REBIRTH OF THE REBEL [ Book Three ]

CHAPTER 4

[ C H A P T E R 4 ]

LATISHA VALENTINE

The truth can't be kept hidden, either for a short while or permanently. Kahit anong pilit mang itago ang totoo, kusa itong gagapang papunta sa liwanag at harapin ang buong mundo. No matter how much effort people try to hide the stain that can ruin their status in life, there will always be traces.

I never spill that truth to anyone, even to the duke himself. Wala akong karapatan banggitin kung ano man ang aking narinig dahil unang-una, wala akong kinalaman sa nangyari. Pangalawa, hindi basta-basta pwedeng magsalita lalo pa at tungkol ito sa isang kasalanan na siyang guguho sa buong sinasakupan ng Imperyo.

But, being silent is a sin. Saving oneself from the situation and being selfish for the plea of the dukedom was a sin. It's something that is not entirely apart from treason.

I don't know if Roshan knew it already, but his parents didn't even reach the Railstone marine port, their carriage was attacked mid-way. The report that the Medusa's ship sailed at the exact time, and it was eaten by the sea fifteen days after sail was a hoax.

If it was true, then Mother would have been dead. It has been a long-term plan of the Moore Clan to take over the dukedom, and my mother was the first person who disguised herself as the Duchess' friend. My mother was with them that time, and ever since then, I haven't seen her. Ang sabi ay alam ni ama kung nasaan ang aming ina. At bukod doon, lagi sinasabi sa akin na buhay ito.

She's alive, I know she is alive somewhere.

If what Laviene said was the truth, and our mother is currently being sought by anonymous people, then she's practically in danger. Pero, sino naman ang tumutugis sa kanya?

Someone in the Imperial Court? But why? Bakit ngayon lang kumilos ang mga ito para hanapin ang nag-iisang saksi sa pagkamatay ng mga magulang ni Roshan? Who is looking for you, mother?

"Should we look for her?" tanong ni Laviene.

Nasa patio kami ng bahay at pinagmamasdan ang pagbaba ng araw. Nakaupo ako sa isang duyan habang pinagmamasdan ang paglubog, at nakatayo naman si Laviene ilang metro ang layo sa akin.

"No, we can't," I simply said. My voice didn't even stretch that much because I was already determined before she asked it. "If they are looking for our mother, they might also know what she really is. We need to avoid being seen, even if the world forgets who I was, as much as possible, we stay discreet until I give birth."

"Boring," Laviene mumbled. She crossed her arms and legs to balance herself. The wind blows a bit harshly because it will be dark any time soon. "We don't know what's happening out there, our alliance has been cut off. You only have that silent boy seeking intel in towns and if I didn't help, would you know about mother? I am reliable, Latisha."

Here we are again, she's still insisting she wanted to go out and find more information instead of staying in the house, nagging me. Maliban diyan, alam kung gusto niya lang talagang maghanap ng katawan na aangkop sa kanya.

I've been thinking about it for a couple of days, but I'm truly worried about the capabilities of Laviene. She may be predictable at some point, but she always has a hidden agenda.

"Hindi ka ba talaga makontento sa anong kayang hawakan ng kapangyarihan mo? Why are you so eager to become stronger? So you can kill me and become the only powerful Mage of Moore Clan?" saad ko, hindi ko naman sinadyang ihalo ang disgusto subalit nabuburyo ako sa ugali niya.

Laviene looked at me. "You always have your guard up because you think I will kill you, indeed, totoo naman, gusto kitang patayin talaga. But, have you ever considered that because of you being too controlling, we are in this situation?" saad niya.