The Song of Teardrops (Van Doren Series #3)

Chapter Twenty-seven

Refuge

"I should go back inside..." Draven said. Umalis siya sa pagkakasandal sa puno bago ako binigyan ng maliit na yuko. "It looks I have nothing to worry here. Enjoy the rest of the evening... Thalia."

I nodded at him. Ngumiti siya at naglakad na papalayo. Tahimik ko siyang sinundan hanggang sa maakabot ulit siya sa bulwagan. I quietly hid behind the hall's door and watch everyone dance. 

Napangiti ako.

"No tears..." I quietly murmured.

Oh, to witness the past to be this beautiful, while in the future, there's only uncertainty. Sinong mula sa malupit na hinaharap ang hindi gustong manatili nalang rito?

Maybe this was the reason why the Goddess of Tears was only born right before King Cassius death. Maybe this was the reason why I was born so late in time... To mark the end of peace and pure joy just as this.

Dahil sa hinaharap, walang katapusan na ang pagtulo ng mga luha.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at umalis na sa kinatatayuan. Hinanap ko ulit Draven, pero hindi ko na siya nakita pa. I tried to search for him again above the balcony of the hall where King Cassius was now standing. He was raising his cup to other Kings while a wizard stands behind him. Tumuon ang atensyon kay Lady Tauriel na naglalakad pababa sa hagdang mula roon. Nakahawak siya sa lumulubo niyang tiyan.

Mas lalo ko pang nakuperma ngayon na buntis nga siya. She was pregnant in this early life of hers... and still looks like a Princess. Nabanggit niya sakin noon na isang prinsesa nga ang trato sa kanya kung hindi lang lumantad ang tunay niyang pagkatao na may dugong dyosa rin siya. Hindi sana nawala sa kanya ang titulong ito at ang kanyang posisyon.

She was a Princess before she became just a Lady.

Was this how she and King Cassius met? They met when she was still a Princess? And... Who's child was she carrying? Kailanman ay hindi niya nabanggit ang tungkol rito...

"All hail!"

Nawala sa tingin ko si Lady Tauriel at napunta sa balkonahe kung saan nakatayo ang tunay na Haring Cassius kasama ang iba pang may mga matataas na karangalan rito... Ang may mga katauhang namumuno sa kulay ng pula, pilak, tanso, at puti.

A wizard with a long, long beard step foot in front and raised his cup to everyone.

"All hail to our valiant King Cassius for prospering Astraea!" He proclaimed. The entire hall went silent as everyone looked up to him with gladness on their faces.

"A toast! Long live the King! Forever may he reign!"

Everyone cheered. Even the ones in the balcony also turned to the King and cheered. Malakas ang naging sigawan ng lahat at nagtaas rin ng kanya-kanyang mga kopita. Sabay-sabay rin silang uminom at pumalakpak para sa Hari.

Forever may he reign. I don't know why but what he said scared me. Now that I know that choosing eternity would cost you so much.

"The King will now have his remarks!" The wizard said and step aside.

Naglakad sa harapan si Haring Cassius na may ngiti sa labi bago itinaas rin ang kopita para sa lahat. Napahakbang ako palikod at mas piniling manatili sa gilid kaysa sa pumagitna rin. He stared at the crowd beneath him before he spoke.

"Forever... will be a very long time for common King, Sullivan. I don't think I will last that long..." He said. "...but for the five kingdoms, who am I to forsake this honor?"

"To whatever war or forces in nature may come to us..." He raised his cup. "A toast for the five kingdoms."

"Cheers!"