THE MASTERS

Dragon XXIX

Queen Frina Howlett's POV

Narito ako ngayon sa harap ng larawan ng aking namayapang kapatid na si Ate Amber Howlett, she was supposed to be the Queen of Whitenians and not me. I smiled as I stare at her picture who's cheerfully smiling while looking gorgeous with her white dress. "When will I see your smile personally again Ate? Ang tagal mong bumalik, I don't want to lose hope yet so please bumalik ka na just like what you said." Kausap ko sa picture ni Ate Amber. I dreamed of her long-ago after she died, she said that she'll come back and I should wait for her. I know it's real that's why I'm holding unto it up until now.

I'm not getting any younger, I'm already one hundred and thirty-seven years old. Thanks to the blood of Howlett dahil may taglay itong panatilihing bata ang itsura namin kahit ilang daang taon pa ang lumipas. Kung wala akong dugong Howlett, I doubt na magtatagal pa ako nang ganitong edad. Damn. Just by imagining na matanda na nga ako with kulubot ang balat and wrinkles na ay nangigilabot ako. I don't want to look like an old hag for freaking sake!

Natigil ako sa pag-iisip when someone pokes me from behind. I don't need to check who it was dahil iisang Whitenian lang naman ang may lakas ng loob na hawakan ako with or without my permission. It's Neresa, my long-time servant. Simula nang matagpuan ko siya sa labas ng tarangkahan ng Palasyo nang minsang may aattendan akong meeting sa labas ng Palace ay she swear her loyalty to me. I found her that time looking lifeless and ang dumi-dumi pa niya to the point na hindi ko na napansin noon na babae pala siya. She was too young that time but after she woke up ay sinabi niya na pagsisilbihan niya raw ako. She will give her life to me daw and kaya niyang i-sacrifice ang life niya for me. Natawa lang ako that time and hindi sineryoso ang sinabi niya since ang bata pa nga niya noon and she doesn't know what she's saying. But then, hindi na nga siya lumayo sa akin at pinandigan nga talaga ang mga sinabi niya.   

"Queen just so you know, they are waiting for you." She said. Hmm? nila? Sinong sila?

"Who?" Takang tanong ko sa kaniya.

She sighed and ran her fingers to her hair in a messy bun just like the other servants' hairstyle. "Queen naman e! May meeting kayo ngayon with the Council!" May kataasan ang boses na sagot niya. 

"Oh? HAHAHA sorry, I forgot." Natatawang sagot ko that made her rolled her eyes. Actually, I don't see Neresa as or my servant. I see her as a little sister already since missing in action si Ate. Hindi siya rebound or what ha, I really want a little sister kasi ako 'yong bunso.

"Ano na lang kaya ang mangyayari sa 'yo Queen kung wala ako sa tabi mo? Hay naku," Nauunsuming salita niya na ikinatawa ko na ngangtalaga. 

"Tara na nga, uusok na yata 'yang ulo mo sa inis sa akin." Salita ko at nagpatiuna nang maglakad. Sumunod naman siya kaagad sa akin and she helped me to carry my long dress. Halos lakad-takbo na ang ginawa namin ni Neresa para lang makarating nang mabilis sa throne room where the meeting always held.