Chapter 31

Chapter 31

"We accept your offer, Empress." Sylvia leaded.

Sabay namang tumango ang mga ka-miyembro niya.

"May tiwala ako kay boss." hayag ni Henri.

Lumapit naman si Eleanor sa kanila at isa-isa silang dinapuan ng banayad na tingin.

"Thank you." sinserong aniya, "But I need you to not only trust your previous boss' words. I need yoyr trust as well."

Ang halaga ng salitang tiwala ay isa sa mga pangaral ni Tanda sa kanila. Na ngayon ay nasa panganib ang buhay. At ang tangi niyang magagawa ngayon ay gampanan at protektahan ang posisyong matagal ding prinotektahan ng matandang Collin.

Eleanor hoped to see Scarletti's bright furure with her new generals. She will truat and guide these pwoplw like how Tanda guided her and the twins.

"And you need to trust us as well, Empress." nahihiyang lahad ng bunsong miyembro ng grupo.

She nodded with a smile. "Of course," she replied.

Eleanor suddenly felt a tug in her heart. She felt less lonely. Ngayon na hindi lang apat na tao ang tanging nakakakilala sa totoong siya. She felt seen.

Sylvia stepped forward. Inilagay mito ang nakakuyom na kamay sa kaniyang dibdib at mabilis na iniyuko ang kaniyang ulo.

"A general should do this, I guess." she shyly stated.

Narinig nila ang paghagikhik ni Cloud. Sinundan naman ito ng pagtawa din ng iba pang mga bagong heneral ng Scarletti.

But then, they followed her lead and lined up side-by-side, bowing their heads to their new Empress.

"I entrust Scarletti's safety to you." taas noo niyang lahad.

"Yes, Empress!" They exclaimed in unison.

"Now, gather around the table." bumalik siya papalapit sa mesa at sumunod naman ang mga ito, "Let's discuss the plan for your first mission."

•••

"May problema ba, Cloud?" lapit ni Eleanor sa binata.

Nakaharap sila sa malaking monitor, dito parin sa control room, kung saan napapanood nila ang mga bagong heneral na katayo sa malaking stage ng Scarletti - now wearing the organization's uniform. Nandodoon din ang mga tauhan ng Scarletti. And this will boradcast to every base and headquarters of the group.

"Will our people follow them?" nakanguso tanong ni Cloud.

She gulped. Eleanor has her doubts as well. But she needs to stand by her decision and make sure that her plans will work.

Kahit ano man ang mangyari.

"They will, if they still trust their Empress." naisagot lamang niya.

Pinagkakatiwalaan pa kaya siya ng mga tauhan niya? Will these people who served her late father, serve a faceless Empress like her as well?

"They do, Empress." Cloud comforted, "Your people knows our reasons why we kept your hidden. They are waiting, yes. But they're devoted to protect you and Scarletti as they wait."

"I trust their loyalty." aniya, and she hoped that they will stay loyal. "Turn the mic on, Cloud. Let's start." she instructed.

Tumango naman ang binata at kaagad na sumunod. After turning the mic on, he gave her a nod. Then, her voice begun to be heard, not only in the stadium, but in all of Scarletti.

"Loyal people of Scarletti," naniniyerbos na simula niya, "This, is your Empress." she gulped.

"I am grateful that you stayed despite having a faceless leader." nakagat niya ang labi.

Her heart fluttered as she raised her eyes and saw how wide and bright her people's smiles are. Kahit na boses pa lamang niya ang naririnig ng mga ito.

Why didn't she did this before?

"I know that you deserve more than just hearing my voice. You deserve a better leader, just like my late father." prankang aniya.

The people in the stadium shouted with disagreement. Napangiti siya dahil sa reaksyon ng mga ito.

"Thank you," puno ng sinseridad na aniya, "For risking your life and working hard everyday for Scarletti."

She watched the smile on their faces. And it made her eager to talk more.

"You are the main reason how Scarletti gained its success." she paused.

"And I am speaking to you today, to let you know, that I am here."

"It may not be the time for you to see me, but I want you to trust me, that I am here."

Humiyaw ang mga tao, saka tumigil ng muli siyang magsalita.

