“An increase in tax? When did that happen?” Styles asked Ragi as they rode back towards the palace.“I am just as surprised as you are. I remember when that bill was presented, it was automatically trashed out. How then was it approved and circulated?” Ragi mused. “I don't have the answer to that question either. The whole thing is just surprising. I feel like someone is messing with me and it's not funny. Do they know the consequences of what they have done?” Styles related. “I think so. This was only a peaceful protest. We have no idea what tomorrow might bring if we do not resolve this immediately. Those documents do not look forged in any way,” Ragi said. Styles shook his head and focused his gaze ahead. Never did he anticipate that his life as Emperor would be so complicated?“Your majesty, you don't have to worry. We have sorted it out already with the people. All that is left is to ensure it doesn't repeat itself,” Ragi tried to ease his pressure but Styles didn't share the

Darell showed up unannounced in Ragi's house. In her defense, she didn't expect to see him at home, since he was at the palace most times. Ragi stared at her with a surprised and puzzled expression. He hadn't seen her since their little date. “Hey Darell?” It came more like a question than a greeting. “I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting you.”“Oh, that's fine,” she forced a nervous chuckle. His expression made her painfully aware that he noticed it. “Hey… uhm… is there something you wanted?” He asked her. “You seem… uneasy.” Darell swallowed thickly. Her eyes scanned around as her brain tried to come up with an explanation for showing up at his doorstep, other than the original reason. “Uhmm… I went to check for you at the palace and they said you weren't in so I figured you would be here. I just wanted to spend a little time with you…”“I'm sorry but that won't be possible,” he cut her short and the sharp response pierced her like a dagger. “I am busy.” “Oh,” she mumbled. Even thoug

“You have a woman in your life?” Mona asked, unable to contain the question anymore. Daniel almost choked on his juice. Mona grabbed a glass and poured him some water. “Thanks,” he mumbled, taking the glass from her. He didn't expect her to bring up a question like that from nowhere. “That was a little random, by the way.” “Is it?” Mona muttered and a puzzled expression crossed his face. “I'm just curious, okay? Do you have a woman in your life or not?”“Why is that important?” He threw back and she restrained herself from giving him a hard stare. “Like I said, curious,” she shrugged. “What'd you bring home?” Daniel continued staring at her in a bid to fathom what was going on in her head. Then his conversation with his grandmother replayed in his head and everything clicked.“Were you eavesdropping?” Mona was caught off guard by the direct attack. Her cheeks colored a little. “I… uhm… wouldn't call it eavesdropping. I just woke up and happened to stumble upon an ongoing conver

As Ragi rode away, he felt his heart breaking. How did he miss the fact that she was obsessed with him?He had been so blinded by the Emperor's affairs and his wife's death that he didn't see the one dying to be in his arms, even when she was right in front of him. His mind replayed their first date. There was always something about her. For some reason, he turned to back and forced his horse to a halt when he saw the smoke. He knew it wasn't from the drawing. The smoke rising from the top of the mountain was too much for those frail pieces of paper. Without hesitation, he turned the horse around and headed to the mountain with a pounding heart. He prayed to the guts that she didn't try to harm herself. He would never forgive himself if she killed herself right after he rejected her. “Please don't hurt yourself,” he prayed as he rode faster. He arrived at the foot of the mountain in no time. “Darell!” He yelled, running up the Stony steps but there was no response. Dread oversh

Darell opened her eyes to an unfamiliar environment. Where was she? It looked nothing like the afterlife she'd heard so much about.But this wasn't the after life. Not with the stench of drugs at least. Where was she then? The sight of the doctors alerted her that she wasn't wrong after all. Somehow, she'd managed to survive. She didn't know how to feel.She was back in the very nightmare she was trying so hard to escape.“How are you feeling ma'am?” One of the doctors asked.Darell struggled to keep her mind open. This had to be a good thing right? Maybe the universe wasn't done with her. “I feel like í should have been dead but here am I. Who brought me in?” She ignored the burning sensation in her throat. “Sir Ragi,” she responded. “You are lucky he found you on time. Else who knows what could have happened to you.”The information made her stomach churn. Radio found her? How? Didn't he leave? The doctor looked at her like she was expecting some kind of response, which Darell ha