Chant Of The Twilight

Chant XXIII

Chapter 23: First Words

Weeks have passed and the day for the Annual Convention has finally come.

Pinanood ni Achlise ang abalang mga servants mula sa bintana ng kanilang chamber ni Ishan. Pabalik-balik ang mga ito habang may iba't ibang mga dala na dekorasyon papunta sa Bronze Palace kung saan gaganapin ang Convention.

"Miss Achlise, kailangan niyo na rin maghanda ng Prinsipe," Rebecca suddenly said.

Napalingon naman si Achlise sa kaniya habang hawak si Ishan. It's already three in the afternoon and the Convention shall start at seven. The preparation is tedious, so they must start early.

Huminga nang malalim si Achlise at tumango kay Rebecca, "All right."

Binigay ni Achlise si Ishan sa Yves Sisters na siyang mag-aayos dito at mag-aalaga na muna. Samantalang si Rebecca naman at ang ibang maidservants ay si Achlise ang inasikaso.

"How about Ashid? Sinong mag-aasikaso sa kaniya kung nandito ka, Head Mistress?" tanong ni Achlise habang nakalubog ang katawan sa bath pool.

"Don't worry, Miss Achlise. Chancellor Rafian is already used in assisting His Majesty during these kind of important events."

"Oh, okay..."

Napakamot na lamang sa kaniyang batok si Achlise. Hindi pa rin siya nasasanay sa pagtawag sa kaniya ng lahat na 'Miss Achlise'. They started calling her that a week ago. Para sa kaniya ay hindi pa rin ito sanay na ang kapwa niya lang maids dati ay siya na ngayon ang pinagsisilbihan.

Achlise played with the bubbles as the maids started to scrub her body with different fragrant oils and soap.

I don't want to get used to this comfort. But Ishan is here... I can't just leave.

My chest hurts just by imagining Ashid holding someone in his arms. Hindi ako ganoon ka-dense para hindi magkaroon ng idea sa kung ano ang nararamdaman ko sa kaniya. But I don't want to admit it. Ayaw kong matalo sa kung anuman ang nararamdaman ko para sa kaniya.

Because I know for sure that the moment I admit these feelings... I lose.

It will be a game over for me. I know myself, minsan lang ako magkaroon ng ganitong nararamdaman sa isang tao. But once I fall, masakit ang bagsak at masyadong malalim.

Matapos magbabad sa bath tub at lahat-lahat ay nagsimula nang ayusan ng mga maidservants si Achlise. They made her hair into a low ponytail style with braids from the top of her head down to the ponytail part. May mga silver at diamond ornaments din silang nilagay roon kaya tila kumikintab ang kaniyang buhok kapag natatamaan ng ilaw o araw.

Achlise wore a red dress, but some part of the dress were made of white fabric. May mga ornaments din sa dress na mas lalong nagpaganda rito. It has hoopskirt kaya balloon ito. With the help of her heels, Achlise was able to walk without stepping to the end of the hem of her dress.

Dahil sa maputi nitong balat at color combination ng kaniyang damit ay mas lalong na-highlight ang kaniyang kagandahan. Even the maids and Rebecca couldn't take their eyes off of her, they were mesmerized beyond words. Tila nakakita ng napakagandang diwata sa gitna ng gubat.

Rebecca can't help but smile when they saw Achlise's awkward smile. Tila naiilang sa kaniyang ayos dahil hindi sanay.

No wonder His Majesty did not retaliate to this woman which made her give birth to our lovely little Prince. Everytime I see His Majesty staring at her, tila natamaan siya ng isang malakas na kidlat.