CLOAKED IN ROYALTY

Chapter Six

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"This is probably the first time that I saw you laugh like that." Ibinalik niya kaninang posisyon niya. His chin on his palm and stared at me with a smile. "You should do that daily. But, only for me to see."

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Chapter six

"Are you okay?" salubong na tanong ni Al nang makaupo ako sa harap ng hapag kainan.

I softly nodded and quietly sat. Nagsimula nang gumalaw ang mga tagasilbi at naglagay ng mga grandeng pagkain sa mesa. The table is quite long. Maraming upuan subalit kami lamang ni Al ang nakaupo. We're far away from each other.

Nasa dulo siya ng mahabang mesa at ganoon din ako na nasa kabilang dulo kaharap niya. It was kind of awkward dahil titig na titig siya sakin habang abala ang mga tagasilbi.

Hindi ko na natiis ang titig niya na kung siguro'y kutsilyo lamang ay kanina pa ako natusok.

"W-what is it?" tanong ko habang nakatitig rin sa kaniya.

He shook his head and smiled, "Have you received the invitation?"

Invitation? Saan?

Napakunot ang noo ko. He probably noticed my reaction that's why he called a servant over and told something. Tumango ang tagasilbi at dali-daling umalis.

"There will be a palace banquet in the neighboring kingdom. It was their Crown Prince's birthday. Only the high ranking and important people are invited." He explained. After a while, a brown envelope was handed to me.

Binuksan ko ito at binasa. It was indeed an invitation letter. Both Al and Julius's name was written in there. Alvien Madelle, huh? That was his full name.

"How about it? Sasama ka? If you don't want to, it's okay."

Itinaas ko ang tingin sa kaniya, "Yeah, why not? They've sent an invitation and it would be disrespectful to reject."

Napansin kong natahimik silang lahat sa sinabi ko. Even Al was stunned, the servants doing their job on the table stopped for a moment but then continued again, and the knights guarding beside froze. What's wrong with what I said ba?

'Because you usually reject all the invitation letters sent to you. To the real Julius, I mean.'

I heard a voice. I just realized it was the dragon's. He's probably beside me, hindi ko lang alam kung nasaan banda. He's invisible and he's using telepathy to communicate with me.

'Really? What's the reason?' tanong ko rin sa isipan.

'Tinatamad raw siya. Mas gugustuhin pa niyang matulog buong araw kaysa lumabas at makinig sa walang kuwentang salita ng mga maharlikang iyon. Iyan ang palagi niyang sinasabi. Kaya si Al lang palagi ang mag-isang umaalis at dumadalo sa mga kaarawan o anumang imbitasyon."

Napanganga ako habang nakatitig sa pagkain. That's why they were surprised! Shit, can I take back what I said?

"Nasabi mo na, eh." simpleng sagot ni Raven sa isipan ko.

"I-I mean...matagal naman na hindi ako nakadalo sa mga ganitong okasyon kaya gusto ko lang mawili kahit minsan." I said, trying my best to find an excuse.

Al smiled and nodded. Madali naman pala 'tong kausap, eh.

"Hindi. Naramdaman ko ang bugso ng damdamin niya, he was confused for a moment." Raven said to my mind again. I cursed.

The palace banquet will happen tomorrow. Nakalagay sa imbitasyon na hapon ito magaganap.

"Right, your sisters will be there. Narinig kong hindi raw makakadalo ang Ama't Ina dahil may pinagkakaabalahan gayung hindi maganda ang kalusugan ni Ama. Do you wanted to visit them some time?" tanong niya pagkatapos uminom ng tubig.