I woke up in my room.
Sinuyod ko ang buong kwarto ko. Nakita ko si Lily at Faith sa gilid kasama si Caleb. Kausap nila si Rosh na nakaharap ang likod sa 'kin.
I suddenly remembered what happened. Umupo ako sa kama at napahawak sa ulo ko. Hindi ko namalayang lumapit na pala ang apat papunta sa pwesto ko.
"Princess! Are you alright?" alalang tanong ni Lily sa 'kin.
"We were so worried when we heard what happened to Your Highness," dagdag pa ni Faith.
I smiled at them, "I'm alright, Lily, Faith. Thank you."
"Caleb brought you here after you fainted and immediately summoned the Royal Wizard," Faith explained, giving credits to Rosh who stayed silent just bowed respectfully at me. Though, I know it's not me he's respecting, but Roxanne.
"I am glad that Your Highness is now fine." Tinanguan ko si Caleb bilang pasasalamat.
Lumipad ang tingin ko sa lalaking may berdeng mata na nasa pinakalikuran at tahimik lang na nagmamasid. Nginitian ko siya na mukha pang nagulat sa pagngiti kong iyon.
"Thank you, everyone. Really."
Sabay kaming tumingin sa pinto nang may kumatok. Binuksan ito ni Lily at may pumasok na isang maid. Yumuko siya.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Pumasok siya. May sumunod na isa pang maid sa likuran niya na may dalang stainless tray na puno ng papel. "I am aware of what Your Highness is feeling right now but as the Princess of the Empire, you must attend to at least one of the parties sent to you per week."
"Party?"
Lumapit ang dalawa sa amin. "Yes, Your Highness. It is a proper etiquette to attend parties and socialize other nobles."
Gagi, wala akong alam tungkol dito!
"Uhm, can I not attend any?" tanong ko. "I am really not well right now and I might faint while attending a party," page-excuse ko.
I heard someone stifling a laugh. Nilingon ko si Rosh at nakitang nakatakip ang likuran ng isa niyang kamay sa bibig niya. Pero kahit ganoon ay nakita ko ang pagngisi niya.
Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata pero nginisihan niya lang ako.
"I'm afraid not, Princess. You must attend."
Bumuntonghininga ako. "Fine. But just one, okay?"
Tumango ang dalawang maid.
Pumikit ako habang ang kanang kamay ko ay iniukay-ukay ang mga papel. Satisfied, I grabbed one that touched my finger before separating it from the pile. Tiningnan ko ito.
"Oh? A tea party hosted by Duchess Kristine?" Sabi ni Faith pagkatapos basahin ang sulat na nakuha ko. Kanina pa nakaalis ang dalawang maid.
"Really? It has been months since the Duchess held a tea party. It is quite a shock," pagkukumento ni Lily
Hinayaan ko silang dalawa na mag-usap at tiningnan ang dalawang lalaki sa veranda na may sariling pinag-uusapan din.
Rosh looked at my direction. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, making him smirk before focusing on his talk with Caleb.
Inirapan ko siya. Jackass.
"It will be held three days from now, Princess. You can now rest peacefully during those three days."
Tumango ako. Akmang hihiga na sana ako at matulog na nang may kumatok na naman.
"Oh, come on," mahinang reklamo ko.
Pumasok ang isang knight. Inilagay niya ang kaniyang kanang kamay sa kaniyang dibdib at yumuko sa 'kin bago kay Caleb.
"Your Highness, the Empress ordered me to fetch you for tea today. She wants to see you," seryoso niyang sabi.
Oh, great. Kung hindi ako namatay sa mana explosion, baka dito na ako mamamatay sa kamay ng Empress.
"Lily?" tawag ko sa isa sa ladies-in-waiting ko.
"Yes, Your Highness?" sagot niya habang sinasabunan ang braso ko. Nakahiga ako ngayon sa bath tub na puno ng bula habang pinaliliguan nina Faith at Lily.
Being a royalty is awesome. Maraming maids, maraming tagasunod, maraming poprotekta sa 'yo. Halos wala ka nang kailangang gawin. Isang pitik lang ng daliri ay gagawin na agad nila ang gusto mo.
