Daughter Of Dusk And Dawn

63.

I then came to realize what had caused Arianne to be upset. Later into that night, the otherwise silent castle had been buzzing with whispers and tell tales.  

Kasalukuyan akong naliligo, hindi pa tuluyang nanlalamig ang maligamgam na tubig na inihanda sa akin ni Cheena at Arianne. The two of them had been silent like ghosts. Mga pilit na ngiti lang ang binigay ng dalawa sa akin, at mukhang kung ano ang ikinababahala ni Arianne ay siya ring bumabagabag kay Cheena. The two of them had always been talkers, always asking me things, telling me things. Pero halos tahimik ang dalawa nang kanilang dalhin ang aking pagkain at ihanda ang aking pantulog. 

Out of respect, I decided not to question them. Kung gusto nilang ibahagi ang dinaramdam nila, kanina pa sana nila ginawa. But they kept their mouths shut. And if there was one thing I know about the most, was that when people didn't wanna share, you better not force them. Dahil ayaw kong gawin din ito ng iba sa akin. 

They left the room with soft goodbyes, and I smiled at them. Hindi ko alam kung nakatulong, pero sinabi kong magiging maayos din ang lahat. They departed with glassy eyes. 

Muli akong napabuntong hininga. Kanina ko pa pinaglalaruan ang mga bula, at halos malunod na ako sa dami nito. Nakabukas ang bintana at pumapasok ang malayang hangin, hinahalikan ang hubad kong likuran. I shivered, but nevertheless liked the sensation. 

Hanggang sa narinig ko ang mga ingay sa mga pasilyo. Noong una ay hinayaan ko ito, gayunpaman nang mapagtantong hindi humuhupa ito, doon na ako natigilan. Something was hapenning. 

Sa pananatili ko sa palasyo, isa sa mga pinakanakasanayan ko ay ang katahimikan ng mga pasilyo nito tuwing gabi. Maliban na lang noong gabi ng seremonya, noong Ascension Ceremony ni prinsipe Gestalt.

But tonight the halls were no longer quiet, the night was buzzing with chatter, and the floors creaked with excited footsteps. 

Kaagad akong umahon. Hindi ko pinansin ang inihandang pantulog ni Cheene at Arianne. Instead I headed towards the wardrobe, pulled it open and scrutinized the series of dresses inside. Blue, burgundy, red, sparkly. Halos lahat ng kulay nandirito. Pinili ko ang isang simleng kulay asul na madaling isuot. In a minute, I was dressed. I let my hair down, and since I would be in the court, I decided to throw in a couple of glinting jewelries. Mahirap na at baka makakuha ako ng atensyon. I would want to fit in. I grabbed a purple cloak before I left my chambers.

When I stepped into the hallways, immediately I saw a couple of maharlikas all headed to the same direction. Hindi ko pinahalata ang pagtataka ko. Nang mapansing may ilang mga maharlikang napatingin sa akin, ngumiti lang ako nang bahagya at yumuko. 

I let them lead me to the answers that I needed. Mukhang alam ko na kung saan ang pupuntahan namin. Nang marating namin ang pamilyar na pinto, batid kong tama ang naging hula ko. 

The main hall, the throne room itself. The doors led into an open room, lit by a golden chandelier that held hundreds and hundreds of burning candles. The room was packed with maharlikas, guards, and common folks alike. Maingay ang mga bulung-bulungan.

Ano naman kaya ang nangyayari dito?

I pushed myself forward, cutting into a sea of people. Hanggang sa marating ko ang unahan, ilang dipa ang layo mula sa kinauupuan ng hari at ng reyna. The dais was not as elaborate and decorative as it was when I was last here. It was plain, gilded and polished. There were two chairs, on which sat the King and Queen. The princess Yvana stood on the left beside her mother, the Queen. And Prince Gestalt, right by his father, the King. 

Naningkit ang mata ko. Pansin ang tensyon sa loob ng silid. The King had a dark look in his eyes. Kabaligtaran sa nababahalang si Gestalt. Pansin na hindi ito komportable sa lukot pa lang ng mukha nito. He was dressed formally this time, dark coat with golden trims, a good pair of pants and boots, and a cape that matched his crown. Nakatingin lang ang reyna sa kanyang asawa, samantalang ang prinsesa naman ay mayroong tuwid na postura, seryosong mukha. She looked just like her father, they had the same air about them, commanding and royal. Naalala ko tuloy ang ginawa nito, ang pagbagsak ng manggagamot na nakaalam sa sikreto ng kaibigan niya.