Notorious Nightingale

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang unang magiging reaksyon ko matapos ang aking mga narinig. I was still floating above cloud nine when I heard everything. I was so happy because of what happened between Enzo and I, but it was suddenly replaced with an overwhelming sadness because of the whole truth that came out of their mouth. I heard everything from a distance. Clearly. Every single detail.

Matapos ang nangyari sa amin ni Enzo ay nagpaalam na agad siya bago pa man tuluyang may mangyari sa amin. We did not want to rush things too and we knew our limits. It suddenly felt humid and hot in my room that’s why I decided to go to the veranda to let the cold wind of the island to cover me, and while I was slouched unto the marble railings and admiring the constellations in the dark sky, I saw Margaux and Veyrondale talking just outside the castle, beneath my balcony. I decided to go out and catch on them because it seems that they were well acquainted, I was curious... And perhaps it is true that curiosity kills the cat.

Laking gulat ko na lang dahil sina Genesis at Margaux ang aking nadatnan sa pasukan mismo ng kastilyo. They were talking about the truth that they decided to hide from me. They lied because they were afraid that I will lose control again if I find out... Pero mas nasaktan ako dahil wala silang tiwala sa akin at kinailangan nilang magsinungaling. I was hurt because they didn’t trust me enough.

I was hurt and sad because I will lose Shinigami again, for the second time. It’s my fault why.

Kusang tumulo ang mga luha ko habang lumalapit ako sa kanila at halata naman ang gulat na agad na pumalit sa kanilang kalmadong ekspresyon.

I can feel my powers growing once more, but I was able to suppress them. I was strong enough already to be able to withstand the raging waves of my magic, they want to be unleashed, but I kept them leashed and locked away. I was in control... Maybe because despite everything that I knew, I was in love. I had Enzo.

“Zendaya...” Genesis looked at me with a worried face, “we’re sorry.”

They looked at me as if I was a walking time bomb, but to their surprise, everything remained the same. Hindi gaya ng nangyari sa Encora City noon na nawalan ako ng kontrol at maraming nasira sa paligid. It was strange, but at the same time, fulfilling. This must be thanks to the good energy and the wisdom that the Tree of Life has given me.

I realized things—you don’t stop the raging waves inside you, you learn to ride them instead.

“Gather everyone. We’ll have an emergency meeting. This time—tell the whole truth. Everyone deserves to know, especially Shinigami.” Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata upang pigilan ang aking mga luha. How would I face him? Will he hate me if he finds out?

My heart was aching after what I found out. Nanghina ako. Gusto kong maglabas ng sama ng loob at galit sa dalawang nasa harap ko, ngunit hindi ko magawa. I understand why they did that. Iniisip lang nila ang kapakanan ko, ngunit nalulungkot pa rin ako. If only I was strong enough before. But there is no use crying over spilled milk, and I’ll forever carry in my heart the burden of killing Shinigami.

Tumango ang dalawa matapos ang aking utos at agad silang kumilos. I went to the Throne Room and reclined myself on the throne. Maraming mga bagay ang tumatakbo sa aking isip at gusto kong sumabog, ngunit tuwing naaalala ko si Enzo ay kumakalma ako.

I calmed myself and my composure as I watched every Night Court member to walk the room. Halata ang pagtataka sa kanilang mukha habang nakatingin sa akin. It was already almost midnight, and they were all in their sleeping clothes.

“What is it, Zendaya?” Tanong ni Marshall.

Tumingin ako kay Genesis at Margaux, “they have something to tell us.” Sagot ko.

Agad namang nagkuwento si Margaux tungkol sa lahat ng narinig ko kanina at iba pang mga mahahalagang impormasyon. Halata naman ang gulat sa mukha nila, lalo na si Marshall, dahil sa kanilang mga narinig. I looked at Shinigami, who just remained standing. Walang bakas ng emosyong makikita sa kaniyang mukha. Para lang siyang nakatitig sa kawalan. Nang napansin niyang nakatingin ako sa kaniya ay agad siyang umiwas ng tingin.

“Shinigami, I’m sorry... This is my fault for losing control back then.” I know my apology will never be enough. I just killed him and brought him to life only to die again.

