RAW

Chapter 33

Master

Dhara hugged Sulli tightly.

“I have longed to see you, my dear little sister.” Said Dhara.

“I am happy to see you too, sister.” Said Sulli

Dhara pulled back.

“You have really grown up to be lady now. The last time I saw you…you have just learned to call me Sister… I can’t believe this day has finally arrived.” Said Dhara “Father…on his deathbed has always mentioned you…asking me that when I see you…to tell you how he regrets not being with you…he regrets sending you out there.” Said Dhara

“Father…did a lot of sacrifices for Zaruum.” Said Sulli

Dhara nodded while tears fall from her eyes.

Sulli wiped the tears from her own eyes.  “We have made you wait too long, sister.” Said Sulli

“You’re just in time.” Said Dhara

“We need to proceed with the call as soon as possible.” Said the Seer. “It has been 4 months since the first call was made. The attack is coming.”

“Sulli is tired. I’m sure the entire Circle is tired.” said Dhara

Sulli looked at the circle. Indeed…they look exhausted.

Sulli felt  the sudden  pain in her chest and held it. But the pain was so forceful that Sulli’s knee gave way. Minho was instantly beside Sulli catching her before she fell.

“We have  been travelling the whole day, You need to rest.” Said Minho

Dhara looked at Minho. Her longing for him is near what she feels for Sulli…But Why does Minho have that intense worry in his eyes as he looked at Sulli?

Dhara held Sulli’s hand. “If not for Zaruum’s situation, I would have given a feast for your return.” Said Dhara

“It’s all right sister…We can celebrate once we find the next bloodline.” Said Sulli

Dhara nodded.

Dhara led the Circle to the garden.

“Wow…there are a lot of Knights.” Said Luhan while looking at the field.

“Yes…we are getting ready…we know the battle…is coming.” Said Dhara

Luhan gulped. There’s no escaping the truth.

Sulli felt the pain again and she leaned on the wall. The circle walked on. Sulli closed her eyes as she battled the pain.

“It’s the core isn’t it?”

Sulli opened her eyes and saw Minho in front of her.

“Yes.” Said Sulli holding her chest.

Minho pulled Sulli to him enveloping her into his arms.

“I wish I can take the pain.” Said Minho

“I won’t allow that.” Said Sulli

Minho smiled. “I know you won’t…but still…if I can take the pain away from you…I will.” Said Minho

Chanyeol turned back when he felt Sulli is missing. And then he saw Minho hugging Sulli. Sulli’s head is leaning on Minho’s chest as if she…as if she belongs there…

Chanyeol turned back, he doesn’t want to see it…But when Chanyeol turned…he saw Princess Dhara…looking at Sulli and Minho her eyes looking all confused and….hurt?

“Umm…Uhem” Dhara cleared . “Let me bring you where you’ll be staying.” Said Dhara quickly looking away.

Dhara brought the Circle to a separate house inside the palace.

“This is where you will be staying.” Said Dhara

 It is a grandeur house. Opposite of any cheap Inn they have ever stayed at. The ceiling is high…there’s a large chandelier…everything look classic and with style…

“Wow…” said Kai

“Please have a good rest for today. I have instructed the servants here to serve you good food for tonight. I unfortunately can’t join you.” Said Dhara

“It’s all right Princess. We know you are very busy.” Said Sunny

Dhara nodded. She hugged Sulli.

“Please take a rest.” Dhara looked at Sulli’s face. There are traces of dirt all over it.

“You’ve been through a lot my little sister…Father…would have  been proud seeing how far you’ve come.” Said Dhara. Dhara started to tear up again and immediately left.

Sulli looked around and could not find Minho…Something flickered in Sulli’s chest. Is it pain? Did Minho…go to Dhara?

“Don’t worry. Even old friends talk when they meet after a long time, isn’t it?”  said TOP

Sulli’s eyes narrowed and looked at TOP “You…are…trying to comfort me?”

“Have I told you how easy you are to read?” asked TOP

“Yes. Quite a few times.” Said Sulli

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Dhara walked the garden and then saw Minho walking towards her.

“Minho.” Said Dhara

“Princess. It’s been a long time.” Said Minho

“Yes indeed.” Said Dhara

Dhara hugged Minho tightly.

“I have missed you…” said Dhara “You came back safe…and you kept my sister safe…You have never failed me…”

When Dhara felt Minho just standing still…not even reaching his hand to reciprocate her longing… Dhara pulled back.

“I would have protected her, Princess…even without you telling me…Sulli has that power over people…she can melt frozen hearts…she can make you love her no matter how much you resist.” said Minho

“And you are one of them? You’re one of the people who fell to her charms…the way you talk is different now…I wonder what happened all the time that you were gone.” Said Dhara

Dhara closed her eyes. “When you arrived…I saw how much you…” Dhara stopped herself. “My sister…and you…are pretty close aren’t you?”

Minho nodded. “She’s important to me.”

That made Dhara held on Minho’s arm…else she might just fall on her knees.

“As Important as I am?” asked Dhara

Minho looked at Dhara’s pretty face…The Princess he has dedicated a long time of his life for…

“You are important to me too Princess…But…you are important to me for a different reason.” Said Minho

“Why am I important to you? And why is Sulli important to you?” asked Dhara

“I have served you for a long time and you were the center of my life. You will always be an important part of me.” Said Minho “Sulli…she’s like my eternity…she’s my past…my present…my future.”

Dhara’s tears quickly fell one after another.

“What…do you mean?” asked Dhara

“Princess…I came here to clarify something.” Said Minho “It’s something that was hidden in my memory for the  longest time…I have just remembered recently. But I need the help of the Seer to explain it to you.” Said Minho

“What is it about?” asked Dhara

“It’s about how I ended up in the Palace…and what happened after.” Said Minho

Dara nodded as she tried to control her emotion as she always does.  She wiped her tears. “I’m on my way to see the Seer. Come with me.”

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They entered the old chamber where the Seer is waiting for them.

“Ahh you are with the Dark one, Your majesty”  Said the Seer

“Your instinct is clearer than an eye.” Said Dhara

“Of course.” Said the Seer

“I am here to ask you a favor, Seer.” Said Minho

“Oh…a favor…from me?” the Seer chuckled. “What can you want form an old lady?”

“I want you to reverse the memory spell that was casted 20 years ago.” Said Minho

“The one used for Kris?” asked Dhara

“When Kris, the Ace Knight,  was still a young kid…he met the baby princess Sulli…His mark showed then…and it was too painful for a child to forget. So to protect Kris as a Circle member…The King decided to put a memory spell on him to make him forget that he has a mark.” Said the Seer

“But he did not only have it done to Kris isn’t it?” asked Minho