TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: The Leader Officially Introduces the Queen of Spontaneity

To legitimize their relationship, Rhett decided to officially introduce Kannei to his closest friends, Jaejoong, Yoochun, Junsu, and Changmin. After Jaejoong’s text message, Rhett had to continue the act because sooner or later, the other boys would know and for them to know through others would have been a grave betrayal. To prevent this catastrophe, Rhett had unwillingly scheduled this meeting.

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: The Leader is Inefficient and the Mom Has a New Best Friend

Work had never been so inefficient for Rhett. He kept forgetting documents on his table or placing the wrong slides on his Powerpoint. He even spilled some coffee on someone else’s desk. He would trip for no reason, and he would space out for several minutes. Something was wrong with him. He knew, and his whole staff knew.

“Rhett?” He heard a voice calling him. “Rhett? Did you hear what I said?”

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Chapter 33: Insight from Rebirth

         We were sitting on the large branch of the Wisteria tree, which was half the height that it was now. I didn’t know how long we had been in that position. It seemed rather long for my legs had grown numb and my arms had become sore from hanging by my sides. The sun was dimming behind the slippery slopes and I too felt my heart descending along with it. Resting my head on his shoulder, I experienced all the fatigue passing through my veins. His shoulder too proved to be too sharp, too uncomfortable to deposit my burden.

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: The Free Spirit Is a Babysitter and the Femme Fatale and the Hidden Devil’s Midnight Encounter

So, this was their home, Yoochun thought as soon as he had the time to examine his surroundings. There wasn’t much to see. The apartment was simplistic with its snow white walls and open-space concept. To the left of the entrance was a small kitchen and straight ahead was the living room. There were only the basic necessities: an old TV, a brown suede couch, a glass coffee table, a rug, and a dangling light fixture. Yoochun assumed that the one bedroom and bathroom were found along the short corridor to the left of the living room.

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Chapter 32: Heartbreak from Rebirth

        The horses trotted to the hammering of the carriage wheels churning against the mouldered road. The knights blocked the already tinted windows, guarding us too safely. Cael, with his eyes closed, leaned his body backwards to steady his head on the soft cushioning of the headrest. Not a word crept from his lips. Not a move escaped from his joints. He was so still, so overbearingly serene that I felt my stomach stir, knotting itself to tethers. I gulped several times while holding onto my hands tightly. I had to think now. What story would I fabricate?

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Chapter 31: Arrangements from Rebirth

          First, I screamed as noisily as I could, knowing that a scream would generate more attention from the guards. Why attention? There needed to be an audience for any sort of spectacle. Desiderium and I were sprinting down the hall, and when she heard the approaching footsteps of the guards, she placed the dagger on my neck and positioned herself behind me. “You move another step, and I cut her throat.”

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: The Mom Helps the Leader and the Leader Becomes Jealous

Kannei thought she would be late meeting him at the subway entrance of Shibuya. She thought he would probably scowl at her with his folded arms, and then forgive her after she gave her reason for being late. However, she had arrived fifteen minutes earlier than scheduled. She also happened to be the one folding her arms, complaining acrimoniously to herself about his tardiness. He was already thirty minutes late, and by that time, she decided to phone him and she did, but to no avail. So, she phoned again, and again, and again. He, on the other hand, did not answer over, and over, and over again. There was only one word to describe Kannei’s mood at the time: angry.

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Chapter 30: The Trade from Rebirth

         From the blue print that Nestor had given me, I learned that there was a room stocked with rows and rows of cupboards and within each cupboard was a master key, specific to each prisoner. Only the Master Keeper knew exactly where each key was for the intention was that no one would be able to find the key. How was I supposed to save Desiderium at this rate?

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: The Hidden Devil Comforts the Nerdy Girl and the Free Spirit Meets the Little Boy

Although never a fan of sports, Changmin still excelled at them. He was thankful for that because his running was of use this time. He had managed to find Shiori, who had ventured to the forest where they first met. She was just sitting there, staring ahead when Changmin noticed her figure from behind. Once he took a few steps to confront her, he saw what she was truly doing: crying. She was just sitting there with a lunch bag on her lap crying. She didn’t even touch her face to wipe away her tears. She didn’t even make a noise. She just let her emotion develop naturally. Sadness at its purest.

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Chapter 29: Farewell from Rebirth

         “You are rather bothersome.” I awakened to the sound of Kuro’s voice.

          My head rested on a pillow and my body lay on a bed. Now, the question was whose bed? Inspecting the room, I noticed that I was still in the Queen’s gloomy chamber and he was sitting beside me on the edge of the bed.

