INCENSE

Chapter 16

“No, No! I can walk on my own. Just put me down.” I said. Hindi niya ako pinansin at tuloy lang ito sa paglakad. After a while, I gave in.

“On the second floor, on the right corner, the third door. That is my room.” I said.

Ang tahimik. Only the two of us are in the middle of the hallway. I’m embarrassed. Mabuti na lang at walang tao. We are now up on the stairs. Hindi ba siya nabibigatan sa akin? Nakakahiya. Though he doesn’t respond, I’m still thankful that he helps me but it’s too much. He’s kinda familiar to me. Nang makarating na kami sa harap ng pinto ay siya mismo ang nagbukas at pinaupo niya ako sa gilid ng kama.

“Thank you for your kindness, sir. May I know your name? so I can repay you.” I said.

“You guess.” He said. What a mysterious man. Tumalikod na ito at akmang lalakad na siya palabas ng hinablot ko ang laylayan ng damit nito.

“Ah, wait. I’m sorry but have we met before?” I asked. Binitawan ko na ang laylayan ng damit nito.

“No, your highness.”

“I cannot let my savior go without knowing his name.”

“Is that an order?”

“Yes.”

“What if I decline.”

“You’ll get punish for defying my orders.”

“Ahaha, really.”

“What’s the matter?” humarap ito sa akin at lumuhod. He suddenly kneeled down and kiss the back of my hand.

“My name is Caius Grey Laurier, your highness. I am the lord of the north. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He said.

Tumaas ang balahibo ko. What did he just say? He was the lord of the north?! That notorious tyrant?! It was him?! Before I could react, someone knocked on the door.

Someone is coming.

“Don’t’ tell anyone. This is our little secret. Till we meet again, princess.” He said and immediately jump off the window. Wait, second floor ito!

“Princess, are you here?” I think it’s Jain calling me.

“Yes, Jain, you may come in.”

“I’m sorry, princess kung ngayon lang ako. Hinanap kita pero hindi na kita mahagilap sa ball. Sabi ni Emi lumabas ka daw sa exit so I thought bumalik kana sa room mo.” Sabi niya.

“Ah, yes. Sumakit na kasi ang paa ko kaya bumalik na ako dito.”

“Oh, my. Please forgive my negligence.”

“It’s okay, no worries.”

“Masakit pa ba ang paa mo?”

“Ah, hindi na. Someone helps me.”

“Sino?”

“I forgot to ask his name.”

“Sa kanya ba nanggaling ang panyo na ito?” tinanggal niya ang panyong nakabalot sa paa ko. Mukhang effective ang inilagay niyang ointment. Wala na ang pamamaga.
“Yes. It is.”

“That’s good your highness, akala ko kung napano kana. That person really took care of you.  Anyway, I’ll just bring here the food. I’ll tell the king that you are now resting in your room. Please excuse me.” Jain said at lumabas na siya ng kwarto ko.

“Yes, thank you. Jain.”

The shivers are still running down my spine. I'm not sure whether I should be grateful that he helped me or think of him as our mortal enemy. I have no idea what he was thinking as he helped me. I must maintain my vigilance. He's untrustworthy. Looking at him, he appears to be a vicious person who can sneak up on you like a snake without your knowledge and wrap you up until you are unable to escape. Pero kung masamang tao siya, he should kill me right away ng makita niya ako but instead he helps me and carry me all the way in my room. I don’t get it? It still seems strange for someone to start a war and then simply retreat. He will be able to easily rule the word if he keeps going. Yet why? What exactly does he intend? They are the strongest, but they leave us alone right away, giving us credit and backing. Para niya lang pinaglaruan kami. Sooner or later, he might control us from the inside. This is a disaster pagnangyari ito. I’ll find father tomorrow and tell him I’ll join the meetings onwards. It's possible that we don't know what he has in mind. He should be taken seriously. What if sa susunod na pagkikita namin ay may masamang mangyari? This is bad. I hope not. I hope hindi na kami magkikita muli.