Notorious Nightingale

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Nang matapos kaming kumain lahat ay may mga kasambahay ang agad na kumuha sa mga plato at kubyertos na nagamit at pinalitan nila ito ng mga panghimagas. Habang kumakain ay nag-isip ako ng posibleng mga puwedeng gawin pa. I realized that my island will not be able to accommodate everyone who would come because it is not big enough, and that’s when an idea popped in my head.

I looked at Veyrondale, hindi pa rin maalis sa aking isip ang mga sinabi ni Genesis. Naglalaro pa rin ang mga katagang iyon sa aking isip. He is the killer of the Mad Kings. He is the one that God sent in order to kill me, if ever I die. If he has lived for many generations already, how old is he? And is he connected to Vandersnatch?

Nag-isip pa ako. Not unless I become a Mad Queen, he isn’t an enemy, right? That means, given the circumstances, his position is neutral—or maybe not, I do not know his intentions especially that he seems to be working in my favor. I wonder how Doctor Helen became associated with this angel.

Nang napansin ni Veyrondale na nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya ay dumapo ang kaniyang mga mata sa akin, I felt something heavy with his gaze—it wasn’t good, I could not tell if it was evil, but his aura was overwhelming. He has a dark presence around him.

“Is something wrong, Queen Zendaya?” Tanong ni Veyrondale sa akin.

Ngumiti lang ako at umiling, “please enjoy the food.”

He nodded and ate in silence afterward. While I was lost in my thoughts again and proceeded to thinking of plans on how I will conquer the kingdom and save the people from the greedy and abusive reign of Pope Mateo, I had an idea suddenly.

“There are apparently ten major cities under the kingdoms.” Sabi ko, “the Royal Capital, Sterlia, Encora, Nirvana, Astaria, Gale, Yggdrazil, Erena, Del Pallaz, and Espania.” Tumigil na ang lahat sa pagkain nang magsalita ako at tumingin ang lahat sa akin, “we’ll conquer them one by one, and tomorrow, I’ll start with Espania, the city of slaves, it is governed by Alexandro Belmonto.”

“These major cities are fundamental for the survival of the kingdom, as it is where mostly the money comes from which is taxed and used by the Kingdom Palace. We will hit the Royal Capital last and corner the people in the Kingdom Palace. If we successfully take these cities from the kingdom, then the money that will be taxed towards Pope Mateo will become mine and we will use it to support the war that we’ll fight, also, those who reside in these cities especially the poor will no longer need to come here as they will be under our protection inside the walls of these cities too.”

“As for Margaux City, as it is a neutral city inside the kingdom, the pope will not bother to protect it anymore. But just in case, Wynonah, I’d like you to send a message to Ariella that if any suspicious activities happen there, she must report immediately.”

Tumango naman si Wynonah.

“Anyway, I know that Pope Mateo is not stupid enough to leave these cities unguarded. He has probably mobilized the ten Court Mages and has given them one city to guard, also, considering the knights under his disposal, he has probably given these mages a number of knights too. The cities will be heavily guarded, but we have the element of surprise. They do not know when or where we will attack.”

“What about the enlisted soldiers?” Tanong ni Wendy, “they’re probably the ones at the front-line too, along with the other knights of the Pope and the Court Mages. Also, if it is true that the Pope has mobilized his forces, then does that mean the Kingdom Palace is not heavily guarded? We can directly attack already.”

“Yes, that’d be easier, Wendy, but you must remember that we have other enemies beside the Pope and the Grand Council. I may take the throne back and sit on it again—but for those who support the Church, I will not be a legitimate ruler. They will just rally against me and use the poor as a shield like what Pope Mateo is doing now. In addition, this kingdom is patriarchal and the elites who have perpetuated it will never accept me, a woman whose reputation is tarnished by the Church, to reign over them.”

“Even before I rose to power, I already made enemy to the noble families by humiliating their sons who were eligible to be my King. History will just repeat itself if we do not address the roots of the problem. Not unless I conquer the cities and make them mine, the Grand Throne will mean nothing to me. Plus, I already have my own throne in this castle... We will just continue to dominate and expand our reach.”