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: The Mom Goes to the Hospital and the Innocent Boy Meets the Innocent Girl’s Family

Why? Why hadn’t he known earlier? Why didn’t his sisters tell him sooner? Why was he always left behind? Jaejoong was sprinting down the hallway of the cardiology department of a hospital.

“Sir!” A nurse had hollered. “Sir, you can’t run—“

            He had opened the door to room 718, panting vigorously. “Jaejoong—“

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Chapter 28: Memoirs from Rebirth

          He was covered in eternal darkness, almost fading with the dimness of the room. Only his piercing gaze reminded me of his presence.

          “Who are you?” I asked.

          I had an inkling of his identity, but I still needed a way to confirm. Beside the door was always a thin table where the Queen placed a vase of fresh roses; now only an empty glass figure with wilting ones filled the area. Perhaps I could . . .

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 27

 Chapter 27: The Hidden Devil Helps the Nerdy Girl and the Free Spirit Goes to the Park

It was a teacher’s duty to rescue a student in trouble, yet Changmin always acted like nothing was strange at school. Although he knew, no, all of the teachers knew that bullying existed, none of them ever revolted the bullies. Who could tell who was telling the truth, especially with girls? Victims could be bullies and bullies could be victims. It was better to leave everything for nature to decide. Essentially, it was the survival of the fittest.

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Chapter 27: Banishment from Rebirth

          I never gave the white fox’s tail to the King. I never even mentioned Desiderium’s name, knowing that I had to keep a secret with Nestor.  Somehow, the King knew of the kidnapping. Even Nestor was stunned by this revelation. In fact, he had bolted into my chamber fairly early in the morning, which caused Marie to reprimand him.

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: The Innocent Couple Reconciles and the Queen of Spontaneity Cooks for the Leader

Naomi wondered how many times she had seen this image of a man leaving. Countless. Her father had abandoned the family when she was only five. She had seen his parting with a suitcase. She had seen her mother chasing after her father, screaming, “Am I not good enough? You’re leaving me for that whore, aren’t you?”

Naomi remembered asking, “Where are you going, Daddy?”

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Chapter 26: Desiderium from Rebirth

          “Ah, awake, sweet pea?” Again there was that frightening sound from that woman. “I would not move if I were you. You see this device here?”

          I looked left and right to discover that I was bounded with ropes on a cross. My arms and legs were spread apart to prevent me from escaping. My muscles were already too tense, making it impossible to even adjust myself to a better position.

          “If you move more, then the ropes will tighten even more. You would not want to take your own life, now would you?” she confirmed.

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: A Delightful Congregation and the Leader’s Ideal Date Version 1.1

Junsu again had arrived fifteen minutes before the class ended to pick up Naomi. There was already someone at the classroom’s door, a student with pigtails. When Junsu was about to open the door, she stopped him by shouting, “Don’t! Nishio sensei is busy. S-she told me not to disturb her until after school.”

“I . . . suppose I’ll just wait here then.” He stood opposite to her, leaning his shoulder on the wall.

“Y-yeah,” she muttered while holding tightly onto a yellow folder.

Junsu felt impatient today as if he were about to implode. Seconds seemed like minutes and minutes resembled hours. So, he wasted his time by examining the student ahead of him. She appeared to be extremely shy, reminding him of Changmin in elementary school.

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Chapter 25: Plot from Rebirth

          Who said to fear embarrassment or shame? There was nothing to fear when one was wronged. Surely, the Queen had wrongfully treated me. The evidence from my injured cheek, was too apparent. Not to mention, my sling still attracted various glances from the audience.

          I didn’t dare smile on the exterior though. Instead, I kept my head low and purposely covered my cheek with my hand. More attention, I needed, so I dragged every step I made to the Wisteria Gardens for the banquet, unhesitant of what I was to do. What I hadn’t expected, however, was for him to encounter me first.

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TFDL: Prelude - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: The Leader Suggests to the Queen of Spontaneity his Perfect Date and the Free Spirit Plays Detective

How long had Rhett been waiting for the perfect date? He had conjured a list of locations for a date along with a set of activities. After carefully going through each place and even timing the events, he finally concocted a schedule that he had memorized precisely. The night before, he had even rehearsed aloud what they would do. This would happen, and then that, and then this, and then a bit of that . . .

Who would have thought that the first task had already been wrong? This was all thanks to Kannei. “Are you kidding me?” Kannei barked at him in the car. She had a look of fear mixed with anxiety, the complete opposite of what he had anticipated. Now, what had Rhett said to cause such a reaction?

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Chapter 24: Intentions from Rebirth

          “Peace,” I announced with assurance upon entering the King’s court. “That is what you have been searching for, Father.” The King who was reposed in his mighty throne had now awakened from his slumber. I had waited in line for a while for others to propose their answers and one by one, they exited, leaving the King in a rather distressed position.

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