Young, forbidden love.

Young, forbidden love.

There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Melanin Luna Valley was a quiet and peaceful town. The town was filled with kind villagers, givers, healers, and great beauty, this all began to change when Clara and Reo became best friends. They both were eight years old when they met. Their parents came from different backgrounds but that didn’t stop them from meeting. They bumped into each other at an abandoned cabin in the woods; they both believed it was fate that they met each other. Reo is the son of a powerful king and queen, Leo and Rina. Reo has the gift of seeing people’s aura, he knows when someone is around him for impure reasons. Sad to say that his parents' souls were extremely toxic. While Clara is an orphan, Julian and Lory are her adoptive parents. They treated her like an errand girl, they fed her and bought her a few pieces of clothing when she was young, but as she got older she had to fend for herself a lot of the time. Of course, Reo helped her with almost everything she needed but he had so many obligations as a prince that he started to rarely have time for her. Keep in mind their parents didn’t know that they were close; they both were in love with each other but their love was forbidden. Reo couldn’t date until his parents were ready for him to get married; this didn’t stop Reo from spending his free time with Clara.

One night Reo snuck off with Clara to the abandoned cabin where they first met. He brung blankets, food, new apparel for her to wear and a ring; he was excited to share this special and beautiful night with her. Clara opened the busted, wood door. “Hi, my love. How has your day been?” She cheered. Clara gazes at Reo’s beautiful brown lips. Reo strolls in with the biggest smile on his face, “My day is way better now that I’m seeing you, beautiful.” He grinned. Clara helped him set up the picnic he had planned for them, she looked at him with so much appreciation and trust. She knew she was ready for the next step, but she didn’t know how to set the mood. “What’s on your mind, darling?” He asked with so much concern. Clara blushed, she got closer to him and leaned in for a kiss. Reo’s heart was racing but he moved towards her lips. They kissed, and time stopped for them. They nearly saw God as both of their souls connected, It was magical for the both of them. Clara moved her face away from his lips to look at his beautiful hazel eyes. She glances at his full lips, milk chocolate skin and curly black hair. Clara spreaded her smile wide, she knew Reo was what she wanted. Reo gazed into her beautiful brown eyes, he began to get lost in them. “Let’s sit down and eat,” Clara cheered. “Of, course. I also have a gift for you after our lunch.” Reo presented. Him and Clara sat down on the soft, green blanket he brought and they began to eat the mini turkey sandwiches he made. “So, what exactly did you get me? Clara giggled. Reo smirked, but he didn't say a word, instead he began to feed Clara strawberries as if he was trying to shut her up. Clara finished up the cheese and strawberries quickly, she tried to speed up the process so she could finally know what the gift was. Reo noticed there was no more food to eat, so he finally went on one knee. He took out the engagement ring, he looked deeply into Clara’s eyes and said “Clara, my love you mean everything to me. You have me when no one else does, you don’t care about the physical things in life, I want you to be my future wife.” Clara stared at Reo in complete shock, she was nervous to say yes but she loved him. “Of course I’ll marry you, but what would your parents say?

“They don’t get to decide who I love, don’t worry about them. That’s for me to handle.” Reo expressed. Clara looked at Reo with deep love and passion, she leaned in to kiss him once again only this time they made love for the first time.

The next day Reo and Clara go their separate ways; Clara goes back home to pack her clothes, crystals and gems. Her biological parents left her important family heirlooms with a note attached to it.

Dear whom this may concern,

This beautiful child is now your responsibility, she’s special and bright. She needs to always keep these crystals and gems by her side. She will never lose them because they will always find their way back to her. If you steal, take or destroy these crystals and gems it will come back to haunt you.

Sincerely,

Magnolia

This was the only thing her mom left her; Clara’s adoptive parents tried to sell her gems and crystals, but like Magnolia said it came right back to Clara. Clara never understood why, but she was grateful to have something that was connected to her.

Reo went back home to speak to his parents about his engagement. As he walks in he sees ten women around his age lined up to marry him. “MOOM, DAAD!” He shouted. Leo and Rina gently walked downstairs, “Hi my love, what’s the matter?” Rina questioned. “I have something I would like to tell you.” Reo trembled. “What is it, son?” Leo asked. “I already got engaged to a beautiful, sweet and amazing girl.” Reo blurted. “That’s wonderful! What royal family does she come from?” Rina asked. Leo stares with concern and excitement, “Is she from Lingertown?” Reo rolled his eyes, “She doesn’t come from a royal family. She lives here in Melanin Luna Valley, it’s Clara.” Rina didn’t give Reo’s statement anytime to sink in, “ARE YOU CRAZY?” She shouted. “Baby, calm down. They’ve been friends ever since they were kids. I can understand why he proposed.” Leo stated. “Why aren’t you as mad as I am right now?!” Rina snapped. “Because he’s not going to actually marry her.” Leo chimed in. “Yes I am!” Reo yelled. “You’re not if you still want to live with us. We will not accept a peasant girl in this palace. Leo demanded. Reo was only seventeen at the time, his whole life flashed before his eyes. He didn’t know if Clara was worth being homeless for, he felt like he had no choice but to go with what his family wanted.

