Prey of the Lion

Chapter 2: The Empress is a Man

Chapter 2: The Empress is a Man

Magkatabi kami ni Leo sa loob ng karwahe habang nasa harap naman namin sina Akane at Filo. Nang masilip ng tsuper na nakaupo na kaming lahat sa loob ng karwahe ay sinipol na niya ang dalawang kabayo’t agad namang tumakbo ang sasakyan.

I was holding my own breath—hindi ko alam kung paano ako kikilos lalo’t ang kinakatakutan ng maraming tao na mananakop ay nasa tabi ko lang. Tumanaw ako sa bintana at bahagyang lumingon sa kastilyo na dati kong tahanan. Makikita ko pa kaya muli ang lugar na itong kinagisnan ko?

I felt my tears building up once more, and I sighed and closed my eyes to stop them. When we were outside the castle’s walls, we were immediately greeted by Capitolio Parzelin, the capital city of our kingdom. The houses were lined up and most had their first floor as stores and booths—selling raw foods and other varieties that are reaped from our rich lands. The pathway was bricked and the walls were mostly made from red clay. It was a typical busy day for the people in my kingdom, but for me, it isn’t.

Tumingin ako kay Leo na seryoso lang ang mukha habang nagbabasa ng mga dinala niyang dokumento. Bahagya akong tumikhim dahilan upang tumingin siya sa akin. Muling tumama sa akin ang kaniyang mga matang tila ginto ang kulay. “Yes?” Tipid na tanong nito sa akin.

“I want to know the real reason why you picked me and not one of my sisters.”

“Your eyes.” Sagot niya at muling bumalik sa pagbasa sa mga papel na nasa kamay.

Kumunot ang aking noo dahil sa kaniyang tipid na sagot. That’s it? Because of my eyes? It’s not like I am expecting more, but what about my purple eyes?

“Allow me to explain to Prince Lark, Emperor Leonhart.” Napatingin ako kay Akane nang humingi ng permiso ito kay Leo. He just waved his hand in dismissal, as if telling her to do what she wants.

I looked at Akane who smiled at me after.

“There is a famous legend about people who have purple eyes like yours, Prince Lark.” Saad nito, “while magicians are already rare, consisting of 1% of the total population, purple-eyed magicians are the rarest, you can consider yourself as the only purple-eyed magician.”

“Iyan din ang sinasabi sa akin ng aking mga magulang. But I cannot use magic and I have not awakened yet. I am just a purple-eyed man, and not a magician.” I said, “since there seems to be a misunderstanding, can we please go back home and have Leo reselect his queen?” Ngumiti ako kay Akane. I was trying my hardest to convince her.

“I’m sorry, Prince Lark, but I am only a maid of Emperor Leonhart. It is His Highness whom you should persuade.”

I looked at Leo afterward, my eyes were already pleading—hoping that he’d take me back to the castle and repick among my sisters.

“No.” Matigas na sagot ni Leo habang patuloy sa pagbasa ng mga papel dahilan upang bumagsak ang aking puso. Lumabi na lang ako dahil mukhang desidido na talaga siya na ako ang gagawin niyang reyna. Pero wala akong alam sa pagiging reyna dahil lumaki akong pinaghahandaan ang pagiging hari.

“If you are after my powers, look, I have none. I apologize for disappointing you but I am just a purple-eyed man, and not a magician.”

“Yeah, I heard.” Leo replied, implying that it’s my second time saying it.

Pakiramdam ko ay nawala ang lahat ng takot ko sa kaniya at napalitan ito ng inis. Hindi man lang siya tumitingin sa akin kahit isang segundo lang? It’s not that I am complaining, I just hate it when I am talking to someone who seems to be not paying attention to me.

How can I convince this man to reconsider his decision of choosing me?

“Lalake ako.”

“You made that point several times already.”

“You can’t make love with someone of your own s*x!”

Leo stopped reading his papers and looked at me for being so blatant about making love, nilapit niya ang kaniyang ulo sa aking tainga at saka siya bumulong upang kaming dalawa lang sa loob ang makarinig. “Lark, if there’s a hole, there’s a way.”

He chuckled darkly when he saw my horrified expression and I glared in response. Kung nakamamatay ang tingin, baka kanina pa itong nakahandusay!