“Spoken like a true queen.” Lilith clapped her hands in delight.

“Before this, you were speaking of Espania, the city of slaves, right?” Napatingin kaming lahat kay Veyrondale nang magsalita siya, “I overheard Alexandro and Pope Mateo talking while I was in the shadows,” saad nito, “do you know what kind of slaves are made in the city?”

Umiling ako. “All I know is that they are slaves... May mga uri pa pala ng mga alipin?”

Tumango naman si Veyrondale, “for male slaves, they are turned into soldiers... And for the female slaves, they are turned into prostitutes, maids, and whatever it is that the masters would desire them to be. Tomorrow, at the Grand Slave Trade, is where armies of slave soldiers will be sold. A hundred thousand slave soldiers. A lot of nobles from outside the kingdom will probably be present to buy some.”

“Thank you, Veyrondale. This is significant information.” He simply smiled, but something wicked was hidden beneath those. I looked at Enzo, afterward, as another plan formulated in my mind upon hearing what Veyrondale has told me so, “Enzo, you will join us tomorrow too.”

“Pero kailangan kong bumuo ng hukbo ng mga kabalyero mo.”

“Hindi na kailangan.” I smiled. Tomorrow, when I go to Espania where slave soldiers will be sold, I will free them and give them the chance to fight for me and those who are willing to fight will be under Enzo’s command. It will be a win-win situation, and I’ll also finally put an end to Alexandro and those who will stand my way at the city. “Veyrondale, do you know how much is one slave soldier?”

“Five diamond coins. They’re quite trained and skilled in combat.” Aniya.

“To get all one hundred thousand slave soldiers, I’ll be needing five hundred thousand diamond coins.” Tumingin ako kay Marshall, “prepare the amount as you hold the key to the Treasure Vault.”

Tumango naman siya.

“You’re going to buy the slaves?” Enzo asked, it seems like he already has an idea as to why I asked for his presence tomorrow too.

“No. I will release them from their chains... People are not commodities that you buy. As for the money that I asked Marshall to prepare, it’s just a carrot on the stick, a means to control Alexandro Belmonto. He is easily controlled by money, after all.”

After our talk and when we were finally done eating our dessert, Veyrondale said that he had to go and meet Doctor Helen again in the Royal Capital and he will relay the things I said for her. He turned to an eagle once more and flew into the night sky. He said it was more convenient as people would be alerted if they saw an actual angel flying in the sky and that made sense. But for the fact that I finally met the one who has killed the Mad Kings before, I was pretty calm myself. Or maybe Genesis and I were just jumping into conclusions that he is the killer of the Mad Kings?

I went to my chamber afterward and sighed when I was finally in solitude. I was exhausted and my tiredness is catching up already. Tumingin ako sa bintana at nakita ang liwanag ng buwan na sumisilip mula roon.

Kasabay nito ay ang pagkatok sa kuwarto ko. I jumped out of bed and opened the door, agad na bumungad si Enzo, walang sabi siyang pumasok at saka niya sinara ang pinto. Pagkatapos ay agad niya akong siniilan ng halik. “Zendaya,” he whispered in between our kisses as we pulled each other towards the bed where he laid on top of me. I can feel his weight that trapped me between the sheets, as if he has finally caught a prey.

“Enzo...” I said his name in sweet delight and my fingers traced the bridge of his pointed nose down to the top of his wet lips. “I love you...”

“I love you too, Zendaya.” He whispered, then he took his long sleeves off, revealing his muscular body and his washboard abs. I gulped at the sight of a sexy god, and he grinned at me. “Like what you are seeing?” May pang-asar na aniya.

“Yes.” I admitted.

And with that, he kissed me once more. “I can never get enough of your lips, Zendaya.” He said, then he bit my lower lip as if teasing me. “This is the real dessert.” He chuckled.

