CHAPTER 8
Rassia
Mas lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang marinig kung sino ang lalaking na sa gitna na may kasamang dragon. Tila bawat salitang pumapasok sa isip ko ay lalong nagpapabigat sa dibdib ko.
The Crown Prince?! Vincenzo?! the one who killed Rassia in the novel!
He is the person I wanted to avoid the most!
And yet...
Why is he here?! I attended this banquet because I know that he would not attend this!
In the novel, his arrival isn't supposed to happen until next year, a full year after the Emperor's sixtieth birthday.
He should still be stationed at the northern border, holding back the barbarians who are trying to claim the territory.
He's also meant to be leading a troop of Imperial knights, dealing with the rampant monsters that plague the north.
Don't tell me... he's already finished all of that?
Whispers spread through the hall the moment the Crown Prince arrived.
"T-the Crown Prince has already returned?!"
"The aura around him... it feels suffocating..."
"I-Is that his animal spirit?"
"That's a true dragon!"
"He brought a real dragon into the capital?!"
The moment they finally landed, the dragon roared as if announcing the presence of its master to everyone around.
Vincenzo finally showed his face. I can't deny his beautiful goddamn face. Napalunok ako, naramdaman ko rin na uminit ang aking mga pisngi.
He has a silver hair and his ruby eyes were striking, as if they could see straight through anyone who dared meet his gaze. His nose was sharp and well-defined, and his lips were faintly red, giving him an almost untouchable elegance.
He wore black armor that clung perfectly to his form, paired with a dark cloak that flowed behind him. Even his cape was black, blending him into an aura of dominance and shadow.
His presence was intimidating and screamed authority. Sa isang tingin pa lang, ay mahahalata mo na agad na siya ay anak ng maharlika.
He signaled for the dragon to leave, and in an instant, the Imperial Knights and Mages finally calmed, though the tension in the air still lingered.
Napalingon ako sa Imperial Seats. Nakita ko ang Emperor na hawak ang kanyang sintido, umiiling na para bang pagod na pagod na sa lahat ng nakikita niya, pero hindi niya maitago ang ngiti sa labi.
"As expected from my jerk of a son. You never fail to shock me at the most unexpected moments," sambit ng Emperor habang kalmadong umiinom ng wine.
Binaling ko ang tingin ko sa Empress. Wala itong kahit anong bakas ng emosyon sa mukha, tahimik lang itong nakamasid sa prinsipe.
"Am I late, Your Majesty?" parang kiniliti ang tenga ko nang marinig ang malamig at malalim niyang boses. Halatang may halong pang-aasar ang kanyang tono.
"Don't get too full of yourself just because you arrived with dramatic flair. This is an Imperial banquet, not one of your battlefield entrances," sagot ng Emperor.
"Woah... did you not miss your son?" sagot ni Vincenzo, habang nakangising nakatingin sakanyang ama.
The Emperor clicked his tongue. "Miss you? I was busy not dying of stress." a few Imperial Knights beside them immediately looked away, trying not to laugh.
Napahinga nang malalim ang Emperor. "Why are you here already? Aren't you supposed to still be stationed at the Northern Border?"
"I already dealt with it," sagot ng anak. "It was a piece of cake, Your Majesty."
Narinig ko ang sabay-sabay na singhapan ng mga noble sa paligid nang marinig ang mga katagang binitiwan ng prinsipe. Seriously? dealing with a barbarians and creatures is a piece of cake? May sayad ata 'to. His arrogance still hasn't changed. Mukhang mas malala pa 'to kay Caspian.
Ngumiti ang Emperor at umiling. Magsasalita sana ito nang magsalita ang Empress.
"Was it really necessary to bring a dragon into the Imperial Palace, Your Highness?"
"It was faster." Vincenzo replied.
"...And why would I miss the birthday of that old hag?" Vincenzo added, as if he was genuinely confused why this was even a discussion.
Mas lalong nag singhapan ang mga tao sa paligid at ang iba ay natatawa pa.
"I spent years suppressing rebellions, managing borders, and surviving assassination attempts," the Emperor said slowly, putting down his wine, "just so my son could come back victorious from war..."
He pointed at Vincenzo.
"...and call me an old hag on my birthday banquet."
One Imperial Knight finally lost it and turned away coughing violently. Another mage looked like he was mentally debating whether laughing would be considered treason.
Vincenzo exhaled lightly, as if the entire imperial commotion was nothing more than background noise.
"I'll excuse myself," he said calmly, brushing off invisible dust from his armor. "I need to get changed."
The Emperor glanced at him, still massaging his temple. "You may go. Before you say something else that will make my blood pressure worse."
"Not my fault you're fragile, Your Majesty." Nakatalikod na ito paalis habang sinasambit ito.
A few nobles gasped again, clearly unsure whether they were witnessing disrespect or just normal family conversation in the Imperial household.
"Just...don't bring another dragon when you come back." pahabol ng Emperor.
Vincenzo confidently walked by, with ten knights silently following behind him in perfect formation, each step echoing his dominance and control over the entire place.
