Zendaya of the Night

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Tiningnan ko ang aking sarili sa salamin. I was admiring the gown that Diana made for my coronation-it was beautifully woven, with precaution and flawlessness. I bathed for a few hours which is why my porcelain skin was glistening along with my platinum-blond shades of hair which were braided. I looked regal and powerful, the way I wanted it to be. I have to leave a first impression to my people already that I will not be as easy as what they think just because I am not a man.

In a few minutes, I will already be crowned as the Ruler of this kingdom. There will be a lot of work done afterward, but I will make sure that my visions will be achieved. However, I cannot shake this weird feeling off, as if something within me is warning me about something. My instincts are chaotic right now and I've always had a good instinct, which is why I am quite nervous about today.

Bumukas ang pinto ng aking kuwarto at bumungad si Enzo, nakasuot siya ngayon ng kaniyang uniporme. He looked regal and elegant, as if it wasn't the same Enzo as the man I know. He looked at me for a few seconds, as if stunned, then he smiled. "You look beautiful today, Princess Zendaya."

"Coming from you, I don't know if there is sarcasm or not."

Naglakad siya palapit sa akin at saka niya nilahad ang kaniyang kamay na agad ko namang tinanggap, "you should learn how to be grateful sometimes." He remarked. Afterward, we took our exit from my room and we proceeded to the Grand Hall where the coronation will commence.

Habang naglalakad kami ay napansin ko na mas maraming mga guwardiya ngayon ang nakakalat sa paligid kompara sa dati, maybe it is because the palace will be open again and there are guests around today so they will be very strict in terms of its security, which is good, I guess.

"After today, everything will change." Enzo spoke as we walked side by side, "you will be the first woman to lead the kingdom, I wonder how you will manage. Not that I doubt your skills, but you are at a disadvantage here."

"Yes, my father has already reminded me of that a lot of times but I don't really believe that me being a woman will be a drawback here."

As those who can attend the coronation are only the people who are invited, there will be magicians who will be there to broadcast the event, their magic is called Televise and it comes handy especially on kingdom-wide occasions like this. There is a Reflector Mirror on the Central Plaza of the Capital and each town wherein a live feed of what's happening will be shown and the people will gather there to watch instead.

Speaking of magicians, they only consist of 1% of the total population of the world. They are rare, and they are thought to be kissed by the gods because of their supernatural abilities. Only those who have money can have access and hire them, at a very costly price. But as we are of the Royal Family, we have no issue hiring magicians. We have ten of them and they have different Holy Magics.

However, there is a magic that is strictly forbidden by the kingdom and the world per se, it is Cursed Magic. But I've never seen anyone who can wield it. It is said that Cursed Magic is a gift from the devils, and the Church will prosecute anyone who can practice such. Only Holy Magic is allowed.

Bumalik ako sa riyalidad nang tumigil kami ni Enzo sa harap ng entrada ng Grand Hall kung saan nakita ko ang pagtitipon-tipon ng mga tao. Nang nakita nila ang aking presensiya ay agad silang tumayo at biglang tumugtog ang malakas na musika ng Nephyria Kingdom.

"Go." Enzo whispered. I looked at him, he was staring at me intently with his hazel-brown eyes, he smiled encouragingly. I nodded and afterward, I faced in front and started to take my walk.

All eyes were on me. I can even feel the deadly glare of some who are in opposition of my coronation. However, they will not be able to do anything about it. I am happy that I am about to make a change of history that is always written by men, it is time for herstory as well.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Princess Zendaya Zandeyi of the Nightingale royal family." Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao habang may nag-aanunsyo. I looked in front where I saw my father sitting on the Grand Throne, the seat that I will take over soon. A servant walked on his side afterward and there was the Nightingale Crown, the most beautiful one I've ever seen and always dreamt of wearing.

Naglakad ako hangga't sa nasa harapan na ako. My father stood up afterward, and kissed the back of my palm, afterward, he faced the crowd in order to address the kingdom. I looked around and saw two magicians who were stationed a few meters away, their eyes glowing. Whatever it is they are seeing and hearing right now will be projected to the entire kingdom.

"Gentlemen and ladies, the Grand Council, everyone," he started, "I am King Zenovia Exellencia Nightingale, I have served as your King for thirty years already and it is high time for me to pass it to my descendant," he looked at me after, "we have seen her prove herself worthy during her coming of age-and by the virtue of the power vested in me, as the King of Nephyria Kingdom, I hereby announce that my royal power will be transferred to Zendaya Zandeyi Nightingale, as she will serve both as our King and Queen. Under the Royal Decree 1008, my last decree as your King, this shall be irrevocable and final."

With that the crowd applauded. I was guided towards the Grand Throne and I sat there. I looked at everyone from where I was sitting-I specifically looked for someone in the crowd, Diana, she waved at me when saw me looking at her and I simply smiled, then beside her is Scholar Jung. I almost wasn't able to contain myself from waving at him. I missed him so much! I thought he couldn't attend my coronation, so his presence is a nice surprise!

Beside him is the Grand Council, and other nobilities-which I have no interest of.

