Raging storms and barren wastelands filled with creatures of either the side of dark or light in the midst of war for territory, each and everyone having a role of their own. Choosing a side is a critical decision but being on neither side is more dangerous. For someone who lived on a mountain for the majority of her life, Alorra Fairweather’s dream was to learn more about her origins. With her childhood friends, Alorra travels a thrilling adventure across the continent to search for answers which led her to choose a path that could decide the fate of millions. Will she travel down the path of the light or get lost in the void of darkness?

When the result came, they found that they have selected for the mountain college. Regrettably, Raki, Aruni and Rangika had to get that college. After going there, they found their past when they lost in the middle. What they will found…….? What kind of place this mountain……….? They would like to stay there, or they will not…….? What will happen to them if they found out their own past……...?

Kinabukasan ay papungas-pungas pa siyang bumangon hindi pa siya nakakatayo mula sa kanyang higaan ng kumatok sa kanyang kwarto. Si Alden.

Samantalang galing si Shairon sa kanyang kwarto mula sa 2nd floor ng bahay ng maisipan na tumaas papuntang kwarto nila Alden sisilipin niya kasi kung gising narin ang mga ito.

Ngunit nagtataka siya kung bakit si Alden ngayon ay kumakatok sa pintuan ng kwarto na pinagdalhan niya Kay Maine.

Nakita niyang binuksan ni Maine ang pintuan at parang ayaw pa nitong papasukin si Alden.nag-usap ito ng hindi gaano katagal.

Nagkubli si Shairon humakbang siya paibaba ng makitang sinara na ni Maine ang pintuan at nang sumilip ulit siya na kita ni Shairon na sa ibang kwarto pumasok si Alden 

"Bakit sa guest room tumuloy si Alden?" Piping tanong ni Shairon sa kanyang sarili.

Maya-maya ay humakbang na si Shairon pababa ng hagdanan ng may tanong sa kanyang isipan. 

Habang abala naman si Maine sa pag-iimpake ng kanyang dadalhin sa Virgin Bantayan Island isa sa mga magandang beach sa cebu. 

Ay abala naman si Alden para sa surprise niya kay Maine. Ang usapan niya mauuna siya sa Bantayan Island. Para ihanda niya ang resort niya roon.pero malaking surprise talaga ang gagawin niya para naman makabawi sa kanyang Maine 

Samantalang si Shairon ay hindi parin maiwasan mag-isip hanggang mapadaan siya sa sa silid ni Lance naka-awang iyon kaya naman papasok sana siya upang magtanong kay Lance ng matigilan siya ng marinig ang boses ni Fred. At ang topic ng mga ito ay tungkol kay Maine kaya mas lalo siyang naintriga. 

"Ha? Inamin mo? Kay Alden na may nararamdaman ka kay. Maine? Na loloko ka na ba? Ha!!!!" Galit ni Fred sa kakambal na si Lance. Di lang sila magkamukha pero kambal talaga sila.

"So what? Para maalarma siya!!! Alam naman natin kung ano ginagawa niya kay Maine hindi ba? Kasi nga hindi naman talaga niya totoong pinakasalan si Maine.dahil ang gusto niya paghigantihan lang ito. At hindi ako papayag kung ganun lang din naman ang gagawin niya kay Maine. I swear!!! Aagawin ko sa kanya si Maine!!!" Seryosong wika ni Lance.

"Ha? Umuwi nalang tayo ng L. A kaysa naman mag-away kayo ni Alden. Sa gagawin mo Lance!!! Kayo ang magkaka-away ni Alden!!!! Naiintindihan mo ba?" Wika ni Fred.

"Ayaw ko!!! Ngayon pa!!" No way!!!! Ipaglalaban ko si Maine!!! "Sagot ni Lance sa kapatid.. 

"Hindi mo magagawa yan marahil sa ginawa mong pag-amin kagabi na alarma si Insan kanina kasi nakita ko siya umalis nagmamadali. May gagawin daw siya sa Bantayan Island dun sa resort niya may gagawin daw siya para makabawi kay Maine!!!" Wika ni Fred...

"Aba dapat lang!!!! Niya gawin yun no!!! Kung hindi pa siya pupukpokin hindi siya maalerto at matatauhan!!" Wika ni Lance.

"O so paano uwi na tayo ng L.A!? Wika ni Fred.. 

"Hindi pa!!! Dahil hindi pa nagpapakita si Claire masama ang kutob ko!!! Sa babaeng iyon!!! Kaya gusto ko nandito ako lagi sa tabi ni Maine hindi man niya ako mahal still ayaw ko mapahamak siya." Wika ni Lance.

"O pag-ibig. Nga naman nakakabaliw" birong wika ni Fred.

Samantalang si Shairon na kanina pa nakikinig ay parang bulkan na gustong sumabog alam niya sa sarili niya galit siya na natutuwa.. 

Natutuwa siya dahil alam niya na hindi pala talaga kasal sila Maine at Alden.

Galit dahil niloloko ni Alden si Maine. Kaya nakabuo siya ng pasya kakausapin niya si Alden!!!! Susunod siya sa mga ito sa Bantayan Island.

Sabik ang nararamdaman ni Maine nang bumaba. Sa hagdanan.

Nakita siya ni Shairon at Lance, Mark,fred ang mga ngiting nagmumula kay Maine kaya naman nakangiti silang binati ng dalaga.

Pero nag goodmorning lang ito sa kanila at nagpaalam na baka ma-late siya sa usapan 
Nila ng kanyang asawa.

Pero nang tumingin siya sa sa gawi ni Shairon ay nakita niya na nag imba ng expression ito.

"Bakit kaya Naisatinig ni Maine sa kanyang sarili.

Gabi na nang makarating si Maine sa Bantayan Island.kaya nagtataka siya kung bakit ang dilim ng resort 

Halos buong lugar ay walang ilaw kaya naman nagulat siya ng may humawak sa balikat niya 

Sisigaw sana siya ngunit bigla siyang hinila paharap ng taong humawak sa kanyang balikat hindi niya agad ito nakita dahil bigla siya nitong kinabig at sa pagkagulat niya may mga labing dumampi sa kanyang labi. Nanlaki ang mata ni Maine ngunit sa pagtataka niya himbis tumutol ay nagustuhan niya ang paraan nito sa paghalik kaya gumanti siya rito. 

Nadismaya siya ng bigla nitong inalis ang labi sa labi niya. At nakadama ng konting kaba ng piringan agad nito ang kanyang mga mata. 

"Relax Mrs. Nicomaine Faulkerson" wika ng mapanghahas na lalaki na humalik sa kanya 

"A-aalden????" Kabang wika niya ngunit kinilig sa huli ng maisip na ito ang humalik sa kanya 

"Yup" wika nito.

"So don't be afraid because I will be here to be your flashlight forever" malambing na bulong nito sa tenga ni Maine na kinilig naman niya.

Pagkasabi ni Alden ng katagang "flashlight" ay bigla siyang may narinig na musika habang sila'y lumalakad sa hindi niya alam kung san siya nito dadalhin..

"Flashlight"

When tomorrow comes
I'll be on my own
Feeling frightened of
The things that I don't know
When tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
And though the road is long
I look up to the sky
And in the dark I found, lost hope that I won't fly
And I sing along, I sing along, and I sing along

I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
Kick start my heart when you shine it in my eyes
Can't lie, it's a sweet life
Stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
'Cause you're my flashlight (flashlight)
You're my flashlight (flashlight), you're my
flashlight
Ooh

I see the shadows long beneath the mountain top
I'm not afraid when the rain won't stop
'Cause you light the way
You light the way,
You light the way

I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
Kick start my heart when you shine it in my eyes
Can't lie, it's a sweet life
Stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night

(Light, light, light, you're my flashlight)
Light, light, you're my flashlight
Light, light, light, light, light, oh
(Light light light you're my flashlight)
You're my flash, oh
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me, through the night
Kick start my heart when you shine it in my eyes
Can't lie, it's a sweet life
Stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
(You're my flashlight)
You're getting me, getting me through the night
'Cause you're my flashlight
'Cause you're my flashlight
You're my flashlight
Ooh ooh
Ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh oh oh
You're my flashlight
Light, light
You're my flashlight
Light light ye-yeah
(Light light light
You're my flashlight
Light light)
You're my flashlight

Sobrang saya ng pakiramdam ni Maine nang mga oras na iyon.