As he walked by, napansin kong lumingon siya sa direksyon ko, and for a brief moment, nagtagpo ang aming mga mata. Hindi ako umiwas ng tingin at tanging isang malamig na tingin lang ang iniwan niya bago tuluyang nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Why would he look at me, huh?
Tangina.
Bakit ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko?!
Narinig ko ang tilian ng mga noble na malapit sa direksyon ko, parang biglang sumabog ang bulungan at kilig sa paligid, na para bang may kakaibang nangyari.
"Oh my goodness... did the Crown Prince just look over here?"
"Sobrang gwapo niya! na parang hindi na makatarungan!"
"Those ruby eyes... I can't breathe-he's unreal!"
Hindi ko rin talaga masisisi ang mga ito dahil maitsura nga talaga ito.
In the novel, he was my husband. It was an arranged marriage, planned by my father. As a loyalist of House Vacardi, he did it not only out of loyalty, but to strengthen our family's standing. In the prince's eyes, the daughter of his master was the perfect match for him.
There was no love inside the marriage.
Mula sa mga alaala ni Rassia, I only remember small things about Vincenzo noong nagsasanay siya sa ilalim ng ama ko sa Quentior Palace.
Bata pa ako noon at limang taong gulang habang siya ay sampu.
I had a small crush on him, probably because of how cool he looked sparring with Father.
It was also the first time I saw a ruby eyes, and somehow.
.. that alone caught my attention.
There was a time when I gave him a handkerchief. Tahimik niya lang iyong tinanggap, pero the way he looked at me... parang isa lang akong istorbo. Hindi ko man lubos maintindihan noon, pero ganoon palagi ang tingin niya sa tuwing lumalapit ako.
"V-vinny! do you want a c-cupcake?" mahina kong tanong habang inaabot ang kahon ng cupcakes.
"No. Get off."
"Vinny! g-gusto mo ng c-chocolates?"
"No. I'll get cavities." walang emosyon niyang sagot bago ako lagpasan.
"V-vinny-!"
"I don't like sweets, kid. So better stop." malamig niyang sabi habang nakatingin sa akin.
My young heart was terrified. I couldn't explain why that look scared me so much at the time.
It was just a small thing... but little by little, my feelings faded without me noticing.
And eventually, they disappeared completely, especially when I met Caspian, tumigil na ako sa pangungulit sakanya.
Lagi na rin akong na sa House Laurent para makipaglaro kay Caspian.
He also stopped going to the Quentior Palace to train with my father, and I don't know why. Siguro Isa akong istorbo na dapat niyang iwasan. After that, Father was the one who started going to the Imperial Palace instead for their training.
Wait, speaking of Caspian. Luminga-linga ako sa paligid. Katabi ko lang siya kanina ah? nasaan naman iyon pumunta?
Luminga ako ulit at nanlaki ang mata ko ng makita na magkausap si Caspian at ang aking ama! hindi ko maiwasan matawa nang makitang napapalunok si Caspian habang kaharap ang aking ama. Pupuntahan ko sana sila nang may lumapit sa akin.
"Hey, are you lady rassia? from the House Quentin?" A noble lady approached me.
Mukhang taga ibang imperyo ito dahil sa singkit nitong mga mata. She's beautiful.
"Y-yes." sagot ko nang mabilis. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kong sabihin sa babaeng kaharap ko dahil matagal na rin akong hindi nakikipag socialize.
"Oh! I see," sabi niya, sabay tango na parang may na-kumpirma siyang mahalagang impormasyon. "I heard you're a brat like me."
Napakurap ako. "I-what?"
She leaned in a little, na tila nagsasabi ng sekreto. "You know... attitude problem? Short temper?"
"...That depends," sagot ko, bahagya kong itinaas ang aking kilay. Isa rin ba 'tong may sayad?
Bigla siyang ngumiti nang malaki. "Perfect. I like you already."
Bago pa ako makareact, nilahad niya ang kamay niya sa harap ko, na para bang may formal contract kaming pipirmahan.
"I shall be your friend, Lady Rassia."
Napatingin ako sa kamay niya, tapos sa mukha niya. Wala na rin akong nagawa kundi tanggapin ang kanyang kamay. She seems...genuine.
"That was fast." hindi ko makapaniwalang sambit at mahinang natawa. This is the first time I made a friend. Well, I can't still trust her. But somehow, a part of me seems comfortable with her presence.
"Efficiency," she replied. "I don't waste time. I saw you, you look interesting, and I heard you're a brat. That's enough qualifications."
"Qualifications...?" ulit ko, na medyo nalilito.
"Yes. Friendship qualifications," seryoso niyang sagot. "Number one, may attitude. Number two, maganda. Number three, kayang sumagot pabalik."
"...And what if I am not?" tanong ko sakanya na may ngisi sa mga labi.
She shrugged. "Then I'll still be your friend. I already decided."
Napabuntong-hininga ako. "You're... quite aggressive."
"Thank you," proud niyang sagot.
