The Ruler of Westeria

TROW 11| Poison

Xiomara

I crossed my arms looking at the deranged assassin who was kneeling in front of my brother, wrists tied with a rope around his back. I don't really know what's up with him. He's facing Xiovenn, the current ruler of Ozlevine, the head of the household. 

And yet. . . he looks so calm as if he's not about to die in my brother's hand for attempting to murder me. 

"Asking who ordered him would be useless." Iyon ang unang katagang binitawan ng kapatid ko matapos ng ilang minutong pakikipagtitigan dito. 

Nakita ko naman ang pag ngisi ni Alec. It was as if he already expected it to happen. Kumunot nang bahagya ang noo ko nang may maalala ako. I never made a character like him. No one by the name of Alexei Alhagar exists in my novel. 

Who the hell is he? 

"Your highness," Bati ng isang lalaki. Saglit itong tumingin kay Alec bago binalik ang tingin sa kapatid ko. He slightly bowed his head and greeted us. 

"Anong balita, Noe?" Kurap mata akong napatingin sa kakarating na lalaki. Noe Crosus, the Regional Deputy. 

"The Faction of Serpents were all wiped out." He reported. Nakagat ko ang ibabang bahagi ng labi ko. 

It turns out they were investigating about the incident where I woke up as Xiomara being kidnapped. Faction of Serpents, the group of people who were just a victim of deception.

"However, I heard that there is one among them who left the faction before the abduction." Mukha namang nabuhay si Xiovenn. 

"Have you found out who he is?" Tumango naman si Noe. 

"It was a wanderer, and an independent assassin. They call him Nightfall, Alexei Alhagar." Napatingin kaagad ako kay Alec. 

A wanderer? Independent assassin? Nightfall? Who the hell created that character?

"Yep." Alec admitted to himself popping the 'p'. 

"That's me. Alexei Alhagar." He proudly introduced himself in a conceited manner. 

Sabay na napatingin si Xiovenn at Noe kay Alec na nakakibitbalikat lang. "As an independent assassin, I take orders from clients but it's still up to me weather I kill them or not." Alec stood up with his hands still tied. 

"I don't see any reason why I should kill her," Saglit itong sumulayap sa akin bago ibalik ang tingin kay Xiovenn. "She seems kind and harmless. Therefore, I decided to spare her life." Walang bahid ng kasinungalingan nitong wika. 

I rolled my eyes heavenwards. A moment ago he sounds so flirty and incredibly annoying and now he's formal and rational. The duality of this person. 

"Why should I believe you?" 

"Because you have no choice." Sagot nito sa kapatid ko. 

"The Faction of Serpents once served the Westerian Czar," panimula ni Xiovenn habang nagbubuklat ng memorial sa mesa niya. 

"Does she have something to do with you as well?" Alec tilt his head and with a sheepish smile on his face. 

"What do you think?" Matagal na nagtitigan ang mga ito. 

Napatingin naman ako kay Noe na kamot-kamot ang batok niya habang nakatingin sa hawak niyang pocket watch. 

I frowned when a realization hit me. Ang ibig niya bang sabihin ay may kinalaman ang Westerian Czar sa pagtangka sa buhay ko? Why would she want me dead? 

Hindi makapaniwalang umawang ang bibig ko. Huwag mo sabihing gusto niya ako ipapatay dahil hindi matanggap ng pride niya na ininsulto ko siya? O hindi kaya naging hadlang ako upang maisakatuparan ang kagustuhan niyang magpakasal sa isa sa mga Arkon? Kung gayon ay ang kitid naman 'ata ng utak niya?