Prey of the Lion

Chapter 19: The Confession of the Emperor

Chapter 19: The Confession of the Emperor

Nang matapos kaming maligo ni Leo ay agad kaming nagbihis. Mabuti na lang at laging handa si Akane, may mga dala siyang damit kanina at iyon ang ginamit namin pampalit. Bahagya akong napaisip din kung paano nangyari iyon dahil ang pagkakaalam ko, wala naman siyang dala-dalang bag na naglalaman ng mga gamit namin ni Leo... At saka biglaan si Leo na sumama, kaya paano niya nalaman at nakapaghanda agad siya?

Nakahiga kami ngayon ni Leo sa kama at nakatitig lang sa kisame ng inn. Kahit nasa kuwarto kami ay rinig pa rin nang kaunti ang masayang musika sa labas.

“Leo,” I blurted out of nowhere. I was so lost in my own thoughts, and there was something that was bugging me too.

“Hmm?” He said, his voice sounded tired, I looked at him and caught him already staring at me. I felt something leap within me, I felt something weird—I do not know what it is, is this attraction? Because it is damn fatal. Pakiramdam ko ay tila umaapoy ngayon ang loob ko.

“What do you think of me?” I asked. I sounded hopeful, and I wish it did not come out like that. Hindi ko alam pero sa mga sandaling ito na punong-puno ako ngayon ng pagdududa sa katotohanan dahil sa hula tungkol sa aking hinaharap, gusto ko lang maging sigurado sa isang bagay at iyon ay ang hindi lang ako ang nakakaramdam ng ganito sa aming dalawa.

“I think you’re beautiful.” He said with a smile.

“No... I mean, something deeper.” I whispered.

Bahagyang napaisip si Leo at nagkaroon ng tila nakakabinging katahimikan habang hinihintay ko ang mga susunod na kataga at sagot na kaniyang bibitawan.

He smiled out of the blue, and I felt something flutter within me, like there were butterflies in my stomach. “I don’t know, really... I am confused too.”

“What do you mean?” Pakiramdam ko ay bigla akong nalungkot dahil sa kaniyang sinabi.

“I am lost... I cannot describe how I feel. Basta tuwing nakatingin ako sa iyo, pakiramdam ko ay nakatingin ako sa aking mundo. I cannot imagine living a single day without you, I cannot imagine my life without you. I feel like we were destined... Kaya nga hindi ako nakatiis at sumama ako rito. Ayaw kong mawalay sa iyo.” Aniya.

Sobrang bilis ngayon ng pintig ng aking puso dahil sa confession ni Leo sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang dapat kong sasabihin.

“I know it is too fast... We just met... And I am acting like a bastard who is crazy in love with someone he barely knows, but please, believe me... What I am saying is real.”

I smiled, “don’t worry... I also feel the same.”

“You do?” He sounded hopeful.

I nodded. “Yes, Leo... But I am scared... What if you are only saying that because you have to?”

“I am anything but a liar, Lark.” Leo replied, his voice was more serious than ever. “All I said to you is real. I am sure of it... I like you, Lark. And I have never felt like this to anyone. Sa iyo lang.”

“A part of me thinks it is because of the magic that is sealed within me... What if it is the one pulling the strings? Because the magic we possess is the one tying us together.”

“Then I am glad that our magic has tied us down, together. Because that just means we really were fated and destined to be...”

I smiled, “you really have a way with words.”

“I am just keeping it real,” he chuckled softly. “And I expect the same to you.”

“I am real too.” I grinned. With peace of mind, I felt my exhaustion run across my veins. Naging mabigat na ang talukip ng aking mga mata at pumikit ako, the next thing I know, when I opened my eyes, it was already night time.

Leo’s back was facing me as he read the documents that he took for work. It seems like he was also done as he was already organizing and filing them back to the envelope. He looked at me after, and then smiled, “ah, you are awake. Hindi na kita ginising dahil ang sarap ng tulog mo.”

I nodded, “how long was I asleep?” I asked.

“I am guessing you slept right after we talked, and that was around 2 in the afternoon. Now, it is 7.”

Ang haba rin pala ng aking tulog.

