The cold water that was splashed to me earlier has now dried up but I still find myself quivering in fear, wondering what will happen to me once I face the emperor.
I silently wish that this carriage will never stop because once it does, that means we're already there.But all my wishes never came true. I know this too will stop but I never imagined it to be so soon."Greetings to his highness..."My eyes widened. Did the emperor meet us halfway? My heart doesn't seem to want to stop thumping so loudly."Prince Gideon Castellan of Missarati."Agad akong gumalaw para buksan ang kurtina at sumilip sa labas ng karwahe pero ang tanging bumungad lamang sa akin ay ang malapad na likod ng isang kabalyero."Sinong nasa loob?" Dinig ko nang malakas at malinaw ang kanyang boses."A maiden that is bound to offer to the emperor, your highness." Magalang na sagot ng kabalyerong sapilitan akong kinuha."Sino?" Madiin"But...what about my grandmother? Will she be okay here?" I asked because this has been bothering me too.Obviously, she will be alone if leave her here. So I'm worried."I'll assign a knight to guard her."I was surprised because of what he said, nagtatanong lang naman ako kung magiging okay ba siya rito pero sinabi niya na agad na maglalagay siya ng kabalyero para kay lola? This is too much but if this is for my lola's safety then so be it.Nang tumigil ang karwahe, sinubukan kong silipin kung nasa tapat na ba kami ng bahay kung nasaan kami naninirahan ni lola ngunit wala akong nakitang kahit isang bahay sa labas.Nagtaka ako kung bakit pero nang napansin ko ang pamilyar na matandang babaeng naglalakad bitbit ang isang pamilyar na bag, nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat, takot, at pag-aalala sa lola ko."Bababa ako." Paalam ko bago sinubukang buksan ang karwahe."Saglit lang." Aniya pero pinagsawalang bahala ko lang iyon
"...Feronia Ellis." The head maid calls out our names.Sampu kaming tinawag niya at ako ang panghuli, lahat kaming sampu rito ay ang mga bagong katulong sa palasyo.After dropping me off here at the palace, I haven't seen the crown prince since then."All of you here are the chosen people to be a royal maid. It's not just a mere maid but a royal maid, keep that in mind. Out of hundreds of people who want this opportunity, you need to prove that you are worthy of this job. Are my words reaching you?""Yes, madam." Sabay-sabay naming sagot habang naka-yuko.Ngunit unti-unti ring tumaas ang aming mga ulo dahil sa kuryoso sa ingay na pumasok sa palasyo.Tunog iyon ng mga armor ng mga kablayero. The first man I saw was the knight who forced me to become an offering before. Sunod noon ay ang nasa likod niyang dalaga na nakayuko habang tahimik na sinusundan ang direksyong tinuturo sakanya nang walang anumang pag-angal. A bunch of knight
After looking back at the closed door of the conference where her son just entered, the Empress left me alone with the order of doing my job properly.Of course, I did what I was supposed to do.I thought she'll do something terrible to me just by looking at her appearance but she's not that bad. She's just like any troubled mother.But like I've said, I've been wondering since I don't see any resemblance between the two.Nilinis ko nang maigi lalo na ang bawat sulok sa hallway na iyon, hindi ko alam kung hanggang ilang oras na ang tinagal ko hanggang sa bumukas na lang bigla ang pinto sa conference room.I first saw the crown prince from the crowd, nang nasa malapit na siya ay yumuko ako nang bahagya gaya kanina. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang bawat paglakad at kilos niya ngunit kahit saglit na tingin pabalik sa akin bilang pagpansin lang na nandito ako ay wala. Na para bang masyado akong maliit para mapansin niya.Hindi naman sa gus
"Stop messing around with me, your highness." I'm surprised I even managed to say that calmly despite my loud and fast-beating heart."You're the one who's messing around with me." He said that with a serious expression plastered on his face."I-I need to go now, your highness. The head maid is waiting for me, excuse me." I bowed down and swiftly turned around to walk away from him.Kahit na nakalayo na, ayaw pa rin ng puso ko kumalma sa nerbyos. I tried to inhale and exhale deeply but it's no use because I'm walking rapidly."You sure take your time for some brushes." Komento ng head maid sa akin pagbalik ko.I bowed my head apologetically.After our routine before resting, they started to chat with each other again."Feronia, earlier, maybe the crown prince just wanted you to focus." Ani nilang bigla sa akin.Tumango-tango sila na para bang iyon nga ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ako pinansin ng prinsipe kanina.
