"There is this prophecy that a woman who has a black mark in the back part of the neck will bring peace in different Kingdoms. That was like written a long time ago, but my Parents wanted to believe us that we should make a promise that we will throne her, and obey her every word. We cannot defy such person. It was forgotten but here in Cordelia, we all remember everything." Shock was an understatement. Hindi nagsi-sink in sa'kin ang mga nalalaman ngayon. The black mark I have was still when I was a baby, napansin rin ito ng mga kumupkop sa'kin pero hindi 'ko alam na ganito kalaking respeto ang makukuha 'ko sa iba.

"So, you're telling us that Ashieka isn't just a Queen?" Tumango tango naman ang Nanay nila Zach.

"She's beyond a Queen. She's an Empress, the ruler of all rulers. She's that." She casually said. Eating the dessert in front of her.

Walang nakapag-salita sa'min at halos lahat yata kami ay pare-parehas na walang alam sa bagay na 'to.

Well, I'm an exception, also Lily. I loved a normal life at wala kaming alam na may ganitong prophecy.

"That was something," Nakapalibot kami sa balcony ng Palace nila Zach. The Twins were sleeping, so is Lily, hindi na namin siya sinama sa gulo na 'to dahil hindi naman talaga dapat siya kasali. She will just be hurt or something if ever that happens.

"Never knew of that," ani Ray na nakatingin kay Zach at Aidan habang nagbubuklat ng makapal na libro. It was a century old book, nakasulat doon ang lahat, tungkol sa mga ninuno namin, hanggang sa mga secrets of every Kingdom, hanggang sa prophecy, everything was written inside that book. We were glad enough that Queen Sofie kept it.

"Here it is," Sabay sabay kaming lumapit at pumalibot kanila Aidan. They were both good enough kaya ako na ang nakaupo sa pwesto nila kanina.

The book was already in it's brownish form so it was hard enough to read the words but still bearable.

The Prophecy word was written in bold, cursive letters. It was hand written. Like it was really that important that it cannot be printed nor can create another part of it. The informations in it was clearing, and elightening our minds. The way it has the signature of all the highest rank in different Kingdom and the way the words were all informative scattered around the whole context.

"Gaano ka pa ba kataas, Ashi?" I just ignored Ray's opinion. I was still trying to absorbe all the words written in here.

"Never thought of something like this," Melanie said. I looked at the clear sky in front of me, and tried to think deep.

So I am for this? This is really mine? Kahit hindi 'ko bawiin ang Empyrean kay Aella, I can still manage to destroy her, because of what I have?

"Should we bow at her or something?" Tumayo ako at seryosong bumaling sa kanilang lahat.

"Call all your relatives and every single Royalty, but leave Aither and Mom alone, tell them I want to meet them," I paused for a second. My mind was in daze that's why the whole sky was beginning to darken. "We have some information to scatter."

Wines. Glass. Stilletos. Luxurious gowns wass everywhere inside the big hall of Corsle. The only Royal not invited here is Aither and my Mother. I can see how people look at me in confusion, trying to think of a way to know what I'm doing here.

Lahat nang nandito ay ang bawat Royalties sa iba't ibang Kingdoms. The only person I'm with in the table was Aidan, his parents was still on their way, the others were greeting guests. I looked at Zach who keeps on roaming around with his twins and Lily, Guess he want's everyone to know that he is already a father.

"You're quiet higher than me," Tumingin ako kay Aidan. He was smiling yet I can sense the seriousness of his voice.

"Didn't knew that," I casually said. He laughed at my remark.

"Guess you won't even need us when you'll fight Aella. You can take her down in a snap." He said in a matter of fact tone.

"Still, I need all your help." He moved close to me. Since we were the only one in the table, we have all the privacy we want, Minus that we can feel the stares of people in here.

"Strong and Independent yet very cautious." He was slowly caressing my hair, which made me feel butterflies in my stomach. So this wath kilig feels like.

"Stop that, Aidan." I hear his soft chukle but still continued on what he was doing.

"Aidan, Seriously, Stop that. People are watching us."

"At least they'll know you're already my property." He said shrugging. Naramdaman 'ko naman ang init sa pisngi 'ko. This guy, really!

The soft murmurs were all over the place. I can hear people getting curious about why they are here.

Ang magulang na lang ni Aidan ang hinihintay namin. I am nervous. Ngayon 'ko na lang ulit sila makikita pagkatapos nang nangyari kay Aidan 2 years ago. Baka ang iniisip nila ay tumakas ako at hindi nakatulong ang isipin na 'yon dahil mas lalo lang akong kinabahan.

I felt Aidan's hand held mine and held it tightly.

"It's fine," Tumango ako sa kaniya at ngumiti. We both stood up. They wanted Aidan to meet them in the entrance so we were headed there.

Napansin 'ko ang tingin sa'kin nang ibang tao, naririnig 'ko rin ang iba't ibang tanong nang bawat isang nandito.

"Aidan," napalingon kami ni Aidan sa tumawag sa kaniya. It was a tall petite girl wearing a cream filled dress that perfectly hugged her body. Lumapit naman si Aidan sa kaniya at dahil hawak niya ako ay kasama ako sa paglapit.

I saw how he greeted the Girl by kissing its cheeks. I know that that's their way by saying hello to others but still I removed my gaze.

"Coleen, Glad you can make it," Aidan said while smiling and holding that Coleen girl's elbow.

"Well it looked very important. Hindi pwedeng mawala ako," Ngumiti ito at bumaling sa'kin. Her smile faded when she saw me.

