Flame Heart

1_Intorducing my horrid life

The breeze coming from the Crystal Ocean never failed to calm my nerves.

Every time that I visit this place, I feel at home, that I am safe. I feel that I can do all things and forget about everything in this world.

The filthy chores they always want me to do, the people around me who kept on nagging about every single mistake or misfortune that they have. Every time it happens, I just feel the urge to run away and forget about them. To shut them down and break from the chains that wraps my life and holds me down to the ground.

I’m tired of not being able to fend for myself. I’m tired of being weak all the time. I’m so full of the hypocrisy that they display every time I’m around. But I can’t run away, I cannot hide from them I cannot forget about them because they own me and so my immediate solution is to run away to the only place where I can be who I am.

It is the only place in this world that I can express my thoughts and feelings freely, the ‘Crystal Ocean’. I don’t know why but being near it makes me feel free, accepted and alive.

My dad and I, we use to go here all the time. Every special occasion that comes by, we celebrate it here. When he feels sad and lonely from the loss of my mother he visits this place. Maybe that’s why I feel this way every time I’m in this place.

It reminds me of my happy and perfect life. A life that I once had but cannot fully remember because of this stupid amnesia.

I forgot everything that happened from my childhood until the day of the invasion, all of it, except for my dad.

No one knows that I can remember my dad, every detail of his face but that’s all. Well, no one seems to care about me, so why would they bother to know this little tidbit of information that I treasure the most.

I stared at the ocean that sparkles like millions and billions of crystals was dropped and scattered in it. It’s too bright for any human eye to appreciate its blue green color.

It reflects the sky perfectly and it looks so calm.

I sat up and let balls of fire spring from my hands. I admire the blue flames that I create every time I let my power free. The flame tickles my palm. I let it dance on my fingers and my forearm.

I know that you are curious how I can produce fire with my hands? Well, it’s because I’m not normal, at all, at least not for you but hey I’m just a commoner in this world where I live.

People here in Henssy were used to abnormal stuff. They’ll never care if you can make the trees grow, make a storm, make an earthquake happen or toast somebody using the fire you produce because if you can do these things, you are considered to be normal and it also means that you are a Henssian Royalty and you’ll be accepted to study and learn the extent and capabilities of your gift in one of the 4 biggest and prestige magical school.

If you possess the Power of the Nature then you are a “Jadeian”, you belong to Jade Magical Institute Society who specializes in the production of crop and tending of animals.

If you can tend the earth and help in producing minerals in the mines then you are required to join the “Opaleians” who works for the Royal treasuries for the production of gems to be used to buy what you need in Henssy and oh, you are invited to join the Opal Magical Institute Society.

Being a “Sapphareian” means that you are one of the most precious and powerful jewels in our world. You will be the one to give the people of Henssy the most expensive need that they are craving for, ‘WATER’.

Ever since the invasion of the current Emperor’s Royal Guard, we had been short of Sapphareians who’re willing to lend their abilities and powers, as they are loyal to the King that they promised to serve, King Liam. Nobody knows what happened to him after the invasion, no one saw the body, so most of us believed that he is still alive and is waiting for a chance to strike and claim his throne and bring back the order in our kingdom.

There is this prophecy that says, “When the diamond is returned to its throne, all traitors will be slain, all who remained faithful will be spared but the kingdom’s life will never be revived until the Great Jewel of Heavens and Earth defies what cannot be revised."

Yeah, now you understand why they don’t want to help the new kingdom. All native Henssians believes in this prophecy but for those like me, who grew up in today’s generation, we don't believe this anymore. Who wants to be an i***t?

I, for one, doesn't believe that salvation will come upon us just because a diamond is placed in the throne? And in case you don’t know, THE diamond mentioned there in the so-called “PROPHECY” was just a legend, a product of primitive people’s minds. They say that once a millennia a new born will inherit the power of our great-greater-greatest ancestor King Theo who was rumored to possess the Power to Control All the Elements in this World. Ha-ha.

Who would fall for that stupid thing? No one can possess that kind of power because they will certainly, if not die, be insane.

And don't get me started on the whole ‘Great Jewel of Heavens and Earth’ crap, no one knows who that is or what that is.

Maybe he/she never exist at all; I mean to think logically, who can defy what can’t be revised? Only God can do that. And yes, in spite of having this power; we believe that there is someone who governs us all.

