Her Blade

HB 24

"Do you have any plans today, Syra?" I heard Dion ask from the other side of the table.

It's been a week since I last talked to Kristov. After that dream, hindi na ulit kami nagkausap nito. Though I trust him on doing his ways to save me and take me back, so I could go home. It's just that it feels a little uneasy doing these things behind Dion's back. I just hope that he could understand that what I'm choosing is for both of our sakes.

"Wala naman. I'm planning to stay sa duchy, ikaw? May balak ka bang puntahan?" tanong ko rito pabalik habang hinihiwa ang karne na nakahain sa aking plato. "Wala rin siguro. Do you want to go and try to fix the garden together?" I looked at him with confusion and asked, "Wala ka na bang hardinero, Dion?"

Natawa naman ito sa sinabi ko kasabay ng pagpunas sa kanyang bibig, "Do you know what's bonding, Syra? That's what it is."

Bonding, huh? Will this be our last?

"Anong oras mo balak magsimula?" tanong ko sa kanya. Interesado naman ako sa paghahalaman. 'Yun nga 'yung una kong ginawa pag-apak ko rito sa duchy, e. Wala naman akong gagawin kaya hindi na rin ako tatanggi sa alok nito. Who knows? Baka nga mag-enjoy kami. "Atsaka may experience ka ba sa paghahalaman?" dagdag kong tanong dito.

Baka kasi mamaya, gapangan 'to ng kung ano tapos mauna pang tumakbo kaysa sa 'kin. I have no time to deal with those kinds of things. I can no longer manage dealing with him.

"Yes, I know how to. I used to help fix the garden when I was a kid. And maybe fixing the garden at 4 o'clock will do? Is that fine with you?" I nodded as I sipped my tea, "Wala na namang ibang magandang oras na p'wedeng mag-ayos ng hardin kundi 'yun lang." Tinignan ko ang aking orasan at napag-alamang may dalawang oras pa ako para mag-ayos ng aking sarili.

Ayos na naman ang suot ko kaso may mga bagay na kailangan pa akong ipahid nang sa gayon ay hindi ako masyadong mangitim dahil bilad kami sa araw. Liningon ko si Reina mula sa aking kanan at namataan itong nakasenyas na sa akin na tila'y alam na niya ang gagawin pagkatapos namin ni Dion kumain kaya tumango na lamang ako.

"Akala ko naman short-staffed ka na kaya ka biglang nag-aya na mag-ayos ng hardin," biro ko rito habang pinupunasan ang aking bibig mula sa amos na gawa ng tsaa. "Do you really think that I'll be short-staffed, Syra? For your information, many people wants to apply under my duchy." He chuckled.

"Not anyone who wants to apply can be trusted, though."

He shrugged as he fixed his usual cravat tie, "Now that I remembered, Nyx would be visiting you today. By this time, she's probably on her way to the duchy." My lips parted as I saw Sir Locket walking in our direction. Ngayong nabanggit na ni Dion na papunta na si Nyx dito sa duchy, why does it feel like she's already here?

"Her Highness has arrived at the duchy, Your Grace," Sir Locket reported as he genuflected.

"Escort her on her way here, Sir Locket."

Napasapo naman ako sa aking bibig at agad na tumayo para pumunta sa aking silid. Kasunod ko naman si Reina kaya parehas kami ngayong nagmamadali papunta sa aking kwarto. "Bakit ka ba natakbo?" tanong sa 'kin ni Reina habang patuloy lang ang pagsunod nito sa 'kin.