Gaya ng sabi sa kanya ni Shantal kagabi, walang nagawa si Emy ng puntahan siya nito sa kwarto niya para ayain na pumunta ng bayan.
Maaga pa lang pero mataas na agad ang energy nito. Ganun din si Sabrina na kadalasan ay level headed naman. Well, they were indeed a family who loved shopping.
Kaya naman heto siya ngayon at kinakaladkad ni Shantal papuntang Purple Boutique.
Napuna naman niya na doble na ngayon ang bilang ng guards na sumusunod sa kanya. Kung noon ay enough na na kasama niya ang mga maidservants niya, ngayon ay hindi na.
Napahinga na lang siya ng malalim.
"Cheer up, Emy."
Saka sila pumasok sa boutique.
Dali dali naman silang inasikaso ng mga taong naroroon. You could say that they were a VIP in this boutique, after all, Emy owned this.
"Miss Hans, we have been waiting for you to come."
Nagulat sila Shantal at Sabrina ng personal na salubungin ng assistant manager ng Purple Boutique si Emy.
"How are you, Harley?"
"I am perfectly fine, Miss. Agatha wants you to try a dress for her. Do you think you can give her sometime?"
"Sure. And also, my cousins want dresses for the Youngest Prince' birthday. Please pick them the best."
The exchange between Emy and Harley made Shantal's and Sabrina's jaw dropped.
Emy looked at them saka ngumiti.
"Hindi ko ba nasabi sa inyo? I own this boutique."
"Eeeehhhh?!!!"
***
Agatha excitedly met Emy. Hindi pa niya nakikita ito noon. But as the lady who saved her from the slums, she wanted to thank her since a long time ago.
But when she finally faced her, hindi na siya makapagsalita. The lady indeed had a nobility air around her. Even her smallest gestures and movements were graceful.
"How are you, Agatha?" The lady asked her.
"I-i am well, thanks to you, Miss."
"You're humble. I heard your designs are extraordinary. I just took you from where you came from but it was all your doing kung bakit ka nasa kinaroroonan mo ngayon."
"But still, I wouldn't have a chance to prove myself if it is not for you, Miss."
Saka niya kinuha yung dress na personal niyang ginawa at pinagpuyatan para sa dalaga.
"Please accept this dress as a token of my gratitude."
That surprised Emy. Agad naman niyang sinipat ang dress. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
"This must have cost a fortune."
"I am not selling this to you. This is my gift, Miss."
"Are you sure?"
Tumango siya agad agad.
"Fine. I need you to do some tweaking on it, though."
Agatha was surprised. She thought her design was already perfect. It seems the lady was quite high-maintenanced.
"Maganda na tong damit but I need it to be in accordance to my preference. I need you to change the sleeves and collar as the same as the traditional foreign dresses."
"Are you a foreigner, Miss?"
Emy chuckled. "No. But my aunt is. Since I respect her so much, I attend parties in those clothings."
Napatango na lang si Agatha. "I understand, Miss. I will repair the dress tonight. You can expect it to be delivered to you tomorrow morning."
"No need to rush, Agatha. The youngest prince's party is still three days away."
***
That three days came swiftly. Everyone in Grey City, lalo na yung parte ng upper class ay excited na nagpunta sa royal palace.
Sa mga ganitong okasyon lang sila nakakatungtong sa loob ng palasyo kaya naman pinaghahandaan talaga ito.
Bawat pamilya ay may kanya kanyang pwesto na nakalaan kaya naman doon sila dumederetso.
Isa isa na ring nagdatingan ang mga bisita. Ang iba sa kanila ay busy sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kakilala nila. Pero karamihan ay busy sa pagtingin at pag-uuri sa mga dumarating.
When Diana came, inaasahan na ng lahat na bongga ang suot nito. Hindi sila nabigo. She was wearing a skin tone colored off shoulder dress na talaga namang bumagay sa kanya. It brought out the blushes of her complexion na binagayan pa ng kanyang buhok na nakatirintas. Magaganda rin ang mga hair ornaments na ginamit niya.
But Diana was not happy about her look. Hindi niya makalimutan yung dress na gusto niya kaya naman hindi niya maappreciate ang itsura niya.
Mas lalo pa siyang napasimangot ng lapitan siya ni Alessandra suot yung second best dress ng Purple Boutique. It was indeed beautiful. Lumamang lang sa detalye yung best dress pero hindi naman ito napaghuhulihan.
"So you bought it."
