Chapter 17

IT HAS BEEN going on for days now and the coldness between the prince and Kai were noticeable, even the servants could clearly see the tension between the two.

“Hey, Kai.” Sebastian muttered trying to get Kai's attention.

“I still need to go to the library.” The man answered, instantly dismissing him.

Sebastian sighed as he stared at Kai walking away and headed to the library himself. Come to think of it, it has been two weeks already and since then Kai obviously is avoiding him. No more like ignoring him. Whenever he was around, Kai would start acting coldly towards him. He wouldn't even bother look or glance at him. The reason? Even the prince doesn't know. He wanted to talk to him para maliwanagan siya but he couldn't and Kai wouldn't let him.

It was frustrating but he just can't stop himself from chasing him. Wala siyang ideya kung ano ang nangyari and why Kai was acting coldly towards him. He hates the idea of Kai ignoring him. Hindi siya sanay, that is why he would definitely do anything to talk and clear everything to ease his confusion.

And to those weeks, Kai burried himself reading books, maps and he somehow learned some things about Sebastian's world and their kingdom. His main purpose was to avoid the prince but learning their world caught his attention kung kaya't hindi niya napigilang ituon doon ang sarili. Might as well learn something good while he stays there, right?

He did his best to avoid the prince. He doesn't want to look nor glance at him too because everytime he does, he doesn't know if it's coincidence or intentional but everytime he took glances at the prince, he would always end up looking at the scene exactly right now. Kaycee holding the prince's arms and would act sweetly in front Sebastian and in front of everybody. Kai witnessed how good and normal the two of them looked together.

“They could make a perfect pair...” He muttered unconsciously.

Gabi na at dahil nahihirapang makatulog si Kai ay muli siyang bumalik sa music room. He'd rather choose to stay and play the piano all night than to sleep on his bed and end up sweating because of nightmares he couldn't t escape.

To think of it, medyo hindi na siya masyadong binabangungot ever since he arrived in the palace but some time after he act coldly towards the prince and everybody ay parang sirang plaka na bumabalik-balik ang mga bangungot na noon pa ma'y pilit niyang iniiwasan.

He was playing the piano harshly and the emotion he was dwelling was making the whole tune rash and harsh. Naiinis na tinigilan niya ang pag-piano saka naglakad patungo sa may gitara. He leaned on the wall habang tinungga ang wine na kinuha niya sa kusina kanina habang naglalakad siya patungong music room. He chugged the whole bottle and he wasn't expecting how the liquor ended up affecting him strongly. Matapos maubos ang unang bote ay agad naman niyang binuksan ang pangalawang bote saka iyon tinungga.

“At this rate, you'll end up drunk.”

Nagulat man ay pilit na nilabanan iyon ni Kai saka tumingin sa nagsalita.

“Why the hell do you care?”

Sebastian stared at him worriedly saka naglakad papalapit sa kanya. Sebastian leaned down and pulled his chin up to meet his gaze. Halos magtagpo ang kilay ni Kai dahil sa ginawang iyon ng prinsipe.

“What do you think you're doing?”

Ngunit hindi siya nito pinansin saka nakangising tumingin sa mga alak na nasa gilid ng binata.

“I see. So you are the sneaky little theif, the kitchen maids were talking about.”

Ngunit nanatiling nakakunot ang noo ni Sebastian saka pilit na hinawi ang kamay ng prinsipe sa kanyang mukha. 

“F*ck off. And what the hell are you doing here? Why don't you go back to your bride?”

Tumaas ang kilay ng prinsipe, “Well, you are my bride. And besides, I'm already here.”

Kai faked a laugh. “Stop playing with me, bastard. Go back to that woman! Go back before I'll kick your ass—”

“Woman?” Kumunot ang noo ng prinsipe, “You meant Kaycee?”

Mapait na ngumisi si Kai sa kanya, “Who else?”

Muli ay tinungga ni Kai ang alak but before he could finish the bottle ay mabilis na inagaw ni Sebastian sa kanya ang boteng hawak.

“You're drunk already, Kai. Stop it.”

“Why the f*ck— mind your own business will you?!” Giit niya matapos agawin ng prinsipe ang alak na kanyang hawak. “Why can't you just go back to your goddamn bride and have s*x with her all day long, you motherf*cking prince!?”

“What?” Napamaang na natigilan ang prinsipe sa biglaang sabi ng lalaki.

If there was anyone hearing him cursing the prince right now, he is for sure gonna end up in jail or beheaded. But due to drunkness, Kai lost his senses and was driven by his madness which resulted to the unlikely behavior towards the prince.

Kai laughed. “Surprised, huh? You think I don't know? Well, don't worry I won't tell anyone about it. So rest assured that your secret is safe with—”

“Look, you are misunderstanding something.” Inalalayan siya ni Sebastian para makatayo, “First, let's go back to your room. It's getting colder.”

But instead of accepting his help, Kai just shoved his hands away kaya't kahit lasing ay pinilit niya ang sariling makatayo mula sa kanyang kinauupuan. He glared at the prince nang bigla ay narinig nila ang pagbukas ng pintuan sa music room.

“Sebastian?”

Pagak na tumawa si Kai. Damn. That woman sure does know when to appear. Nakangising nilingon ni Kai si Sebastian saka tinapik sa balikat. 

“I'll take my leave now. You two have some fun somewhere. Just don't mess inside this room.” Aniya saka paika-ikang naglakad palabas sa music room.

As usual, before Sebastian could chase him, Kaycee would do her best to stop the prince from chasing him.

“Damn woman. You sure is playing the main character here, huh?” Wala sa sariling sambit ni Kai sa sarili bago pa man siya tuluyang makalayo sa dalawa.

Instead of going inside his room, his feet brought him towards the place he longed to go. The garden.

Madilim na at tanging ang buwan lamang ang nagsilbing ilaw sa mga oras na iyon. But just as Kai was about to admire how beautiful the moon was, someone placed a handkerchief on his face, covering his nose and mouth that made his senses blurry and weak until everything suddenly became dark.