of concern.

"Hmm, I understand, but how and where on earth do you expect us to start looking for it? She may have already sold it," Ronin said. "Then we'll search for another necklace," Rowon said as he walked in. They both turned their attention to him.

"It's not just any regular necklace," Sam replied.

"What's so special about the necklace, and what connection does it have with your illness?" Rowon inquired.

"There's a meeting scheduled to begin here any moment now," Ronin said, brushing off Rowon's question. Rowon promptly exited the room, leaving Ronin and Sam.

A few hours later, a staff member rang the doorbell at Ronin's Glass door. Ronin promptly greeted the staff member, who couldn't meet his gaze and bowed her head as she relayed a message to him.

"You have visitors, sir," she said, still looking at the floor.

"Thank you. Inform them that I will join them shortly," Ronin instructed. She bowed once again before leaving. Eager to share the news of their boss's well-being, the staff member hurried to inform the others. Ronin, though beloved by all his staff for his kindness, maintained a cold demeanor, as they described him.

Ronin proceeded to his conference room located in the Western wing of Galvin Mansion. Inside, everyone was seated. The atmosphere was not friendly, as they all harbored different grievances. However, they had no choice but to work together, representing America for the interdisciplinary collaboration. Ronin took his seat among them, displeased with the presence of two particular women: one who had stolen the necklace and denied it, and the other, whom he loved but who continued to betray him.

The program and enlistment for the interdisciplinary collaboration were displayed on the projector screen. The tension between Ellie and Harper was palpable, with Harper rolling her eyes at Ellie's presence.

"Gone are the days I used to fear you, Ellie," Harper muttered to herself.

After the meeting, they dispersed to their respective destinations to prepare for the upcoming work.

"Ronin," Ellie called out, approaching him with puppy eyes. Ronin, no longer swayed by her charms after her betrayal, turned to her as she attempted to engage him.

"How are you?" she asked, feigning concern.

"I am well. Is there a problem?" Ronin responded, his guard up.

"Um, no, I was just checking up on you, and... well, I'm happy to be part of this interdisciplinary collaboration with you," Ellie trailed off. Ronin simply nodded in response.

"Is that all?" Ronin inquired.

"I... I just..."

"Ronin," Sam interrupted, entering the room and intentionally breaking their conversation.

"Please excuse me," Ronin said, abruptly leaving. Ellie was left feeling frustrated, while Sam intervened to diffuse the situation.

"Chill, girl, this is just the beginning," Irish, Ellie's partner in crime, reassured her. "You will get your man back," she added.

"Are you sure?" Ellie asked with a frown.

"In your dreams," Harper retorted, walking away. Ellie and Irish exchanged glances, unfazed by Harper's dismissal.

"That brat," Irish muttered, sharing a laugh with Ellie.

"She's just a loser. She can never shake off that 'Thief' tag," Irish added. They both chuckled before departing together.

With everyone successfully arriving at their destinations, Ronin lay on his bed, his mind swirling with thoughts. He contemplated the immense workload ahead and feared how he would manage it alongside his personal predicaments. Though supported by Sam and Rowon, Ronin's mind still grappled with uncertainties, particularly concerning the RING.

A few minutes later, Ronin's phone rang; he picked it up, thinking it was his sassy brother calling, but it was a strange number. He was reluctant to answer it, but eventually did.

"Hello," he spoke when the caller addressed him.

"Please, who is this?" he asked politely.

"It's Mrs. Blake, Ellie's mom," the caller answered.

"Okay," Ronin responded, feeling irritated.

"How may I help you?" Ronin said, though his tone betrayed his annoyance.

"Ronin, don't be rude," she admonished, but he didn't respond to that.

"I hope Ellie is over there."

"Why should she be here? I don't have any business with her. Whatever brought her to my house today is over. The meeting is over. Maybe she might be at her numerous boyfriends' house. Have a nice day," Ronin ended the call.

"Ellie's parents?" Sam asked.

Ronin poured whiskey into the glass cup and drank everything at once.

"Her mom," he said, feeling irritated.

"Like mother, like daughter," Sam added.

BLAKE MANSION

"That brat," Mrs. Blake angrily dropped the phone on the table. Her husband looked at her.

"He ended the call on me. Oh, little brat, I'm old enough to be his mother. Since his parents died, his shoulders have been up," she hit the table.

"Why blame the young man? Your daughter caused it, and please stop forcing your daughter on him. Come to think of it, I thought you said he's mentally derailed, so why do you want your daughter to get married to him?" Mr. Blake asked.

"Assuming I don't know how decent you are, I could have doubts if that girl is my child," he added. Mrs. Blake glared at him.

"Like you didn't contribute to spoiling her," she said.

"I know, but at least I didn't contribute to her promiscuity, and I am not forcing her on any man who doesn't love her anymore due to her promiscuous ways," Mr. Blake said.

"What are you trying to say?" she asked.

"Talk to your daughter, Ellie."

"Are you saying I'm encouraging her?"

"I never did; you don't talk to her."

"She's a grown-up girl; she's an adult."

"Oh, you see. Like mother, like daughter," Mr. Blake laughed.

"Are you trying to fuel the fire in me?" she glared at him.

"Oh yes, I want the fire to burn you," he replied.

Mrs. Blake picked up her shoes and was chasing her husband, who was already running away from her. He was laughing whole heartedly.

Harper was in her room after having lunch with her family. Her mood shifted after the meeting at Ronin's house, the past flooding back into her memories.

