Prey of the Lion

Chapter 13: The Royal Tutor

Chapter 13: The Royal Tutor

Akane followed me into my chamber in order to help me prepare. I went inside the walk-in closet, at saka ko pinasadahan ng tingin ang mga hilera ng mga damit na ginawa ni Castella. Thinking about her, bigla ko siyang na-miss. I wonder when is the next time that we will see each other again. I’ll just write a letter for her and have a messenger or herald send it. I know for sure that she will write back once she receives it. Sigurado rin akong busy siya sa kaniyang trabaho bilang royal dressmaker. After all, she is in demand as her dresses are very regal, elegant, and beautiful. She is like an angel and her craft is divine.

“So, Akane, nahihirapan akong pumili ng susuotin.” Lumabas ako sa walk-in closet at nakita si Akane na nakatayo lang at tila hinihintay akong lumabas mula roon. “Do you have anything in mind?” Pinakita ko sa kaniya ang dalawang hawak ko—isang kulay itim na bestida at isang kulay purple na kimono.

“I think both suits you, Prince Lark.” Ngumiti si Akane, “but personally, I prefer that purple kimono as it complements your eyes very well,” saad niya. Tumango naman ako at saka ko binalik ang itim na bestida sa hanger nito, at saka ko sinuot ang purple kimono na suggestion ni Akane.

Tumungo ako sa harap ng malaking salamin at umupo sa silya rito, si Akane naman ay pumwesto sa aking likod at saka siya nagsimulang mag-ayos ng aking buhok. “Ang ganda talaga ng buhok mo, Prince Lark. Sobrang haba at malambot ito. Mabilis suklayin.” She said while braiding my hair.

“Thank you, Akane.” I grinned, “gusto ko na ngang pagupitan ang aking buhok pero ayaw ako payagan ni Mama, sabi niya ay isa raw ito sa mga magagandang katangian ko, pero mas nagmumukha lang akong babae. But I guess looking like a girl would help me now that I am the Empress of Liondale Empire. I should look like a woman, despite being a man—biologically.

“Akane, do you not find it weird that the Empress of this notorious empire is a man?”

“Not really, Prince Lark. I think it is romantic and that I believe that it is fate. Hindi ko alam, pero ang mga mata ninyo ay kasing-kulay ng Twin Moons, ang Aurum at Ostrum. I really think it is destiny—you are destined to be with Emperor Leonhart.” Ngumiti si Akane. I don’t know why but she is pushing this idea that perhaps it was destiny—and I cannot help but feel this weird sensation in my chest, like there were butterflies flying around. Ngumiti na lang ako nang wala sa sarili. What if it truly is?

“You think so?” I asked once more, and Akane nodded, I saw that from her reflection on the mirror. Nang matapos na siyang mag-ayos ng aking buhok ay tiningnan ko muli ang aking sarili sa salamin. I looked regal, and ladylike. At first look, there is no mistake that I will be mistaken as a woman. I only lacked breasts, and my masculine voice will surely give me away. I was effeminate, and my facial features resemble of a woman. I sighed, I do not know why but a part of me somehow hoped that I was actually a girl... Out of nowhere? Umiling na lang ako dahil sa aking iniisip. Bakit bigla ko namang gusto maging babae? Because of Leo? Because a part of me hoped to bear a child for him? I chuckled at that thought. Maybe I am just homesick, after seeing my family before—I missed being at home again.

That’s the time I remembered what Pantaleon told me—that they are my new family now, and he was right. I have to do my best to fit in. I guess I can also write a letter for my family back at home and tell them about how I feel, that I love and miss them so much.

May isang kasambahay ang kumatok sa kuwarto pagkatapos at pinagbuksan naman ito ni Akane, tumumbad ang isang babae na yumuko bilang pagpapakita ng respeto sa akin, “Empress Lark, your royal tutor has arrived.” Saad nito sa akin. “She is waiting down at the lobby.” Pagkatapos ay umalis na ito.

“Let’s go to the lobby, then.” I told Akane and she nodded as a reply. We walked side by side from the corridor where the long windows of the wall were boasted. The windows were three meters high, and there were paintings of it which were reflected by the sunrays, the corridor, therefore, looked colorful and elegant—some paintings were of the moon, of lions, forests, angels, empires, kingdoms, symbols, and many more. Everything in the palace spoke of elegance, wealth, and power. All of which reminded me of one man who had platinum-blond hair that shifted from silver to snow color, of golden eyes that reminded me of the hidden treasures of the world. In simpler terms, the whole place reminded me of Emperor Leonhart Dandelion.

