PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFER BEST NOVELS || LATEST MOVIES || LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME
GARDEN OF POISON
Toss of the Sea (Chapter 177)
Music Recommendation: Heaven's, what an afternoon - John Lunn
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"What do you mean Emily is going west?!"
The Mother Queen disclosed Emily's intention to voyage to the West to Lady Sophia a week later, whose face displayed a terrified expression, as though something grave had already occurred.
"Sending young unmarried women out of the kingdom alone? I do not approve of this, Mother Queen," Lady Sophia said, shaking her head and carefully setting her teacup on its saucer. "They have little understanding of the outside world, not to mention, the world beyond our borders is unsafe, and one can never predict what might happen."
"I understand your concerns, Sophia, but this is how we can help Emily," the Mother Queen stated, brushing off a bit of dirt from her lap, which she had picked up while in the garden. She continued, "You have seen how deeply she has been affected since that loser Nathaniel callously broke her heart with no mercy or consideration for her feelings. She needs to heal."
"If she truly needs to heal, then what better place is there for her than Versailles, where her family surrounds her?" Lady Sophia raised her eyebrows. "She has me, her brothers, and not to mention, you."
The Mother Queen smiled and remarked, "You might believe that I dislike flattery, but I do appreciate it. Nonetheless, it doesn't change the fact that Emily needs a change of scenery. Little birdies eventually need to leave the nest to lead their own lives."
Lady Sophia's eyes narrowed at her mother-in-law. "Just because you may have forgotten what happened many years ago doesn't mean I have erased it from my memory. Emily was kidnapped, hunted by the same person who took the lives of those other girls. There are nights when I wake up with fear that my children have left their beds and met a tragic fate. And Aiden doesn't make it one bit easier."
The Mother Queen placed her hand on Lady Sophia's, saying, "I acknowledge your concern, Sophia, but many years have passed since that incident, and Emily is now a grown woman. We've imparted all we could to her, and you should give her the benefit of the doubt that she will be fine." She took a deep breath and continued, "I know you care deeply for her, but I am also aware that you want her to find a life partner and settle down, and now seems to be the right time. Niyasa will be there with her."
"Oh, that menace!" Lady Sophia rolled her eyes and leaned back against the couch she was sitting on. "If we are discussing her meeting eligible suitors, there are some from Versailles whom she hasn't spoken to yet."
"I am confident those gentlemen you have selected won't have any issue with waiting to woo our dear girl until the seasonal gathering takes place in the West," the Mother Queen stated, seeing that Lady Sophia was still finding it difficult to allow her daughter to leave the palace, where she would be beyond her watchful gaze.
"And Maya agreed to this?" Lady Sophia questioned with a frown. Without waiting for the Mother Queen to respond, she continued as if answering her own question, "Why wouldn't she? She's aware that her daughter's actions within the palace have made it unlikely for her to attract any suitors."
Lady Sophia knew that her daughter would endure suffering once Nathaniel formed a bond with the woman he desired, which was why she had suggested giving their relationship another chance. Although Emily didn't voice it, the pain in her eyes was unmistakable. She spent most of her hours sleeping in her bed, as if her life had lost its vitality, and the only thing everyone could do was provide her with the time she needed to heal. She realised that if her daughter didn't form a bond with someone, she would continue to suffer, and in time, her mind and heart would corrupt themselves, which could eventually lead to her death.
"Alright." Lady Sophia finally consented with great reluctance. She inquired, "Will they be travelling by land?"
"By sea," the Mother Queen answered. "It is the fastest way to get to their destination." The older woman observed Lady Sophia tensing at the mention of the sea, knowing well that it stemmed from her fear of it.
Once, in her youth, Sophia was on a journey when their ship crashed into a rocky outcrop during a stormy night. She had feared that she and her family would perish, but they were fortunate enough to find themselves washed ashore at Versailles.
"I can hardly breathe!" Lady Sophia exclaimed as she let out a shuddered breath. "I thought they were going to host this season's gathering in the East."
