The Ruler of Westeria

Kabanata 31

Xiomara

Napahawak na lang ako sa ulo ko nang makaramdam ng pagkirot nito. Flashbacks started surging in my mind of what happened in the execution stage. My desperation to save Alec drove me to unleash the power and manifestation of Dashrath. 

Pinakiramdaman ko muna ang sarili ko. I used to feel frail and exhausted even though I'm not doing much. At my current condition, my body felt light and somehow energized. Maybe it was due to the reopening of my blocked spiritual veins. 

Everything went out of hand. Maraming maaaring hindi maganap dahil sa pagbalik ng kapangyarihan ko. Kahit kalahati lang ang nagbalik ay sapat na iyon upang yanigin ang buong Westeria. This overwhelming power will grow and everyone will become wary of it. 

Nanunot sa ilong ko ang amoy ng bulaklak kaya iminulat ko ang mata ko. My eyes landed on the burning incense on the left side of my bed. I'm guessing it was an incense of a lavender flower which gives a calming effect to anyone who inhales it. Inilibot ko ang paningin ko and that's when I realize this wasn't my room at all. 

The room was full of torches on the arched posts and scarlet candle lights on the table and floor. The walls were filled of paintings and portraits of the rising sun in different angle. The ceilings were a depiction of the moon engulfing the sun, people who are painted in white and those in the shadows. 

This looks like the villain's room as I described in the—

"I guess I have to take you with me, sweetheart." 

My lips parted when I suddenly remembered someone whispering those words to me. If I remembered it correctly, Alexius managed to appear just like what the novel says, but he barely made it. He was late!

Dumako ang paningin ko sa bintana. It was dark and I can see the twinned moon from the window. Napahinga ako nang malalim. Talagang dinala niya ako rito. The land of Zahartha with everlasting nights. 

I was about to stood up when I saw a small papyrus paper folded in the table. Walang pagaalinlangan ko itong kinuha at binuksan upang basahin. 

Stay in bed and don't go elsewhere. Save your breath and don't try to escape. Be obedient and you will be rewarded. 

Love from your villain

Be obedient and you will be rewarded? Anong klaseng reward ba tinutukoy niya? 

Napairap ako sa kawalan. I stood up and immediately walk out of the room. Ang unang sumagi kaagad sa isip ko ay si Alec. Remembering how much he suffered for me, I clenched my fist.  I can only be relieved if he's doing fine. And if I remembered it correctly, he was taken with me. I just need to find him.

Paglabas ko ng kwarto ay walang kahit anino ng mga tao ang nasa corridor. There are no guards or maids, just torchlights on the wall. Hindi na ako nagtaka. In the Zaharthan palace, there are no needs for guards because whoever tried to trespass will end up dead. 

Habang naglalakad ako ay saka ko lang napansin ang suot ko. A black hanfu. The cross collar had a golden outer lining and the sash was embroidered using a golden thread shaped like a snow flake. The sleeve aren't lose, and the thin robe was made of silk. 

Nagkibitbalikat na lang ako. I was okay with the clothing, it was comfortable and I was able to move freely lalo na't hindi gaano kabigat ang tela na gamit dito. Kapagkuwan ay bigla akong napahawak sa buhok ko nang maramdaman kong medyo mabigat ang ulo ko. 

My hair was tied into a low bun. There are two strands of hair dangling in front of my face. Nagtaka naman ako nang may makapa akong bakal na nakausli sa buhok ko. When I took it from my hair it turns out it was just an antique golden hairpin that looks like a dragon or was it a snake?