Prey of the Lion

Chapter 21: Spending some time in the Grand Library

Chapter 21: Spending some time in the Grand Library

“Pantaleon!” I greeted Leo’s four-year-old brother with a smile while holding unto the toys and souvenirs that we bought for him, “look at these gifts for you!”

Halata naman ang bakas ng tuwa niya habang siya ay naglalakad palapit sa aking gawi. “Pan is excited to see those!” Aniya habang nakangiti, mataas ang tono ng kaniyang boses bilang pagpapahitawig ng kaniyang pagkatuwa at excitement. Tumigil siya sa harap ko at saka ko naman binaba ang kahon na naglalaman ng mga binili naming laruan. “Pan is thankful, Mama!” Pan smiled at me more, showing me his teeth. He had dimples on his cheeks, and he looked so cute. Gusto kong manggigil sa kaniya, but of course, we have to fight the urge.

“Do you like them?” I asked as he rummaged through the things. I did not really know what he liked, so we took some variety, from the toys to the food too.

“Yes!” Pan replied with a grin, “Pan likes anything that is given by Mama!” Aniya. “Pan is very appreciative.” Tumingin ako kay Leo na nanonood lang sa aming dalawa, nakabihis na siya ngayon ng uniporme niya bilang isang emperor, he must be going to another council meeting again. On the other hand, Madame Phoebe said that today is a rest day, so we won’t meet today. Instead, she stated that if I wanted too, I can read. So, she has given me a list of things I may want to read at the Grand Library of the Palace.

History of Liondale Empire

Cultural Background of the Liondalians

The Twin Moons

Anima and Mortem

What caught my attention most was the last two books at the list. “By the way, I will be at the Grand Library today.” I said to Leo while Pan was busy playing with the new toys he got. “I have a list of things I may want to read given by Madame Phoebe.”

Leo nodded, “suit yourself. I will be holding a council meeting, this is regarding the Luna Axis.” Aniya, “we cannot let them having their way with us anymore. Too much casualty has gone, and we still are unaware of their real intentions and motives.” Frustration was visible on his voice, however, he remained calm and composed, he handled everything well, and he is holding on good enough.

“Sige.” Ngumiti naman ako. Saktong iyon ay may kumatok sa kuwarto namin, at saka sumagot naman ako na buksan na lang iyon. Bumungad naman si Akane, nakangiti ito at saka yumuko sa amin.

“Akane!” Tuwang saad ni Pan at saka siya tumakbo upang yakapin ang paanan ni Akane. He was still small, after all.

“Prince Pantaleon,” mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti sa labi ni Akane. Tumingin siya kay Emperor Leonhart pagkatapos, “may ipapagawa po ba kayo sa akin ngayon, Emperor Leonhart?”

“Stay with Lark today.” Sagot naman nito. “I will be off now.” Pagpapaalam niya sa akin. Lumapit siya sa akin at siniilan niya ang aking labi ng isang mabilis na halik, at saka siya ngumiti pagkatapos. Namula naman agad ako dahil hindi ko inakala na gagawin niya iyon. Not like I did not want it. Heck, I wanted it! Kung pwede nga lang sanang walang tigil, edi go!

“Alright, Emperor Leonhart.” Nakangiting sagot ni Akane. Tuluyan nang umalis si Leo at naiwan kaming tatlo ni Pan sa kuwarto, nagtawag naman si Akane ng iba pang kasambahay na magbabantay kay Pan, at nang dumating na sila ay umalis na kami at nagtungo na kami sa Grand Library.

Akane led the way to the library, as I still did not really know the place as it was too big and confusing, like a maze. I followed Akane across the corridors of the palace, ang mga servants at maids naman na aming nalalagpasan ay agad na yumuyuko sa akin bilang pagpapakita ng galang at respeto. Tumigil kami sa harap ng isang matayog na vintage door, binuksan ni Akane ito at pumasok na kami. Ang amoy ng parchments at mga libro ay ang unang bumungad sa akin and I felt relief, it felt nice to smell such.

“Welcome to the Grand Library, Prince Lark.” Aniya. Akane snapped her fingers, causing orbs of fire to form in mid-air, then they went unto the torches around the place, tumingala ako at halos malula ang mga mata nang makita kung gaano kataas ang silid. There were fifteen floors, and they were in round-shape, sa gitna nito ay isang glass window at sa gitna ng glass window ay may isang chandelier na malaki. There were books around us, and I could not help but gasp.

“Wow...”

“Everything you basically need to know is here, and they are organized accordingly. From Anthropology, History, Magic, Stories, Myths, Legends, Medicine, Law and many more.” Paliwanag ni Akane sa akin, “pero wala masyadong gumagamit dito dahil para lang sa royal family ang Grand Library, at limitado ang access nito sa mga hindi kasama sa royal family.” Aniya.

“So, the books are just displayed here, practically collecting dusts.” I said.

“Well, technically, they aren’t. The books in here are protected by a magic, this is to preserve them from their original form, and there is no speck of dust that is visible on this room, thanks to a spatial magic that is casted by one of the Royal Wizards.”

