LUNA

30: Night to Remember

Inis kong hinablot sa dressing room ko ang isang itim na gown. Another black tulle gown with thin ribbon straps and a sweetheart neckline. The bodice is embroidered with ornate black designs. A pattern of circles and lines that I cannot make out. I pulled my hair into a messy bun and asked Feline to do my makeup. She happily obliges.

"Date po ba lady Sahar?"

Now she's calling me lady. I stare blankly at the mirror in front of me while Feline is doing her job.

"No" sagot ko.

Feline giggles. "Is it the crown prince?"

"Hindi"

"Oh, so it's lord Ias?"

I smiled sweetly at her to indicate that I do not want to be part of this interview. "Are you done with my face, Feline?"

Naamoy ko sakanya ang kilig na hindi ko maitindihan. Bakit siya kinikilig? Gullible even. Is she excited that I'm going on a what? A date? Patawa siya.

This is a deal. A bet that I lost.

Dinner lang naman ito. A dinner that I will not like. I don't like human-cooked foods so I'm not going to expect anything from Sage. It would be entertainment for him to see me eat his kind of food for sure. Nangaasar lang 'yon panigurado.

"Tapos na ho, lady Sahar"

Tinignan ko ang sarili sa salamin ng isa pang beses bago ako tumayo ng tuwid. Feline is beaming at me with her enthusiastic smile I can't help it but cringe.

"Uuwian na lang kita ng pagkain" I said impassively. "Don't eat until I tell you so"

Mas lalong lumakas ang baho ng kilig mula sakanya. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at humagikgik lamang ito.

"Masusunod po, lady Sahar"

Feline is starting to be weird so I didn't utter another word anymore. Gumaan ata loob niya saakin? Am I not scaring her no longer? Stupid girl. Maybe I should be more animalistic towards her? Well, wala 'rin naman ginagawa si Feline saakin at sumusunod naman ito sa lahat ng utos ko so I guess she's okay. But still, fear must be ignited in their minds when they see me. I want others to fear me. Sa empire na 'toh, the only way for the people to respect you is for them to feel threatened. They must fear you in order for them to worship you. And for them to fear you, you must be strong. Powerful. Wise. Heartless.

Light in this empire is rare. We do not cherish light. We value darkness. For it is the one that can only mold you to be stronger and braver.

Paglabas ko, mas tumuwid ng tayo ang dalawang bantay. Sabay silang napatingin saakin at naamoy ko kaagad ang kanilang pagkamangha.

Malagkit akong ngumisi sakanila.

They find me attractive.

Both of them blushed and immediately looked away. Nilagay ko ang palad ko sa braso ni Diego. The right guy. He stiffens beneath my touch. Smell of arousal starts lingering around the atmosphere. Mas lalong lumawak ngisi ko. Ang bilis naman niyang tigasan eh hinawakan ko lang siya.

"Kapag pumanta ang unang prinsipe dito, pakisabi na kasama ko si Sage"

Lumunok ng laway si Diego sabay tumango. "Yes, lady"

Binaling ko ang tingin ko kay Kian. "How do I look by the way?"

Hindi kaagad sila nakasagot sa tanong ko kaya pinisil ko braso ni Diego. His muscles shift and I like it. Hard. Rough. Men here are nice. They take care of their bodies. They need to anyway.

"Y-you look," Nagdadalawang isip pa si Diego kung lilingon ba siya saakin o hindi. Kian on the other side steals a glance. Tumikhim ito para ata senyasan si Deigo. Ngitian ko siya dahil sa ginawa niya.