Ice Stone Child

03 The PERFLEXION

Habang nagpapaliwanag si Liyah sa harapan tungkol sa Sapsari ay nakita niyang kinakawayan siya ni Yeon Seo.

“Anong meron?” Tanong nito nang lingunin niya ito.

She hesitated to respond to him. Medyo malayo ang agwat nila. It will be hard for her to explain.

Sumenyas ito na lumapit siya na nakapapakunot-noo sa kanya. Ito ang may kailangan sa kanya. Why would she go over to him? Tinitigan niya lang ito ng sandali.

“Kinakausap ka ata ni Yeon Seo? ” Bulong ni Min Yu nang kawayan din ito ni kaibigan nito sabay turo sa kanya.

Naiinis siyang tumitig dito bago naglakad palapit dito. She signed ‘wait’. “Hinahanap nila yung spy dito. They think it was a soul shifter.” Paliwanag niya sabay lakad pabalik sa pwesto niya kanina.

“Sandali, may tanong pa ko. Why are—?”

Naiinis niya inawat ito sa pagsasalita. “Pwede ba, Yeon Seo? Of all the people here, why are asking me about the situation?” Winaksi niya ang kamay nito.

She was about to walk again when she saw Shin Na’s serious face. She followed the direction where the maid was staring. Na kay Liyah ang atensyon nito habang tinatawag nito ang relic. Yeon Seo was distracting her. Kaya hindi niya napanood ng ginawa ni Liyah pagtawag sa Sapsari. She gave him a death glare and decided to stay with them to see the ritual.

“Just don’t talk to me, please. Magtanong ka nalang sa iba, kung pwede?” She snapped at him when he tried to start a conversation.

Nagpormang leon or aso ang usok na mula sa paso at kumapit ito sa kisame. Searching for something. Huminto ito sa diretsyon nila.

She was confused. Bago pa siya makapag-isip ay naramdaman niyang hinawakan siya Yeon Seo. While also holding Shin Na’s hand.

“Just dock when that thing jumps.” He whispered in her left ear.

“Bakit ako yuyuko?” Nalilito niyang tanong.

Tumawa ito sandali. “Can you face that relic?” Pang-aasar nito.

“Why will I do that? Unless you know who the spy is?” She returned the question.

“Hindi iyon ang ibig kong sabihin.” Then he let go of her hand. “Nevermind.” Umatras ito palapit kay Shin Na saka may binulong.

Malakas na sigawan ang narinig niya nang ibalik niya ang tingin sa Sapsari. Before she can even react, it jumped towards them. Ngunit dahil may humila sa kanya palayo sa kaguluhan, nawalan siya nagbalanse kasama ng may-ari ng kamay.

“Min Yu?” Nakayakap ito sa kanya. Dinaluhan naman sila ni Jin Ru para makatayo sila agad habang nagtakbuhan ang tao sa paligid.

Muli siyang hinila ni Min Yu papunta sa likod nito habang sinusundan kaguluhan.

“Anong nangyari?” She was confused. Ilang sandali lang siyang inabala ni Yeon Seo ay marami na siyang nalagpasan.

“Stay at my back. Ayun ang spy.” Tumabi sila kila Yeon Seo na nasa unahan ng mga nanonood ng labanan ng Soul Shifter at mga mage ng Soongrim. He was shielding himself, protecting her from any attack.

She can’t help but smiled. Nang matalo ng spy ang mga salamangkero unang sumugod. He let go of her hand and hurdled in the fight.

Inawat naman siya ni Yeon Seo nang akmang susundan ito. “Kaya na yan ni Min Yu.”

“Of course.” Hindi rin naman siya susugod. She was just shocked.

Tinapos ni Min Yu ang labanan nila nang patalsikin niya ito palayo at ihagis dito ang espada nito.

Everyone was shocked, especially Shin Na. Nag-aalala itong tinignan ni Yeon Seo. Then they left the group walking out of the meeting room’s front yard.

Kaagad naman siyang dinaluhan ni Min Yu nang makita siya nitong nakatayo sa di kalayuan dito.

