"Your Highness, it is time to go," sabi ni Caleb pagkapasok niya sa kwarto ko. "The banquet is starting."
"Please wait for a moment, Caleb. We are not finish styling Her Highness," sabi ni Faith at nilagyan ng silver chain headdress sa ulo ko. Its jewels are dangling on my forehead. "She must be the most beautiful Lady in the party as the Emperor's only daughter. We cannot accept it if she is to be humiliated in front of everyone because of our mistake."
Nakasuot ako ngayon ng isang full sleeved off-shoulder halter top gown na abot hanggang sahig. It's in gold and shimmering because of it's sparkles pati rin sa iba pang disenyo na nakatahi rito. Naka-silver dangling earrings din ako, isang three-layered silver necklace at white boots. Inayos ni Lily ang buhok ko. Sa sobrang dami rin ng layers ng suot ko ay halos di na ako makalakad dahil sa bigat nito. Does my clothes have to be this gallant?
"You're such a beauty, your highness!" puri niya pa sa 'kin na ngitian ko na lang.
Inalalayan ako ni Caleb papunta sa venue. Nang makarating na kami sa may doubledoor ay binitawan na niya ako at lumayo bago ako niyukuan. I thanked him.
"Being your knight is nothing but an honor for me, Your Highness. I had fully pledged in front of everyone to protect one of the Empire's star. Until my last breath."
What he said warmed my heart. "Thank you, Caleb."
"Ladies and gentlemen," dinig kong nagmumula sa loob ng pinto. "Princess Roxanne!"
Kasabay ng pagbukas ng dalawang pinto ay ang pagkasilaw ko. I blinked a few times. Bumungad sa 'kin ang napakaraming bisita na pumapalakpak at nakatingin sa akin nang may ngiti sa labi.
I raised the front part of my skirt before walking down the aisle. Naglakad ako papunta sa isang medyo maliit na upuan na nasa kaliwang bahagi ng trono at umupo.
Sunod na itinawag si Hiro. He was wearing his royal clothes with a white palette for the top. Ang blazer niya ay kulay gray pati ang pantalon. The gold accessories dangled on his clothes. Lumapit siya sa isang upuan na singlaki ng sa akin at nasa kanang bahagi ng trono at umupo.
"Forty-five years ago, our Empire had become the target of colonization," pagsisimula ng host na ikinatahimik ng lahat. "Women, children, and even soldiers have been abducted, taken away from there homes and lived as slaves from the foreign land."
"But at the same time forty-five years ago, a child was born. A child, no one had thought to be the one to save us. Our hero."
"He bravely fought the enemies, saved all of the our people, and brought back peace on our land."
"He is no one but our one and only ruler."
The host raised his arms, signalling the entrance of the Emperor. "And now, let's welcome. His Majesty, the Emperor, Arkansas Casquiejo!"
Mas lumakas ang palakpakan nang bumungad ang Emperor pagkabukas ng pinto. He smiled and waved at everyone before taking a seat on his throne. He made a short speech before the royal banquet started.
Nanatili muna ako sa pagkaupo habang pinagmamasdan ang mga tao. Different nobles with different ranks who came from different kingdoms.
"How's Mother?" dinig kong tanong ni Hiro sa emperor.
"Tati is still not waking up." Bakas ang lungkot sa boses ni Emperor Arkansas. "But the royal wizard, Rosh, had said that she is already fine and would just need to rest."
Si Rosh pala talaga ang pinaka pinagkakatiwalaan nila pagdating sa mga ganito. Everyone in the palace never trusted any physician or wizard other than him. Lucky motherfucker.
Lumapit sa amin ang isang matandang lalaki, katabi niya ay isang binatang kasing-tangkad lang ni Hiro. Was he a major character in the novel? Hindi ko na maalala.
"I greet the heavenly light of our empire," the old man greeted, doing a formal bow. Gumaya naman ang lalaking katabi niya.
"Ahh, it's good to see you, Count Abraskhil." Father smiled. "I see that your son attended the banquet as well."