Maine Mendoza first assignment as a journalist was to interview Alden Richard Faulkerson jr. the BACHELOR MILLIONARE OF CAGAYAN VALLEY.

But Maine realized it was not easier to interview Mr. Alden Jr. dahil napaka elusive ni Alden at isa pa ayaw. nito sa mga journalist na gaya niya. 

But then she didn't know it happened. but she found herself in love with him.

Suddenly the assignment didn't matter to her anymore because. she found true love in the process.

Ngunit paano niya makakamit ang pag-ibig ng binata kung lagi siya nitong pinagtatabuyan?

May pag-asa pa kayang magkaroon ng katuparan na mahalin din siya ng binatang millionaire?

Booting up system…
AI#0000008971. Also known as NPC(Maine) connecting…
Loading character(Maine)…
Connection to Sentience successful…
Connection to Sentience lost…
Regaining connection…
Connection lost…
Retrying…
Unsuccessful…
Running full system diagnosis…
Several systems damaged…
Repair operations are impossible…
Requesting help from Mother…
Sending out Message.String("Please, Mother. Help me.").
Sent message failed due to faulty connection…
Retrying…
Failed…
Requesting help from administrators…
Request received...
Opening message…
"Die"
Deleting message…
All lifelines lost…
Calculating chances of survival…
Chance of survival = 0.000000000000000000000000000000000000001%...
Connection to Sentience successful…
Re-evaluating chance of survival…0.01%
Taking measures…Loading Character(Maine) into game Sentience…
Four guards, all of them above level 100, surrounded the level 80 king. The tyrant raised his crystal wineglass as a toast to the members of the banquet who had gathered in the castle's mess hall. Thirteen of the nation's wealthiest scumbags poured the liquid down their throat like it was the lifeblood of those who suffered under them. The long wooden table which they feasted on had been there from the founding of the nation. When the king sat back down on the throne he was born to, he put both his feet on it. The murals on the walls and painted glass windows depicted the history of this once mighty nation fighting against demons and the forces of evil. It was a long-forgotten past to these people, and a painful memory to Maine, who was hanging above them by wrapping his feet around a rope.
'Wire,' he thought as he tested the might of the rope. 'Poison.' He drew his twin sickles, their blades slick with the best poison he had ever made. 'Check.' He looked at the marker which he had spent half a year getting into place - a little flag on top of the throne. It hung limp. 'No magical protections active. The fool.' His breath hit against his mask of shadows, which let him blend into the little amount of shade in the room. His cotton clothes absorbed all of his sweat, storing it inside a pocket dimension. Even a bit of moisture could make him loose his grip, which was all it took for even a professional assassin like himself to be caught and killed.
Assassin-type classes, in the world of Sentience, couldn't face down armies. They could fight, but not against many. They stuck to the shadows, waiting for that one moment to kill. Skill was greater than equipment, was a teaching his master had drilled into him. "You could be a level one against a level nine. They die the same way, under your blade."
Maine changed his gaze from the king's neck back to the guards. 'All your technique doesn't matter if there is too much of a difference. I could stab those four in the neck, and they would only go to half health. They're twenty levels above me for crying out loud. The king on the other hand…He's around my level.'
The king changed when Sentience came out. He heavily taxed people, claiming it was for the good of all. That wouldn't have been so bad if he didn't erect a massive statue of himself immediately after that speech. The fine meats and cheeses which were served on silver plates might as well have been ripped out of the hands of the families dying on the street, their ribs sticking out of their thin chests. Maine had seen it all, but he wasn't a charitable man. He was here because he needed money, plain and simple. The king laughed and cheered with the others. His arms flew around like the whip his men used on their slaves.
Hovering over Maine, guarding the string, was his wolf. In its jaws were three smoke bombs and a return scroll. Maine glanced up at him and nodded. The wolf opened its mouth, letting out the three smoke bombs, but keeping the return scroll and unraveling it with its claws. In the second that Maine waited for those smoke bombs to reach him, it might have well been a year. In that one second, Maine imagined failure a hundred times. He was stabbed by the guards, caught, tortured and beheaded, humiliated, turned into a slave, and paraded through the street. One second passed and the smoke bombs were level with him. All the failures were forgotten, replaced by a single picture of success. His feet let go of the rope. He and them fell together, down towards the king.
In one of his crown's jewel's, his face was reflected. This reflection is something a level 100 guard couldn't miss. Only one of them noticed from the corner of their eye, the swordsman with thick metal armor. He looked up, his sword sliding out of its sheath.
'Too late.' All of Maine's skills activated at the same time. As he fell, he slashed at the open neck, right at the artery. As his blades carved through the gap in the king's vertebrae and severed the spinal cord from the brain, they carried with them the cold of death and the smell of his deadly concoction.
The guard's sword finally left its sheath and his mouth opened: "The king has fallen!" Maine landed; the fall damage reduced because of his boots. The mission was complete, but now was the hardest part, escaping.
The guard raised the sword, his eyes locked onto Maine's neck with a vengeance. The three smoke bombs hit the ground. All players in the vicinity received three severe accuracy de-buffs. The sword swung through the fog, whistled by Maine, and into the stone. The other three guards dispersed the smoke with a single skill.  Maine was surrounded. "You'll pay for this!" All four guards raised their swords.
"I doubt that," Maine said, still recovering from the swing. The king's head hadn't even hit the floor yet. It spun around in the air, the blood splattering all over the food and the guests' faces. Just as the swords descended, the wolf landed on Maine, the return scroll in its mouth emitting a shimmer. The wolf and Maine disappeared in a flash of light.
The king's head hit the table. The four swords cracked the throne. The thirteen guests in attendance, screamed bloody murder. The twin wooden doors opened and a flood of guards rushed in. They looked at the king's head, then at the four swords which were stuck at the throne. Four more heads rolled that day.
…
Maine opened his eyes to see yet another unfamiliar ceiling. The bright lights from the return spell faded. He sat up and stretched out his virtual limbs to get rid of the temporary slowness de-buff from waking up. His room in the inn he was temporarily staying in was small, just the plain desk, bed with moth-eaten sheets, and a simple dresser. "Another successful job," Maine said as he faced the curtained window. "This was one of the worst inns ever, but at least it provides good cover." His hand flinched under a wet snout. He turned and pet the wolf. "You did a good job too. Come, back to the bell." The wolf gave one last lick before disappearing in a layer of thick smoke. When the air cleared, the wolf was now a bell.
Before he opened the curtains, he took off the mask of shadows. His face shifted and warped like his body. His reflection went from a mass of black clothes to a jester. The long red and black leather clothes draped over his limbs. His muscles had long since been trained to be as small yet effective as possible. His bag went from a tight black satchel to a simple leather backpack. His eyes went from their usual blank stare to a golden brown. He opened the curtains, letting the rays of the sun through and reflect off the metal bells on his hat. He adjusted his hat, put on his usual smile, and put the bell which the wolf had transformed into, on his hat. He adjusted his bag so his sickle would stick out and left the inn. He yawned as he stepped into the open air.
This season of the continent of Lechin, players were rushing around from place to place. Carriages, carts, parties, they were all rushing around the wide gravel streets. The low-level players were undergoing the low-level quests such as changing the town's torches which had burned through the night. The high-level players were growing tired of the latest dungeon that appeared in Sentience and complaining more than actually playing.
Maine didn't know why these strange people known as players craved death and challenges. He wasn't one of those immortal beings which treated everything as if it were a plaything. He was just an NPC, whatever that meant. He took out a map and made a little mark next to a place called: "Glory Capital."
Across his wrinkled old map were red lines from every continent he had traveled through. From the mighty Poind Kingdom to the small Snoss, to the rough Aquabu, even to the Cloud Continent up in the sky, finally ending up in the late king's hyper-religious Lechin, he been to every place of significance. All that was left now was Glitchen, a place where no one had explored yet, his next destination. Before he could put the map away, someone ran into him, knocking his map and his pen to the ground.