“Pwede ka nang bumalik sa tinutuluyan nyo? Sasamahan ka nila.” Turo nito sa dalawang mage na tinawag nito. “Keep her safe.” Utos nito sa mga ito saka bumalik sa kanya uli. “Pupuntahan kita agad pagkatapos naming dalhin ito sa examining room.” Turo nito sa bangkay saka naglakad kasama ang ibang mage.

Inakay naman siya palayo ng mga salamangkerong inutusan nito. She was not curious about Min Yu’s work. Pero nagtataka parin siya sa inaakto nina Shin Na at Yeon Seo.

“Saan papunta itong daan na ito?” Tanong niya sa isa sa mga mage habang tinuturo ang dinaanan ng kaibigan ni Min Yu kasama ang katulong nito.

“Papunta yan sa secret room. Doon nakatago ang katawan ni Nakki dati.” Sagot ng isa.

“Pwede ba kong pumasok doon?” Muling tanong niya.

“Pasensya na, Prinsesa Yui, pero kailangan ka naming itago. Kaya di ka po pwedeng umalis ng bahay na ito sa ngayon.” Paliwanag nito, sakto narating na din nila ang pansamantalang bahay niya habang wala pa ang mga bantay niya.

“Okay lang.” She sighed. Nagpanggap siyang nakuntento sa usapan kahit gustong-gusto niyang alamin ang gagawin nila Yeon Seo at Shin Na doon.

Matapos iayos ang ilang unan niya na parang taong natutong sa ilalim ng kumot  sa kama niya ay tumakbo siya papunta sa sekretong silid.

She found it empty. Wala na roon sila Yeon Seo at Shin Na. She was disappointed. Kung nakasunod lang sana siya agad. She would have find out something. She was really curious about Shin Na and her weird attitude.

She was about to leave the secret room when she realized that the table was frozen water. She can use her recall spell. Inipon niya ang lakas niya at pinatong ang kamay niya sa lamesa. She wanted to see if Yeon Seo and Shin Na really came into the room.

Sa tuwing ginagamit niya ang abilidad niyang iyon ay para siyang nanood sa eksenang di naman siya naroon. If before she can only go back to few minutes, right now go for months but she couldn’t. Huminto siya sa pagbasa ng memorya sa yelong lamesa nang makita niya si Yeon Seo. He was walking around the table. Saka tumingin sa kasama nitong si Shin Na.

“Base sa deskripsyon nila Min Yu, mukha ayos pa ang katawan mo. It was frozen here, in the secret room. If we only arrived earlier. Nakompara ko sana kayo ng maayos ng itsura.” Nakangiti nitong panimula.

Tuwa si Shin Na ng mahina. “Kombinsido ka talagang ako si Nakki. What makes you think that. Bukod sa soul shifter mark ko sa mga mata ko?”

“Wala nang ibang soul shifter na umaaligid sa Daeyo kundi ikaw nalang. It wasn’t just coincident that you are here after she escaped Master Park. Hindi ako tanga para di ka makilala agad.” Sagot ng binata.

She smirked. “Okay, fine. Tama ka, ako nga si Nakki, ang nag-iisang shadow assassin. I’ve been thinking why you helped me. Nung una akala ko nagustuhan mo lang talaga ako pero hindi pala. Did Danhu send you?”

She was shocked. Si Nakki pala ang nasa katawan ni Shin Na. So where is the soul of the real Shin Na if the assassin’s body was alone?

“No, no one sent me.” Matipid na sagot ni Yeon Seo.

“So bakit mo nga ako tinutulungan?” Nakki was confused. Nauulinigan niya iyon sa boses nito.

Ang binata naman ang natawa ngayon. “Medyo slow ka pala. I already told you, but I guess you didn’t get the message.” Nilapit nito ang kausap sabay hawak sa balikat nito.