“It’s not your fault.” He looked at me after he was done composing himself and he smiled a sad smile. There was something in his eyes—I cannot tell, but they were sad and heavy. “When I joined your Night Court, I was already prepared to die for you. At saka isa pa, hindi naman tayo nakakasigurado na mangyayari rin sa akin ang nangyari sa ina mo. Just because she didn’t live long after you resurrected her does not mean that I won’t live long too.” He assured, dahil doon ay medyo gumaan ang aking pakiramdam ngunit ramdam ko pa rin ang kalungkutan na sumisigaw sa aking puso. “Instead of worrying about me, worry about Veyrondale, we just found out that he is an enemy and that he is the one who has plotted everything.”

Chapter 86

Tumango naman ako. “For now, we’ll just have to put our guards up. Alam na ni Veyrondale ang iba sa ating mga plano, may posibilidad din na magsabi siya ng impormasyon kay Pope Mateo. Also, Marshall, I leave you with the task of informing Doctor Helen about Veyrondale, as much as possible, she must cut all ties with that fallen angel for her own safety.”

Tumango naman si Marshall. “I will write a letter as soon as possible and send it away.”

“Zendaya, hindi ka ba magagalit sa amin?” Tanong ni Margaux.

“Galit ako dahil nagsinungaling kayo sa akin at hindi kayo nagtiwala. Sa susunod, magsabi na ng totoo.” Sagot ko naman. I looked at Enzo and thought that they should thank this man too, because it is him that keeps me under control now. He may not know it, but now that I realized the love that I had towards him, I felt different. In a good way.

I closed my eyes and remembered my father, the late king. If he is here, I know he would be proud of me. I have become a very understanding queen. My Night Court and I talked for a few more seconds, until I decided to dismiss them. Naiwan naman sina Genesis at Margaux pagkatapos.

“Zendaya, thank you.” Genesis smiled.

“For not losing control?” I asked.

“Partly, yes... But thank you for having a forgiving heart.” Margaux added. “We promise to never lie to you anymore.”

“About Veyrondale, how powerful is he?” Tanong ko kay Margaux dahil siya ang nakakakilala sa lalakeng iyan. All I know is that this man has a twisted personality and that he caused my ancestor King Prius to become insane. If I connect the dots too, alam kong siya rin ang may pakana sa nangyari sa aking ina noon. Because he was bored... And after finding out that after a few generations, another creation magic wielder is born, he has to take a bite.

Kumuyom ang kamao ko. Though he was punished and he has a limited time already... We do not know what he is capable to do before his time is up. I have to be more wary of him as he has managed to control the flow of my life. Hindi ko na hahayaan pa ang sarili ko na magamit para sa kaniyang kasiyahan dahil wala siyang magandang magawa sa buhay.

“I can’t say how powerful he is... But he is one of the strongest angels created by God.”

“Who is more powerful between us?” I asked once more.

“Veyrondale.” Malungkot naman na sagot ni Margaux, “he was given the power to be able to defeat those who wield the creation magic, after all. But if Vandersnatch is on your side, it will be a different case. If you work together, there will be a chance that he is defeated.”

Tumango naman ako. “So, where is Vandersnatch?”

“I don’t know...”

“We actually met once already but I did not know it was him.”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Margaux dahil sa kaniyang narinig, “what did he say?”

“He has a feeling that we’ll meet again in the future... And I felt the same. Also, he advised me about my magic. That it is all in the mind. It all makes sense now.”

Tumango lang si Margaux, “if he said that he feels that you will meet again, then it is for sure that you will. You are both fated to meet again, as he was tasked by God to be your Guardian.”

The thought of fighting alongside Vandersnatch made me feel something different. It twisted inside, but in a good way. Tumayo na ako mula sa trono pagkatapos at bumaba. “Anyway, let’s all take a rest for now. We still have the Grand Slave Trade tomorrow.”

Bumalik ako sa aking kuwarto pagkatapos, at muli na naman bumalik ang nalaman kong mga impormasyon. About Shinigami’s case too... However, I chose to be positive and believe that he won’t die again, like what he has assured of me.

I closed my eyes and fell asleep. When I opened my eyes, it was already time to go.