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13.5: Night of the Banquet
Huling Na-update:
2024-10-29 19:42:56CHAPTER 13.5
Night of the BanquetSELENE was extremely uncomfortable as several helpers lent a hand to help her wear the dress she chose for the banquet. She had been sweat dropping, deliberately feeling the anxiety and pressure crippling from somewhere behind her. Although, no one has uttered a word to insult her, Selene felt the scrutinizing gazes she received. It’s hard not to miss it. Especially when the helpers made it obvious despite them, hiding it through layers of façade and a fake smile.“Ang ganda-ganda niyo po!”Ganito ang madalas na naririnig niyang papuri mula sa mga tumulong sa kanyang magbihis. Nagpumilit si Selene na ngumiti upang ipabatid na ‘masaya’ siya sa ginawa ng mga itong pagtulong pero sa kaloob-looban niya, nasusuka siyang umaktong mabait sa mga ito.It’s hard being the lost princess of a fallen family.Bago pa dumating ang mga tumKaugnay na kabanata
Blood and Roses 14.1: Unexpected Encounter
CHAPTER 14.1 Unexpected Encounter THE air feels tight, she’s suffocating. No matter how spacious, glorious, or fabulous the venue of the celebration is, she couldn’t hide from the tension and unfamiliarity that the place offers. There was no such thing as comfort, and now that she’s able to step in to this place and get a glimpse of the nobles’ lives, Selene finds it understandable that Lucas called such banquet a headache. Selene secretly thanked the mask she wore and the fan she used to hide her face. After all, the frown painted across her face was something beyond a painter’s skill. No one would be able to put it in a canvas. No matter how she looked around and witness the people faking their joy and enthusiasm, Selene could see through their lies. Suddenly, it was as if the bright and glorious venue was embraced by a dark and menacing aura. Threats are around so she can’
Blood and Roses 14.2: Dreadful End
CHAPTER 14.2 Dreadful End A SIGH escaped from Jonas’ lips as he finally found the City Knights that Prince Lucas told him to fetch. To be honest, he didn’t want to do them dirty, but they’ve unknowingly pestered royalty, thus; even though he may deem the idea of death unbefitting and too much for these tormenting knights, he immediately nodded his head and obliged when Lucas instructed him what to do.The City Knights, especially that Captain Perez, amidst the celebration whereas they must stay alert to elude any trouble— have been causing the ‘trouble’ themselves.‘Such a pain in the ass. Kaya ‘di ko masisi si Prinsipe Lucas na gusto niyang iligpit ang mga ito ngayong gabi e,’ ani Jonas sa isipan habang tahimik na pinagmamasdan ang mga kabalyero.Sabi sa kanya ng Prinsipe, maging maingat siya. Maluwang naman ang seguridad ngayo
Blood and Roses 14.3: Burdensome Encounter
CHAPTER 14.3 Burdensome Encounter “DUMATING na ang Mahal na Hari at ang Mahal na Prinsipe!” Ito ang naging anunsyo ng isa sa mga guwardiya na siyang dahilan upang may magsimulang mga agam-agam.Kanina, walang pakialam si Selene sa mga pinag-uusapan ng mga ito ngunit kalaunan, hindi talaga maiiwasang may marinig si Selene. Isa sa mga ito ay kung gaanong nakakapanliit ang presensya ng Hari, ang iba naman ay usapan tungkol kay Prinsipe Zeno— na siyang ikalawang opsyon lang naman daw bilang namatay ang nakatatanda nitong kapatid at ang dating nakatakdang tagapagmana ng korona sa giyera na pinuntahan nito.Sa pagkakaalala ni Selene, isa nga ito sa mga naging sikat na usapan noong hindi pa niya alam ang tunay niyang pagkakakilanlan.Ang Westmount Kingdom e ang kahariang may kakaibang patron. Hm, kung ang kaharian ng Vintress, Ellesmere, at Izquierdo e binabantayan ng mga deity o
Blood and Roses 14.4: Departure
CHAPTER 14.4 DepartureIT WOULD be a lie if they’d say that they weren’t rushing to escape from Westmount Kingdom as soon as the celebration was over. After all, an unexpected variable—a problem arose which made Lucas panic and his thoughts immediately went disarray.“Make sure to assist Princess Selene back in the car and make sure that no one notices her!” he instructed to his remaining knights, a hiss even escaped from his lips.Napasapo si Lucas ng noo at marahang hinilot ang sentido. Hindi niya alam na magiging komosyon din pala ang pag-alis nila rito sa kaharian— lalo na at alam talaga ni Haring Xavier ang tungkol kay Prinsesa Selene.Although, that ruthless man only mentioned it vaguely during the party, it was still implied that a ‘thorn from the past’ survived and was now taking refuge somewhere.Alam ni Lucas
