CHAPTER 24.4
AmbushedIT WASN’T long when the war ensued. Hindi na nagawang tapusin nina Lucas, Selene, Chief Knight Fernandez, at Sir Fernandez ang pag-uusap nang mayroon silang marinig na komosyon mula sa mga kasama nila kasabay ng malakas na pagsabog. Hindi pa lumilipas ang ilang minuto pero marami na kaagad ang namatay at sugatan sa mga kawal nila, lalo na sa mga ordinaryong tao lamang.Noong sumabog ang tila ba bomba na pasikretong itinanim ng mga Demelza’t Heredia sa camp nila, niyakap siya ni Lucas para siguruhin na walang mangyayari sa kanya.And Selene was scared. Things unfolded too quickly, it took them aback. And the fact that she saw how some corpses flew on the air and blood scattered across their camp was a sight she needn’t to see, but she had to.“Maghanda kayo sa giyera!” sigaw ni Chief Knight Lyte.Maging sina Chief Knight Fernandez, mabilis na kumiloCHAPTER 25.1 Deafening Silence BLOODSHED is everywhere and in spite of her stomach churning, Selene had to accept that the scenario in front of her is what she should normally see during a war. Everyone were battling for their lives, defending their camp from the infiltrators, while some are also bringing the injured and the dead to safe places. It’s just the first day but the casualties are huge. The war hasn’t even formally started but it began without a warning. Should she have expected this to happen, she would be more prepared to accept that every steps they take and seconds they wasted inside the tent, lives were trampled during the infiltration. She won’t be merciful when they found out who are the traitors. As much as it hurts that she tried to put herself in their shoes, it seems like her effort was in vain for they let their closed minds get the good of them. They let the
CHAPTER 25.2 Planning MATAPOS nilang imbestigahan ang mga trayidor, ‘tsaka pa lamang narinig ni Selene ang balita na matapos silang ma-ambush, ang kampo naman ng mga Demelza ang na-ambush nila. Doon niya lang naalala na mayroon nga pala silang mga tao na minamanmanan ang kilos ng mga Demelza at sa kasagsagan na tila ba masaya ang mga ito’t nagpa-party dahil sa ginawa ng mga itong ambush sa kanila, ‘tsaka sunud-sunod na namatay ang mga kawal ng kabilang kampo. So then it turns out that their people planted people to infiltrate them and poison them. Unfortunately for them, none of these people were found and they immediately retreated right before they could be found. Selene heard that Lucas’ men made it seem like the Izquierdo and Westmount Kingdoms’ knights were too stupid to mistake poison from an ordinary drink. “But it’s not like hindi sila makakatunog?” she pointed out
CHAPTER 25.3 Cornered BLOODSHED is all over the place again. Even before the sun began to rise, they were awaken by several warcries and when she checked, there was already an ongoing battle against their side and the enemies. They were all surprised and taken aback, they barely had enough time to rest but since this is war, Selene could really do a reality check. No, she can’t rest like how she used to back when she’s still in the palace of Vintress Kingdom. She can’t take her leisure since she’s in the middle of a crisis and if she’s careless, she could be surprised by a sudden attack and her head could be rolling on the ground if that happens. Selene can’t eat her breakfast in peace because the first thing that she’ll ever see during this war is death and destruction. But it’s... stupid. “For the Kingdom of Izquierdo!” the soldiers shouted as the
CHAPTER 25.4 Rescue LUCAS began to blow several huge attacks in order to knock out and decrease the number of soldiers that has been surrounding them. Nevertheless, their amount seemed not to lessen, instead; they only grow in number. Nasisiphayong pinagmasdan ni Selene ang nangyayari dahil kahit siyang tumutulong na sugatan at dalhin isa-isa sa karatayan ang mga kalaban nila, hindi man lang nababawasan ang mga ito! Ilang sigaw na ng pighati’t sakit ang narinig niya ngunit tila ba walang epekto lahat ng paghihirap nilang dalawa ni Lucas. It’s just so hard to escape even though they discussed their plan thoroughly. Inilibot ni Selene ang mga mata sa kapaligiran habang patuloy na nakikipaglaban at ina-assist si Lucas. Kaya pa naman nilang sundan ang plano nito pero napipigilan sila sa dami ng taong nakapaligid sa kanilang dalawa. Gusto ring iwasan ni Selene na mapagod kaagad si Lucas dahil sa oras
