Chapter 2

Many Centuries later...

New Orion City

2020

Amelia Saumoux

'And did this really happened to the King?"

I asked my Grandfather as we sat underneath the shade of the tree while having a great view of Whitebrook castle that once belonged to the King before he became a dragon.

'Of course, my father told me, your great grandfather told his father and all the way back to our ancestor Igor Saumoux. Who was one of the Whitebrook family's most loyal knights and who witnessed our King becoming a dragon."

'Grandfather, do you really think that story is real? I mean, some people think it was all a myth."

'It is no myth, my dear, the story is a legend. A few of the Whitebrook knights have witnessed their King turn into a dragon and it has been written in journals and diaries from those who also witnessed their King's curse."

'And is it also true that Dragons still exist but, as humans?"

'Maybe, no one has claimed they saw a human turn into a dragon yet."

'What about you?" I asked with curiosity.

'I thought I did once but, that was only my wild imagination."

Grandfather told me before ruffling my hair making me chuckle. I looked at the beautiful castle which was now in ruin and then I asked Grandfather.

'Do you think they'll let the public into the castle soon?"

'I hope so, although there's a rumour about it being also cursed."

'Oh?"

I spoke with curiosity in my eyes. Grandfather looked at the ruined castle and he explained to me.

'Not long after the Dragon King vanished from the mountain after Leila told him that he was cursed, she also cursed those who lived in that castle."

'Why did she curse the people who resided in that castle?" I asked with a shocked expression on my face.

'Well, Leila was angry at the King for murdering her friends and so she decided to curse the King's people and his army so they would never try and kill her friends again. They all tried to escape her curse by performing exorcisms and praying to their Gods but, they failed. A sorceress's curse is a very powerful one and only the King's lover could have broken it."

'But, he didn't because no one knows what happened to him or if he broke the curse, right?"

'That's right and some people even believed that he's still alive today but, they don't know where he is or if he's still here in the City of New Orion."

Grandfather told me as he looked at the city. He looked at the sky and he told me after standing up from the ground.

'Come on, let's head home before the storm comes."

'Storm? what storm? there's no storm."

'Not yet but, when you get to my age, these old bones will be able to tell when the rain and strong winds come."

I understood this and then I stood up from the ground and I wiped the grass off my tartan skirt. We managed to get back to the house in time before the storm came and it was bad. I sat by the fireplace while reading the history book about the King of Whitebrook castle. Grandmother came over to me and she placed a blanket around me to keep me warm.

'Reading your father's history book again?"

'I can't help it, it's my favourite book."

I looked at the locket that once belonged to my mother and I asked Grandmother.

'Grandmother, what were my parents like?"

'You've asked me that so many times."

'I love hearing about my parents, they sound like great people."

I spoke with a smile on my face.

'Sighs all right."

Grandmother spoke with a smile before she sat beside me so we were nice and warm near the fireplace.

'Your mother was the most beautiful women I have ever met. Her eyes were amber just like the jewels you find on the necklaces in the stores. She also had beautiful long golden hair like Rapunzels' only her hair wasn't that long enough to climb."

I giggled at Grandmother's joke as she continued, 'When your father met her, it was love at first sight. I didn't know what he saw in her but, when your Grandfather and I met her, I was able to see why."

'Was she really pretty like me?" I asked as I held the blanket tightly around me to conserve the warmth.

'Of course, in fact, your father described her to be the Queen in his eyes his words, not mine."

I laughed at this and then Grandmother continued.

'That son of mine, he was a handsome devil and his heart was stolen by your mother. They went on dates together by going to the movies, going on picnics and so on. Until eventually, he got the courage to pop the question and then you came along."

Grandmother stroked my hair and she smiled at me.

'When I first held you, I felt so happy and you were like our ray of sunshine. However, it broke all of our hearts when we found out Anna had died when she gave birth to you. Derek was heartbroken when he lost Anna. After we brought you home, he couldn't look at you and he refused to hold you, it's like he was afraid of looking after you on his own."

I remembered when I cried at this part when I was 11 years old but, I wasn't that little girl anymore.

'We decided to look after you until he was ready and when he was ready to move on with his life. But that day didn't come. We waited and waited for him to show or call us but, nothing. Your grandfather and I got so worried about him that we went to visit his home and find out if he was all right. However, by the time we got there, the police were there too. A neighbour was starting to get worried about your father and when he tried to visit him, he found his body."