Blood and Roses 14.5: Guardian
CHAPTER 14.5 Guardian“PALAGI bang gano’n si Prinsesa Luan kay Lucas?” pag-uusisa ni Selene dala ng kuryosidad at pag-aalala.Humimig si Miss Sephare at bumuntong hininga. “Base sa mga madalas naming makita t’wing bumibisita si Prinsesa Luan sa kaharian ng Vintress, oo. She’s extremely possessive and presumably obsessed toward Prince Lucas.”Kanina noong pauwi na sila galing sa selebrasyon, nagulat si Selene noong makatanggap ng balitang sinusundan sila ng sasakyan ni Prinsesa Luan at ipinapatigil ang behikulo nila. Akala ni Selene, walang problema at iisa lang ang route na dadaanan nila, ngunit nang marinig kay Miss Sephare na hindi dumaraan dito ang behikulo ng Prinsesa, kumabog ang dibdib ni Selene.Selene couldn’t describe how nervous she was, thinking that the Princess found out about her identity. Other than that, when they finally stoppe
Blood and Roses 15.1: Contagious
Chapter 15.1 Contagious“GUSTO kong sagutin lahat ng tanong mo sa isang bagsakan, Prinsesa Selene ngunit ‘di ito ang magandang lugar para i-entertain ang kuryosidad mo,” ani Merlin nang puntahan niya ito sa tent nito dahil marami siyang gustong malaman.Sa kasalukuyan, dahil malayo ang byahe pabalik sa kaharian ng Vintress, nagka-camp sila. Westmount Kingdom ang pinakamalayo sa kaharian ng Vintress dahil tila ba magkabilang dulo ang mga teritoryo. Kahit na nakasasakyan sila, hindi pa rin maiiwasang abutan ng gabi sa daan. Ayaw din nilang i-risk ang pagbyahe ng gabi dahil mga ganoong oras pinakaaktibo ang mga magnanakaw at rebelde.And whenever they would camp, Merlin would always use magic to create tents for them. But of course, his tent was just as bigger as hers and Lucas’ tent. After all, it was said that he has several ongoing experiments and jobs to do— and Selene could af
Blood and Roses 15.2: Deadly
CHAPTER 15.2 Deadly“SINCE— Since when did you drink my blood?!” was a question that Selene would never get tired of asking as she followed Lucas inside Merlin’s tent.Wala lang, lakad-lakad lang sila. Paikot-ikot si Lucas dahil iniiwasan daw siya nito’t gustong makalayo sa kanya at hindi naman napigilan ni Selene na maging buntot ng binata! And for Merlin who’s witnessing this chaotic mess, he must have been very entertained! Ni wala na nga sa isipan nina Selene at Lucas ang mahiya ngayon.“Lu—Lucas!” Her cheeks were tainted in a bright pink hue as they continued to walk in circles inside the tent. “Lu—Lucas! Sagutin mo nga ako!”Natigilan si Selene nang tumigil din sa paglalakad si Lucas. Noon namang lingunin siya ng binata, awtomatikong niyakap niya ang buong katawan. Tila ba pinoprotektahan ang sarili mula rito kahit
Blood and Roses 15.3: Home
CHAPTER 15.3 Home"IS this okay?" Selene asked as she stared intently at Lucas who sat in front of her while gazing at the window with crossed arms and a frown on his face.Napahimig ang binata nang marinig ang tanong niya ngunit hindi ito nag-abala na pasadahan siya ng tingin."Ang alin?" tanong nito.Selene tilted her head. "Na nandito ka? Na magkasama tayo sa iisang sasakyan? 'Di ba pinapasundan tayo ng fiancée mo, Lucas?""Yeah, this is fine." Bumuntong hininga ang binata at ikinumpas ang isang kamay. "Kahit sabay umalis ang mga sasakyan natin, siguradong gagawa ng paraan ang mga iyon para harangin 'tong sasakyan mo. They would see your face and once they found out that you're not a member of the Louwes family, you're doomed. At least, 'pag nandito ako e hindi ka nila magagalaw.""Gano'n ba 'yon?" she asked.Sakto namang mahinang
Pinakabagong kabanata
Blood and Roses Celebration
CelebrationNANG dumating ang araw ng debut ni Selene, marami ang um-attend. Mula kina Reyna Sara at Prinsipe Eustace, sina Haring Alexander at Prinsipe Lucas, pati na rin ang ngayo’y si Haring Zeno.Nagtataka nga si Selene dahil nagkaroon ito ng lakas ng loob na um-attend sa debut ball niya pero ayos lang dahil personal itong humingi ng tawad sa kanya para sa nagawa ng ama nito. The thing was, King Zeno kept mum about his father’s greed until he lost ‘someone’. Palagay niya, si Sir Clyde iyon dahil kalat na kalat ang tsismis.But as long as he apologized, she’s good with it.“Are you good?”Natigilan si Selene nang marinig ang boses ni Merlin. Nang lumingon siya, ‘tsaka niya natagpuan ang mahiko na naglalakad patungo sa kanya. May ngiti sa mga labi nito pero hindi rin naman maikakailang nag-aalala ito.“Nakita mo ba si Lucas?” tanong niya.Ipinilig ng mahiko ang ulo. “Ah... Kailangan mo ba talaga siyang kausapin tungkol doon ngayon?”“Yes. I promised him, remember?”Humigop nang mala