"I guess they found the West to be more fruitful and decided to go with it. There will be plenty of promising candidates for our Emily. I would have accompanied my granddaughters, but I have a feeling that things might go awry if I were to leave, especially when someone is expecting me and I am awaiting the news of my great grandchildren," the Mother Queen said in a solemn tone. Before her daughter-in-law could inquire about anyone else, she continued,
"Sending Maya would have adverse consequences for our children's future. Dante and Anastasia have only just begun their rule in Versailles, and there's numerous matters that demand their attention and time. Aiden and Victor need to focus on learning and not slack any further than they already have until now, as they have crucial roles to fulfil within the kingdom."
"So it will be just the maids and the guards." Lady Sophia was already anxious for their safety.
"Don't worry." The Mother Queen reassured Lady Sophia, patting her hand briefly before letting her arms rest on the armrest. She continued, "Dante has already made the necessary arrangements to ensure that Emily and Niyasa are in good hands. And if something happens, we have contacts both in Heaven and Hell."
Upon the Mother Queen's words, the younger woman pressed her lips together in thought.
Two weeks later, the princesses' trunks were packed with all the necessary items for their stay and participation in the seasonal gathering.
"Don't forget to write to me, Lily," Lady Sophia urged while standing on land alongside her family, where the ship waited to depart. Along with her daughter, there were several other young women and their families, all embarking on the same journey. "Make sure to securely lock your doors and windows. Don't accompany any strangers if they beckon you, and don't d—"
"Mother," Emily quietly prompted her mother, indicating that she was well aware of her advice. Because her mother had repeated those very words many times before their departure from the palace. "Take care of yourself," she said to her worried mother before turning to gaze at Aiden, who said,
"Don't worry about her, Lily. Focus on taking care of yourself and Niyasa." He added, "The weather this week is perfect for sailing."
"I am going to be just fine. I have survived, I am a survivor," Niyasa softly huffed from the railings of the ship, as she had already boarded, eager to leave Versailles behind in search of her future husband.
"I hope where you're going and the people there can serve as a good distraction," Anastasia whispered as they hugged each other after Lady Sophia's embrace. She felt a pang of guilt for not being able to help the princess after all the support she had received from her in the past.
"I hope so too," Emily responded, pulling away from the embrace and offering a faint smile. She then moved to the side, standing before her eldest brother, who was the next one to bid her farewell with a hug.
"Migdre will visit you when you tear the envelope I've given you. Use it when you are in utmost need of it. If you require anything, let him know or send a message through him," Dante stated in a protective tone. He whispered only for her to hear, "And if you find it difficult there, we will arrange a ship to bring you home."
Deep down, Emily didn't want to leave her home for such a long period of time, but she knew that her grandmother had convinced everyone to get on board with supporting her in finding a suitable partner in her own time.
"Thank you, Brother Dante." Emily was grateful for his support. She knew if her father were still alive, she wouldn't have had the same opportunity, as a woman of her age was expected to marry.
"Come here, child." The Mother Queen embraced her, gently patting her back. "You are a Blackthorn, with Dante's blood running through your veins. You too, you little monster," she added, addressing Niyasa. "You make sure you make me proud and stay safe. Don't forget that we love you."
"I never got any hugs," Niyasa complained.
"Who told you to climb aboard so quickly, like a monkey?" the Mother Queen asked, and Niyasa scowled at her grandmother. "Go on now. It is time to look far into the horizon and into the future."
Emily held the front of her dress as she stepped onto the plank that formed a bridge from the dock to the ship. Stepping onto the deck, she made her way towards her excited younger sister. Shortly after the sail was raised, a responding horn blast echoed in the surroundings, and within minutes, the ship commenced its departure.
She saw her family waving at them as the distance between them gradually increased, until they disappeared from sight.
"How exciting is this, Lily? To finally visit the West." Niyasa grinned as she stepped away from the railing.
Four days passed since they set sail, and the sisters had now retired to their respective cabins. Emily chose to immerse herself in a book, seeking solitude as she wasn't in the mood for company. On the other hand, Niyasa busied herself by inspecting the new dresses that had been tailored for her but hadn't yet been worn.
Emily turned the page of her book, her attention divided between her reading and her contemplation of her life. Suddenly, she felt a sinking sensation in her stomach, and it had nothing to do with her thoughts. The next second, she felt the ship tilting more sharply than before, causing her stomach to churn, and she quickly glanced outside the oval window, where the sky had darkened with rumbling clouds.
