Chapter 21: The End of the Chapter
"What could they be talking about. ." Says Pace as he walked out with the others.
"Did you see Mama's face?? Maybe she actually knows what Angelica was going to talk about." Suggests Luca. "What do you think, Milady?" He asks, turning to Felicita.
Felicita looked grim, "I don't have a good feeling about this." She replies, suspicious of what's going on.
"Of course." Says Jolly, smoking a cigarette. "It seemed to be too serious that they kicked us out of the room." He comments, obviously displeased with the situation.
"Guys, let's just—"
"I'm gonna check on Liberta and Nova." Felicita interrupts Luca, quickly stomping away.
The girl seemed disturbed and was solemn. Her face was scrunched into a scowl. Her fists were already white from how tightly she clenched her fists. The girl had tried to peek into Angelica's mind, but every time she attempted to do so, Angelica would turn to her and give her that gaze. It was neither angry nor sad. It seemed yearning. Angelica seemed to tell her to not to.
Begging.
Felicita couldn't help but feel suspicious of her friend's behavior. What was she hiding? She still hasn't gained her full trust? If so, why? They have spent months together, why couldn't she trust her? They're friends aren't they? What is there to hide?
Her footsteps echoed through the empty hall. Her strides were filled with suspicion and anger. It was understandable. Angelica didn't trust her even if they had gone to save her. She is a puzzle none of them can solve.
Soon she reached the infirmary where her best friends were staying in. The two were awake Nova was as serious as he always is, while Liberta was all in smiles. "Hey, Feli!" Cried Liberta, waving at his girlfriend. "What's up?" He asked, seeing her solemn face.
"We got dismissed from the meeting room." She replied.
"How did it go?" Asks Nova, suddenly interested.
"Angelica is acting suspicious."
"What? Seriously??" Exclaimed Liberta, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Yeah." Replies a disappointed Felicita. "She's all quiet and as secretive as ever. I constantly keep having these negative feelings towards her, but I don't want to think of her that way."
"Like what?"
"Did you guys wonder how she got kidnapped?" Asked the girl. "She's a great fighter, there's no way she could have been kidnapped that easily."
"Actually, yes." Says Nova. "I was wondering about that, too."
"You can't tell me that you are actually suspecting her of being in league with someone to try taking some cards??" Asks a surprised Liberta.
"You're the one suspecting her of bad things." Retorted Nova. "We didn't say anything about her taking the cards to someone."
The blonde smacks his forehead at what he had said. "It can't be helped." Says Felicita, coming to her boyfriend's defense.
"She had full control on her powers as well." Remarked Liberta. "Could it be. . . ?
Suddenly they heard hoof beats pound on the ground outside. They were heavy and fast. The three immediately ran to the window and looked outside. They gasped at what the saw. Her wavy, jet-black hair was flailing in the wind. Her cloak wrapped around her shoulders. She rode on an ebony black mare that whinnied. Felicita saw her hawk flying by the rider's head, a huge bag by the horse's rear. Almost like she was leaving never to come back.
"No. . she couldn't be. . " Stammers Felicita, her eyes trembling.
She suddenly broke into a run, surprising the two men with her. They call after her, but their efforts were futile. Their eyes just watched her disappear down the hall, while they helplessly listen to the fading hoof beats outside their window. "I never thought that she would actually leave." Comments Liberta, still stunned.
"I hope Feli would be alright."
"Yeah."
********
Tears poured from her eyes as she ran out of the mansion, surprising the other men. Some tried to go after her, but were stopped by Jolly, who told them that it would be best to leave her at the moment. Unknown to them, Mondo and Sumire watched the rider disappear with sad, yet hopeful eyes.
Her red hair flailed in a somewhat straight line, her arms behind her to enhance her speed. Her legs ran as fast as they could, actually attempting to reach the horse. But, of course, that was useless because their distance were simply becoming longer and longer. Felicita cried out Angelica's name over and over, her tears continuing to pour soon blinding her. Suddenly tripping on a stone, the redheaded girl crashes hard onto the dirt road. She wailed, trying to call the black haired rider back, but Angelica was already too far into the horizon as the sun was rising.
She sobbed as she watched her friend disappear. "Why. . . ? Why are you running away again? Angelica?" She whispers into the wind.
********
The men wait anxiously by the doorsteps. The sun had already risen, but Papa's daughter still hasn't returned. They all felt sad, too. Her sudden leave was unexpected, not to mention that they had just rescued her earlier that night as well. Debito, Luciano, and Luca were the once most depressed about it. They couldn't understand why.
