Prey of the Lion

Chapter 6: A talk with Lady Castella

Chapter 6: A talk with Lady Castella

We stopped in front of a vintage shop with red bricked walls after a few minutes of walking at the Main Square of the Citadel. It had elongated glass windows wherein from within the shop, there were displays of mannequins who were wearing grand and beautiful dresses and jewelries. On the glass wall, there are letters painted in gold and they glistened with the sunlight—CIX Shop.

As if on cue, the door of the shop opened and a beautiful woman appeared. She was slender and she had her hair tied into a messy bun. She wore a golden glass in heart-shape and her eyes were dark gray. She was wearing a beautiful dress that seemed to be carefully woven, with pink frills on its tips. “It must be you, the one Emperor Leonhart has chosen.” Kumislap ang kaniyang mga mata habang pinapasadahan ako ng tingin, “beautiful! Prettier than me, too! How envious! I cannot believe you are a man!”

I simply smiled—this is Lady Castella. She let us into her shop and she closed the door when we were already inside. “I am honored to be your dressmaker, too! When I heard that the Emperor has asked to reserve the day, even if I had fifty clients that I must handle today, I have postponed them to make my day free for you!” She was talkative and I feel very lighthearted and comfortable towards her. I like her aura.

We walked around the place and I observed that there were many variations of clothes and dresses around. Lahat ng disenyo ay magaganda at halatang pinag-isipan at pinaglaanan ng maraming oras. She did this all with her pretty hands.

“Anyway, I must introduce myself. I am Lady Castella Irina Xaravina, the Royal Dressmaker.” Pagpapakilala ni Castella sa kaniyang sarili.

“I am Prince Lark Lightborne.” Ngumiti naman ako.

“Alright, Prince Lark... Or Empress?”

“Prince Lark is fine.” I smiled.

Tumango naman si Lady Castella, tumingin siya kay Pan na bumaba na mula sa balikat ni Filo. “Pan wants to say hi to Castella!”

“Castella wants to say hi as well.” Ngumiti si Lady Castella kay Pan at saka nito ginulo nang bahagya ang kaniyang buhok. Tumawa lang si Pan na agad namang nag-ayos sa kaniyang puting buhok.

Humarap sa akin si Lady Castella pagkatapos niyang gawin iyon at saka ako tiningnan mula ulo hanggang paa, na tila sinusukat ng kaniyang mga mata ang sukat ng aking katawan. Tumango naman ito pagkatapos at saka siya ngumiti, “I already prepared your clothes, actually. But I was not sure with the size, however, it seems that I guessed accurately! Come, come, Prince Lark, and follow me. As for the rest,” she looked at Akane, Filo, and Pan, “stay here and immerse yourselves with anything.”

Tumango naman sila at iniwan na namin sila sa silid. We proceeded to another room, a dress room, perhaps, the front wall was made of glass, a mirror, that reflected us. On the side were already the clothes in various shapes and form—from pants, to long sleeves, and tee-shirts, to robes and dresses. They were all intricately done, and they fabulous.

“So, you have purple eyes.” Lady Castella said as she was taking one of the hanged clothes. “It reminds me so much of Ostrum moon, while Emperor Leonhart’s eyes are golden, like of Aurum moon. You both resemble the Twin Moons.”

Leo already told me that it was just the two of us who knows of the secret between our magic and the dangerous magic that is sealed within me. After all, if people found out about this—I would be hunted until I’m gone from this world.

“A beautiful coincidence.” I faked a smile. Nilahad ni Lady Castella sa akin ang damit. Halos malaglag ang aking mata nang makita kung ano ito. “T-This... What is this?” It was a royal-wear—a maroon robe that reminded me of blood, and it had golden linings and sequins around it, they formed the shape of the lion, and it had golden leaves attached as well, and flowers too. There were other symbols too—like of the crescent moon, water, fire, and other elements.