Tumawa ang matandang tinawag ni Dad na si Count Abraskhil. "Thankfully, he abided to my request. It was actually hard to force him to attend." Pagkatapos ay tiningnan niya ang kaniyang anak na nanatiling tahimik. "Devon, why don't you greet His Majesty and his children?" sabi niya sa anak na sinunod naman ng lalaki.
He made a formal bow. "I am Devon Abraskhil. The son of Count Albert Abraskhil. I greet the Empire's heavenly light and his stars."
His voice sounded, monotonous. Like he practiced the same line over and over again for a million times as if he's memorizing a script.
Naguguluhan man ay nag-bow din ako nang makitang ginawa iyon ni Hiro at Dad. "It is of such pleasure in meeting you, Lord Devon."
"Say, Roxanne. Why don't you and Lord Devon spend some time together? It would be nice for you to socialize at such rare events and make our people acknowledge your presence?"
"Ah! Yes, yes!" Pumalakpak si Count. "Actually, my son had just arrived from abroad where he is currently studying. He is taking his thought thoroughly and have decided to spend the rest of his vacation here in our empire."
Nakita ko pa kung paano mahinang itinulak si Devon ng kaniyang ama papalapit sa akin. "He is yet to get used to this place as he had lived in Aurevia for most of his life because of his studies. It would be nice if her highness would take a stroll with him together at the imperial garden and tour him around the palace grounds."
Gusto kong umiling. I wanted to reject his offer. But as the Princess of the Empire, I have to gain the respect of my subjects kung gusto kong hindi maging center of all hate.
I nodded, before turning and taking a bow at Father and Hiro. "Please excuse us, Father."
Sabay kaming bumaba ni Devon sa hagdan at agad na lumapit na mahabang mesa na puno ng mga pagkain. "Do you wish to eat anything?" I asked.
Itinaas lang niya ang kaniyang kamay at umiling. "Not to disrespect you, Your Highness, but I am still full. Though, I am much honored to receive such thoughtfulness from the Princess."
Napalabi ako. "Then, do you mind if we take a stroll down the imperial garden?"
"Of course. Who am I to deny the request of the Imperial Princess?
Sabay kaming naglalakad, parehong tahimik. There was a one-meter distance between the two of us.
"I heard that you lived most of your life in Aurevia." Panimula ko.
Aurevia is one of our neighboring Empire, located just beside ours. A border was the only thing that's separating the two lands that people can freely pass and enter the other place.
Devon nodded. "It is a place full of wizards and mages. I believe that studying in the foreign land will be of help for me. Considering the fact that I still cannot stably control my mana," sagot niya na nakataas ang isang kamay. Exotic plants and flowers started to grow from the soil, following the tracks of the path that we're heading.
"Earth user?"
Tumango siya.
"Aurevia's academy is one of the most prestigious schools in the continent. Many known sorcerers have graduated from the said premise. It is safe to say that that is my reason for choosing them instead of our own Nation's academy. Is it not?"
Mahina akong natawa. Sabagay, tama rin naman siya. "It is actually not bad of a choice. It's good to see that your Father had not been against of your decision. Especially after what happened years ago."
Well, a hundred years ago, Aurevia and Casquiea were enemies. Every day, a war would break. Soldiers, innocent souls, and children had their lives taken away by the conflagration. It was like that for years. Until they suddenly stopped.
The D'aureville's, the rulers of Aurevia. Had suddenly went silent. No one knew why, until they unexpectedly sent a letter to the Emperor of Casquiea and asked for peace. The two Emperors met, at the borline of the two Empires. Both made the same decision, peace-treaty was decided, and they both made a huge wall on the borders with nothing but a single door to enter through that's been heavily guarded. The two Nations have been in a state of tranquil ever since.
"Forget about me, let us talk about you, instead," he suggested. "How are you, Your Highness? I have heard from Father that you and His Highness had fought not too long ago."
Damn, hindi nga 'yon ako! It was the original Roxanne who got hit by Hiro's mana and not me!
"I am fine now, Brother had apologized about it," I lied, plastering a fake smile.
"That is good to know."
Nanatili kaming tahimik, walang ibang tunog na namayani sa amin kundi ang galing sa mga insektong nagtatago sa mga bulaklak na nakapaligid sa amin.