FLASHBACK

2 YEARS AGO

"She stole it," Ellie accused Harper.

"I didn't, Ronin. She's lying," Harper defended with tears in her eyes.

"Ronin, I can't steal and I don't steal. Please believe me. This girl is not who you think she is," Harper continued crying.

"What do you mean?" Ellie fired.

"We saw you coming out of Ronin's room in a sneaky way," Irish commented.

"No, no. I'm innocent," Harper knelt before Ronin, holding his legs.

"Don't touch him," Ellie pushed Harper to the floor.

"I thought we were friends, Ellie. What have I done to you to deserve this?" Harper said amidst tears.

"I can never be a friend to a thief," Ellie fired back.

Harper looked at Ronin; he knew he didn't believe her.

"Where is the necklace?" Ronin was furious.

Rowon was surprised to see his brother acting because of a necklace. He could get ones that are more expensive than this missing necklace. Rowon had always seen his older brother wearing this necklace but didn't know why it was so important to him.

"Let's check the cameras in your room," Sam suggested. They all left for Ronin's room, but they found out the cameras were removed.

Ronin rushed towards Ellie, but he was stopped.

"Let me deal with her," he was so angry. Everybody was surprised, even the real culprit, because Ronin had never reacted like this. Only Sam knew the reason.

"Bring it out," Aunt Cherry yelled.

"How do you expect me to bring what I don't have?" Harper said as tears streamed down her eyes.

She looked at Ronin; it was obvious he didn't believe her because he was blinded by the love he had for Ellie.

"She must have sold it," Ellie hissed.

"You will learn the hard way," Ronin said in all fury. He took his phone from his pocket and made a call.

Within a few minutes, the police were already there; they took Harper away and put her in detention. But later released her when she

Continue denying, her family pleaded since they knew Harper would never steal. Her family stood by her side. Her name was tarnished, and she was suspended from her profession. The hatred Ellie harbored towards Harper had been festering for a long time, fueled by insecurity because Harper knows everything about her. Thus, Ellie resolved to eliminate Harper from her path, so she could have Ronin to herself.. It was then that the goddess Luna decided to help Harper.

PRESENT

Recalling these memories, tears welled up in Harper's eyes. "I will do everything to expose you, you daughter of a devil," Harper swore, even as her family urged her to let it be.

Darya and Daisy sat beneath a tree in Darya's grandmother's garden, engrossed in the book. Daisy felt elated, hoping her father would forget about her, though her mother kept a vigilant eye on her.

THE HISTORY OF THE RING OF REDEMPTION

CONTENT CONTINUES

The kings inability to bear children was because of the unique rules tied to the Ring of Redemption. Crafted by the five greatest spirits of the spirit realm, the ring held immense power, but it also came with a solemn duty that tied its custodian to a sacred lineage.

As the current custodian, King Marcus understood the close connection between the ring's power and the purity of its lineage. Only someone untainted by evil could inherit it, ensuring its purpose remained untarnished. This meant that the custodian, chosen for their inherent goodness,not all of the custodian could have children of their own. For the ring to fulfill its destiny, it needed a successor from the custodian's bloodline – a child who would inherit both its power and responsibility.

King Marcus's inability to bear children was a clear sign of his unique status in his lineage. As the only chosen one in his bloodline to own the Ring of Redemption, his inability to have children meant that there were no other suitable person within his family to be the next successor of the RING. This added another layer of significance to his role as custodian.

Thus, King Marcus's desire for fatherhood was tempered by his duty to the ring. Despite longing for an heir, he accepted his fate with stoic resignation. He knew that the ring's purpose was more significant than his personal desires.

King Marcus's acceptance of his role as custodian showcased his unwavering dedication to the ring's cause. Though he yearned for the simple joys of parenthood, he understood that safeguarding the ring's power was his top priority. He devoted himself entirely to his duty, knowing his sacrifices would ensure the ring's protection for future generations.

Darya and Daisy, tired and hungry, decided to pause reading for now. The girls walked together, heading towards the house.

"I felt pity for King Marcus," Daisy said, while Darya nodded. Upon reaching the entrance of the house, Darya noticed a stranger inside.

"Who could it be? No one visits us apart from Daisy," she muttered. She opened the door gently and was surprised to see the visitor, but an unwanted one.

It's was Rowon Galvin.

Darya glared at him. He smiled at her. Darya turned her gaze towards Grandma, who was expecting war.

"Grandma," she called sternly before walking out. Daisy was surprised to see Rowon.

"What are you doing here?" was the first question to come out of her mouth. Before others could speak, Darya lunged towards Rowon with a cutlass in hand, charging towards him. Rowon went behind Grandma, using her as his shield.

"Darya, stop it!" Grandma yelled, holding her.

"Darya, what are you doing? Do you know whose son he is?" Daisy held Darya by the waist, trying to drag her out, but she couldn't because Darya was too strong.

"What are you still doing here?" she barked.

"Please listen to me, I mean no harm," Rowon pleaded.

"Then leave my house. I have warned you the previous time to stay away, but you are too stubborn. Only a stubborn fly follows the corpse to the grave, and you are that fly." Darya shouted. Rowon refused to go; he was still hiding behind Grandma.

"Please, Sir Rowon, leave," Daisy said, breathing heavily.

"Why is he not leaving? Are you on a mission?" Darya asked as she swung the cutlass in the air...