Prey of the Lion

Chapter 15: The Arrival at an Inn in the City

Chapter 15: The Arrival at an Inn in the City

Habang papalayo kami sa Royal Citadel ng Liondale Empire ay nagiging mas marami ang mga puno sa paligid at mas umuunti ang mga establishments at mga gusaling nakatayo, hangga’t sa nasa gitna na kami ng tila gubat. Tanging ang daanan lamang na lupain ang naroroon at may mga ilang mga nakasakay din ng karwahe at kabayo sa paligid na bumibiyahe.

Sumilip muli ako sa bintana upang tingnan si Leo sa kaniyang gawi at nakita napansing nakasuot siya ngayon ng robe na may hoodie upang takpan ang kaniyang mukha. “Why is he hiding his face?” Kumunot ang noo ko.

“Because people might recognize him. He is the emperor, after all. And that is all he can do to have his privacy.” Sagot ni Madame Phoebe.

That’s the time I also realized that he needed to because people might recognize him, and it was a disguise.

“I have prepared your hooded robe as well, Prince Lark.” Ngumiti si Akane at saka niya nilabas ang kaniyang dalang itim na robe at saka ito nilahad sa akin. Tinanggap ko naman ito at saka sinuot. “You should wear it until it is dark, you are free to remove it tonight if you feel uncomfortable.” Dagdag niya. “You two are very important figures of Liondale Empire, we cannot risk the enemy finding out about your whereabouts as they might attack or ambush us—especially the Luna Axis, we still do not truly know what they are up to.”

Tumango naman ako.

“Indeed, the parents of Emperor Leonhart are concrete examples, peace be to their soul.” Madame Phoebe noted, “they were too careless and too trusting. Always being too transparent about where they were and such—it was only a matter of time when the enemy will strike them.”

Tahimik lang sina Filo at Akane habang nagsasalita si Madame Phoebe. Ako naman ay napaisip din dahil sa kaniyang mga binitawang salita. She had a point. The less people knew, the safer we would be... And that is why people must not know about the seal within me, and they must not know of the truth that lies between my attachment with Leo... All of it was meant to keep this disastrous magic in me locked away... Otherwise, the world will fall into ruins. While the thought of being unable to use magic as a royal subject is saddening, I had no choice. Leo said it himself—my magic is not something that should be used or wielded. It should remain hidden, locked, and unused.

I wore the hooded robe which Akane gave me. It was half an hour later when we finally reached the entrance of Wynzellia City. Upon entering the city, we were greeted by a lively crowd of people who were socializing. There were many shops and booths around, selling various products, souvenirs, and food. The place was lively, but what caught my attention more were the fairy lights that were scattered across the city, and the people wore grand clothes as well, some were already holding lanterns, and some were already writing their wishes and dreams unto it.

May tunog din ng kakaibang musika na umaalingawngaw sa paligid. The pathway is bricks and the carriage moved, sliding its way across the crowd. I lost sight of Leo as well, however, I know he is just a few meters away from me. I can feel this connection between us—I don’t know, perhaps it has something to do with Anima and Mortem, the magic we possess. We were connected through it, and that is how he was able to find me too.

“The place is very lively.” I commented.

“It is always like this every Lantern Festival.” Filo replied, putting it in a way like it is a matter of fact.

“Yep, many people across the empire gather around and visit the place too. Tourist influx usually happens during this time of the year here.” Madame Phoebe stated. “After all, this city is popular because of this festival.”

“I have already rented an inn where we will stay temporarily as we wait for the day out.” Madame Phoebe said, “we will meet with Emperor Leonhart there. I guess he went first already.” Mas mabilis siguro si Leo na makakarating sa inn dahil kabayo ang kaniyang sakayan. Hindi na siya mahihirapan pa masyadong sumingit-singit dito sa crowd ng mga tao. I nodded, nakasilip pa rin ako sa bintana at hindi makapaniwala dahil sa dami ng mga nagdagsaang mga tao.

It was a few minutes after when we finally reached the inn which Madame Phoebe spoke of. Pinagbuksan kami ni Filo ng pintuan at nauna siyang lumabas. Sumunod naman si Akane. Inalalayan naman ako ni Filo sa paglabas at ngumiti naman ako sa kaniya. Saktong iyon ay natanaw ko si Leo mula sa malayo. Natatakpan ang kaniyang puting buhok ng kaniyang suot na hoodie, ngunit alam kong siya iyon dahil naaninag ko ang kaniyang mga matang kulay ginto.

He was glaring at Filo. Bakit kaya ang sama ng tingin nito sa kaniya?

“Thanks, Filo.” I smiled at this knight general.

“You’re welcome, Empress Lark.” Sagot naman nito.

“Ehem.” Tumikhim si Madame Phoebe.

“Err, I mean just Lark.”

“Ah, right.” I smiled when I finally realized why they had to remove the title. We were outside and people might eavesdrop and realize who we were.

“Lark.” Bungad sa akin ni Leo habang naglalakad siya palapit sa akin. He walked elegantly, and he had this aura around himself which spoke of power. If I was a normal human being, I feel like I would have been intimated by this stance that he had. And he was also hot, which is a bonus. Simply put, he is a walking perfection.

“Let’s get inside the inn and rest. Phoebe, how many rooms have you rented?”

“Everything, as you would have,” ngumiti si Madame Phoebe kay Leo. They both seemed comfortable to each other and I felt this pang of pain in my heart. Hindi ko na lang iyon ininda o pinansin. Why would I feel like this just because it seemed like they were well acquainted? Umiling na lang ako.