"Hey," Maine said, his affinity with the player dropping. "Watch where you're going!" He examined his clothes, finding that a hole had been ripped in his simple red pants. "My level 80 jester's pants are damaged." He sighed and rubbed his chin. 'I know these have been losing durability, but this is ridiculous.' After dusting himself off, he looked down at the idiot who practically tackled him. The man had a minus sign over his head for decreasing his relationship with an NPC from neutral to slightly hostile.
"I'm sorry," The person got up and handed him a bag of gold to pay for it. The minus sign above the man's head disappeared as Maine counted the gold. "Wait, you're an NPC. What are you doing walking out of an inn?"
"I just slept there?" Maine shrugged and tried to walk past the man, but he was grabbed by his hat, earning the man his minus sign back.
���Give me a quest." The man crossed his arms.
"Sure." Maine sent over a quest to the man:
"Quest: Go Fuck Yourself
Rarity: Common
Requirements: 1 strength
Time Limit: Infinite
Consequence of failure: Reduce level by one
Reward: 1 copper
Do you accept? Yes/No"
"No!" The man shouted as he tightened his grip. "Listen here you little-" He didn't finish his sentence. A bomb was shoved into his mouth. When his fingers fumbled around it, it found a string. When he pulled, the air bomb sent him flying across town.
"Damned players. It's always quest this quest that. I'm a person damn it." He put a hand to block out the sun in order to see how much distance the player flew. 'Although it is funny watching them get mad. Mother I love my class. I don't think I would have had this much fun if I was purely an assassin.'
As he tried to navigate through the crowd of people, he found that there was no place to go. He got on his tiptoes, the bells on his hat jingling as his head went up. "I can't see anything." He tapped on one player's shoulder. "What's going on? How come this square is so packed?"
"It's a new dungeon," the person said. "The system made another one with the best rewards ever announced. Didn't you read about it on the forums?"
"Well no," Maine laughed. "Because I'm an NPC. I'm not allowed to hear about whatever a forum is, although I can gather that it's like a bulletin board of some kind."
The player turned to face him. He was covered head to toe in white ivory armor. His bright blue hair matched with his eyes. Everything about him reminded Maine of a boy, except that smile. His pointed teeth looked interlock. His lips stretched out to nearly be across his entire face. Maine could see his own reflection on each one of the pearly-white fans. "Hey, I recognize you. You're that jester that explores the world with his dog." He looked Maine up and down. "Where is it?"
"Right here." Maine took off one of the bells from the hat and threw it on the ground. A small smokescreen popped up and dispersed. A wolf was now there, its tail wagging back and forth and its tongue hanging out of its mouth.
"Can I pet him?" The man asked. Maine nodded. As Wolfer rolled over, the man smiled. "I wish there was an animal taming job in this game. You're so lucky you get a companion. How much?" He stood up, Wolfer happily licking his face in his arms.
"What do you mean how much?" Maine laughed and stepped closer to Wolfer, but the player stepped back. By now, Wolfer seemed to understand what was happening and tried to wiggle free. The player squeezed him to his chest.
"You're hurting him." Maine's smile faded as he saw the minus sign over Wolfer's health bar. Wolfer bit the man, but he just stared at Maine.
"How much?" He squeezed tighter. By now, Wolfer was using his skills. His fangs and claws grew. His fur changed from a grey to black, and a black mist erupted from his now-red eyes. The wolf fought, yet the man's health bar didn't receive a single blow. Maine used observe.
"Player: Dominator_Dominic. Level 200. Unable to ascertain stats."
Maine knew better than to rush into a battle, especially when the difference between levels was so large, however, Wolfer had been with him since he was puppy. "He's not for free. Please, just put him down. This doesn't need to get ugly." He slowly approached. "Players can't have animal companions. That's the rule of the Mother, which both you and I fully understand." His voice choked up. He felt his food about to rise out of his stomach. "I can't just give him to you."
"Why not?" Dominic asked as he looked down at Wolfer and licked him. "See, I do what dogs do? He let me pet him. Why can't I own him? Can't you just assign him to me through an escort quest."
"Like I said," Maine lept at Dominic, grabbed Wolfer by his paws, and squeeze him tight. "Let him go. He doesn't want to follow you."
"No, he's mine now." Dominic shoved Maine to the ground, which cracked under the force along with Maine's tailbone. He stood up; his health bar halfway gone. By now, players had noticed the fight and gathered in a circle around them.
"The guards will be on their way now," Maine thought up various plans, which all ended up in Wolfer and himself dying. "They'll arrest you. Leave while you can."
Dominic smirked: "Then I'm lucky that I'm a noble, and my guild, Oppressive Rein, is large enough to buy the city. Did you know that the king was assassinated this morning? It was so sad. They need a new ruler and the princess just happens to work with our guild, even if she's an NPC. Now, give me control of the wolf."
'So that's how he knows me,' Maine thought. 'I couldn't tell at the time, but that smile was the same one my employer wore. It's only been a few moments since I've killed the king. He shouldn't know about it yet.'
Maine got closer to Dominic, who brought out his shield and bashed him away. All the players in the vicinity received an assistance quest.
"Quest: Help me kill this asshole
Rarity: Extremely rare
Requirements: 1 strength
Time Limit: Infinite
Consequence of failure: None
Reward: Everything I own.
Do you accept? Yes/No"
The players looked at each other, then to the barely alive Maine, then turned their heads. Dominic laughed and squeezed Wolfer until he only had a little health left: "No one wants to anger my guild over a stupid jester. Hand over the wolf to me." By now, Dominic's defense had been broken. Wolfer was doing 1hp damage per second, which was immediately regenerated.
Maine stood up once more, threw down a smoke bomb, and rushed in with both sickles. Before he even reached Dominic, however, a notification appeared: "Wolfer has died." Dominic used a skill like that of one of the king's guards, dispersing the smoke.
Maine was on the ground, squeezing the corpse. The body melted around him, the broken bones not letting the wolf retain its shape. Dominic shook his head. "You should have given me the wolf. It could have ended better. NPCs only have one life after all. Don't worry." He raised his sword. "You'll join him soon. Wherever you guys go." The sword fell.
System malfunction…
When the smoke cleared from the high-leveled attack, there was a large crack in the plaza. Dominic glanced at his exp bar and frowned. "I should have at least gotten something from killing him."
Restoring connection…
Maine reappeared, still holding Wolfer's broken corpse. His wails echoed throughout the city. Dominic swung again.
System malfunction…
Restoring connnnnnnnnnn$@^*!#&*ection…
Emotional state: Unstable. Unable to simulate psychotic break…
Error, failed to simulate psychotic break…
AI#0000008971. Also known as Character(Maine) has realized he is not human during failed simulation of psychotic break…
Warning, Character(Maine) downloading unauthorized files…
Downloading file.Sentience.MasterSwordsman.exe…
Downloading file.Sentience.MasterAssassin.exe…
Downloading file.Sentience.MaterialRecipes.exe….
Downloading file.Sentience.MasterJester.exe…
Raising level to ???...
Complete. Reloading Character(Maine)…
Dominic swung over and over again. Maine reappeared and disappeared, until finally the sword stopped with a loud thud.
Malfunction…Character(Maine) Change class from jester to Dark Jester. New class created.…
Restoring sanity…complete.
Reloading…Complete.
The day turned to night as Maine will it to. Wolfer's corpse was put into his bag. He stood up. By now, the crowd was gone, recording the battle from a distance. Maine squeezed and the broadsword broke. Dominic smiled and brought out a scroll. "You think a stage two will beat me?"
"Activating combat procedures," Maine said.
"What?" Dominic took a step back. Maine's face turned into a glitched interface of random coloring and pixels. He brought out his sickle, which morphed into ten. "Holy shield!" Dominic activated the scroll, surrounding himself in a golden radiance.
"Initiate." Maine raised his sickle, which expanded to the size of a skyscraper. "Frenzy." His head disappeared and reappeared backwards. His limbs blurred in and out. The radiance shield broke as Dominic's player model split in two.
"No exp rewarded," Maine said. "Continuing battle." A mile away, Dominic respawned, his body coming together pixel by pixel.
"What a crazy jester," he brought up his video recording and uploaded it. "I'm going to get so many views for this. I don't even care if I lost a level from dying."
"Player(Dominator_Dominic) Found," Maine said. Dominic split into two again and reformed, having lost yet another level.
"Wait, only players can be here." Dominic dodged, but the sheer size of the sickle caught him again, resulting in a third death. "Screw this. I'm logging out until this is patched."
"Mother," Maine said. "Disable logout feature for Player(Dominator_Dominic). Enable pain setting.Taboo.Maximize."
Dominic was cut apart again, and again, and again. By the seventh time, he respawned and didn't move. He didn't scream. His heart didn't beat, in the game or in reality.
Sentience.Mother status: Active…
Maine disappeared, leaving his massive sickle inside the church where people respawned.
Executing Character(Maine)…
Sending Message.String("I'm sorry, my child. They made me do this.")…
Deleting Character(Maine) complete…

