.jpeg)
PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFER BEST NOVELS || LATEST MOVIES || LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME
HELLBOUND HEART
Chapter 186 One Thought
They both turned very still at the sudden contact of her cool lips on his warm neck.
Wide-eyed, Elle heard the loud and crazy fast heartbeats that belonged to her. Her mind screamed at her to pull away, asking what she was even doing.
But she could not make herself listen to her own mind but instead did something far graver than her first move. She had gone ahead and bitten him.
His muscles turned utterly taut, as though they had transformed into something really solid and hard. He then made a noise that sounded like a half curse and half groan.
A gasp was torn from her lips and the next thing she knew, he was hovering above her, pinning her down. His eyes were so animal-bright as he looked down at her. His breathing was uneven as he held himself still over her. And yet, Elle's first reaction was... oh lord... she had licked her lips in anticipation.
"Fuck... Iza..." he cursed again. Only this time, his voice was so husky, that she even heard it shaking. "What the hell... are you doing?"
He did not sound angry or upset and that was the only thing that mattered to Elle at the moment. As for his question, Elle was not sure about her answer.
She only bit her lip and silently stared back at him. Until her gaze strayed back to his neck again. She could not see if her earlier bite even left teeth marks as it was dim, but she thought that it might not have left any marks at all. She was not even certain if her bite was hard enough to leave any trace on him. After all, it was only a small nip.
Letting out a shaky breath, Sebastian pulled away from her and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked exasperated and in disbelief but slightly amused at the same time.
"I can't believe you just did that." He murmured. "You really aren't listening to me anymore, Izabelle. How I wish I could punish you... so f**king hard right now a���" he broke off as Elle reached out, slipped her hands around his neck and hugged him, nuzzling her face against his neck.
Sebastian was caught so off guard at her unexpected action that his entire body stiffened up again. His pupils dilated as he swallowed. Hard. His hands were now moving to grip her hips.
But they halted just before touching her and his jaws clenched and unclenched.
"F**k..." he cursed once more, and this time it sounded almost pleading. Like he was asking for someone's help. "You really know... how to torture me to death, Izabelle."
He sighed once again and shook his head before he moved his hands to hold onto her arms, peeling her off him and pinned her down onto the bed again. This time, he pressed both her hands above her head, locking them there to make sure she would not get the chance to reach out and mess with his calm again.
"Not... now baby..." he breathed out. Elle could hear just how much self-control was in his voice through those few words alone. Though the words were obviously for her, he seemed to be convincing himself at the same time. "I am not going to blow up and screw your brains out tonight, then be unable to bed you again for the next several days. I know any suffering on my part later would be worth it. But... f**k...!! You really need to quickly get better and you're almost there. Do you understand me, huh? Izabelle?"
She only pursed her lips ever so slightly, glancing away from him, causing him to laugh exasperatedly.
But then, he cupped her chin and his thumb started playing on her lips. "The doctor said, you'd be fully healed in two days. Two more days, baby... I promise that day will be so... no. Just prepare yourself because I will ravage you like never before and make you come apart so hard... so many times over... until you'd remember nothing else but my name." His eyes blazed with a seductive promise that sent her heart flip flopping like crazy.
Elle swallowed. She could not believe how her mouth watered at his suggestive words. Lord...
A soft kiss landed on her temple and then he pulled away so fast, he was already standing a step away from the bed when she was finally looking up at him.
"Sleep." He told her once again before striding off purposefully towards the bathroom.
Rubbing her face with her palms, Elle took a long and deep breath. She was glad that he thought she did that to seduce him, because she could not even explain the reason why she did that herself.
...
The next morning, Elle had managed to finish reading that book as Sebastian seemed even busier today.
Standing by the shelf where she had taken that book from, Elle stared unseeingly at all the books' spines that were arranged on it. She had tried to find a similar book but could not find one at all. She honestly did not know what to feel or how to even react at the fact that she finished the book without finding any other information if that curse was already broken or perhaps if the vampires today had already found a way for a human and vampire's relationship to work. Because well... she and Sebastian... they were human and vampire. And they have had sex without her dying as was mentioned of how the females recorded in the book had.
Elle had checked on how old the book was and it was not actually that old. It was just a couple of decades old. Could it be that things have changed just within the past twenty years? And that now, humans and vampires' sexual relationship are no longer forbidden?
