Tsumi No Hana

Chapter 32: Lucifiene

• The Author •

[BGM : Dark Piano - Depression by Lucas King]

*Piano plays in the background

Alone in her music room, Lucifiene was playing the piano as she poured her soul into the rhythm. And in the middle of that large room, each note of the music echoes throughout her surrounding. She felt uneasy, worried, and sad at the same time. As years gone by, Lucifiene changed for what she wanted. She learned a lot from the past, and she is no longer that child that was lost and unable to find where she belongs. Maybe, today is the right time where she finally stood up for herself. To prove what she can actually do, to show what she is really capable of.

Lucifiene decided to leave the room, but the music still echoes around. She cannot count anymore how many days, or years it was since the last time they talked. Since the last time she had seen Alaron. Her mother, the current Queen, forbid her to send letters to Alaron. And so did Alaron. He could not send letters to Lucifiene since the guards and the servants who were assigned to filter the mails being sent to the kingdom are disregarding his letters.

As Lucifiene walked to the long hallways of their castle, she saw her mother along with its servants. It was a good chance, she thought. As she was actually looking for her mother. When she walked past through her, she bowed down her head as a sign of respect and formality. It has been like this, since the tragedy of her father. They've been like this, as if they were not mother and daughter. Just, Queen and a Crown Princess.

"It's good to see you, Lucifiene. How are you doing these days?" Lucifiene showed a bitter smile during her bow. She finally lift up her head after that.

"I am doing good, your majesty. I came to see you because there are things I wanted to discuss, privately."  Lucille sighed, and then she signalled her servants to prepare her office. They went directly to her room and the servants waited outside, at the entrance of the corridor to Lucille's office. Just to make sure that no one would eavesdrop on their talk.

"Your majesty.." Lucille cut her off and smiled, "Drop the formality, dear. I am still your mother." she said.

"Ang tagal ko na rin pong gustong marinig yan," Lucifiene said but sadness is evident on her voice.

"Pasensya ka na, siguro masyado lang napako ang isip ko sa mga kailangang asikasuhin dito sa palasyo. Alam mo naman, isang bansa na ang pinapatakbo ng iyong ina. At kailangan kong matugunan lahat ng pangangailangan ng ating nasasakupan." Naupo si Lucille at nagsimulang mag buklat ng mga libro.

"Maupo ka, Lucifiene." wika nito sakaniyang anak. Sinunod naman ito ng prinsesa.

"Alam kong malaki ang pagkukulang ko hindi bilang isang reyna, kundi bilang isang ina, Lucifiene. Ngunit sana maintindihan mo ako." Napaismid nalang bigla si Lucifiene nang marinig niya ang mga katagang iyon.

"It doesn't matter, your majesty. Mas importante ang taong bayan. At naiintindihan ko naman ang lahat. Maliwanag na sa akin ang lahat." aniya ng prinsesa ngunit ang huling mga salita ay tila ba'y may laman na nahalata naman agad ni Lucille.

"Hindi ba, kinakailangan niyo na hong makipag anib sa ibang kaharian?" biglang pag-iiba ni Lucifiene sa usapan. Kumunot ang noo ni Lucille sa mga narinig niya ngunit agad niya itong pinalitan ng isang mahinahong ekspresyon.