Zendaya of the Night

Prologue: Breaking traditions “Zendaya, you will soon come of age. As the sole princess of the Nightingale family, the man you will marry will become the next king.” Tumingin ako sa aking ama, ang hari ng Nephyria Kingdom, habang siya ay may nilalapag na mga papel sa aking mesa. Great. We’re having this conversation again. “Ano ang mga iyan, Papa?” Tanong ko upang ibahin ang usapan. “Mga posible mong pakasalan na mga lalake. I already had their backgrounds checked. They all come from a very decent family and any of these prospect men will help to increase more our power.” Seryoso ang mukha ni Papa. Binuksan niya ang hawak niya’t pinakita sa akin isa-isa ang larawan ng mga lalake kung saan sa ibaba naman nito’y mga detalye nila. Bumuntonghininga lang ako at mariing tumingin kay Papa, “I already told you, I don’t need a King to rule this land.” Matigas na sambit ko. “We have to strictly follow and respect our traditions, Zendaya. Our kingdom is patriarchal, it has to be ruled by the King. The role of the Queen, which will be your next role as the princess, is to produce the next generation and ensure our bloodline will never end.” “How many times have I proven myself worthy of the throne already, Papa? If Mama was here, she would have supported me with this!” I was frustrated already. Why do I need a man? Why can’t the Queen rule? If only I was born a man! “As I said, Zendaya, you cannot rule. The people will not accept a woman as their ruler! Your role is to produce the next princes and princesses. This has always been the system.” “If so, I will break the system.” Kumuyom ang aking kamao, “I will not subject myself to the traditions of the kingdom. I will pave my own way and do things my own way.” I emphasized the last sentences. Tumayo pa ako upang harapin mismo ang aking ama. He took a few steps away from me, as if he was taken aback by the sudden outburst of my passion. “That kind of thinking will ruin our kingdom, Zendaya. It will end our bloodline. Do you want to put all the things our ancestors have worked hard for, down to the drain because you are too stubborn to accept your destiny? All your life, I’ve given you all the things you asked, now, all I ask is for you to get married and produce an offspring. I am already old and I don’t have much long, I can never rest in peace unless I see that our blood will continue.” Hindi ako umimik, nakipagtitigan lang ako sa mga mata ng aking ama. He looked at me fiercely as well. Afterward, he sighed. “Your 18th birthday will be next week and the entire kingdom will celebrate it. It is your coming of age... and it is also the best time to announce the man you will marry. The candidates are here.” Tinuro niya ang mga papel na nasa mesa. “Choose or I will choose for you.” With that, he stormed off my room, leaving me with my fingers balled into a tight fist. I was frustrated already. Padabog akong umupo sa silya at marahas kong kinuha ang mga papel. I rummaged through the papers and looked at the men I might marry—all I see are incompetent bastards who carry the name of their noble family. That’s all. Nothing extraordinary. Bigla akong nagkaroon ng ideya sa gitna ng aking pag-iisip. I will have all these men come to my coming of age... And I will put this tradition to an end. The next day, I went to the King’s chamber and told him about it—except the part of ending our kingdom’s patriarchy. Halata naman ang gulat sa kaniyang mukha dahil sa aking sinabi. “Does this mean that you have finally chosen your king?” Halata ang saya na naipinta sa kaniyang mukha. I just grinned, “you will know soon on my birthday.” Bumangon aking aking ama at niyakap niya ako, “finally, Zendaya, you have come to your senses and realized the importance of our tradition.” Hinalikan niya ako sa aking noo, “you did the right thing here.” I just smiled. Lumabas na ako sa kuwarto ng aking ama. With this, he won’t come to my room and bother me anymore about marrying a random man. I was happy that I saw a way out of this. “Princess Zendaya.” Napatigil ako sa paglalakad sa pasilyo nang bigla akong tinawag ni Enzo, he is my childhood friend and the knight who was decreed by the king to be my guard, “nakangiti kang parang aso.” Kumunot ang aking noo sa kaniya. “Enzo, ikaw na naman.” “Oo, ako nga.” He smirked. “So, bakit good mood ang prinsesa ngayon?” “Pake mo?” Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. He shrugged, “hanapin mo sa dede mo.” Ngumisi siya nang nakita niyang napipikon na ako. “Oops. Wala pala.” “You could have just said na wala kang pake, bakit kailangan mong atakehin ang dede ko?!” “Paano ko aatakehin ang wala?” He grinned once more. Ugh! This guy! I cannot stand him and he always gets on my nerve! Instead of wasting my time again on him, I just went on to the dining hall to have my breakfast. The next days, the palace was very busy with the preparations for my coming of age. The walls of the Grand Hall were decorated with golden and caerulean hues—they somehow resembled the color of my eyes—the left was blue and the right was gold. I have heterochromia and it was said that it has been how many generations since there was one like me of the Nightingale family. They said that those who were bestowed with these God Eyes, the one they call for my eyes that is only exclusive for my family, are gifted with magic. However, I’m already seventeen and I have shown no aptitude for it. I have not awakened yet, or maybe I am just not really gifted at all since it is at the age of four where those who are blessed with magic are usually awakened and I am about to turn to eighteen already. However, I am bestowed with other gifts that I honed since I was a child. Nobody can beat me at archery and politics. Those with the Nightingale blood are also born with white hair that turns to silver with the sunlight, like of mine. Nagsimula na akong kumain nang nasa dining hall na ako. Sinundan naman ako ni Enzo ngunit hindi ko na lang siya pinansin. “May napili ka na bang papakasalan?” Tanong niya habang kumakain ako. “You’ll find out soon.” I smiled. ~*~ It was the night of my birthday and the entire kingdom was alive, it was a celebration of my coming of age and the ‘future’ of the kingdom whereas it will be found out today who will be the next king, the man I will marry. However, I have other plans set into motion. Tiningnan ko ang aking sarili sa salamin. I was wearing my ballgown with features I personally requested to a good friend of mine, Diana, who happened to be the best designer of this kingdom. At first, she was reluctant and she told me I was up to no good again, however, she submitted herself after I pleaded. It was a dark blue ballgown with intricate details. My white hair that fell until my waist was curled and the top of my head was decorated with a tiara. I wore a light makeup, just enough to highlight the features of my face. I looked elegant and beautiful. I smiled at the mirror. After that, there was a knock on my door. “Andyan na.” Saad ko at lumabas na sa aking kuwarto. Nakita ko naman si Enzo na nakatayo lang sa labas. He looked unusually formal and neat... Like a gentleman. “Mukha kang tao ngayon.” I smirked. “Ikaw naman ay mukhang balyena.” He replied which earned a glare from me. “Anyway, hinihintay na ang bitwin ng gabing ito. Let’s go.” He offered me his hand and I gently accepted it. We walked down the corridor for a few minutes until we finally stood in front of a door that is three times taller than me. “Are you ready, Princess Zendaya?” He asked. I smiled and nodded. As if on cue, the two knights guarding the door opened it and the loud blast of orchestra greeted me first along with the noise of many people who were invited across the kingdom. The noise died down and they all looked to where I was standing. Tumingin ako sa dulo ng Grand Hall at nakita ko ang aking ama roon na nakaupo sa kaniyang trono, sa likod niya ay ang malaking banner ng aming pamilya, the nightingale crest, a perfect suit for our Nightingale family. Naglakad na ako kasama si Enzo papunta sa kinaroroonan ni Papa at napansin ko naman na nagkumpol-kumpol sa iisang lugar ang mga kandidato para sa pagkahari. “So, alin sa mga iyan ang napili mo?” Bulong ni Enzo habang nilalampasan namin ang mga lalakeng nakangiti sa akin na parang tanga. “Wala.” “Huh? Tama ba ang narinig ko?” Kumunot ang noo ni Enzo. Hindi na ako umimik pa. Nang nasa harap ko na si Papa ay tumayo siya mula sa kaniyang trono at lumapit sa akin. Niyakap niya ako, pagkatapos ay may nilabas sya mula sa bulsa ng kaniyang damit. He showed me a box and he opened it, revealing a necklace with a nightingale crest hanging on it. Sinuot niya ito sa akin, “this is a gift from yours truly and your mother. We had it forged when you were still a child and we planned to give it to you when you’re finally mature and old enough to understand your responsibilities. I am so proud of you, my dear Zendaya, and tonight, you are beautiful.” My father announced. The crowd applauded as I took my seat beside the throne of my father, Enzo, on the other hand, stood at my side. “Now, to proceed, as you all know, tonight is not only the celebration of the coming of age of my dear princess, Zendaya, as tonight, we also celebrate the announcement of our next king.” Biglang natigil ang musika at lahat ng ingay nang ianunsyo ito ni Papa. Halatang lahat ay nasasabik nang malaman kung sino ang susunod na magiging hari. “I am already old and it is time to pass the throne. However, by virtue of the laws and tradition of our kingdom, as I only have a sole princess, the princess shall marry and the man whom she chooses will be the next king. Given this, I give the platform to my