Gloom of Luminescence

Chapter 13

AIRA

I tried peaking out from the window of the carriage we are in and I couldn't help but to admire the sea of clouds shine upon by the sun. At least this scenery could calm my nerves but still feel goosebumps all over my body. Marahil ay dahil na rin sa pinaghalong kaba at excitement. We are heading to Auris our home and sitting beside me is Alexis. I feel weird.

Makalipas ang ilang taon ay muli akong babalik sa lugar na ngayon ay maituturing ko nang tahanan.

I rubbed my cold palms in the skirts of my red dress to warm them up but pale hands stopped me by holding one of my hands and clasping them, twining our fingers. My eyes widened and my head automatically turned at my left.

Sinalubong ako ng nakangiting mukha ng aking kakambal, may kakaibang kislap sa mata niya na siyang nakapagpakalma sa aking sistema.

"We're here." anunsiyo ni Mama dahilan upang mapabaling akong muli sa labas ng bintana. Tila nahawi ang kaninang dagat ng mga ulap. Unti-unting bumaba ang lipad ng sinasakyan namin at unti-unting nagpakita ang isang kastilyo.

Halos mapanganga ako dahil sa ganda ng disensiyo nito. Nadaanan pa namin ang maraming kabahayan at maging ang berdeng parte na punong puno ng mga puno.

A romanesque style castle stood in the middle. My eyes trailed at the huge wide green area of grasses in the garden. I couldn't help it, my eyes started getting watery from the wonderful view. We landed in the white road which seemed to be made of bricks lined up with conical trees. The carriage continued into the road encircling the fountain and we stopped right at the threshold of the castle.

Nang tuluyang tumigil ang sinasakyan namin ay doon lamang ako natauhan. Naramdaman ko ang bahagyang pagpisil ni Alexis sa aking kamay. Bumukas ang pinto at naunang lumabas si Mama.

Nang tuluyan itong makababa ay saka lamang bumitaw sa aking kamay si Alexis upang bumaba. Nakita ko pa ang paglahad ng isang kamay na siyang umalalay dito upang bumaba.

I sighed before bending down and walking towards the door. A man wearing a black doublet offered his hands and helped me to go down. He went back to the line right after.

"Welcome, your majesties." bati ng mga nakahanay na lalaking nakasuot ng kaperahong damit ng lalaking umalalay sa amin sa pagbaba. May hanay din ng mga babaeng nakasuot ng mga kulay murang kayumangging mga bestida ang ngayon ay nakayukod.

Napakagat labi na lamang ako at saka mas dumikit kanila Mama at Alexis habang nakayuko. Hindi ako komportable dahil sa dami ng tao at sa ginawa nilang pagyukod. Mukhang napansin naman iyon ni Mama kaya kinurot niya ako sa tagiliran at binigyan ng nanlilisik na tingin kaya naman napatuwid ako ng tayo.

We entered the huge threshold of the palace and was welcomed by the huge ballroom. It was huge space with huge pillars lining up in the sides.

I lowered my head and stared at my feet when a group of maids started lining up while trailing behind. I watched my steps on red carpet and I couldn't help but point out the golden embroidery there.

Napaangat agad ako nang maramdamang muli ang pagkurot sa aking tagiliran. I stood straight again. In front of us was a twin grand staircase meeting in a balcony in the middle. Umakyat kami doon at nang marating ang nasa taas ay agad kong nakita ang isang malaking pinto na siyang katapat ng balcony.

The servants pushed the doors open then another hall welcomed us but it was smaller than the ballroom but this one screams grandiose and elegance with the details. Iginaya ko ang paningin sa paligid habang naglalakad kami papasok. The floor was carpeted and there were massive white marble pillars on both sides. About four chandeliers were hanged in the high ceiling. The throne was way above the staircase. Behind, was a huge white curtain with rose gold motifs and a huge crest in the middle.