Chapter 29: Queen Maruja's Ring

The sun was warm and bright, and its rays passed through the living leaves of the trees. It was a beautiful morning to go to school, and Rakiza had planned to visit "A" Tower the next day. She had a school project that she needed to finish and turn in. Her conscience kept reminding her not to keep the red beryl ring. But one thing she couldn't figure out was why the ring had appeared on her finger, which was actually the result of a dream. "How did it happen?" she mused as she walked down a deserted path on her way to school.
However, a few meters away from the dormitory, Theo was frowning as he leaned against the large body of a tree.
Rakiza's heart raced with excitement when she saw Theo. She wanted to get rid of it, but it was the most powerful emotion she'd ever felt for a man. But with a clear view of his face, it became the face of an angry man. She wanted to ignore him and his presence, but he couldn't be ignored. When Theo approached Rakiza, she braced herself for another argument, as his face was not in the mood to concede her feelings.
"Stop seeing him," Theo said, adding, "He’s a dangerous man."
Rakiza knew exactly who he was talking about; Nikolas was the dangerous man he was referring to.
"And who are you to tell me who I'm going to befriend and who I'm not?"
"Rakiza, you already know who I am in your life, but I'll remind you once more that I am your guardian, your protector."
"Who told you you're my protector?" she enquired. enquired, and then laughed again.
"Me. I vowed to protect you, which means you should reconsider accepting Nikolas as a friend. "
Rakiza snapped, "Give me just one reason for Nikolas' bad demeanor or a negative aspect of his personality that would put me in danger."
"He's going to murder you, Rakiza," Theo predicted.
Rakiza burst out laughing after hearing Theo's statement. "What made you think about those ridiculous accusations you've leveled against Nikolas's good personality? You're freaking me out, Theo, and I don't like it. Nikolas was so good to me and... and, in fact, he was so generous to me. "
"You should listen to me, Rakiza. You don't know how dangerous that man is, "he said in response to Rakiza's defense of Nikolas.
"Then tell me how he became dangerous, because I don't see him as dangerous at all. He was so soft and caring with me, and he respected me from the way he talked to me and...
"He's wearing a mask," Theo interjected.
"What kind of mask?" Rakiza was bewildered, asking again, "What's that mask you are talking about, Theo? I don't see it in Nikolas's demeanor. He's the kindest man I ever met. Aside from his generoucity, he was so kind to me. And please, stop staining Nikolas's good personality. That's not fair, and what you are thinking is unfair to Nikolas. " She was about to leave Theo, but Theo was quick to grab her hand.
"Where did you get this ring?" Theo asked, bringing Rakiza's hand up to his face. He was staring at it, frowning as if he was terrified of the ring.
"You're hurting me, Theo!" Rakiza yelled as she yanked her hand away from Theo.
"Tell me who gave you that ring," Theo said, his voice hardened and angry.
"Nikolas gave it to me!" Rakiza yelled.
Theo countered, yelling, "Did you know what kind of ring that is?"
"I don't know it's just..." Rakiza couldn't say anything about the ring. Because she, too, had no idea how the ring from a dream had become a reality. And she was actually wearing it on her finger. She also knew and remembered Nikolas giving it to her in a dream. And she remained silent as Theo became enraged.
"That's a vampire huntress' ring, Rakiza! Maruja, the Queen Warrior! " Theo exclaimed.
"How do you know you're right about that?" Rakiza was taken aback by what Theo had stated.
"I just hope I wasn't misled in recognizing that ring. And if Nikolas provided it to you, return it to him. And you should never accept anything from a man like that. Don't let him enchant you. He is not your average individual. I've already told you, Rakiza. "
"You can't stop me from doing what I wanted to accomplish. I will never leave a friend behind. "
"Give that ring back to him!" Theo demanded.
"Yes, I will, but I'm not doing it because you told me to. In fact, I had already decided to return it due to the high cost. It's too expensive to protect. "
"When are you going to return it?" Theo inquired.
"Could you kindly give me some space, Theo?" Your arduousness is strangling me. "You're always a pain."
"Don't you miss me?" Theo immediately changed the topic and tone.
"Are you insane?" Rakiza exclaimed, "Oh my God, Theo. Please stop bothering me! You really are crazy! "
No, I am not. I can tell you're missing me." Theos said, frankly, and smiled.
Rakiza yelled, "How egotistical you are, to put it bluntly, Theo." and proceeded to walk quickly to the school's main gate. And Theo was right behind her.
You can't deny how you feel about me.
"Why are you boastful? Are you that handsome that I can't stop staring at you? " Rakiza asked fiercely. "Just so you know, you're not my type."
"I know I am."
Rakiza came to a halt and turned to face Theo. "You're not my type." She said it again, with emphasis, adding, "And you know what? If Nikolas asked me to have a serious relationship with him, I would say yes. "
"Never think about it," Theo murmured, his expression dimming.
"And why not?" Rakiza said, proudly. "This is my life, and I have every right to manage it, to do what is right and good for me, and when that occurs, I am without a doubt the luckiest girl in the world, with the gentlest lover and the wealthiest man."
"Rakiza, don't let him entice you. He was wanting something you have, "Theo was taken aback by what he said. "The most lethal weapon you own for someone like Nikolas Augustus."
Rakiza raised an eyebrow in response to Theo's declaration. The look in his eyes told her he meant it.
Theo was deafeningly silent and turned away. He was attempting to ignore Rakiza's puzzled expression.
"What are you on about?"