“Hindi ako makakaanak.” Muli kong pagtuloy sa mga dahilan kung bakit dapat hindi niya ako pinili.

“Didn’t I tell you that we’ll adopt as many babies as you want? Hindi problema sa akin iyan.” He dismissed. “You keep on spilling the same arguments, Lark. Why are you so against with this?”

“Because I am a man and you are a man!” I said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “We’re both men!”

“So what?” Leo said and went back to his papers again.

“What do you mean ‘so what’?” I was already fuming with rage. From my peripheral vision as I was facing Leo, I saw Filo and Akane who looked at me with a surprised expression. Kahit pa man mas matigas sa bato ang seryosong mukha ni Filo, hindi makakawala sa aking mata ang kaniyang ekspresyon. I faced them, “is something wrong?”

Umiling si Filo.

Lumapit si Akane sa akin at bumulong. “You’re the only one who can talk to the Emperor as if it’s nothing. You’re not intimidated or anything.”

Now that you mention it... It is true that there is a heavy aura around this silver-haired man, and that he carries himself with dignity and power, enough to frighten people, and his golden eyes seem to see through everything. Despite how good-looking he was, the aura that surrounds him just screams of heartlessness.

Tumanaw na lang muli ako sa bintana upang pagmasdan ang aking kaharian. This is probably the last time I’ll be seeing this place so might as well savor it and burn it into my memory while I still can. I’ll be moving towards my new home, where I serve as the queen of Emperor Leonhart Dandelion.

❂❂❂

The sky was already orange and red when we reached Liondale Empire’s Royal Citadel, the capital city of Liondale Empire. Its structure was different as the landmass ascended as if the city was built on a place that used to be a mountain and it was surrounded by heavy-guarded high-walls.

On the innermost and topmost part of this capital city was Leo’s enormous castle with two towers on opposite sides. The difference of the architecture of this empire and my kingdom was striking—ours spoke of peace, fertility, and unity, while Leo’s boasted war, mortality, and diversity. There were many banners around the place that boasted Liondale Empire’s flag—a burgundy flag with the golden imprint of a lion with a crown over its head.

The people on the streets paved way for the carriage when they immediately saw of it and from outside, I saw them bowing their heads as we passed by, as if they knew who was already inside.

From the stories I heard from my kingdom, Leo was sixteen when he was crowned as the Emperor of Liondale Empire because his father, the late Emperor, and his mother, the late Empress, were massacred while on their way to Nosforata Kingdom, the late Empress’ homeland.

Since it is four years since that incident already, Leo must be twenty years old already. Also, I heard that his mother just gave birth to a prince when they left to her kingdom, and that the child was left behind with Leo. The little prince must be four by now, then.

Anyway, when Leo sat on the Empire’s throne, he started conquering kingdoms and making these vast lands as his own rather than grieve by the loss of his parents. He expanded his power and influence. There are tales that he is brutal and ruthless on the battlefield and that he is unconquerable. Not only that, but it is said that he is also gifted with a hundred lion’s strength, or perhaps stronger. Which is why up to now, he remains undefeated.

Tumigil ang karwahe sa harap ng matayog na kastilyo at agad namang binuksan ni Akane ang pinto. Bumaba na kami pagkatapos at tumama agad sa akin ang malamig na simoy ng hangin. I looked at the sky and we seemed to be close to the stars and the twin moons—Aurum, the golden moon that is slightly bigger, and Ostrum, the purple moon that was half behind the other moon.

Naglakad na kami papasok ng kastilyo kung saan may mga kasambahay at mayordomo ang sumalubong sa amin, dalawa ang linya nila kung saan sa gitna kami dadaan. Tumingala ako at pakiramdam ko malalaglag ang aking mata dahil ang taas ng dingding ng silid at ang maringal ng arkitektura ng paligid.

“Welcome home, Your Majesty.” Sabay na pagbati nila kay Leo. Halata naman ang taka sa kanilang mga mata nang tumingin sila sa akin. We just walked pass them and walked the endless corridor until we stopped in front of another big door that is guarded by two knights.