Mabilis naman itong tinanggal ang kamay nito. Nalilito parin ito. “Don’t tell me, you really fell for me. Hindi ako maniniwala. Lalo’t kitang kita kung paano mo landiin si Prinsesa Yui. Halatadong—”

Her eyebrows raised. Pati ba naman siya pinag-uusapan nito? Nilalandi siya ni Yeon Seo? Kailan? She just realized something on what Nakki said. But she hold her thoughts and then continue recalling.

“Let’s not talk about her. To make it clear, this wasn’t about my feelings. Tungkol ito sa iba?” He explained.

“Tungkol saan naman iyon?”

“It’s about pride. To make it short, I need a master who will break the spell in my gate of energy. Hanggang sa makilala kita, Nakki. I want you to be my master.”

Natawa ito ng malakas. “The son of Jang Ki Yeon of Soongrim is asking me, an assassin, to be his master? Nagbibiro ka ba?”

Umiling siya bago sumagot. “Kung di mo pa alam, lilinawin ko uli. You will be my master who will open your pupil’s gate of energy and help him master spells. As your pupil, I keep you safe and hidden. Magandang relasyon, di ba? Pareho tayong makikinabang.”

“I’m not interested.” She quickly replied.

“If you don’t want to be my master. Baka gusto mong maging asawa ko? Would you like that instead?”

“Shut up.” Naiinis nito sambit. She glared at him.

So this why he try to tell her to wait. Kung hindi pala papayag si Nakki na maging master nito ay aayain ito ng binata ng kasal. She sighed deeply. Somehow she regret knowing their secrets.

“I heard you visited too many masters and got kicked out every single time. Dahil siguro yun sa tikas ng ulo mo? Like how you are doing that?” Nakki commented with a smirk.

He smiled too. “Depende iyon sa sitwasyon. I was not kicked out most of the time. Kusa akong umaalis. Simpleng rason lang, hindi nila ako tuturuan o matutulungan sa kondisyon ko. But you can and you have a lot of weakness that I can use to against you. You also have the skills and the energy I need. Luckily, the greatest flaws you have right now is your existence. Sa oras na may makilala sayo sa Daeyo, katapusan mo na.”

“Tama ka uli. You must be smart at a situation like this but I forget that I can still kill you.” Humakbang ito palapit sa kanya.

Unfortunately, he was prepared for this kind of scene. Naglakad din ito palapit sa dalaga. “You really choose violence, every time, Nakki. You really live up to your second name, merciless.”

“Talaga. Then I guess, I was still in the right path. Saka hindi kasama sa personality kong maging matulungin.”

“I never expected that from you. Well, I guess I have no choice but...” Sagot nito habang naglalakad palayo dito at hinila nito ang lock ng silid. It takes a long time.

She wanted to see more but she could feel her knees shaking, signaling that she was almost on her limit. Hindi siya pwedeng nawalan ng malay. Aside from getting caught sneaking, she will blow her chance with Min Yu. Speaking of him, he must be on his way to her place.

Nang lumabas siya sa secret room, naabutan niyang nagkakagulo ang ilang mage sa labas ng meeting room. “Wala talagang ginawang maayos itong si Yeon Seo. Sinira pa ang relic na hiniram natin sa Jinyowan.” Narinig niyang wika ng isa mga ito.

She sighed and used the scene to run back to her room. Nagtagumpay naman siya at mabilis na humiga sa kama niya. When she was about to fall asleep she heard someone trying to enter her room.

Pumorma siyang lalaban. Nakahinga lang siya nang maluwag nang makilala niya iyon.

It was Yeon Seo. Meron itong tinataguan. It must be Master Park. Narinig niya rin ang mga sigaw nito matapos ang mga tili galing sa loob ng silid pulungan. She was just really focused on running.

“Anong ginagawa mo dyan?” Tanong niya dito.

“Sandali lang—ahh!” Sigaw nito nang magulat sa kanya. Na nagpagising sa mga bantay niya.

Kaagad naman niyang hinila si Yeon Seo sa isang kabinet sa silid at pinatago doon. “Stay here.” Sabay takbo sa higaan niya at nagkunwaring tulog.

As she closed her eyes, the mage get in her room. Matapos siya silipin ng bantay niya ay umikot ito sandali sa paligid niya at umalis ito.

