XV. July 12th, 1989

Mira's POV:

I pace from one side of the room to the other. With the nails pinched between my lips, I stared at the book.

I can't believe I managed to steal it without any repercussions.

But is it stealing if Emmett doesn't know about the book?

The more concerned thought should be, what if he does know of the book?

I walked to the book and stared at the cover.

I kind of want to read it.

My eyes travel to the clock - 1:14 am.

Steadily, I reached for the book. "Please don't have some sort of magical spell attached to it." I don't know if spells exist, but the last thing I want is to be cursed.

I opened the first page, and when nothing happened, I grabbed it and started reading the book.

Although it wasn't a book, but a diary.

A juicy diary.

Before I knew it, it was daylight. I was on the bed with my eyes glued to the diary. When they knocked for breakfast, I ignored it. I also skipped lunch and ate the snack, which I hid inside the cabinet. Considering how they haven't broken the door down and arrested me, I assume Emmett does not know about the existence of the book.

And I have a plot armor.

When I finished the last page, I closed it. "Woah." Usually, it doesn't take me this long to read a book, but it took a while for my mind to understand the old English.

Long story short, Emmett isn't Asena's uncle but her father.

Asena's mother and Emmett aren't biological siblings. Asena's grandmother was pregnant with Asena's mother before marrying Emmett's father. Emmett is a child from his father's first marriage. The Celeste's family never knew Asena's grandmother wasn't pregnant before marrying into the house.

I held the diary to my chest and screamed with my mouth closed. For a few minutes on the bed, I flop like a fish to push out the rush.

Asena's mother was pregnant with Emmett's child before she ran away from the family.

Why?

It's because brother dearest got married to her best friend.

But, wait. Asena's mother knew Emmett is not her biological half-brother. But, does Emmett knows that?

"Ah, what a world!" I kicked my legs on the bed.

After the initial excitement blew over, I sighed, "Oh, Asena. You are the main character."

Now that I know Asena's family's dirty little secret, the real question is how I can give her a book that says her whole life is a lie.

I tap my nails against the book cover.

I tapped it for so long that I fell asleep.

Can you blame me?

I spend most mornings throwing up, then half the night in a dark forest and the other half reading a juicy story.

Maybe that last part is my fault.

And the first part.

The middle part is Asena's fault.

By the time I woke up, Dawn told me it was time to visit Asena.

"Did you even sleep last night?" Dawn asked me inside the car.

"Yeah."

Last night, I was stuck in a dream with the Archduke Lucianus.

It was my first seminar during my first year of college. I went with a few classmates I met in class. We had a guest speaker, and somehow, it was Lucianus.

I don't recall him coming to my college to speak.

There was a free concession stand, and I spent most of the time there. That is, until I turned around, and Lucianus spilled his drink on me.

I can still remember it.

What he said: "I apologize miss. I didn't see you there."

I remember it clearly because it felt like a complete lie. From the moment he stepped into the room, his eyes were on me.

Vain, ain't it?

I end up with his number on my hand and mine on his, alongside a wave of jealousy behind me.

Our first meeting was at a coffee shop. Even when I told him he didn't have to pay since it was an accident, he insisted. We ended up settling on the cleaning bill, and he bought me seven cups of coffee.

One for each time we meet.

It was after the third day we met that I realized he was interested in me.

We had our first kiss on the seventh day.

My head hurts thinking about the dream. And even worse, my heart aches because it's not real.

The Archduke and me?

In what world?

Because I'd love to be there.

When the car stopped, the driver opened the door for us. Dawn was the first to get out, and then, with the book inside my back, I got out with her.

At the palace's door, they asked to check my backpack, and I handed it over. My armpits sweated harder than normal when the guard took out the book. He flipped through it before he threw it back in.

"Thank you," he says.

"You too." I grabbed my backpack and followed Dawn, who was talking to some guard at the end of the hallway.

"You brought a book?" Dawn asked.

"Yeah. The lake is so nice, it makes me want to read a book next to it and pretend I'm in a fairytale." What a dumb excuse.

"Oh, okay."

Before we reached the garden, someone appeared and told us we were going to have tea with the Queen.

I'm not surprised that my delivery wouldn't be so easy.

With the straps over my shoulder, Dawn and I followed them to a different side of the palace. Similar to all the other locations, it was beautiful.

The doors spread open, and a group of women appeared - some familiar while some weren't so familiar.