"An enemy tried to take away an important person to us. And now, they are operating to destroy us. They might have wounded Scarletti, but they didn't know that it's not us who makes Scarletti strong. It's you, our loyal people, who work day and night to operate our organization."

Nakuyom niya ang kamay nang maalala si Tanda. Muling humiyaw ang mga tauhan niya.

"And in my honor, I present to you, my new generals." napunta ang mata ng mga ito sa limang taong nasa stage, "These people will represent me. They will be my hands, eyes and my ears in our empire. Starting today, I appoint them to lead Scarletti under my direct command. These men and women will deliver my words to you. And I hope that you will respect and trust them just like how you trust your Empress and the Collins. Because their words and acts reflects mine."

All of them expressed their agreement in unison.

A full smile escaped Eleanor's lips.

"Now, let's take out our weapons for Scarletti and serve justice for the old Collin." humiyaw muli ang mga ito dahil sa sinabi niya.

"And just like how my father and the late leaders of this empire thought us," she paused and took a deep breath.

Sabay na tumayo ng tuwid ang mga tauhan ng Scarletti at inilagay ang mga nakakuyom nilang kamay sa kanilang dibdib.

"We'll not only fight and die," panguna niya, sala sumabay sa kaniya ang lahat, "We will live for Scarletti." as their mantra goes.

Dinig parin nila ang hiyawan ng mga tao sa stadium pagkatapos na patayin ni Cloud ang mic.

Doon lamang naramdaman ni Eleanor ang nagbabadyang luha sa kaniyang mga mata.

But still, she held it in. She's an Empress. She can't cry.

"I'll instruct them from here, Empress." ani Cloud.

A hint telling her to rest.

"Mag-aayos lang ako sandali. I'll be back immediately." hayag niya.

She needs to do her duties. Wala siyang karapatang magpahinga. Lalo na't alam niyang marami ang nagbubuwis ng buhay ngayon para protektahan ang tahanan niya.

The man gave her a nod, "Actually, El." pigil nito, "Someone's waiting for you in your room." kamot leeg nitong sabi.

Kumunot naman ang noo ni Eleanor, "Who?" she asked.

Wala siyang ibang maisip maliban sa kambal at kay Kael na nakakapasok sa kwarto niya.

"He said it's supposed to be a surprise. But I know you hate surprises so," sagot nito, "Can you, uhm, just find out for your self?" he hesitated.

She tsked and messed his hair. Na siya namang ikinainis ng kaibigan.

She suddenly wondered, kung kamusta na ang dalawang Collins. Si Tanda at si Sky na segurado siyang stress na. This other twin who's with her righr now might look fine but she knows that he's worried for his father so bad.

But jusf like always. The Collins put her and Scarletti first.

"Hindi ako magtatagal." paninigurado niya.

She's hoping that the person who's waiting for her is also the person she wants to see right at this moment.

Ang taong kahit na sandali lang ay nagbibigay ng kapayapaan sa magulo niyanh mundo.

It sounded cringe but, that's him for her. And that's the truth.

Mabilis ang mga hakbang niya habang tinatahak ang daan papunta sa elevator. Saka niya pinindot ang pribadong button papunta sa floor niya.

Kumakalabog ang dibdib ni Eleanor ng bumukas ang pinto ng elevator, at bumungad doon si Fourth Ycarius na nakatayo sa harap ng kaniyang pinto.

As their eyes meet, it's like a natural response that he'll open his arms for him and she'll walk fast in order to be caged in his warm arms.

"I came as soon as I heard." he squeezed her closer.

She snaked her arms to his back and hugged him back.

Parang kanina lang ay sumasayaw lamang sila. How did things happen so fast?

"Kanina ka pa dito?" inangat niya ang tingin.

"Hindi naman ganon ka tagal." he lied, "I know you have a lot of things to attend to, my Empress. But let me help you rest, even just for a short time." banayad nitong hinaplos ang buhok niya.

Sending her chills, as well as a calming feeling.

Tumango siya at iginaya ang binata papunta sa loob ng kwarto niya.

Despite the chaos and war everyone needs rest. At mas derserve ng mga Collins na magpahinga kesa sa kaniya.

Pero kahit na gusto man niyang kumuntra sa pagod na nararamdaman, ngayon ay tila hindi niya magawa.

She can't fight with Ycarius' determined will to help her rest.