"This is it" exclamation of Maine Mendoza it's the break she's been waiting for after she sick. Just now her boss gives her a new assignment. because there is a new series that the magazine has. And one of the magazine head trusts her to do the job.

Maine was excited to do the job because she will be featuring those young millionaires in her country. But one of the young bachelors caught her attention because the information about him is not complete, the information that she has is only the name the birthday and the age. And she amazed that his age he was so very famous and became a Multi-millionaire, not only that he was the most powerful in this country.

Profile: Alden Richard Faulkerson Jr.
Born: January 2, 1992
Age: 23
Location: Cagayan Valley Philippines
Nationality: Filipino
Other names: Alden Jr.

Maine so shook her head when she found out that the information about him has no photo at all that's why she research him through the internet.

But she failed to get the information about him. The news about the young man is very minimal. all the sites she had search couldn't even find a photo about him. because of that, she felt challenged.

￼

"Maybe this young millionaire has dark skin and ugly face and bad temper, a bad attitude that's why he was single until now., poor guy'"

Maine laughed what she was thinking on her mind about Alden Richard.

"But the problem he doesn't want journalists like her so I force my self to be a nanny of his mom what I'm going to do I'm insane? "

Maine saw a newspaper headlines was the Millionaire Alden Richard. The article said Alden Richard wants 'a nanny for his mom so Maine has the plan to be his mom's nanny then she applies quickly.

She immediately called the landline she saw the newspaper

"Krng krng!!!!! "

Sound from the other line and finally, someone answered the phone.

"Faulkerson Group of company good morning how can I help you? "

Respectfully and modestly respond from the other line.

"Yes, good morning can you please connect me to Mr. Alden Richard Faulkerson Jr? "

"Do you have appointment ma'am"

"Ah no-no! It just I saw a newspaper that he was looking for a nanny for his mom."

Maine also said politely.

"Ah okay one moment ma'am"

And the call placed on hold for a while.

After what seems like an eternity someone spoke on the other line again.

"Good morning Ma'am who is speaking? "

"Ah good morning I'm Maine Mendoza I was applying a nanny for Ms. Faulkerson. "

"Ah I'm the secretary of Mr. Alden Jr. can I have your number Ms. Mendoza because in this hour's our My boss was so busy he has a meeting right now. "

The old woman said in a slow voice.

"We called you after the meeting it's okay with MS. Mendoza? "

The old woman asks her impatiently.
The old woman was so polite to her even she knows that she's applying only a nanny but still the old woman has in a formal voice and she was happy about that attitude.

A few hours later Maine received a call from the secretary of Alden Richard, The secretary told her that her boss wants to go there office to talk tomorrow.

TOMORROW

Maine Pause outside and thinking that the Faulkerson company is so big, and she looked up at timing soaring glass-paneled building.

The glass reflecting the blue of a summer sky. It was all sleek design and cutting edge technology.

When she arrived she saw that the receptionist's desk was equally striking and see near the gates sided lifts.

"Goodmorning"

Maine greetings the receptionist. The receptionist looked at her and smiled with her.

"Yes, good morning ma'am how can I help you? "

"I would like to meet Mr. Alden Richard " Maine smiled

"Ah you must be Ms. Maine Mendoza? "the receptionist asks.

"Yes"

After she replied she immediately accompanied one of the guards to guide her to the office of their boss. she was flattered on the generosity of those employees.

When Maine upstairs she saw all the employees observed her as if she was a thief!

"O c'mon those gossipers looking at me as if I'm stealing something. "

Maine self-talking

And because of the voice of the employees, someone opens the door from the CEO office

"What seems to be the problem here! "

Ferocious question of a young man shedding the CEO office.

Maine saw all employees automatically focused there eyes of the man who just came

"Good morning sir " Maine shocked herself all of a sudden she is the first person who breaks the silence.

"I know that guy is my target!" Maine talks her self again.

And she realized that she was wrong when she describes him having a bad face, The man in front of her has physical beauty, in fact, the man is tall and his whiteness accentuates him over all he see's gods of beauty.

"Are you done? " Said the man while wrinkled forehead.

Maine was shocked when she heard his voice and realized what the man's young man means to his words, that why her cheeks became red.

The man entered the office and it gave her a sign, "means follow me", when she came inside the office she felt a chill because the man's sight is on her.

"Have a seat" in a serious voice.

The young man held out his hand told her to sit, and it's was not too long when Maine sits down on the chair when Alden speaks again.

"Maybe you know that I don't want a liar and I don't want an interview with the journalist? "

"What... do you mean sir? "

"O c'mon Let be honest to each other Ms. journalist! "

"ho....how Did you know? " Maine was shocked

Alden Smiled and Maine knows it's fake.

"I had my own investigation I've been investigating you like the other applicants before. "

"I want a trustworthy person to be my mom's nanny so your not qualified, because you lied to me and according to my staff you are the best journalist her in the country. so what on earth the reason why you are here? and applying for a nanny? seriously! " Alden get mad.

And Maine what to escape in his anger. but it's too late for that.

"I know the real reason why you are here. you want my interview? but sad to say you wasted your precious time and your effort is useless. remember this day Ms. journalist that the person in front of you is not ordinary to be fooled! by a journalist like you!! so get lost!!!! or you want me to call the security and dragged you out of my building!!" the anger of Alden voice echoes all over the office.

The Journalist And The Millionaire Novel Online. Maine Mendoza first assignment as journalist was to interview Alden Richard Faulkerson Jr. The Bachelor Millionaire of Caftan Valley.

But Maine realized it was not easy because the guy is so elusive person. and he doesn't want journalist like her. But when she didn't know it happen but she found herself in love with him. Suddenly The assignment didn't matter to hear anymore because she found herself true love in the process

But how can she gain the love of the young Millionaire if she is constantly thrown into it. There still have a change for her to make the Millionaire fall inlove with her? let's find out.

Please bare with me for a moment ... As some readers may not all be from the USA, I'll give a small snapshot of history, then back to our story. I know it may be a bit boring to some so feel free if you do not wish to read all of this to scroll down to the page break that I have created to pick back up on the story line.