Feeling anxious, she placed the book on her bed and was about to set her foot on the floor when she lost balance due to the ship's movement and tumbled to the ground.
"Lily!" Niyasa entered her room with a bump on her forehead, as if she had hit her head on something. "What is happening?!"
"I think it is about to rain," Emily replied, stepping out of the room with her sister and heading up to the deck where the captain of the ship was stationed.
"Princess Emily. Princess Niyasa," one of the guards said as he offered them a bow. "You should seek shelter below deck, as this area isn't safe."
"Don't tell us what we can and cannot do!" Niyasa's eyes narrowed at the guard.
However, the moment the words left her lips, the ship pitched down into the waves, splashing them with water. A second later, torrential rain began to pour, prompting them to scream, as they had never experienced anything like this before.
"Everyone, grab onto something and hold on tight! The waves are about to get stronger!" someone urgently warned them, shouting at the top of their lungs.
"Oh, dear God! We are going to die here!" one woman cried in a state of panic, who, like the princesses, was experiencing her first voyage.
As water splashed on Emily and her sister, her hair obscured her vision, and she remarked, "I think I understand what Mother meant now!" She had heard and read about the unforgiving nature of the sea, but nothing could prepare her for this experience. Yet, strangely, the moment didn't scare her as much as it did the others.
"Somebody turn the ship around! I want to go back home!" Niyasa cried out in terror. "Turn the sh—" her plea was cut short as her words were drowned out by the splashing water.
Emily clung tightly to the wooden platform, where ropes were typically wound. The men's voices went unheard amidst the roaring sea. The wood creaked under the strain of the wind against the sail. When one of the guards tried to escort Niyasa below deck for her safety, the guard and her sister slipped and ended up sliding dangerously close to the edge, on the verge of falling off the ship and plunging into the deep waters below.
"Niyasa!" Emily shouted her sister's name, who was dangling through the railings alongside the guard.
"Lily!!" Niyasa cried out for help, her eyes losing all the pride and arrogance she had exhibited just a few minutes ago. When the guard lost his balance and tumbled into the sea, the younger princess's eyes widened with the realisation that she was going to die. "Help me!"
Emily seized the chance when the ship surged upwards. She had already lost Maxwell, and she wasn't going to lose her sister too, no matter how childishly arrogant she was. Letting go of the wooden surface, she cautiously navigated the slippery surface of the deck, making her way towards her sister.
"I am sorry!!!" Niyasa cried to Emily. "I should have been a better person and not scolded that man earlier!" Her face was filled with terror, and the thunder in the sky rumbled ominously. "I am going to Hell, Lily!"
Emily silently acknowledged that her sister had done plenty of other things that might send her to Hell, but now wasn't the appropriate time to mention them. She also couldn't help but think that Aiden had the worst predictions when it came to weather! Or perhaps the weather had just jinxed itself! After all, the last time they left the old palace, they had encountered a sandstorm.
As the ship heaved and the rain continued to pour, it took a while before a few guards spotted the two young women—one hanging perilously off the edge and the other still behind the railing.
"Princesses!"
"AHHHH!!" Someone else screamed as they lost their balance, their earlier arrogance of not heeding advice to get inside the ship now replaced by fear.
"Grab my hand, Niyasa!" Emily yelled to her sister as she hooked her other hand around the iron rod.
"I can't, Lily! It is going to slip!" Niyasa's eyes were filled with fear at the prospect of being swallowed by the water, never to be found again. She had embarked on this journey to look for a husband, but little did she know that death was lurking closely behind her! she thought to herself in panic.
"I don't think you can keep hanging on like this any longer, especially when we don't know when the rain might stop! Just put your leg in the gap already!" Emily scolded her sister. When she looked ahead of her, she realised that the ship was heading straight into a storm, and her face paled.
After Niyasa managed to place her leg in the gap between the rods, Emily exerted all her strength to pull her over the railing. The young princess whispered, "You saved my life, Lily."
Emily breathed a sigh of relief as she clung to the railing. She smiled at her sister and said loudly, "We should head inside."
Niyasa nodded and replied, "To think I was trying on my new shoes that I'd saved, and now they are all soaked."
The guards had reached them and assisted them in moving towards the entrance to the lower deck when an unexpected wave surged from the side, unleashing a powerful splash of water. With the slippery deck and Niyasa's new shoes, the younger princess lost her balance and rolled towards the side.