Reo and Clara were supposed to meet back at the abandoned cabin, but Reo never showed up. Clara waited a week for him to see her, but there were no signs of him. Clara didn’t understand why he left her hanging for so long so she just went back home.

Rebirth

Two weeks passed by and Clara still hadn’t heard from Reo. She began to feel ill, and tired all of the time. She knew there was only one explanation for that, “I have to be pregnant.” She thought. Fear begins to arise within Clara so she travels to Reo’s palace. She used her father Julian's horse, she knew that he wouldn’t like it but this was important. As she travels towards Reo’s palace she catches him in town with a beautiful blonde woman. Clara thinks about confronting them but she had nothing to say, so she decided she’d deal with the situation on her own. Clara starts to travel back home with her dad’s horse, as she’s riding away Reo caught her leaving. Reo felt an overwhelming ache in his stomach, he felt so terrible that he was hurting the woman he truly loves. After Reo’s date he goes to his Rina once again and he tries to convince his mom that Clara is the right choice for him. “I can’t keep doing this.” Reo grabs his mom's hand, and looks deeply into her eyes. “What do you mean, darling?”

“I can’t keep seeing these girls when I’m in love with someone else.” Rina rolls her eyes, “I’m not going to talk to you about this again. That girl is after your money and we aren’t taking care of her.” Reo huffs, he scrunched up his face with so much fury. “HAVE YOU EVER LOVED ANYONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF!” Reo walks out of his palace and he travels to Clara’s small cabin, when he finally gets to her place he knocks on her door gently. Clara quickly opens the door and her heart drops. “What are you doing here?” She asked. Reo looks at Clara’s beautiful caramel skin. “You’re my wife. What do you mean what am I doing here?” Reo chuckled. Clara glowered at him angrily, “Weren’t you just with another woman? And you haven’t been speaking to me at all.” Reo began to pout, he already felt guilty and the fact that she saw him cheating traumatized him. “I’m so sorry, my love. It’s my parents, they want me to marry a rich girl. They told me if I married you they’d disown me.” Clara felt a huge aching in her heart, her stomach felt twirly. She started to become hot and sweaty, it felt like she had to pass out. Clara threw up all over Reo’s shoes and pants; she began to bawl her eyes out. “Honey, are you okay? Are you getting sick?” Reo comforted Clara. “I think I might be pregnant.” Clara blurted.

New beginning to a chaotic end.

Seven months have passed since Clara told Reo she’s pregnant, they both live in the palace with his parents. Rina and Leo aren’t thrilled, but they couldn’t leave their son and their grand baby struggling because of a “peasant girl.” They blamed Clara for everything and they disliked her even more now that she’s pregnant. They didn’t believe that his love for her would last, but now they fear a future with her always being around. Clara and Reo didn’t mind though, they were so blissfully happy. Nothing could bother them now that they had a miracle on the way. “Hi Ms. Clara, would you like some breakfast this morning?” The maid asks. “I would like pancakes and bacon, please and thank you.” Clara affirms, she felt so welcomed and happy living with Reo and his family. “Darling, I’m so happy you’re here.” Reo grins, he gazes deeply into Clara’s eyes and kisses her. Rina walks in as Clara and Reo are having a moment, “Hello! How are you doing, Clara? She instigates. “I’m great, thank you so much for everything.” Clara cheers, she gets up out of bed and hugs Rina tightly. Rina begins to feel uncomfortable and she slightly pulls away from Clara, “It’s no problem, really. Let me know if you need anything else.” Rina grunts. Clara sulks, “Your mom isn’t a big fan of mine.” Reo walks towards Clara and hugs her, “She may not be a big fan of yours but you are a big fan of mine.” He kisses her once again, she gazes into his eyes and they both get lost into each other's spirits.

