At the eastern border of the empire, the loud sounds from gunshots and clash of swords and shields filled the air. The soldiers from the Beth empire came ready and rained an attack on the Persian empire. But to their surprise, they weren’t as ready as the soldiers of the Persian empire. Elizabeth and her ally kingdoms had decided to rain an apocalyptic attack on Persian and had been planning this very attack for months. But unfortunately for Elizabeth, her trusted ally kingdoms opted out and failed her on the supposed day of the attack; today. They recognized Dario’s strength and power and knew that they wouldn’t dare!But despite being betrayed by her allies, Elizabeth was adamant on going on with the attack with her own men. A few of her allies tried to talk her out of it but they failed as she was determined to attack Persian without a heads up or a warning. “Y’all are so obsessed with us,” a Persian soldier sneered at one of Beth’s soldiers, looking down at his lifeless body
Elizabeth’s anger boiled as she approached Dario too with calculated steps. Watching her soldiers fall one by one, crushed by the Persian Empire’s forces twisted her guts and she couldn’t stop thinking about it as she stared at Dario. ‘I’m going to kill you today!’ she thought to herself with fierce determination. She had made up her mind as her helicopter descended that either her or Dario would die today. And she was certain that she was not going to be the one.Dario on the other hand wondered who Elizabeth thought she was to land uninvited in his empire. The audacity was as outrageous as it was infuriating.‘Unwise audacity has always been her thing. When I’m done with her, she would wish she didn’t make this choice,’ Dario said to himself. Their gaze remained fixed on each other and time seemed slow. Suddenly, Elizabeth reached out to her gun and started shooting at Dario. The gunshots rang out across the premises, echoing in the ears of everyone around. But as the bullets s
Hi guys, thank you for joining me on this journey until this point. Your support and time means the world to me. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Your comments and encouragement have been my driving force, and I’m grateful for every moment you’ve spent with my characters. Saying goodbye to these characters feels like leaving behind dear friends. I’ll miss crafting their stories, but I’ll always cherish the journey we’ve shared. Here’s to many more writing adventures together, and I can’t wait to share what’s next. I love you all so much and your support sincerely means everything to me💕
“She’s not getting any better,” Dario said, his voice trembling, “the hospital said if I don’t pay at least five hundred thousand dollars before tomorrow ends, they’ll stop the treatment,” lines of worries etched on his forehead as he spoke into the phone.In Maria’s ward room, Dario stood next to his mother’s body that appeared lifeless. Her skin was pale and all Dario could see were different tubes and wires connecting her body parts to different machines.The sight really terrified Dario because he couldn’t afford to lose his mother. His father threw them out when he was months old, he and Maria barely survived on the streets of Washington DC. Asides his loving wife, his mother was his everything.Delilah heaved a sigh, “Don't worry too much, you’ll figure it out.”Dario has had to be independent even before he was a teenager. Maria tried her best to provide for them both, but her health was not helping at some point. Dario then had to do petty jobs and sometimes beg for alms.So,
Dario woke up in a large room, bright rays pierced through his eyelids, prompting him to reflexively shut his eyes and raise his hand against the sudden intrusion of light. He realized it was already morning.He immediately jerked up from the bed after realizing he didn’t know where he was or how he got there. After so much thought and headaches, he remembered he was kidnapped on his way to the hospital.‘The money!’ Dario’s heart started racing when he remembered.He searched his pockets and found the money. This took him by surprise because how come his captors didn’t take the money? Also, where are they?All he could hear were footsteps from outside the door. He was already trying to figure out an escape plan and find an escape route when the huge door swung open. “Good morning, young master. I trust you slept well? Shall I prepare your bath water sir?” A maid said, bowing.Dario’s brows furrowed in confusion as his eyes darted back and forth. What in the world is going on?He did
“Reynolds?”The last time Dario checked, he bore Dario Esterno. “I think you have the wrong person,” Dario said. “I’m Dario Esterno.”“My lady, Maria must have made you answer her surname all these years,” Bruce heaved a sigh. “Young master, I’m Bruce, your late father’s butler.”“Welcome home, young master Reynolds!”Dario didn’t understand what the old man was saying, how did he know his mother? And what does he mean by ‘your late father’. It’s true Dario grew up without knowing his father and Maria never told him about his father either. Everytime Dario brought it up, he noticed it always made her hurt and she didn’t want to talk about him so Dario stopped asking.The old man noticed the confusion in Dario’s face and led him to a chair before sitting opposite him.“You must have been perplexed when you found yourself here this morning, I had to bring you here like that because you might not accept coming here willingly, considering what Lord Reynold made you and Maria go through.”