"...That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it as one."
Napailing ako, hindi mapigilan ang bahagyang ngiti. "And who exactly are you?" nanlaki ang mata niya at tila nagulat.
"Oh! Right. I forgot introductions," sabi nito, sabay bahagyang yumuko. "I am Lady Hyacinth Jayselle Awla Anarov, from the Oskandor Empire, just call me Hyacinth." sabay taas ng baba na parang ipinagmamalaki ang pangalan niya.
Napakurap ako. "That's... a long name."
"From Oskandor Empire..." ulit ko, bahagyang nag-iisip. "That's quite far."
"Exactly." she immediately replied. "Which means I traveled all this way just to meet you." natawa ako sa sinambit niya. I like her humor.
Bigla siyang napatingin sa direksyon kung saan umalis si Vincenzo, tapos bumalik ang tingin sa akin na may kakaibang ngiti.
"So..." she leaned closer. "What do you think about the Crown Prince?"
Napakunot ang noo ko. "Bakit?"
"Because," she whispered dramatically, "half of the nobles here are ready to faint, and the other half are already planning their future with him."
Napatingin ako sa paligid. Mukhang... tama siya.
"I think he's... arrogant," sagot ko, walang pag-aalinlangan.
Napanganga siya sandali. "That's it? Just arrogant?"
"...And insane," dagdag ko. "Who says dealing with barbarians and creatures is a 'piece of cake'?"
Bigla siyang natawa. "Right?! I laughed when he said that!"
Napailing ako. "May sayad siya."
"High-level sayad," sang-ayon niya. "The dangerous kind. The attractive kind."
Napabuntong-hininga ako. "That doesn't change the fact that he's rude."
"Totoo." sagot niya. "But he's rude in a very... premium way."
"...Premium way?"
"Yes," seryoso niyang sagot. "Like, if a normal man said those things, he'd get punished. But because it's him, people just... admire it."
"...That's really unfair." I agreed.
"Exactly," sabi niya, sabay turo sa akin na parang nanalo siya sa argumento. "That's the power of being ridiculously handsome."
Napailing ako at napatingin sakanya. "You sound like you're a fan."
She gasped softly. "I am not a fan."
"...You just complimented him many times." I smiled, teasing her.
"For your information, Lady Rassia. Hindi ko siya type and he's just popular sa Oskandor." she replied defensively. Hindi na ako magtataka sa narinig.
"I heard he was the only human who managed to tame a dragon," dagdag ni Hyacinth, bahagyang binababa ang boses na parang nagkukwento ng tsismis. "They call him the Blood Dragon... dahil sa brutal niyang presensya sa digmaan."
Napatingin ako sa kanya, tahimik lang na nakikinig.
"He's also known for ending battles alone, even without using powers," patuloy niya, parang impressed pero pilit tinatago. "Imagine that. Walang magic, just a sword?!"
"I heard when he turned 9 year old, he already started training.
And was trained by my father, so hindi na rin ako nagulat.
" nag-iwas ako ng tingin sabay uminom ng wine.
Wala akong balak sabihin sakanya na sa mismong tirahan ko ito nag training at naging crush ko pa.
Alam kong aasarin lang ako nito.
"Really? kaya naman pala! anyway," she pointed her finger at me. "You're interesting too."
Napakunot ang noo ko. "How did we go from him to me?"
"Because," she smirked, "out of everyone..."
She glanced at the direction Vincenzo left.
"... he looked at you."
Napatigil ako at agad umiwas ng tingin, pilit binabalewala ang sinabi niya. Alam kong walang kahulugan ang tingin na iyon, isa lamang itong aksidenteng paglingon sa gitna ng maraming tao.
Napatingin kami sa Emperor nang muling umalingawngaw ang kanyang boses sa buong bulwagan, na agad na pinatahimik ang lahat.
"Since my speech was interrupted earlier by my son," panimula niya, bahagyang may diin sa salitang son, "I shall announce it now, to bring more joy, and perhaps... impress our honored guests from other empires."
Bahagyang nagkaroon ng ingay sa paligid, halatang naging interesado ang lahat sa susunod niyang sasabihin.
"The summoning dance," dagdag niya, may bahagyang ngiti, "from each house... will now be performed."
Naghiyawan ang buong bulwagan sa anunsyo, sabay-sabay na sumabog ang excitement ng mga noble na kanina lang ay nagbubulungan pa.
"The summoning dance?!"
"Finally!"
"I've been waiting for this!"
Ang dating espasyo na para lang sa sayawan at socializing ay unti-unting nabago, naging isa itong entablado para sa pagpapakita ng kapangyarihan ng bawat house.
"Does that mean... every house representative will showcase and summon their spirit?"
"Yes, Lady Hyacinth." sagot ko, sabay lingon sa kanya. Napansin kong mas lalo pang lumiwanag ang kanyang mga mata.
"Oh, this is going to be fun," bulong niya, halatang nae-excite habang pinagmamasdan ang gitna ng bulwagan.
I will finally meet her. The Princess. Cayena.