Tumingin si Leo sa grandfather clock at saka binalik niya ang kaniyang tingin sa akin, “perfect. Just in time for dinner. Let us go, Lark.” Pag-aya niya sa akin.

Tumango naman ako at bumangon na ako sa kama.

Bumaba na kami at nakita naman namin si Akane na tila aakyat, “ah, kakatok sana ako sa kuwarto ninyo upang tawagin kayo. Nakahain na ang hapunan, Emperor Leonhart at Prince Lark,” yumuko siya nang bahagya bilang pagpapakita ng respeto sa amin.

Sabay na kaming tatlong bumaba muli at tumungo sa silid-kainan ng inn kung saan naroroon ang isang mahabang mesa na puno ng pagkain, nakaupo na roon sina Filo at Madame Phoebe.

Umupo na rin kami at nagsimulang kumain. I was smiling from ear to ear after seeing all of the dishes that were served. Hindi ko maiwasang maglaway dahil naaamoy ko ang masarap na amoy nila at mukhang masarap ang mga ito.

We ate in silence and the food that I ate never failed me.

Nang matapos na kaming kumain ay nagpatunaw muna kami ng aming kinain at saka namin napagpasyaang lumabas na sa inn at tumungo sa port ng Wynzellia City kung saan magaganap ang pagpapalipad ng mga lanterns.

Marami nang mga tao sa paligid, and Leo and I were also disguised in order to hide our identity, gayon din naman kay Filo dahil isa rin siyang tanyag na pigura sa kahariang ito.

“Here are the lanterns.” Inabot ni Akane sa amin isa-isa ang mga binili naming lanterns kanina.

Mula sa aming puwesto ay tanaw ko ang karagatang puno ng mga bangka kung saan may mga taong nakasakay, ang iba ay nagsisimula nang maglagay ng apoy sa mga lampara.

Sumunod kaming lahat kay Filo na siyang nauna sa amin sa paglalakad, at tumigil siya sa harap ng isang bangka na walang laman maliban sa isang matandang lalake. “Dad,” he greeted. “We’re hopping on-board.”

Tumango ang matanda at ngumiti kay Filo. Now that I see it, there is a striking resemblance. So, this is his father. I smiled at the old man, and he nodded at me and bowed his head as a sign of respect. Sumakay na kaming lahat sa bangka, at ang ama naman ni Filo ay agad na pinatakbo ang bangka papunta sa gitna ng karagatan.

“Magandang gabi, Emperor Leonhart. Hindi ko inakala na dadayo ka rin sa piyesta.” Ngumiti ang matanda kay Leo, his personality seemed like the total opposite of his son, and I chuckled at the thought. I cannot imagine seeing Filo smiling like his father... But if ever that happens, baka baliktad na ang mundo.

Tumango lang si Leo sa matanda.

“Okay, while we are moving, let us put our wishes and dreams into our lanterns.” Madame Phoebe said and offered us a pen.

Now that I think of it, I never considered what to put into the lanterns... And not like I support such activities that will put environmental pressures.

Tumingin ako sa aking mga kasama at nakita sina Akane, Filo, pati si Madame Phoebe na nagsusulat na sa mga lanterns habang si Leo naman ay tahimik lang na nakatitig sa lamparang hawak niya. “You’re not going to write?” I asked.

“I won’t.” He replied, “what more can I wish if you are already here?” He grinned.

“That is smooth.” I laughed, “hmm... But you should still have a wish?”

“Ah, yes... I do... Forever with you.” Aniya, at sinulat nga niya iyon. Umiling na lang ako habang nakangiti na parang tanga, at nag-isip din ng aking isusulat.

I decided to stop thinking too much about it, and just write what I feel and want instead.

Certainty amid doubts.

For the truth to prevail.

Forever with Leonhart.

I smiled, contented at what I have written.

“Okay, Akane, light up the lanterns.” Utos ni Leo kay Akane. Tumango naman si Akane at saka niya ginamit ang kaniyang mahika. There were orbs of fire that started to float out of nowhere, and the fire seems to have a life of their own and moved towards the ignition of the lanterns, and the lanterns started to form and shape.