BCS 3: Innocent Mistake

Chapter 27

This story contains violence, aggression, abuse, prolonged torture, romanticized rape, profane languages, suicide, and murder.

~Scar~

"Your highness, she should be punished."

Naputol ang aking paghikbi. Ngayo'y pinagmasdan ang mga taong nakapiligid sa akin. I saw some of the King's men and some servant. Nakita ko rin si Erphina roon umiiyak habang inaalo ng isa pang kasama.

Unti-unting rumehistro sa aking isip ang lahat. Mabilis akong napatingin sa Hari kaagad na umiling-iling.
Mas lalong umiyak nang muling mapatingin kay Margaret.

Does it mean she's dead?

Hindi ko na alam ang una kong gagawin. Kukumbinsihin ko ba silang hindi ko sinaktan si Margaret o ang gisingin siya. Hindi siya puwedeng mamatay.

Hindi!

"At least hear her side and this is need to investigate further. Let's make it fair. It doesn't make sense to conclude just because she doesn't belong to any position."

Hinanap ng aking mga mata ang pamilyar na boses na iyon. Xerxes is standing near my other side. His pale blue eyes darkened as he comprehends my situation.

Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ba si Xerxes sa akin. Pero ngayong nakita siya'y may maliit na pag asa sa aking puso.

Pahirapan akong lumunok tila ang lalamunan ay puno ng buhangin.

"A-Ariela, did this t-to M-Maggie," nanginginig na sumbong ko sa nahihirapang boses. Ang akala ko'y maiimtindihan ng lahat iyon.

Wala akong kasalanan. Ariela just gave the knife to me. Ayaw ko ring mamatay si Maggie. Ayaw ko!

"Nonsense! Milady Ariela is currently overseas for a vacation! What a lame excuse!"

Eloise suddenly speaks to the crowd.

"No punishment will be issued after the investigations."

"But, my Prince..."

Isang matalim na tingin ang kaagad na itinapon ni Xerxes kay Eloise. Natahimik ito at napayuko ngunit kaagad na napatingin sa Hari.

"Your Highness, why would that serf used Milady Ariela's name for her own crime?"

Nanatiling walang imik ang Hari habang madilim at malamig na nakatitig sa akin.

"Hans and the rest, take care of her body. Erphina and Eloise clean the floor. The rest can go," malamig niyang saad.

Kaagad akong nagpanic nang biglang binuhat ng iilang mga lalaki ang katawan ni Maggie. I was about to stop them when a big hand tightly grips my arm and pulled me up.

"N-No," I said helplessly as I tried to chase Margaret's body. Ang isang marahas na paghila sa akin at pagkaladkad ay siyang nagpahinto sa aking paghabol.

"She's dead," the King said in his cold and deep voice.

My head is pounding and my eyes out focus. The things around me look like spinning.

Parang hindi totoo lahat. Hindi ko ito matatanggap. Ayaw ko.

Bakit pinatay ni Ariela si Margaret. Ayaw ko niyon. Bakit?

We have a lot of things to do tomorrow. She will help and teach me. Marami siyang ituturo sa akin.

Bakit ganoon?

Bakit ang sakit-sakit?

The King dragged me along with him, my legs were boneless and I hated how powerless I am. The only thing that kept me from passing out was the last-second burst of adrenaline.