Yumuko sila kay Leo at saka nila binuksan ang pinto, agad na bumungad sa akin ang tunog ng orkestra at musika kasabay ng ingay mula sa iba’t ibang mga tao. Pumasok kami sa silid at nakita ang mahabang mga mesa kung saan may mga nakalapag na mga iba’t ibang pagkain. Marami ring mga tao na mukhang mga maharlika ang naroroon.

“The emperor, Leonhart Dandelion, has arrived!” The announcer said, his voice echoing across the grand hall where at the end, there lies the Emperor’s throne and the Queen’s, as well. Tumigil ang lahat matapos ang anunsyo at nagkaroon ng katahimikan, the light mood of the place became heavy as if there is a tension that was sparked by Leo’s presence, pagkatapos ay humarap silang lahat sa aming puwesto at yumuko upang magbigay ng respeto.

Naglakad kami nina Leonhart papunta sa dulo kung nasaan ang trono. Hindi ko maiwasang maglaway dahil naaamoy ko ang mga pagkaing nakahanda sa paligid. Kanina pa akong nagugutom dahil halos buong araw kaming nagbiyahe.

Gaya ng mga sumalubong sa amin kanina, halata ang pagtataka sa mukha ng mga tao kung sino ako at bakit naglalakad ako sa tabi ni Leo. Tumigil kami sa harap ng trono ni Leo at umupo siya sa kaniyang silya.

Sina Filo at Akane naman ay tumayo sa gilid. I remained standing in front of Leo, so, saan ako pupunta?

“Come here.” Utos niya.

Lumapit naman ako sa kaniya, nagulat ako nang hinila niya ako, dahilan upang kumandong ako sa kaniya. Narinig ko naman ang pagsinghap ng mga tao sa paligid, halatang hindi makapaniwala sa ginawa ng Emperor. Tatayo sana ako dala ng pagkataranta nang pigilan ako ni Leo ng kaniyang kamay, “you look like a scared kitten right now.” He whispered, his voice was low and deep.

“Malamang, maupo ba naman ako sa kandungan mo?” Ramdam ko ang pagbilis ng pintig ng aking puso. I never felt this thrilled before, or I do not know if it was ecstasy. I just wanted to stand up and stay away from him. What we’re doing is embarrassing! It’s a display of lascivious acts! It is not proper!

Inayos ni Leo ang aking pagkakaupo, mula sa pagkaharap sa kaniya ay pinatalikod niya ako upang harapin din ang mga tao niyang nakatingin lang sa aming gawi at tila naghihintay sa susunod na mga mangyayari. Yumuko lang ako dala ng kahihiyan.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have summoned you all here to announce that I have finally chosen someone who will be with me for the rest of my days.” Anunsyo ni Leo, “this is a night to celebrate. I introduce to you my Queen, Lark Lightborne.” Dumapo sa aking hita ang kaniyang kamay dahilan upang uminit ang aking pisngi. He chuckled when he saw my reaction, as if enjoying it.

He was totally different a few hours ago!

Pumalakpak ang mga tao at halata ang tuwa sa kanilang mga mukha, ang ibang mga babae na tila mga anak ng mga aritokrata ay pinandilitan lang ako ng tingin. Well, if they want, we can switch places now! I never wanted to be this man’s Queen!

“Continue the celebration.” Lark said and the music came back once more, people started dancing at the free marble floor and some continued with their food. There were also others who came just before the stairs that leads to the throne where we were to pay their respects to me and Leo.

“It is an honor to meet you, our Empress. Glory to you and to our Emperor.”

“You are beautiful, like a goddess! Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit pinili ka ng aming mahal na Emperor!”

Iyan lang ang ilan sa mga sinabi nila. It took a few more convincing before Leo finally let go of me from his lap, and I sat on the other chair beside him that was reserved for his queen... And in today’s case, his queen now happens to be me.

May mga tagapaglingkod ang nagdala ng pagkain sa amin kaya naman natuwa ako. Nagpasalamat ako sa mga nagdala ng pagkain na halata naman ang gulat sa kanilang mukha nang marinig ang aking boses. I never paid attention and just focused on dinner. I started eating while ensuring that I remain prim and proper, and I must say that the food was more delicious than the food I ate at home!

“You seem happy with the meals, I am glad.” Napatingin ako kay Leo na nanonood lang sa akin habang ko ay kumakain. I felt conscious of myself all of a sudden, and I stopped eating. “Continue.” He said, enjoying himself and my company, as if it was just the two of us in the room.