'He killed himself didn't he?"

'Yes he did, you remember this story all too well don't you?"

'I do and I never get tired of it even though it does have some sad parts."

'True and I still remember you crying your eyes out when you learnt the truth but look at you now."

Grandmother stroked my cheek with a smile.

'We got custody of you and here you are, our beautiful 19-year-old granddaughter and you're at Art college. We're so proud of you and you've been like the daughter we've ever had."

'And you and Grandfather are the best parents that I could ever ask for but, there's one thing I still don't understand. Why did my father kill himself? I mean yeah he was grieving for my mother but, wasn't that a little bit drastic?"

Grandmother thought for a moment and then she said to me.

'Amelia, let me tell you something about me and your grandfather. When we first met, it was love at first sight for us. After we got married, we swore that we would love and protect each in sickness and in health. Your parents took those vows and your father would have done anything to protect his queen but, when you find that special someone, they become another half of your soul."

Grandmother got her favourite necklace and she showed it to me. It was a blue stone that looked like a broken heart from the shape of the curve.

'This necklace that I wear is called a Heartstone. These stones are very rare and they're hard to find in the mines below. They say the Heartstones were created during our ancestor's time and they were cut in half to be used in wedding ceremonies. These heartstones are given to the bride and groom and this symbolises them that you will belong together until the day you die. Your grandfather has the other half."

I ran my fingers over the beautiful stone and then she continued.

'When your mother and father fell in love and got married, their once half-souls became whole. However, when your mother died it was like a part of him died too. Some people believe that you're meant to be together until the day you die but, in your father's case, it wasn't possible. He couldn't bear the thought of looking after or living in this world without her so, he decided to end it to be with the one he loves."

'Did he ever love me? just a little bit before he died?" I asked her before lowering my head sadly.

'Of course he did. You know, when Anna was pregnant with you, your father jumped for joy when he learnt about this. He and Anna filled your baby room with princesses and princes in them. Because you were their little princess and they planned to spoil you rotten once you were born. Even though that didn't happen, you will always have us."

Grandmother kissed my forehead and I smiled at this.

'Thanks, Grandmother, I feel better already."

'Good to hear."

'Who wants hot chocolate?" Grandfather called out to us as he came into the living room with a tray of three mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream.

'Ooh, yummy! I do!"

I spoke like an excited child at Christmas. Grandfather sat down the tray and he gave me and Grandmother our hot chocolate. I always enjoyed moments like this as a child and I wished they would last forever.

'Hey you two, Sarah how did your date go last night?"

'Brilliant, I got myself a hot boyfriend."

'Ugh, pass me the sick bucket," Ryan said as he sat next to me.

'Anyway, what your plans this evening?"

'Nothing much, why?" I asked Ryan as I got my sketchbook from my bag.

'I've been thinking about that cursed castle, what if we decide to pay a little visit and give our greetings to the so-called cursed King."

Sarah and I looked at him with a shocked expression on our faces.

'Ryan, did you bump your head or something? we're not supposed to go there. It's unsafe and to make matters worse, people get injured every time they go there, remember those 1st years from Orion High school?" Sarah asked us.

'Yeah, I've heard the rumours. I heard one of them got a bad injury and they had to be sent to the hospital."

'Oh come on, it can't be that bad. Where's your sense of adventure?"

'Ryan, I left my adventurous side since I graduated from Highschool. We're in college now and it's our job to show the high school students an example, not more rebellious behaviours."

'Amelia is right you know, besides, I'm going shopping later," Sarah told us as she got her sketchbook.

'And I'm supposed to be making the dinner tonight."

Ryan pouted and then he smirked at us.

'Fine then I guess you don't want your grandparents to know that you snuck out last week to Jason's birthday party and nearly getting drunk when you lied to them about staying over at Jessica's place?"

My eyes widen when he said this and Ryan told Sarah.

'And you also don't want your overprotective parents to know about your new boyfriend?"

Sarah froze on the spot when Ryan said this.

'It would be such a shame if they heard about this and the pair of you getting into trouble and getting your butts grounded for a whole year."

Sarah and I looked at each other and then we looked at Ryan.

'What time do we meet up?" We asked Ryan in unison.

Little did we know, something was going to happen the moment we got to the castle later that night.