A Happily Ever After

Chapter Thirty-Three

JESSA

The man's vessel is definitely bigger on the inside.

From outside, it only looked like an unassuming and non-threatening wooden ship floating on waters. But now that we stepped aboard, I can't help but be distracted at how humongous everything suddenly looked.

From my spot, the dirty white sails flapping above the wodden masts towers over everything, like a blanket ready to cover everything up. The main deck in front of us is cluttered with numerous items, gallons, and people—yes, people—running on and about as the man leads us the way to somewhere.

It's quite funny. I've seen numerous unbelievable animals, monsters, and places in this goddamn universe but a literal ship is the one that almost left me stoned. It feels like we are on a movie set with a million budget for production.

However, I wasn't able to marvel enough about the ship. Tuloy tuloy ang lakad naming lahat habang sinusundan ang lalaki sa ibabang bahagi ng main deck. Pinasok nila si Stefan sa isang pintuan, at wala na kaming nagawa kundi tumigil sa harap. Tanging si Selene lang nakasunod sa loob dahil sa medical knowledge ni Hoderlia, so she insisted on assisting Stefan.

Nang lumabas ni Christopher ay kinausap muna ulit kami ng lalaki.

"Please be patient. We'll do everything I can. I've handled worse cases than this."

My entire body is still shaking from all the shock from the battle ring of Prince Ellis. Minamasahe naman ni Jonah ang balikat ko, halatang gusto akong pakalmahin.

"He'll be fine, my dear." The man finally addressed me. "Make yourself comfortable in my ship. No one could hurt you here."

He gave us a shallow smile before entering the room and locked the door.

Nanahimik kaming natirang apat sa labas ng pintuan. Only the splashing waves from the outside and the creaking of numerous footsteps from above deck echoed between us.

I closed my fists and took a big shaky breath. Sobrang daming nangyari. How is someone supposed to keep up in this kind of world? Patagal nang patagal, parang lalong mahirap magtiwala sa mga sasabihin ng iba. The jerk of a Prince promised a fair and honorable fight between two men... pero isa sa kanila ngayon ay halos nasa bangin na ng.. ng...

I pressed my palm over my forehead and tried to blink away the sudden headache. Napaupo ako sa lapag.

"Ate." Jonah whispered. "Deep breath."

"Kanina pa ako nag-deep breath. But it doesn't seem to work." Sagot ko. Umupo si Liam sa tabi ko.

"Stefan's tough." Iyon ang sabi niya. "Watch him recover quickly than we realize. He's just that type of dude, you know?"

Umupo na rin si Christopher, pero doon siya sa mas malayo layo at sumandal. "He's too stubborn and a brat to not survive."

I tried not to let out a chuckle, but I failed. My own cheeks felt a bit strained to smile, but I still did. Pinunasan ko ang mga bakas ng luha sa pisngi ko, I didn't even know I already cried that much. Even my hands, my hands that are supposed to be warm from all the fire I just did, now feel cold from too much anxiety.

Walang umimik ulit sa amin. Hindi ako iniwan ni Jonah dito sa tabi ko at ang kanyang kamay nakahawak pa sa akin. Ilang beses niyang pinisil ang kamay ko tuwing napapansin niyang tulala na naman ako.

Si Liam naman ay piniling tumayo at sumandal lamang isang poste. Naka-cross ang kanyang braso at nakayuko, na para 'bang sinisikap niyang makatulog kahit saglit.

The waters splashed loudly from outside, rocking the ship in a slow dance. There are voices from the upper deck, feet walking here and there, creaking the wodden planks above.