Chapter 70: Chapter 70

A cool breeze soothed Sharaina as she slept under the shade of a tree. She was so deep in sleep that she even started dreaming. She had been waiting for King Meelzib all morning but not once did he show up. Sharaina assumed that going back to her quarter was only going to anger him. The thought of him hitting her in his anger crept her out.

The sudden huge stomps on the ground did not prompt Sharaina to wake up. The closer they came, the louder they sounded. Smoke was breathed on her face and she woke up coughing. When her eyes met Umandaang's terrible soul less eyes, Sharaina screamed. She crawled away from him holding her heart that was beating so hard that she thought it was going to pop right out of her chest.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you not to sneak up on people?" Sharaina asked him with eyes wide.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you not told you not to sleep in public? You're a lady! Start acting like one." Umandaang sternly scolded Sharaina.

"Hey even ladies need to sleep." Sharaina argued.

"Not in public. Goodness it's like you are begging to be molested. I wouldn't expect anything more from a vile girl like you."

"Oh yeah? And who would molest me?" Sharaina asked with her hands folded. "I am not some damsel in distress." She stuck out her tongue.

Umandaang felt himself getting angry. He let out a long deafening roar and it startled everyone around. A dragon fell down from the sky in fear. Guards rushed to help the rider who was trapped under the weight of the dragon.

Sharaina raised her eyebrows as she watched Umandaang walk back and forth cursing underneath his breath. He glared at Sharaina with beaming red eyes and grabbed her with his tail.

"I completely refused to supervise you yesterday but alas my master has no regards whatsoever about my feelings!" He thundered.

"Wait you have feelings? Oh great Umandaang I am puzzled by this." Sharaina smiled at him.

"Silence! Stupid insolent girl. I have had it. I was told to tell you to go to the throne. Consider that the message has been delivered." He put Sharaina on a balcony. "Go straight down the hall and you will see the throne room. I hope I never have to see your face again."

Sharaina smirked at Umandaang with his tail up. She looked back at the hall and saw several guards patrolling it. To her surprise, none of them stopped her from walking in the hallway. They instead ignored her. Sharaina saw the throne room like Umandaang said she would. She nervously got in and found more guards in it. Her attention however was on three members of the Enchanted Seven - Ouman, Philanda and Stix. They appeared to be waiting for King Meelzib.

Sharaina stood away from them and her eyes set on the throne. This was her first time seeing it so up close and it was astounding. It stood bright and marvelous in its undisputed glory. Sharaina swore that she could hear the sound of trumpets as she looked at it. For some reason she felt drawn to it. It was like it was calling her to sit on it. Sharaina stepped back and shook the feeling off.

Who would be dumb enough to sit on the throne of Dark Star? Not me. Nope. No sir. Nah ah.

Ouman caught sight of her staring at the throne and he smiled. She doesn't even know that it will soon be her throne. He thought to himself.

****

Naian and Sharumez rushed out of the house in panic. They had just found out that Emelinia and Emana were arrested. To their surprise, a portal suddenly appeared in their yard just when they were about to get onto their carriage.

They were relieved to see Emelinia and Emana back home but were completely shocked to see Lalina with them. They immediately recognized her from the newspapers.

Naian walked over to Emelinia and examined her. "Are you okay?" He worriedly asked.

"I am fine. Grandma took care of me." Emelinia assured Naian.

Upon hearing that, Emana got irritated. She scowled at Emelinia and Naian then made her way into the house. Sharumez bowed to Lalina and she stepped back. This was the first time she felt uncomfortable with someone bowing to her.

"Please there is no need for that." She declined.

Emelinia looked over at Lalina and she felt conflicted about whether to invite her in or not. She still didn't know what she wanted exactly. She said nothing to her at the police station but tore opened a portal that surprisingly took them home. Emelinia feared that Lalina could cause some problems for everyone. She opted to tell her that they sit outside in the shade when Lalina said;

"Aren't you going to invite me in?"

"Of course, please do come in." Sharumez said much to Emelinia's dismay.

Lalina slowly walked into the house. It was actually better than she expected. She loved how warm and cozy it was. The interior decorations complimented it well. From the sofas matching the curtains, to the beautiful dining table matching the cupboard filled with pretty cups and glasses. Akirexer came out of the kitchen looking pale with worry. When she saw Emelinia, she immediately went to hug her.

Lalina was taken aback by that. She envied Emelinia for having in laws and a husband who loved her so much. She was rejected by their father yet she received love in its purest form from another family. It was no wonder she stood up to their father that day and rejected him back. In the midst of talking to Emelinia, Akirexer caught sight of Lalina. The moment their eyes locked, Lalina's eyes widened.

"You! You look like someone I know." She said and Akirexer was stunned. "Do you know anyone by the name of Sharaina? She is a not of age warrior currently training with King Meelzib." Lalina curiously asked Akirexer.

"Yes I do my lady. She is my daughter." Akirexer answered with a curtsy.