But at the same time, it sucks. You're imprisoned in a big ass palace and can't run away from the responsibilies as a royalt and the future ruler if you're the oldest. Maraming nakatingin sa 'yo. Isang pagkakamali mo lang, kukuwestiyonin na agad nila ang kakayahan mo.
"Do you think... the Empress hates me?"
Napatigil si Lily sa tanong ko.
She smiled. "Her Majesty is a nice person, princess. There is nothing to be worried of," she assured.
Muntik akong napamura nang bigla akong binuhusan ni Faith ng isang baldeng tubig. I shivered at the cold.
"Lily is right, Your Highness. She won't hurt you," pagkukumento niya.
I sighed, "What if she'll hate me because you know... I'll remind her of my Mother."
Roxanne was the daughter of the emperor, Arkansas, with his mistress, Riana. When Arkansas was still the crowned prince, he and Riana were lovers. But the Emperor got married with the Archduchess, Tatiana, for convenience. He eventually became the Emperor, and immediately made Riana his mistress.
I blinked at the memory. Where did that came from? I am pretty sure that the novel didn't spill that much information abiut the Emperor's mistress.
Pinasuot nila ako ng pink full-sleeved turtleneck dress na hanggang tuhod. Faith tied my hair in a half ponytail. I wore some diamond earrings habang nilalagyan nila ng isang pink ribbon sa buhok ko.
Naglakad kami sa malawak na hardin. Ilang beses pa akong natapilok dahil sa high-heeled boots ko. I cleared my throat everytime it happened. And I just know that my ladies-in-waiting are stufling a laugh behind me right now.
"Your Highness, what is with you today?" natatawang tanong ni Lily.
"I'm just nervous, okay?" sagot ko at inirapan sila nang tinawanan lang nila ang paghihirap ko.
Nakarating kami sa isang manor. Sa pinto nito ay may malalaking gintong istatwa ng pakpak sa magkabilang gilid. Napapalibutan din ito ng mga bulaklak. May ginintuang outline na kitang-kita dahil pagtama nito sa sinag ng araw.
"This is the Emerald Palace, Your Highness. It looks big but it is actually a quarter of a quarter of the imperial palace," bulong ni Lily sa 'kin. "This is where the Empress enjoys her day whenever she's bored."
Hindi ko sila nilingon at tumango na lang. Sabay kaming pumasok sa loob.
I was greeted with a long rectangular table. May nakaupong tigtatatlong babae sa magkasing-gilid nito. Sa isang dulo ay may nakaupong babae. She has white hair, pink eyes, and a dimple on her left cheek.
"Empress Tatiana..." I muttered.
She was a beauty. No wonder Father chose to marry her.
Napansin yata nila ang pagdating namin dahil bigla silang tumahimik. The Empress looked at my direction. I gulped.
Lumapit ako sa kanila bago nag-formal greeting.
I held the sides of my dress and bowed, "I greet the luminance of the Empire, Your Majesty," wika ko, "it is delightful for you to have me invited on your tea party."
Walang sumagot. The Empress tapped the table a few times while giving me an up-and-down look. Naramdaman ko ang panginginig ng mga paa ko kaya agad ko itong pinigilan.
"Have a seat, Roxanne. You must be very tired from walking," sabi niya.
Tahimik akong pumunta sa kabilang dulo ng mesa at umupo. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang titig ng lahat pero hindi ko na iyon tinuunan ng pansin. Faith and Lily lined up with the other maids on the corner.
Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Empress Tatiana cleared her throat.
"So, let us continue the party, shall we?"
Bumalik sa pagiging maingay ang buong lugar. All of the nobles were socializing with each other. Except for me, who's just silently sipping tea and observing each one of them.
Tinginan ko ang babaeng nasa kanan ko. Countess Isidra, she is known for her extravagant beauty in the Eastern Kingdom of the Empire. I heard she had many suiters in her early age but rejected all of them for his husband, the Count.
Beside her, Duchess Lylene, a rich noble from the northern border. She owns a dress shop where most nobles buy their clothes. Started the business at nineteen, her shop is now one of the most successful shops im the Empire.
