ILLUSION

Chapter 3

Everyone was happy when we arrived, especially Grandpa and Grandma because their only granddaughter visited them. I just laughed and hugged them. The same goes for Lady Son who was Mama’s former helper. She even said I look like my mom because I got her blue eyes and diamond blonde hair.

“Ameerah? What a surprise my little princess!” Kuya Vane greeted me

I quickly rushed to hug him and he hugged me back as well. We’re acting like he’s a few years older than me but the truth is, we’re the same age. We’re twins. She was just born first. If she becomes a girl, maybe we will look very much alike.

“I’m not a little anymore Kuya Vane,” I joked

“Then my old princess. Is that what you want?” Her teasing

And because I don’t lose when it comes to this bully we used to. We continue pissing each other off and I also don”t stop annoying and repeating to him because I know.

This will be going to be the last time

Valdus’s POV

I glared at this annoying female Aldafor who cursed me. If I could only use my power as the King. I will send her to a dungeon surrounded by rotten meat. She was obviously making fun of me!

“Why are you here?” I asked clearly annoyed in her presence

She plastered that goddamn pissing smile, “Am I right? Princess Ameerah was very very beautiful lady and the great King Dwight and Queen Samara’s blood runs in her. She will definitely be the perfect queen of the Kingdom of Aldafor,”

I gritted my teeth in annoyance. Let me ripped that smile off lady!

“Could you just shut up and go? I don’t need an old woman chitchatting in front,”

She shook her head in disapproval and before she narrowed her eyes. Her yellow eyes glowed in irritation.

“You’d never learn King Valdus. Do you think that when you go home and marry the princess. Then the curse will be recovered? You’re wrong, Your Majesty,”

I stood up abruptly in so much anger, “WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO ME!”

“You have rules to follow your highness. One, don’t hurt her physically. Two! Never used your magic to seduce her! And three! Don’t you ever force yourself into her! She needs to gave it willingly and if she get pregnant. That’s the signed that you already broke the cursed. After that, you can now leave her alone. I wish you luck and lesson, “Her eyes glowed. “Your highness,” then she disappeared

Goddamn it!

Ameerah’s POV

It was evening when Prince Clarence and I returned home after our five -day stay in Ihmapuleya. I have a lot of memories accumulated there but I feel like it’s not enough. I’m still sad because I know it won’t happen again.

I only have two days to let Dad and Mom know that I love them so much before I leave.

I sighed as I stood up and clung to the stone railing of my balcony. The cold air reminds me of Valdus. I really loathed that man! All my plans were ruined and not only that. He will take me away from the Philippines and my family. I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes.

“I loathed you Valdus,” I whispered

It’s the day after tomorrow. I don”t know what will happen to me there but I don”t care anymore. I only care how my parents will feel when I’m away. I don’t even know how Valdus will do that but I’m sure it’ll cause them pain.

“Princess Ameerah?”

I turned to Prince Clarence with a worried expression on his face. I gave him a small smile before looking back at the sea below my balcony. I felt him approach me.

“I know you’re happy but I can’t help but to ask why you’re eyes say the opposite? Are you okay Princess?” Prince Clarence asked seriously

I sigh once shake him. “I’m fine,” I replied shortly

I froze when he held my hands. My eyes widened as I stared at him. It felt new. No man has ever held me this close. I felt uneasy.

Back when I was young. I really hate it when princes try so hard to have my hand. So when I found out the purpose of a man to me. Even touch in my hand. I forbid them.

“You can tell me what’s wrong Princess,” Prince Clarence

I quickly snatched my hand away from him. I walked away and he started following me.

“I want to rest Prince Clarence. I know he’s tired,”

I didn’t wait for his answer and lay down on the bed and then covered myself with a blanket. This feels weird. I felt weird.

“If that’s what you want Princess. Goodnight,”

I heard the door open and close. I closed my eyes and let myself fell asleep as I remembered.

‘You must remain untouched’

Valdus …

-

I slowly opened my eyes then lay down. The chirping of birds could be heard outside and it was so relaxing.

“Ameerah,”

My eyes widens at the voice and I immediately sit just to look at those beautiful ruby ������red eyes. I blinked enumerably times to sink in what he has wearing.

“Y-You have a crown in your … head?” I whispered

“Of course. I am the great King of Aldafor. We need to to go,”

I was suddenly nervous at what he said. “W-Where are we going?”

“In my palace. Where else?” He seemed irritated by the answer

I was overwhelmed and then got up from my seat. I looked at him badly.

“But it’s still tomorrow! You said one week. It means seven days and it will end tomorrow!” I protest

He approached me and I was so shocked when he put the hair on both my ears that covered my face. My heart is abnormally fast.