"What? No way!" Lalina laughed. "You're Sharaina's family?" Lalina turned to Emelinia. "You are married into Sharaina's family? No wonder you came to check on her last night. Come on don't deny it. I saw you in her quarters watching her sleep." She exposed and Emelinia felt anxious.

Naian gently pulled Emelinia to him. "You went to check on Sharaina?" He asked her

Emelinia nodded her head slowly. "Well, I had a vision that she was hurt so I went to check on her." Emelinia explained herself.

Akirexer became very worried and she too walked up to Emelinia. "Hurt? What happened to her? Is she okay?" Akirexer asked Emelinia.

"Oh don't worry she is fine. She got hurt during training with King Meelzib. Everything is fine I assure you." Lalina explained.

"Wow you all seem normal what the hell happened to Sharaina? Talk about black sheep of the family. Up until last night I hated her guts. She is so stupid and annoying. Do you know that she has dyed her hair black?" Lalina laughed softly while everyone else except Emelinia just smiled. "She is one person I fail to understand." Lalina looked to Akirexer. "I guess she idolizes you a lot that's why she dyed her hair. You should see her; she looks more like a sister to you than a daughter."

"We are glad to know that she is okay." Sharumez said to her. "You should have told us about this though Emelinia."

"I am sorry papa. I just didn't want to worry you all."

"Thank you for taking care of my Sharaina." Akirexer said Lalina.

"Oh no need to thank me. Don't even think of thanking me for bailing out your grandma and Emelinia out of jail." Lalina offered herself a seat. "You seem harmless Emelinia. I find it hard to believe that you would put someone into hibernation."

"She couldn't have. I don't believe it." Naian spoke up.

"Oh wow what a nice brother in law I have. So quick into believing that his wife is innocent. Quite the handsome fellow I should say too."

"Brother in law?" Naian was dropped his brows confused.

Lalina tilted her head. "You mean you don't know that Emelinia is my younger sister?" She widened her eyes.

"Emelinia what is she saying?" Naian asked Emelinia and she nervously stroked her hair. "Well?"

"What she says is true. She is my half sister." Emelinia said without daring to look into Naian's eyes.

"You are vice commander Holan's daughter? This means that you are related to the royal family." Sharumez was astonished.

"No I am not. I do not have any relationship with that horrible man." Emelinia angrily said. She turned to Lalina. "Thank you for everything. If it wasn't for you I would have been still behind bars. Now all I ask of you is to please leave me alone."

Lalina felt her heart drop. "I am not here to cause you any problems Emelinia."

"I know that you aren't but it is too late for this. Vice commander Holan will not be happy that you have come to see his outcast of a daughter." Plus your wicked witch of an aunt still has a bounty on my head. "Go back home and forget about me and my family."

Lalina wanted to say something else but she couldn't think of anything. She just sadly looked at Emelinia who made sure not to make eye contact with her.

Defeated, Lalina silently left the house and Akirexer frowned at the door closing behind her. Emelinia kept her eyes on the floor as she made her way upstairs. She wasn't in the mood to discuss anything further regarding Lalina.

****

After what felt like an eternity, King Meelzib entered the throne room. He walked majestically to the throne and sat down. Commanders Ouman, Stix and Philanda bowed down before him. King Meelzib coldly looked at Sharaina and gestured for her to go closer. Sharaina bowed when she was close enough.

"Why have you developed the habit of insulting my dragon?" He asked her.

"My King, it wasn't my intention to upset great Umandaang. I am overly honest and I don't know when to draw the line." Sharaina explained herself.

"You should realize that when you insult my dragon, you insult me also. How dare you insult your king?" King Meelzib harshened his voice and Sharaina yelped.

'Throw her in the dungeon already! I want her to receive at least a thousand lashes for her insubordination.' Umandaang said to King Meelzib.

'Oh no. I hope he doesn't throw her into the dungeon.' I must do something quick. "My King, your majesty, please pardon me for the interruption. I just want to point out that girls her age are foolish. I suggest you hand her over to me and I will punish her accordingly. I have dealt with the likes of her several times. When I am done with her, she will think twice before opening her mouth." Ouman tried. Please agree to this. He hoped in the inside.

"I am surprised that you care enough to offer your time." Stix said to Ouman with a grin. "I hope you aren't planning on taking advantage of her by taking her to bed with you." He said and Philanda's jaw dropped. Sharaina backed away in disgust.

Ouman's brow jerked in irritation and wrinkles formed on his forehead. "Don't accuse me of things you yourself are thinking of doing. Need I remind you that she is just a kid?" He asked him with his fists clenched.

Stix laughed. "She doesn't look like a kid to me. Moreover she is old enough to consent so make sure she does before you do anything."

Ouman grabbed Stix by the collar. "I have noticed that you have been trying to pick a fight with me."

"You catch on fast." Stix smirked.

"Enough!" King Meelzib ordered them and Ouman let go of Stix. "Commander Philanda, you will decide her punishment. She will leave with you. Have her back here by tonight." He ordered her much to Ouman's relief. If not him, then better her than anyone else in the room.