Next to her is the Duchess, Yeia. The wife of Duke Ricgario from the Northwest. I don't have any more information about them. But I do know that they are happily married with two kids.
Tumingin ako sa kabila. Baroness Mida, she owns a coffee shop in the South. Although she had a bad background, like her once being a mistress of the king in the Southern Kingdom, she became really close to the Empress.
Rocylle, whom I don't know her title. I heard she's from the west side of the Empire. She's kind of mysterious if I do say so myself. No one actually knows her background.
And the last one who's beside Empress Tatiana is Amelia, who is also a Countess. Even at her age, she can steal the hearts of not only the nobles, but also the commoners of the Southwest. She is still single, and is currently running a hotel business.
I shook my head. Hindi ko namalayang tinititigan ko pala sila. Isa pa sa hindi ko maintindihan ay ang dahilan kung bakit ko alam lahat ng naiisip ko.
"So, Princess Roxanne. I heard about what happened," biglang sabi ng Empress sa 'kin. "How are you?"
Tumahimik din ang mga kasama namin. It is proper etiquette to stay silent when a royalty has something to say. It is considered disrespectful if you are still blabbering while someone from the imperial family is talking.
Muntik kong madura ang tsaa sa bigla niyang pagtawag sa 'kin. I cleared my throat at umayos ng upo. "I am well, Your Majesty. It is an honor to have Your Majesty be worried of my well-being," sagot ko. Salamat naman at hindi nanginig ang boses ko kahit deep down ay halos mahihimatay na ako sa kaba.
She nodded, "That is good to hear. I did not expect Akihiro to go to such lengths."
"Of course, the Prince will go that low, Your Majesty. Almost everyone in the Empire knows how much His Highness loathed His Majesty's mistress and their child," biglang singit ni Countess Isidra.
"With no offense intended, Your Majesty, but the Countess is right. For someone who is a mistress, she even had the audacity to bear a child," pagkukumento pa ni Baroness Mida.
I heard the others snickered.
The Countess and Baroness flinched when Tatiana looked at them in the eyes. "How dare you speak such insolent words to the princess?"
Nagulat pa ang dalawa sa pagtaas ng boses ng Empress.
"W-We apologize, Your Majesty-"
"Countess," tawag niya kay Isidra. "Inserting yourself and disrespecting my talk with the Imperial Lrincess is such a disappointment. Have you not taught some manners?"
Sunod niyang tiningnan si Mida. "Baroness, how brave of you to insult the Princess' mother right in her face when you yourself where once in her place?"
Sabay na lumuhod ang countess at baroness. "We deeply apologize, Your Majesty! Please forgive our disrespectful actions."
How pathetic. They asked for forgiveness to the Empress instead of me who's actually the one being insulted.
Hindi sila sinagot ni Tatiana. Instead, the Empress stood up.
"Roxanne," tawag niya sa 'kin, "would you mind to have a stroll with me?"
"O-Of course not, Your Majesty." Tumayo ako at sinundan ang Empress na nakalabas na sa Emerald Palace.
Tahimik lang kaming naglalakad. Nasa likuran niya ako at tahimik lang na nakamasid sa kaniya na hinahawakan ang mga bulaklak na nadadaanan namin.
Hindi nakasunod sa 'min si Faith at Lily. The Empress ordered all the maids to go back, pati ang nga bisita niya.
I didn't let my guard down. I sharpened my senses, worried that something might attack us. Kahit na nasa loob kami ng palasyo, hindi mapagkakailang uso ang mga traydor kahit sa panahong ito.
Nakarating kami sa isang malawak sa field. Napapalibutan ito ng mga puno. Mukhang dito ginaganap ang training ng mga knights at ibang royalties dahil sa nakita kong isang kahon, nakabukas ang takip kaya kitang-kita ang loob nitong puno ng espada at iba pang armas.
"Uh... what are we doing here, Your Majesty-" Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko nang bigla akong tinangay ng hangin.
I groaned as I hit the ground. Napangiwi ako nang makaramdam ng kirot sa likod ko. I arched my back.