"You have to look into it for yourself. What does he need from you? And why was he giving you Maruja's ring? Yes, you're right, it's one of the finest gemstones on the planet, and he's been giving it away for you. But for what? Did he court you? Is he in love with you? "
What Theo had stated had shocked Rakiza. He was correct. The ring appeared in a dream. And she had to explain it to Nikolas. What made such a wish come true? And now, hearing Theo's contentious ideas, there was even more ambiguity about why Nikolas had given her gifts in a dream.
She also recalls seeing a white lotus blossom in her dreams, and now he has given her the rarest jewel. The necklace with a white rose pendant that Rakiza was wearing inside her sweater was the only gift Nikolas had given Rakiza that did not come from the dream. What would Theo say if he ever found the necklace?
"Rakiza, you should be careful with him; he has the power to take you without my knowing, and if that happens, please don't succumb to him," Theo urged solemnly now.
"Are you jealous of Nikolas?" Rakiza inquired casually.
"I'm extremely jealous," Theo admitted, and said, "Go ahead and finish all of the projects you wanted to submit, but please notify me when you return Nikolas' ring."
"Why waste your time conversing with this crap, Rakiza?" Muriel said sarcastically from behind them.
Rakiza was enraged by Muriel's unexpected bad behavior. She disliked Theo and preferred Nikolas. "Wait a minute, Muriel."
"You don't need any men in your life, Raki; Nikolas is the one; seize the opportunity, and don't squander it with this unknown, self-thinking, gorgeous man."
Muriel's insult elicited no response from Theo. He just stood there watching her demoralize him in front of Rakiza.
Rakiza was the one who said, "Muriel, don't be such a jerk."
"And now you're calling me a jerk, but it's this man who is the jerk, not me."
"What happened to you, Muriel?" Theo inquired.
"Don't call me by my name; we're not good friends, and you're the jerk who kept pestering my pal here," Muriel whispered.
Rakiza grabbed Muriel away from Theo. She didn't want Muriel's heinous attack on Theo to draw the attention of other classmates. "Come on, Muriel, let's get inside the school. We're going to be late. "
Muriel barked at Theo, "Stay away from my friend; she's already taken."
Rakiza hushed, "Muriel, what are you talking about? Why do you hate Theo so much? "
"You don't like him, Raki, and why are you defending him?" Muriel stated.
"No, I'm not; it was you who I was attempting to protect from disgrace as a result of your temper and obscene language."
"I don't like it when you're upset by that man; I despise him," Muriel spat.
Rakiza had no idea what had happened to her friend. Muriel was a fair-minded woman who always had a rationale for everything, good or bad. Everything that happened to her had a purpose. But now she was displaying a different personality that she had not previously exhibited. It frightened her and drew her away from the packed area of the school. They went beyond the school clinic and hid under a large tree.
"What happened to you, Muriel? You're behaving strangely. "
"I was just getting rid of her from you, Rakiza; you don't deserve to be bothered by that kind of man."
Rakiza looked at Muriel and noticed something horrible on her skin.
Muriel's skin was paler than usual, and her eyes had darkened around the edges. She wasn't blossoming and hadn't put on any make-up, something she was used to doing on a regular basis. But she appeared to be sleep-deprived at the moment. And her behavior seemed weird. She despised Theo, and it all started when she spotted the red beryl ring on Rakiza's finger.
"Tomorrow, I'm going up to "A Tower Muriel," Rakiza murmured.
"And what are you planning to do up there?" Muriel asked, her eyes rolling.
Rakiza remarked, "I need to return this ring to Nikolas."
"No! You can't hurt him. Please, Rakiza. "
Rakiza was perplexed by Muriel's outburst. "I have to do this, Muriel," she said, and sighed.
Rakiza locked his gaze on Muriel for a moment before asking, "What happened to you, Muriel?"
"What do you think happened to me? Nothing important happened to me. I was just worried about you falling into the wrong hands. Theo isn't good enough for you. He was just using you to make himself more known on campus. He was trying to become a heartthrob in our lives. He was a waste of time, Rakiza. Nikolas was good for you. "
"Why are you putting your trust in Nikolas for me?"
"It's not about betting; it's about supporting you in determining what's best for you."
Rakiza reassured her, "It's not your business who I'd like to hang on to, Muriel; I have my own opinion."
"But you have to choose Nikolas, Raki," Muriel said, concerned.
And Rakiza wasn't about to let it go. "Did Nikolas urge you to persuade me to prefer him over Theo?"
"No, Nikolas has nothing to do with my views or actions; I just disliked Theo for you."
Rakiza expressed concern for Muriel: "You've changed; you're no longer the Muriel I met previously." "Look at your face; you neglected to put on makeup. How did that happen? Do you have difficulties sleeping? "
"No, I had complete rest and eight hours of sleep; we, humans, need at least eight hours of sleep, right?" She laughed out loud and giggled.
Rakiza wondered, "And you laughed out loud? That's not the way you laugh. You always put reservations in your every action, Muriel. "
"Don't worry about my actions; I'm simply glad to have you as a friend, but you have to take my advice. You must love him. I mean, you have to love Nikolas. "
"I should pay heed to my heart, Muriel."
Muriel's hand trembled as she said, "You deserved more than Theo."
"Muriel, are you all right?" Rakiza was concerned.
"Of course, I'm OK, and let's go back to our rooms," Muriel said before turning and falling to the ground. She passed out.
Rakiza jumped to prevent Muriel from falling, but she was too late. Muriel's skull collided with a small rock projecting from the ground, splattering some blood.
"Muriel!" shrieked Rakiza.