Chapter 18 - Who''s Xerxes?


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    Why did I ever think I could trust him? How Deplorable...she wondered bitterly, her fingers tracing to the pocket she had kept her fire dagger in. The memory of the fire dagger piercing the knight''s flesh sent a shiver down her spine. I''m no better than them, she realized, self-loathing seeping into her thoughts.


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    I am trapped, she thought, trapped in this palace, in this life, with no escape. What do I even want anymore? The question hung heavy in the air, unanswered. She felt like a marionette with cut strings, flailing helplessly, devoid of purpose. I am nothing, she thought, the realization settling like a stone in her stomach.


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    I wish I could fade away, she thought. Yet the truth remained—she was still here, alive, and the weight of that existence bore down on her. How did it come to this? The question echoed in her mind.


    *FOOSH*. Luxana jumped, her heart leaping into her throat. Huh? Is that.......the dragon I embedded in my necklace? she thought, rising to her feet, only to be awestruck by the figure before her.


    As expected, Luxana thought, letting out a sigh of approval as she looked down, her calm demeanor unshaken.


    What does he think he’s doing? she wondered, feeling a mix of confusion and discomfort. “Hmm... as expected of the Dominion blood, it’s still warm after so many years. No wonder the beauty is still intact.”


    *WOOF!* interrupted the moment.


    Who—who''re they? she thought, her expression was now full of curiosity and amusement.


    *POOF*


    No way... don’t tell me... they''re... Luxana’s thoughts trailled off. But her amusment still remained ignited.


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    So they know him, Luxana thought, her curiosity piqued as she helped Veles to his feet.


    I wonder if they''re even thinking of explaining to me what''s going on here, she pondered, her expression remaining inscrutable.


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    Their clans? What do they mean? She pondered.


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    Wait...is this guy reading my mind or what?


    Lumi? Luxana thought, her expression still cold as ice.


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    *SLAM*, and the King entered, his expression as cold as the stone walls surrounding them.


    Father...this is...not my father, Luxana thought, her eyes widening in shock. She instinctively shoved herself away from him, a wave of dread washing over her. "Who... are you?" she demanded, her cold stare piercing through the veil of his facade.


    *SLAP*


    Xerxes? Who''s Xerxes? Luxana wondered, confusion swirling in her mind. Just then, a sudden voice filled her thoughts, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Xerxes. He''s your ancestor." It was Veles, the voice both familiar and unsettling. Luxana''s heart raced. Veles, what does he want? "He doesn’t know I’m in your necklace. He can only see that you’ve made a pact with me. Just don’t let him touch your necklace."


    Black magic? Father''s a victim of black magic? What does that mean?


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    To be Continued...