The Warden Doll

Chapter 39

On the Brim of Madness

"Can you explain it to me again, why you're in this situation?" Nagmamalditang tanong sa'kin ni Jean habang tinutulungan ako sa pagdadamit. Unfortunately, they have designated uniform for this event.

"Kausapin mo 'yung lalaking kasama ko kanina." Iritadong sagot ko at umirap sa ere.

"He's Miguel right? I think we've met before, he looks familiar."

"He does, s'ya 'yung naga-assist kay Miss Rylie."

"Miss Rylie? The one who healed you?" Tumango ako bilang sagot. "It's such a mystery why he did that."

"Miss Parker?" Pareho kaming napalingon sa babaeng nagsalita na may hawak na malaking case.

"Yes? What is it?" Jean answered in my stead because I was still adjusting my clothes which makes me really uncomfortable.

"I have been told by Milady Rowena that I must bring this to Miss Parker." A woman in her 20s wearing a royal guard's suit came up to us and handed over a case that looks expensive.

"What's this?" Kunot noong tanong ni Jean sa babae at binuksan ang case, bumungad naman sa'min ang kulay itim na upak at gintong hawakan ng espada. "Pinapahiram ni Rowena 'to?" Gulat na baling ni Jean sa babae.

"Yes, Milady have heard the news of Miss Parker participating to the event." Jean's shoulders fell and sighed at the news.

"The word has spread that fast?" Rinig kong bulong nito sa sarili na ikinabuntong hininga ko na rin lamang.

Tumalikod ako at humarap sa salamin at bahagyang napakunot ang noo dahil sa sikip ng suot na damit na medyo hindi na ako makahinga ng maayos. The uniform is beautiful I must say, but it's too tight to breath properly. Napangiwi ako at inexamin ang sarili, the uniform is black with golden linings, there's also this red and golden plate with red cloth hanging on my right shoulder, and a brown strap that is wrapped across my chest that leads down to my waist to support the sheathed sword that is placed on the left side. I fixed the seemingly thick knee socks with golden linings too, as the golden pad touched the sheathed sword on my left thigh. And lastly, for the shoes is a simple combat boots.

Will I be able to fight properly like this? Huminga ako ng malalim at ang inayos ang belt na pumipigil sa'kin sa paghinga ng maayos bago humarap kay Jean na kanina pa pala ako inaantay. Tumango s'ya sa'kin na sinuklian ko lamang ng tipid na ngiti bago tuluyang lumisan sa silid. Outside the room, there awaits an anxious Miguel that goes back and forth right in front of the door, natigil lamang s'ya nang tuluyan na kaming lumabas.

"I saw a royal guard went in, did something happen?" He asked us full of anxiety, his pupils are shaking as he waits for our answer. Napahilot na lamang ako ng noo at mas piniling hindi ito sagutin. I should be the one who's anxious, not him.

"Galit ka pa ba? I promise I will do my best to help you!" Habol nito sa'kin. "Just please don't be mad at me."

I stopped on my tracks and turned around to look at him. "I just want a peace of mind, Miguel." Pagod na saad ko na ikinatikom ng bibig n'ya, thank the gods for that.

Pumasok ako sa simboryo na nagsisilbing entablado para sa pangdiriwang ito, tumingin ako sa likuran ko sa huling sandali at binigyan lamang ako ng ngiti ni Jean at tinging nag-aalala naman mula kay Miguel. Sa huli ay malakas ang tibok ng puso akong pumasok at tuluyang narinig ang nakakabinging sigawan ng mga manonood na nakapaligid sa entablado. Kagat labi akong tumabi sa mga kalahok at napatingala sa malaking hologram na nagsisilbing screen sa lahat ng manonood. Dito naka-display ang mukha ng emcee na mage-explain ng laro at dito rin ipapakita ang footage ng bawat kalahok.