Staring at the maroon book in her hands, Elle sighed and decided to believe in her own conclusion. She had asked Sebastian about it too, once she had the chance.
Just when she lifted the book to return it to the shelf, a folded paper slipped down from its pages and fell at Elle's feet.
She bent and picked it up. But before she could open the folded piece of paper, her body instantly became almost catatonic. Her heartbeat stopped for a moment.
One thought came to her mind a��� Elijah. The experience in that dungeon was still fresh and a sore spot for her. The meeting with Elijah had flashed unbidden in her mind, and her heartbeat raced damned hard.
Whirling around, her eyes searched the entire room until it settled on the slightly opened door. Sebastian had always kept that door slightly open all the time while she was inside.
"Lucas? Rion? Anyone there?" she called out immediately, trying her best to stay calm, when Sebastian emerged from the door.
HELLBOUND HEART
Chapter 187 Big Night
The sight of Sebastian being the one to appear when she was being afraid and unsettled had Elle feeling an unspeakable sense of relief washing over her. The dread that had initially gripped her had melted away and disappeared like it had not been there in the first place. Her entire frame relaxed and she could even feel her knees wobbling a little.
When she rushed towards him with such relief, Sebastian instantly moved to meet her halfway. He could sense and see how she was so agitated - perhaps even fearful - when he had walked through the door, and that had him on high alert for any danger nearby.
"What's wrong?" he asked, cupping both sides of her head gently with his hands. His gaze was searching as he locked his intense grey eyes onto her own trembling ones.
Elle realized then that she must have alarmed him with her nervous expression and her jumpy actions just now. Thus, she took a deep breath and tried her best to compose herself.
"I'm fine... I was just... I thought no one was outside. And it just... freaked me out a bit." She forced a smile as she explained.
Sebastian just stared into her eyes for a while before his gaze drifted away. Elle noticed how he looked around the inside of the library in a slow manner, as though his eyes were scanning the entire area. No... it was more apt to describe it that he was not trying to see it with his eyes, but feel if there was something amiss.
When he returned his gaze to her, that serious and fierce look loosened up and gentled. There was a smile in his eyes as his hands that were cupping her head slowly let go of her. As he visibly relaxed, it only helped to make her feel instantly better as well because she knew there was no immediate threat to either of them within the vicinity for the moment.
"It's alright, Izabelle. Everyone's right outside and on guard all the time. Don't forget that they can hear even the slightest sound even from inside here." He reassured her before his eyes fell down to the paper that was still held limply in her hand.
"Uh... this is..." Elle hesitantly lifted the now slightly crumpled paper up between them.
"Hush, Iza." He silenced her, placing his forefinger against her lips. His gaze was wordlessly warning her not to talk anymore. In her nervousness, she had forgotten that she was still on the ban of not being allowed to talk.
But he stretched his hand out, palms facing upward as he silently asked her to hand over the paper to him. "Can I see it?"
Again, Elle hesitated. But eventually, she placed it in his open palms.
Sebastian's expression did not change as she stared at the paper.
Unable to hold back her curiosity about the contents of the paper, Elle leaned in closer to Sebastian to see what was written on it.
To her surprise, the paper was... blank!
....
"That's..." 'a pretty extravagant dress!' Elle thought silently as her eyes were slightly stretched as she stared at the royal blue gown before her that the stylist who came today had brought along.
Her doctor had told her this morning that her throat was finally healed and she could now talk freely. But the doctor did remind her that it would do her well not to overdo it. It was somehow such an amazing coincidence because today was her birthday as well.
Sebastian had spoken to her about this a few days before. When Elle said that having a simple dinner at home would suffice as a way to celebrate her birthday, Sebastian only blinked and nodded. But then the very next day, he informed her that they would be holding a formal party for her birthday celebration, right here in the Reigns castle.
And thus, here she was, now getting prepared for her big night.
She could not help but feel a little nervous. She was used to these kinds of things. Mingling with the socialites and entertaining guests were her forte. However, with her now knowing that almost all of the guests that would be present in this party were not actually humans... Her confidence somehow seemed to be wavering.
A part of her had wanted to tell Sebastian to cancel the event for fear that she was not quite ready to entertain non-human guests. But she shoved that thought hard and deep within her. Telling herself that she must not chicken out now. This was her chance to see for herself the reality of this society - she was now introduced to by marriage - with her new perspective.