Only some doesn’t believe in it, this includes the invaders, the Royal Court and also the “Rubieans” (well not all of them, only 5 of their newest elected chiefs and masters) who forced their kinds to work for them as their slaves and threatened the Sapphareians to work for Emperor Osalka.

These 5 horrible creatures were offered to have a royal seat in the court if they will cooperate and that means that all of Rubieans will be slaved to death.

Lucky me, I never grew up with them, I can be considered as one of Rubieans ‘coz I can do what they can do but mine’s not that developed.

The reason for that, it’s really a very long story, all I know is that I was raised by one of the stableman of Duke Lucas Cantour, our master, one of the Royal Courts trusted advisers and the reason why I should head back to the manor.

I’m pretty sure that he’ll kill me if I’m late for his massage therapy.

I stood up and walk back to the manor. The capital where our master’s manor is located is not that far from the crystal ocean (which is by the way a PROHIBITED place in Henssy), and whoever dares to go here is considered dead meat.

And when I say dead, literally dead, they will be executed in the public town square where everyone is FORCED, not INVITED, but FORCED to witness the horrible thing. It’s prohibited, yet, I still go here, I don’t care if they kill me. It’s not a bad thing, after all and they are actually doing you a favor by killing you because it means that you’ll never have to suffer in this filthy, horrible world.

By the time I reached the manor’s stable the only person who loves and maybe cares for me is waiting, the one who posed as my father, Paul, a 50 year old man who is a Jadeian.

“Goodness!! Izzy where have you been? I’ve been searching for you this whole morning.” Paul exclaimed.

“Oh, uuhm, I just went to town”, one of the things I hate the most is lying but I cannot bring myself to tell him, that I’ve been in my sanctuary.

“Now, now, hurry up and be ready, it’s almost lunch. The duke needs your service.” He waved for me to go.

I hurried to the peasant’s quarter to change my clothes and proceeded to the duke’s chambers.

I was almost at the door when someone pulled me to one of the empty rooms of the manor. I tried to resist the arms that pulled me. I was about to scream but a hand covered my mouth.

“Hush ice, it’s just me.” He whispered in my ear which sent shiver to my spine. Not the good kind but a cold dreadful one.

“My lord, there is no need for you to pull me into one of your rooms. You can always ask me nicely.” I sounded a little alarmed because he is hugging me from behind. Every time he does this I become wary.

“U-huh and it’ll be no fun at all if I do that.” He countered.

I can smell his minty perfume from behind me and instead of feeling relieved and calm, it made me feel giddy and nervous at the top of that TERRIFIED.

One thing that you must know about this man is that he is the son of the duke and he is the one who took my freedom and forbid me to be happy and have a life. He makes me do things that are inhuman. He threatened to kill me, if I did not obey him. At first, I did not do what he said and he punished me, giving me a bloody eye and broken lips not to mention the several lashes of whips at my back and thighs.

Sometimes I wonder, if he is human, but of course, he can never be a human because he is the fourth Master Rubiean.

This is the very reason why I hid my ability to produce fire because if I reveal it, I am 100% sure that I will be trapped with this monster forever.

“And besides, you will never come with me.” He added sounding a little annoyed.

I did not say anything because with this man, there is no reasoning out. He kissed me with such a force that I can feel my lip being torn apart.

“Master Da-an,” I pushed him to break up the kiss. But he just pressed harder and with that I pushed him with all of my might making him stumble a little.

“What is your problem, b***h? Do you think that you can fight me now?” He raised his hand and slapped me, making me fly across the room. He moved swiftly to pick me up, squeezing my neck in the process. He put so much pressure in it that it hurts to breath. I’m sure that it’ll bruise. I tried to wiggle free but he is so strong I cannot fight him.

“You are no one! Do you understand that! You will not fight me off again because if you do, I will kill you and your adoptive father.”

He released me making me scramble on the floor. I hid my face using my hair; I don’t want to show this monster that I am crying and that I am weak. At least that’s the only thing that I can do to save my dignity, although there’s nothing left for me. He left me with nothing.

I stood up and fixed myself before going to the duke’s chambers.

When I reached the chamber, the Duke is having his lunch with his wife, Duchess Catalina. I bowed in front of them as a sign of greeting and respect.

“How are you child?” the duchess greeted.

“I’m honored to speak to you milady.” I replied.

