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I never could have imagined that my life would take such a dramatic turn in the blink of an eye. I was Joy Rider, a successful martial arts athlete on my way to finally meet my brother, whom I hadn't seen in three long years due to my binding contract. As I boarded the plane, I impatiently counted down the hours until I would finally reach my destination. But just before takeoff, my best friend handed me a book to pass the time - something I typically abhorred. But she insisted it was better than watching a movie, so I reluctantly took it.
The hardcover pink book was titled "To Whom I Belong," with golden lettering etched into the cover. As I delved into the story, I was immediately captivated by the protagonist, Saorsa Epione. Just like her name - Saorsa, meaning freedom, and Epione, meaning a goddess who soothes pain - she was a free spirit with a kind heart. The story revolved around Saorsa and three main characters - a psycho crown prince named Vasilias Nerova, a brave war hero named Irosa Abraham, and a two-faced mage named Symon Kizashi.
Saorsa, the daughter of a minor merchant, was chosen as a candidate for the next crown princess. But her free spirit didn't align with the confined walls of the palace, so she often snuck out to live her life to the fullest. One day, while wandering the forest in search of medicinal herbs, she stumbled upon a man about to kill an innocent girl. Without hesitation, Saorsa stepped in to save the girl and caught the attention of the war hero, Irosa.
Saorsa felt a sense of injustice as she watched a girl being wronged by a mysterious hooded figure. Despite her fear, she bravely stepped in between the two, daring to stand up against the unknown aggressor. To her surprise, the hooded figure was none other than the celebrated War Hero Iroas. Her courage left a lasting impression on Iroas, who soon discovered that she was to become the wife of his bitter rival, the Crown Prince Vasilias. Fueled by a traumatic childhood and a deep-seated hatred for Vasilias, Iroas decides to take Saorsa for himself.
On the day of Iroas's official return to the kingdom, the Emperor throws a grand banquet in his honor, with all the eligible candidates for the Crown Princess in attendance, including Saorsa. When the Emperor asks Iroas what reward he desires for his outstanding service to the nation, Iroas requests the hand in marriage of the 41st candidate, Arcane. He deliberately does not mention the 40th candidate, Saorsa, knowing that Vasilias would do anything to have her. His plan is successful, and Vasilias chooses Arcane as his bride, unaware that he has been manipulated. But soon after, Vasilias lays eyes on Saorsa and is immediately smitten. He breaks off his engagement with Arcane.
When the news of her annulled engagement reaches Arcane, it shatters her and fuels her with a burning desire for revenge. She decides to take matters into her own hands and poisons Saorsa. But when the Crown Prince hears of her actions, he brutally punishes her by cutting off her hands joint by joint, knowing that killing her could lead to war. As Saorsa lies helplessly, the Mage, who has long held a secret love for her, is filled with grief and a thirst for vengeance. Using his powers as a mage, he convinces the Iroas that the only way to revive Saorsa is by burning the culprit in the pit of miseryDesperate to save his love, Iroas doesn't hesitate to end Arcane, brutally stabbing her until her body is unrecognizable before burning her in the pit of misery. And with that, the Mage successfully brings Saorsa back to life.
Just as she awakens, the Crown Prince, Vasilias Nerova, proposes to her and she accepts. Though Iroas Abraham and the Mage, Symon Kizashi, are heartbroken, they sacrifice their love for her happiness. However, on the night of the marriage, tragedy strikes as the Crown Prince is found dead in his chambers and the Emperor is poisoned. With the country left without a king, Iroas steps forward and takes control, marrying Saorsa.
Their life seems to be going smoothly until the King of Ridavell attacks the country as revenge for the death of his princess. The war hero, Iroas, goes off to fight in the war, but during this time, Saorsa is kidnapped. Though Iroas ultimately wins the war, he loses Saorsa, the love of his life, and ultimately takes his own life by jumping off a cliff.
Years later, Saorsa returns to the kingdom, which has fallen into ruins, and decides to rebuild it with the help of the mage, Symon. Together, they become successful rulers of the kingdom, but Saorsa's heart remains heavy with the loss of her loved ones.
As I read this story, I couldn't help but feel a sense of injustice. The concept of the story seemed to be that the female lead's happiness was worth sacrificing anyone's life. I felt heartbroken for Arcane, who only wanted love and attention, but instead faced pain and heartache. I cried when I read about Arcane's death. I couldn't help but harbor feelings of hatred towards Iroas, who was selfish, and the mage Symon, who believed he had the power to control others' fates. Even the Crown Prince Vasilias, who abandoned Arcane for another woman, elicited feelings of disdain.
As I read the story, time flew by, but my emotions only intensified. I couldn't stand the story, so I threw the book aside and left for my hotel. The story of Arcane still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but relate to her. Like her, I had always felt like a puppet, controlled by others, and just like her, I yearned for freedom.
The door to my hotel room was knocked a few times, but I barely had the energy to get up and answer it. When I finally opened the door, I saw a lady pulling a trolley. My food had arrived, but I couldn't bring myself to care. I held the door for her, but my mind was elsewhere, consumed by memories of my brother, who had been hospitalized and left me alone.
As I sat in silence, eating my meal, I received a message on my phone. It was a video clip and as soon as I opened it, my muscles spasmed, my windpipe constricted and my breath shortened. I was horrified.
“Hope you like the video! I especially made it for you.”
It was Daisy’s voice, and I saw my brother's body trembling as he desperately breathed in heavily. The moment I saw life being sucked out of him, I too felt the same. I couldn't move. The phone slipped out of my hand and a sharp pain surged through my body. I was paralyzed, I fell on my knees and twitched in pain. Painful cries escaped my lips.
“I hope you have eaten the food I prepared for you, I hope you enjoyed your last poisoned meal” She cackled at the end, “Nobody says no to me...I won your life,” With these cruel words my pain slowly numbed my body. The thought of me being a puppet danced in my head, I was so useless that I couldn't save the things precious to me. I desperately wanted to live once more...I wanted a chance again because it was unfair! I wished to have a family...I wished to have someone that loved me, I wanted to know how it felt to be loved.
And I can bet my life on the fact that Arcane too wished for the same...in the last moment of her life when she was ruthlessly stabbed to death...she too wished to be loved and she too wanted another chance.
And just like that, I got another chance to live like Arcane Lachtara. The girl whose name gave out a feeling of sorrow. Arcane (Meaning: Understood by a few) And Lachtara (Meaning : Longing) But I knew that my chance at happiness was gone, just like Arcane's. All that was left was a feeling of longing and sorrow, a feeling that consumed me as I lay on the floor, numb and alone.
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