The first time Dario found the journal, he hesitated for a moment before opening his father’s journal. The aged leather cover already creaked in his hands, revealing the brownish pages within. He had only been able to read a very few pages until now. On the said day, when he turned the first few pages, a small piece of paper fell out and fluttered to the desk. It was a note written in his father’s unmistakable handwriting. The note said;“Amidst the ink of battles won, Lies a secret yet undone. Seek the verse with lines askew, Where hidden truths await your view.”He then realized that he had to delve deep into the journal. What secrets could Lord Reynolds’ journal hold?The entries were dated back many years, and as he read, the words began to paint a vivid picture of his father’s life and emotions.As he read the contents of the pages, he read them aloud but in a hushed tone.“…May 14th, Year of the Eagle…Today, I find myself thinking of Maria more than ever. Her laughter
“Good morning my love,” Maria greeted Dario who just walked into the dining room, with a very bright smile plastered on her face.“Good morning mama,” he greeted, flashing her a smile just as bright, as he walked to sit at the dining table with her for breakfast.Dario had the journal in his hand too. He placed it on the table before taking a seat.When he got to Sunset Manor from the mansion yesterday, it was too late at night and Maria had gone to bed and he didn’t want to disrupt her sleep. “Slept well?” Maria said, looking up from her plate of pancakes and eggs. “Yes mama, you?”“Yes I did. Eat up, baby,” she said, gesturing for Dario to eat. After a while, Maria noticed the old worn leather journal on the table and decided to ask about it because it looked really familiar. “What’s that book?”“It’s something I want to show you, but let’s finish breakfast first. Okay!” Dario said with a fake smile plastered on his face.“Hmm,” Maria inspected the book with her eyes, trying to r
After Dario and Maria left sir Davis’ house disappointed, Dario decided to go to Stakefield, his technology company, to see how things were going over there. Blake had done a very good job handling the company on behalf of Dario and as the managing director. He was trustworthy and a man of integrity. Dario had a sharp business suit that contrasted with his usual royal regalia. He stepped out of his sleek Mercedes and approached the towering glass building of his technology company.“Your Majesty!” A distant voice called out loud, halting Dario’s steps. When Dario turned to see where the distant voice was coming from, he saw a man running towards him.The man looked shabby, with his clothes that hung loosely on his thin frame, frayed at the edges and was stained with what appeared to be old coffee spills. His hair looked unkempt, sticking out in wild tufts as if it had not seen a comb in weeks. The closer he got, the more familiar he seemed to Dario. Dario squinted his eyes to see h
As Dario walked through the entrance, his employees who had only seen him in the news since his coronation celebration, quickly rose from their desks and bowed slightly as he passed. Also, did the visitors at the reception.‘Isn’t that the man that was supposed to be the managing director?’‘Oh my god! He is the one. What happened to him?’‘He has been hovering around the company for a while now. I don’t really know what happened to him.’A few employees that saw Brian follow behind Dario whispered amongst themselves in hushed tones. While some of them covered their nose with their palms as he passed them.‘His majesty should have left him alone. He smells like garbage!’ an employee commented.Brian had not had a bath in days since he had been living on the street, so he smelled really bad that his stench lingered everywhere he passed.Dario acknowledged everyone as they greeted him, with a nod and a faint smile. His presence both commanding and reassuring. Their heart was filled wit
It was Natalie, again!His brows furrowed slightly in worry as he glanced at the call, he was about to pick up when he thought, ‘Let me quickly finish up with Brian. I will call you back in a bit.”He went to take a seat and gestured for Brian to take a seat.Brian looked very different and much better now. His shabby appearance was gone and replaced with a well groomed one. His new clothes fit him properly, emphasizing his frame rather than hanging loosely. He now had crisp, clean clothes on. His hair that once appeared unkempt, was now neatly combed, giving him a more presentable look.To Dario, he now looked more like the Brian he used to know. The only thing missing was his luxurious clothings which had been replaced with normal casual clothing.The dark circle under his eyes had also reduced a bit, and he appeared more relaxed. “Blake,” Dario called.“Yes, Your highness.”“Mr Brian here needs a job. Where do you think we can fix him?” Dario asked.“Anywhere you think is the best
As Dario approached Sunset Manor, he sighted black smoke in the sky and he felt his stomach churn instantly and made his heart race even faster. When he got there, he halted and practically jumped out of the car. Firefighters were already there trying to put out the fire but the fire was relentless. Dario looked around the area, searching for any sign of his mother and Bruce.He had tried to call Bruce’s number again, on his way, but he couldn’t get through to him because the network was bad.Without thinking, he ran towards the burning house, but was stopped by one of the firefighters. “Please, you can't go in there, Your Majesty!” the man shouted.“My mother is in there!” Dario yelled back, his eyes wide with desperation as he yanked himself from the hold of the firefighter.The firefighter held him back, gripping his arm more firmly on Dario. “We're doing everything we can to get everyone out safely. Please stay back!”Dario pulled himself from his hold, his eyes darting around t
At night, Dario and Maria arrived at Lord Reynolds’ mansion. Maria would have to stay there for the time being, until their house at Sunset Manor had been rebuilt and furnished. On their way to the mansion, Dario noticed Maria was tense. She sat still in her seat and her palms were getting sweaty. Her heart raced at the reality that she was going back to the same mansion she had not been to or seen in years. Her thoughts were racing in her mind. ‘I can’t believe I’m going back to his mansion after so many years and after everything that happened’ she thought sadly. Dario looked at her and noticed the lines of worry etched on her face and the drops of sweat that formed on her forehead. “Mama, are you okay?” He gently asked. She forced a small smile and replied, “I’m fine, baby. Just… uhm… enjoying the fresh air.” Dario understood how difficult this new change could be for Maria. He knew she was not just enjoying the fresh air. Her fear and nervousness was very obvious to Dario
On the other hand, Dario finished eating and retreated to his father’s study with the journal in his hands. Dario sat alone in his father’s dimly lit study, his eyes scanning the pages of the journal with determination. He was exhausted from the stress of the entire day, but he was determined to dig deeper and find more truths.The room was quiet, save for the soft rustle of pages turning. His heart raced as he delved deeper into the journal at what he could find. Even aside the truth about why his father had sent them away.To him, he had his father’s whole life in his hands. He read and searched for more information about his father’s life and the love he never knew existed.‘There’s got to be more. More about why he sent us away, more that he wants me to find out about,’ Dario thought. Suddenly, his fingers paused on a page marked with a small, pressed flower. The entry was dated a few years after he and his mother started living with Sir Davis. He read aloud but in hushed tones