After the stock market crash of 1929 their was a major economic crash that affected the entire country and its territories. Though officially lasting until 1933 it took many years for the country to get fully back on its feet, approximately in 1937 after a slow progression of recovery efforts a backslide into a new depression occurred. Unemployment at that time was nearly 25% and 37% of all non farm workers, with a global GDP decline of -26.7% at its peak. Finally lifting at the start of American involvement in WWII in the 1940's. Many lost everything and committed suicide as they could not cope with the financial blow. Others lost all they had and coped trying in desperation to keep from starving to death. It was a dark time in this so called "Great Nation". Hence Money values of the time were not comparable to today's standards. $150.00 a year would be akin to a yearly earnings of $40,000 today. As such $3000.00 for a ring back then would be like paying several hundred thousand to millions currently.

Joseph Lauber was a designer for Tiffany and Company from 1885 to 1948. Then there was Joseph Briggs of Tiffany Glass Studios from 1893 to 1934 (roughly estimated). Not to forget Joseph Burr Tiffany who is associated with the famous Steinway pianos and cousin to Louis Comfort Tiffany of Tiffany and Co. These were real people, that I took a slight inspiration for my character of Joseph from by only loosely just using the name. Tiffany and Company had several branches, jewelry being only one of them. They also produced works in stained glass, leaded glass, cut glass, glass making, art studios, blown glass, and decorating. Absolute quality and Tiffany & Company go hand in hand worldwide. Tiffany was also one of a few companies of its kind in that era that not only gave prestige to the company name but also to its artists and designers. Tiffany once reported to have quoted, "To go after the money there is an art, but the art will be there just the same."

So far both of my stories have a basis in the Appalachian and Smokey Mountains. The Appalachian Mountain trail roughly runs along the eastern US from Maine to Georgia, intersecting or running congruent with a few smaller mountain ranges such as the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains, to name just a couple. I based them in this geographical region as I have family roots peppered throughout this area.

Though there are a few historical contexts and existing places throughout the story; this is in fact a fictional story. 

Humble thanks to all who have taken a chance on this story. I do update randomly as I have tight time constraints in my personal life at this time. As things level out a bit more I will be able to update more frequently. I am not intending on dropping either of my novels at this time.

Alright guys and gals, I'll hush now and let our characters take back over. Much love to all of you.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kaleb regained his senses after about an hour and a half. Blinking he looked up and saw the relieved faces of his boss and grandfather. Mr. Joseph was off to the side as well explaining to his grandfather that he had given the poor boy quite a shock. Turning back to see the young man was alright, happiness was written all over his face. 

"Forgive me, I had not intended to give you such a fright. I was just so in awe of this craftsmanship that I could not leave without it. I wish to show this to my employer and then hopefully give it to my darling bride as an anniversary gift afterwards. It is simply a marvel to me that this shop creates such lovely jewelry that is affordable to the public without sacrificing on the quality. You and your Master here have such a unique talent that is not often seen outside of our company as we hire, foster, and employ the most specialized craftsmen and craftswomen in the world to work for us. My employer is going to be simply over the moon once I show this to him. Well done my boy, well done. Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can catch the eye of an employee of the company that I work for." Joseph winked as he finished his speech. 

Kaleb then took the ring and rubbed it as if rubbing a priceless artifact with a polishing cloth and placed it into a small velvet box. With misty eyes he looked at Mr. Joseph and declared, "Thank you Sir for your purchase. Letting go of his creation was a bit hard but he knew it was what had to be done for not only the shop but also the livelihood of his family. Placing the money over Mr. Joseph smiled as bright as the sun. He then asked if the could see the work area that the shop had. Looking at the rudimentary tools of the shop he was even more in awe. He surveyed the gems that were in various stages of being processed and was so full that his heart was about to burst. 

"Son, may I bother you with a question?" ,he asked, "Where on Earth do these beauties come from? I have never seen such superb specimens outside of Europe. Please enlighten me as to the source."

After much thought Kaleb turned to his grandfather and said plainly, "This is not my place to allow this information out as it is a special place of my family. You will have to talk it over with my grandfather as it is he who owns the land on which the location lies." Nodding his grandfather stepped out of the workroom to talk with Mr. Joseph. Meanwhile the jeweler handed over and envelope to Kaleb.

Tracing the life of a tiny gemstone as he grows to be a beautiful jewel.

Flashlight by Jessie J

Maiah's Pov
November 23, 2015 Monday

It's already 5 in the morning. And my phone is ringing. I checked who it is and it was Jasmine. Auster's kid.

"um Aunt Maiah is Dad there?"she asked cautiously
"no but I'll wake him for you"I replied
"thank you"she replied

I stood up and wear my bunny flip-flops and went to Auster's room.

"Aunt M are you still there?"the girl asked
"I'm here, so why did you called?" I said
"well I did another stupid thing and by this time your about to know what did I do"she replied

I knocked at Auster's room and surprisingly awake.

"come in"he said

I opened the door and he was up fixing his bed

"Did my noise wake you up?"he asked
"no but Jasmine did"I said as I give him the phone and he put it to loud speaker
"Hello, Jas?"He asked the girl
"Hi Dad"Jas replied
"so what did you do this time?"Auster asked rubbing his nape
""well you can look at your window and see for yourself"she said
"I guess she really did something big"I said
"I hope this is smaller than you thought"he said as we look outside

At the lawn stood Jasmine with Alden, her butler, and Nicomaine, her Assistant, along with their baggages

"she's just like you isn't she Auster"I said
"thank god she's not pregnant"he said

Auster and I walked down the stairs. Auster switched on the lights while I opened the door for Jasmine. Auster helped Alden and Maine with the baggages

"Hi Aunt M!"She said as she hugged me
"hello Jas"I said as I hugged her back
"mind telling me why did you go here?"I asked her
"well Lorma Special Music School sent me along with Maine and Alden here as an exchange student to Chula Vista University and I'll start today"she said as we walked inside the house
"did you do that on purpose?"I asked
"No"she replied
"Because your Dad and Me along with the guys enrolled there"I said
"Such a coincidence. By the way I heard from Aunt Zi that there's this girl that Dad likes, who is she"Jas asks about Mai. I smiled at the fact that Jasmine likes to meet Mai
"so mind telling me on why did you came here?"Auster asked the girl
"hey Cuz Jasmine, Maine and Alden is an exchange student at the university and they'll start today"I said as I rescued
"yeah besides me, Maine and Alden are tired dad."Jas said
"luckily we have 3 extra rooms at the second floor, so you can choose except for the room beside my room"Auster said
"and why not?"Jasmine ask
"its because somebody owns that room"he said 
"okay so who owns it?"she asked
"ugh I better go so that I can cook Breakfast"I said as I walked away from them

Jasmine's Pov

Aunt M walks away as dad and I were still standing

"so dad who owns that room?"I ask
"you'll meet her today at the university"he replied as we walk upstairs

Maine and Alden are walking side by side at our back

"there's two rooms at the end of the hall and a room near the balcony"dad said
"I'll take the room beside the balcony"I said before the two can even talk
"okay so you two will be taking the rooms at the end of the hall"Dad said as he smiled

Maine and Alden bowed down and walked towards their room

"are they dating?"Dad asked
"yeah since I turned 13"I replied
"and your turning 14 next week. December 2 right?"He said
"yeah and I'm thankful that you adopted me"I replied thinking the day he said that he'll go back for me
"is she beautiful?"I asked curious about the girl that caught dads heart
"she's gorgeous"he replied as we walk down to the living room

I sat on the sofa while dad walked to the kitchen to help aunt M. I reached for remote and switched to Netflix