“Sa tingin mo makakakain ako nang maayos kapag pinapanood mo ako?”

“Just focus on your food.” He replied.

“I am, you should focus on your food too!” Pagbalik ko naman.

“I already am.” He seemed amused when he saw me blush once more. Why is he teasing me? Does he enjoy seeing me all red that much? I scowled.

Nang matapos na kaming kumain ay agad na kinuha ng mga tagapagsilbi ang mga kubyertos at pinggan, may mga nagdala rin ng tuba at tubig, I chose the water since I was a light drinker. I get drunk easily and I never liked the taste of alcohol.

“Emperor Leonhart,” may isang babae ang lumapit. Tila nang-aakit ito kay Leo dahil mula sa baba, kulang na lang ay ilabas niya ang kaniyang malaking dibdib na iniipit ng kaniyang berdeng bestida. She had a fearsome makeup on, and her black hair was twirled around her head, revealing her delicate neck that was decorated with many necklaces. How can her neck not snap with those jewelries? She smiled sweetly at Leo who never paid attention as his gazes were focused at me. “Emperor Leonhart?” She asked once more.

Tumingin na si Leo sa kaniya, her smile became wider, when she caught me looking at her as if I was already judging her worth with my own eyes—which I was—I saw  her scowl secretly, when she looked at the Emperor once more, her smile became bright. b***h, I said in my mind.

Tinaas ng babae ang kaniyang kamay, “it is I, Mariya, I stand in your honorable presence.” Pagbati niya sa Emperor, “may dala akong katas ng ubas, ang iyong paboritong inumin.” She raised a glass of grape juice.

“Good. Drink it.” Leo waved his hand in dismissal and looked at me once more. I couldn’t hold back my chuckle because of the girl’s reaction. In my mind, I was already thinking that she deserved it.

Tumingin sa akin ang babae at sinamaan ako ng tingin, “E-Emperor Leonhart, it is also a request by all of the guests, including yours truly, that our new Empress should have her first formal speech, in front of everyone.”

“Alright.” Tumango sa akin si Leo.

Humarap ang babae sa lahat at inanunsyong magtatalumpati ako. Muling nagkaroon ng katahimikan at tila hinihintay nilang lahat ang aking talumpati. I wasn’t prepared! I looked at everyone around the room, and they seemed to admire my beauty. They couldn’t wait to hear my voice...

I sighed and stood up. I know everyone will be disappointed to find out that their Empress is a man.

“I am Lark Lightborne, Prince of Parzelin Kingdom, and I was chosen by Emperor Leonhart Dandelion as his Empress.”

Everyone gasped in surprise and Mariya, the b***h-girl, smirked at me as if the reaction of the people after finding out that I am a man was a victory on her part.

“Silence.” Emperor Leonhart’s cold voice resonated and they all followed. “While it is true that my Empress is a man, but his beauty is incomparable! Mas maganda pa si Lark kaysa sa lahat ng babaeng nandito sa silid! And perhaps, to the whole world as well!”

Hindi ko alam pero sa mga sandaling ito, I felt vulnerable. Biglang namuo muli ng luha sa aking mga mata. Tumayo si Leo at saka siya tumabi sa akin.

“Don’t cry, Lark.”

“I won’t.” My voice almost cracked.

“I won’t be merciful to anyone who insults the man I have chosen to share my power and legacy with. Keep that in mind.”

Yumuko ang lahat matapos ang pagbanta ni Leo. Humarap siya sa akin pagkatapos, “let’s go to bed.” He started walking and when he felt that I remained rooted on my spot, he looked back. “Follow me.” Utos niya at sumunod naman ako’t iniwan na sina Filo, Akane, at ang lahat ng mga tao sa silid.

We walked on the dark corridor and we stopped at a black door. Pumasok na kami pagkatapos at sinara naman niya ang pinto. In front of me was a king-sized bed and on the side of the dim-lit room was a veranda.

I looked at Leo who sat on the bed, he looked at me once more with his golden eyes as I remained standing a few meters away from him.

I gulped as I felt something twist inside me because of the way he was staring at me—I felt like I was inside the lion’s den, and the powerful man in front of me was the lion. I was his prey.

“Undress.”