Chant Of The Twilight

Chant XVIII

Chapter 18: Our Little Prince

Hindi makapagsalita si Achlise, kahit ni lumingon ay hindi niya magawa. Ngayon lamang niya napagtanto ang lahat. But because the Emperor has already seen Ishan in the flesh, she knows that she couldn't deny it anymore. Lalo na sa biglaang pag-surge ng Azure Mana ni Ishan, as if his mana reacted to the Emperor's.

"That Azure Mana in that child..." Rhysand mumbled once again.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Achlise at humigpit ang hawak kay Ishan. Her shoulder trembled again while another batch of tears forming from her eyes too.

Of course he can feel it. They are of the same blood and it is not even surprising anymore that Ishan's weak Azure Mana became more active and responsive now that he's within the proximity of someone who has a dominant amount of it.

Denying their connection is impossible now.

Hindi ko alam na darating ang araw na ito nang ganoon kabilis. My decision has never been fully made. But maybe I already know it to myself that I will never come up with a determined decision. Masyado akong nagpadala sa takot at kasakiman na kinailangan kong tapakan ang karapatan ni Rhysand para sa anak niya.

Maybe I already know it deep within me that it's not that I am afraid of what's going to come after exposing the truth, it's just that I acted out of selfishness. I know I have sinned but I never thought of redemption after all this time.

How can I be so tactless and cruel.

Achlise regained all her strength after seconds of silence. Pinilit niya ang sariling tumayo upang harapin si Rhysand. Morgan and Adriel went to her too. Albertine wasn't able to say a word as well.

"Your Majesty... I'm... I'm sorry," yukong usal ni Achlise habang yakap pa rin si Ishan na unti-unti nang tumatahan.

Rhysand's suspicion grew wider. Ngunit hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang mararamdaman sa naiisip niyang posibilidad habang nakatingin sa batang hawak ni Achlise.

"What... Are you trying to say?" His voice was weak, as if he'd loose strength any minute from now.

"I didn't mean to hide it from you... I just... Just..."

Walang eksplenasyon ang nais lumabas sa mga bibig ni Achlise habang hindi pa rin matignan nang maayos si Rhysand. She wanted to say something but doesn't have an idea where to start.

"Your Majesty, Achlise, pardon the intrusion but this matter should be discussed in private. Let us go back for now. The... Child needs to be checked as well," sabat ni Rafian sa kanila.

"That's a good idea. Calm yourself first, Lise," Adriel agreed."

Napapikit si Rhysand at bumuntong hininga, "All right... Let's go. I will hear your explanation in my office, Achlise," ani Rhysand at hinubad ang kaniyang frock coat.

Lumapit siya kila Achlise at itinakip ang kaniyang frock coat kay Ishan. His eyes met Ishan's. That moment, he can't understand it but an unfamiliar longing creeped inside his thumping heart. Their ocean blue eyes felt so close and familiar with each other, as if he already knew the baby every since he was born.

Rhysand gritted his teeth, "Let's go. You both may catch cold in this weather," aniya sabay hawak sa likuran ni Achlise.

Tahimik na sumunod sa kaniya si Achlise. Nang makasakay sila sa carriage ay tahimik lamang silang tatlo. Kasama muli nila si Morgan sa carriage samantalang si Adriel naman ay sumama na kilala Rafian at Nesrin na sumakay sa sarili nilang mga kabayo habang nakasunod sa carriage.