43: Farewell

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 buong bayan habang mabangong mabango ang pangalan ni Sebastian.

***

Naging busy si Emy sa paglilinis ng mga bagay na dapat linisin sa pagkakabuwag ng Black Council.

Truth be told, it was only her, Lucy, Diana and Alessandra ang natitira na lamang na member ng Black Council.

The day after that huge event, they met each other in the old headquarters. Matagal ng naipalinis iyon ni Sebastian as she requested him to do so.

The three of them walked inside the empty head quarters. Tanging isang mesa at isang sofa na lamang ang naroroon. And of course, the record book.

"I can't believe it ends now." Lucy said.

"You can still revive it, you know." Sabi niya.

"And create again a humungous headed person like Diana? No way. I'd rather remain as simple as possible now." Then huminga siya ng malalim. "I have been longing for this freedom a long time ago. And now that I finally have it, my insides are shivering in anticipation."

Napatawa silang tatlo.

"I just wonder though. Why do you know so much about the Black Council, Emy? You even know about the council more than I do." Tanong ni Alessandra.

Lucy smirked. "Yeah, tell us that, Emy. You even know classified information that only leaders can know."

Lucy was one of the leaders kaya napansin niya na marami talagang nalalaman si Emy about the Black Council.

Emy sighed.

She never thought that this day would come. She wanted to tell them the truth.

Emy lifted the record book.

"Lucy, do you know the magic of this book?"

"Magic?"

"Do you know that it automatically update itself kapag may namatay na miyembro?"

Nangunot ang noo ni Lucy. Even that, she knew?

"Of course, I do. I was once a leader of the Black Council. And from time to time, I will look at it kapag may namamatay na member or dating member."

"What is happening in the book kapag may namamatay?" Tanong ni Alessandra.

"The book will cross out the name of that deceased member. Saka magkakaroon ng deceased na word sa tabi non. That's why they said that once a member is always a member."

"Exactly."

"But why are you asking this suddenly? Gusto mo lang atang iwasan yung tanong namin eh." Lucy told her.

Emy smiled. Saka niya bibitbit ang record book at nilagay sa kamay ni Lucy.

"There are two members in there na supposedly ay patay na rin. But their names are not crossed out and labeled. I wonder if it is just a glitch or what?"

Out of curiousity ay agad agad na binuklat iyon nila Lucy at Alessandra. That's when Emy left.

They were smart. They would figure it out.

***

"Are you done completely with the Black Council?" Sebastian asked her as soon as she went out of the entrance of the Grey Academy.

Emy nodded at him.

"How about Diana?"

"Let her live miserably."

Tumawa ang binata dahil doon. "You are still cruel as ever."

She raised an eyebrow. "Do you wish me to change then?"

He smiled at her kasabay ng pag-abot nito sa mukha. "Nope, not all. But I wish you could be more honest to yourself."

"About what?"

Napailing na lang ang binata.

Then a carriage stopped in front of them.

"Miss, it's time to go." Sabi ni Anika mula sa loob. Her three maidservants were there.

Hindi alam ni Emy kung anong iniisip nila ngayon na magkasama sila ng Fifth Prince but she kind of didn’t care.

"Okay."

They opened the door saka bumaba si Veronica mula doon para alalayan siya. She was about to step up when a hand grabbed hers.

"Are you really going just like that?" Kunot noong tanong ni Sebastian.

"Well, you heard her. It's time for me to go. My family has already been out of the city. I need to catch up to them."

He looked at her in frustration.

"Why can't you just be a normal lady at a time like this?" Bulong nito pero narinig naman niya. At narinig din nila Veronica, Anika at Lia.

"I'm sorry? What are you saying?"

"Wala." Then he put his hand on her head. "Magpakabait ka sa Ming Province. Take your time there to meditate and cleanse yourself from the sins you have committed here in Grey City." Tukso niya sa dalaga.

Agad namang kumunot ang noo nito saka nagsnort. "Your highness, kung bilangan lang naman ng kasalanan, lugi ako sayo no."

Sebastian laughed.

"Tch. Diyan ka na nga. You are just wasting my time." Paakyat na sana siya sa carriage when the prince suddenly grabbed her waist and hugged her just like that. Then she felt him kissed her back head.

Nanlaki ang mga mata nila Veronica at Lia saka nag-iwas ng tingin. Si Anika naman ay napangiti and looked at the other way.

"Y-you..."

Sebastian saw Emy blood flowed from her neck to her face.

Napangiti na lang siya. Then he stepped away from her.

"Go now. Bago pa magbago ang isip ko at baka hindi na kita paalisin pa."

Agad na napatingin sa mga maidservants niya si Emy. They were not looking at them but based on their expressions, they saw what had happened and heard him.

"You are really shameless, your highness." Padabog siyang sumakay ng carriage at saka sumunod na sa kanya si Veronica. She locked the door behind her then looked at the prince outside.

This wouldn’t be the last anyway, so bakit para siyang mapapalayo dito habang buhay? And why did she even feel like this in the first place? Like she didn’t want to part from him even from a short time.

"Well, goodbye for now, your highness."

The Prince saluted at her atsaka umandar na ang carriage.

Sakto namang kakalayo pa lamang nito ng humahangos na lumabas mula sa Grey Academy sila Lucy at Alessandra.

"Your highness!" Bati sa kanya ng dalawa.

"Is that Emy?" Tanong ni Lucy.

"Yes, why?"

"We need something from her." Sabi naman ni Alessandra.

Their frustrations made his forehead crinkled.

"What is it?"

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa.

"She won't be at her home. She is leaving for Ming Province."

Hindi makapaniwala sila dahil sa narinig. Was that why she finally told them about the truth? Dahil paalis na siya?

"Tell me what you want from her."

"It's..." Lucy started. Pero agad siyang sinalo ni Alessandra.

"It's a girl thing, your highness. I don't think Emy will appreciate it if we tell it to you. Sa kanya niyo na lang itanong. Sigurado din naman  akong sasabihin din niya iyon sa inyo eh."

Lalong nacurious si Sebastian. But he didn't push them anymore.

Kukulitin na lang niya si Emy kapag nagkita na ulit sila.

***