GIFTED #H-E

GROWN UP!!

*Maria's mother felt her heart sink as she heard those words.*

m.a." Oh my GOD. I'm so tiii--rrred, I can't wait to jump on my lovely fluffy bed.' she giggled in her mind'

Oh, what was he speaking about? hmmm, something about errrh.

Wait! what!

no, no, absolutely not. there's no way I heard him say,' Your daughter stays with me'.

" She was still trying to grasp the situation, but she didn't notice when her mother dropped the mug she was holding loudly on the coffee table as she stood up quickly, dragging Maria outside.

*They walked only a few distance due to the restrictions of the guards who were watching them stealthily. Maria's mother had spotted a guard watching them closely, with a warning look, so she decided to stop just a few meters outside the king's office.*

m." Maria.'She said while trying to hold her tears back.'

m.a." Mother! am I hearing things?! wh..a..at did he mean by those words!

no! absolutely not. I think I'm just tired.'She shaked her head frantically as she blinked a few times.'

m." Ma..a..ria, I'm sorry.'All the tears she was holding back came loose.'

Da..aarling, I shouldn't have let you come. I am so sorry.

Arrrhhh, "she wailed silently.'

m.a." What?! no, why are you crying. don't cry.

I... I will just tell him no! ye..ss.

m." No. You absolutely can not do that. he would probably have our heads on a guillotine and take you forcefully!!

He is more cruel than a tyrant. anyone who defies his orders is always punished brutally!

mr.h." With all due respect, your majesty, That is my child.

It is not some land you can just bargain!' He was scared to his wits but spoke boldly'

" Are you defying my order?

mr.h." My apologies, sire, but I can't accept it.

Instantly, he fell to the ground, groaning in terrible pain.

mr.h." W..h..aat are you doing to me!' he could barely say as gasped for air.'

Walking towards the man clunting his chest on the floor, he bent down and grabbed his hair tightly.

Raising an eyebrow, he looked at Maria's father directly in the eye. His light red eyes had become deep and terrifying.

"Oh. it seems you want your daughter to become an orphan at her age.

I could get rid of you and your wife right now.

Do you think you can do anything when you're dead? hmm.

My mistake, can you do anything right now?' he said with a devilish grin'.

My order is final.' He spoke as he let go of Mr.jornas head.'

*Mr.jornas knew he had to act wisely. being sturbborn is not an option.*

mr.h." Y..e..s si..rre.' The pain had gone from him, but he still felt it as it was still lingering in his body.

Mr.jornas knew very well that he had to comply to keep his family safe. and although it was difficult for him, he had no choice.he felt a slight pain in his chest due to the thought of losing his child. he had been feeling like that ever since the attack in the ballroom.'

While Maria was still panicking, she looked towards her left side and saw her father working towards her, with a sad smile.He was coming with someone else, who had stayed behind watching from afar. A tall dark figure she couldn't recognize.

A cold, gentle breeze swept past her, causing her to shiver under his dark gaze.

m.a." I..I. need a few minutes alone.'She said while looking directly into the terrifying eyes of the one, who blended into the darkness around him.'

She suddenly turned away quickly, walking towards the opposite direction of where her father came.

She was a short distance from where her parents were.

m.a." Siiiiiiigh.' she breathed out.'

' sniffing her nose, she patted her cheeks gently, trying to cool down.'

m.a." Common, don't Marr it up. let's calm down.'Taking deep breaths, she spoke.'

I don't even know who this k..king is.' she said in sacarsm.'

Well, it seemed he was upset for some reason.

Ugh, ohh. how would you know! you didn't even see his face. but his eyes color was deep. For some reason, it scared me, but I could feel the rage and emptiness in his eyes.

Siiigh. when did I become a seer.

Who is going to help me control my abilities!.'she cried inwardly.'

Sigh!!

But now that i think of it, he is going to have to deal with a lot of problems concerning this attack.

I mean, many people died, and some were injured.

Ah, there's nothing i can do about that. i am just a normal subject.

Oh my, I can't stay away from my parents! no, no, they are my entire life.' The panicking started again as she remembered what situation she was in.'

Why would he even want me to stay with him after all that is happening.

Maria had decided to go back to where her parents were with a heavy heart. she promised herself she wouldn't cry so as not to weigh her parents down, but as soon as she saw them, she couldn't control herself.

m.a." Mother. Father. I can't.' she sobbed.'

At least those terrifying looks are gone from the stranger who I'm guessing is the king.' she sneered inwardly'

m." My child," she called as she released her daughter from her embrace.

you have to be strong. hmmm. ' You are all grown up '

m.a." What!

mr.h." We're leaving now.

m.a." B..w..a.ah.. ' Those words felt like a huge stone thrown on Maria's head.'

mr.h." we will try to visit you if we are given permission to.'And with those words, he patted her head'

m.a." Okay.

*A guard came forward and asked if they were ready to leave.*

mr.h." Yes, we'll be leaving now. Take care of yourself.

*Maria's mother had felt dizzy and was about to pass out, but her husband supported her to the carriage set for their departure.

tears dropped down Maria's eyes as she saw her parents leave without her.

A few minutes went by before a guard approached her.*

'This way, miss.' he led her to a carriage just a few meters away from her.'

m.a." But I thought we were already in the castle grounds. where are they taking me?'she wondered'

* The guard noticed her confused look and spoke.*

' i am not allowed to say this, but this isn't the actual castle. this is a place specifically built for palce balls.'he spoke while bowing his head.'

m.a." Oh, okay.' She nodded in acknowledgment.'

But why is he bowing his head?

* Maria fell asleep a few times during the journey, but she could tell the required destination was very far.

