Adventures with Von

[10]

HEART THAT LIES

In the border of the Borneous Kingdom, there's a small town filled with retired knights. A man named Nick lives there with his most trusted maid.

Nick gets his coat that was laying on the couch before he asks permission to Mia.

"I'll look around in the town, again" paalam ni Nick sa katulong niya na si Mia. Sinundo naman ni Mia si Nick ng tingin sa labas ng bahay.

Katulad ng sinabi ni Nick ay naglibot ulit siya. Hanggang sa may mahagip ang mga mata niya ng isang pamilyar na mukha.

He saw someone who wears an armor used most of the men, and who almost acts as a man but is not a man. Kumurap ito ng ilang beses upang masigurado ngunit tama nga ang nakikita niya.

Nilapitan siya nito at akmang yuyuko ngunit kaagad siyang pinigilan ni Nick. "Hi, I'm a retired royal knight. The name is Nick. May I know who you are and what may I help you?"

Tinignan siya nito nang nagtatakang mukha ngunit ginawa na lang din ni Von kung ano ang ginawa ni Nick.

"I'm an adventurer with the name, Von. I have my magical weapon accompanying me, his name is Eli. We just arrived here so we were looking for a place to stay" pagpapakilala ni Von.

"If that is the case, you could temporarily stay with us" pag-aya ni Nick sa dalawa.

Malugod naman na tinanggap nina Von at Eli ang alok nito.

•••

Pagdating nila Von sa bahay nina Nick ay doon nila nakilala si Mia at ang isa pang bisita nina Nick na si Herold.

"This is Mia, my housemaid and this is Herold. He is a good friend of ours, he usually visits Mia for unknown reason" pagpapakilala ni Nick. 

Ngumiti naman si Eli na halatang may intensyon ng panunukso kina Mia at Herold.

Naupo sina Von nang alukin sila nito. "Uhm, I'm sorry to ask you this but are you related with Prince Nickolas perhaps?" Hindi mapigilang hindi maitanong ni Von.

Pansin nina Von at Eli kung paano lumaki ang mata ni Herold pero tila walang reaksiyon naman sina Mia at Nick.

"Oh no! I know him since I've served him a few years ago but we are not blood related" pagtanggi ni Nick.

"Please, excuse me for a while" pag-excuse ni Nick sa amin bago ito pumasok sa isang kwarto. Sinundan naman siya ni Mia.

Ang naiwan na lang sa sala ay sina Herold , Von at Eli.

"May I ask how'd you know Prince Nickolas?" Tanong ni Herold.

Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago napagdesisyunan ni Von kung sasagutin niya ba ito o hindi.

"He is a friend of mine." Maikling sagot ni Von.

Tumango-tango si Herold. "So, that is why you've noticed who Nick really was even though he's under a spell"

Napakunot ng noo si Von. Spell? Von doesn't recognize any spell cast to Nick though.

"What do you mean?" Seryosong tanong ni Von.