“Good.” Leo stated, “I’ll go to one of the rooms and read some papers and continue work, the rest of you can do as you please, but stay together. I will entrust everything to you, Phoebe.”

“Noted.” Yumuko si Madame Phoebe upang magbigay ng respeto kay Leo. Si Leo naman ay naglakad papunta sa aking gawi at saka niya nilapit ang kaniyang mukha sa akin.

“Bakit ka nakasimangot?” Tanong nito habang tinititigan ang aking mukha.

“Hindi ah.”

He grinned, “try to enjoy here, okay?” Aniya at saka niya ako hinalikan. It was brief, but the moment that our lips touched and collided felt eternal, as everything went so slow. I savored that split second where his sweet touch has once more cascaded my senses. I can never get enough of him. I think I will get addicted to him, like he was a drug I cannot live without.

Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako pagkatapos. “You seem disappointed.” Ngumisi si Leo.

“I am not.”

“Don’t worry, babawi ako mamaya pagkatapos ng lantern festival. We’ll stay overnight here.” Bulong nito sa akin upang ako lang ang makarinig, at alam ko na agad kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin dahil sa mga salitang binitawan niya. Ramdam ko ang pamumula ng aking pisngi at ang pag-init ng aking mga tenga. The simple imagination of another intimate night together, with him, has managed to make me feel hot once more, and I gulped.

I must be damn crazy.

“I’ll go now. We’ll see each other at dinner.” Pagpapaalam nito sa akin.

Pumasok na kaming lahat sa inn at gaya nga ng inaasahan ko ay walang tao maliban na lang sa mga staff. “I reserved the entire inn under my name in order to avoid any marks of suspicion.” Madame Phoebe stated, “and I chose this inn as they have a non-disclosure agreement signed, which means even if their staff would happen to find out about you and the emperor, they will still keep their mouths sealed, otherwise, they will be killed for breach of contract.”

Tumango lang ako habang pinapakinggan si Madame Phoebe. May isang nakaunipormeng babae ang lumapit sa amin at giniya kami, sinabi naman ni Madame Phoebe sa babaeng iyon na nais naming magpahangin muna at magmeryenda kaya naman giniya kami sa veranda sa ikalawang palapag kung saan maganda ang tanawin.

Habang kumakain kami ay hindi ko maiwasang mapatitig kay Madame Phoebe. She was stunning and gorgeous, if I put myself beside her—she would look more like the empress. After all, she is a woman. And I am not. That somehow made me feel insecure about myself, which is something new and foreign, as I never thought I would feel this all my life.

“So, what is your connection to the emperor?” Hindi ko na maiwasang matanong.

“I used to be his tutor too.” Sagot naman ni Madame Phoebe, “I am the daughter of Emperor Leonhart’s maternal aunt. Motherside... You can say I am his cousin.”

“Ah.” Tila nabunutan naman ako ng tinik sa aking puso dahil sa aking narinig at bahagya akong napangiti.

“Why?” Madame Phoebe asked.

Umiling lang ako.

“May I ask, do you not find it strange that the emperor has chosen me? A man? To be his empress?”

“It isn’t strange at all. Nasa taong nag-iisip na iyon. But the good thing in this empire is, homophobia is considered a taboo. Love is love, and it should have no boundaries.” Madame Phoebe stated.

I nodded.

“But the role of the empress is to bear a child who will rule the next generation.” I whispered.

“That’s the traditional sayings, but we are now in the contemporary—and while time is changing, the same must be with empires and kingdoms. You are mistaken about the role of the Empress, it is not only to bear a child.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your role is to be the right-hand of the emperor, to act on his behalf during the time of his absence. Your role is so much bigger than you know, which is why you should feel the weight and burden now, otherwise—ikaw ang magiging pabigat.” Madame Phoebe informed.

Tumango naman ako.

Alam ko rin naman ang totoong dahilan kung bakit ako pinili ni Leo upang maging empress niya at dahil iyon sa mahika na naka-seal sa aking katawan. I know he has no expectations of me except that I stay beside him until my last breath, and somehow, that saddens me.

Pinikit ko ang aking mata at muling pinakiramdam ang apoy na tila lumiliyab sa aking puso. It was faint at first, but I feel the fire gradually growing and growing, as if it was there burning everything of me to ashes... It was warm, but somehow there is this tingling sensation as well which somehow hurts.

“Do you believe in destiny, Madame Phoebe?” I asked, sina Akane at Filo naman ay tahimik lang na nakikinig habang umiinom ng lemon juice.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason.” Madame Phoebe smiled, “I do not know what to make of destiny, but I believe everything happens because it has to, because there is a purpose to it. Why ask?”

“I do not know why myself too... But sometimes, I find myself asking this ever since I met the emperor. All this time, I grew up thinking he was notorious, merciless, and heartless. But it was the opposite now that I knew him... And I never thought I would be stuck in this point where I feel like I cannot live without him.”

“Well, that is called love.” Madame Phoebe smiled.

“Is it? Hindi ko pa nga siya masyadong kilala at kakakilala lang namin sa isa’t isa...”

“Wala naman sa oras ng pagsasama kasi iyan. Ang love, hindi lang naka-base doon.” Madame Phoebe chuckled, “but that is your feelings, of course, only you can tell. That feeling is still a newborn baby, which is why you still do not know, but let it grow over time, and you will be able to identify which is it.”

“I hope so...” I smiled.