Planet Acelatoria

Chaptah Tuwenti-seben

Feelings~

Nakalapag na ang sinasakyan namin ngayon sa harapan ng Ace palace. Unang bumaba si Xavier at inalalayan niya naman ako nung ako na ang bababa.

My eyes wandered around the night view of the palace from the outside. Like in Eros, meron din malaking fountain sa harap nito. Ngunit mas malaki ang isang ito kung ikukumpara doon.

The Ace palace was full of lights. Even the decor plants at its side was luminated with small bulbs and lamps.

Maya-maya lang ay lumapag na rin ang chopper ni Lucas. Malakas na hangin ang dulot nito kaya naman pinangsangga ko ang aking kamay sa mukha ko. Nang maramdamang tumigil na ito ay agad ko rin itong binaba at pinagmasdan ang pagbaba ni Lucas mula sa chopper.

His eyes immediately caught mine but, I diverted my gaze.

"Clardia," Xavier got my attention. Nasa likod na namin si Lt. Neud na nakatayo ng tuwid. My eyes shifted on Xavier's arm whose lifted up a bit. I looked at him but, he wasn't looking at me.

I clung onto his arm. Sana lang hindi mali ang pagkaka-interpret ko ng gustong niyang gawin. Pero mukhang hindi naman dahil nagsimula na siyang maglakad na sinabayan ko naman.

Ramdam ko ang pagsunod sa'min ni sore eyes sa likuran. Meanwhile, from my peripheral view, I can see Lucas walking around the other side of the fountain. Pabilog kasi itong nilalakaran namin. Nagtagpo kaming tatlo sa gitna. Lucas' eyes landed on my arm clinging onto Xavier's.

Pero hindi rin nagtagal iyon dahil nauna na kami maglakad sa aisle. Lining royal guards saluted to us—or rather saluted to Xavier and Lucas. We stepped up towards the front door of this majestic palace. May dalawang may edad na lalaki ang nakabantay sa labas. They are wearing tuxedos. Para silang dalawang Mr. Lincoln.

"Good evening, Prince Xavier," sabi ng lalaki sa kaliwa.

"Good evening, Ms. Clardia," bati naman ng lalaki sa banda ko. I smiled at him but, his serious face remained.

"Your majesty is waiting for the both of you in the dining area." muling sabi ng lalaki sa kaliwa. Xavier nodded lightly before he resumed on walking the aisle. Sumunod lang ako sa kanya.

As I went inside, A large crystal chandelier welcomed my sight. It was so massive that I can really say that I'm in a palace.

Nagdire-diretso kami sa hallway hanggang huminto si Xavier malapit sa isang bukana. May royal steward ulit dito at ginaya niya kami papasok sa loob. I think ito na ang dining area.

"Is only your majesty we're meeting here?" tanong ko kay Xavier.

He looked at me. "Possibly no. With this kind of grand, they might be complete."

"Who are they?"

"The royals."

I felt a bit tensed. Alam kong marami na akong nakilalang parte ng pamilya nila but, for sure ay hindi pa sila lahat 'yon. I'm nervous 'cause maybe I'll be the only one foreign in their dinner. At 'pag gano'n, sa'kin matutuon ang atensyon.

Kakapalan ng mukha saniban mo 'ko ngayon na!

"You're nervous." Xavier stated.