Blood and Roses Troublesome Preparations
CHAPTER 43.5Troublesome PreparationsLAST WEEK, inanunsyo ni Merlin sa publiko na dalawang buwan mula ngayon ay magaganap ang debut ni Selene sa High Society at sa parehong araw ay kokoronahan ang dalaga bilang ang Crown Princess ng kaharian ng Izquierdo. Nakakagulat dahil mukhang marami ang naghihintay sa kanya at ang selebrasyong inanunsyo ng mahiko ang nagtulak sa lahat na mag-throw ng festival para sa darating na debut niya’t koronasyon.But announcing an important thing comes with a huge responsibility: she and Merlin will be busy planning her debut out and the entire preparation.Mayroon naman silang mga katulong. Tulad na lamang ng pamilyang Valderas na bukod sa pagtuturo sa kanya ng etiquette ay tinuturuan din siya kung paano ba siya magbi-behave habang nagaganap ang selebrasyon. She was also taught how to dance and after thirty minutes, she realized that that was not her strongest asset. Kaya extra-ng atensyon ang ibinubuhos sa kanya dahil bilang Prinsesa ng kaharian, kailan
Blood and Roses 43.4: Debut Preparation
CHAPTER 43.4Debut PreparationBAGAMAT HINDI INTERESADO si Selene na magpakilala sa lahat lalo na’t noong una ay wala naman talaga siyang plano na mag-ascend sa trono at pamahalaan ang buong kaharian ng Izquierdo, ngayong nagbago ang desisyon ni Selene sa buhay ay hindi na maiiwasan ang pag-de-debut at pagpapakilala sa publiko.“I don’t like the idea of pleasing the noble faction,” was what she told Merlin while they were busy discussing her debut which will happen within two months. “Kung pupwede lang natin silang i-out ay iyon ang iri-request ko sa ‘yo.”Napailing-iling si Merlin sa sinabi niya ngunit mayroong naglalarong ngiti sa mga labi nito. “Alam kong sasabihin mo ‘yan at pinag-iisipan ko na ring i-filter ang mga imbitasyon pero sinabihan akong ‘di pwede. We’re not persuading them that you’re much worthy than the previous royalties that they wanted to pursue. You just needed to let the entire Kingdom know that you’re no fiction.”“Do they still think that I’m fake?”“Some of th
Blood and Roses 43.3: Busy
CHAPTER 43.3BusyIT WAS ONLY a week after when Selene received a letter from Lucas. Ang sabi sa liham na natanggap niya, nakauwi raw ito ng ligtas sa kaharian nito ngunit kasabay naman noon ay ang tambak-tambak na gawain at mga dokumento. Natatawa si Selene dahil kalahati yata ng nilalaman ng sulat nito ay puro rants at reklamo tungkol sa trabaho nitong kailangang tapusin sa lalong madaling panahon, pero naaawa rin siya sa binata dahil ang dami nitong dinanas at hindi man lang nito masulit ang bakasyon nito.Then again... His duties would not be this delayed if Morfran Demelza didn’t interfere with their homecoming and abducted the Prince of Vintress Kingdom.Mabuti na lang talaga at mabilis ding naresolba ang problema at wala ring masamang nangyari kay Lucas dahil kung hindi, patuloy niyang pahihirapan si Morfran Demelza. But then recently, she has been receiving reports that Luan Demelza had frequently visited the front gates of Izquierdo Kingdom and demanded to talk to her. There
Blood and Roses 43.2: Nonsensical
CHAPTER 43.2Nonsensical“MERLIN, ALAM MO ba kung anong dahilan kung ba’t nadi-delay ang pagdating ng sulat ko patungo sa kaharian ng Westmount and vice-versa? Natatakot kasi akong baka may bumubukas pa ng liham ko para sa mga kaibigan ko,” tanong ni Selene kay Merlin noong nasa hapagkainan silang dalawa.Parehong ginabi sina Merlin at Selene sa pagtatapos ng mga gawain nila. Merlin had finished his duties and approved some projects to further improve Izquierdo Kingdom’s situation such as budgeting and passing a law beneficial for everyone. Meanwhile, the reason why Selene had finished her duties as soon as the sun had finally set and the nightsky had dominated across the atmosphere was because she enjoyed reading the comparison between the eras of both Demelza family and Griego family. Gumawa pa siya noon ng maiksing summary ng mga nabasa niya.And while it’s true that her parents weren’t perfect as King and Queen, one of the sole reasons was because their deaths didn’t happen until