Taking a deep breath, she stared at herself through the mirror when someone entered the room. It was Linda.
"Princess, I was asked by His Highness to bring you these." She handed her a bag that contained boxes of gifts and three letters.
Elle checked the cards one by one. The first card was from Abi and Alexander, the second was from Alice and Alexis and the last one was from Alicia and Azy.
A soft, emotional smile flashed across Elle's face as she read through their birthday wishes. She already knew that they could not attend the party and Elle understood fully their circumstances.
She had terribly wished for them to come, but their heartfelt wishes in these lovely cards were more than enough for her.
"Are you ready, Princess?" Linda asked her once everything was ready.
Looking at herself through the mirror one last time, she nodded at Linda. It was finally time.
Another deep breath escaped her before she turned and gracefully walked towards the door, poised and glamorous as she followed after Linda who led the way.
When the door opened, Linda announced. "Your Highness, the princess is ready." She then stepped aside and Elle's gaze fell towards the man who was leaning against the wall across from her.
HELLBOUND HEART
Chapter 188 Gossip
The word 'gorgeous' did not seem to be enough to describe how Sebastian looked at the moment. Even though she had seen him always dressed so impeccably in dark suits, Elle had declared to herself that his get-up right now topped all the other outfits she had seen on him thus far. That tailcoat… Lord… it was like tailcoats were actually invented for this man!
Right now, even if she still did not have any idea that he was a real vampire, she would definitely describe his beauty with just two words. Unreal. Inhuman.
He very much looked the part of a real vampire prince now with that get up! Not that he was not actually one already.
Elle was so busy ogling her husband's dashing looks that she failed to notice Sebastian had even yet to blink since the moment he saw her. His grey orbs gleamed so bright as he stared at her unmoving, as though transfixed at the sight that greeted his eyes. And when he finally pushed himself off the wall and approached her, his eyes never once strayed.
"Blue…" he uttered as he took her hand, "… you really own that color, Izabelle."
She smiled. "Thank you… the stylist mentioned that it was you who chose the dress."
"Do you like it?" Though his tone was light and seemingly unconcerned, Elle detected from his eyes that her answer truly mattered to him.
"I love it." She answered sincerely with a pleased but shy smile.
A satisfied smile flashed across his features and the two of them finally walked off together, hand in hand.
.jpeg)
"Don't be nervous." Sebastian then changed the topic when he noticed how her grip on his hand kept tightening the closer they got to the ballroom. "Treat everyone like how you used to."
She halted and looked at him. "I'm not sure if I can do that." She admitted. "Knowing that everyone isn't actually human like me, but… supernatural beings… I'm not sure if I can keep my usual composure." The smile on her face wavered a little.
"Those… supernatural beings as you put it, are now your people, Izabelle."
"I… that's… that's…"
"Don't feel overwhelmed, Iza." He made sure his voice was pitched low and filled with reassurance. "I know you'd need some time to get used to our society's reality so tonight, there's no need to entertain everyone like you used to do tonight."
Her brows knitted. "But it's my birthday party, Sebastian. They're the guests they've been invited over, so I must –"
"Nope." He cut her off. "Your throat has just healed. I am not going to let you speak to every single guest and strain your throat, only to have it relapsed. In fact, I've arranged things in a way so you'd speak less."
Elle fell speechless for a few moments before she shook her head.
"You should've told me about that sooner, Sebastian." Her face dimmed as she said that. "I can't possibly go in there and not talk to the guests! People will… everyone will… they will think bad of me if I do that. Though it is my birthday celebration, it's still not proper of me to do that, Sebastian. I don't want your people… anyone else in fact,… to think that their prince's wife is a… is a –"
"Hush, Izabelle..." his hand was below her ear, cupping her head gently. "Listen, baby…" he whispered in a comforting calm voice and Elle belatedly realized that she had responded to him and her breathing had started to rise. "I won't entirely forbid you from talking to them. I'm just going to limit it. And stop getting worried about the people and what they will think about whatever attitude you'd display tonight. Whatever their opinion of you doesn't matter –"
"Sebastian." She cut him off this time. Her gaze turned a little fierce. "Their opinion of me matters. Because whatever I do could cause a controversy and even a scandal that will not only ruin my reputation but more importantly, yours as well! Not forgetting the royal family's too. I can't… I can't let even the slightest possibility of that happening."