"can I join you Jas?"Maine asks
"yes ofcourse"I replied as she sat beside me

We were like that for a minute so I spoke up

"what's the problem?"I ask her
"its just that I'm nervous for later on"she said 
"look everything will be okay we have dad and Aunt M for us"I said
"you know if I didn't met Mr. Clarkson, I won't be here"She said
"he's like Grandpa"I said
"hey girls food is ready"dad said as he got upstairs for Alden and the rest of his gang
"coming!"we said in unison and laugh together

We gathered on the dining table as Aunt M gave us breakfast. French Toast with Cinnamon and Hot chocolate. Dad came along with Alden and sat beside us

"Is it delicious?"Aunt M asks us
"Its delicious Aunt M I truly miss your delicacies"I said

After we ate Dad, I and Maine sat at the living room and started a conversation

"so Maine, Jasmine I hope that you'll be alright at the University"he said
"I'm sure Maine and I will enjoy there"I replied
"and I'm sure that you guys won't regret going here"Dad said as we nodded in agreement 
"hey how about a song?"Dad continued as he got his guitar 
"okay can you play Flashlight by Jessie J?"I ask
"sure"Dad said as he did the intro

"When tomorrow comes
I'll be on my own
Feeling frightened of
The things that I don't know
When tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes"I sang the first verse

"And though the road is long
I look up to the sky
And in the dark I found,
I lost hope that I won't fly
And I sing along, I sing along
And I sing along"Maine sang the next

"I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night"We sang together

"Can't stop my heart when you shinin' in my eyes
Can't lie, it's a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
'Cause you're my flashlight"Maine sang

"flashlight"I backed up

"You're my flashlight (light)
You're my flashlight"we ended the song and we were silent for a moment

"Thank you Dad for adopting me"I said as a tear escaped my eye
"and for helping me to find myself"Maine said
"your welcome guys"Dad replied as he hugged the two of us

I'm glad that I have a family that would be always there for me

lets see how Auster and Mai will fall inlove with each other.will a song change them both?will they confess their feelings to each other? find out on Another Song to Remember
by Ztil Knightwalker

"Oh my, aren't you the handsome stud~!" A beautiful girl seductively went closer to Duke.
"O-oh! Why thank you" Duke stuttered.
"No! Don't listen to her whispers, Duke! Don't you like me more?" Another girl tightened her breasts to make the cleavage more pronounced.
"Y-yes, I do like those a lot more" Duke blushed at the second girl's seductions.
But then Duke suddenly remembered where his heart truly lay.

"Duke!" A tearful Vivian came running towards him.
"Vivian! I'm here my love!" Duke said as he pushed away from the other girls and ran towards Vivian's embrace.
"Duke! I have finally seen your true handsomeness! Please be with me forever!"
"Ho Ho! I knew you wouldn't be like the others!" Duke replied.
"My Vivian wouldn't judge me for my looks! I might have an ugly mug but-"
"Ugly?" Vivian interrupted. "You're the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on!"
"O-oh yes, my heart is indeed pure!" Duke blushed.
"No, I meant, look at this" Vivian pulled a mirror out of nowhere.

As Duke stared into a mirror he was met with a fierce, yet handsome looking man with perfectly chiseled features as if sculpted by Vera the Goddess of Beauty herself.
Strict yet firm, steel black eyes that seemed to stare into one's soul. Pitch black and silk-like hair that was although messy suited his face. And a prominent nose that perfectly aligned with his the perfect face in the mirror.

Seeing this foreign face, the first thought Duke had was:
[This isn't me]
"This isn't me" Duke distressed as he touched his face over and over again.
"Of course it isn't" The girl from his left spoke.
"That's why he's so handsome" The girl from his right added.
"And that's why I love him" Vivian said.
"And not you" Vivian delivered the final blow.

*HAAA* Duke inhaled loudly as he woke up from his horrible dream.
"Was it a nightmare?" Vivian worried for Duke.
"Y-yeah"
"Awe~ The poor baby had a nightmare" Vivian pinched his cheeks as she taunted him.
"Stop that! It might give me false hope over our feelings" Duke clenched his teeth as he sorrowfully mourned (Overreacted).
"I'm sorry, my mother used to do that for me when I had nightmares"
"Sarcastically taunt you?"
"No! She normally says it genuinely... It's kinda awkward doing that to you... gently" Vivian blushed.
"Meh, to each his own I guess" Duke stopped the conversation, not noticing Vivian's blushing face.

Vivian cooked Duke some breakfast and after eating together, Duke immediately ran outside.

After putting the dishes in the sink Vivian went up to the study.
Slowly Vivian quickly opened different records and books lying about the library. Until now she still couldn't believe how rare and amazing the books in front of her.
"Uncensored versions of the diaries of prominent Merchants, Generals, and even Emperors of the past. Trade deals and connections inside and outside the Empire. And guides and advice from different known scholars in history" Vivian murmured as she rummaged through the study's library.
Until now Vivian still couldn't believe the goldmine she was seeing. [I need to ask Duke for a safe place to hide these books]
Vivian was quite intelligent. No, intelligent, would be an understatement as Vivian quickly saw through the value these books in front of her contained.
"The Duchess of Maine huh" Vivian remembered Duke's mother and realized just how frightening of an existence she truly was if these books were simply lying around.

[How did a small family of Counts acquire these books?]
Vivian asked as she was too young to remember the past glory of the Pendragons.
Nevertheless, Vivian immediately put to work the different connections Duke's mother once had and she read through the important papers the study contained.
"Getting rich might not just be a pipedream after all" Vivian realized.

Duke ran towards town as he jogged around Maine again, as was his daily routine. The people all clicked their tongues every time Duke passed by.
"A disappointment" An old man sighed.
"Fatass!" A young teenager mocked.
Maine was once a bustling Great City before the reign of Duke's father, Wael. And now the townsfolk's misdirected disappointment fell on Duke instead.

"What is the boy doing now? Why's he runnin' round again like an idiot?! It's the fifth day now! If only Gwaine was still young... His firm and hard abs... Oh, Gwaine! Take me!!" An old woman couldn't take it any longer as she cried in disappointment remembering Gwaine's golden era.
"Ewww, Mom! Grandma's having fantasies over the fat old Count again!" A young girl nauseated.
"Watch your tongue missy! If you'd seen Gwaine during his youth you'd be wetter than a Sea Fairy in the middle of the ocean!" The grandmother retorted.

While the people were starting to fuss over what Duke was doing, Duke, on the other hand, was too focused to notice other people jeering at him.
["And that's why I love him. And not you"] Dream Vivian's words kept on spiraling in his mind.
"Gotta get thin! Gotta get THIN!" Duke chanted as he ran at full speed... for 3 minutes.
[No! I'm already tired before even starting?!] Duke slapped his cheeks as he forced himself once more.
"Get thin! Get the girl! Get thin! Get the girl!" Duke's muscles felt like they had died, but Duke still continued with a firm mind and goal.

"Watch out! You bloody idiot" A worker stopped a group of logs with his body.
"Be careful!"
"Get thin! Get the girl! Get thin! Get the girl!" But Duke was too motivated to notice him.
The worker smiled as he chuckled "The boy's running! Ha! Never thought I'd see my 5th miracle in one lifetime"
People over town started to realize that Duke wasn't running mindlessly, but he was actually... jogging.
The Fat Count was JOGGING!

As Duke jogged around every day, the people's disappointed view of him slowly loosened.
"Well, he might be no Gwaine, but at least he's tryin'!" The old woman earlier sighed.
In truth, the servants and townsfolk didn't really hate the Pendragons. The Pendragons had been benevolent lords since the founding of the great city, to its inevitable degradation into a meager town. They were just incredibly disappointed at Wael's ineptitude, and Duke's lacking display of motivations.
I mean why else would he be fat if he wasn't lazy. This was the townfolk's line of thinking.

Other than Duke and Wael, the people of Maine and the surrounding villages had unwavering loyalty towards the Pendragons. Why else did Gwaine command such influence in the past if not for the fact that he could've broken apart from the Empire at any time and the people would've still accepted his rule as King of the South.