Debito immediately rushed to Angelica's room when he heard the men bickering about her disappearance. He pushed the door open. His heart broke at the sight of an empty chamber, leaving only a note on her desk. He walked to it, his hand taking the note and read her final message:
"I am truly sorry for this. I apologize for this sudden leave of mine, not even bothering to tell you guys goodbye. Forgive me of my sin, but I was afraid to break down in front of you if I ever do so. And to be honest, I am not fond of goodbyes. I have had too many of those.
But be of good cheer, I have had months of being with you, and we've had memories together. I thank you for that. I thank you for everything you have done for me. I am sorry for your unrequited love for me.
So. . . until we meet again.
Angelica."
Tears started to brim in his eyes, his fists clenched tightly as he hung his head, "But why do you seem like you know my every move? Aware of what I am gonna do?" He muttered, gritting his teeth in anger.
Earlier the men who were by the stables were wondering why Angelica was talking the black mare. She explained that she had permission from Mondo to take her. They gazed into her sad eyes, as if saying that she was doing something she didn't want to do. Looking behind her, they saw that a sack was slung on her shoulder and she was cloaked, too. Shandor, her monkey, was clinging on her shoulder, while her hawk perched on her shoulder, her Zianese cat purring her leg.
"Going somewhere, Angelica?" Asked the confused men.
"Yes."
"Where?"
"To where the road takes me."
"You can't be leaving are you??" They asked, bewildered.
She sighed, "I'm sorry." Angelica apologized sadly.
She quickly takes a saddle and places it on the horse, while the men watched her quietly and sadly. Stooping down, she takes her cat and places it on the horse. She takes the sack on her shoulder and straps it to the saddle, tying it tightly. Placing her foot on the stirrup and swings her leg over before adjusting her position.
"Until our paths meet again." She says. "Giddyup!"
Her horse immediately started galloping. Her hands gripped on the reins, straining herself from looking back. Not being able to bear it anymore, she glanced back and waved goodbye.
The men sigh at the memory of this. Suddenly hearing footsteps they jerked their heads up and saw a depressed Felicita who walked towards them slowly. They approach her slowly and gave her a group hug, bringing a smile to her face. But not to her boyfriend.
"Why did she leave?" Asked Felicita a moment later. She was at the office of her father with his wife standing beside him.
"She didn't want you guys to get hurt. Ever again that is." He calmly replied.
"Why didn't you stop her??" Screams the girl. "Why didn't you make her stay??"
"Felicita. We can't force people to stay here against their will." Her father tells the redhead sternly. "But that doesn't mean we supported it either."
"She knew of Mondo's condition." Interjects Sumire.
"Condition?"
"He is starting to suffer again." Explains Sumire.
"But I thought he was cured!!"
"He was. But it came back again." Replied the woman. "So she made an offer to have other people make a deal with them since staying put here won't find us card hosts."
"So she'll be coming back??"
"There's honestly no telling." Mondo says sadly. "But she will definitely send back those Arcana hosts. It is just a matter of time."
********
Alcohol reeked the air. It was mixed with the scent of tobacco and laughter the air. Only a huge fireplace illuminated the dark chamber. Men drank and made merry while their leader sat on his chair staring at the flames. His face was filled with a triumphant look, relaxed.
"She's dead, boss?" Asks one of his henchmen.
His boss chuckled evilly, "Do you think that that woman would survive from those lashes?"
"No, sir."
"Then stop asking stupid questions, you fool." Sneered the man. "She's dead as a rat."
Screams suddenly erupted from the hallways, followed by gunshots. He jumped to his feet, alarmed of what was happening. The man barks at his henchmen to check it out, but the doors suddenly burst open. His eyes saw a several men before the intruder's feet. Blood was splattered all over the walls and floor. Afraid, his men cowered to the backside of the room, much to the man's agitation. He takes a seat, refusing to get intimidated.
"And who might you be?" He asks, scowling at the stranger.
The stranger slowly approaches him with a dagger in hand, "No need for introductions . . . Remus." Said an all-familiar voice, angering him. "Tonight is your last."
"How are you alive?" He asked calmly.
The hooded stranger smirked, "You simply . . . don't know me." She says, drawing the dagger to his throat. "Goodbye."
"It won't be me saying goodbye!" He fumed, drawing out a sword.
Slash. Drip. Thump.
*********
Chirping crickets sang their evening song, their melody echoing through the night. Beaming down to the earth, the moon shone its marvelous light. Its light reflected on a fancy pond that lined with white lotus flowers. Right beside it was a mansion; its bright light lit the vast building up. Inside servants scurried about, hurrying to do their chores. Their faces bore misery and depression. But whatever happened, they kept their mouths shut.