“This is what you will wear for your coronation tomorrow!” Ngumiti si Lady Castella sa akin. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata dahil hindi sinabi sa akin na bukas na pala iyon. Mukhang napansin naman ni Lady Castella na naguguluhan na ako, kaya naman mas lalong lumaki ang ngiti sa labi nito. “Tomorrow will be your day, Prince Lark. Which is why I had to cancel all engagements today to prep you up! You’re not only here to purchase for your clothes, but you are here as well for tomorrow. I drank an all-nighter drink just to finish this overnight!” She said, proud.

“This is beautiful, Lady Castella.” I admired the robe that she has woven for me. I cannot believe I would wear this. Ngunit nang maalala ko na nakalimutan sabihin sa akin ni Leo na bukas na pala ako makokoronahan ay naiinis ako. Mas nauna pang malaman ng iba kaysa sa akin mismo. Aawayin ko siya mamaya.

Nang suot ko na ang bestida ay hindi ko maiwasang mas lalong mamangha. With the loose sleeves and everything else—it was commendable. Lady Castella certainly outdid herself.

“Also, Prince Lark, I created this hair ornament for you.” Aniya. She took out a black chopstick with golden linings hanging on its tip. “You’ll wear the Queen’s Tiara for tomorrow, so this stick will be a perfect match.” She smiled.

“Thank you so much, Lady Castella.” Masayang sabi ko sa kaniya. “You should try the other clothes as well!” She said, pointing the rest of the clothes hanging around the place. Halos malula na rin ang aking mga mata dahil sa dami nila.

I started wearing one by one, of the things that Lady Castella wanted me to use. Dumating na rin sa punto na ang damit na isusuot ko ay kailangan ko nang hubarin ang aking dating kasuotan. I looked at Lady Castella awkwardly who just grinned at me, “ano ka ba, it’s not like we’ll do anything bad!” Ngumisi lang siya. “You’ll be fine!” She dismissed.

I reluctantly removed the robe that I was wearing, halos malaglag ang panga ni Lady Castella habang tinitingnan ang aking katawan. I felt conscious all of a sudden.

“Bakit ang kinis?” She gasped, her eyes twinkling in admiration as she watched by bare back, “so aesthetic!”

Ngumiti lang ako at agad kong sinuot ang polo. Ramdam ko na rin ang pagod dahil sa dami ng mga pinasuot niya sa akin at sa dami ng mga sinukat ko. I honestly love everything and despite being exhausted, I was enjoying myself and her company.

“I think I’ll just take everything that you prepared, Lady Castella.” I smiled at her, “Akane holds the payment for all these things.”

Ngumiti naman si Lady Castella at tumango, “alright, then! I’ll send my men to deliver all of these clothes today.” Tiningnan ni Lady Castella ang orasan niya, “it’s still too early,” she looked at me, her eyes glistening, “are you leaving now?” There was sadness in her voice.

I chuckled, “well, it won’t hurt if we try to spend the rest of the day together since I also do not have prior engagements.”

“Yes!” Lady Castella was somehow unladylike, she showed signs of being a friendly and childish woman. But despite that, her beauty was exquisite too and she was genuine. I love her already and I hope that we can be close friends from now onward.

Lumabas na kami sa silid at bumalik sa kuwarto kung saan naiwan sina Pan, Akane, at Filo. Nadatnan naman namin sila na naglalaro. Nang napansin na nila kami ni Lady Castella ay agad silang tumigil. “Pan wants to know, is Mama and Castella done with their things?”

Ngumiti naman ako at tumango. “Yes, we’re done, Pan.”

“Yay! Can we go now, then? Ah! Pan wants to play at the Citadel Park!” He pouted his lips.

I looked at Lady Castella, “join us and let’s have some chit-chats?”

She grinned, “it would be a pleasure, Prince Lark.” She curtsied. Eventually, we exited the place and she locked the shop. She glued a paper on the door which seemed to contain instructions for the delivery of my clothes inside her shop. This must be for the time that her men finally report in the shop. Muling sumakay si Pan sa balikat ni Filo at nauna naman si Akane upang ituro ang daan.