Bago pa man ako makahinga ng maayos ay bigla na naman akong tinangay ng hangin. I floated in the air before falling on the ground, face first.
"Ow..." bulong ko, hawak-hawak ang ilong kong sumasakit. "I think my nose just broke."
Bigla na naman akong lumutong at tinangay ng hangin. I shouted in pain when my back hit a tree.
Hirap na hirap ako sa paggalaw. Ang sakit ng buong katawan ko. Dagdag mo pa na hindi ako makagalaw dahil parang may kung anong pwersa ang pumipigil sa 'kin at dinidiin ako sa puno. I don't even have the time to process what just happened!
Whe I looked at the Empress, she was still standing in the same spot. I notice some barely visible mist circling around her arms to her hand. My jaw dropped when I realized something.
An air mage...
Nang nawala ang pwersa ay bumagsak ako sa lupa. Napaigik ako sa sakit.
Lumapit siya sa 'kin. Seryoso ang kaniyang mga mata.
Mabigat ang paghinga ko. Tuwing gumagalaw ang dibdib ko ay ang pagsakit ng katawan ko kaya napapangiwi ako. She kneeled in front of me.
Wala sa sarili kong itinaas ang aking kamay. Kasabay no'n ay ang paglitaw ng isang malaking alon sa gilid ng Empress.
Akmang tatama na sana 'to sa kaniya nang itinaas niya ang kaniyang kamay. Kasabay ng hampas ng alon ang pagtama niyo sa isang mist na pumapalibot sa Empress na animo'y parang shield. Nawala ang alon.
"You dare to hurt your Empress?" she coldly asked.
Hindi ako sumagot. I focused on my breathing.
Nakatanggap ako ng sampal.
"Answer me."
Nang hindi ulit ako sumagot ay tumawa siya ng mapakla, "You hurt my son, the prince, the rightful heir to the throne, stole his mana, and now you're going to hurt me, too?"
"H-Huh?" What is she talking about? "I never stole his―"
"Liar!"
Bumalik na naman ang malakas na pwersa at pumalibot sa 'kin. Namalayan ko na lang na tumilapon na ako sa lupa.
"I can feel it, his mana..." Lumapit siya sa 'akin, "I can feel it inside you..."
Hindi ako nanlaban nang maramdaman ang kaniyang kamay sa dibdib ko. My chest glowed in firey red.
Para akong nawawalan ng hangin kasabay ng aking panghihina. Hindi ako makagalaw para pigilan siya sa kung ano mang gagawin niya. I can feel my eyelids closing.
Kasabay ng pagkawala ng konsensiya ko ay ang pagkarinig ko ng isang pagsabog.
"Princess..." Pumasok si Lily sa kwarto ko, may dalang isang tray na may cheesecake at tsaa. "You must eat, it has been days since you had not eaten. You need to restore your energy in order for you to be well."
Nakaupo ako sa balcony. Hindi ko siya sinagot at nanatiling nakamasid sa ibaba. Kitang-kita mula rito ang mga malalaking puno at ang paglipad ng mga ibon. Sa isang kilometrong layo niyo nakatayo ang mga bahay, ang village.
Maraning nangyari sa nagdaang nga araw. After the incident, the Empress got into a coma. I know everyone in the palace hated me now after what happened, even the Emperor. Kahit hindi man niya ipakita ay alam kong nawalan na siya ng tiwala sa 'kin pagkatapos ng nangyari. The only ones who stayed by my side were Lily, Faith, and Caleb.
I heard her sigh. "I will leave this in the table, Your Highness. Please eat," sabi niya bago inilapag ang tray sa lamesa sa harap ko. Yumuko muna siya bago umalis at iniwan akong mag-isa ulit.
Ni isang beses ay hindi ko man lang nilingon ang pagkain sa mesa. My mind is full of so much things right now. Pati ang sinabi ng Empress sa 'kin noong isang araw ay hindi mawala-wala sa utak ko.
"I can feel it... his mana..."
Wala sa sarili akong napahawak sa dibdib ko.
Did I... really stole his mana?