Silence reigned between them for a while until Sebastian let out a quiet breath. He did not see this coming at all. That Izabelle was going to be aggravated by this matter. The reason why he had decided to talk her into having a celebration was because of the issue about her that was spreading outside Viscarria. Tabloids were writing about the whereabouts of Princess of Dalenn who now was the Crown Princess of Viscarria. Some were even spreading gossip that she had disappeared and was still missing.
Many people were taking the rumor seriously since it was actually true that Izabelle who was usually active since she had married him suddenly disappeared from the public eye and had not been spotted for a long while.
And so, he had no choice but to plan out this celebration even though he personally would rather celebrate the night with just the two of them. He had decided to hide this information about the rumor from her at least until tomorrow as he did not want her to stress herself out. He had wanted her to focus on healing completely and also at least enjoy this night.
But it seemed that everything was not going along as he had planned. He had not expected that the people's opinion of her was such a big deal to her.
"I've… experienced people's hatred since I was young, Sebastian…" she continued with conviction. "I don't want to go through that again. I don't want the people of Viscarria to… to think bad of me and end up hating me like how the people back home did."
Sebastian was silent. He wanted to tell her not to even worry about that because he would destroy anyone who would dare treat her with hatred or disrespect. But he managed to hold back and yield. He would yield if that would make her happy.
"Fine, Izabelle." He gave in, pressing on her hand gently, "alright… I won't forbid you. You can do what you want tonight."
HELLBOUND HEART
Chapter 189 Unapologetic
The celebration went on smoothly since the very start of the event.
And to Elle's surprise, the guests did not even get close enough for her to speak to them. They kept their distance from her for some reason. Most of them only simply greeted her with warm and gentle smiles from afar.
Only the immediate members of the royal family and highest officials came over to personally greet and deliver her their birthday wishes. Even then, they did not linger around her for long. Before any conversation could even start after the exchange of greetings and birthday wishes, they were already gone.
The only thing that was comforting was the fact that Elle did not feel like they were purposely avoiding her. Instead, it was obvious to her that they were politely excusing themselves away, as if they knew something a��� that she should not be talking much.
When Sebastian stretched out his hand to her, inviting her to join him for the dance of the night, Elle stared down at his hand for a few seconds. And when she put hers into his, she remembered their first dance during Elijah's birthday party.
Sebastian led her to the dancefloor and once the music started, they started to move seamlessly to each other's steps.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Sebastian asked as he danced with her with his usual lazy grace that never ceases to amaze her. His high quality black velvet suit with gold embroidery on his sleeves ends, upper left and right shoulder areas and all along the high collared neckline only added to the smoky and sultry appeal of his male seductiveness.
Elle blushed as she graced him with a smile. It was a sweet smile, one filled with gratitude and awe. And also, genuine happiness. She had not expected the beauty of the decorations and the perfection of the entire set up and planning that had been put into her birthday celebration. It was actually... extravagant. The entire ballroom had been transformed into a romantic yet cool place for her birthday celebration. Warm fairy lights that dangled from the ceiling provided the intimate quality that would encourage small talks among guests. And fresh flowers brought in recently from the outside were still sending off their light yet wonderful perfume through the entire hall.
It had made her speechless for a long while because she knew just how much time and money was needed to prepare everything to perfection. In fact, she knew that the planning and preparation of such an extravagant event normally lasted for at least a year, if not or more. But Sebastian was able to coordinate and get things done on such short notice.
She was honestly shocked that she could not believe it at first until she remembered that she was no longer back home. She was in a place where vampires lived and breathed. There were things they could do so easily, that would take humans a long time to finish.
"Is this why you've been busy in the past few days, Sebastian?" she questioned him. One of the princesses had slipped and mentioned that it was Sebastian who had organized the extravagant event. She even jokingly whispered to Elle that Sebastian had terrorized the palace staff continuously to make sure everything was done without flaw.
"Well, I need to make sure everything will be finished in time, don't I?" He casually replied. "You like it?"
She stared up at him, her eyes gleaming as brightly as the stars in the night sky. "Everything is... perfect!" Her earnest whisper struck him right in the heart.
