8: Chess Pieces 4

Lucy's heart palpitated when she saw Franco getting down his horse. Of course, she knew the guy. They were in the same year of Level Three. But both of them had different sets of friends kaya naman imposibleng magkadaupang palad silang dalawa.

Except for these kinds of events.

Kung anong tamlay niya kanina, siya namang sigla niya ngayon.

She watched as Franco waited for his mother. Lucy always admired Lie Feng. She was one of the few who accepted foreigner like her whole-heartedly.

Besides, she couldn't find any reason to hate Lie Feng. She was kind to everyone and very down to earth. She was patriotic and of course, mother of Franco.

She stood straight and waited for Franco to walk towards them. But she was surprised when the two maidservants waited in front of the carriage again until a lady went out of it.

The lady was wearing a turquoise dress with flower embroideries. Just like Lie Feng, it was a traditional dress. Her hair was tied in a bun below her head at nilagyan lang iyon ng isang simpleng lotus clip sa may pinakabun nito.

The girl was very simple, indeed. And yet, despite having less accessories than the rest of the ladies here, she stood out.

Everyone watched as Lie Feng entwined her arm to the girl. Then they both followed behind General Hans and Franco. The lady stood out again. She was like a noble woman while walking, graceful and confident. Ibang iba sa karamihan ng mga naririto na mga dalaga.

Lucy couldn't even help comparing her to Diana. The latter obviously paled in comparison. The lady's nobility was so natural as if she was born to be like that.

Suddenly, the four of them were in front of her.

"Happy birthday, Official Sachel." Bati ng mag-asawa sa Papa ni Lucy.

Habang nagbabatian sila ay hindi maalis ang paningin niya kanila Franco at doon sa babae.

"This pretty lady here, is she your future daughter-in-law? Siya na bang mapapangasawa ni Franco?" Biglang tanong ng Papa niya.

Namula naman agad ang tenga ni Franco.

"How can Franco with a nutshell head deserve a lady like her?" Sabi ni Lie Feng.

Lucy saw na napasimangot si Franco. The lady, on the other hand, chuckled.

The two seemed close to one another. Franco leaned towards her saka bumulong which caused the lady to grin wider.

"Emy, come here." Tawag ni Lie Feng at agad namang lumapit yung babae sa tabi niya. The lady smiled at them. "This is Emerald. You can just call her Emy. Pamangkin namin siya. She just arrived a few weeks ago from Royal City."

"It's nice to meet you, Official Sachel." Emy even offered her hand to Lucy's father for a shakehand.

Agad namang nakipagkamay ang papa niya sa dalaga.

"Oh no! The pleasure is all mine, Miss Hans. I have never thought I will meet someone from Royal City. I heard mayayaman lahat ang nasa lugar na iyon."

Emy chuckled silently. "It was just an exaggeration, sir."

Nagpalitan pa ng ilang salita ang matatanda. Si Lucy naman ay napahinga na lang ng malalim. This Emerald girl was amazing to the point that it frustrated her. How could someone become this perfect? At ang malala pa doon, she was close to Franco.

She thought that a guy who has to interact with this kind of girl would definitely have a high standard. Kapag nagkataon, lalo ng walang chance si Lucy kay Franco.

***

Emy was silently laughing when they finally entered the backyard of the Sachel's.

Lucy was obviously devastated. Of course, Emy knew that she fancied Franco. Kanina lang din niya naalala na si Franco pala ang ikinikwento ng dalaga sa kanya noon na gusto niya.

Back then, she had no reason to take a look at Franco. She was busy with a lot of things. But now was different.

Alam din niyang mula pagbaba pa lang ng carriage ay pinapanood na siya ng mga pinsan niyang sila Cherry at Kelly. And that they even followed her hanggang sa makapasok ang pamilya nila sa backyard.

Meaning, they eavesdropped about her and now they proceeded to Diana para sabihin dito ang tungkol kanya.

It was pretty obvious with the way Diana was scrutinizing her. Emy was only looking through her peripheral at first but then decided to looked directly at Diana after some time.

The latter stopped talking with Cherry and Kelly at nakipagtitigan din sa kanya.

But since Emy had another plans, she smiled sweetly at Diana bago nagbaba na agad ng paningin niya.

Being timid fitted Emy perfectly. She was certain to use it well.

Maya maya lang din ay nagsipagdatingan na ang iba pang mahahalagang bisita ni Official Sachel. Of course, even the Princes were there.