Dario took a cab to Kejar hospital to check how Maria was doing. On his way, as he thought about how his life had turned around in a twinkle of an eye, smiling ear to ear and how he couldn’t wait to tell his wife, Delilah, about the news. He can now buy her all the luxury items she’s always wanted. He was smiling brightly anticipating this happy moment with Delilah. However, the thought only lasted a few seconds before he remembered what happened at the villa last night. Delilah is no longer his wife. His heart sank when he remembered. It was like an arrow physically pierced through his heart. Whenever he got good news, maybe a new job or any good news at all, Delilah was always the first person he wanted to tell. Even when he had bad days, she was the first and only person he wanted to talk to about it. She was like his safe space. But now, he doesn't have that anymore. He would have shared the good news with Maria, but she’s unconscious in the hospital. Dario was lost in
“Good day, I’m the guardian for Maria Esterno. I was told she was transferred here early this morning,” Dario informed the nurses at the reception at Kejar hospital.“You must be Dario. Please, come with me.”When Dario got to Maria’s ward, it was a private ward and she was on a huge hospital bed. The room was very spacious, had a flat screen T.V and a coffee table. It also had large windows that allowed natural light to flood room. He could tell this was the VIP suite of the hospital.Looking at Maria, Dario let out a sigh of relief. She was looking better than he last saw her. Maria was diagnosed with low blood pressure a few years ago, but they couldn’t afford the treatment so it only got worse over the years.Her skin was no longer pale which signified that the blood flow to her skin has increased so her blood pressure was improving.Dario sat beside unconscious Maria and had a little chat with her.“….I can’t wait for you to wake up to give you all the juicy details.”“I love yo
Hi guys, thank you for joining me on this journey until this point. Your support and time means the world to me. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Your comments and encouragement have been my driving force, and I’m grateful for every moment you’ve spent with my characters. Saying goodbye to these characters feels like leaving behind dear friends. I’ll miss crafting their stories, but I’ll always cherish the journey we’ve shared. Here’s to many more writing adventures together, and I can’t wait to share what’s next. I love you all so much and your support sincerely means everything to me💕
Elizabeth’s anger boiled as she approached Dario too with calculated steps. Watching her soldiers fall one by one, crushed by the Persian Empire’s forces twisted her guts and she couldn’t stop thinking about it as she stared at Dario. ‘I’m going to kill you today!’ she thought to herself with fierce determination. She had made up her mind as her helicopter descended that either her or Dario would die today. And she was certain that she was not going to be the one.Dario on the other hand wondered who Elizabeth thought she was to land uninvited in his empire. The audacity was as outrageous as it was infuriating.‘Unwise audacity has always been her thing. When I’m done with her, she would wish she didn’t make this choice,’ Dario said to himself. Their gaze remained fixed on each other and time seemed slow. Suddenly, Elizabeth reached out to her gun and started shooting at Dario. The gunshots rang out across the premises, echoing in the ears of everyone around. But as the bullets s
At the eastern border of the empire, the loud sounds from gunshots and clash of swords and shields filled the air. The soldiers from the Beth empire came ready and rained an attack on the Persian empire. But to their surprise, they weren’t as ready as the soldiers of the Persian empire. Elizabeth and her ally kingdoms had decided to rain an apocalyptic attack on Persian and had been planning this very attack for months. But unfortunately for Elizabeth, her trusted ally kingdoms opted out and failed her on the supposed day of the attack; today. They recognized Dario’s strength and power and knew that they wouldn’t dare!But despite being betrayed by her allies, Elizabeth was adamant on going on with the attack with her own men. A few of her allies tried to talk her out of it but they failed as she was determined to attack Persian without a heads up or a warning. “Y’all are so obsessed with us,” a Persian soldier sneered at one of Beth’s soldiers, looking down at his lifeless body
Dario let his gaze wander around the throne room, taking in the majesty that surrounded him. Every single thing around was a testament to his journey.He closed his eyes and leaned back against the throne, allowing his mind to drift and be filled with the memories of his past. The thoughts of days when he had nothing, when survival was a daily struggle, and he and Maria had to scavenge abandoned leftovers on the street. Those days, when they returned to their home on the street after going out to scavenge for food, Maria would ask, “what did you find?”And Dario would also ask, “Were you able to get plenty?”The bitter cold nights coupled with the gnawing hunger and the hopelessness that often threatened to consume him. But he also remembered the moment things got a little bit better; when Sir Davis miraculously came around. It was still hard but it got better. Life was humiliating and filled with insults until everything suddenly turned around for good. From a ‘nobody’ one night,