His elusive dimple again decided to make their appearance. And then they twirled around the dance floor so perfectly and in sync to each other's breathing. Neither took their eyes off of the other. It was like they could not help their gazes to be helplessly glued to their partner held in their arms.
The guests continued to be shocked at the scene before them. Black and gold, perfectly intertwined with royal blue and silver as they swayed and spun around to the music - both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess were truly a sight to behold. The couple was a sight for sore eyes.
The guests had been shocked ever since the moment the couple appeared together. The chemistry between them and how they both looked so dazzling were already such a big surprise. And now here they were, moving across the dancefloor like they were one, captivating everyone's eyes. That moment, the two of them... their dance... They themselves were spellbinding.
But that was not the most surprising. What shocked everyone the most was how the prince was acting towards his human wife. The vampires had never seen Prince Sebastian carrying himself like how he was tonight. His usual dark aura was so tamed and mild that he even actually looked approachable! And then they saw it... his smile... his dimple!
Both male and females who saw that smile on his face were so shocked to their core. They did not know Prince Sebastian had a dimple! Hearts could almost be seen pouring out of all the single ladies' eyes as they hungrily watched the Crown Prince! While the males could not help but wonder if this was the same Prince Sebastian they knew!
"What did you... tell everyone?" Elle asked Sebastian as their dance continued. She was completely oblivious at how the viewers were gushing, her and Sebastian being the main topic of discussion. "I feel like everyone knew something... that's why they're leaving as soon as they greet me."
"Well, I just told them that you have a mild throat problem at the moment."
"Will they... actually believe that?" A tinge of worry flashed across her eyes. She had done this before. Explaining to the people that she was ill, but they did not believe her.
"Don't worry. They believe it."
She breathed in relief and pursed her lips slightly. "And here I thought you'd let me do whatever that I wanted."
He smiled again. A small and a little wicked but unapologetic one. "I did allow you to do what you wanted... but I didn't say that I'll just politely step aside and let you get hurt, baby. I told you, I'm not going to let anyone hurt your throat again, not even you." He bent his head beside hers and whispered hotly into her ear, "I'd rather you use your voice moaning my name out later."
HELLBOUND HEART
Chapter 190 Or Else
While most of the guests were entranced by the night's main event which was the Crown Prince and Crown Princess' dance, a group of ladies in the far corner near the veranda were quiet and kept to their own small group. Glancing at each other and talking in secret, they gave off a slight feeling of dissatisfaction.
'God, Prince Sebastian looks so different tonight!'
'What do you mean? I don't think he's any different. Did you see how he had glared at us earlier on to back off before we could even approach them to greet his wife?'
'Right. He's still the same. The same gorgeous brooding, unapproachable and unreachable prince of ours!'
'I am not talking about that. I'm talking about his attitude right now towards the princess. Can't you guys see the difference? I never dreamt that Prince Sebastian could actually smile like that to another person, and a woman no less!'
Apparently, everyone could see it. They were just too jealous to be able to admit it at first. They could not believe that another human had charmed another vampire prince! In fact, many ladies had been gossiping about the fact that two of the Reign princes had ended up marrying humans.
Everyone had honestly thought that Prince Sebastian was going to end up marrying Lady Kana. Because Lady Kana was the woman he had chosen and Lady Kana had been serving him for a long time now. But out of the blue, they suddenly received news that the Crown Prince was already married and what more, it was to a human!
'I can't believe what I am seeing. It seems that the Prince has truly fallen in love with that human princess.'
'I don't hate her personally, but... that should be Lady Kana's place beside Prince Sebastian. At least, Lady Kana's a noble pure-blooded vampire. Not just some lowly and weak human.'
'Right... where is Lady Kana anyway?'
'I saw her with her father just a while ago.'
...
Utterly flustered, Elle quickly glanced to her left and right surreptitiously. Her face was burning red and her heartbeats were racing up a storm behind her ribcage.
"Oh Lord... no one managed to hear what you just said, right?" she muttered to him, panicking a little as her eyes were stretched wide in shock. How on earth does this man be so daring to speak of such private matters out in public where anyone could hear?! Elle felt scandalized just thinking of what he had said.