Lumapit ako sa isang parte ng hardin na puno ng puting chrysanthemums. Its white hues coloured the petals beautifully and added with the minty tints from the petals' tips. I couldn't help but pluck one off and stare at it, admiring the nature's gifts.
Bumalik kami sa loob ng palasyo. My attention was still focused on the chrysanthemum, sniffing its earthy aroma that I will never get tired of smelling.
"Do you know that white chrysanthemums symbolize a long period of life?" I rhetorically asked Devon who stayed silent behind me as we walked down the aisle. "And at the same time, it also symbolizes death."
"If I tell you right here, right now, that I consider myself to be rather connected to the flower, would you believe me?" Bago pa man siya makasagot ay tumawa ako. "I know it is rather preposterous, I do feel it that way."
"Just like what this flower represents, I am also playing with life and death right now."
Reincarnated inside the body of a female lead who's destined to die. Doing everything to survive and avoid the tragic end. It's exhausting.
I have no guarantee of my future. No one knows how this ends now. It's like I'm standing in a thin rope, barely trying to survive and to not fall into the scary thing called death.
But it's not like I have any other options but to move on and try my hardest to survive.
"I just hope that I am not hanging on the other side of the chrysanthemum."
We talked for a few minutes, before he had to take his leave since his Father called him. Yumuko siya sa 'kin bago nagpaalam.
"It will be an honor to meet you again, Your Highness," was his last words before he left. Bumalik ako sa pagkakaupo sa tabi ni Dad.
The banquet was still going on. Some nobles went up to us to personally give Father some presents that the latter really loved.
Overall, the party was starting to get boring that I had my cheek on my pal that's resting on the arm of my chair.
Ang pagpasok ng isang lalaki ang nakakuha ng atensiyon ko. Nakasuot siya ng black formal suit. Lumapit ito sa mahabang mesa kung nasaan ang mga pagkain na nakahanda at kumuha ng cupcake sa isang tray bago ito kinagatan. Napataas ako ng kilay nang makita ko ang pagngiwi niya.
I stood up, catching the attention of the two men beside me.
"I will be eating some food at the catering table since I am getting hungry." I did a formal bow. "Happy birthday once again, Father."
Nang makababa ako sa hagdan ay agad ko siyang nilapitan. Nakasandal na siya ngayon sa isang pillar at parang pinipilit ang sariling ubusin ang cupcake na kinakain niya.
"Is there something wrong with the food?"
"Oh, shit!" Sigaw niya kasabay ng pag-igtad niya. "Ah! I mean, no, there's no problem at all hehe."
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Are you sure? You looked like you wanted to take a loo after taking a bite of that cupcake. As the daughter of the celebrant, I suppose it is also my responsibility to take care of the visitors' health, hmm?"
"A-Ah, don't mind me! This is actually my uh, my happy face! Yes!" pagdadahilan niya pa at ngumiti pa nang pilit. "Excuse me, Your Highness, but I have to go." Yumuko muna siya bago umalis.
Sinundan ko siya ng tingin at nakitang lumapit siya sa isang babaeng naka-dark green na gown na nasa gilid lang at nagmamasid. Nakita ko kung paano niya binatukan ang lalaki matapos niyang marinig ang kung ano mang sinabi nito.
Napailing na lang ako sa nakita. I'm not going to lie, though. They looked good together.
Lumabas ako sa palasyo at pumunta sa may lawa. Nang makarating ay isinandal ko muna ang kamay ko sa isang malaking puno habang pinagmamasdan ang lawa sa harapan ko. The moonlight illuminated the waters. It was a beautiful scenery.
"Got bored?"
Muntik pa akong mapamura nang may biglang magsalita sa ibabaw ko. Looking up, I saw Rosh laying on his stomach on a branch with his left hand supporting his head and his right hand swinging down. He had a smug look on his face.
"Can you please not surprise me like that?" inis kong saad.
Tinawanan niya lang ako. Umayos siya ng upo sa sanga. He leaned backwards, making himself fall before spinning and landing on his feet.