I caught sight of Asena standing in front of the Queen, who was sitting with a woman fanning behind her.

The conversations seemed to come to a full stop when Dawn and I appeared. "Asena!" Dawn said cheerfully. She rushed to Asena's side while I cautiously made sure I didn't overstep my boundaries. This was definitely different from when we had afternoon tea with the three of us.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." I courtesy.

Meredith smiles, "At least one of you has manners."

"Um- Greetings, your majesty." Dawn courtesy.

She waved her beautiful hand at us. I may have a crush on the Queen. "It seems like you have plans today, Asena."

Asena's hands curl inward, "I do."

Meredith exhaled before she grabbed the cup, "It would be rude for me to intrude, wouldn't it?"

Oh, this is definitely a trick.

If we agree, we are calling the Queen rude.

But, if we disagree, we will spend the afternoon with the Queen.

I glance at Asena, who seems lost in the spot, and then at Dawn, who looks like she's about to say something wrong.

In times like this, it's better to step back, especially when it has nothing to do with me. But I don't want to drag this afternoon any longer than necessary. I want to hand over the book to Asena, then spend one more week in Bulteria, and off I go.

I had considered leaving early, but then it would look bad since Asena needed us, and my family would wonder why I left early. I figured it's easier to stay put and follow the regular plan.

Or at least what's left of the plan since everything has been a...surprise.

When I found a tiny bit of courage, the door spread open, and King Dimitrus appeared.

My plot armor is still strong!

Everyone stands up and greets the King except Asena. It must be nice to have a man who can behead anyone's heart.

Dimitrus walked to Asena and said, "Asena, I thought you and your friends were having a picnic today."

This explains why Meredith hates Asena.

It's always an inconsiderate man.

Dimitrus and Meredith exchange some sentences that sound sweet on the surface, but realistically, they are insulting each other.

In the end, Meredith couldn't rebuttal and allowed Asena and us to leave. Unfortunately, Demetrius decided to spend his short break with us instead of Meredith.

When I look back, all I notice in Meredith's face is anger, embarrassment, and jealousy.

A perfect recipe for a problem.

Dimitrus was on Asena's left, and Dawn was on her right. That puts me in the back to the enjoy the view of-

Lucianus?

"Dimitri," Lucianus says.

"Lucian-" Dimitrius responded with a smile, "How are you?"

"Good."

"You remember Asena," Dimitrius says.

"Lady Asena." Lucianus grabbed her hand and kissed it, "Pleasure to meet again."

"Hello." Asena fidgets in place for a moment before she moves aside, "These are my friends-"

"Miss Dawn—" Lucianus smiles. He grabs her hand and kisses it. "We met at the ball and, I believe, dinner."

"Yes." Dawn smiled.

Then, his eyes went to me, and my heart suddenly exploded. It must be the dream at night. "And if I'm not mistaken, Miss Mira." When he grabbed my hand, his eyes were still locked on mine. Steadily, he laid a soft kiss on it. "Glad to see you doing well."

Oh, yeah, the last time he saw me, I had a nervous breakdown.

When he loosened his grip, I immediately moved my hand and stepped back.

The longer I looked at him, the more I remembered one of the worst nights of my life.

Ugh. Now, I'm upset.

Lucianus' brows inch together.

"Lucian-" Dimitrius calls for him, "What brings you here?"

"I had some news." It's obvious he doesn't want us to hear what he has to say.

Dimitrius exhales, "It seems like we're unable to-."

"I understand-" Asena interrupted him, "Please take all the time you need. Come on, guys."

And with that statement, off we go. While Dawn pestered Asena to tell us more about her developed relationship with Dimitrius, I glanced back and met eyes with Lucianus. When I noticed a smirk on his lips, I turned back.

I cannot wait for this week to be over.

During the whole picnic, Asena continued to bother Dawn to drink more water. It was obvious that Asena was trying to have Dawn go to the bathroom so we could get some alone time.

When Dawn finally couldn't hold it in anymore, she excused herself.

"Did you get it?" Asena whispered.

I pulled the book out of my backpack. Immediately, she grabbed it. "You're a lifesaver," she hugged me. Whatever you want or need, let me know."

"I'm good," I told her. "Just for the week that I'm here if you need anything else. If I can do anything else to make your situation a bit easier, and it's not too unreasonable, just tell me, okay?"

