The King's Court

XXXIX

"W-What?" I blinked. Perhaps my facial expression alone could give away what I was thinking and perhaps could confirm what she was meaning to know.

She leaned back in her seat and even the way she stirred her tea gracefully after adding sugar in it screamed power. As if it was telling me lying is futile and she'll find out anyway. What did she mean that I am not Evelyn? How much does she know? There is no way she'd know that I am not the Evelyn from this world. But what if she does know?

"What kind of bargain is that?" I asked, trying to compose myself.  

"The kind that helps you stay alive," she answered.

"Are you threatening me?"

"Not really, no. I am merely helping you."

"This doesn't really help me at all."

"Who exactly are you, Evelyn Diaze?"

I clenched my fist harder. "You know exactly who I am," I answered which earned me a chuckle from her.

"I know you're not the Evelyn that I know."

"And what is your basis for that? You barely know your subjects, Your Majesty, pardon my words."

She waved a dismissive hand as if telling me she doesn't care about what I say anymore.

"Interestingly, I talked to someone last night," she started and I gave her a confused look. She then took something out and placed it on the table.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko habang nakatingin sa bagay sa mesa. My insides went cold as I recognized the object. The last time I had it was before I went back to my world. I gave it to Theon before we parted ways. I left this object to Theon the last time we saw each other.

If Lorence has this, it means she has Theon. If Theon is here, it means Evelyn is here too. They were the ones the Queen met last night. And what happened to Theon? Did she do something to him? Maybe Lorence had them captured. And she took my phone from Theon when she tortured him. Perhaps she tortured the truth out of Theon too. My heart was racing. If anything happened to Theon—

"Does it look familiar to you?" she asked and I pursed my lips. It is clear that she met with the real Evelyn Diaze of this world. Indeed, lying would be futile. There is no use lying to her now when she already knew. 

"I believe you call that a smartphone," she said and I clenched my fists. She grinned, satisfied with my reaction.

"It was hard to make your dear friend talk. Evelyn, on the other hand, told me very interesting things. Like how you're from an entirely different world."

I swallowed. Evelyn--I am going to punch her when I see her. 

"I will tell you the truth and you do your end of the bargain. You ought to let Theon go too. Alive and unharmed."

She angled her head. "Aren't you ambitious? You should give me something in exchange for freeing your dear friend. In exchange for your truth, I told you I would consider the truce, haven't I?"

"Then what do you need in exchange for Theon's freedom?"

She smiled. The kind of smile that you don't expect to see from a cruel Queen.

"I will think about it. I need to use it wisely."

Napalunok naman ako ng laway.

"You're right. I am not Evelyn Diaze. At least not the one you know," I started. Hindi ko mabasa ang ekspresyon sa mukha niya. Kaya nagpatuloy ako, "I don't know how much Evelyn told you but yes, I...I am not from here. This thing—" I took my smartphone, "—is a device common in my place."