In the next moment, Emily noticed her sister moving farther away from her, and just when Niyasa tried to stand, she lost her footing and fell backwards into the water.
"NIYASA!" Emily screamed in horror, and when she attempted to walk towards where her sister had disappeared, she was stopped by a guard who cautioned her,
"Princess Emily, it is not safe to approach the railing! We are about to head deeper into the storm!"
For a moment, Emily questioned whether she was dreaming and would wake up at any moment. However, the frigid air clinging to her wet clothes and skin, along with the thunderstorm, swiftly reminded her that this was all too real and she had indeed lost her sister.
When the storm temporarily subsided, the passengers on the ship conducted a headcount of the survivors and found out they had lost six people since the ship departed Versailles, including Niyasa.
"We are sorry for your loss, Princess Emily," the passengers expressed their condolences, while she remained in a state of shock.
Dripping wet with seawater and with dishevelled hair, Emily hurried to her cabin. Once inside, she quickly flipped through a book and found an envelope. She tore it open, and the imp materialised before her.
"Good evening, Pr—"
"Inform Brother Dante that Niyasa fell into the sea during a storm. Return to me when you have any news of her, go!"
The imp nodded and vanished. It promptly reappeared in the Blackthorn Palace shortly after taking a quick look in the sea, before appearing where Dante was spending time with Anastasia. It cleared its throat.
"Master, I bring tidings. Your youngest sister has fallen into the sea, but Princess Emily is safe," it reported with a respectful bow.
Dante and Anastasia frowned upon hearing this unexpected news, as they hadn't anticipated such a fierce storm to cross paths with the princesses' ship. The imp continued, "I attempted to locate her but it was hard, and the saltwater burnt my eyes." It turned slightly pink as it confessed this.
"There's a way to ascertain if she's dead," Dante said before contacting the Devil using his demon blood and the vessel containing the necessary ingredients.
"Dante," Viktor spoke, fixing his gaze on him.
"I need to know if my sister Niyasa is in Hell."
"With so many Blackthorns meant to be in Hell, it is going to get a bit crowded," Viktor hummed, his expression barely changing. After a brief pause, he added, "She isn't here yet. Not as far as I know, at least. She must be fine with a replaced position." A glint of amusement glimmered in his eyes before his face vanished from the vessel's liquid surface. ___________
GARDEN OF POISON
Entering the Storm Kingdom (Chapter 178)
Author's Note: Thank you everyone who have continued to read the book, and have been leaving comments, votes, gifts. It is very much appreciated and helps encouraging me. To answer a few questions asked by some, yes there will be babies, karma along with Emily's story. Next month, as usual we are celebrating the yearly 'Knightober' and hope you look forward to it. Much love to you all <3
Music Recommendation: Ladies at the Court- Johannes Lehniger
—
Migdre materialised aboard the ship, assuming the form of a young earthling to avoid startling the passengers. Its eyes swept across the surroundings before it began to walk to find the first princess, and as it padded its bare feet against the wet floor, its thoughts drifted back to a few minutes ago.
'It looks like Viktor knows where Niyasa is,' Dante had conveyed to Anastasia and the Mother Queen, who had just arrived in the room. 'If she dies, she will go straight to Hell, and I will know when she does.'
'Was it him who did it?' Anastasia asked him.
'It is hard to say, considering that navigating sea storms is something one cannot avoid while sailing to the West lands,' Dante answered with a frown before asking, 'Did Niyasa have any interactions with Viktor? The Devil? He said something about a replaced position.' He looked at his grandmother, whose frown deepened even further.
'Huh,' the Mother Queen let out a soft harrumph as she recollected the Devil's words. 'Niyasa asked me if I was replacing Aziel with him. We need to find her, Dante.'
Dante affirmed with a nod.
The imp, who had been present in the room, inquired, 'Master, what should I say to Princess Emily?'
'Emily must be anxious,' Anastasia murmured, and the Mother Queen nodded in agreement.
'It would be wiser to tell her that Niyasa is being retrieved, so that she doesn't needlessly worry throughout her entire stay, especially since we sent her there specifically for a change of atmosphere,' the Mother Queen stated. 'It would be best if this information stays solely between the four of us. If Sophia were to find out, we would never hear the end of it.'