"Yes. I fell in love with it. At dahil ayaw mo naman, kinuha ko na siya." Napasnort na lang si Diana.
Lucy came and she was also stunning. But it was Emy who stood out in that party.
Pagkakita pa lang ni Diana sa damit na suot ng dalaga ay nainis na siya. So that Agatha gave this dress to Emy. She couldn't believe it.
May nagbago lang ng kaunti sa upper part ng dress but she was sure na iyon yung dress na nakita nila.
Even Alessandra was surprised. Hindi niya inaasahang kay Emy ibibigay ni Agatha ang dress na iyon. Though it made sense to her. Emy had helped her sister so much.
Napatingin siya kay Diana and she saw the hatred on her face. Napailing na lang siya ng lihim.
People around them started to talk about Emy. But she was not interested at all. She was just going with her family.
"Emy..." Lucy went to her and she stared at her from head to toe. "Wow, you look perfect, Emy."
"Stop exaggerating."
"I am not." Susundan pa sana niya ang dalaga pero nakita rin niya agad si Franco kaya agad din siyang nagpaalam.
Napailing na lang si Emy saka pumwesto doon sa mesa na para sa kanila.
"Not everyone can pull off traditional foreign dresses, I am surprised you have chosen this to wear, Emy. But you are gorgeous." Puri ni Shelly sa kanya.
"I saw Aunty Feng wear one and I thought it was beautiful. So I have decided to wear them kapag may party."
"People are talking about you, Emy. I literally heard that guy near the door said that you will be her wife! As if naman no."
Nangunot naman ang noo ni Franco. "Sino?"
Agad siyang binatukan ni Aunty Feng. "It is just natural for your cousin to be appreciated. Look at her. Don't tell me you don't find her pretty?"
"Of course, she is. Pero bakit ba kasi ganyan ang suot mo? I am getting pissed at the people looking at you."
Inirapan lang siya ni Emy.
"Franco, kapag sinobrahan mo ang higpit kay Emy, baka hindi na yan makapag-asawa." Natatawa pang sabi ni Francis.
"Anong asawa? Our Emy is still too young for that." Kontra naman ni Feng.
Napahinga na lang ng malalim si Emy. They had started again.
Natatawa naman sila Shelly at Shin habang pinanonood sila. Poor Emy!
Maya maya lang din ay dumating na ang royal family. Agad naman silang tumayo as respect.
There were the Emperor, the Empress, the Second wife, na nanay ni Prince Vio at ng youngest prince, tapos ay ang mga prinsipe na.
Pitong prinsipe ang meron ang Grey City pero lima lang ang naroroon. Isang namatay na at isang Missing-in-Action.
Lalo lang nawalan ng gana si Emy.
***
"Who is that?"The Emperor asked the Prime Minister habang nakaturo sa isang dalaga na nakablue traditional foreign long dress."That, I think, is the niece of General Hans."Napatingin ang Emperor sa kanya."You mean that kidnapped niece of his?"Tumango ang Prime Minister at tiningnan din ang dalaga. Somehow, she reminded him of his daughter, Samantha."No wonder she was kidnapped. Look at that beauty."When the Second wife heard that ay napasimangot siya. If that girl would be Emperor's wife too, it would be outrageous. However, wala namang reaksyon ang Empress. Ngayon pa ba siya magrereact eh nakaapat na nga na asawa ang Emperor eh."Let's go there.""What are you planning, Your Highness?""Masyado ka namang mapagduda, Seigfried. I just want to talk to General Hans and his
Pag-uwi ni Emy ay sinalubong agad siya ng pamilya niya saka siya pinagkwento sa kung ano ang nangyari. Sinabi naman niya agad iyon sa kanila.Pero kahit na ikinuwento na niya sa kanila ay hindi pa rin naubusan ng tanong ang mga ito.In fact, hindi siya nito tinantanan hanggang sa matapos ang hapunan.She was tired and feeling irritated ng sa wakas ay makapasok na siya sa kwarto niya. Agad siyang naghubad at naghanda na para matulog. Pahiga na sana siya sa kama niya ng biglang bumukas ang bintana niya. Naramdaman niya ang pagpasok doon ng isang tao."And here I thought you're gonna wait for me." Sebastian said."Why would I?" She asked coldly.The window closed saka siya may narinig na lumalakad. Emy couldn’t see anything. She had already turn off the lamp kanina pa.Then she felt him stop in front of her."Why w
Emy's mood drastically changed in the next days. Bumalik na ito sa pagiging makulit at palangiti kaya naman napayapa na ang loob ni Feng.Kunot noo namang pinagmamasdan ni Franco ang pinsan. Naguguluhan na talaga siya dito. Oo, hindi pa rin naman siya nito pinapansin pero hindi na siya nito iniirapan kapag nagkakatinginan sila.Si Anika naman ay nacurious kaya tinanong niya na si Red."Red, nakabalik na ba ang Fifth Prince?" Tanong niya sa binata."Oo. Noong isang araw pa."Napangiti si Anika. Well, she was maybe just thinking things pero lately, nauubos na ulit ng Miss niya ang cookies na iniiwanan sa kanya ni Lia.***"Did you like my gift to you?""Gift?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Emy kay Sebastian. They were playing chess again and talking about things that had happened in Grey City."Yes. Didn't you hear about what had happened to Cherry and Kelly?""I was contained for many days in here so maybe that's why I did
