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Eight

Frozen

Him

Her words hit him. He was going crazy. He wanted to make her stop. He wanted to drag her to himself and shield her from the world. He wanted to be by her side through the dark world - but his hands were tied. She couldn't see it, but he could see the hundred spirits listening to their conversation.

He tried to make her understand that even when it seemed like no one was listening, the walls had ears loud enough. He had to shield her, to prevent her from saying anything that may put her in trouble - more trouble.

His heart shattered when he had no choice but to drag her out of the room. She cried, her tears almost breaking him. But he needed his father to trust him.

Since Rainier brought Adrianna to the palace, her well-being was all he considered. This has gotten him into several troubles but he didn't mind them. However, the most unimaginable thing happened. Her tears dropped like a snowflake, freezing everything around. He dropped her in shock, turning around.

For the first time in his life, he felt free. Just like he was in Lebington. No spirits, no whispers, no eyes. Nothing. They were all frozen with the time.

Rainier did not know how much it would last, but he knew Adrianna wasn't an ordinary person. His eyes met hers. She was also aware of it.

Rainier did not need a suit sayer to tell him he had to utilize their only opportunity alone to his advantage. He rushed to her, hugging her like he'd never done before. So protectively, so secure. Like he's craved to do from the first time he found her.

A tear escaped his eyes - he'd never needed to cry before. Not even with his thousand punishments.

"I'm sorry, Adrianna. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

Her

For the first time, Adrianna felt like everything she went through was worth it. Adrianna had no idea how she froze the time with her tears but she wished the time would never resume.

He hugged her so tightly, like he'd lost her. Once or twice, Adrianna felt his tears dropping on her skin. She knew how sorry he was.

"I forgive you, Rainier." Adrianna finally replied, sniffling. Of all the things she'd been through, being away from Rainier was the worst trial. Adrianna wasn't sure what she felt for him. All she knew was that he brought her peace.

Gently, Rainier lifted her and placed her on his bed. He knelt before her, staring deep into her eyes.

"I never meant to hurt you. I promise. I never wanted to bring you here. You shouldn't be here. You shouldn't be given the job of a maid. I have no idea how long my father wants to keep you here."

"I know about everything. I've had visions, Rainier. I know you never wanted me to come. I don't know how long the world will be frozen but I think we should talk about how you can remove the king from the throne. "

Rainier lowered his head,

"It's impossible. "

"How so?"

"I don't have any powers. I can fight every human in the world, yes. But demons never fight fairly."

"You have powers. They're just asleep. "

Rainier was beyond shocked. How did Adrianna know so much?

" Tell me everything you know."

Adrianna smiled. She had no reason to hide her knowledge.

"I don't know much. Okay, I have a guide who tells me what to do. I know I'm here not only because I'm being punished for Lucille's death. I know you're the last surviving angel in this dark kingdom. "

Rainier raises his eyebrows. What did she mean by that? He only thought of himself as a powerless Prince whose demon refused to wake up no matter how hard he tried. He sat down next to her, making her face him.

"Yes, Rainier. You are a mixed breed of a demon and an Angel. That's the reason your demon isn't out yet. The reason you still have a heart."

"How did you know about my history? "

"I have a guide who appears in my dreams sometimes to instruct me on certain things. A way to survive. "

"What else do you know? "

" I know that every passing day, your demon is awakened. Your father wants your demon to be out as fast as possible so that it will automatically kill the only surviving angel in Austeria. "

He believed that somehow.

"I was brought to help you. I was brought to wake up your angel. That's the only way you can defeat your father. "

Rainier did not know how to react. Was his bride attempting to help him even though he's done so much harm to her? What level of kindness was that? How pure was her soul?

"I am a thousand years old."

Adrianna's eyes widened.

"Demons don't age. "

"You look 26 in human years," Adrianna joked. He had the body structure of her eldest brother - Prince Alexis.

He chuckled at what seemed to be a compliment. Adrianna was lost in his beauty once more.

"I have lived for so long. I have killed people, I have captured kingdoms. I have invaded territories. I have helped my father in capturing the vampires, the werewolves, the sirens, etc. They live under this kingdom - which is like an empire. "

Adrianna listened. She wondered how old his father was.

"My father, Deville, is roughly 10,000 years old."

"What!? "

Adrianna was about to scream. Why was he still living? What kind of a kingdom is this? Rainier chuckled again. Adrianna's cheeks rose. She had to try her best not to lose concentration. Her husband was too beautiful to ignore.

" Demons can only die when killed or when struck with sickness, or any other means. We don't age - or celebrate birthdays. So, you may be the youngest person in this kingdom."

Well, that wasn't so bad.

"Some day, " he continued, caressing her soft hair, "I'll show you around the kingdom. "

"You'll show me around your kingdom. "She corrected, giving him hope for defeat.