Sabay kaming naglakad sa gilid ng lawa, nasa likuran ko siya at nakasunod lamang sa 'kin. Habang naglalakad ay pinagmasdan ko ang mahinang paggalaw ng katubigan. The water lilies and lily pads danced together with the waters. The swans swam gracefully as fireflies engulfed the whole place, looking like pixie dusts.
Nilingon ko ang lalaki nang marinig ang pagtikhim nito. "What?"
But he just shook his head and smiled. "Nothing."
Nang makarating kami sa dulo tumigil kami at tahimik lang na nakatayo, katabi ang isa't isa at nakamasid sa lugar.
Habang tumatagal ay nararamdaman ko ang pagbigat ng aking kasuotan. I tsked.
With a little sway of my hand, the water from the lake started to float, circling around my body. Kasabay ng pag-ikot ng tubig ay ang pagliwanag ng suot ko. As the glow slowly fades, my clothes changed.
Kung kanina ay nakasuot ako ng magarang damit na ang kulay ay halos ginto lahat, ngayon ay nakasuot na lamang ako ng isang pulang off-shoulder dress. Ang buhok ko ay nakalugay, wala na ang kung ano mang accessories na nakasuot sa 'kin.
Nilingon ko si Rosh at nakita ang nakanganga niyang mukha, halatang nagulat sa nasaksihan. Napatawa na lang ako.
"I learnt this when I was alone in my room."
Akala ko ay 'yon ang magpapatigil sa pagtitig niya. Pero habang tumatagal ay mas lalo akong nailang sa paraan kung paano niya ako titigan.
It's like... there's something in his eyes that I can't explain.
"Bakit?" tanong ko nang 'di na ako makatiis sa tingin niy, "is there something on my face?"
He blinked a few times before looking away, I can see how his face turned red.
I just chuckled before laying down the grass. I pat the space on my left, "Lay with me."
Kita ko sa ekspresiyon niya ang kagustuhang tumutol pero hindi niya ginawa. Bumuntonghininga siya bago humiga sa tabi ko. Both of us were facing the sky, in silence and just adoring the stars above.
A thought came into my mind.
"Did you know, that beyond those stars, is an infinite darkness filled with wonders?" Kahit hindi ko siya tingnan ay alam kong nilingon niya ako matapos marinig ang sinabi ko.
"Really? How can you say that?" He looked really cute. He's like a curious puppy.
Tinuro ko ang buwan, "That's the moon, do you see that?" turo ko sa isang maliit na ilaw na katabi ng buwan, "that's Jupiter. And that," turo ko naman sa isa pang ilaw sa hindi kalayuan ng buwan at planeta, "is Venus."
"What's that?"
"Planets. Jupiter and Venus are one of the eight planets in our solar system, didn't you know that? Oh wait nevermind," I dismissed what I said after realizing that their education system is different from the real world. "Jupiter and Venus are both visible because it's the time of their conjunction. If you have a telescope, you can clearly see the details of those two planets."
"I have one."
Lumaki ang mga mata ko nang bumungad sa harap namin ang isang malaking telescope. Akmang mahuhulog na sana ito at tatama sa mukha ko nang hinawakan ito ni Rosh at umupo.
Inayos niya muna ito bago ako tiningnan, "Well?"
Wala sa sarili akong tumikhim bago umupo. "You could've just told me before summoning one like that. It could've hit my face."
"But it didn't." Aba, at may gana pang sumagot?
"Shut up."
Kinuha ko ang telescope mula sa kaniya at tiningnan ang kalangitan gamit nito.
I adjusted it before giving it to him. "Here, try to take a look."
Nang tumingin siya dito ay narinig ko ang pagsinghap niya. "Wow..."
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" proud kong anas.
"No more than you..."
"Huh?" tanong ko ka nang hindi marinig ang sinabi niya. "Bulong-bulong mo riyan?"
Hindi niya ako pinansin. Nang matapos sa pagmamasid ay naglaho ang telescope bago bumalik kami sa pagkakahiga. Agad akong sumunod.
We were once again engulfed in silence.