“Yeon Seo.” Binuksan niya agad ang pinto ng pinatataguan nito.

“Ang tagal naman nun. Namanhid na mga binti ko. Why are they guarding you anyway?” Sunod sunod nitong wika.

“Ssshhhh. Kaya mo bang tumayo?” Tanong niya. Suddenly she noticed his height and closet’s. He was obviously too big for it.

“Pano ko naman masasagot yan?” Balik-tanong nito.

She sighed. “You do, realized that I just helped you.”

Bahagyang itong nahiya. “Yeah. Okay, I’ll try.” Saka dahan-dahang lumabas sa kabinet pero sandali lang itong nakatayo.

Inalalayan naman niya ito agad para hindi makagawa ng ingay. Ngunit di niya rin kinaya ang bigat ito. He is taller and heavier than her. At hindi rin siya sana’y magbuhat ng mga bagay-bagay.

Natumba silang sabay sa sahig. He was on top of her. Pero kontrolado nito ang sarili nito. Naitungkod nito ang dalawang braso nito.

She was cornered, literally. Ngunit kaya naman niyang makaalis doon. But she was so stunned, noticing the distance between their faces.

She felt something familiar. Tulad iyon nang naramdaman niya nung magkatitigan sila sa bintana ng Chwireonsu. She was magnetized by his eyes.

Bago pa siya masaway ang sarili sa nararamdaman ay may humila bigla kay Yeon Seon palayo sa kanya. It was Min Yu. Tinayo rin siya nito.

“Ayos ka lang?” He looked at her from head to toe. Saka bumaling sa kaibigan nito. “I thought, you were an intruder. Muntik na kitang saktan.”

“Sorry.” Tangi sagot nito nang di tumitingin sa kanya. His cheeks were turning red.

Wala sa loob niyang sinalat iyon. “Are you okay? Sinong humahabol sayo?”

Humahangos na dumating si Master Park at pinikot sa tainga ang kausap niya. “Akala mo ata matatakasan mo ko. Wala ka talagang—”

“Ano pong nangyari?” Pag-usisa niya kahit nahuhulaan na niya ang dahilan.

“Binasag ni Yeon Seo ang paso ng Sapsari. He said, he was just looking.” Kwento ni Min Yu.

Muli siyang bumaling kay Yeon Seo. Looking for a regret but there isn’t. She guessed, she need to get along. Malamang ay binasag nito ang paso para mawalan ng kontrol ang relic sa kaluluwa nito.

It must have found Nakki. At base sa usapan ng mga ito sa nakita niya ay napapayag siguro nito ang dalaga sa gusto nito. She can’t help him on his situation so she will ignored what she found.

“I can fix the relic’s vase.” She offered as it crossed her mind without hesitation.

“Really? Ang dami mo naman palang—”

“Yes. I have learn a lot in country. Pati ang simpleng pag-ayos sa isang kagamitan ng relic ay may kaalaman ako.” She plainly replied while staring at Yeon Seo.

Inalis nito ang kamay ni Master Park at lumapit sa kanya. “I am thanking you, right now.” Ginagap nito ang mga kamay niya ng mahigpit. Inakay din siya nito palabas sa kwarto niya kahit wala pang sagot ang mga kasama nito.

Sinalubong sila ng isang mage sa labas ng meeting room. “Naihatid na po namin sa labas ng Soongrim si Binibining Jin.” Pagbabalita nito kay Master Park na nasa likuran lang nila.

Humugot ito ng malalim na hinga bago bumaling sa kanya. “Paumanhin, Prinsesa Yui. Can you wait for tomorrow to help us?” Nalulungkot na sabi nito.

“No problem. Anytime naman po pwede ako.” She smiled.

“You better be good to Princess Yui. Di ko na talaga alam kung saan ka pupulutin, Yeon Seo. Wala ka talaga pinipiling araw.” Master Park pulled both of Yeon Seo’s ears and bring him to a private room.