At syempre, center of attraction na naman si Diana, since everyone knew that she was in a relationship with Prince Vio, the second Prince. Rumor said that the Emperor was just waiting for him to turn 21 to announce him as the Crown Prince.

Pero hahayaan ba naman ni Emy na mangyari yun?

That title was for Marco only. She would never let his murderers to live the life that was supposed to be his.

***

Sebastian cringed as he saw what his half brother was doing at one of the Official's birthday party. This Vio only knew how to show off amongst the crowd.

Buti sana kung skill niya ang pinagyayabang niya.

But then again, couldn't anyone consider flirting as a skill?

Napailing na lang siya sa naisip niya saka nahiga doon sa isang malaking sanga ng puno.

Nagpakita na siya sa celebrant. That was all that mattered to him. Ang kailangan lang naman ay magpakita siya eh. Masabi na umattend sa mga ganitong klaseng gathering.

Which he hated so much.

"Who's there?" Sebastian asked nang may maramdaman siyang tao sa paligid.

Soon enough, a man in black overall appeared in front of him.

"Your highness, pinapunta po ako ni Young Master Calix sa inyo."

"Any news?"

"Someone send him a letter."

Saka inabot nito sa kanya ang isang papel.

'Prepare. I'll be seeing you one of these days. -Q'

Napaupo ng ayos si Sebastian dahil doon.

Q...

He knew Q was Samantha. Her secret business was very useful hindi lang para sa dalaga kundi pati rin para sa kanya.

What the lady didn't know, he already infiltrated her business.

But Samantha died months ago. So who the hell was this impostor?

"Did you know kung sino ang nagdeliver nito?"

"It was the same maid, Young Master."

Napakunot ang noo ni Sebastian.

The maid?

How brave was that maid to use her young lady's secret identity? What? Did she want to avenge her young lady?

Napatingin ulit sa sulat si Sebastian. Then he realized that it was the same handwriting as before.

Could it be that he had it wrong back then? Was it possible that Samantha is not Q?

"Young master, that maid is currently living at General Hans' residence. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay ang foreigner na pamangkin ni General Hans ang pinagsisilbihan nito ngayon."

Out of curiousity ay hinanap ng mga mata niya ang pamilya ni General Hans sa mga bisita. Madali lang ay nahanap niya agad ang mga ito. But his eyes landed on that lady beside Franco.

***

"Hi."

Emy was busy getting food from buffet table when someone greeted her.

It was Lucy.

"Hello. You're that lady beside Official Sachel a while ago, right?

"Papa ko siya."

"Oh."

"I am Lucy." Then she offered her hand na agad namang tinanggap ni Emy.

"Emy."

Kumuha muna sila ng makakain bago naupo doon sa mesa nila Emy. Busy sila General Hans, Lie Feng at Franco sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kakilala nila. Kaya nagpaalam na lang si Emy na kakain muna.

"So... ilang weeks ka na din pala dito sa Grey City. How come none of us have seen you before this?"

"I was detained."

Napaangat ng ulo niya agad si Lucy.

"Just kidding." Emy even laughed softly. "Actually, I am busy studying about Grey City. Franco borrowed books for me at yun ang pinagkakaabalahan ko lately."

"Wow, it must be boring."

Emy just chuckled.

"Bakit di ka na lang magpakwento sa kanila?"

"I am not a fan of oral stories. I like facts."

Lucy noticed that the girl smiles and laughs a lot. Kahit pa parang napakasophisticated niya pero kapag nakausap mo siya, parang ang gaan gaan lang ng lahat.

Nakipagkwentuhan pa si Lucy sa dalaga tungkol sa Grey City at Royal City. Hindi niya mapigilang hindi magtanong sa kaibahan ng dalawa.

Dapat talaga ay tungkol kay Franco kung bakit niya nilapitan si Emy. But her curiousity took a better of her.

Isa pa, masarap kakwentuhan si Emy. She doesn't beat around the bush at napapatawa siya nito.

"Emy, we have to go now."

Nagulat na lang si Lucy when Franco was suddenly in front of her. Kahit pa si Emy naman talaga ang kausap nito but she couldn't help na kiligin.

"I'll be going now, Lucy. Let's just continue our talk when we meet again."

Napatango na lang si Lucy bago pinanood ang likuran ng dalawa na papalayo na sa kanya.

She never felt this happy ever since that dreadful day.

***