Chapter 63: Chapter 63
“Mother told me that, I couldn't fight the demon on my own. That I needed to choose a helper. Someone to love me and give me the strength that accompanies love. When I fell in love with Avril on the island, I didn't look at her like the curse breaker. I loved her for her. And that love has given me immerse strength. Camper, if I never had Avril at the back of my mind all these while...then I would have broken down to the strong holds of Dojo,” Dakar expressed and his best friend smiled at him.
“I'm glad you do have a ray of sunshine in your life, Dakar,” he said and smiled even brighter.
“There is a huge journey ahead. One that I'm afraid of. But, I do know I can fight this devil. I won't let it...I won't let it consume me. Never,” Dakar muttered to himself.
“Start this journey by bringing your strength closer to you. Don't push Fiorella away. Help her become stronger so you could quickly let her know what's been happening. I feel really bad she's in the dark. But I understand your point of view. And I think I know someone who is already trying to use her in the negative.”
Dakar nodded. He too knew. He had gotten reports about how this person always spied on Avril. And he was the one who set her up at the Tournament. He needed a way to deal with that man. But he needed wisdom.
“I don't know what Nobleman Adolphus wants. But he won't get it by hurting Avril,” Dakar said with gritted teeth.
“He doesn't want to just hurt Avril, Dakar. He wants her out of the way. What he had always wanted was for his daughter to reach the throne. And now that someone has come to threaten that plan, it seems only fair to him to get rid of that person.”
Dakar stared at his friend as he thought deeply. He needed to protect Avril even more now. Ñiraka's father was a dangerous man, and Avril in his path was a fearful issue.
**
Avril woke up two hours later to the smell of fish roasting over an open fire, and the smell of sweet fragrances and spices cooking with it. She stirred on the bed and sat up. She felt so energized that she could take a sprint immediately. She got up and looked into the half length mirror directly opposite her, to see herself looking effortlessly beautiful again. The swells, angry red marks and bruises had all disappeared. She smiled and remembered that kiss. He had really displayed a good amount of affection right there.
Avril walked out of the room and entered the living room to see Aida and Gia serving slices of fish and bread on plates. She saw another bigger fish roasting over the fireplace. The scene reminded her of someone who loved to cook and absolutely loved fish.
“You are awake,” Dakar's voice resounded and she turned her head sideways to see the Prince of Remus holding a glass of milk, wearing a white t-shirt with shorts and standing by the closed door that led to the bathroom.
“Prince Dakar?” she called, totally surprised.
“Right in time for dinner. I can't believe you slept this long though. ”
“What are you doing here?”
“I had to make sure you fully healed for your contest tomorrow.”
“Oh, I...well, thank you, sir,” she stuttered and he gestured for her to sit down.
“Mi lady,” Aida called with a smile.
“Lady Fiorella,” Gia smiled at her. She went to them instead of going to sit down like Dakar wanted her to. Verona came in moments later with juice boxes and was glad Avril looked okay. She was even more glad when Dakar did not do as he said by taking Avril away.
After a dinner prepared y the Prince, even though he didn't sit to eat with them, they all went outside to walk around. People kept looking at Avril, but it was a face of mystery and reverence. Everyone knew she was not an ordinary girl now. And everyone had heard of the men who were still in the dungeons of the Palace for touching her.
The next morning, it was a simple task of Treasure Hunting. The two partners could go together so Avril chose a bow and arrow for the expedition, while Verona chose a sword as usual. They were to go to a vast land, a vegetation and find at least three green cotton handkerchief. The hankies were camouflaged to look like the green ground, and contestants were supposed to find and bring as much as they could. Well, it was a successful phase for Avril and Verona. They had found a lot. The two kept entering the next phases, until it was just two phases left that would determine the winner. The Tournament was fun, and needed intellects. She fought a lot, but didn't let herself get overpowered. She and Verona were surprisingly the one partners left. Tiana had come home after failing in the last two days.
Now, this next phase involved a duel between two people each, one by one. As Avril stepped into the arena to face her opponent, she saw Ñiraka standing there and smiling evilly at her. She had not seen the lady participate in any challenge, and yet here she was. Verona suddenly remembered when Dakar whispered to her to not let anything happen to Avril in the Tournament or else...
Her heart began to race. But, she decided to not lose hope in her friend. They started to fight, and Ñiraka didn't seemed to be in her right mind. She kept snarling at Avril and acting weird.
“Something's not right,” Verona muttered to herself. She looked up at the stands and saw the Prince sitting in his official position, beside his father and looking down at the fight. She tried to communicate to him that something seemed fishy, but realized he must have noticed too.
“Hey,” she heard Camper's voice behind her. She looked at him and he gave her a dimpled smile.
“Camper something is not right,” Verona stated immediately.
“What do you mean? Fiorella is doing great in her fighting. I love how she's dodging the blows from Ñiraka and not weakening her body,” Camper replied. Verona turned back to the fight and breathed in. Maybe she was just overreacting and becoming too pessimistic.
Just as she relaxed back to watch the fight, she heard bones snapping. People gasped loudly and she caught a swift motion of a furry brown wolf launching. Then a piercing scream from the ring followed.
“Fiorella!” she screamed.