The sound of tinkering silverware echoed in the dining room. A huge crystal chandelier hung on the high ceiling above a long table. The sweet aroma of the food lingered in the room, intoxicating the merrymakers. Classical music filled the dining room as the residents ate their food merrily. Not all of them though. A man, probably eighteen years of age, ate his food miserably, while the rest of his siblings ate and chattered about.
His hair was of ebony black, with messy waves. He had fair skin and wore a simple blue suit. He was unlike his other siblings who wore expensive clothing. The boy found it revolting. He had an athletic build and had an average height. His eyes were of ocean blue color.
"What did you get from the festival?" Asks a handsome blonde, addressing his sister. His messy hair was of gold color with ocean blue eyes just like his brother's. His skin was fair; tall in height. He had an athletic build with his face plastered with a smirk. He wore a blue coat with a white undershirt that had a ruffled collar and cuffs.
"A pink parasol with ruffled edges!" Giggled the girl. "It also had rose pattern designs!! It's beautiful!"
"Anabelle, haven't you had enough of those already?" Asks her exasperated mother.
Anabelle was an attractive young lady with a hour glass body. Her blonde curls bounced with each of her jump. She also wore a red dress with ruffles at the hem and cuffs. The collar was plunging, revealing some of her cleavage. The dress was poofy, her waist wrapped with a corset. She had flawless fair skin which she took care of carefully.
"I couldn't help myself!" She replies. "It's too lovely for me to resist."
Her mother sighs. "How about you boys? Got anything?" She asked.
The woman was lovely just like her daughter, but she was starting to have her wrinkles. She wore an blue elegant dress, it wasn't poofy like her daughter's. She was slender in stature, and her grace was without measure.
"I can't believe that you actually asked us if we went." Sneered her white-haired son. "I honestly won't go." The whites haired man was also of athletic build like his brothers. He always wore a smirk on his face, smiling eerily at the people around him. But just like his brothers he was quite the eye catcher.
His blonde brother chuckled, "I went with a lovely maiden." He boasts, causing his other brother to gaze at him with his burning blue eyes.
"That's good." Remarked his mother, smiling a little. "What about you, Romeo?" She asks her black-haired son.
"I don't care a thing about the festival."
"I see."
"Anabelle, why didn't you—"
"He's here! Lord Adolf is back!!" Cried a servant. "Lord Adolf has returned!!"
The old woman stood from her seat, "He's returned??"
The doors suddenly swung open, a tall handsome man in his forties walks in with long strides. The woman along with her children looked at him with surprise, and he didn't have a happy face either. He had wavy, sandy brown hair. His beard simply covered his chin. The man had a muscled build; his maroon coat covered his outfit. His boots were caked in mud, so he left footsteps behind him.
"Where is my daughter? She usually comes to me with open arms." He asked sternly. They don't answer, only exchanging glances at each other. "Where is Arianna?!"
End of Book 1
~~~
Yay!! The story's finished!!
False.
It isn't. Book 1 is finished, but Book 2 is up next!
So what do you think of the book?
Interesting?
Amazing?
Unique?
Lacking?
But most importantly, did you have fun reading?
Let's continue the journey!!!
The image in the media section is the second book's cover.
I'd like to thank every one who supported me in the story. I don't know if I have fans but I know that there is at least two:
1) @juneforyou my ever supportive sister.
2) @SerenityEverlasting my newfound friend!
I'm truly grateful to you guys.
If you weren't interested in the story then I would've stopped writing a long time ago. . .
I swear.
Anyways here's the description of the second book:
A few months later, after Angelica left the Arcana Famiglia a handsome young man comes to Regalo in hopes of looking for his sister, Ariana. He happened to be a son of a noble far from Regalo, and asks for the assistance of the Arcana Famiglia and they willingly agree to do so. Will they succeed? Or will they fail just as they had failed Angelica?
Unknown to them a curse have been hauntingthat missing girl:
"For better or for worse,
The child is born with a curse.
To love or to destroy
She will only be a toy.
Only a pawn,
For she is the spawn.
At the break of dawn
The spawn is gone."
Meanwhile, Angelica successfully had a peaceful life as a fortuneteller. She has a mission, a deal only known between her and Mondo and Sumire. Her companions, along with the townspeople, couldn't understand the mysterious woman. Who will be her light? Who will bring her pit of darkness and light her torch of hope?
"Just like everyone else, I had my hopes and dreams. . . which I hope to achieve. I look to the future and see yours, I look behind me and only see the darkness that have been haunting me all my life."
-Angelica
Excited for the next book? I am!! I've made a plot that would be most probably more interesting and exciting than this one, so check it out!
I might post the first chapter soon so stay in tuned!!
Love,
BalladPhoenix
P.S. Thank you @SerenityEverlasting for the awesome curse quote!!
Yeah, give her an applause please!!!
So see you in the next book!!
Raita over and out!
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