[√]Lady of the White Rose

5: Spoiled Brat

VESPER

"I'm sorry? What did you just say?"

Nalilitong tanong ko dito. Ngunit hindi ako pinansin ng Grand Mage at inutusan ang isa pang magician na kanina pa masamang nakatingin sa akin.

The Grand Mage instructed him to get another crystal ball which he immediately followed without question. Gusto ko magtanong kung ano'ng ibig sabihin no'ng sinabi niyang sira ang krystal. At kung ano'ng ibig sabihin ng naganap kanina sa krystal.

Didn't it just glowed? I don't understand.

Nang dumating ang bagong krystal ay pinalitan nila ito at pinaulit sa akin ang ginawa ko kanina. Kahit naguguluhan ay sinunod ko na lamang sila. I place my hand again in the crystal ball.

However, this time the ball didn't glowed with beautiful different colors. It glowed a bright white light and then vanish into thin air like nothing happened.

Is it really true that the crystal ball a while ago was broken? Since the next crystal didn't glowed just like the first.

I heard the snicker of the magician behind me. I know him. He's the one who's been showing hostility towards me though I don't know why. At first I didn't mind him but now that I heard him snicker behind me it makes me want to snap his neck. He's getting on my nerves!

"I see."

Napunta kay Grand Mage Suarez ang atensyon ko nang tumalikod ito at pumunta sa direksyon ng aking ama. Sinamaan ko muna ng tingin 'yong magician sa likuran ko bago sumunod sa Grand Mage.

"I'm sorry, Your Grace, but it seems like the young lady doesn't possess any kind of talent for magic." Paumanhin nito ngunit halata naman sa mga mata niya that he's looking down to my father.

I heard that magicians often look down to knights ever since the foundation of the Kingdom and vice versa. Magicians and Knights had their feuds since the ancient times. I wonder how father felt when I told him that I want to be a magician when we're a family of knights?

"Not even a slightest bit at that. Mas mabuti sigurong mag explore pa siya ng ibang bagay because maybe her talent lies in other things. For example, swordmanship? Hohoho, considering your family I bet it will be easy peasy for the young lady to master it. It seems like magic isn't suited for the Frontera family!"

"Is that so?" Tila baliwalang sambit ng aking ama. Tila wala lamang ito sa kanya ang mga pasimpleng pang-iinsulto nito.

"Huwag ka mag-alala hindi lang naman kayong pamilya ang hindi biniyayaan ng talento sa mahika, marami pang iba diyan! It just means that magic isn't for everyone, not even for spoiled brats - I mean frail young ladies of noble families such as yours, hohoho!"

Did he just said spoiled brats, didn't he?

This damn old hog dares look down on my family just because they can somehow use some magic!

I glared at his back but it seems like he didn't notice my presence. When my father's eyes turn towards me, my eyes completely change to normal. Gone were the murderous aura I exude a moment ago.

"Father!" Mabilis akong lumapit sa tabi niya. "I... I'm sorry."

Napayuko ako. Tila nahihiya dahil inabala ko pa talaga ito kahit na sobrang busy na niya. He even took a day off today just to come with to the Magic Tower and swallowed his pride as a knight to ask these magicians for a favor for me to take their test. Hindi ko na alam kung papaano pa ito haharapin ngayon. Kahit pa sabihin niya na ayos lang na gawin ko kung ano man ang naisin ng puso ko, pakiramdam ko hindi pa rin tama na nabigo ako.

I'm his daughter and my failure will reflect to our family image. Dahil sa ginawa ko, madudumihan lamang ang magandang imahe ng pamilya namin.

Unconsciously, while thinking about all those things, tears roll down from my eyes. I only notice them when father wipe my cheek for me. And when he raise my chin so that we can see eye to eye, his warm gaze and gentle smile welcome me.

"My daughter, it's fine. You did great."

I bite my lower lip and tear up even more. Stupid father, he thinks that it will make me happy if he did that?

Stupid... Of course, it will make me happy. So happy that I can't help but cry.

"Why don't you go first to the carriage and wait me there? May pag-uusapan pa kami ng Grand Mage, hmm?"

I nodded after wiping the tears from my eyes. The Grand Mage then ask one of the magician na samahan akong bumaba ng Magic Tower. Mag p-protesta sana ako dahil 'yong magician na kanina pa masama ang tingin sa'kin ang napag-utusan niya ngunit nang makita ko ang nakangiting mukha ng aking ama ay hindi na ako nakapag-protesta pa.

Binalingan ko ng huling tingin ang aking ama bago sumunod sa magician palabas ng silid. Tahimik lamang kaming naglalakad hanggang sa makarating sa teleportation circle at pababa sa unang palapag.

The first floor of the Magic Tower was silent, gone were the mages that was here a while ago when we arrived. Tila nga ay isang abandonadong gusali kung titignan dahil walang katao-tao sa paligid.

Nagtataka kong tinignan ang magician sa harap ko nang bigla itong tumigil sa paglalakad.

"Ikaw," sambit nito sa hindi kaaya-ayang tono. Isang masamang tingin din ang ipinukol nito sa akin like I'm the most detestable person in his eyes. "Hindi kita gusto. At kailanman ay hinding-hindi ko magugustuhan ang mga kagaya mong anak mayayaman na walang ginawa kundi ang abusuhin ang posisyon niyo, tsk! When in fact you're just nothing but a spoiled brat who only have wealth and connection! You know nothing about the world!"

Usually, I don't get pissed nor angry with that kind of childish remarks. In fact, I once took pride with how lavish and luxurious I spend my family's fortune like water, but now hearing it from the mouth of this complete stranger I've met for the first time raise my blood pressure to the highest level. Tila umakyat lahat ng dugo ko sa galit.

Tinignan ko ito mula ulo hanggang paa. Luma na ang itim na cloak na suot niya, I even notice a few places that was sewn and patched with a new fabric. It's old and he looks shabby and dirty like how a commoner looks like.

In contrast to my appearance, he looks like a rag. The fabric used for my dress is the most expensive and rarest silk there is in the entire continent. And he dares look down on me?

"So it's true, that birds with the same feathers, flock together. You have the same insolent tongue with the Grand Mage Suarez." I raise my chin as I walk towards him, I only stop when we're only a few inches away from each other. I pointed my index finger to his shoulder and push him slightly.

"You better be careful who you glare with, not everyone is as benevolent as me. If it were the other noble children, they might have already pluck that impertinent eyes of yours. Remember, I'm only letting go of your insolence because I am gracious enough to let it slide. So, lower that damn gaze of yours."