Legend of the Black Chrysanthemum

Chapter 3

Thanatos

Alam ng House Assembly na hindi mo sinadya ang pagpatay ng usang reno, Prinsesa Zane. Ngunit may nilabag ka pa rin na batas, Kamahalan. Kailangan mo pa ring parusahan.

Tandang tanda ko pa rin ang mga salitang 'yon ni ama. I was punished. I was prohibited to go outside the mansion and do anything part of the training. I was stagnant for a week. The things I did were mere sleeping, eating, and reading books.

Itiniklop ko ang binabasang libro nang makarinig akong may tumatawag sa akin. Si Esperanza.

"Kamahalan, pinapapunta ka ni haring Nikoló sa bulawagan. Aniya'y may nais siyang ipabatid sa'yo."

Kinuha ko ang tasa ng kape at sumimsim dito. "Susunod ako."

Nasisiguro kong tungkol sa pagsasanay ang magiging pag-uusap namin ni ama. Lalo na at malapit na akong maglakbay patungo sa kastilyo ng Cajuelan.

Nang maubos ko ang tsaa ay tuluyan na akong lumakad patungong bulawaga. Naabutan nakaupo si ama sa kaniyang trono. Tahimik niya akong pinagmamasdan. Binabantayan ang bawat galaw ko

I bowed before him. "Your majesty, it is my pleasure being summoned in this royal hall."

"What did you do these past few days since you were being punished?"

"I read books about improving my battle skills, your highness." Nanatili akong nakayuko.

I was lying. The books I read were romance book. I am currently reading a book that tells a myth of a mermaid who feeds on falling maple leaves from the maple trees near the lagoon. I am having good read so far but I bet it will be a tragic one.

"Your training shall start again tomorrow. Behold for Tiburcio will not be your trainer anymore but his son."

I smirked when I heard such news. I will be having a new trainer. Mang Tiburcio's son. I hope it would be the eldest one.

"Pardon your highness. May I ask who is that son of Mang Tiburcio' that will train me starting tomorrow?"

"Pag-uusapan pa ng mga Agapé ang tungkol d'yan. Maari ka nang lumabas ng bulwagan, Prinsesa Zane."

"Masusunod po..."

And as I should, I walked elegantly.

"Esperanza!!!!"

"K-Kamahalan! Nakakagulat po kayo! Muntik ki nang mabitiwan itong plorera!"

Nang mailpag muli ni Esperanza ang plorerang pinipunasan ay doon ko walang humpay na niyugyog ang kaniyang balikat.

"K-Kamahalan, ang sakit po sa balikat..."

I stopped shaking her shoulders. Pero nagpatuloy ako sa pagtili. I jumped on my bed and rolled every of me. Si Esperanza nama'y tila nagugulohan sa kaniyang nasasaksihan.

"Ano pong nangyari at nagkakagan'yan kayo?" she asked when I finally calmed down.

"Esperanza! Mukhang si Thanatos na ang magsasanay sa'kin bukas! Mang Tiburcio has some kind of arthritis and he needs to rest for a while! Esperanza! Hindi na ako makakapag-antay na sumapit ang bukas!"

"Mukhang naiintindihan ko na ang sinasabi mo noong may mga mata ka kay Thanatos—"

"Ginoong Thanatos!" I gave her a piercing eyes.

"—kay Ginoong Thanatos. Tila may gusto ka po kay Ginoo."

I smirked.

"Yes. And I want you to keep it as our own little secret, Esperanza. I don't want to cause any trouble. Alam naman nating may katipan na ito."