Mystic Academy: The Prophecy of the Bond (TBU 'til further notice)

The Eastern Archives

Caprice Terra

After that breakfast, everyone went to the respective places they had to be in. Tita Zenobia to the garden, Zion with his siblings—even though he was just forced to—and me with king Heinrich to his chancery.

"The chroniclers will arrive tomorrow." Panimula niya, "I hope you won't mind waiting 'til then before we open the archives."

"Wala pong problema 'yun." Iling ko, "Malaking tulong na nga po ang pagbibigay niyo ng permiso para maghanap kami dun. Kaya ko namang maghintay."

He nodded in appreciation, "Alright. But I can't have them open for too long. The archives of every kingdom are kept secret for a reason. I hope you'll understand."

"Of course." Tango ko, "Kinausap na rin naman kami ni mom tungkol dun." Lahat ng sikreto ng realm ay nakatago sa mga archives ng mga kaharian. They cannot be all kept in one place which will make them vulnerable. Kapag sa Central Kingdom lang ito itatago, isang pagpasok lang para nakawin ito ay makukuha na nito lahat.

The realm's secrets are scattered along with the secrets each kingdom has for their respective territories. Kaya mahigpit ang pagbabantay rito ng mga kaharian, dahil kapag napunta ito sa maling mga kamay maaari nitong sirain ang kapayapaan ng buong realm. Ang kapayapaang sinikap protektahan ng pamilya namin.

"You can start your search by eight in the morning, take a break by noon and continue in the afternoon until four." He scheduled, "Because I'm pretty sure my wife would not allow you to work without eating your proper meals." Mahinang tawa nito at alam kong hindi siya nagbibiro dun dahil kakaexperience ko lang niyan kanina.

Sumang-ayon ako sa set up na 'yun. That should be enough time for a wide search. Mas prefer ko sana mag all-nighter, kahit na hindi naman talaga ako masipag sa mga ganun, gusto ko lang talaga matapos agad. Pero gaya nga ng warning niya, at ni mommy na rin, hindi puwedeng palaging nakabukas ang mga archives dahil delikado.

I would never sacrifice the safety of our home just for my selfish desires.

"Before you leave." Pigil niya sa akin, "I want to make sure you keep the secrets of the Eastern Kingdom within the walls of the archives."

"You have my word." He nodded and I took that as a sign to leave.

Hinanap ko si tita Zenobia para lang naman may makausap ako habang pinapalipas ang oras. Ang boring naman kasi ng wala dito sina Aithne kasi wala ako nahahamon para makipag sparring.

Tinanong ko sa isang servant na napadaan kung nasaan ang garden dahil 'yun ang huling paalam ni tita sakin, kaya sana nandun pa rin siya hanggang ngayon.

"Thank you." Sabi ko sa servant na yumuko at umalis.

Nang nakita ako ni tita na papalapit ay itinigil niya ang kaniyang ginagawa, "Hi, dear. Finished talking with my husband?" Tumango lang ako bilang sagot.

"Ano pong ginagawa niyo?"

She looked back to the plants and back at me again, "Keeping the plants awake."

Bigla akong nalungkot nang napagtanto kung bakit niya kinailangang gawin 'yon.

"I'm sorry." Napayuko ako, "Kung hindi lang sana namin pinilit na gamitin ng sobra ang mga kapangyarihan namin, there wouldn't have been chaos between the elements' domains."

Naramdaman ko ang paghawak niya sa mga balikat ko kaya napaangat ako ng tingin sa kaniya, "You did nothing wrong." Iling nito, "You did your best to keep our home safe. If anything, you should be proud of what you've achieved."