Natatawa siyang sinundan ito ng tingin. Napahinto lang siya nang mapansin niyang nakatitig sa kanya si Min Yu. “Hi.” Naiilang siyang bati dito.

Tinitigan lang siya nito saka naglakad palabas sa silid pulungan. She don’t know what to do so she just followed him slowly. Na parang may kasalanan siyang ginawa dito.

“Asan si Yeon Seo?” Humahangos na tanong ni Jin Ru habang buhat ang walang malay na ni Shin Na.

Nilapitan niya ito agad at sinalat sa noo. Her was still warm. Nilalagnat ito. Sapsari must have almost touched her. Binalikan niya si Min Yu sa kinatatayuan nito.

“Pwede mo ba siyang pagalingin?” Tanong niya dito.

Min Yu sighed and took Shin Na from his friend’s arms. Dinala nito ang dalaga sa isang silid. He placed her in a empty bench.

Hinila siya nito. “Be her pillow.” Pinaupo siya sa uluhan nito habang hawak ang ulo ng walang malay na dalaga. Pumuwesto nito sa kanya sa tapos niya at hinawakan ang ulo ni Shin Na.

After a few seconds, he stands up. “Tara, ihahatid na kita.” He took her hand.

She nodded. Saka sumenyas kay Jin Ru na tulungan siya. Dalidali namang inaalalayan ni Jin Ru ng ulo ni Shin Na para makatayo siya at makasunod kay Min Yu. She ran to his side.

Awkwardly, she tried to follow his pace. Huminto naman ito nang mapansing nahihirapan siyang sundan ito. He stared at her, again.

“Are you mad at me or something?” Sa wakas ay maisatinig niya rin. “You could have said some—”

Bigla namang umamo ang mukha nito. “No. Mukha ba akong galit?”

“You’re not talking to me like your usual. I noticed your judging stare since you found Yeon Seo in my room. Parang nahuli mo ako sa maling gawain. But I realized, you must be just shocked. At narinig ko sa mga usapan ng mage sa tinutuluyan kong istrikto ka pero di ka palaimik. And yet I also heard that you are friendly, like you never get angry. Did you ever--?”

He stopped her from talking by hugging her. Tahimik lang siyang niyakap nito. Like he was consoling her on something.

As much as she wanted to enjoy his embrace. Nalilito siya sa inaasta nito. She was more worried than confused.

He sighed as he let her go. “Alam kong tumakas ka kanina. Do you even know how scared I was, finding out that it was just a pillow? Akala ko may kumuha sayo. Then I realized, you even set the pillows like that so maybe—”

She can’t help but laughed. “Are you being serious? Nag-aalala ako sa ibang bagay. You looked so mad but you never did.”

Natawa narin ito. “I almost was. Pero kinalma ko ang sarili ko. I tried to be rational. At tama naman ako ng ginawa.”

“I’m really sorry about that, to be honest, I sneaked to look for Yeon Seo. Nag-aalala ako sa kanya. The maid she had was really off.” She explained.

“You also noticed that. Akala ko, ako lang. I’ve been friends with him and I never see him with someone who gets along with someone he just met days ago. Pero siyempre, iba tayo. We have a lot of common.”

She laughed again. “I know. I mean, you noticed that too. Minsan lang bigla-bigla kang nawawala sa mood. So I was just like, backing off, give you some space.”

“I am really sorry about that. Sobrang napapaisip lang talaga ako dito.” Paumanhin nito sabay labas sa bulsa nito ng isang pito pero kakaiba iyon, hugis ibon iyon. “I gave this to someone but I found it from a stranger. I almost forgot about her until this reminded me.”

Wala sa loob niyang hinawakan ang mukha nito. She wanted to make him feel her comfort. Hinawakan naman nito ang kamay niya.

“You really are something.” He smiled sadly. “I wanted to tell you everything, more like, I feel like I can.”

“I guess, I should be thankful. Well, I have my ways to know everything about you. Pero mas magandang sayo ko marinig. If you haven’t heard, I can read memories.” Pagyayabang niya. She really likes him now.

