Prey of the Lion

Chapter 4: Papa and Mama

Chapter 4: Papa and Mama

I’ve always heard of the tale about Emperor Leonhart Dandelion. It is said that he always finishes every war with him on the front-line without a scratch and there are only little casualties with his Imperial Army, and that is quite a feat because in clashes, no matter how strong you are, you will always come out with a battle wound or die. This explains why he never has a scratch or why his army seems to be invincible—he can heal people around him... And I just learned that I was his total opposite.

I wore one of Leo’s nightwear. They were quite big for me, but I just folded the sleeves of my top and rolled the garter of my pajama. I must say his clothes were comfortable and it shared the same vanilla and mint scent that he has. It feels like Leo was hugging me because of the clothes. He told me that I can go tomorrow at the Royal Citadel with Filo and Akane to shop for my things. On the other hand, he’ll continue with his work in the Castle as the Emperor.

Nauna nang natulog si Leo sa kama habang ako naman ay tumambay muna sa beranda. Pinagmasdan ko ang dalawang buwan at ang mga tala na tila nakalutang sa himpapawid. They formed constellations in the black scape of nothingness. The castle was built at the edge of a cliff and beyond it was the sea where there were some ships parading their way towards the capital. I love this serene view of Leo’s room.

Pinagmasdan ko ang katubigan—the ocean reflected the two moons and the stars in the night sky. It was breathtaking, too ethereal to be real. When the cold was finally getting to me, I decided to finally go back inside and close the door. Naglakad ako papunta kay Leo at pinagmasdan ang kaniyang maamong mukha habang siya ay natutulog.

“You seem like an angel when sleeping.” I whispered as I admired his features. He looked soft in his sleep, and calm as well. Humiga na ako sa tabi niya habang nakaharap pa rin sa kaniya. Ramdam ko na rin ang antok na dumadalaw sa akin.

Nagulat na lang ako nang dumapo ang kaniyang kamay sa aking ulo at hinila niya ako’t niyakap na parang unan. He did not only trap me with his bare arms that snaked their way around my waist, but he has also locked me in his warm embrace with his crossed feet against mine. With our head rested unto the soft cushion, I felt him rest his chin unto the top of my head.

My heartbeat was pounding so hard it felt like I ran a hundred-kilometer marathon. “L-Leo...”

“Hmm?” He moaned in his sleep.

I sighed and just closed my eyes. I focused on trying to get my sleep. When exhaustion has finally sipped down unto my spirit, I drifted away to slumber, in his arms.

When I opened my eyes, sunshine was already peeking through the window of the room and the other half of the bed was already cold. Leo was nowhere to be found. Bumukas ang pinto ng kuwarto kaya naman napatingin ako roon, at nakita ko ang isang bata na may puting buhok at itim na mga mata. He looked adorable!

Sa likod ng bata ay si Akane na may dalang mga damit.

“Good morning, Empress Lark.” Pagbati sa akin ni Akane.

“Just Lark would be fine.” I said. It was too awkward being called with the title that is supposed to be for women. Mukhang napansin naman ni Akane ang pagkabalisang naipinta sa aking mukha at saka siya tumango.

Pumasok na siya sa silid kasama ang batang may puting buhok gaya ni Leo. Now, not to mention—their resemblance was quite striking, as if it was Leo’s four-year-old version. The only difference was their eyes.

The young child jumped into the bed and stared at my face, “pretty!” He admired my face and I could not help but feel flattered.

“Thank you,” my morning voice was deep and husky. This must be the young brother of Leo, a prince of the empire.

The young child wrinkled his nose upon hearing my voice, “so, the rumors are true!” Habang nagsasalita siya ay nilalapag na ni Akane sa tabing silya ang mga damit na alam kong susuotin ko sa araw na ito. I smiled at her and she bowed. I gasped when the young child suddenly put his hand unto my crotch. His eyes widened, as if confirming something. “It’s really true! You have feniz!”

“Prince Pantaleon!” Sita sa kaniya ni Akane dahil sa kaniyang ginawa. So, this confirms it. This guy really is Leo’s brother.

I only waved my hand in dismissal at Akane and she bowed her head.

“Prince Pantaleon...” I called his name.

“Just Pan!” He smiled.

“Okay, Pan. What is it that you said that is true?”

“Pan confirmed it with his own hand!” Tinaas niya ang kaniyang kamay, “you have feniz! The rumors are true that Papa chose a man as his Empress!” He said, excitement and innocence were visible in his voice.

“It’s not feniz, Pan. It’s penis.” I corrected and Akane’s eyes widened. What? While the child is still young, you have to correct their mistakes already. “Repeat it after me, Pan. Pe-nis.”

“Fenis.”

“No, not fenis, but pe-nis.” I said with diction.

“Fe-nis.” He struggled.

“One more try, Pan. We’re almost there.” I repeated, “penis.”

“p***s!”

I smiled and pulled Pan to a hug, “good job, Pan!”

“Lark, what are you teaching my brother?!”

Lumingon kaming dalawa ni Pan nang narinig namin ang boses ni Leo. Kasalukuyan siyang nakatayo sa may pintuan ng kuwarto at nakasuot na siya ng kaniyang uniporme bilang Emperor.

Kumawala pagkatapos si Pan sa aking yakap at saka siya tumakbo papunta kay Leo. Yumuko naman si Akane kay Leo at saka na ito tuluyang umalis sa silid.

“Pan confirmed it, Papa!” Ngumiti si Pan at saka niya tinaas ang kaniyang kamay na humaplos sa aking hita. So, he calls Leo as Papa. But that is understandable given that Leo might as well as have raised his young brother. “That person in your bed has feniz! But he told Pan that it’s not feniz or fenis, it’s p***s!”

Umiling na lang si Leo at saka niya ginulo ang puting buhok ng kaniyang kapatid, pagkatapos ay binuhat niya ito. “So, do you like him, Pan?” Tinuro ako ni Leo.

Ngumiti si Pan at tumango habang ako naman ay bumabangon sa kama.

“Yes! Pan would also love Papa’s wife to tutor him sometimes. Pan feel like Pan can learn many things with him, Papa!” Pan said with his accent that ate some of his words while pointing his fingers at me.

Seeing Leo carrying his young brother and being called as Papa, it felt like he was a father already. Tumingin sa akin si Leo pagkatapos, “get dressed and come to the dining hall after. We’ll eat breakfast together.”

I nodded.

“Papa, what should Pan call him?” Tinuro ako ni Pan.

“Mama.”

I blushed at Leo’s response.

Tumango naman si Pan at saka tumingin sa akin, “from now on, Pan will call you Mama!”