Diana clenched her fist.Her situation now was too hard. Her family was angry at her for giving them shame to the whole Grey City. Ayos lang sana if her father was able to contain the news but it spread so much to point na ultimanong sa bayan ay nakaabot ang balita.People were now talking behind her. Kesyo daw she was a seductress, na sinadya niya ang nangyari dahil hindi niya gusto na minamatchmake ng Emperor sila Prince Vio at Emy.Maaatim pa sana niya ang ibang balita tungkol sa kanya eh. But not those that were attached with Emy's name.Hindi rin siya pinapansin ni Prince Vio. Ang dami dami pa niyang plano. Ni hindi pa nga siya naaannounce as Crown Prince. Paano na lamang kung makaapekto ito sa kanya?And he was trying his best to please their father. But now, it was Sebastian who had the most favor at the moment.Matapos itong ipadala ng Papa niya sa isang mission, madalas na silang nag-uusap ng sila lang. Sebastian, the Emperor, the P
It was done.Diana was already defeated.After the Black Council members were all caught, agad agad silang pinatawan ng execution. Even their families weren't saved.Prince Vio was like swallowing a bitter pill. When these people saw them before the execution, they started to call out to him, asking for him to have mercy.The people were looking at him kaya mas pinabilisan niya ang execution ng mga ito.But it was still not the end of his misfortune.Diana was found in a corridor of Grey Academy na umiiyak. She kept on saying, "That woman... That bitch..." and then she would sob unstoppingly.Her image was no longer the same as before. And the worst part was Prince Vio still had to marry her.Walang magawa ang Emperor dahil sa isang Minister ang Papa ni Diana at nakapagbitaw na rin ng salita ang Emperor noong mismong araw na nakita silang magkasama na pananagutan niya ang nangyari.Kaya naman pinagpipiyestahan siya ng bu
"Samantha..."I looked at Marco as he called me. We were at the Palace Garden where different species of flowers started to bloom. It was amazing.Hindi ako mahilig sa mga bulaklak but watching them alive like this was just wonderful..."Samantha..." He called me again.I rolled my eyes. Nangungulit lang na naman ang isang ito. And as proof of that, I saw him smiling when I looked at him."Stop calling me, Your Highness..."Nangunot ang noo niya. He hated it. The people closest to him were forced by him to call him Marco instead of 'Your Highness'. And I think that made him unique."Don't call me that, Sammy.""And don't call me that too."I stood up at nagsalin ng tsaa sa mga tasa namin. I gave him the other one."Say, Samantha...""Uhm?""What do
The Hans family had to spend a night at the campsite dahil medyo malayo pa ang Ming Province at delikado na rin na basta basta bumyahe kapag ganito kadilim ang paligid at maraming bagahe. Kaya naman, they set up tents and campfire para sa lahat.Luckily, they had a peaceful night except for Emy na dinadaluhong ng mga alaala ang isipan sa kanyang paniginip.***"Miss, you look awful." Sabi ni Anika pagkakita sa kanya."I had dreams... a lot of it." Then Emy shivered.Agad namang nilapitan siya ni Anika at kinipa ang kanyang leeg at noo para malaman kung may sakit ba siya."Your sweats are cold. Ikukuha kita ng makapal na isusuot."News of her not feeling well immediately reached her family. Ayaw niya sanang magpabigat kaya hindi na niya sinabi pero nalaman ni Feng na ikinuha siya ng makapal na damit ni Anika kaya naman pinuntahan agad siya
The next day, maayos na ang pakiramdam ni Emy. They told her that the rest of their travel ay natulog lang siya habang pinagpapawisan ng marami and muttering incoherently. And when they arrived at night, hindi siya magising kaya naman they decided to just bring her in the room. Feng almost put an all-nighter though. She was extremely worried about her at kung hindi pa umayos ang lagay niya around midnight ay baka nagpatawag na ito ng manggagamot. Emy was grateful. Anyway, she also found out na ang bahay na tinutuluyan nila ngayon ay ang ancestray residence nila Lie Feng. Malaki ito at malawak pero sa normal na araw ay tanging si General Lie Zhang, papa ni Lie Feng, at ang isa pang apo nito na si Lie Chen lamang ang naroroon. Kaya madalas ay mas pinipili na lamang nila na sa barracks tumuloy. Gaya na lang ngayon. "We have to visit the house of the Chief bilang pagbigay galang. Kaya mo bang makasama, Emy?" Tanong ni Francis. "Yes, Uncle.