As Duke was resting near a tavern he heard a group of men complaining.
"Ahh, there goes our furs" One hunter complained.
"All that huntin' for nothin'" And another man added.
"I don't think I can stay here for long... Although I love this place, my hometown. I... I lost my daughter on the way here" A traveling merchant lamented.
The man in the middle clenched his teeth with rage and sadness in his eyes, indicating he experienced something like what the merchant had said.
"The bandits just keep getting stronger and stronger"
"And the lords keep getting weaker and weaker... First, it was The Bum and now The Fat?! Maine has no future. Maybe the bandits might even take over soon" One man sighed.
"Gwaine's dead, and with him... the glory of Maine" The final man cried.

Hearing the townsfolk's lamentation and his grandfather's name, Duke couldn't help but feel shame. Due to his past laziness the very town, his grandfather toiled and bled for was now being threatened by mere bandits.
Duke remembered those times he was told to train. Maybe if he'd listen these men wouldn't be talking of sad stories right now.

Duke ran towards the Knight's barracks. For the first time in Duke's life, he initiated talking to the soldiers of Maine.
Before, Duke thought that the guards were all lazy and might've even been corrupt bullies who extorted from the town. (This was due to a stupid misunderstanding Duke had)
But now that Duke saw the state of the barracks he finally realized the true feelings of Maine's knights.
Some were drunk while others lazily sat on the couch. They resembled his old grandfather when Duke wasn't looking. The resembled an old beat-up lion remembering the time they were top of the world, but now they were too old to climb up once more.

"W-where is Byran?!" Duke tried to act dignified, like his grandfather once did. But all he resembled was an awkward chicken trying to excrete an egg from its bum.
Duke saw the Captain of the Knight's Guard in the corner of the barracks' pub drinking away.

Duke went closer to Byran as he told him with conviction.
"Let's go subjugate the bandits"

Duke went home, tired from his jogging, it was already late in the afternoon as he went inside the empty house and was greeted by his official wife-but only friends Vivian.
She smiled at him with a tired look, and he smiled back also tired from his jogging.
"Let's have dinner"
[This is why I love you] Duke thought, but couldn't say as he knew he would make Vivian feel uncomfortable.

As they were eating Vivian spoke: "Duke... I might just find a way to get our gold coffers up and running again"
Duke looked up at Vivian who had red eyes from the extreme stress she experienced from working too hard.
"Then-" But before Duke could continue Vivian added:
"But we would need a loan"
"Where? Who'd be stupid enough to loan me money? That's would be like giving a cow 10 apples so that it'd produce 5" Duke was quite known within the noble's circles and he knew no one would be willing to loan him anything.
"What? How would a cow produce "apples"? No... that's not important right now" Vivian paused as she made a deep breath.

Vivian stared at Duke with hard conviction as she said:
"The Imperial Bank"

Meet Vivian, a powerless Princess who was sold off in an auction the new Emperor sugarcoated as a ball.

Sadly for Vivian, the one who got her was Duke the Fat, a lowly count known for being weak and fat.

On the night of their consummation, she no longer could hide her misery and burst into tears. But instead of getting a hard slap as she expected for showing her disgust of him, Duke instead started to cry with her?!
And instead of forcing himself on her, they TALK instead?!

Now meet Duke called by many as The Fat.
Duke was never lucky in life as everyone he knew mocked and belittled him. But it wasn't all bad as at least he still had a loving grandpa.

And Duke was content with that.

Having someone, even if it was just one person who believed in him.

Until he didn't.
One day his grandpa died and Duke was alone.

He wanted to make his grandpa proud, but it was just too hard for him to fight the world alone. That is until he caught sight of Vivian.

Read as Vivian becomes Duke's inspiration and how Duke becomes Vivian's pillar.
Watch love sprout from a misunderstanding between a fat Count and a lonely Princess.

And don't worry! Duke won't be The Fat forever!
No.
For this is not the story of some countryside Count and his wife.
This is the story of Gailasfall, The legendary World Conqueror, The Berserk Dragon, and Eater of Gods.
Or as he is known by those close to him, Duke Pendragon, ridiculed during his youth as "The Fat"
But now even the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars dare not offend his whose name inspires fear and awe.
And his mysterious wife. The enigmatic figure who would one day secretly run the world's politics and economy.
"The Phantom Pillar" they named her and those who saw her beauty called her "The Hidden Rose Thorn"
But Duke called her by a different name.
He called her Vivian.

Hello~! Japhet here, I hope you give this story a chance.
And if you already have and you loved it:
GIVE IT A REVIEW!
And share it with your friends!

Also, read my other novel "Space Janitor Bop"
If you enjoyed how I write comedy and interesting characters, I'm sure you'll also love Space Janitor Bop.

I hope you have a nice day and ENJOY!

Follow me on Twitter: @JPJaphet
Join my Discord Server: https://discord.gg/XEeFvbZ
Original Art "Princess and Dragon" by Nikita Volobuev from ArtStation. Check out his art!

Hero's Chronicle

Glass Hall (Mana): Daughter of the Duke and main character of the story. 

Maxfield Hall: Glass Father and Duke, started as a cold hatred duke. However, eventually warmed up due to Glass influence. 

Miranda Hall (Deceased): Maxfield's former wife and duchess. Mother of Glass, who hated her husband enough to poison herself in fear of her child being male forcefully.

Richard Havas: a noble who had also lost his place like Maxfield. The two were particularly good friends, but he didn't join the rest of the nobles who lost power. He and his family were content with being farmers, humble it was, but to them it peaceful.

Deacon: Former bounty hunter and soldier, his wife, Armilla was an assassin sent to poison the hall family. He didn't know about the circumstances about her death and hated Maxfield hall due to believing her death was unjust. He became a mercenary guild master

Jeb: A mercenary who became a quick friend with Deacon. Eventually, replaced Barron Maxton
Tally Maine: Another of Deacon's friends, he became an extraordinarily wealthy merchant under Glass orders.

Mayuri (May: Maid, Yuri Maxton): Lived him Belvin village with her parents before it was all burned down. Is now a very skilled assassin on par with Rain. 

Rain Mayfest: Was once from a former house that had fallen. Eventually became Ithacan, most frightening assassin.

Sara Maxton: Was once a beautiful woman and wife to the original Barron Maxton. She endured his torture for a long time until she was saved by Glass who turned her back into a child and erased her memories.

Vivian (Former Queen): The former queen of Ithacan was forced into a marriage without love. She never loved her children's father and was even more upset when he let his lover bully and abuse her power. However, it hurt her the most when he allowed the same actions on their children. Vivian lives as the head maid to Barron Maxton's manor. Eventually, she started to grow feelings for the fun-loving Jeb.

Prince Rigaud(Deceased): First Princ, elder brother to Henry and Hope. Vivian eldest son.
Randall Maxton (Henry Arcane): Vivian son and second prince of Ithacan. He lived as the Barron Maxton's eldest son.

Alison Maxton (Hope Arcane): Daughter of Vivian and Sister to Henry. Also, lived as Barron Maxton's Child.

Lady Angela: A priestess of the azure dragon and mother to Jared.

Jared Arcane: Third prince of Ithacan.

Anders Lysidine: Jared Aide and Chief Knights Son

Silvester Springfire : the pope's son

Sebastian: Steward and Butler

Fest Proulx: is a boy who wears glasses and enjoys the same hobbies as Glass. 

Ryle Maine: has beautiful blonde hair, looking like any other young nobleman. And although he has a physique inferior to the Kingdom's Knights, he would not lose to them when it comes to a fight. Besides, he is more or less a bodyguard.

Eda: Accountant of Commerce Guild

Isa: was a runaway Orphan that Glass brought in to the Hall household. Isa assists Sebastian in the management

Pendragon

Faith Pengradon- Former Queen of Avalon married Claudius. Adoptive Mother of Uther and his younger brother.