In the present moment, the imp sniffed the air, detecting the princess' scent, and came to stand before her cabin, where it knocked politely. When Emily opened the door, Migdre entered and extended a bow to her.
"Princess, I am Migdre, and I have returned with news."
Emily had spent several anxious minutes pacing back and forth inside her cabin, and the wait for the imp had felt like hours. She asked, "I hope it is good news?"
The imp nodded and relayed, "Princess Niyasa is alive and well, and has not entered Hell. The troops of the Versailles Kingdom will retrieve her shortly. Master Dante instructed me to tell you that there's nothing for you to worry about."
That was something hard to do, Emily thought to herself. She still couldn't shake the overwhelming emotion she had felt after seeing her sister being tossed into the sea. She asked it,
"Do you know where exactly she is?" The storm had been strong enough to cast anyone adrift to an unknown land.
"I—"
"Migdre?" Emily called the imp when it vanished into thin air. However, all she received in response was silence. Where did the imp go? She heard the ship's horn blaring in a series of blasts as they reached a region where the water had noticeably calmed down compared to the turbulence she had experienced a while ago.
"We'll reach the Storm Kingdom shortly!" someone outside her room yelled out to inform everyone about their imminent arrival.
"Out of all the places they could have chosen, they had to hold the seasonal gathering here," Emily muttered, finding herself alone without her sister. This was the last place she wanted to be, and her body tensed with each passing second as the ship drew nearer to the shore.
Before long, the ship's passengers began to gather their belongings, while Emily's luggage, along with that of her sister's, was carried out of their cabins by the guards charged with her safe arrival. The guards were worried; while one princess remained unharmed, the other had tragically drowned in the sea, leaving them apprehensive about their return.
Like the others, Emily climbed up from below and came to stand on the deck. While some passengers were scared to approach the railing, she took a step forward, as though it would provide her with a closer view of the approaching kingdom.
Emily's gaze fell upon the dark clouds looming over the vast kingdom, a land filled with lush greenery. Amidst the scenery, one could discern the imposing castle, its tall and regal presence characterised by greyish walls and sharp pointed turrets that reached skyward.
"How frequently does one see the sun here?" Emily inquired of one of the guards, who had his gaze fixed on her.
"Not very frequently, milady. Maybe once every two weeks, if one is fortunate? However, when it does make an appearance, it is bright enough for one to see and walk about," the guard promptly replied.
"Great," Emily breathed with a sigh. She was used to the warmth of the sun, but now that she was here, she would need to remain until the conclusion of the seasonal gathering. "I hope Uncle and Aunt have already arrived," she murmured to herself.
The ship sounded its horn once more before it came to a stop alongside the dock. The anchor was lowered, and the access door for disembarking onto land was opened, along with a plank set in place to serve as a bridge.
Before Emily's feet could touch land, her eyes fell on the dark red hair belonging to the man she wasn't particularly looking forward to meeting. He was dressed entirely in black. As if he had come to attend someone's funeral, she thought to herself.
Prince Raylen stood with his hands in his trouser pockets, watching her even before their eyes had the chance to connect. Women on the dock cast admiring glances at him from a distance while exchanging whispered words and giggles.
Emily averted her gaze from Prince Raylen, her eyes scanning the surroundings in search of her uncle and aunt, when she heard the prince greet her.
"Princess Emily."
It wasn't as if she could avoid him, Emily thought to herself. After all, he was the prince of this kingdom. She reciprocated with a polite bow and replied,
"Good afternoon, Prince Raylen."
Raylen's eyes landed on Emily's dishevelled appearance. Her hair had become a mess from exposure to seawater and the wind, which looked as though it would require some effort to untangle. Unlike the other passengers, who had changed into dry attire, the princess had been too preoccupied with worry about her sister to consider her appearance, and her state finally seemed to dawn on her, but by then, it was too late.
"Good afternoon it is," Raylen replied with a hint of amusement dancing in his blue eyes. He remarked, "It appears you've had quite an eventful journey."
"My sister fell into the sea," Emily replied, her words curt.