Hanggang pag-uwi ni Emy ay iniisip niya si Haow. Although their training went smoothly after that sudden stop, hindi nawala sa isipan niya ang tanong nito sa kanya."Do you believe in reincarnation, Emy?"Of all the people, siya ang buhay na patotoo ng reincarnation. She died and her soul took over the soul of another lady. And she had been living as her ever since.Kahit siya ay nasanay na rin. She used to be aware kapag tinatawag siya as Emy because if not, hindi talaga siya lilingon. But now, everything that was all about Emy became hers completely.But she really wondered why Haow ask that to her?Naputol lang ang iniisip niya when Lia appeared and told her na natapos na ang lahat ng armor na pinagawa niya."Distribute those for Liu Fu and Choi Kang. As for the others, keep it somewhere safe first. I need to find away to give it to the others without rais
The same week na natapos ni Emy ang eksperimento niya, Franco also finally let her start practicing horse riding.Though kailangan pa rin naman niyang magpractice para mamaster niya ang archery, most of her time would be occupied now by her training with Haow.Somehow, she was excited. She had read a lot of books about it of course. But it was not enough. Sa lahat ng aaralin niya eto lang yung may living thing na kasama kaya naman nakakasigurado siya that it would be unpredictable.Today would mark her first day of training. Haow told her to meet him after class. Kaya naman saktong pagpatak ng uwian ay dali dali siyang lumabas ng malaking gate ng Ming Province.In normal days gaya ngayon, everyone was free to go outside. Kaya naman, Emy didn't have to get any permission to do so.She went directly on the hills kung saan sila magkikita ni Haow.Hindi rin naman
One month later...Emy and Franco continued their Level Three in Ming Academy. Tatlong linggo na rin magmula ng magresume ulit ang klase and they only had two more months para sa pinakahuling pagsusulit ng taon.Most of the students were busy now sa pag-aaral. Emy, on the other hand, met with Liu Fu and Choi Kang to plan their next mountain trip.Sa totoo lang, ayaw ng sumama ni Choi Kang. But Emy tempted him with an offer na hindi niya kayang tanggihan. She gave Liu Fu and him free armors and promised to give the rest of it once they finished doing what she wanted them to do.It was really not a bad offer. In fact, nasubukan na nila Liu Fu at Choi Kang ang tibay ng armor ni Emy. It was high class and one of a kind.They didn’t know where she got them but surely, because of it, they were willing to do any favor from her."Let's go over the mountain next
This was the first time na aakyat si Emy ng bundok. Hindi naman kataasan iyon so they might not take a while before they reached that area where Liu Fu and Choi Kang found that water they used for their magic trick.Anyway, along the way, she could tell na dahil hindi pa naeexplore ng husto ang bundok na iyon. She could already imagine lots of wonders hiding there. And just a mere thought of it was enough to make her eyes shine.She wanted to discover them all. But for now, her focus was that water.Hindi naman siya nagmamadali. She had more than a year to discover most of it if not all. And with that, her lips hooked up like an excited child.Liu Fu and Choi Kang were telling her about the important things about that mountain. Gaya na lang nang madadaanan nila ang isang area na may entrance ng cave. They also told her na may waterfall din na itinatago ang bundok at sa likuran ng waterfall na iyon ay nagtatago ang isang underground cav
Days passed quickly. Shin's family officially ended their winter vacation at bumalik na sila sa Royal City para sa pasukan nila Shantal.Bukod pa doon, Emy had been busy doing various things.Una, most of her time were occupied sa training nila ni Franco ng archery. Like when she was learning the swordfighting, she dedicated a lot of time sa pag-aaral ng archery at paggamit noon sa practice nila. She was still about to master it but her progress was already quite impressive.Sa gabi naman na hindi siya nagpapractice, inilalaan niya ang oras niya para sa pag-alala sa mga alaala ni Emy at sinusubukan niyang isulat ang lahat ng iyon sa mga notebooks niya. Most of tgise things she could remember were under chemistry, ang pinakapaborito ni Emy. But her entries under the other topics were not that bad too.And to see how effective they were, she started deploying Lia and Veronica to do tasks for her.
