CHAPTER 35

"Ammon is a kindhearted warrior who respected me so much-"

"I so f*cking hate to be compared with someone else. Do you know that?" interrupts Odin. "If you have something nice to say about that warrior, I am not the one you can share that story with. Sorry, but I am only after the rewards!"

"Well, you are inside his house, and you shouldn't be rude when someone is talking. As I was saying, you are not allowed to sleep inside this house since your job is to watch over me."

"I am not a perverted warrior, so rest assured that you'll be safe. I have one favor to ask, though. Please do not mention my mission to anyone. Prince Arthur strictly forbade any information about this to leak."

"You can trust me on that. Prince Arthur seems to be very thoughtful towards his Zodiac warriors. I'd like to meet him in person to express my gratitude."

"What a shame, you are a citizen of this nation and yet haven't seen the Prince even once?" Odin asked in dismay.

"I don't go outside that often. That's why I never saw him."

"You should attend the 40th anniversary of Alabama. I am sure that you will see him there, although I have to keep an eye on you."

"I am not that bad at fighting, so I won't be a burden to you. I developed some sword skills right after Ammon trained me."

"Don't be full of yourself; the werewolves have dispatched bandit pirates and magicians. Those enemies can defeat you without much effort. I recommend you stay here when you have nothing to do outside. It's much easier to guard someone who stays in one place."

"This conversation is nonsense and we're just going around in circles. Once you are done eating, you can go outside and start your job!"

Charlotte was about to leave when Odin grabbed her hand. "Wait, please tell me something about yourself, Charlotte. I am interested in knowing you!"

Charlotte removed his hand. "Aside from my name, there is nothing else that you need to know. I will be sleeping now so don't you dare try to take advantage of me."

"It's too early to sleep. Why don't you eat first?"

"My stomach is full. Besides, I don't trust you at all."

"Okay fine! After I'm done eating, I will leave this place immediately and go outside."

Charlotte went to Ammon's room and slept. She had grown weary of cutting wood and plucking fruit from lofty trees. Odin entered her room covertly to observe her sleeping.

He couldn't help himself but stare at her goddess face, which reminded him of his ex-lover who died at the hands of a magician before. He moved cautiously near her while avoiding making any noises that would wake her up. The moment he lay next to her, he fixed her hair.

She was in a deep sleep. Her body was tired and her subconscious mind brought her to a dream wherein she was inside the Cannopus and she saw her family incarcerated inside the dungeon. They did not say anything, except extend their hands to her. Tears coming from her eyes, seeing her family in an awful situation was the worst thing she had ever seen.

"Charlotte," called a familiar voice. She turned around and saw Stargazer Venus who was in the same situation, trapped inside a prison and extending her hand to her.

She approached Stargazer Venus. "Why am I in this place? Did I succeed in my mission?"

"No, this is a dream created by your subconscious mind," said Stargazer Venus. "You still have time to find your father, so you can save us from the clutches of King Abaddon."

Charlotte bowed her head in sadness. She held the cell bar. "This is getting out of hand, King Abaddon is trying to invade the kingdom of King Bartholomeo!"

"I am aware of that. King Abaddon's true power is awakening. We are running out of time Charlotte. The welfare of your kingdom rests in your hand."

"You have said that many times already. Look, I don't want to jump to any conclusion yet. But in case the kingdom of Alabam succumbs to King Abaddon, finding my fated man is no longer possible."

Heavy footsteps descending the dungeon stairs terrified Charlotte. She looked at the stairs and saw a werewolf with black wings and horns on his head coming towards her.

"You are the missing daughter of King Solomon and Queen Elizabeth, right?" asked the terrifying werewolf.

Charlotte's hair from all over her body rose in fear. "W-who are you?"

"You really are a foolish daughter of your parents who knows nothing outside the world. Do not answer me with another question!"

"I am Charlotte, the third princess of King Solomon and Queen Elizabeth. I vowed to save them from the clutch of your hands."

King Abaddon chuckled. "Saving them? You are too weak to fight. Not even your father was able to save you from my hands. How ridiculous!"

Charlotte grinned. "You are wrong, King Abaddon. Once I find my fated man, it's all over for you. He would surely help me reclaim our kingdom and rescue my family!"

"There is no creature who can defeat the most powerful werewolf standing before you."

"Be careful, Charlotte. Don't tell him your secrets," Stargazer Venus cautioned. "Even if it's just a dream, King Abaddon might realize that he's a part of your dream!"

"Can he do that?" asked Charlotte, her gaze locked on King Abaddon.

King Abaddon blurted out another question. "Where are you hiding, Charlotte?"

"I-I... won't say anything to you, f-freaking monster! Finding me on this vast and wide planet is like finding an ant in the forest, stupid bastard!"

King Abaddon moved closer to her and all she could do was to step back. "You have no idea what I am capable of, Charlotte. I can find an ant like you even when you hide in the deepest oceans!"

Charlotte refused to believe in him. "No, you won't!"

"Then I guess I need to play with you for a little while as I wait to conquer the land of King Bartholomeo!"

Abaddon's eyes turned dark, so did the surroundings. Charlotte looked so agitated as she rolled her eyes at her surroundings. "What is going on?"

"Charlotte you need to wake up before he can touch you," said Stargazer Venus. "King Abaddon's real power is pure darkness. Once his hand touches your skin, he might know this dream and send his servants to kill you in Alabama!"

"But how am I supposed to wake up from this dream, stargazer Venus?"

"Try to wake yourself up by closing your eyes!"

Charlotte closed her eyes and put her hands on her ears. King Abbadon took his excaliber sword as he approached her. "There is nothing that can stop me now. You will die without succeeding in your mission!"

King  Abaddon was about to attack Charlotte with his sword when someone appeared out of nowhere and blocked his attack using his sword. "I am the fated man of Charlotte, and I wouldn't let you kill her in my sight!"

Charlotte opened her eyes and the dark surroundings started returning back to normal. Her vision became blurred, but she could see a warrior standing before her, with a sword in his hand.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"You have yet to meet me, Charlotte. I cannot say who I am. The only hint I can give you is-"

Charlotte woke up in her bed as she felt cold water splash on her face. She noticed that her body was wet with water and that Odin was in front of her.

"What is going on?" she asked Odin.

"I was outside and could hear you shouting something a while ago, so I came inside and tried to wake you up, but to no avail," he lied. "I decided to splash cold water on your face, and I guess it worked!"

"Thank you for saving me. Now get out and I will dry myself."

"Wait, why are you having a nightmare? Is there something bothering you?"

"I was extremely tired. So that's probably the reason why I was having a nightmare!"

"See, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't wake up from that nightmare," uttered Odin in an arrogant way.

"Didn't I say thank you?" said Charlotte who raised an eyebrow again.

"Of course you should. But I expected you to hug me. You were so afraid earlier that I was wondering what you saw!"

Charlotte did not see any reason not to tell him the truth. "I saw King Abaddon standing before me. We had a conversation and I provoked him to kill me!"

"Worry not, King Abaddon will never prevail. In the end, the victory is ours to take Charlotte. Anyhow, I'm going outside again and if you need someone, do not hesitate to call me!"