Underworld War

Chapter 22 - First Fall

The blood moon was a symbol of our impending doom. But it didn't seem like it.  I was actually so amazed by its sudden appearance despite its meaning.

The sleepless nights continued. Pakiramdam ko ay lumala nga iyon dahil halos hindi na ako natutulog. The disturbance was very evident in my face and movements but I tried to mask it.

I wake up every day with just a 3 hour sleep and then proceed to my trainings as if I wasn't bothered by insomniac nights. Kailangan ko atang magpatingin. Baka sobrang nadepress ako sa mga nalalaman ko at nangyayari rito.

Napansin ko ang matagal na pagtitig sa'kin ng katabi kong si Reyah habang nasa klase ni Amir, "What?" I asked, which I think came out like a spat.

"Are you okay? Your hands are shaking." Turo niya sa kamay ko na nakapatong sa'king hita.

Instinctively, I hid it behind me. "Okay lang. I just missed breakfast."

Mukhang naniwala naman siya kaya tumango tango siya. Nakita ko ang sandaling pagsulyap sa'min ni Amir kaya umayos ako ng upo. Iniisip niya yata na nagchichismis kami.

"There will be an announcement later so make sure to proceed at the open field before tending to your errands." The last coach told us before leaving.

An announcement? Why do I have a bad feeling about this one?

Kahit na masama ang pakiramdam ko ay tumungo parin ako roon mag-isa. People started flocking according to their levels. It's an unspoken rule whenever there's a formal gathering.

Lumingon ako nang may kumalabit sa'kin. Si Lyko pala. He pointed at the small podium set up for the spokesperson of the King and Queen. He's present whenever they're too busy to do it themselves.

"Why?" Tanong ko.

"We should go there."

"Do we have to?"

"I think so."

Kahit naguguluhan ay sumunod ako sa kaniya at umalis sa tipon ng mga tao.

Nang makarating sa gilid ng podium ay nakita kami ng spokesperson. Agad siyang ngumiti at nilahad ang kamay bilang pagpapakilala.

"Your Majesty, I was sent by the Queen to inform the trainees upon the wedding."

My heart boomed at his news. Right! The wedding. Ano pa ba ang pwedeng dahilan kaya pinadala siya rito? Of course, it's to announce our formal wedding.

People thought that we were already wedded in private, but no. It never really happened. But for the sake of keeping the family's credibility, we will make a public wedding.

Now, I wonder how the people might react. Especially that the wedding will be days from now. Magiging masaya kaya sila para sa'min? 'O gaya noong una nilang reaksyon?

They questioned my ability as a princess and as a future queen. They questioned everything about me and favored someone else. The latter hurt more than the prejudice they showed me.

I don't know how they can judge someone like me when they don't even know me. The basis of their judgements were solely based old paradigms and stereotypes.

I felt degraded. And judged without proper observance. They don't know me and the things I can and cannot do.

"Ehem." The spokesperson began to gather their attention. "Good Holy Afternoon Greetings to you, fighters of Agreassine, hope of our nation. I have an important announcement from the King and Queen."

He paused for a moment to unroll a scroll infront of him and cleared his throat before reading the letter out loud, "A formal and public wedding will be held outside the bridge in three days time for our scion, Lyko Geiselhart, and his wife, Samantha Faye Geiselhart."