"Rosh?" I called, "what's your full name? I never got to know."
He didn't answer. Nilingon ko siya at nakita kung paano bumakas ang kalituhan sa mukha niya. Damn, did I say something wrong?
"Why would you ask that?"
I shrugged. "Ewan, pumasok lang sa isip ko." Bumalik ako sa pagkakaupo at tiningnan siya. "Higa ka nga rito." Tinapik-tapik ko ang lap ko.
He blushed, moving his head on my lap. I started caressing his long hair. Ang lambot, anong shampoo gamit mo, lods?
"Change topic tayo," I said since I noticed how bothered he waa after I asked him that question. "Ano ideal type mo?"
Cutely tilting his head, he looked up to me with confused eyes. "Ideal type?"
"You know, 'yong gusto mo sa isang tao, gano'n."
"Hmm." He rested his chin on the back of his right hand. "How about you? What's your ideal type?"
"Hmm... syempre 'yong marunong maglinis, tapos mahilig din magbasa," I smiled, imagining it on my head. "Ang cute lang iyong lalaking ganoon. Tapos may suot pa na eyeglasses like, aaahh! Marry me na po, lods!" Sinipa-sipa ko ang mga paa ko sa kilig.
"Ow, ouch!" Rosh sat up, rubbing his head. "That hurts."
"Ay, sorry. Hihi." Nag-peace sign ako. "Ikaw? Ano ideal type mo?"
He muttered something under his breath which I didn't hear clearly. "Ha?"
"Nothing." Tumayo siya at pinagpagan ang damit. "Let's go, your brother and His Majesty must be looking for you."
Tinulungan niya akong tumayo. I changed back into my royal clothes I wore earlier before walking back inside the palace.
Tahimik lang kaming dalawa habang naglalakad. My hands were holding my skirt while his are behind his back. Isang metro ang layo namin sa isa't isa.
"Hey, Rosh?"
"Hmm?" sagot niya.
"What is Roxanne like?" biglaang tanong ko na ikinatigil niya.
He didn't answer. He sure got shocked at my question. Sino ba kasing hindi, I asked that out of the blue.
"Don't you really remember?"
My brows furrowed at his question. "Remember what?"
Hindi siya sumagot. Instead, he looked away with furrowed eyebrows like mine. Parang mas lalo siyang naba-bother after marinig ang sagot ko.
I really need to know Roxanne's backstory, and why she is hated by almost everyone other than because she's the daughter of the Emperor's mistress.
In the novel, Roxanne's background wasn't specified. It was only said that she was loathed. No one treated her like a Princess even when she has royal blood. Thus, her bad attitude to everyone but her ladies-in-waiting, maybe the reason why Lily and Faith still haven't left her side until now.
Her sufferings were never written. Not even a single good thing about her was ever shown in the novel. The author only focused on her bad sides that they forgot about the balance of each character's personalities.
"The Princess... was sweet," sagot niya pagkatapos ng ilang minuto na ikinagulat ko. "Well, sure she was mean at times. But she was actually a nice girl."
He raised his head. "Everyone looked at her as the psychopathic Princess. They never tend to look through that facade of hers. She's always lonely. Always yearning for validation from everyone, craving love she's being deprived of. With her mother's death, she has no one to hold on to."
"Maybe that's why she wants to take the throne. She thought it's the only thing that'll give her the validation she'd always wanted. But I guess the prince misunderstood that."
"With Akihiro's deep hatred for the princess, he thought Roxanne wants the throne for her to kill him and everyone else in the Imperial Family. With that mindset, he set to rival his own sister on who's going to be the heir," he sighed. "It's all fucked up."
"They both have reasons to be the heir to the throne..." mahinang bulong ko na narinig niya naman. "...selfish reasons."
He groaned. "Why do everyone wants the throne, anyway? It only makes your title higher. Plus the amount of responsibilities their going to carry once they sit in the throne. Don't they want to stay as a low ranking noble? Less responsibility, more freedom to do anything you want."
Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya. "Taray, royalty ka ba?"
"And if I am?"
Inirapan ko siya. "Asa ka naman."
There's no way he's a Prince, right?