Akmang sasagot ito nang marinig nila ang palakpak sa di kalayuan. “Wow. Parang nanonood kami ng drama.”

She turned to the source of interruption and prepare for her death glare. Natigilan siya nang makilala ito. It was Yeon Seo carrying Shin Na.

Nilapitan niya ang mga ito. “Ayos na ba siya?”

Bahagya nitong nilayo ang buhat nito. “Hey, distance. Kailangan niya lang magpahinga.”

“You should be thankful to Princess Yui. Siya ang nakapansin ng kalagayan ni Shin Na. And I healed her.” Singit ni Min Yu. Then he held her hand.

“I was just being careful. Anyway, salamat sa lahat. We should go.” Paalam nito. And he walked away.

She sighed then held back Min Yu’s hand.

“Are you worried about him or her?” Min Yu joked after Yeon Seo disappeared from the distance.

“Both.” Sabay silang natawa sa naging takbo ng usapan. “I didn’t really mean it in a bad way.”

Tumango lang ito habang inaakay siya sa paglalakad muli.

Pareho silang nagpahinga agad nang makarating sila sa tuluyan niya. He also slept there with the other mage. Pareho silang may ngiting natulog sa kwarto nila.

***

Kinabukasan pumunta sila sa Jinyowan para tumulong sa pag-aayos ng paso ng Sapsari kasama si Poli at Bina. Sinalubong sila ni Liyah.

“Hindi nyo kasama si Yeon Seo?” Malungkot nitong wika.

“Hindi, Liyah. May parusa siya sa Soongrim kaya naiwan siya. He have to work for 24 hours there. Kahit tutulungan naman siya ni Yui.” Paliwanag ni Min Yu dito.

“Maraming salamat, Prinsesa Yui, sa pag-alok ng tulong. Yeon Seo will surely be in big trouble if my mother have to fix it.” Pagpapasalamat nito.

“Walang anuman. He was a real troublemaker. At lapitin talaga ako ng ganoon.” Sagot niya.

“Lapitin ng ano?” Nalilito nitong tanong.

“I mean, I am a Princess of Gaenda. I usually offer help.” She answered with a confused face like her. Tinignan niya si Min Yu para tanungin sana ito. But Liyah interrupted her.

“Meron bang namamagitan sainyo? You seems to know him even though you just arrived at Daeyo. Kung ako ang tata—"

“I’ve met him once before. And..” Tinatantya niya kung pwede niya bang ikwento dito ang unang pagkikita nila. When she was about to tell her she felt Min Yu breathe in her hair. Tinapik siya nito para ipalala ang pakay nila. “Where is the relic, by the way?” She changed the topic.

“Of course, let’s go. This way please.” She pointed their way to Jinyowan’s storage.

Sinundan nila ito. Nang makalagpas sila sa isang garden ay kumanan sila papasok sa isang bakod. Huminto ito sa isang pader na natatakpan ng mga halaman at may kinumpas ito sa tapat nito. The planted vines wall suddenly move away. At tumambad sa kanila ang isang bilog na pinto. Dahan-dahang iyong bumukas.

Liyah walked inside and signed to them to follow her. She leads them to where the broken jar is. “If you hear anything, just ignore them. Minsan nagsasalita ang mga relic. They can be persuasive if they need to. Aantayin ko kayo sa labas. I must guard the gate.”

Inikot niya ang paningin niya nang mawala na sa harap nila ang dalaga. She felt familiar in all of the things she saw on their way. Na parang nakita na niya ang mga ito kahit alam niyang hindi pa siya nakakarating doon sa buong buhay niya.

“Yui?” Min Yu tapped her shoulder again.

Nilingon niya ito at tumango. Ignoring the unpleasant but sad feeling lingering in her chest. Humugot siya nang malalim na hinga bago pumuwesto sa tapat ng kinalalagyan ng basag na paso. Binulong niya ang pakay bilang panimula ng ritual at kumumpas hanggang kusang mabuo ang nasirang lagayan.