I’m used to the kindness of the duchess to me; she was the mother you would dream of if you haven’t got one. She is so gentle and so sweet to everyone while Duke Cantour was a man of steel and harshness but deeply inside him hides a kind strong man so basically, I don’t know why young master Dan is so cruel and inhumane.

“Kiddo, you can wait for a while in the massage room, we’ll be there in a jiffy.”

That’s strange, he never wants anyone around when I massage him, he says he wants a peaceful environment because it’s the only time he can rest.

I did not say anything, and turned to make my leave.

“Ice.” The duchess called.

“Yes, milady?”

“Could you please tell your dad that he needs to prepare the best of our horses for the upcoming event in the manor?” She said.

I looked at her questioningly but never said a word and nodded. She must have read my expression so she added, “It’s for Dan’s Fiancée. She will be arriving with her parents.”

I froze at that but showed no emotion but deep inside my heart leaped with joy. He is getting MARRIED!! I nodded and smiled at the duchess before walking away. If young master will marry someone would it be the end of my suffering? Will it be the end of all the abuse that I get in this manor? Will I have my freedom? My heart is fluttering with joy, if he marries, he might eventually stop. Finally, I can be free, I will not be a stress bag, I will not be his s*x slave, and I will never receive punches and slaps from him.

I feel pity towards her, she will be the one who will replace my place but I can’t think about her. All I can do for her now is to give her my sympathy.

When the duke entered the massage room, he is accompanied by a young man that looks just like my age, 18; he has a slightly long reddish-brown hair, which goes with his purple eyes. He is much taller than young master Dan.

I bowed at them as respect.

“Welcome my lord's.”

“No need for formalities Venice, I told you that in this room you are free to act naturally.” the duke said while guiding the man beside him to the massage bed.

I usually don’t speak a lot. I nodded at him appreciatively.

“I will not be the one whom you’ll attend to this time.” I looked at him puzzled. He never lets me do his wife and certainly not master Dan (that’s why I respect the duke very much), he says that he is the only one who can experience the different relief that my hands give him.

I looked at the man beside him; he looks nothing special so why is the duke so willing to share my service to this man?

“This is one of the Master Rubieans, Second master Raevine, now please handle him with care and attend to his every need while you are with him. I’ll be back after an hour.” The duke said and left the room without another word.

I looked at the man standing in front of me, being one of the Master Rubieans gives me creeps and hatred towards this man but there is something in him that makes me feel at ease. He doesn’t look so bad and cruel so maybe that’s the reason I am not that nervous with him.

“You know, I hate it when a person stares at me like that.” He said breaking the silence brewing up between us.

“I’m sorry my lord, please forgive my manners.” I replied bowing down. I led him on the massage table and made him lay down.

“Should I remove my clothes?” he asked. I nodded in response.

I turned around, when he is done, I started to massage him.

His back is so flawless; his skin is like a diamond that reflects the lights that comes from the chandeliers. His back is so masculine and has a good and proper built.

“Are you this quiet every time you massage the duke?” He commented after half an hour passed.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Don’t call me that, I’m not your master.”

“But my lord, that’s what shall I call you for you are of a higher rank than I am.”

“Well then, I command you to call me Raevine, I don’t like being called such formalities and names, I’m still young and I feel a thousand years old when somebody calls me that.” I bit my lip to hold a laugh and smile but a squeaky noise escaped my lips.

“Hey, there, there, don’t hold your laugh, you can laugh freely, and besides, I’m trying to make you lighten up the mood.” He smiled at me. I smiled back at him, after an hour the duke did come back.

“So how is it master Raevine?” the duke asked.

“Oh, it’s fantastic! You have such a talented and beautiful therapist here in your manor.”

“Oh, I’m certainly pleased that you liked it.”

“Yeah, and I’m thinking of having her in my own manor so that I can have this privilege of having a therapist.”

The duke laughed nervously but if he did not show that he is nervous. If Master Raevine requests her presence in his manor then the duke will never have his quiet time.

“You are always welcome here in our manor master Raevine.” The duke countered.

I kept quiet and just fixed the massage kit. When I’m done I prepared to leave but Master Raevine stopped me.

“Hey, I didn’t get your name.”

“It’s Venice Lyzth my lord.”

“Lyzth, that a wonderful name, I’ll see you around then.” He winked at me and walked out with the duke. Leaving me blushing at his compliments.