Like Rainier wasn't sure he'd possibly be able to defeat his father, he changed the topic.

"The spirits are everywhere. When a demon dies, it's not buried like you humans do. It only loses its body and much of everything - except its voice, which becomes almost inaudible. "

"I hear them daily. They keep me company most of the time. The body parts? "

"Oh. They're demons too. They rebelled against Deville in the first war Austeria had. I wasn't born yet then. But my father punished them by turning them into workers. You can't see the rest of their body parts because your brain may likely not handle it. "

" Oh. "

"What will be your first rule when you become king? "

"If I become king? "

"Why so pessimistic? "

He only scoffed. Adrianna realized he didn't believe he could defeat his father. She understood him.

"Years go, after my twin sister, Lucille escaped the palace, I tried to revolt against King Deville. I died - he killed me. But somehow, a spell kept me alive. My body healed for ten years."

" I escaped the palace and was brought back forcefully. I endured torture for three years. What would happen to you, now, if I were to repeat the same mistake? "

Adrianna could see through him. He wasn't a coward. Maybe, he was just too scared of what would happen to her if he died.

"I never gave up, still. I was haunted by my sister's words and what pushed her to run away. However, the day I agreed to marry you was the day I told myself I'd never risk it again."

"I'm sorry you've been through so much. According to a diabolical genius I know, it's always better to try and fail than to not try at all."

He chuckled. Adrianna quoted his words.

"Listen, Rainier. I don't know how long we have to fight but this tyranny must stop. We have to join forces to take down King Deville."

"It's not as easy as you think, child. Deville is so powerful, he can smash your soul before you think of hurting him. "

"You know, when I was younger, I had the chance to be near Lucille. She was more than a mother to me. "

Rainier smiled.

"I can remember one of the stories she told me. "

"From when you were five? "

" I still see her in my dreams. Long ago, there lived a prince amid many bad people, " she started, not giving him the chance to object.

"He had no powers and would be bullied by everyone around him."

Rainier's smile brightened. He remembered when he was younger, when the other demons had gotten their demon powers and his' was still asleep. They would always pick on him. Worse, his father would always be disappointed.

"He grew up believing he was a failure. What he did not know was that his powers were special - so special that it required an extra hand to unlock it."

Adrianna did not think he'd be so attentive to her. But he was.

"He grew up and finally got married. His good wife, a princess, helped him unlock his very special powers."

Rainier chuckled. He knew the story was about him and Adrianna.

"He became so powerful he fought with his father and won."

"You know what Lucille replied when I asked her how the story ended? "

He looked directly at her eyes,

"The King and Queen held their hands together and turned all the bad people back into angels. "

She held his hands.

His body shivered. This was surely the confidence boost he needed.

"As the last surviving angel in the kingdom, Rainier, it is your obligation to bring back Austeria."

He looked towards the sky. Rainier imagined how beautiful Austeria would be if the sun shone, like in Lebington.

"I don't know the history of this kingdom, but I'm certain it's not supposed to be like this. You may have been surrounded by negativity all your life but I'm here - to tell you it's possible."

A tear escaped Rainier's eyes. How she broke his might and made him vulnerable - no one had ever done that to him before.

"Will you be willing to join me in the quest to remove my tyrant father from the throne?"

"I do not know how long my body may last here. However, I can assure you that if I help you awaken your demon and become king, you will take me back to Lebington."

Rainier was sad about the agreement. He didn't want to lose Adrianna. She was his rock. But, he knew she deserved the best.

"I give you my word, Princess Adrianna, that the moment I become king, I will take you back to your home."

Home didn't sound familiar to Adrianna. Of course, she missed her many maids and her comfortable bed. She missed her pond and having a warm bath. She missed having a massage every Thursday and listening to gossip. She missed being a princess and not having to worry about anything. Adrianna missed the birds flying and the beautiful sun. She never knew she'd be deprived in such a way.

As for her family, she didn't think of them often. She rarely knew about them. Not even her sisters. Well, she used to be close to Princess Stephanie until she got married. As for Jasmine, Alexis, Lucius, and Jonathan, she barely knew them. Her little brother, Jordan, died a few years ago. She was closer to him than anyone else. Maybe because he was the last child.

Would everything be the same if she went back to her kingdom?

"If I become king, the first thing I'll do is to take you around the kingdom." Rainier finally replied, removing Adrianna from her thought.

She smiled. She would love to go around the kingdom - but not a kingdom as dark as Austeria.

"And I would learn about the kingdom's history. I may come back to get you, but the kingdom will be in a much better position."

Adrianna's smile widened,

"I'll wait for you. I believe in you. "

"Once again, do you, Princess Adrianna of Lebington, agree to the terms and conditions? "

"I do, Prince Rainier. "

They shook hands and the world unfroze.

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