Put Out My Fire

Hiding behind the pantry area of the castle, Keelan was letting out an evil grin. He looked at his men, who were equally smirking at his plans. He muttered, "It's time to ruin Amanda and cast her away from Aeros."

He immediately shifted into a soldier of Aeros and deliberately made his way to the servants working at the pantry. "Have you heard the news?"

"What is it, Lyle?" Asked one loyal servant of Theo. 

"Lady Amanda became abusive to a child in the northern village! She has gone out of hand!" Reported the said soldier. 

"What? She goes around, having an affair with Sir Keelan and now he attacks a child?!" Exclaimed one of the cooks. "Amanda has to be reported to Master Theo! That is the only way!"

"Yes! And the young master should know as well!"

The same group rallied more of the servants and other soldiers to complain to Theo, and by the time Cassy returned to the mansion, her father was already agitated. 

"Silence! Do not spout nonsense about the woman to helped saved our nation! Are you even thinking straight!" Theo's face was red in anger. He was a ruthless person, but he was always just. He never judged base on accusations. 

"But - Master Theo - "

"What's going on here?" Cassy also went straight to the great hall, hoping to talk to her father. Instead, she was met by a group, already requesting for Amanda to be banished. 

She walked in there with Razul, Khalil, and Keisha, who immediately followed behind her after her arrival at the castle. 

"Lady Cassy, is it true about the report of Amanda hurting a child?" Asked Farid, Kyle's father, and the general of Theo's army. He was beyond shocked hearing the news. 

Cassy raised her hands to everyone who was present and said, "It may seem that way - "

Before she could even resume her thoughts, the crowd gave their horrific reaction. 

"I can't believe that Amanda would do this?"

"I thought she was a nice person?!"

"No! I won't simply believe that?!" They all turned to Keisha. "Amanda and I had our differences, but she put it aside and befriended me." She sneered and added, "These accusations are rubbish!"

She looked at Cassy and said, "How could you say that Cassy?!"

"Everyone, please! Please!" Cassy called their attention. She looked at all those who were present and said, "For now, all I can say it. Do not and I repeat - do not believe everything you see!"

She walked around, making sure that everyone was paying attention to her and said, "For now, let me investigate on the matter!" Directing to the door, she asked the crowd, "Kindly leave us to discuss the situation... Please."

"I'd like to ask only Razul, Khalil, and Kiesha to remain with my father and the general," said Cassy. she turned to one older soldier and ordered, "Please go to Amanda's room and have her join us. Also, have Kyle come to this meeting."

It took only minutes for Amanda and Kyle to arrive. 

When everyone was settled in their seats, Cassy ordered the doors to the great hall closed. Only then did she speak to them. 

First, she turned to Keisha and said, "Thank you, Kiesha, for defending Amanda. I wasn't sure at first, but now I could definitely conclude that you have already changed. And what made you change? It was Amanda's good heart."

Amanda, who was earlier upset, eased following Cassy's words. Still, she put her arms across her chest, still feeling defensive. 

"Before anyone judge Amanda, I want... to test everyone in this room," said Cassy. 

They were all confused, but nevertheless, they let Cassy do as she requested. 

She turned to Kyle and asked, "Kyle, back when we were studying on earth, what was the favorite pizza that I and Chris used to order?"

Kyle: "What the heck, Cassy - "

Cassy: "Just answer. Damit!"

Kyle: "New York-style pizza. Duh."

She turned to Amanda and probed, "Christopher thought you had a fever the first time we met. Why?"

There was nothing but turmoil in Amanda's face. Nevertheless, she awkwardly replied, "Because you sensed my unusual warmth? I can't believe you remember that... What's going on, Cassy?"

Cassy pointed a finger at Amanda and said, "Good answer."

Cassy: "Keisha, how did Amanda defeat you on your fight?"

Keisha: "Focusing on her low kick to my leg?"

