INCENSE

Chapter 14

“Yes, your highness. Is there anything you want?” Jain said. Pinapasok ko siya dahil may kailangan akong ipagawa sa kanya though Emi would be better pero madami siyang ginagawa. Kaya ko naman sana na ako mismo ang gagawa pero I’m restricted to see the guests so wala akong magagawa. Hinilot-hilot ko ang ulo ko. Ugh, sumasakit ang ulo ko sa kakaisip.

“Princess, are you okay.” Jain asked.

“No. By the way, other than the north, is there anyone else who uses white owls as delivery birds? "I asked.

"I believed only the northerners can use and own white owls since these birds are living there and I think no other countries can use it as trained delivery birds but instead they use it as a pet. Why did you ask, your majesty?"
"Are there any northerners among the ones who arrived today who have white hair and red eyes? "

"Your highness, I don't think there are any northerners who have red eyes and white hair that arrived today."

“You know my father, he must not trust too much since he is easily tricked with flattery. However, kindly inform father that he must keep a watch on the northerners because we might not realize they are hiding something and put us in danger.”

“Yes, your highness, I’ll take note of that.”

Napaisip ako. Kung hindi sa kanya nanggaling perhaps one of the northerners who arrived today is playing jokes on me, but I need concrete proof. If I send someone to look for them knowing that northerners are cold-blooded creatures, it may be dangerous. What now?

Naputol ang pag-iisip ko ng biglang pumasok si Emi na may dala-dalang papeles. Looking at her, she seems pissed?

“Sorry for the intrusion, your highness. I want to know your opinion regarding the suggestion to donate land to the Himalaya orphanage.”

“Yes, thank you. I’ll read it first.” She handed me the paper.

“Okay ka lang ba Emi?” tanong ni Jain.

“Argghh! No. I’m not okay. I’m really pissed off right now.” Sumantik ang kilay nito. Other than when she encountered boys, I never saw Emi get angry.

“Why? What happened?” Jain asked.

“There this chestnut shorty boy who is rudely roaming around the palace and we accidently bumped into each other. Hindi ko naman siya dapat masasagi kung hindi siya naging malikot. Seeing his monkey face makes my blood boils. Akala niya sa kanya yung daan. Yung bubwit nay un, hindi man niya lang ako tinulungan sa mga nahulog kong mga papeles.  Tsk, that jerk. I’ll teach him the hard way if I see him again.” Emi said.

“Do you know him?” Jain asked Emi.

“Nope and I don’t need to know his name.” taray na sagot nito.

I chuckle will reading her report. Sino kaya yung maswerteng lalaking yun? Kahit nakikinig lang ako sa kanila ay napapansin ko na there are being true to themselves. Hindi nila kailangan itago sa akin kung ano sila. Jain is quiet and unsociable; she is not cold but is genuinely compassionate and a warming person. Emi is professional at work but unladylike when not. I wish they could meet someone who could love them even more than I do.

“Ladies, I would like you to look for someone who is a northerner. He has white hair and red eyes.” I announced.

“Northerner with white hair and red eyes? I believe, your highness. It’s a rare appearance even in other nation with having both a white hair and a red eye.” Emi replied.

“Do you know his name?” Jain asked.

“His name is Grey Laurier.”

“Hmm, I think I hear that name somewhere but don’t worry princess, we’ll find him. By the way, is he acquainted to you?” Emi said.

“"He’s someone I met from my previous residence. All I wanted to know was where he was. I believe he is a merchant.”  I said.

“Do you like him, your highness?” Jain said.

“No, not really. He’s just a friend. I’m just concerned. I was just wondering if he’s with the northerners who arrived today but it was not.” I explained.

“Don’t be sad your highness, we’ll look for him for you.” Emi said and rubbed my back.
“If you ever can’t find him, that’s okay. You don’t have to push yourselves.” I said.

“Yes, princess.” They said in chorus.

Do I look sad? Bakit ako nalulungkot? Bakit hinahanap ko siya? Why do I look concerned? He has his life on his own. But deep inside my heart, may bumabagabag; kung bumalik ba siya at dinat an niya ako na wala na ako doon at kung hinahanap niya ba ako? There is nothing special but why do I treasure someone who leaves like that? I still don’t know why? I touch the tip of the tea cup, I looked the light brown tea. It has a soothing aroma. Yung masasabi mong hinahanap at hahanapin mo. He looks like the tea and I am a tea cup, matched together but for drinking purposes only.

“I’m not sad, nor I like him and wanting to see him. He’s the man that I don’t want to fall in love with.”