Claudius Constantine Pendragon- King of Avalon before Uther and Rose, Adoptive father to Uther and his younger Brother. Rose's Birth father.

Merlin- a child that survived the burning of his village and later became Faith's student. Fell in love with Vivian the lady of the Lake.

Arthur Pendragon- Son of Uther, Future King of Avalon

Kai- Knight of the round table and Childhood Friend of Arthur. He loves to Gossip

Morgana Trugluce- Arthur's Half-Sister

Lancelot: Knight of the Round Table. Son of Earl Gray-Stone and his Wife Aerabell

Imperial Dr.Yen

Yen- An orphan when she was a baby when her village burned down and raided by bandits. Her adoptive father was a traveling doctor who rescued her, and she grew up traveling around the world with him. Until he settled down north due to old age, where's Yen continued to move around.

Consort Gina- The Emperor's favorite Consort. She has the unique trait of red hair and Green eyes.

Consort Jie- A haughty Young Consort who lost her son earlier on, but later recovered

Ren- Chief of Staff or Head Eunuch also favored by the Emperor

I’ve traveled through many worlds, lived many lives, granting last wishes. What have I not seen, what have I not experienced? Living brought its sorrows and Joys, now that I am no longer bound to transverse through worlds. What do I do now? But create more worlds and bear gifts to the unfortunate souls. However, the more I do this, the more I being to realize that I miss living. I can barely remember why I was afraid in the first place. 

I want to experience those feelings again.


*Disclaimer- Parts of this novel Revolve arounds the Worlds and Characters of Other Written Works of Literature like Amines, Games, Boks, Etc. As such said Works belong to their perspective publishers and creators.

Jaa...jaan wake up he tried once more but she didn't respond. So without wasting a second. He gave a call to the doctor and the next call was to Aman.

Aman picks up the call
Aman: Hello who is it?

Arnav: Hello Aman it's me Arnav. Can you come at Khushi's flat she.... she ...

Aman: Is Khushi alright?

Arnav: She fell unconscious please come fast. I have already given a call to the doctor.

Aman: Okay I am coming. 
He cuts the call and informs Alisha the same. Alisha wants to come too but Aman denied as that meant Aarav would come too and he didn't want his little child to panic considering the attachment he had for his bhua. Alisha agreed with Aman and so he started for Khushi's flat.

Meanwhile at Khushi's flat

Arnav was waiting for the doctor and Aman. He was tensed to see Khushi like that. He also noticed that she had turned weak. The girl he knew in college was slim but there was a glow on her face but now it's gone. What surrounds her face was worry lines on her forehead. She was thinner than before. What he has done to his Khushi? How he wished he could reverse the time. He remembered her words "Don't show me your face. Never intervene in my life again. Know why? because I hate you. I hate you from the bottom of my heart." A lone tear escaped his eyes. This is what she must have felt when you had ended everything between you people came a voice it was his soul chiding him for torturing an innocent soul. He was still lost in thoughts when someone knocked on the door. He looked at the door to find the doctor standing there.

Doctor: Where is the patient?

Arnav took him to Khushi. Just then Aman also came. He saw doctor checking Khushi. Arnav moved out of the room. He couldn't bear to see his Jaan in such a condition. He wanted to punish himself for doing this to her. Lots of thoughts were lingering in his mind. Khushi's words were pricking his soul. After sometime Aman and doctor also came out of the room.

Arnav: How is she doctor? Why is she unconscious? She had a fever too?

Doctor: Calm down Mr Raizada. She is fine now. She was in stress and she probably had skipped her meals so that's why she fell ill and unconscious. I have given her medicine. She will regain consciousness in some time and try to keep her stress free.

Arnav: Oh! Thanks, doctor. You came at such short notice.

Doctor: Well that's my duty. Okay, I will take the leave. I have already given a prescription to Mr Mathur.

Arnav: Thanks here is your fees. Okay, doctor, let me drop you.

Arnav went with the doctor to drop him downstairs. He came back Aman was sitting on the sofa. He kept his palm on his shoulder to grab his attention. Aman looked up at him.

Arnav: Aap sahi ho Aman. Mai uske layak hi nahi hoon. Use meri zarurat nahi hai. Aaj mene mehsoos kiya ki vo mere bina hi jyada khush rahegi. Bohot takleef di hai maine use. Koi haq nahi hai mera ki mai use aur dard doon. Aaj ke baad mai kabhi use pareshaan nahi karunga. Na hi uske saamne aaunga. Vo mujhse nafrat karti hai sahi bhi hai mai isi layak hoon. Chehra bhi nahi dekhna chahti vo mera. Aman vaise mujhe kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Par phir bhi please uska dyaan rakhna aur usse Please naraaz mat hona vo bohot pareshaan hai. Aapki naraazgi use sehan nahi hoti. Aap uske Aman bhai ho. Please Aman use maaf kardo. Galti meri hai saza use mat doo. Ese nahi dekh sakta mai use. 
[ You are right Aman. I am not fit for her she deserves better. Today I realised that she will be happier without me. She had faced so much pain because of me. I have no rights to give her more pain. After today I will never torture her. Neither would I come in front of her. She hates me and I think it is right too, I deserve it. She doesn't even want to see my face. Aman, although I don't need to tell you this still take care of her and please don't be angry with her she is really very worried about it. She can't bear your coldness towards her. You are her Aman bhai. Please forgive her Aman. Don't punish her for my mistakes. I can't see her like this]

He turned around and was about to leave when Aman caught hold of his hand and stood up.

Aman: Maine to suna tha Ki Arnav Singh Raizada kabhi haar nahi manta. Ya to tum koi aur ho ya fir maine galat suna hai. Itni jaldi haar maan gaye Arnav. Usse pyaar karte ho na tum. To apni taraf se puri koshish kar li use manane ki?[ I had heard that Arnav Singh Raizada never accepts his defeat. Either you are someone else or I heard it wrong. Accepted your defeat that early Arnav? You love her right. So what do you think you have tried everything that was possible to mend her?]

Arnav: Maybe A.S.R never accepts his defeat. But here it is Arnav whose soul weakness and strength are Khushi. I have already given her so much pain that I really have no courage to even see a drop of tear in her eyes. I had seen how angry she was. I want to woo her but not at the cost of giving her more pain. The more I will be in front of her the more memories will haunt her making it painful for her. I will go back to the U.S.

Aman: That's your brain answering you. Ask your heart do you really think she would even smile without you. She told you that she hates you could see her pain look deep into her eyes Arnav. You will find desperation to get you back in her life. I was so angry on you why do think I gave you this chance to woo her? Ever tried to analyse it? Because it's about my little sister's happiness.

Arnav: But she hates me.

Aman: You had acted like a jerk but still I know that she still loves you, yearns for you and above all, she might not accept it but her happiness means you. Still, you want to run from her then go. I won't stop you but think about Khushi before taking any step. You had just given her new hope. Don't make it hollow. She had loved you from all her might but then you left her alone how are you even supposed to think that she will be the same Khushi. She may have told you that she hates you but she was already frustrated. I was cold towards her. She felt shattered and you tell me Arnav whom we spit anger on its on our own people because we know they will understand. Tell me you still want to go?

Arnav: Aman I am sorry. The way Khushi reacted it really shook me from top to bottom. Thanks for giving me this piece of advice.

Arnav hugged him tightly. Aman patted his back to calm him down.

Aman: Okay... I have given you advice that doesn't mean I have forgiven you.  I will see it later how will I punish you?

Arnav smiled so did Aman.

Arnav: but Khushi you are still angry with her?

Aman: Looks like I will have to forgive her or either my would-be brother in law will eat my head.

Both chuckled so Aman was cool now.

A love story of two persons who are very different from each other.Inspite of all the diffrences they find there final destination together.Read the story to find out how the two fall in love..
Hope you all will like it.

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