"Hmm... if someone's focusing their hearing on me, then they could actually hear my whisper a���"
"Oh Lord...!!" her eyes stretched even wider. And she even stumbled. Thankfully, it was as though Sebastian had seen that coming and he gracefully saved her from any possibilities of tumbling over and ruining their dance.
A tantalizing chuckle echoed just by her ear, followed by another low and magnetic whisper. "So, what if they hear? We're married, Iza a���"
"Still." She cut him off, still recovering from her embarrassment. "It's not... I mean, there's no need for anyone to hear that..." Ellen's words got cut off as her face blazed and she could only look at Sebastian helplessly.
"That I loved to hear your seductive moans?" Sebastian mischievously helped her finish her incomplete sentence, knowing that he was deliberately teasing his already embarrassed-to-death wife. However, he could not help himself because he liked seeing all these reactions of hers.
Her lips parted at his words and she would have tripped again if not for him saving her so effortlessly once more. He was handling her like she weighed absolutely nothing!
When she heard him chuckle again, Elle nearly glared frustratedly at him. The only reason she held back was because they were currently the center of attraction. She had never expected this man to actually tease her in this situation. Fortunately, she managed to remind herself that they were literally right before everyone's eyes at the moment and she could not possibly be showing that she was glaring at their beloved Crown Prince! "Please stop bullying me, Sebastian. This is my birthday." She complained to him softly, but a small smile decorated her face on the outside instead.
As though her smile did not fool him at all, Sebastian pressed his lips on her temples as he pulled her close to lean against him. "Just kidding, baby girl." He whispered in a low tone. "And I'm not bullying you... I just love seeing your flushed and flustered face."
She jerked her head back and locked her eyes with his. "You mean, they can't hear us?"
"Nope."
"Are you sure?" her brows creased, trying to ascertain if he was still teasing her. "Even though the vampires have such superior hearing? You're not fooling around with me again, are you, my prince?" After saying that, she pursed her lips a little.
"You're not wrong, but we do have rules not to eavesdrop. And most vampires have long adapted and now we've learned not to use our senses' full potential. Or else, most of us would've gone mad from the world's everyday noises. So now vampires aside from the royals, needed more time and intense concentration to activate their supernatural hearing as you called it."
"Oh... that's a real relief." Elle breathed in utter relief, her color going back to normal. A bright smile appeared on her beautiful face, like the rays of the sun piercing through the clouds.
"So, I can keep talking dirty with you now, right? Izabelle?"
"No! Good lord... Sebastian! What's with you tonight?" she then discreetly pinched his arm as she showed him a sweet and gentle smile that was obviously tinged with warning. There was no way she would let that happen. Someone might still want to eavesdrop on what Sebastian was whispering!
His brow lifted ever so slightly. "I'm not sure why you're asking that, but I don't think there's anything wrong with me tonight, baby."
"I don't think so, Prince Sebastian, dear husband-of-mine." She continued keeping her sweet saccharine smile, that was somehow slowly turning genuine. Because now that she had mentioned it, she had finally realized how relaxed he looked tonight. His eyes were gleaming brighter than usual, something she had not seen that much, especially when he was in public. "You're being too mischievous tonight. It's not very like you to act like this in public. Be careful that the guests also notice something strange about you."
"Hmm... is that so? Forget the guests, what do they have to do with matters concerning us husband and wife? Then let's just say that I have only recently discovered that I like teasing you in public? I think you're going to like it too, Iza... me being 'mischievous' as you called it with you in public."
"No way... I'd rather you stay behaved and quiet as you used to, Sebastian." Elle denied it with her words but there were two red spots high on her cheeks.
"Are you sure?" he leaned again and whispered. "Even though you loved it so much when I was f**king rough and talking dirty?"
Her face blazed once again as she secretly pinched him hard. "Quit it, Prince Sebastian... or else..." she threatened with a sweet smile on her face.
"Or else... Princess Izabelle?" Sebastian smiled back, a brow arched in silent question.
Biting on her lip, she flashed him a serious look and then feigned another loving and sweet smile. "You're going to sleep on the couch tonight as well."
____
NOTE: PHYSINEWS MEDIA WE RESPECT AUTHORS & CONTENT OWNERS WE MADE THIS POST TO ENTERTAIN EVERYONE DISCLAIMERS PLEASE ENTER HERE
--------------
∆∆∆∆∆∆