"Wait!"I stopped him because it seems like he's so ready to create a commotion.Hinarap niya ko gamit ang naiiritang mga mata."Ano? Nagbago na ba isip mo? Gusto mo na rito kasama ang Emperador? Gusto mo rin maging Empress?" Sa bawat tanong niya palapit siya nang palapit.Okay naman siguro 'to kasi napigilan ko siya 'no?"Hindi naman ganoon.""E, ano?" He's now right at my side, left hand on the table, trying to level down his body to face me while I'm raising my head to face him."Katulong ako rito, okay? Nandito ko para magtrabaho bilang katulong."Kinunot niya ang kanyang noo sa narinig."Bakit 'di mo sinabi agad?""Pinatapos mo ba ko sa sasabihin ko?"At my question, he cleared his throat."May itatanong din pala ko." Tatanungin ko na siya ngayon bago pa mawala sa isip ko."Ano 'yon?" He asked immediately."Uh, pwede ba maupo ka muna ulit doon? Mahirap m
All heads were on me because of what the Empress said while pointing towards me."Oh my gosh!""Isn't she the mother of the crown prince?""So Feronia really has connections with the crown prince."I heard some whispers from my coworkers.Saglit na nilingon ng Empress ang mga narinig na nagbubulungan pero agad din namang binalik ang tuon sa akin."I'm sorry but–" The head maid was cut off again."No buts. I want her right now."Saglit na katahimikan ang nangyari bago nagpasiya ang head maid na ibigay ako sa Empress.Dinala niya ako sa palasyo kung saan siya naninirahan. Malaki rin iyon katulad ng main palace pero mas mukhang elegante at mabulaklak ang palasyong ito. Hindi rin magpapatalo sa dami ng mamahalin at babasaging muwebles sa paligid.Kaming dalawa lang ang naglalakad papunta sa palasyong ito nang may nakasalubong kaming isang babaeng kasing tanda rin ng Empress ngunit may tatlong paran
What?"What?" The Empress voiced out the question inside my head."She got here under my orders, I put her under the head maid so you have nothing to do with her."The Empress sighed in relief after the crown prince's answer, napa-buntong-hininga rin ako dahil doon."Well, isn't this a favor for her?" She then asked him."It is not." He sternly answered."It is!""It is not!""It is! Don't you think so too, Feronia?" They both turn their heads at me which leaves me to stutter in nervousness because of the pressure they're giving me."U-Uh, I think we should ask the head maid's opinion about this.""Deal." They both immediately agreed to my suggestion.Taas-noo silang mabilis at mukhang nagpapaunahan pang pumunta sa kung nasaan ang head maid at ito naman ang i-pressure sa pagtatalo. Ngunit kahit na ganoon, kita pa rin ang pagiging elegante at maawtoridad nilang dalawa sa kanilag paligid.They stopped when it seemed like they noticed something and looked back."Feronia! What are you sti
The fall of dry leaves touching my skin as it passes, while the wind whispers sweet nothings from time to time, feels like my fleeting memories of the past.The time when we were at Casa Lupin, the green scenery of the town mixed with the fiery color of the sun. Our people, may they be young or old, are filled with laughter and smiles. When a simple illness can be treated abruptly by the fresh air the Tree of Life gives us.I tiptoed, stretching my arms and body up high, trying to win against the giant trees surrounding me. Thinking maybe if I pass all these humongous barriers, I will be able to see my homeland again. But every time I do that, I always fail, and to add up, Casa Lupin will never be the same as before. The west part of the Missarati is the only place that reminds me of those times. The only difference is that this place is darker than the old Casa Lupin. I exhaled deeply, lowering my arms and flattening down my heels.Bakit ang tagal yata ni Niko?Lumabas ako rito para