Tumango na lang ako. I gave Akane the list of books that Madame Phoebe told me to read if I wanted to, and Akane told me to just wait at the table as she will be the one who will just go around the library to fetch for these things.

She surely took her time, she was gone for at least half an hour, and I almost fell asleep. When she came back holding the books, something felt off and different about her. I do not know what, but I sensed a portion of her gone, like there is something missing. That’s when I looked at her ring finger, and saw a tan-line there, perhaps her ring?

Hindi ko na lang iyon pinansin. Nang lumapit siya sa akin ay binaba na niya ang mga libro sa mesa, and I caught a stench of a foreign land that was stuck in Akane’s dress. Strange, or perhaps it is just the smell of the Grand Library which she caught.

“Alin kaya rito ang uunahin ko?” Tanong ko kay Akane.

“Ikaw ang bahala, Prince Lark.” Sagot naman nito, “but personally, mas maganda kung simulan mo muna ang History of Liondale Empire, upang maging mas malawak ang iyong kalaaman tungkol sa background ng imperyong ito.” Aniya.

I smiled and nodded, “alright, since you said so. Mukhang intellectual ka rin regarding this?” I asked.

“Ah, yes. I studied at the Empire Academy.” Nakangiting sagot nito.

“Oh, really? Then, does that mean you know the Empire’s history and stuff?”

“Yes, I happen to know everything that is listed there by Madame Phoebe,” saad ni Akane. “They are part of the teachings and lessons back there at the academy. As I also happen to be a magician, I had a free pass and free tuition, as you know, magicians are quite rare.”

Tumango naman ako, “edi imbes na basahin ko pa ang mga iyan, ikaw na lang ang magsabi sa akin.” I grinned. It seemed like something glistened in Akane’s eyes, and she grinned at me.

“If you insist, Prince Lark.” Halata ang bakas ng tuwa sa kaniyang mga mata at mukha nang sabihin ko ang mga katagang iyon. Hindi ko alam, it was a weird reaction... But I guess Akane is just like this? She must really love telling and sharing the things she knew and her knowledge. Also, she has been very supportive about me and Leo, she was very upright obvious about it.

“Liondale Empire was first a fortress called Lion’s Den, this fortress is now the Royal Citadel, where we stand today.” Ngumiti si Akane sa akin pagkatapos, “this fortress became a settlement, until the population grew bigger and bigger, the ruler, Captain Maverick Leonhart—Emperor Leonhart’s great great great grandfather, decided to make it a city. He was wealthy, influential, and powerful. After turning the fortress into a city, it immediately became a center of trade, as its geographic position was quite strategic as the roads here are intersections and interconnected to other cities and kingdoms. Captain Maverick grew more in power, and more people decided to live in the city because of the many opportunities the city offered.”

Tumango lang ako habang nakikinig.

“A few years later, Captain Maverick formed non-aggression pact with nearby kingdoms and such, and slowly, as he gradually rose in power, as the city could no longer accommodate the influx of people coming, the Captain decided to build another town, and slowly, more towns were built and turned to cities. Then Captain Maverick decided to make this a kingdom, the Liondale Empire. The Liondale, as a reference to the Lion’s Den, and his wife, Daleilah—hence, the Liondale.”

Tumango naman ako. Hindi ko maiwasang mamangha sa ninuno ni Leo dahil sa aking narinig. He must be a wise man in order to pull it off. Building a kingdom and turning it into an empire is not an easy feat, you really need a lot more than just money. You need influence and wits.

“Anyway, that is the gist of the History of Liondale Empire.” Ngumiti si Akane sa akin.

“Okay, how about the Cultural Background of the Liondalians?” I asked. The Liondalians, are the people who the Liondale Empire. As I am already a Liondalian myself, considering I became the empire’s empress, I need to know the kind of people I am dealing with.

“Each cities, towns, villages, and tribes have a unique culture of their own. For example, in Wynzellia City, you have already seen them celebrating the Lantern Festival as a part of their culture, which was embedded to them due to a story about their former ruler’s missing daughter. The culture of the empire is very colorful and different compared to others, you can also see it in the structures of the buildings, the architecture, then from the dresses, and to the food as well, and there are also seven different languages here.” Aniya.

Tumango lang ako. She kept on discussing and discussing, and I enjoyed. I was learning so much from Akane. Nakakatuwa lang dahil hindi ko na kailangang magbasa pa upang malaman ang mga bagay na ito. I mean, why read if Akane can just tell me?

“So, from where are you in the empire?” I asked.

Ngumiti si Akane, “I am not from the Empire.” Aniya, “I only happened to graduate in the Empire Academy, which is here, in Liondale Empire... And as part of an exchange for the free pass to study, I am to serve the Royal Family for a certain period of time, as decreed, and it is my choice right after fulfilling my years of servitude, to whether continue and be promoted, or stop and go back home.”

“Where is your home?” I asked.

Akane smiled sadly—I do not know why, but something changed as it seemed like I asked a very sensitive question, “I no longer have a home.”