She closed her eyes and suddenly a memory recalled in head. May isang batang babae na masayang tumatakbo kasama ang isang maliit na leon. She was playing with him in a small lake. Fast forward, the lion grown up with girl. At isang araw may biglang pumana sa leon at may humila palayo sa dalaga palayo sa nag-aagaw buhay na hayop habang ito umiiyak. They  were surrounded by a group of angry people throwing stones at a lifeless animal accusing it of a lot of crimes.

Sinubukang magpaliwanag ng dalaga pero hindi ito pinapansin ng mga tao. Lalong humagulgol ng iyak ang dalaga nang simulang sabuyan ng gaas ng mga natatandang lalaki ang walang buhay na leon. She begging for them to stop. Gusto nitong ilibing ang alaga. Hindi niya namalayang tumutulo na pala ang kuha sa mga mata niya.

“Yui? Prinsesa Yui!?” Sigaw ni Min Yu nang bigla siya napaupo. Nagulat ito sa nangyari sa kanya at tinayo siya. “Are you sure you can do this?”

Tumango lang siya saka humawak sa mga braso nito. Her knees were suddenly felt weak. Sa hindi sinasadyang paraan ay nabasa niya ang huling alaala ng Sapsari. She knew it was it. At unang pagkakataon hindi niya kinailangan ng kahit anong anyong tubig sa paligid niya.

Min Yu returned to his stand again. Tahimik itong nakamasid sa kanya sa di kalayuan kanya. She wiped her tears and repeat the ritual.

“Sapsari? Pwede ka nang umuwi.” Tawag niya ang maaari ng lagayan.

Nilingon niya ito at akmang hahakbang siya palapit dito nang may biglang humawak na kamay niya.

“Seolli? Paano ka nabuhay?” Tanong nito nang lingunin naman niya ay hindi niya makita ang mukha nito. Something blocking her eyes but she knew the owner of voice. Nagising lang siya nang tawagin siya ni Min Yu uli.

“Yui? Ayos ka lang?” Hinila siya nito palayo sa nadaanan niyang salamin.

“Min Yu? Narinig mo bang nagsalita yung salamin?” Tanong niya nang makalapit dito.

“Hindi. I think we should go.” Sagot nito mabilis na naglakad palabas ng lugar habang hila siya.

She felt a familiar scared feeling. Pero hindi maalala kung saan niya naramdaman iyon. She usually have stranger feeling to ancient artifacts but never in a relic.

Sinalubong sila ni Liyah nang nag-aalalang mukha. “Anong nangyari? Nandito ang Mama ko kanina. She felt something weird and she asked me who is inside. Sabi ko ikaw at Min Yu lang.” Turo nito sa pinanggalingan nila. “Sabi niya isara ko daw agad ang pinto paglabas niyo?” Mabilis itong kumumpas nang makalabas na sila.

Dinala sila sa isang pavilion ng Jinyowan para makapagpahinga. “Inumin mo raw ito sabi ng Mama ko. She prepared a special tea for you so you can regain your lose energy.” Inabutan siya ng inumin sa ibang palayok.

She wanted to refused, she felt something weird. Pinaghandaan sila ng snack ng Ina ni Liyah pero hindi sila kinausap. She was hesitated when she felt a gentle voice saying, “It’s safe. Don’t worry.”

“You don’t have to if you don’t like it.” Min Yu whispered.

She smiled and drank the tea. Bigla siyang nakadama ng kapayapaan. Combining the voice gentleness and his face.

Paglabas nila Jinyowan ay sinalubong silang isang di kilalang karawahe. Lumabas doon ng isang di katandaang babae. Maamo at nakangiti ang mukha nito.

“Magandang umaga, Prinsesa Yui. Ako ang Headmistress ng Jang Family. Gusto sana kitang imbitahan sa Jang Residence bilang pasasalamat sa pagtulong sa aming Young Master.” Masayang bungad nito sa kanila.

“Can I take Min Yu and my maids?” Unang lumabas sa bibig niya. She wanted to explain when she noticed Yeon Seo inside the carriage, she halted.

“Yes po, anything for you, Princess Yui.” Sagot nito habang sumenyas para paunahin siyang umupo. She smiled.