"I was informed that both of you were expected to arrive at the Storm Kingdom. How unfortunate that she can't be with us today. I will pray for her soul," Raylen replied casually, his nonchalant words devoid of any hint of sympathy, which only caused the princess to purse her lips in response.
Emily's eyes subtly narrowed and she stated, "Niyasa is alive." She then shifted her gaze away from him, her eyes searching for her relatives when she heard him say,
"We should get going now."
Emily furrowed her brow and replied, "I am waiting for Uncle Keaton and Aunt Cecelia to come and collect me."
She saw the prince stare at her calmly, before a smile slowly crept onto his lips, a sight that internally made her want to stab him. It was probably because their first encounter hadn't gone well, which had left a sour impression and formed an instant distaste towards him.
"Poor child, you weren't informed, were you?" Raylen's calm and velvety tone contained a subtle hint of mockery. His piercing blue eyes met her hazel eyes as he continued, "Dante and your grandmother entrusted you two princesses to stay in my castle. Or to be more precise, just you now, as your sister never reached land. So, shall we?"
Emily's personal preference was to live with her uncle, but if her family had decided on her staying in the castle, it must have been to ensure she would be well protected and to prevent a repeat of what happened in the past. Not wanting to childishly refute, she simply nodded in agreement, especially since she was receiving curious glances from onlookers due to her appearance.
"Westley," Raylen called the man who stood behind them, while his eyes remained fixed on Emily. "Have the princess's trunks brought to the castle and placed in her room."
"Yes, Master Raylen." The servant named Westley bowed and moved silently, walking almost like a ghost gliding across the ground. The servant's expression appeared lifeless and dull, as though he had given up on life itself.
Emily started to walk alongside Raylen towards the awaiting carriage, which wasn't parked too far away. Along the way, she asked him, "Besides us living in your castle, what did Brother Dante and Grandmother discuss with you about our stay?"
"That you both will be under my care once you reach our land. To ensure you two stay out of trouble and, more importantly, to keep men's hands off of you, and vice versa," Raylen stated in an indifferent tone. "Who would have imagined I would end up babysitting you one day."
"You don't have to concern yourself with that. I am good at keeping myself out of trouble," Emily replied confidently, her tone serious. She wished to keep her conversation with this man as brief as possible.
"That remains to be seen, doesn't it, Princess?" Raylen remarked with mirth in his eyes. When they reached the carriage and the door was opened, he politely offered, "After you."
Emily lifted the front of her dress and climbed into the carriage. The prince followed after her, and once they were both inside, the door was closed, and the coachman climbed into the driver's seat. Without delay, the carriage began to move, making its way towards the Storm Palace.
She gazed outside the oval window, observing how different the place appeared compared to where she came from. She found herself in an entirely new environment and soon would enter the company of unfamiliar people. In an attempt to break the silence, she inquired,
"Will you be introducing me to people during the upcoming gathering in two days?"
"And why would I do that?" Raylen asked. "My role is solely to observe, not to actively engage in your affairs, Princess. I am confident you are fairly capable of finding a decent man yourself and don't need me chaperoning you. Unless, of course, you do agree that you are indeed still a child," he added, raising one of his eyebrows at her.
Emily didn't miss the underlying taunts lacing his words, a trait he often concealed behind his smiles. She heard him remark, "I had expected you would be sulking in the corner of your room, crying your eyes out, but it appears you are handling the rejection of your soulmate fairly well."
Emily's body tensed at the mention of the topic, as she had hoped to avoid discussing or hearing about it. She expressed, "I prefer not to speak about it, and I would appreciate it if you didn't bring it up either. Please."
Raylen watched Emily's expression with fascination, as he enjoyed taking pleasure in people's discomfort a little bit too much, which fed his demon. He said, "When you say it like that, it is rather difficult to resist the temptation to bring it up again." A playful curl formed at one corner of his lips as his eyes twinkled.
She definitely did not like this man, Emily silently reflected. Her eyes quietly glared at the prince, who quipped,
"Stare any longer and it might appear as though you can't resist me."
"You certainly have some wishful thinking, Prince Raylen. I think it would be fair to say that neither of us are each other's type," Emily stated, and she heard him chuckle.
"True words," Raylen remarked, observing her gaze return outside the window. Nevertheless, she was exactly his type when it came to poking and enjoying the sight of ruffled feathers.
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