Chapter 2

Xavier’s POV

I left the room, going out to take some air by the poolside.

Well, it’s really boring not having siblings, right? Being the only spoiled child?

I didn’t spot my mom on my way out of the house, and when I’d gotten outside, I met someone else.

Chelsea???

It seemed she was just arriving because the lights from her car were still on.

“Xavier!!!” She called in happiness and ran into my arms.

Well, she’s the only girl who does that – gets to be this free with me.

We’ve been friends since we were kids. Fortunately for her.

“Hey, what’s up?” I cooed as we disentangled from the hug, and I stroked her hair.

I actually wasn’t surprised she’d come unexpectedly. I mean…it’s a normal thing for her.

“I’m fine. Are you busy?” She asked.

“Um…of course, not. I was actually on my way to get some air by the poolside.”

“Oh! Perfect. Since you’re not busy, you’re coming with me then. There’s this amazing place I’d visited this evening, and I bet you’d love it. My friends are still there, and I just rushed over to get you….”

As she spoke, I took out time to scrutinize her outfit.

Wow!

Bum shorts and a crop top with pretty sandals.

Well, Chelsea has always been a lover of fashion.

“Are you listening to me?” She asked and hit me slightly on the chest.

“Of course, doll. I’ll just get changed,” I rolled my eyes and started walking into the house, and she giggled.

She followed me in, and when she got to the sitting room, a maid almost spilled dirt on her.

“Hey, you oaf…are you blind?” She asked as the mop stick dropped close to her feet.

“Oh my! I’m so sorry, ma’am. Please, forgive me,” the young girl apologized immediately, keeping her head bowed.

“You should be sorry for your pathetic mom,” Chelsea replied blatantly with an eye roll, and I scoffed as she followed me to the room.

Well, if I’m Mr. Arrogant, Chelsea’s Mrs. Arrogant.

She followed me to the room and waited for me to dress up.

Yeah – we’re actually that close that we play in each other’s rooms.

I changed in the bathroom – of course.

Even if I was going to get some peanuts down the street, I still made sure I looked good.

I brushed my hair, fixed a glittering ring on my right ear, wore my gold chain, and after that, Chelsea and I left the room.

***

[MARAZONA]

Delaney’s POV

“Hera, you can’t possibly do this. You need to tell the truth. Aletheia!!” I said the last part in our dialect as I lamented in front of her.

Throughout my stay with her, I’d never seen this hardness in her.

“Hera, are you really going to stand by and watch me get punished for your crimes? Adikos, Hera? Adikos!”

“I’m sorry, Delaney. But my mother would be very mad at me if she got to know I did it. I’m sorry you need to face this. Please, forgive me,” she said with a little remorse, which only increased my frustration.

“Really?” I scoffed.

“Your mother is the Queen, Hera. And you’re her only child. She treasures you a lot. If you confess to your sins, I’m sure your punishment will be minimal,” I tried persuading her, but she refused.

“No! I’ve disappointed her a lot already, and just two days ago, I’d promised I wouldn’t do anything to displease her again. You know I need a favor from her. I told you about it, right? And if she finds out I committed this offense, she’ll definitely be mad at me and wouldn’t grant my request – ever. Understand with me, Delaney. Please. The highest she can do to you is give you some strokes, and it’ll be over….”

“You really want me to get beaten because of you?” I cut her off with a scoff.

“You made a mistake, Hera. Why should I be the one to get punished for it? You know how much your mother hates me. She’ll definitely punish me unreasonably for this. Don’t make me pass through this, please,” I begged, and she sighed and faced the exit.

“I’m sorry, Delaney. But I can’t,” she mumbled and walked away.

“Hera!” I called after her, but she didn’t bother to look at me and completely left.

Good saviors.

I whimpered and sat helplessly on the floor.

How could Hera do this to me?

I’ve been taking the blame for her in other cases, but this…I simply can’t. I’ll be punished severely for it. How could she betray me?

My name is Delaney, and I’m one of the maidens in Marazona – also known as the Land of Beauty.

We only have females around here, and I don’t think any other sex exists.

The story behind the beautiful planet is still a mystery. But according to the wise teachers, originally, they’d been mingling in a different place. But there was a war, and the majority of them ran over here to start a new life. That’s how Marazona began.

We’re blessed with extraordinary beauty, special powers, anti-ageing – although I know I’m still young.

But sometimes, I wonder how we came about. How were we created?

Did our mothers just suddenly get fertile on their own and give birth to us?

Princess Hera and I grew up as childhood friends, and we were pretty good even if her mother, the Queen, has always been against our relationship.

I still don’t get it, but she’s never liked me, and sometimes, I wonder if it’s because I had no mother.

Well, I’ve never seen my mother and don’t even know if I have one.

Each time I had fun with Hera, the Queen always felt bitter and made many attempts to restrict Hera from seeing me.

Hera and I have been really good friends, but now, I don’t get what’s wrong with her.

She committed an offense and framed me for it, telling me she was scared to face her mother’s wrath.

But I was also scared to face the Queen’s anger because she hated me very much.

And now, I’m kept in a cell, awaiting the Queen’s judgment tomorrow.