Two months have passed and Clara is almost due for the baby, she could go into labor any time now. Things between Reo and Clara have been getting a little rocky because Clara was starting to become really moody. Especially because Rina had been pushing her buttons the whole pregnancy, as if she was trying to stress her out. “REO, YOUR MOTHER IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!” Clara shouts. “I know my love, but that isn’t my fault. I’ve been trying to talk to her but all she does is act as if she doesn’t know what the problem is.” Reo explains. Clara rolls her eyes and storms off, As she leaves the guest room she starts to feel liquid coming down her legs. “Oh no.” she utters, “REO!” She yells; Reo runs into the hallway. “What’s wrong now?” Reo questions. “I think I’m going into labor, tell your family!” Clara agonizes. “MOM, DAD, CLARA IS GOING INTO LABOR!” Reo runs to them, and they all run back to Clara. Rina helps Clara downstairs to the kiddy pool, “WHAT IS THIS?! WHY AREN’T WE GOING TO A PROFESSIONAL?!” Clara shouts. “This family does natural births, now get into the pool!” Rina demands.

After seven hours of ripping, tearing and agonizing pain Clara finally had her baby girl. Clara and Reo named her Cleo, she’s a beautiful combination of them both so they wanted her name to resemble that. Clara held Cleo in her arms for hours, she didn’t want to let her go. She let everyone else hold her, but not for long. She knew that this baby was going to be her whole life, she began to not care about anyone or anything else around her. Clara began to get sleepy, so she put Cleo down into the nursery and she slept on the bed next to the crib. As Cleo and Clara were sound asleep Reo went into the room to check on them. He looked over Cleo and smiled from ear to ear, it was the biggest smile he’d ever had. All of a sudden he feels a huge bang over his head.

When Reo woke up he looked up and saw Clara asleep, he raised up from the room floor and saw that Cleo wasn’t in her crib. “CLARA!” Reo shouts, he goes over to shake her out of her sleep. Clara began to open her eyes, “My love, what’s wrong?” Reo begins to cry, “Cleo is gone.” Clara was extremely groggy, but once Reo told her that Cleo was missing she woke up. “WHAT!” Clara snaps, “WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER!” She yells, her voice breaks every window in the palace. “What the..?” Reo trembles. Clara’s eyes begin to turn red, and her hands form flames. “MOM! DAD! WHERE ARE YOU?!” Reo shrieks, Rina and Leo creep upstairs as if they’re scared to face them. “Yes, my son?” Leo replies, he steps in front of Rina, he looks at Clara up and down. “Where’s our daughter?” Reo trembles. Clara continues to restrain herself from hurting anyone with her magic. “We.. we took her to a shelt..” Before Rina could finish her sentence Clara throws a fireball at Leo and her. “BURN!” Clara screeches, “NOOOO!” Reo shouts. Clara stares at his parent’s ashes, and smirks; “How dare they take my baby..” Clara mumbles. Clara leaves Reo where he stands as he bawls out in tears, It’s time to find her baby, Cleo.

Finding Cleo

As Clara went on a search for Cleo, Reo knelt down crying in front of both his parents' ashes. He couldn’t believe the love of his life killed the people who raised him. Reo began to grow hatred for Clara, he started to regret having a baby with her. He saw both of them as an abomination, something that needed to be destroyed. Now that his parents were gone he was the head of the valley, he could find Clara and destroy her.

Reo goes downstairs into his fathers study, he then hires a messenger to call upon the knights and soldiers. They all gather around and look up to Reo, “You strong, mighty men will be searching for a fraile, horrific woman, Clara. She has long dark brown curly hair, her skin is a beautiful bronze and she has evil in her eyes. You will catch her and you will kill her!” The knights and soldiers obey Reo’s request and they all go on a search for Clara.

Clara finally arrives at the tenth shelter looking for her baby girl, Cleo. Clara jogs towards a woman holding a pale and beautiful baby, “Have you seen a beautiful light brown baby, she has thick curly hair and green eyes. Her name is Cleo. A king and queen brought her here.” The woman signals for Clara to follow her, and she looks down at a baby in an orange crib. “Are you talking about her?” Clara quickly stares into her baby’s eyes, she picks Cleo up and says “There you are, my love.” Clara took a deep breath, she could finally relax. Her shoulders stopped being tense, the anger she felt for everyone simmered down. She finally found her baby, “Thank you so much.” She caresses the kind woman’s arm and leaves the shelter. As Clara begins to walk back to her adoptive parents’ cabin she comes across 30 soldiers and 30 knights. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” Clara shouted, the baby began to cry as if she could feel her mothers rage. The knights and soldiers didn’t say a word, instead they started to shout and charge at her and her baby. Out of nowhere Cleo’s tiny hands started to become a bright light, dragons went through her hand and they charged at the knights and soldiers. Clara looks at her baby girl in awe, she had no clue how powerful they were.