Heartbound

Heart 40: Our Thrones

"I accept you as my mate..."

AVERY

I'm standing in front of my throne, made of gold and silver, staring at it. I can feel the emptiness. Even though I've redeemed my throne, I feel powerless and exhausted. The throne is heavy on my shoulders but I must carry on and rule this Empire. Ruling this Empire alone is a sad task an Empress must do. I'm tied to this throne 'til death.

Naglakad ako patungo sa bintana na natatabingan ng makakapal at mahahabang kurtina. Hinawi ko ito at pinagmasdan ang aking nasasakupan. Isang taon na ang nakalipas matapos ang digmaan sa Alveria. Elfania already restored its former glory and I performed the ritual when I came back here last year. Natatanaw ko ang mga elves na nagsasayawan at nagtatawanan sa iba't ibang parte ng imperyo na tila walang naganap na digmaan. Na tila hindi sila naging alipin sa pananakop ni Severus, o mas tamang sabihin na pananakop ni Seth. All trace of war is gone and what is left is a new life, a new beginning.

Ang kalahati ng medalyon ay ipinaubaya ko na sa High Council samantalang ang kalahati nito ay nasa pangangalaga ko. Unfortunately, we can't destroy the medallion. There's so much force and power coming from it. It is magically protected by an unknown force. We can only break it into half and seal it away. And prevent anyone from using it again.

Wala na akong balita sa mundo ng mga tao. Simula nang lumisan kami matapos ang digmaan, hindi na ako nakabalik. There are a lot of things to handle in Elfania after the elves restored their lives and powers and we can't meddle with human's business anymore. Maybe they're restoring the damages on their infrastructures. Maybe they are still grieving because they lost their King.

Malalim akong bumuntong-hininga. I'm missing him. I'm missing Zirrius and that will forever be a fact I can't deny. Kung maaari lang akong humiling na nandito siya ngayon, gagawin ko pero ayaw kong maging makasarili. Muli akong bumuntong-hininga upang alisin siya sa isip ko.

I can't be weak but I can't also help remembering all the people I lost. All those people who are dear to me. I can't help but feel grief and longing. I wonder if they're happy now. I wonder if they will be reincarnated as a reward for their bravery. I hope that they will.

Natigilan ako sa pag-iisip nang may marinig akong katok. I stared at the golden double door with confusion. I don't expect any visitors today. "Come in," malakas na utos ko.

Binuksan ng dalawang kawal ang malaki at mabigat na pinto. Bumungad sa harapan ko ang Priestess ng Exether, si Priestess Silvia. She bowed down to express her respect. She's still elegant despite her old age. Her white hair is pulled in a bun while wearing a long silky dark violet gown.

"Raise your head," I said. "What brings you here, Priestess Silvia?"

"Our new King just arrived. The blessings will be bestowed tonight. We need the blessing from you," sagot ni Priestess Silvia.

"Why so sudden? Kilala ko ba siya?" kunot-noong tanong ko. Dahil nasasakupan ng Elfania ang Ameya, Exether, Augury, Lemshys at Ynaris dapat kong malaman kung sino ang mamumuno sa bawat kaharian. They need my blessings. Asteria is not part of my territory. It's from a different empire, and a bit far from here.

"Paumanhin Empress Avery pero maipapaliwanag ko lamang ang lahat kapag nakita mo na siya," sagot ni Priestess Silvia. Kumunot ang noo ko. Walang kahit isang kamag-anak si Damon. Noong namatay siya, walang tagapagmana ang trono niya. I ordered the priestess to find a new king for Exether but she said that I have to wait a year.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. Maybe I'll just see the new king tonight. "Prepare the carriage. I'm going to Exether now," utos ko sa mga kawal. The guards immediately heed my command.