"Oh! Who is she?" Alanganin akong ngumiti at nag-bow sa kaniya.

"Ashieka," I answered. Aidan was talking to someone else so I needed to introduce myself.

"Are you a Princess or what?" Hindi 'ko alam kung paano siya sasagutin at mabuti na lang ay humarap na sa'min si Aidan. We bid our goodbye to her at dumiretsyo na sa Entrance ng hall to wait for his parents.

We were silent. I was getting nervous so It was fine that we were both silent. Ayokong mapressure at ayoko rin na makalimutan na may tao kaming dapat abangan.

When we heard a trumpet sound all the nervousness I tried to shiver away came back. I felt my hands slightly shaking out of panic.

Shit.

"Calm down, Princess." Natatawang aniya ni Aidan kaya sinamaan 'ko siya ng tingin. The others went to us as well.

"Is that your parents, Aidan?" tumango naman si Aidan sa tanong ni Ray. Lily and Ana came close to me and both held my arms to give  me support.

Bumitaw naman si Aidan sa'kin dahil ang uncomfortable naman kung ganoon ang ayos namin. The whole hall was quiet and we were all anticipating the arrival of the King and Queen of Helios.

"Gago! Namumutla ka, Ashi." Puna ni Lily. But when she remembered her choice of words she closed her mouth and covered it qith her palms na ikinatawa 'ko.

"It's fine, Lily. You'll become one of them, too." I said.

"Oo, para goals tayo, ano?" Natatawang aniya. Her laugh made me calm.

Nang marinig 'ko ang ingay ng takong sa labas ng hall ay muli akong bumaling doon. The aura of them being very superior was enough to make everyone inside the hall stop at what they were doing.

When the Queen saw Aidan's face among the crowd, her face lit up.

"Aidan, Hijo!" She said then hurriedly went to him, she was supported by his husband.

"How are you? You didn't told me you were already home from Iliran. Sinabi mo lang na doon ka dederetsyo kanila Zachary. And what's with this? Are we having a party or what?" Hindi na magkamayaw ang panginginig ng kamay 'ko. Mas lalo yatang lumala ang panginginig nito, Glad that Ana and Lily was beside me. Baka himatayin ako sa kaba.

"Ma, We have an important announcement today," Tumingin sa'kin si Aidan kaya naman sumunod ang tingin ng Magulang nito sa'kin. I saw how her Mom's eyes began to darken at the sight of me.

"You're the Girl from 2 years ago? Am I right?" Yumuko ako para magbigay galang sa kaniya.

"Yes, Queen," I was literally shaking so my hands were being caressed by Ana, trying to make me calm.

"What danger will you bring this time?" I stepped backward when she tried to reach me, Mabuti na lang at nahawakan siya kaagad ni Aidan.

"Mother," Aidan warned her. Inis naman na tumingin ang Nanay nito sa kaniya.

"What, Aidan? Are you going to cover her up, again?" She then turned to me, fuming mad. Hindi 'ko naman alam ang gagawin at ayokong mabstos siya kung magwo-walk out ako kaya nanatili ako sa harap niya.

"She's not the one who shot me, okay? So will you calm down? Nakakahiya." Aidan whispered. Tumingin muli sa'kin ang Mama niya at umayos nang tayo. When she looked at the crowd she was all smiles again.

Aidan's father never remkved his gaze from me. I just slightly bowed to him and he just nod at me.

Sabay sabay kaming bumalik sa mesa namin pagkatapos no'n. The other Royalties were waiting for the announcement so we just sat down while waiting for Queen Sofie.

"Grabe 'yon. Gano'n pala katindi galit sa'yo ni Tita?" I just shrugged at Ray's question.

"She was always mad when she see you even when she hears your name." I looked at Lindon when he said those words. So she was really mad.

"I'm at fault so I deserve her madness." I casually said then tried to shrug my nervousness away.

"Still, that was two years ago." Hindi 'ko na lang sila pinansin at bumaling sa harap. The silentness of the whole hall was uncomfortable, at halos lahat yata kami ay napabuga ng hininga nang dumating na si Queen Sofie.

"Sorry I'm late. I had to run an errand." She then laughed. She gestured her servants to serve food while she was still speaking.

"So, While we serve food. I would just like to brief you all about what will happen in this little feast." She paused and look around, when she met my gaze she just winked at me.

"First, We will read a Prophecy that was written years ago. Second, we will meet the person who is mentioned in the prophecy. And third, time to make her an Empress." Different kind of reactions were being thrown out. Tumingin ako kay Aidan sa kabilang table kung nasaan siya at ang magulang niya. He nod at me before standing up, then walked towards me.

"The Prophecy, written years ago was all about a Child that will finally give peace to different Kingdoms. She's not just a Queen but beyond it. Higher than a Queen, higher than anything else. The prophecy was signed by high rankings during that time. That was our ancestors. We must obey, and never defy that child. She will be the Queen of the whole empire. Empyrean, Selene, Cordelia, Helios, amd Eira is hers. Only hers." We walked slowly to the stage. Eyes were on us while still listening to what Queen Sofie's words.

"Her name is Ashieka Armenius. Her given name is Aella Willows, She is the real heir of the whole Kingdom of Empyrean, and she is the person written in the Prophecy." I looked at them all, They were all shock at the revelations, I have been there.

"We must obey and never defy her. She will be crowned Empress at the Royal Cotillion. And lastly, she need your help."