daughter, Zendaya, as she makes her announcement.” With that cue, I stood up and my father went back to his throne. I smiled at the crowd. There was a few seconds of silence as they awaited for my next words. I raised my chin and started to do the talking. “I am Princess Zendaya Zandeyi Nightingale. This is to announce that I have not chosen the king I will marry.” Dahil sa aking sinabi ay biglang nagkaroon ng ingay, halata ang gulat at gulo sa mukha ng mga tao. “I am not yet finished.” My voice was loud enough for everyone to understand and it echoed across the Grand Hall. “What is the meaning of this, Zendaya?” This time, my father asked. I looked at him and smiled and after that, I once again addressed the crowd who fell silent. “I have high standards of whom I will marry, which is why in respect to our kingdom’s traditions, I will open the floor to those who were deemed eligible to be my husband and the king, to compete for me and the crown. The victor will be deemed the most eligible, and I will marry that man. However, in case that no one wins the challenge, I shall inherit the throne and rule this land, both as your King and Queen.” Because of what I said, biglang nagkaroon muli ng ingay sa mga tao, ang aking ama namin ay naging maputla. I looked at him with my apologetic eyes and he just looked at me as if he was disappointed. I went on, however. “Why are there complains? Are the men not confident enough that they will be able to win the challenge?” I announced. One thing I learned is that men love their egos so much, so if a woman happens to question it, the pride will come to their head and by all means, they will try to prove themselves. “Fine!” “We agree, then!” “Tell us the challenge!” I smirked as all the men replied to my question. Things are going my way. “I have set the challenge and it is very simple.” They all were quiet as hell as they waited for me to say what challenge it’d be, I smiled, “archery.” “And the target is?” My father now inclined himself and asked. “This.” I replied, after that, I ripped off my ballgown, revealing me in my hunting suit the way I asked it to be, then I ruffled through the sheets of the gown and took my bow and arrows, I wore that. Everyone was astonished and dazed by how fast things are going and escalating. After that, I descended the platform and walked towards the center of the Grand Hall, then I took one arrow and aimed at the wall that was a hundred-meter-high, at least, then I released the arrow. We watched as the arrow took its flight, then it pierced through the wall, with just an inch away from the ceiling itself. “Anyone who can hit the arrow will marry me.” I smirked. “Everyone is given one chance. If no one wins, then I shall carry on the legacy of my Father, King Zenovia Exellencia Nightingale.” After that, every eligible man to marry me queued as there were maids who suddenly stormed into the hall the way I planned it to, they all carried a bow and one arrow and gave one for each nobility. There are at least a hundred eligible man, I just smirked because I know none among them will be able to do it. It was an impossible quest, given how high the mark I made is... And I know they are all too inexperienced. I went back to the throne where my father and Enzo lies, and I took my seat. “Magandang pakulo, Zendaya.” Mariing bulong ng aking ama. I can smell the sarcasm as well, I just chuckled and thanked him. “You will not get away with this.” He added. “Of course, I won’t. After all, we both know the outcome already. None of these men you call ‘qualified’ will be able to do it, and I will make sure that they learn their place.” With that, I looked at the boys who were trying to aim for the arrow, one by one. The first man tried and the arrow didn’t take its flight, instead, it fell to the marble floor and everyone laughed. The next man tried to aim it, but as the target was too high, the projectile of the arrow fell too short and it fell to the ground once more. The next man tried, but it pierced through the wall that was half where my mark was. And so on and on, then the last man tried, but it hit through the window. He apologized for the damage. Naging tahimik ang lahat. Ngumiti ako at tumayo, pagkatapos ay naglakad pabalik sa kung saan ko pinakawalan ang pana. I took my bow once more, and another arrow, after that, I aimed to where my mark was, I calmed my senses down, then I released the arrow. We watched it take its flight, and in a few seconds, it pierced through my first arrow, cutting it in half. They all looked at me with wide eyes. I smiled. “Ladies and gentlemen, we watched all eligible men to compete and no one emerged victorious, as no man is good enough to be my husband and the king, I shall be the next ruler of Nephyria Kingdom, as it has been announced. It is high time for a woman to succeed the throne.”