Echoes of the Abyss (Delaney Series #2)

Chapter 13: Connection

Connection

Adelaide's POV

"Bakit kailangan kong pumunta ng palasyo?" Tanong ko kay Leon, habang nasa labas kami ng mansyon. "May problema ba?"

Being a town leader means you have to be involved in everything that the city is facing, I have to be there every time the Empress summons all the leaders.

"I think the city is facing a threat," Leon answered and then he held my right hand. "Let's go?"

I nodded.

He stared at me before a gentle smile formed on his lips. "You look dazzling, flower," he suddenly said.

I looked at what I was wearing, ganoon pa rin naman ang suot ko at walang bago sa aking mukha. "Huh?"

"Huh?" Ulit niya sa sinabi ko.

One thing I noticed from him was he liked mocking me. Hindi naman ako nagagalit.

We traveled for a day to reach their palace.
When we entered the palace's huge gates, I was stunned to see how beautiful everything looked.

The walls were built with... ice?? But it looked so strong and everything was crystallized. The palace was glowing and at the back of it was a tall tower that was shining too.

"You like the palace?" Leon asked, he was still holding my hand.

"Oo," sang ayon ko. "Leon, hindi ka ba nahihiya?"

He turned to look at me, shocked because of my question. "I-is there something I need to be embarrassed about?"

That was the first time I heard him stutter.

"Eh kasi, tumitingin na yung mga guwardiya sa atin, baka ano pa ang isipin nila," I pointed to the guards who obviously was looking at us. "Hawak ka ng hawak sa kamay ko eh," I bit my lip.

Bumuga siya ng hangin bago tumingala, he was much taller than me but I could see his smile while he was looking up. He used his free hand and formed it into a fist before trying to cover his mouth to hide his smile.

"Nakikita ko pa rin ang ngiti mo," I said in monotone.

"Damn..." he said and then he fixed himself. "You're so innocent and cute..."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. "Bakit ba?"

He smiled before ruffling my long hair. "Our guards can only look at us, my flower, besides, why would I be embarrassed?" He said. "It's your hand that I'm holding, there's nothing to be embarrassed about that."

Umawang ang labi ko. "Bahala ka," saad ko na lang at hinayaan siyang hawakan ang kamay ko.

I felt my cheeks burning and I had to pretend that I was looking at the surroundings so he wouldn't see it.

"Naririnig ko ang pag ngiti mo, Leon," reklamo ko dahil rinig na rinig ko siya sa gilid ko.

"What? I can't smile now?" Nakangiti niya pa rin na tanong.

He's always smiling and laughing when he's with me, kung iba yung kausap niya palagi nalang siyang nakasimangot at blangko ang tingin.

"Ewan ko sayo, nasisiraan ka na ng bait," I told him.

I bowed my head to greet the two empresses and the other town leaders when I entered the council chambers together with Leon.

"Adelaide!" Nag liwanag ang mga mata ni Empress Victoria nang makita niya ako. Agad siyang tumayo at lumapit sa akin upang bigyan ako ng mahigpit na yakap.

"I'm so glad you're here," she smiled sweetly after hugging me.

"Nagagalak po akong makita kayo," nakangiti ko ring saad.