Asena smiles, "Thanks, Mira." She grabbed my hand, "You're a great friend."

I scratched my neck, "I'm sorry I couldn't be a better friend."

She shakes her head, "You've done plenty. I'm sorry for putting you in this situation."

"You mean a nice picnic with expensive food next to this beautiful lake view? Terrible."

Asena and I laughed.

"So-" I said, "It doesn't seem like we're going to live together?"

"I'm afraid not."

"How's life in the palace?"

"Let's say I kind of missed my verbally abusive mother and bitchy sister."

"That bad?" I asked.

"At least I don't have to sweep the palace floor," she tries to make light of the situation.

I chuckle softly, "And the king?"

"Delusional," she says, "But he's not too bad."

"He basically kidnapped you."

"Crazy and delusional," she clarified, "But he gives me whatever I want and protects me from others, so I guess that's some brownie points."

If Asena's life is a book, it definitely will have the label dark romance with warnings that include verbal aggression, kidnapping, and probably Stockholm Syndrome.

We ate near the lake until the sunset, and off we went back to the Celeste's Estate.

I thought more problems were going to pop up during my last week in Asena, but nothing happened.

Except for that one day when we visited Asena, her eyes were all red. That's when I knew either she finished the diary, or someone had done something wrong to her at the palace.

Either way, I was counting the days to go back home.

Since the day I dreamt about Lucianus, each time I closed my eyes, I fell into his arms. Even my random dreams in the past, where I couldn't remember who was in there, had him. It's as if his figure replaced all the romantic or even horrible dreams I had.

And then there's the wet dreams.

Those are the most concerning ones because I'd wake up hot and bothered.

Hot because those are some steamy dreams.

Bothered because those steamy dreams cause me to be horny.

I'm not a big fan of masturbation, but I've definitely resorted to that a few times.

Then, finally, it was the morning of my flight.

I packed up my clothes, including the new ones. Of course, I'm going to get something out of this close-to-horrendous trip. When I grabbed the box, I stared at it for a brief moment. I know I should've handed it over to Asena, but it didn't fit my backpack that day. Then, after that, I never had a private moment to give it to her. It wasn't Dawn who intruded, but it was always the king, Queen, or some princess.

I place the box under the pile of clothes and then zip up the luggage.

It's hard to have no one to trust.

When I was settled and packed, I grabbed the luggage and got ready to roll the fuck out of this country.

Outside the bedroom, I rolled into Dawn's bedroom, only to see her empty-handed. "Where's your luggage?" I asked.

Dawn played with her fingernails, "I don't know how to tell you this."

Then, don't.

"I was thinking of extending the vacation."

"Why?" I asked.

"I wanted to stay here a bit longer with Asena." I'm not an idiot. I know it's all an excuse. These past few days, Dawn and Emmett have been getting really chummy with morning in-town lunch and evening walks.

"Are you sure?"

Dawn nodded, "Emmett told me if I'd like to stay longer, I can." She looks at my luggage, "It doesn't look like you're planning on staying."

I plan on staying on schedule.

"I have to go back," I said. "I promise my family that-"

"I know," Dawn interrupted, "and you have school to get ready for."

I closed the door, "It's not safe here, Dawn."

She smiles, "Emmett says he'll make sure everything will be okay."

Now, I completely understand what Asena meant by Dawn trusting Emmett too much. She met the man less than two months ago, and she's putting her life in his hands.

"At least ride with me to the airport?"

I already said my goodbyes to Asena yesterday since she can't leave the palace. Dimitrius thinks she can go, but he has to go with her. Then, if he goes, the whole world will be there to watch me leaving an airport in sweats and a messy bun.

During the car ride there, Dawn told me to be careful and not stress out too much about school. I want to tell her I won't be the one who's stressed out, considering I'm not going to be in the country dominated by Immortals anymore.

We agreed to exchange emails when I return.

Which sounds a bit silly, considering how she should be back in a few weeks.

Right?

At the airport, I checked in my ticket and luggage. I watch as they wrap the luggage with a sticker and send it into the conveyor belt. Hopefully, the luggage doesn't get lost, damaged, or get me arrested.

When the departure time approached, I hugged Dawn goodbye and made my way past the terminal. With the hood over my face, I sat down in an empty chair and stared at the wall.

This is it.

Once I board the airplane and it flies, I'm out of this insane country.

Forever.