Bumaba na kami sa hagdan kung saan ang lobi ang agad na bumungad. I looked up and appreciated the huge ceiling of the palace as well, and there were glasses as well which showed the sky beyond. The place was majestic, and while I was used to it already because I also lived a royal life of suchness, however, this place was on another level.

Nang nasa baba na kami ay nahagip ko ang isang magandang babae na nakasuot ng pulang bestida. Her hair was braided and twirled into a bun. Guessing from how she looks, she is probably around her late 20s. She had this strict aura, and her thin lips were shaded with red. Her eyes were small and almond-shaped, and her face was heart-shaped.

She curtsied upon seeing me. She moved gracefully and elegantly. “It is a pleasure to meet you and be your tutor, Empress Lark. I am Phoebe Briggs and I will be at your service until your graduation,” aniya. Even the way she speaks was very elegant and ladylike.

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya, “it is also a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Madame Phoebe. I am Lark Lightborne, and I look forward to your lessons.”

“Akane, thank you for your help. You may now go.” Saad ko kay Akane.

“Noted, Prince Lark.” Sagot nito, “if you need me, I will just be around the maid’s headquarters, or you can simply send a notice among the handmaidens around the palace.”

“Sure, I will do that.” I said. Nang umalis na si Akane ay humarap na muli ako kay Madame Phoebe na hinihintay ako. Lumapit ako sa kaniya, “so, what will be our syllabus? I mean, lessons?”

“First, we will start with the basic etiquettes, good manners and proper conduct, and we’ll also proceed to your duties and responsibilities as the empress, and history of the empire, and other things like culture and more.”

“Okay, okay.” Sagot ko naman.

“The emperor has also told me to update him with your progress, so if you do not mind, is it okay if I do so? As I do not want to meddle with your privacy.”

“If it is the emperor, it is fine. He should know my progress with you, too.” Sagot ko naman habang nakangiti.

“So, to start—I want to know first what you know about Liondale Empire.” Aniya.

“Hmm, the parents of the current emperor, they were ambushed and killed while on their way from Nosforata Kingdom, which happens to be the homeland of the late queen. At the age of sixteen, Emperor Leonhart assumed the emperor’s position as he was the only rightful heir to the throne, and his brother during that time whose name is Pantaleon was only a newborn during that time.”

Tumango lang si Madame Phoebe habang nakikinig sa akin.

“What else?” She asked.

“The emperor has a notorious reputation. It has been said that during his reign, he started waging war against kingdoms, conquering them and making them a part of his empire. It is also known that the emperor wields one of the most powerful magic of all time—the power to give life, but of course, that was just a legend as his army was known to be unbeatable and powerful, as the casualties every time are just kept at bare minimum and people thought that is the only explanation that can explain why.”

“That’s pretty good for someone who comes from another kingdom,” tumango pa si Madame Phoebe, “but those things you know of are just tip of the iceberg. There’s more unsaid, and Liondale Empire is rich in terms of history and culture, but of course—many are unsaid, and they become forgotten. Anyway, we’ll just go through with it during our time together.”

I nodded.

“Anyway, you have beautiful eyes.” Madame Phoebe said, “by any chance, are you able to use magic? There’s a legend about people who are born with purple eyes—that they are one of the most powerful magicians of all time.”

“I cannot use magic,” I smiled and looked on the marble floor. I cannot use magic because the magic that I wield is dark and sinister, as said by Leo. The reason why I am here is because of it as well, because that magic is sealed within and the only thing that can strengthen that seal is me being with Leo, and us doing physical and intimate things together. Namula agad ako dahil sa aking iniisip. How can I have dirty thoughts at this moment in time? I shook my head, and mentally said that I am a disappointment. I have virtues too! How can Leo make me like this? Hindi ko alam, but it felt like I was craving for him. Like I desperately needed him... Tigang ba ang tawag dito? Ako? Tigang for him? I shook the thought away once more.

“I think that the best way for you to understand the empire, is for you to be able to experience it yourself. That is why I have suggested to the emperor that we will be given special permission to exit the royal palace, and visit places in the empire, in order for you to personally immerse yourself with the people and the culture that lies here.”

“And did Leo—I mean, the emperor, did the emperor agree?”

“Yes, under a condition that some of his trusted servants will be with us.”

Kasabay nito ay nakita ko sina Akane at Filo na magkasamang naglakad palapit sa amin.

“Prince Lark, mukhang magkasama ulit tayo.” Ngumiti si Akane, “kaka-receive ko lang ng utos ng emperor na sasamahan ka namin sa iyong paglabas dito.”