What?"What?" The Empress voiced out the question inside my head."She got here under my orders, I put her under the head maid so you have nothing to do with her."The Empress sighed in relief after the crown prince's answer, napa-buntong-hininga rin ako dahil doon."Well, isn't this a favor for her?" She then asked him."It is not." He sternly answered."It is!""It is not!""It is! Don't you think so too, Feronia?" They both turn their heads at me which leaves me to stutter in nervousness because of the pressure they're giving me."U-Uh, I think we should ask the head maid's opinion about this.""Deal." They both immediately agreed to my suggestion.Taas-noo silang mabilis at mukhang nagpapaunahan pang pumunta sa kung nasaan ang head maid at ito naman ang i-pressure sa pagtatalo. Ngunit kahit na ganoon, kita pa rin ang pagiging elegante at maawtoridad nilang dalawa sa kanilag paligid.They stopped when it seemed like they noticed something and looked back."Feronia! What are you sti
All heads were on me because of what the Empress said while pointing towards me."Oh my gosh!""Isn't she the mother of the crown prince?""So Feronia really has connections with the crown prince."I heard some whispers from my coworkers.Saglit na nilingon ng Empress ang mga narinig na nagbubulungan pero agad din namang binalik ang tuon sa akin."I'm sorry but–" The head maid was cut off again."No buts. I want her right now."Saglit na katahimikan ang nangyari bago nagpasiya ang head maid na ibigay ako sa Empress.Dinala niya ako sa palasyo kung saan siya naninirahan. Malaki rin iyon katulad ng main palace pero mas mukhang elegante at mabulaklak ang palasyong ito. Hindi rin magpapatalo sa dami ng mamahalin at babasaging muwebles sa paligid.Kaming dalawa lang ang naglalakad papunta sa palasyong ito nang may nakasalubong kaming isang babaeng kasing tanda rin ng Empress ngunit may tatlong paran
"Wait!"I stopped him because it seems like he's so ready to create a commotion.Hinarap niya ko gamit ang naiiritang mga mata."Ano? Nagbago na ba isip mo? Gusto mo na rito kasama ang Emperador? Gusto mo rin maging Empress?" Sa bawat tanong niya palapit siya nang palapit.Okay naman siguro 'to kasi napigilan ko siya 'no?"Hindi naman ganoon.""E, ano?" He's now right at my side, left hand on the table, trying to level down his body to face me while I'm raising my head to face him."Katulong ako rito, okay? Nandito ko para magtrabaho bilang katulong."Kinunot niya ang kanyang noo sa narinig."Bakit 'di mo sinabi agad?""Pinatapos mo ba ko sa sasabihin ko?"At my question, he cleared his throat."May itatanong din pala ko." Tatanungin ko na siya ngayon bago pa mawala sa isip ko."Ano 'yon?" He asked immediately."Uh, pwede ba maupo ka muna ulit doon? Mahirap m
"Stop messing around with me, your highness." I'm surprised I even managed to say that calmly despite my loud and fast-beating heart."You're the one who's messing around with me." He said that with a serious expression plastered on his face."I-I need to go now, your highness. The head maid is waiting for me, excuse me." I bowed down and swiftly turned around to walk away from him.Kahit na nakalayo na, ayaw pa rin ng puso ko kumalma sa nerbyos. I tried to inhale and exhale deeply but it's no use because I'm walking rapidly."You sure take your time for some brushes." Komento ng head maid sa akin pagbalik ko.I bowed my head apologetically.After our routine before resting, they started to chat with each other again."Feronia, earlier, maybe the crown prince just wanted you to focus." Ani nilang bigla sa akin.Tumango-tango sila na para bang iyon nga ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ako pinansin ng prinsipe kanina.
