✔Red Ridinghood and the Big Bad Werewolves

NOVEM

"So...how was the first day of your tour, my empress?" 

Nag-angat ng tingin si Red Ridinghood nang biglang nagtanong ang pinuno ng Big Bad Werewolves. The glass of wine stopped a few inches away from her lips as she met his questioning gaze. Sa kanyang harapan, kalmadong nakaupo sa kanyang paboritong sopa si Acontes habang hawak ang sariling wineglass.

But, unlike hers, his glass was already half-empty.

Nakatuon na ang atensyon nito sa kanya.

Sinubukang hindi magpaapekto ng prinsesa at umayos ng pagkakaupo.

"Thankfully, I'm still alive. Kamuntikan lang akong mabalian ng braso kanina nang hatakin ako ng ilang circus performers, but nothing life-threatening."

"Hmm... That's good. Mukhang nasayang ang reservation ko sa lupang paglilibingan namin sa'yo."

"Well, that's really thoughtful of....A-ANO?!"

Kamuntikan na yatang malaglag ang panga ni Red sa narinig niya. Hindi naman siguro nagloloko ang hearing aids niya, 'di ba? Damn.

'They're fucking crazy!'

Samantala, ngumisi naman si Acontes sa kanyang reaksyon at muling inilapit ang wineglass sa kanyang mga labi. Tahimik na pinanood ni Red ang paglagok nito ng wine habang nakatitig lang ito sa kanya. It almost feels like his eyes were pinning her in place.

What a nice way to treat their guest!

Nang matapos kanina ang "tour" nila ni Carteron, Red Ridinghood was surprised when Lycros showed up and informed her that Acontes wanted to speak with her. Sa huli, wala nang nagawa ang dalaga kung hindi sumama. Besides, it's not like she can turn down the alpha's invitation, right?

Maya-maya pa, hinatid siya ni Lycros sa "solar" sa hilagang bahagi ng kastilyo.

The solar is a private room inside medieval castles that serves as a sleeping quarters for noble families. Madalas nagiging "sitting room" rin ang silid na ito para sa mga pribadong pag-uusap. It was relatively smaller than the great hall, but has a more homely atmosphere. Minsan, may wardrobe extension pa ang mga ito kagaya ng solar sa palasyo nila sa Eastwood.

Nang akmang lalayas na sana sa silid ang dalaga, he softly chuckled and quickly stated, "I was joking, my empress. My apologies. Nakalimutan kong iba nga pala 'humor' ninyong mga tao. It's been a long time since we've humans, after all..." Napabuntong-hininga ang werewolf.

Sandaling natahimik sa loob ng silid. Red Ridinghood felt the nostalgia in his words, as if Acontes was recalling the days when they were still of the same species. Muli na naman niyang narinig ang boses sa kanyang isip. Ang parehong boses na gustong tanungin ang mga detalye ng kanilang sumpa, alamin kung bakit siya nandito, at kung sino ba talaga ang magkakapatid bago pa man sila naging mga taong-lobo. Before, Red Ridinghood wasn't sure curiosity had a voice.

But now, here she is, listening to its treacherous questions.

"Ano bang nangyari?"

Acontes raised an eyebrow at her. The scar on his left cheek caught the light coming from the nearby fireplace.

"Patience, my empress. May tamang panahon ang mga ganitong pag-uusap. I was just checking up on your first day inside the castle."

'They're definitely hiding something from me.' But instead of arguing, Red Ridinghood sighed and leaned on her chair. Gustuhin man niyang magwala at pilitin silang ipaliwanag ang lahat, alam niyang wala siyang mapapala. In dangerous situations, using your head is more useful than being a drama queen.