Cassy went on and on with her interview, testing everyone's identity... even her father. She asked, "Father, why did you never changed our diapers when we were babies?"

Everyone's eyes widened. They all turned to Theo, also curious to know. 

The great Theo, the master, and ruler of their land sensed his head filled with annoyance. He thought, 'Why this question?' He sneered and said, "Change your question, young lady! Change it!"

"Okay - okay. It was the first thing that came up to my mind," replied Cassy. "Anyhow, what was the gift you gave me on my eighteenth birthday?"

"Your mother's bracelet," said Theo. 

When Cassy was done, she finally said, "Good. Everyone seems to be the right person."

"What in the world is going on, Cassy! Tell us now!" Theo demanded, his tone had never been so upsetting. 

"Amanda," said Cassy. She turned to her father and said, "Father, At first, honestly, I thought Amanda had an alter ego, but now... I think... someone is pretending to be Amanda or anyone for that matter just to shame Amanda's name!"

Cassy began to share what observed back at the northern village, starting with seeing one kind of Amanda to another one. Then she told about running after Amanda but suddenly disappearing. The oddest example she could give was the most apparent; the old lady with the red scarf. 

"I would never hurt a child," said Amanda with a frown. 

"And I realized this after connecting the dots. You couldn't have possibly been the one hurting the child if you were aiding one soldier who had fallen unconscious!" Added Cassy. 

Razul had his brows furrowed when he said, "Come to think of it, the Amanda I saw a few days back who was." He looked at Amanda apologetically and resumed, "She was being so bossy - but that was also the day that I was certain she was on earth!"

For those who had witnessed Amanda's supposed alter ego, they shared their experience, and it utterly shocked Amanda. It was the first time she heard of it!

'No wonder!' She thought. 'No wonder some soldiers and servants were evading her gaze, some even giving her that disgusting glare!'

'No wonder they thought I'd leave casserole for Keelan! Fuck!'

While a serious discussion was happening inside the great hall of Aeros' castle, Christopher had apparently returned from the earth. He reappeared inside his chamber, thanks to Abasi's wormhole. 

Missing his woman, the first thing Christopher did was look for Amanda. He was immediately told that she was at the great hall with his father and sister. 

However, just as he made a turn to the hallway, he frowned at the sight of Amanda, walking towards the library. He called for her, "Amanda! Amanda! There you are! I thought you were with father."

"Hey! Where are you going?" He swore he saw her hesitate, but ultimately, Amanda turned to him and said, "With your father? No, I just came from my room. From the opposite direction."

Christopher frowned and leaned back. "Oh. Well, no matter." He grabbed her hand and said, "Come! My love. I'm so tired. I want some unity now! And I want five rounds!"

"Unity?" Amanda asked with one brow raised.

Smirking at his woman, playing innocent, he said only with his mind, "You know. How about I pounce on you from behind? You like that a lot."

Unfortunately for Christopher, the woman before him did not answer. She merely grimaced at his actions. 

Still, he spoke to her in the head and said, "Amanda?! I want to have sex! Now!"

Of course, he could not say it out loud. There were soldiers guarding the castle just meters away from them. He could only speak to her in his head.

"Chris? Are you back? Why are you thinking about sex now? I'm at the great hall talking to your father and sister! It's very urgent! Come here!" With eyes widened, Christoper swallowed his own spit. 

Amanda said she was at the great hall, but she was before him? 

He let go of the woman in front of him and maintain to speak through his mind. He asked, "You are at the great hall?"

"Yes! Come here! There is an urgent matter pertaining to me. You need to know this!" Replied Amanda through his head. 

He tilted his head in confusion and put his hands on his waist. Still, through their secret means of communicating, he asked, "So if you are there? Who is this in front of me? Fuck! I just asked her to make unity with me!!!"

"I'm coming! I'm coming! Don't you dare make unity with someone else! I'm going to kill you!" He heard Amanda spoke. 

Just before he could grab on to the woman in front of him again, she ran like hell away from Christopher.