Finally, they arrived, but Maria was too sleepy she couldn't even look around. all she did was follow the guards to the room they had prepared for her.

'Wow, they even prepared a room,'she said in her sleepy state, not caring how the room was. All she did was close the door and walk towards the big bed at the far end of the wall, falling asleep like a baby .

Her parents were so worried they couldn't sleep a wink. But due to the stress they went through that evening, they finally fell asleep in a worried state.*

'm.a." Mother, father, you won't believe the crazy nightmare I had just now.' she said as she entered her parents' bedroom.'

what's wrong? is there something on my face? ' she asked, looking at her parents, who gave her a 'no expression look'.'

Everywhere twirled. the whole whole spinning profusely!

m.a." haaaaa! ahhhhhh! what's happening?!

Maria fell with a heavy thud.

In an instant, everything became dark.

She hugged her legs together in fear and closed her eyes shot.

But she felt an eerie look on her.

Opening one of her eyes slowly, she froze in shocking fear.

Under the terrifying gaze of the unknown being , she shook in fear.

His deep red colored eyes gave her a cold look. Closing her eyes quickly, she muttered under her breath, ' No, this is a dream, yes it must be a dream, when I open my eyes it will all be gone, yes!'

Opening both her eyes this time, the terrifying look was right in front of her! making her jump in fear and waking up at once.'

Breathing heavily, she looked around, only to find herself in a dimly light room. But due to fear of the nightmare she just had, she crawled up under the bedsheets.

After a few minutes, she fell asleep.*

m.a." eee-yaahaaeuhh." Yawning while gently tapping her cheeks, Maria hadn't recollected the events of the day before."

m.a." Mother? father? " she called but was met with total silence. "

mama? papa?

why aren't they answering? " She raised her head up from the pillow she was resting on.'

Remembering the nightmare she had, the sleep slowly cleared up from her face. Memories of yesterday's events played like a short film in her head.

Realizing she was alone in an unknown place, she sighed deeply.

Getting down from the large-tall bed, she looked around, observing the room she slept in.

m.a." Wow. at least the room is pretty.' she moved towards the door to observe the room more clearly.

* The bed is at the far end of the wall, directly facing the door. there was a fireplace at the far end, right side of the room, and a dressing place at the far end, left side of the room. the wardrobe was located in another room connected to the bedroom room through a door a few feet from the dressing area. And a mini large balcony which had a small gardening area, a resting area, and a tea table and chairs set, befitting for a place of relaxation.

The room was spacious and wide, having enough ventilation and a warm atmosphere.

The bedsheets and pillowcase colors were bright yellow and pink. the room has beautiful paintings and hand crafted royal arts decorated on the wall.

In total, a cozy atmosphere*

m.a." It seems they were informed that they were having a female guest.

Let's check everywhere out.' After a few minutes, she was done with exploring the entire room.

* After a while, few maids had come to attend to her.

Dresses and other care utensils were provided.

The maids had been instructed to attend to her every need.

two maids were to take turns in helping her dress up , three maids were to handle the cleaning of her room, and four maids were in charge of her personal dining hall.*

'Miss, his majesty has ordered that this will be your quarters from now on.' The maid explained as she showed Maria around her assigned quarters.'

m.a." I have my own quarters. Why does it make it seem like i am staying permanently. sigh what I'm I to do with a quarter this gigantic.'she exclaimed inwardly'

There's one thing I know for sure, I can't remember every direction she showed me. siiiigh. oh, I hope i don't get lost.' she grumbled inwardly.

Thank you.'she said to the maid after she had given her a full blown tour.

'I will take my leave now.' And with that, the maid walked away, leaving Maria alone to find her way around her quarters.'

*Maria walked around the castle, not even knowing where she was going. she walked a long distance away from her assigned quarters without even realizing it.

she thought of the situation, she laughed, she grumbled, she tripped almost every time, she got angry and kicked a pillar making her hurt her toe, causing her shout caughting the attention of patrolling guards making her flee the place quickly and going farther away from her quarters. *

m.a." Haa, ugh, siigh. I have been walking for a long time!

The interior and exterior are stunning. various artworks were crafted on the pillars, beautiful royal paintings were placed on the wall, everywhere you look, and every path you take is a beauty to awe at. Making it clear it is a place of royal majestic.

How big is this castle? seriously, I should rest.' she said as she rested on a pillar.

Ooh a huge door. I wonder what's inside.

'It is said curiosity killed the cat'

*Well, in this case, curiosity is in the form of the lage door, which caught Maria's attention.

Moving towards the door, she placed her hand on it and positioned her hear to listen if there was anyone inside.

But unknown to her. That was the literal courtroom. Raphael had felt her presence a while back. He knew a little bonny female was wandering innocently into the 'Wolves Den' *

"Open the door.' He commanded in low but authoritative voice. Not caring about the issue his royal secretary was stating to him.

Quickly, the guards opened the door, and a not knowing eavesdropping Maria almost tripped.

She immediately adjusted herself, still not knowing where she was.

She sighed and was about to complain about who suddenly opened the mysterious door, but as she looked up, her eyes met the one who was responsible for her having to forcefully grow up and apart from her parents.

The whole courtroom fell silent. All eyes turned to her.

'Well, well ,well , who do we have here?' One official said with a sly grin on his face.'

she slowly turned to the direction of the voice who questioned her just now.

m.a." Oh no! why did I have to get lost and wander here. and the annoying part is I can't even see his face.

* The courtroom was grand and spacious.

The one sitted on the thrown was at the far end of the hall.

While his officials were sitted at each side of the court hall.

the king's right-hand man and left-hand man were standing at the side of his thrown.

the royal secretary was holding a scroll, indicating a reading was taking place.

Two guards were at each side of the grand entrance.*