SEVEN MONTHS LATER…The air of the mansion was thick with the scent of power and influence as the President and his associates discussed with Dario in the throne room.“Mr Dario,” the president continued, “again, thank you for seeing us on such short notice.” Dario returned a smile as bright as the President’s, nodding and said, “It’s always a pleasure, Mr President. Please, to what do I owe this pleasure?”The president glanced at his associates with relief evident on his face and answered, “I will just cut to the chase. We’re here today because over the past months, it has become clear what the people have chosen.”Dario took a second to try to understand what exactly the president meant and was driving at. “What the people have chosen?” he asked. “Yes, Mr Dario. And by this, I mean the people in the entire country.”“Okay,” Dario answered, dragging his word and waiting for the president to continue talking.“The truth is that, I have always admired you since the presidential cont
Blake’s mouth went dry instantly as his eyes shot at Dario. He could hear his heart pounding so hard in his ears. “Y… your… your Ma-“ With Dario’s eyes still locked with Blake’s, he added, “Thank you for everything. You know what I mean by everything.” After his statement, he smiled and chuckled at Blake. “You… your majesty,” he stammered and swiftly cleaned the sweat on his forehead with his sweaty palms. “I- I don’t know what you’re talking about, Your Majesty,” he lied, his voice shaking. “Oh, really?” Dario asked, his brows slightly stretched upward. He then looked down and said, “Oh, Blake-“ The next second, Dario raised his head and glared intensely at Blake. His face was now tense and focused, conveying anger and intense annoyance. “There is no need to lie. And trust me, I’m not going to accommodate your lies one more time,” he added, his jaw clenched tight, making the muscles of his face look more pronounced. “You!” Dario shouted and placed the tip of his pocke
The room fell silent as everyone exchanged puzzled glances before slowly disappearing. They knew something was off with Dario’s demeanor.There was a sudden change and they could all feel it. “Ethan! Evan!” Natalie called out to the boys, signaling with her hand for them to come to her. Just like expected, they both ran to her. “Let’s go get ready for dinner, my loves,” she said and led them out of the throne room while Bruce also followed.When everyone left and Dario finally turned back to face Blake, Blake wished the moment of everyone leaving lasted forever. ‘Why does he suddenly want to have a private conversation with me?’ Blake wondered as his stomach churned, but he maintained his smile. Dario took a moment to stare at Blake with a smile still lingering on his face. For some reason, the smile scared Blake the most. “Your Majesty,” Blake said, eager to fill the silence, “I just want to say again how incredible and magnificent you are. The way you-“Abruptly, Dario cut him
Blake left Elizabeth’s living room with a heavy heart and his hand clutched to his crimson red cheek. And at the back of his mind, he knew that the stakes had never been higher. Before he left her house, Elizabeth had given Blake a sound and stern warning. After Elizabeth landed a hot and thunderous slap on Blake’s face, he looked up at her with fear flickering in his eyes as she rained blames on him. He couldn’t believe that after everything, Elizabeth shifted all the blame to him, but what could he do?“You must find a way to eliminate that rat!” she exclaimed, her gaze boring into his.“How?” Blake asked her, his voice a little above a whisper. “Emperor Dario will be on high alert now. Getting close to him or doing anything will be nearly impossible.”“I… don’t… care… how you do it,” she hissed, taking her time to say every word as she stared down at him. “You must find a way. You do whatever it takes, even if you lose your life in the process…”Blake’s eyes widened at Elizabeth
*roar!!*Dario roared loudly, beating his chest with his other hand while King Nathan’s head was raised high with his other hand.He paused and moved the head from his left to the right in an attempt to show everyone what he had done. With his face stern, he roared again, pride evident in his demeanor as he beat his chest continuously.The more he roared, the louder the cheers of his people and supporters.Watching, Natalie couldn’t have been more proud of Dario. Her lips were spread into a very wide smile that her cheeks were starting to hurt. She clapped her hands non stop and screamed happily as her gaze never left Dario. Without even doing so much, Dario achieved victory. The Persians truly aren’t losers. “By the right of conquest,” Dario began, as everyone suspended their cheers to hear what he had to say. He continued, “ALL! that was King Nathan’s now bongs to me!” he declared, his words echoing across the entire area as cheers erupted again. This time, the cheers were eve