As we walked, there were many people again who were looking at us. We were actually the center of attraction. Nang nasa parke na kami ay agad na naglaro si Pan sa may buhanginan kasama sina Akane at Filo. Hindi ko maiwasang mamangha kay Pan dahil hindi siya natatakot kay Filo, kahit na ang mga tingin niya ay tila papatayin ka na sa kaunting pagkakamali mo lang.

Umupo naman kami ni Lady Castella sa bangko sa lilim ng puno habang pinagmamasdan ang aming mga kasama. Since Lady Castella is also acquainted with Leo, I wanted to know more of him using her views.

“So, Lady Castella—”

“Oh, just Castella is fine.” Ngumiti siya sa akin. “I honestly hate formalities.”

“Me too!” I sighed. “Just call me Lark, then?”

“Alright, if it is just the two of us.” Ngumiti naman siya sa akin pagkatapos.

“Okay, so, Castella, what do you think of Leo—I... I mean Emperor Leonhart?”

“I think he is misunderstood.” Sagot naman niya, “he is strong and brave, and he keeps his promises and his words.” Aniya. “I actually admire him, not romantic though! But as the Emperor of this empire, at a young age, he already accomplished great feats that contributed to his subjects and people.”

“What do you mean by misunderstood?”

“Well, you are someone who just recently became a part of the empire, so, I know you’d know the terrible stories about him.” Castella replied.

“Like how he mercilessly kills all his enemies and leave no one alive? He is a conqueror of kingdoms, after all.”

“Well, we’re always at war. If you don’t conquer, you will be conquered. The world we live in is cruel—there is the survival of the fittest and the elimination of the unfit.” Sagot naman ni Castella, “he is expanding his powers to protect his people. And the kingdoms he conquered lied about the fact that Emperor Leonhart has given them the chance to submit themselves but they resisted, and it resulted to war. You know it is true, right? As when he next targeted your kingdom, there was the option to yield or resist.”

I nodded.

“And you yielded, and he has chosen you as his Empress.”

Talking with Castella made me realize many things about Leo. That I should not be too quick to judge his character basing on rumors alone. I should know him myself too, with my own eyes, rather than basing on things people talk about him. Since yesterday, all he’s ever been was be kind to me. He even told me the truth as to why he has taken me in and it was also for me.

Biglang kumirot ang puso ko. What if he finds someone he loves? As he has only taken me in so we can be together, so that the seal that keeps my disastrous magic will remain sealed. He didn’t choose me because of love at first sight, he chose me because it had to be done.

Nagulat ako nang hawakan ni Castella ang aking kamay. I was too lost at my own thoughts. “Y-Yes?”

Ngumiti si Castella, “what do you think of the Emperor?” She asked.

“Well, he’s powerful.”

Castella chuckled, “anything else?”

“I believe he is kind.” I smiled. Biglang nawala ang inis ko kay Leo dahil nakalimutan niyang sabihin na may ganap pala ako bukas na koronasyon. Hindi ko na lang ituloy ang pag-away ko sa kaniya.

“He honestly is. Without his support, I wouldn’t be this successful.” Ngumiti si Castella. She definitely feels indebted to Leo for making her as the royal dressmaker.

“Well, you deserve it, Castella.”

“Thank you, Lark.” She smiled, her eyes twinkling in delight. “I honestly hope that we’ll be good friends!”

“I honestly hope the same!” We faced each other and our fingers intertwined with each other in excitement, and we both giggled afterward and laughed our hearts out. I felt this strange attachment and connection with Castella. Ang gaan ng loob ko sa kaniya.

We talked for a few more minutes before deciding that it was finally time to go, as Filo said he still had to fulfill some of his duties as the General of the Imperial Knights, while Akane had to help with the preparations for tomorrow’s coronation.

“Thank you so much for your time, Castella. See you tomorrow.” Pagpapaalam ko. Sumunod naman si Pan at ang dalawang kasama naman namin ay yumuko lang bilang pagpapakita ng respeto.

We went on our separate ways after that.