Blood and Roses 43.1
CHAPTER 43.1NOONG MALAMAN NI Selene na nakatanggap siya ng sulat mula sa kaharian ng Westmount, na siyang lugar na kinalakhan niya’t mayroon siyang koneksyon, hindi naiwasan ni Selene ang mapangiti. She remembered that she had just recently sent a letter to one of her friends – kaso hindi siya kaagad na nakatanggap ng sagot mula sa mga ito. The thought that she was waiting and a lot has already happened since then makes her feel relieved.Siguro matagal lang talagang dumating ang sulat dahil malayo ang ibiniyahe ng inutusan niyang magdala noon o mayroon ding naging conflict sa kaharian ng Westmount. That’s just her estimation, honestly. Ayaw mag-isip ni Selene nang kung anu-ano.After she thought of how long it took to receive a letter from her friends, Selene opened it. She was extra careful because the letter had a dried rose inside it, and she assumed that her friends sent her this to use as a bookmark, perhaps? And that’s what she’ll do if she ever starts reading another book.As
Blood and Roses 42.5: Family
CHAPTER 42.5FamilyAFTER DISCUSSING MERLIN’S relationship with her parents and understanding that they had such a complicated and rough time hiding their romantic feelings toward each other, Selene remembered that one thing that Count Valderas told her about her mother’s roots.“Merlin, nabanggit pala sa ‘kin ni Konde Valderas na tagakaharian ng Vintress pala si Mama?” pag-uusisa niya habang nasa kalagitnaan sila ng paghahapunan.Matapos nilang mag-usap ni Merlin, nagpahinga sandali si Selene para balikan ang mga dokumentong iniwanan niya. Nawala na sa isipan niya si Lucas at ang pag-alis nito pero sa tuwing mababakante ang isip niya, ito ang una niyang hinahanap kaya minabuti ni Selene na abalahin ang sarili. Mahirap na, baka hindi pa niya maituon ang atensyon sa mga dapat niyang inaasikaso.Susulat din naman si Lucas. Magkakaroon din sila ng contact sa isa’t isa.Anyway, pagkatapos ng isang oras ay tinawag si Selene ng isa sa mga personal maids niya para maghapunan. Naghihintay na
Blood and Roses 42.4: Not an Ordinary Relationship
CHAPTER 42.4Not An Ordinary RelationshipFROM THE WINDOW, Selene could witness the sun set and of how the beautiful orange hue was slowly turning into a dark bluish nightsky. Hindi alam ni Selene kung anong oras nang natapos ang klase niya pero base sa kalangitan ay mukhang late na niyang na-settle lahat. It must be because she enjoyed her previous classes or maybe... She was scared to find out the truth about Merlin’s relationship with her parents.Hindi napansin ni Selene na matamang pinagmamasdan pala siya ni Merlin. Napangiti ito noong mapansing parang kabado siya bagamat wala pa naman itong sinasabing katotohanan. But then again, she can’t help it! Anong mararamdaman niya sa oras na marinig niyang niloloko pala ng mahiko ang isa sa mga bayolohikal niyang magulang?“Did you seriously think that I’d have the courage to hurt King Arthur or Queen Erina?” naaaliw nitong tanong. Even amusement danced on his purple eyes which made Selene flinch and pause.Selene pressed her lips togeth
Blood and Roses 42.3: Relationship
CHAPTER 42.3RelationshipDAHIL KAY MERLIN, maraming nalaman si Selene tungkol sa mga magulang niya na hindi nakalagay sa mga libro at dyaryo noon. Nalaman niya kung anong ugali ng mga magulang niya at kung anu-anong kaugalian ba iyong namana niya mula rito.It turned out that Selene looks like her father but mostly behaves like his mother. But the way she deals with things is very much like her father. So, baga sa percentage, mas dominant ang naiwan sa kanya ng tatay niya kaysa sa nanay niya. Bukod kasi sa mata at ugali, mas malapit daw siya sa tatay niya. Parang resulta raw si Selene ng halos perpektong scan pero nagkaiba raw sa kasarian.“Anong relasyon mo kina Mama?” pagtatanong niya sa mahiko kalaunan at para linawin ang tinutukoy ay itinuro niya ang litrato ng bayolohikal niyang ina, si Reyna Erina.Natigilan si Merlin noong marinig ang tanong niya at tila ba naubusan ito bigla ng mga salitang dapat isasagot sa kanya. But she’s curious. Gusto niyang malaman kung ano ba ang relas