The carriage was not that big. Pero kasya silang anim sa loob. Nasa kanang bahagi siya ng karawahe at napapagitnaan siya mga alalay niya habang nasa kaliwa naman sila Yeon Seo, Headmistress Kim at Min Yu. It was also comfortable enough for her to fell asleep.

***

Nagising siya sa di niya kilalang higaan. She hastily stood. At tinanong ang sarili kung nasaan siya.

She found herself walking on a clear yard as she reminisced her memories a few hours ago. Meron itong ilang bulaklak pero iisang uri lang at kulay dilaw. She picked up some and took the petals then let them fall with winds as it blew.

Natigilan siya ginagawa nang makita niyang nakamasid sa kanya si Yeon Seo mula sa balkonahe ng silid na nilabasan niya. She was magnetized by his gaze again. Sinaway niya uli ang sarili bago pa siya mahulog sa lalim ng pagtitig nito.

“Nasaan si Min Yu?” She asked while avoiding his eyes. Kailangan niyang ituon ang atensyon niya sa iba para maiwasan ang pang-aakit nito.

She have her priorities and so is he. At pareho nilang hindi kailangan ang isa’t isa. They both needed different things at the same time.

She sighed. Hindi naisip na magkakadama siya nang pagsisisi tuwing makikita niyang masaya ang binata kasama si Nakki na nasa katawan ni Shin Na. She have Min Yu but her mind was somehow occupied with Yeon Seo’s business.

She was always curious whenever she heard news about him. Tulad nalang nang marinig niyang may nabasag itong relic. She was torn between running out from her room and sprinting to the meeting room to look for him.

“Hi. Are you feeling okay?” Nilapitan siya nito saka sinuri. He was checking every inch of her and stop in her lips.

Umatras siya palayo dito. She turned to him with a narrowed brow. “Paraan saan yun?”

“Just checking you.” Muling siya tinignan nito sa labi niya. “I can still have the mage’s eyes and I noticed you have ingested some kind of tea. It seems like a good thing.”

Tinitigan niya rin ito. “I guess, you senses was not locked too. Just your energy.” Bahagya siyang matawa sa nasabi niya.

“Are you trying to… make me laugh?” Nalilito nitong tanong. “I could say, it’s kinda funny but it’s not my humor.”

Muli siyang natawa. “Thanks. I mean, I wasn’t joking.” Saka siya naglakad pa balik sa loob ng bahay nito.

“Sandali.” Hinila siya nito pabalik nang lumagpas siya sa harap nito. “I wanted to thank you for helping me out. Hindi ko in-expect na tutulong mo ko uli. Hindi naman tayo magkakilala talaga.”

“You would help me out if you were me. I mean, sinubukan mo din ako tulungan noong nangailangan din ako.” She replied while tapping his hand. She tried not to remind him he was powerless.

“It’s fine. I enjoy talking with you, mostly.” He held her hand and turned her in front of him. “Did you and Min Yu start planning your wedding?”

“Hindi pa.” She sighed. “I mean, I wanted to give him time, to think. Isa pa, meron siya responsibilidad dito.”

Tumango lang ito. “Good to know but do you have the time to wait? I heard you, urgently needed a husband before or on your birthday. Hindi naman sa nangingialam ako, pwede mo namang sabihin iyon kay Min Yu.”

“You know. When? How? I mean—”

“I visited your country, twice. I heard about a lot of things. Halos ikaw lang ang usapan ng mga tao sainyo.” He smiled cutely.

“Min Yu doesn’t need to know. Isa pa, meron pa kong sampung buwan. I want him to be willing to be my husband. That is the least I can do to him. Tingin mo ba, tatangihan ako ni  Min Yu?” She explained to him. She didn’t want him to worry.

He has his own problems and he still has time to be concerned about her. She was touched. Hindi naman pala mababaw at pasaway ito. He has kindness and politeness too like everyone else.

“Your cheeks were turning red. Are you sure you're okay?” He cupped her face. Inspecting for any unusual source of her red face.