Tumingin ako kay Papa, lumapit siya sa tauhan na naghahawak sa korona at saka niya kinuha iyon, pagkatapos ay sinuot niya ito sa akin. I felt the weight of the crown, as if reminding me of the responsibilities that I have decided to take. I felt the sudden rush of power surge in me.

"Gentlemen and ladies, King Zendaya Zandeyi Nightingale." My father announced and once more, the crowd cheered. Lumapit sa akin ang aking ama, at bumulong. "It is time for your first address to the kingdom."

I nodded and afterward, I stood up from my throne and walked towards the center of the podium. They all looked at me eagerly, waiting for my speech that I had been preparing for weeks already.

"If you look at our kingdom's history books, all of those who sat on the Grand Throne are men, those are my ancestors who ensured that Nephyria Kingdom will continue to flourish. However, I would like to give the credit as well to their Queens, who aided and served as their right hand, who helped in the fulfillment of their visions. It may have been a tradition and culture that men will rule over the land, but there is no existing law that denies women of their role in politics, and so here I stand, as your King and Queen."

"It is time for a change and I will start by breaking the system that has constantly perpetuated the cycle of oppression, especially of the poor and I will put an end to s*****y that has become a disturbing part of our economic growth."

Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo ni Alexandro Belmonto, gayon na rin sa iba pang mga kawani ng Grand Council, maliban na lang kay Scholar Jung na nakatingin sa akin, he had his proud eyes as if he wanted to scream that he raised me, I looked at my father and I can see the surprise on his face again, as if he didn't expect me to suddenly say what I want to do on the first day that I am crowned, "I have more visions for our Kingdom and we have a long way to go, however, I cannot do it if I am alone, which is why I seek for your support and cooperation."

I said some more and when I finally ended my speech, everyone clapped, but this time, the joy was no longer present, they all looked at me as if I was an enemy. Perhaps because I will not serve their best interest, instead, I will serve the interest of those below and at the middle of the caste system.

"I warned you." Nagulat ako nang may boses bigla ang lumitaw sa aking isip. I looked around, in search of someone who may have possibly casted a magic on me, "they are going to take you down."

Kumunot ang aking noo dahil sa sinabi ng boses. Tumingin ako sa paligid at doon ko lang napansin na may mga guwardiya ang pumasok sa Grand Hall, I looked at Enzo who looked at me as well in confusion, as if asking me if this is another surprise that I have. I just looked at him worriedly.

I looked at the knights and I focused on the insignia on their chest-plate. They are the Holy Knights, the force of the Church. What on Earth are they doing here? I looked at Pope Mateo, the head of the Church, and he was just glaring at me.

"You will be killed tonight."

Biglang bumilis ang pintig ng aking puso nang marinig ko muli ang boses. I mentally asked who she was, and she just laughed.

"You've always denied my presence and suppressed me, but I am a part of you, Zendaya."

"Who are you?" I asked on my mind.

"Take your ring off, the ring that you've always worn." Napatingin ako sa singsing na regalo sa akin ng aking ama noong bata pa ako-Papa specifically told me to never take it off at all cost. Pagkatapos ay tumingin muli ako sa mga tauhang naglalakad palapit na sa akin. I looked at the two magicians who suddenly stopped broadcasting the event as well. Something is wrong... What's going on?!

"Why?"

"Because that ring is keeping your powers away." The voice replied.

Powers?!

"Yes, Zendaya. You are more powerful than you think. Now, take your ring off and unleash me."

"What is the meaning of this?!" Galit na sigaw ng aking ama.

Naglakad papunta sa gitna si Pope Mateo at masama siyang tumingin kay Papa, "you have committed treason to the kingdom, Zenovia, for you have chosen to hide the true nature of your daughter, who now sits on the Grand Throne as our King!" Galit na saad nito.

"Ano ang ibig mong sabihin, Pope Mateo?!"

"Your daughter is a wielder of Cursed Magic!" He announced.

Suminghap ako dahil sa aking narinig.

"T-That's not possible... I haven't awakened yet as well! I cannot use magic!" I said.

"You have, but the memories were erased." Pope Mateo replied, suminghap din ang lahat ng mga tao sa paligid na nakarinig nito. They all looked at me, scared and angry. I am confused. How can this be happening on my coronation day?!

"And you have committed a grave crime as well, Zendaya Zandeyi, for you have killed your mother, the late Queen Zenesis Zafeta Nightingale, with your Cursed Magic, when you were still four years of age."

I looked at my father, confused. "Ano ang ibig niyang sabihin, Papa?" I asked. Tila nablangko ang aking utak at wala akong ibang maisip kundi ang aking narinig. No... That cannot possibly be... How can that be true?!

"That's... That's not true... My mother died because of the flu." I whispered, I looked at my father, as I waited for his response. "Papa, say something." Nangilid ng luha sa gilid ng aking mga mata.

Tumingin sa akin si Papa, and he cried. "I'm sorry for hiding it from you, Zendaya."

Tila gumuho ang aking mundo dahil sa aking narinig. This cannot be true.

"It is." The voice in me replied.