After looking back at the closed door of the conference where her son just entered, the Empress left me alone with the order of doing my job properly.Of course, I did what I was supposed to do.I thought she'll do something terrible to me just by looking at her appearance but she's not that bad. She's just like any troubled mother.But like I've said, I've been wondering since I don't see any resemblance between the two.Nilinis ko nang maigi lalo na ang bawat sulok sa hallway na iyon, hindi ko alam kung hanggang ilang oras na ang tinagal ko hanggang sa bumukas na lang bigla ang pinto sa conference room.I first saw the crown prince from the crowd, nang nasa malapit na siya ay yumuko ako nang bahagya gaya kanina. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang bawat paglakad at kilos niya ngunit kahit saglit na tingin pabalik sa akin bilang pagpansin lang na nandito ako ay wala. Na para bang masyado akong maliit para mapansin niya.Hindi naman sa gus
"...Feronia Ellis." The head maid calls out our names.Sampu kaming tinawag niya at ako ang panghuli, lahat kaming sampu rito ay ang mga bagong katulong sa palasyo.After dropping me off here at the palace, I haven't seen the crown prince since then."All of you here are the chosen people to be a royal maid. It's not just a mere maid but a royal maid, keep that in mind. Out of hundreds of people who want this opportunity, you need to prove that you are worthy of this job. Are my words reaching you?""Yes, madam." Sabay-sabay naming sagot habang naka-yuko.Ngunit unti-unti ring tumaas ang aming mga ulo dahil sa kuryoso sa ingay na pumasok sa palasyo.Tunog iyon ng mga armor ng mga kablayero. The first man I saw was the knight who forced me to become an offering before. Sunod noon ay ang nasa likod niyang dalaga na nakayuko habang tahimik na sinusundan ang direksyong tinuturo sakanya nang walang anumang pag-angal. A bunch of knight
"But...what about my grandmother? Will she be okay here?" I asked because this has been bothering me too.Obviously, she will be alone if leave her here. So I'm worried."I'll assign a knight to guard her."I was surprised because of what he said, nagtatanong lang naman ako kung magiging okay ba siya rito pero sinabi niya na agad na maglalagay siya ng kabalyero para kay lola? This is too much but if this is for my lola's safety then so be it.Nang tumigil ang karwahe, sinubukan kong silipin kung nasa tapat na ba kami ng bahay kung nasaan kami naninirahan ni lola ngunit wala akong nakitang kahit isang bahay sa labas.Nagtaka ako kung bakit pero nang napansin ko ang pamilyar na matandang babaeng naglalakad bitbit ang isang pamilyar na bag, nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat, takot, at pag-aalala sa lola ko."Bababa ako." Paalam ko bago sinubukang buksan ang karwahe."Saglit lang." Aniya pero pinagsawalang bahala ko lang iyon
The cold water that was splashed to me earlier has now dried up but I still find myself quivering in fear, wondering what will happen to me once I face the emperor.I silently wish that this carriage will never stop because once it does, that means we're already there.But all my wishes never came true. I know this too will stop but I never imagined it to be so soon."Greetings to his highness..."My eyes widened. Did the emperor meet us halfway? My heart doesn't seem to want to stop thumping so loudly."Prince Gideon Castellan of Missarati."Agad akong gumalaw para buksan ang kurtina at sumilip sa labas ng karwahe pero ang tanging bumungad lamang sa akin ay ang malapad na likod ng isang kabalyero."Sinong nasa loob?" Dinig ko nang malakas at malinaw ang kanyang boses."A maiden that is bound to offer to the emperor, your highness." Magalang na sagot ng kabalyerong sapilitan akong kinuha."Sino?" Madiin
"Nasisiraan ka na ba ng ulo?!" Tayo ni lola sa harap ko.Ang kaninang tuwa ay kumpleto nang hindi makita."La, iyon na lang ang tanging pag-asa natin para mabuhay pa nang matagal sa lugar na 'to." Paliwanag ko naman."Mabuhay? Kaya ilalagay mo sarili mo sa peligro?" She said like she can't understand the logic behind my reason."Hindi 'yon magiging peligro kung mag-iingat ako. Kaya ko naman, e. At isa pa, baka naroon din nila kinukulong si Niko."Mas lalo siyang nagpanic sa narinig."At kung mali ka?""May nagsabi sa aking nandoon ang mga kasagutan sa tanong ko, nalaman niyang hinahanap ko si Niko at mukhang alam niya rin kung ano ako pero hindi naging mapanganib ang tingin niya!"Maybe some people are still not blind by their prejudices and I want her to know that too."Sino ang nagsabi sa'yo non?" Imbis na matuwa sa balita kong may ibang tao na hindi mapanganib para sa amin, mas nagdilim lang ang eksp