DemonxHuman

Chapter 2

I felt exhausted after putting on all the long, vintage attire layers. The dress looked presentable when I saw myself in the full-length mirror. The garment was white, and the edges were all burgundy. I also applied my makeup and donned a simple accessory.

Hindi ko maiwasang maalala si ina habang nakatingin ako sa repleksyon ko. Maging si Yveli na isang Babaylan ay naalala ko. Siya ang tumulong sa akin sa mga panahong nag-iisa ako. Siya rin ang nagsabi sa kahihinatnan ng aking kapalaran at gumagabay na maisakatuparan ang nakatadhana sa aking palad. I don't know where she is, but she said she is everywhere, watching all my decisions. Hindi niya ko pwedeng tulungan sa mga hakbang ko dahil maaari siyang mawalan ng kapangyarihan.

"Sigurado ka na ba sa gagawin mo?" Aren asked behind. He looked worried, but I gave him an assurance smile and told him to relax.

Humarap ako sa kaniya at pinagmasdan ang suot niyang Shawl Collars na tuxedo. Magkaterno kami ng kasuotan dahil ako rin ang bumili.

"I need to do it. Kailangang hindi makuha ni Emperor Damascke ang dyamante," paliwanag ko. Aren just kept standing beside me but after a few seconds, he took the seat next to me.

It is already seven in the evening. We silently wait for the tower to ring the bourbon bell, which signals that the castle gate is ready to open.

Pumikit si Aren, "Just be careful. I hate trouble-and by the way, I already found the book of Werzenia."

"Don't tell me you went inside the Palace?" may babala kong tanong.

"No," matipid niyang sagot.

Hindi na ako nagtanong dahil alam kong may isang salita si Aren. We know each other well. He's been following me for three months since I helped him in Nasca. He has never been a burden, but sometimes he obstructs my plans.

Right.

Last week, I was trying to find a book about Werzenia. There are three books I wish to read, and the one that Crend mentions has a map of Werzenia, where we currently live. Crend introduced me to a trader named Bermude. I have never met anybody as obnoxious as he is. He had a reputation for selling illegal books.

Hindi ako nagtagumpay na mauto si Bermuda, kaya iniisip ko tuloy kung saan nakuha ni Aren ang libro. Impossible naman na nag-usap sila ni Crend dahil hindi komportable si Aren sa ibang tao. Sa tatlong buwan na magkasama kami kabisado ko na ang kaniyang ugali. Umiiwas si Aren at hindi namamansin sa tuwing hindi niya nagustuhan ang itinanong sa kaniya, or ayaw niyang pag-usapan ang isang bagay. And Crend is a very talkative child, so Aren can't handle her even for a second.

Inalalayan ako ni Aren na sumakay sa puting karwahe dahil nag-umpisa ng tumunog ang kampana senyales na handa na ang palasyo. Habang umaandar ang sasakyan namin hindi ko maiwasang pagpawisan dahil sa mga emosyon na nararamdaman ko.

I exhaled and composed myself.

We arrived at the north wings of the castle where the guards informed us to wait in the first Bailey for the next announcement. Madaming tao sa paligid subalit agaw pansin ang ilang Rajah na namumuo sa ibang bansa ng Werzenia. Balita ko itong okasyon ang unang pagdiriwang na magaganap sa loob ng siyam na buwan.

Nagkaroon kasi ng kaguluhan sa Werzenia magmula ng humiwalay ang Demon realm sa Union Nations. Akala nila magkakaroon ng hidwaan at digmaan sa pagitan ng dalawang sector subalit nagsalita si Sultan Macter na walang magaganap na labanan sa pagitan ng dalawang realm ngunit kasalungat sa totoong nangyayari. Alam kong bilang na lang ang araw at magdedeklara na si Emperor Damascke ng madugong digmaan. Sigurado ako dahil kanang kamay niya ang aking ama.

My father used to tell me everything about his work, but one day he stopped seeing me and devoted his time to our Emperor. It was the first time that I felt neglected. While my mother felt hurt, so she always cried, and my two sisters despite him.