Emy was very busy on the next day. She was busy trying to make Franco and Shantal leave her alone since they had been following her magmula ng magising siya kinabukasan.
She was actually surprised at naririto ang buong pamilya ni Uncle Shin. It turned out, winter vacation na nila. And they were going to spend a month and half kasama nila.
However, may tatlong linggo pa sila Emy na pasok sa Grey Academy. At dahil injured pa siya ay hindi na muna siya pinapasok ng isang linggo nila Francis.
***
Diana, however, was feeling troubled. Inaasahan niyang perpekto ang plano nila Cherry at Kelly. After all, she was the one who came up with that plan.
Pero hindi niya inaasahang makakatakas ang dalaga. At ang matindi pa doon, it was Madam Serafina who saved her.
Ang hindi niya maintindihan ay kung bakit bigla bigla na lang nagdesisyon ang magkapatid na ilabas na ng city si Emy noong gabing iyon. Sinabihan niya ang mga ito na maghintay muna ng ilang araw.
And now, both of them were missing too.
That made Diana felt something was not right.
Bukod pa doon, Emy saw her. Alam niya na siya ang nag-udyok sa magkapatid para kidnappin siya. At inamin niya rin dito na dahil iyon kay Lucy.
She was restless dahil doon.
***
It was not just Diana who was restless. Emy was feeling the same too.
Magmula noong bumalik siya sa Hans residence ay iisang beses pa lang siyang pinuntahan ni Sebastian at yun ay nung unang gabi lang.
She wondered kung ano ng nangyari dito? Lalo na at sinabi nito sa kanya na pag-uusapan nila ang tungkol sa magiging parusa nila Cherry at Kelly.
Nangangati na siyang gantihan ang mga ito lalo pa nga at hindi niya makalimutan lahat ng mga pananakit na ginawa nila sa kanya.
"Red..." Agad na lumapit sa kanya ang guard niya isang araw habang nakaupo siya sa labas ng kwarto niya. Mapayapa ang mundo niya ngayon dahil namamasyal sa labas sila Shantal kasama si Franco.
"Yes, Miss?"
"Sinong boss mo? Si Calix o ang Fifth Prince?"
Nagulat sa tanong niya ito pero agad din siyang sumagot. "Ang Fifth Prince po."
"Do you know where is he?"
Sandaling nag-isip ito saka sumagot. "Miss, ang alam ko lang po ay may mission siyang ginagawa ngayon sa labas ng Grey City."
Anika was just silently listening at Emy and Red. But her lips couldn’t hooking up secretly. Could it be that her Miss was missing the Fifth Prince?
***
The next day, bisita naman ni Emy si Lucy. The lady was very sorry to her. Kahit ilang beses na niya itong sinabihan na hindi niya iyon kasalanan ay malungkot pa rin ito.
Hindi na niya sinabi dito na si Diana ang pasimuno sa pagdukot sa kanya. Mas lalo lang magguilty ito.
Sakto namang dumating na sila Franco. Galing na naman ang mga ito sa bayan at hinapon na sila ulit.
Si Lucy naman ay biglang nagstiffened na napuna naman agad ni Emy.
"Kamusta?" Tanong niya sa mga bagong dating.
"Mabuti naman." Masayang sabi ni Shantal. Mukha nga eh. Sa dami ng shopping bags na bitbit nila, ewan na lang ni Emy kung hindi pa ito masiyahan ng husto.
"Ang daming pinamili nila Shantal. Napagod ako." Reklamo ni Franco bago ito naupo sa harapang upuan nila Emy at Lucy.
Mukhang doon lang din naman nito napansin na may bisita siya.
"Oh, may bisita ka, Ate Emy?" Sabi ni Sabrina.
"Yep. This is Lucy, a friend. Lucy, these are our cousins, Shantal, Sabrina and Sammy."
They greeted each other.
"Siya, pupunta muna ako sa kwarto ha. Ang gaganda ng damit doon sa Purple Boutique, hindi na ako makahintay na isukat ang mga iyon." Shantal said.
"Me too." Nakangiting sabi naman ni Sabrina.
Saka sila umalis na. Naiwan si Sammy na naupo sa hita ni Emy.
Napailing naman si Franco.
"Grabe yung dalawang yun. Walang kapaguran. Though, magaganda nga yung mga damit na napamili nila, I wonder though kung bakit hindi ka nila kagaya."
Emy just rolled her eyes on him.
"Franco, Lucy was not at fault in my kidnapping." She suddenly said at sabay pang napaubo yung dalawa. Nagkatinginan sila pero parehas ding agad na nag-iwas ng paningin sa isa't isa.
"You should not blame her, you know. Ilang beses na akong sumama kay Lucy. Ilang beses na kaming kumain sa labas but that was the only time that it has happen."
Bugnot na tiningnan ni Franco si Emy. "I know. I know."
"Then why are you giving her cold shoulders?"
Lucy tugged her sleeves to make her stop. Nakikiusap na rin siya nitong tinitingnan.
"I am not."
"You are, Franco. Tch. No wonder you never had a girlfriend. You never know how to treat a lady right." Ibinaba niya si Sammy.
"Sammy, Lucy, let's go to my room. I swear I will ignore this dullhead hanggang hindi siya nakikipag-ayos sayo, Lucy."
Yun lang at iniwan na nila siya.
Lucy was feeling apologetic. But Franco was shocked. