The King's Court

LVI

The way to the city was easy. Getting to the port and not getting recognized was hard. We managed to escape our abductors and we somehow knew of the plans that Sader was brewing but we knew that the danger was far from over. 

Lorence, apparently, knows a lot of secret passages that helped us conceal ourselves from the public eye. The Queen of Solaris is hiding from her own people. Hindi ko alam kung anong nararamdaman ni Lorence sa ngayon. But as I saw her earlier, I saw nothing but determination and frustration. One thing I know for sure is that she's going to kick the council's ass for what they caused. 

Rinig na rinig namin ang mga tao sa paligid habang naglalakad kami sa isang eskinita. Even as we were doing our best to hide, we still had to cover our faces. We can't risk anything with the situation now. 

We knew that Sader was working with Orville--two council members from different Kingdoms. Whatever their reason for working together is, we don't know for sure. At the moment, Lorence is hell-bent on taking back her position as the Queen of her people. 

Ngunit dahil kontrolado na ng Council ang kaharian, halos lahat ng mga tao ay naniniwala na sa mga kasinungalingan nila. How Lorence will navigate through it still remains a mystery. 

"There's a tunnel that could lead us straight to my chamber," she said to no one in particular but we all nodded. Going back to the palace might not be a good idea but we trust Lorence. And I've seen her fight. There is no doubt she can single-handedly flip the council members. 

Kaya naman sumunod lang kami sa kanya hanggang sa nakarating kami sa pinakasulok na eskinita. Judging from the surroundings, it doesn't look like it's a place frequent of people. 

"Are you saying that we're going straight to the place that is full of people who conspired to abduct you?" Theon asked and Lorence stopped to face him. 

There was just fierce determination on her face that Theon blinked, realizing that he didn't need to get the answers from Lorence. That it's clear what Lorence is going to do. 

"I am going to remind them who is in charge. Should they refuse then I have no problem beating their asses." 

I clamped my lips to stop myself from chuckling. 

Lorence faced the entrance and then stopped, eyeing the locks. Nagkatinginan kaming lahat habang hinihintay siyang buksan ito. 

Then she started chuckling. "It seems that Nikolas and Leon are already out of the palace. Leon seems to have led them out." 

Nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag nang sabihin niya iyon. 

"I don't know what the Council have against Nikolas and Leon but I am going to find out and clear the air once and for all. It's time for this madness to stop." 

With one easy pull, Lorence pulled the door open at agad kaming sumunod sa kanya papunta sa loob. 

As we navigated through the twists and turns, my mind kept wandering on Nikolas, Leon, and Mark. Wherever they are, I am just wishing that they are safe. And that I long to see them as soon as possible. 

Habang naglalakad kami, Lorence couldn't help but notice the signs that Nikolas, Leon, Markus, and the guards had indeed passed through the passageway. The freshly-used torches discarded on the side were clear indications. 

I think it might have been almost an hour of walking until we finally reached a number of stairs.

Sinundan pa rin namin si Lorence at nang makarating kami sa itaas ay itinulak niya ang pader. At first, I thought it wouldn't budge but then it started to move and we were greeted by the dark but posh chamber.