I felt the heat building up between us, and we let ourselves be devoured by that overwhelming passion. “You are very beautiful.” He smiled as he admired my features.

Umiwas naman ako ng tingin sa kaniya.

“Look at me, Zendaya.”

Hindi ko alam pero tila isa akong masunuring batang sumunod sa kaniyang utos. I saw his hazel-brown eyes again, and they were on fire.

“I want to eat you.” He pouted.

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Chapter 82

❂• 3rd POV •❂

“Veyrondale, ano ang binabalak mo?” Halata ang inis sa tinig ng babaeng kasama ngayon ni Veyrondale sa labas ng kastilyo. Ang kaniyang matulis na tainga ay kitang-kita dahil ang kaniyang puting buhok ay nakapalibot sa apat na sungay na nakakurbang tila mga korona. “Kung ano man ang masamang binabalak mo, huwag mo nang gawin. Hindi ko hahayaan na paglaruan mo lang si Zendaya gaya ng ginawa mo kay King Prius Nightingale.”

Tumawa lang si Veyrondale dahil sa sinabi ng babae. “You asked to meet me here just to threaten me, Margaux? O para ipaalala sa akin ang tungkol kay King Prius? Yes, I killed his queen because I was bored. I wanted him to turn evil so I can eliminate and fight him, like what God has tasked me to do so.”

“You are twisted.” Inis na sabi ni Margaux, “at baka nakakalimutan mo, Veyrondale, itinakwil ka na ng Diyos dahil sa iyong kasalanan at hindi ka na immortal. Ilang taon na lang ang natitirang buhay mo. Ang itim na iyong mga pakpak ang nagpapatunay niyan. You are no longer the Guardian of this world. Your twin brother that God has sent is already the only Guardian as you have failed him.”

“You mean Vandersnatch?” Tumawa lang si Veyrondale, “he is weaker than me. Takot pumatay sa mga Mad Kings. I always do the dirty work while he watches in the sidelines. At oo, alam kong hindi na ako immortal at ilan na lang ang oras ko sa mundo, that’s why I am enjoying the rest of my time.” He chuckled. “Zendaya is my entertainment.”

Kumuyom ang kamao ni Margaux.

“Alam kong ikaw ang may pakana sa lahat ng nangyari sa Encora City. Ninakaw mo ang singsing ni Zendaya. Baka nakakalimutan mo, simula pa lang noong una ay binabantayan ko na si Zendaya. Mabuti at nandoon ako para iligtas siya.” Giit nito. “Ano ang balak mo, Veyrondale? Ang maging Mad Queen si Zendaya gaya ng ginawa mo kay King Prius? Hindi ko hahayaan na gawin mo ang iyong gusto. Ako ang makakalaban mo.”

“Baka nakakalimutan mo rin na alam kong nagsinungaling ka sa kaniya.” Ngumisi si Veyrondale nang bahagyang matigil si Margaux. “Alam kong nagsinungaling ka tungkol sa kaniyang ina. Paano na lang kaya kung malaman talaga ni Zendaya ang totoong nangyari sa kaniyang ina?”

Kumuyom ang kamao ni Margaux muli.

“Well, kahit naman na hindi ko sabihin, makikita niya rin sa pamamagitan ni Shinigami.” Ngumisi lamang si Veyrondale. “It’s only a matter of time before she loses it again.”

Halata ang inis na naipinta sa mukha ni Margaux. “Huwag kang mag-alala, Margaux, I won’t meddle anymore because time will do its job for me. I just wanted to see how my pet is growing.” Humalakhak siya.

“Hindi ka hahayaan ni Vandersnatch sa iyong mga kagustuhan. Alam kong kagagawan mo ang lahat ng ito, kaya nangyari ang lahat ng ito kay Zendaya. You won’t have your way anymore, not anymore that I am here and Vandersnatch is out there.”

“Oh, everything is already going my way, Margaux.” Veyrondale replied. “And nothing can stop me... Not even God.”

And with that, Veyrondale disappeared.

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