Daughter Of Dusk And Dawn

72.

It was excited faces that greeted me upon opening my room's door. Like always, the curtains were drawn aside letting the afternoon sun inside the chamber, streaks of amber painting the carpeted floors.

"Lady Adelaine," bati ni Cheena sa aking pagpasok.

I swallowed. Hard.

A ringing in my ears.

Hindi ko alam pero apektado ako sa naging usapan namin ng prinsesa. I couldn't help but to feel...scared. I am worried for what might happen to them--- to Arianne should the princess know it was her that let the boy escape. Marahil ay mayroon din siyang alam sa naging pag-atake sa sentro noong nakaraan. After all, I have heard her pleas to have her people saved.

Naramdaman ko na lang ang mga kamay ng dalawa sa mga balikat ko, inaalalayan ako patungo sa kama. I sat by the edge. "Heto," Arianne handed me a chalice of water.

I gulped every single drop.

Nang tumingala ako, ang mukha ng dalawa ang tumambad sa akin, mga matang naga-alala. I forced a smile.

These two, Cheena.... Arianne... or whatever name they have. Sa ilang linggo kong pananatili sa palasyo, kahit papaano ay napalapit na ang loob ko sa dalawa.

How stupid of me, letting people be this close to me. Ngayon, hindi ko mapigilang hindi isipin ang kapalarang naghihintay sa kanila. Kay Arianne.

The princess was hunting, and the preys were in front of me.

And I wonder, how will this affect me?

Hindi ko na alam. Nagi-isang bagay lang ang tiyak ko--- this will end badly. The question would be how bad, and who will stand alive when this so end comes.

"Ayos ka lang ba?" tanong ni Arianne sabay kuha sa baso sa mga kamay ko. Her hands were calloused, and they scraoed against mine.

Tumango ako nang dahan-dahan. "Ayos lang," I said out of breath. "Nakalimutan ko lang na kumain kaninang umaga." Palusot ko ulit.

Arianne sighed as though disappointed. "Lady Adelaine, hindi maganda ang hindi kumain lalo na sa agahan. Dali, Cheena, kumuha ka ng makakain."

I heard the door closed.

Its just me and Arianne. A long silence. Anong sasabihin ko? May parte sa loob ko ang nagnanais na komprontahin siya, tanungin kung ano ang papel niya sa mga nangyayari. What game was she playing? How involved was she in this mess?

So many questions... yet... yet.

Hindi ako magsasalita. Hindi ako makikielam. Iyan ang desisyon ko. Kung ipapasok ko ang sarili ko, mas gugulo lang ang lahat. I didn't any more complications more that I already did. I already am caught in a web of my own doing, it would be foolish to let myself be caught in another.

Iniwas ko ang tingin ko sa kanya. Instead I gazed at the green dress laid upon the bed. My hands stretched, fingers caressing the soft fabric, tracing the golden weaves.

"Iyan ang isusuot mo mamayang gabi, Lady." Saad ni Arianne.

A breath of relief. The dress, yes. Mabuti na lang at naiba ang usapan.

I smiled. "It's beautiful," I noted. It was, green like forest grass, with golden weaves that swirled and curled, laces of silver and emerald encrusted on the hems.

"Siguradong hindi makakaiwas ng tingin ang prinsipe sa iyo, Lady Adelaine."

My cheeks had gone on fire. Napayuko ako sa sinabi ni Arianne. What did she say?

Narinig kong humalikhik siya.

Hinarap ko siya at tinaasan ng kilay. "Why would I want the prince staring at me?" saad ko. Because I wouldn't, not his filthy eyes. I didn't want them on me.