Daughter Of Dusk And Dawn

35.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

MATAPOS NANG AMING pagbisita sa mga himlayan ng mga patay sa loob ng palasyo, akala ko ay hahayaan na ako ng prinsipe na bumalik sa aking silid. Laking gulat ko na lang nang ako ay sabihan nito na kami ay tutungo sa may sentro upang bisitahin ang isa sa mga kaibigan niya. 

Hindi na ako nagtangkang humindi. Bagamat hindi ko pa ganoon kakilala ang prinsipe, alam kong hindi nito tatanggapin ang anumang paghindi sa aking parte. Parang si Lord Keiv lang, kapag sinabi, kailangan ay masunod. 

I wondered, was that a trait maharlika's share amongst themselves? 

I groaned mentally. 

The market was packed like always. The sun was starting to set now, and the cobbled stone streets seemed to be gleaming in majestic streak of orange light. Winter were to come in a few months, despite the seemingly sunny day, the weather was surprisingly chill. 

"Dito," tawag sa akin ni prinsipe Gestalt.

I cringed at the sight of him. He had disguised himself to avoid public attention. He was wearing a white tunic, faded leather trousers, worn-out boots. And he covered his face with a white cloth, save his eyes. 

Shaking my head, I followed him as he ducked from a slightly-bent pole. We turned left, passed stalls through a narrow pathway that lead to cabin. It was small, but it had this warm feel in it. Beside the house, was a Nark tree, with a hammock. 

Kumatok si Prinsipe Gestalt sa pintuan.

"Sandali," sigaw na tao sa loob. Half a minute passed, and the yellow door opened. Sumilip ang isang magandang babae na mayroong mahabang kulay asul na nakatirintas na buhok. Upon seeing us, she smiled. "Gestalt?" tanong niya. She must know him really well. Namukhaan niya ito. Considering the fact na balot ang halos buong mukha ng prinsipe.

"Genesis," saad naman ng prinsipe. 

"Anong ginagawa mo---" she saw me. "Ninyo, ibig kong sabihin, dito?" tanong niya. Binuksan niya nang mas malaki ang pinto at niyaya kaming pumasok. 

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. She returned a much bigger smile, and linked her arms with mine.

"Hi, Genesis nga pala," pakilala niya.

I choked. Muntikan ko nang masabi na Madelaine. She was that nice. Buti na lang at napigil ko at nasabi ko na ang pangalan ko ay Adelaine. 

"Kumusta, Adelaine. Ikinagagalak kong makilala ka. Sige, umupo ka muna diyan."

Tulad nang sabi niya, kinuha ko ang malambot na upuan na itinuro niya. 

"Ah, teka, ano bang pwedeng kong ibigay sa inyo?" Tanong niya sa sarili niya.

"Blood Rose tea," sabi sa kanya ng prinsipe, na umupo sa tapat ko. 

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Blood Rose Tea?" Tanong ko. Hindi ko alam na nagagawa pala iyong tsaa. Mostly, that particular plant was only used for fragrances. 

"Wait 'til you taste it," Prince Gestalt excitedly exclaimed. 

"Okay," sabi ni Genesis. "Sige, hintayin niyo muna ako rito. Blood Rose Tea coming up," she said excitedly. And then, she disappeared. 

Nang dalawa na lang kami ni prince Gestalt, pinagmasdan ko ang loob ng bahay ni Genesis. Teka, bahay nga ba? It didn't look like one. Kung ano-anong mga aparatrus at mekanikal na mga bagay ang nakapatong sa bawat parte ng bahay. Sa kisame, may mga nakasabit na mga bagay--mga bilog na may ibat-ibang kulay. Hindi ko alam kung ano iyon.

Noticing my confusion, Prince Gestalt explained. "Genesis is a scientist." 

I gasped. Scientists. I'd heard about them, and their field. They were heavily criticized by the church of the Goddess. Some of their theories challenged the scriptures. One of their theories even negates the idea of "abilities" as blessing by the Goddess, but rather, a gift of blood. Some of them, in other parts of the country, were stoned to death. Some, burned at stakes. The religios people referred to it as heresy.