Her Blade

HB 12

"And now you're telling me na you're still being treated as a guest by Ryl after doing all that? If I am not your friend, I would've think that you have a relationship with the famous Grand Duke of the Aphelian Empire."

"Uh... Yes? He never said anything to me at hindi ko naman gustong umasa sa bagay na wala namang linaw," dahilan ko rito habang patuloy kong tinatanaw ang malaking villa ni Nyx mula rito sa karwahe. "He didn't say anything, but he did show something!" pagdidiin nito kaya umiling naman ako sa kanyang pagpupumilit.

That thought of having Dion like me is... unbelievable.

"Then why won't we talk about the man you're eyeing at? You've mentioned before that you have someone in mind." Ramdam ko naman ang titig nito sa akin kahit hindi ko ito tinitignan. "Basta nasabi ko na sa 'yo. Once he did confess to you, I won't even be surprised when that day happens," aniya bago itinikim ang kanyang bibig.

But if I were to ask her, gusto kong malaman kung sino 'yung lalaking tinukoy niya nung nakaraan. Pero kung titignan kasi kanina si Nyx nung nabanggit ko 'yon ay parang ayaw na lang nito pag-usapan kaya hindi ko rin ma-bring up sa kanya.

"Have you already prepared yourself to attend the royal ball? Matagal pa naman, but I'm just asking." Umiling ako at hindi sinasadyang napabuntong hininga. "What's with the sigh, Aesira?" tanong nito sa 'kin habang mariin akong tinitignan. "Wala naman. Kasama ba ako roon? Hindi ba't kayo-kayo lang?"

"Well, technically yes. But I'm betting that Ryl will have you as his partner on that day. Sabagay, okay na 'yon kaysa ang isama niya o ang umaligid sa kanya ay si Lady Yvaine." I laughed after Nyx said that. Kahit siya ay naiinis rin siguro sa mga kilos ni Lady Yvaine kaya ganito na lang ang sinasabi niya tungkol dito. "No wonder we're friends. Grabe din 'yung kulo ng dugo ko sa kanya nung una ko siyang nakausap, e."

"Right?" The amount of her persuasiveness is evident in her eyes.

"She even acts like I will steal Ryl away from her! Mhm!" Natawa na ako kay Nyx dahil gigil na gigil talaga ang inis nito kay Lady Yvaine. "Maiintindihan ko naman if her guard's up whenever she's around you. Well, she should!" sigaw nito habang marahas na pinaypayan muli ang kanyang sarili.

I just smiled at her every rant while I felt the air coming from the carriage's window. The fresh air that slaps my face, and I wouldn't complain about it. The trees that dance freely while rooted strong on the ground, and the villa that stands out in this land's sight.

Nang makarating na kami, matawa-tawa kong inayos ang aking sarili bago sumunod kay Nyx. "One more thing, I'll let you have one of my gowns for tomorrow since I am the one who insisted for you to stay here overnight. You'll occupy the same room na tinuluyan mo before and I'll assign some maids for them to assist you," habilin nito.

"I'll take a rest for a while, and so will you. We'll talk later at night." She walked ahead with her lady-in-waiting as the servants left at the receiving area assisted me towards my room.

As long as I step foot in the room that I used before, I immediately stride towards the balcony to find comfort from the wonderful gradient sky. A sky that is playfully painted in orange and yellow with a little touch of pastel pink made by Zephyr himself. A place where all the birds soar freedom as they travel into different places from above ground level. A view where all empires see them as one.