“Ameerah. I didn’t promise so don’t protest. Come with me,” he said stubbornly

I can feel my tears building up on how firm his voice was. I knew I had no fight so I grabbed his arm.

“B-But … I want to see my mother and father. I-I can’t just leave them,”

He was taken aback when a tear fell from my eyes. I can’t hold it anymore. I know I’m stubborn and strong but I am only a human. I had my weaknesses and family was one it. I don’t want to be away from them without even letting them know.

He looked away before sighing. “You can’t say goodbye to them but you can see them one last time. But I am afraid it will only hurt you more,” he said softly.

“Just let me see them!”

He turned and went out on the balcony. I followed him. “Just call my name,” that’s all and it’s like the moon went with the wind

I suddenly turned to the door when I heard Lady Alice calling to me. There was a hint of concern in her voice so I hurriedly approached but I stiffened in my stance when I saw her menacing eyes and the tears falling in her eyes.

“Princess Ameerah !! Jusko! Wake up majesty!”

A tear escaped my eyes when I saw my own self laying on the bed. Pale and lifeless. I slowly backed away as Dad came in and quickly hugged me. I even saw how a tear escape his eyes when he held my wrist.

“A-Ameerah! Son! What happened to my daughter! What happened to her!” Mom shouted as she hugged me

Tears welled up in my eyes at Dad’s words.

“O-Our princess was d-dead My Queen. I-I’m sorry,”

Ameerah’s POV

“S-She was poisoned,” Dad said with difficulty

Mama kept crying and squeezing my chest. I wanted to hug them but I was stuck outside the balcony. It was as if something was stopping me from touching them.

“M-Mama … P-Papa … I-I’m so sorry. P-This is for you. I-I’m so sorry,” I cried apologetically

I can’t bear the tightness in my chest anymore when my brother Lu rush into me. His eyes where teary as he hug me tightly. I just cried and cried until I felt someone hug me from behind.

“We need to go Ameerah. I-I’m sorry,”

-

I woke up from lying on the soft bed. I was silently praying that it was just a dream but no. It’s real. It’s not an illusion. I roamed my eyes around the room. I noticed that almost everything inside was red. Even the bedsheet, blanket and pillows were red.

“W-Where am I?” I whispered to myself

I let my bare feet touch the red carpet. I caressed the red vanity table. It was only then that I noticed that I was wearing a red gown. The whole room were red but it was glistening. More like sparkling.

I opened the little box and I was just amazed to see the shiny jewelry. Wow. I’m already used of jewelries but these ones. It was extremely beautiful and unique.

There was a knock on the door. Suddenly a woman looked up and smiled at me. My lips parted when I saw how beautiful she was. Her skin was so flawless and pale to match her red lipstick. She smiled at me and bowed her head.

“Good morning your majesty. Let us fix you before we head to Mighty King Valdus,”

I could not answer right away. He approached me and took off my clothes. She guided towards the comfort room. The bloody red water makes me feel uneasy so I turned to him.

“A-You know I’m probably human. A-And I don’t swim in bloody colored water,” I said with a grin.

He smiled at me. Her hands were clasped together. “Don’t worry your majesty. It’s safe. It came from the great mountain of Albatris. That will help to make your skin beautiful, majesty,”

I nodded and cast a spell. I turned back into that water and then dipped one of my feet. I bit my lips when I felt an extremely unfamiliar warm. I completely immersed my body.

I closed my eyes and let my lips parted in contentment. The water was perfect. I swim in the other side because this bathtub made of glass is spacious. It took me a few minutes before I got out of the water. She immediately covered my nakedness in a soft thick coat that reached to my knees.

He quickly arranged me from head to toe and he took care of it. Even if I can because Lady Alice doesn’t take care of me. He still wore red heels for me. For the final, she put a crown made of sparkling ruby.

“The King was probably waiting for you Queen Ameerah,”

-

My lips were still parted while I was walking in the hallway of their palace. I know the palace in the Philippines is beautiful but there is something in this palace that impresses me. Maybe because of it’s grand and magnificent aura because of the glowing red. Even the soldier’s armor is made of red but there is also black.

We were close to the two-door big mahogany door when I heard the conversation from inside. Suddenly I stopped walking and so did Laydress Amber, who had taken care of me earlier.

“Yes majesty?” Amber asked but I ignore her

“How could you be so sure that this human can fulfill her responsibilities as the Queen of Aldaforistrivle?”

“Is she beautiful like Princess Alderie? You can still change your mind, your highness,”

“She was a human! She knows nothing about us!”

“She’s incapable of being the Queen!”

I can sense Amber’s apologetic stare but I didn’t mutter any word. Those are diminished in what they say. I dare them ?! I did not leave my own palace and hurt my family just to insult them !!

They will see who I am !!

I was not called stubborn and combative in our world to let them insult me. I’ll be who I am in this world. No holding back!