The next days had been very busy for Emy and the rest of the Hans. They roamed around the Ming Province na nagawa agad nila sa loob ng isang araw dahil maliit lang naman ang lugar na ito.They had visited the plaza kung saan ginaganap lahat ng competition na maiisipan ng mga tagaMing na ipaganap. Nagpunta rin sila sa Barracks at sa Ming Academy kung saan sila magpapatuloy ng pag-aaral nila ni Franco ngayong pasukan.Malaki ang kaibahan ng curriculum ng Ming at Grey. Kung sa Grey ay required ang mga estudyante na umattend araw araw ng mga klase nila, sa Ming ay hindi. As long as makikita sila ng propesor nila sa Training Ground o sa iba pang departamento na nagsasanay kapag biglaan itong nag-inspeksyon ay ayos lang na hindi sila umattend ng klase nila.Kaya karamihan ay nasa mga kani-kanilang departamento na pinagkakadalubhasaan kapag may klase kesa sa loob ng classroom.Isa pang kailangan sa Ming Aca
"Yah, Emerald Hans... I can't believe na nakalimutan mo na agad na may pinsan ka at tinanggap mo ang offer ni Haow na magturo sayo ng archery at horseback riding." Puno ng pagtatampo na sabi ni Franco when they arrived at sabihin sa kanya ni Francis ang nangyari.Sa dinami rami ng ama sa kanya ay iyon lamang ang tumatak sa isipan niya."He offered first." Emy said nonchalantly."Of course, siya lang ang nandito eh. You should have think about me first bago ka sumagot."Hindi naman mapakali si Haow ng makita niyang nagkakatampuhan ang magpinsan dahil sa pag-offer niya ng tulong kay Emy. He was bound between taking back his offer and keeping them. In actuality, he really wanted to teach Emy for his own personal reason."Para kang bata, Franco." Sabi ni Lie Chen. Sinamaan siya agad ng tingin ni Franco. Then nilapitan niya si Haow at pinaningkitan ng mga mata. Singkit na nga siya ay
After lunch, pinayagan na sila na maglakad lakad sa kung saan nila gustuhin.Dahil malapit lang naman ang market doon, Shantal, Sabrina and Sammy, along with Franco and friends, decided to go there.Pinaiwanan naman ni Feng si Emy dahil baka mapagod ito ng husto at sumama na naman ang pakiramdam. Hindi na naman siya nagreklamo at doon na lang sa training ground naglakad lakad.Walang masyadong tao pero yung mangilan ngilan na naroroon ay kanya kanyang pagsasanay ang ginagawa.The training ground was too big that they divided it into three. At the left most part of it was for those who were practicing archery. The one in the middle were for those into martial arts. And the last side was for sword fighters."Do you mind if I accompany you?" Someone asked her suddenly. She was busy looking at the archers na hindi na niya namalayan na may nakalapit na pala sa kanya.
The next day, maayos na ang pakiramdam ni Emy. They told her that the rest of their travel ay natulog lang siya habang pinagpapawisan ng marami and muttering incoherently. And when they arrived at night, hindi siya magising kaya naman they decided to just bring her in the room. Feng almost put an all-nighter though. She was extremely worried about her at kung hindi pa umayos ang lagay niya around midnight ay baka nagpatawag na ito ng manggagamot. Emy was grateful. Anyway, she also found out na ang bahay na tinutuluyan nila ngayon ay ang ancestray residence nila Lie Feng. Malaki ito at malawak pero sa normal na araw ay tanging si General Lie Zhang, papa ni Lie Feng, at ang isa pang apo nito na si Lie Chen lamang ang naroroon. Kaya madalas ay mas pinipili na lamang nila na sa barracks tumuloy. Gaya na lang ngayon. "We have to visit the house of the Chief bilang pagbigay galang. Kaya mo bang makasama, Emy?" Tanong ni Francis. "Yes, Uncle.