CHAPTER 25.5 Worried WHEN Merlin came back, he was finally with Lucas. However, Selene was mortified to find out that Lucas was injured. Noong dumating si Merlin, doon unti-unting nanghina si Lucas kaya dalawang beses daw itong nasaksak. Though, Merlin already did the first aid and made sure that the soldiers' weapons didn't contain any poison that could be harmful against vampires, their weapons were made of silver, which would slower Lucas' recovery. "Mabuti na lang at dumating ako sa oras. Mabuti rin at 'di naman sa vital organs tinamaan si Prinsipe Lucas." Bumuga nang marahas na hangin si Merlin at napailing. "'Wag kang mag-alala, Mahal na Prinsesa. Nasa mabuting kamay ang Prinsipe. Ang mga manggagamot na ang bahala rito." Alam niya iyon pero hindi niya maiwasang mag-alala. Namumutla na nga rin siya't halos hindi niya maiwanan kanina si Lucas kung hindi lamang nagtanong ang manggagamot kung pupwede bang iwanan muna
CHAPTER 26.1RestEVEN THOUGH there was chaos outside, Selene wasn't allowed to go out of Lucas' tent and participate in the war. Both Merlin and Chief Knight Lyte insisted that she rest along with Lucas, so that he'd also have someone to look after him since he hasn't awoken yet.Miss Sephare and Sir Theo was also left outside the war, with Jonas joining back since his presence would be of great use during the fight. Nevertheless, their knights made sure that Selene wasn't feeling alone with a sleeping Lucas beside her. Miss Sephare often accompanied her inside and talked with her, she updated Selene about what's happening in the war. She was also filled in by Sir Theo whenever Miss Sephare would be out to get them some snacks.The thing is, when Selene felt ready for the war although Lucas was still unconscious, King Alexander reached out to them using a communication crystal core and told her to rest until Lucas wakes up.Wala siyang ibang nagawa
CHAPTER 26.2Stubborn EVEN THOUGH Selene wanted Lucas to rest for a few more days, the moment that Lucas found that he could stand and his wounds don’t hurt anymore, he insisted on going back to the battlefield. Parang batang mangiyak-ngiyak si Selene habang kinukumbinsi ito na siya na lang muna ang babalik dahil ayos lang ang pakiramdam niya. Si Lucas, kailangan pa nitong magpahinga nang ilang araw para masiguro nilang hindi bubuka ang mga sugat nito. But he kept on insisting that he’d return with Selene. At kahit na binawi ni Selene ang pagbalik sa giyera para bigyang oras pa ang pagri-recover nito, hindi pumayag si Lucas at ipinipilit pa rin ang gusto. “You’re such a kid.” Selene faked a snifle and wiped the tear at the corner of her eye. “Lucas! Pa’no kung biglang bumuka ang mga sugat mo?! ‘Di mo man lang isipin ang sarili mo samantalang ito ang pinag-usapan natin noong
CHAPTER 26.3Clones WHEN THE two of them decided to join the battlefield again, it was no surprise that they expected it to be a huge riot. Mabilis na pinagkumpulan sila ng mga sundalo at parang nag-replay ang mga nangyari noong unang araw nilang sumabak sa giyera. Selene caught her breathe as she slashed an enemy’s arm, sending it somewhere. Blood gushed and the agonizing scream almost pierced her ears but she didn’t flinch or anything. She was just there, gradually losing her mood while she stared blankly at the soldier who almost penetrated the edge of his weapon on her waist. “Ayos ka lang ba?” Natigilan si Selene nang marinig ang boses ni Lucas sa gilid niya. Ang kaninang pagkinang ng mga mata niya na nawala, biglang bumalik nang hilain siya ng binara pabalik sa huwisyo. Selene was dumbfounded for a moment until she turned around and saw him with a uniform covered in crimson. She
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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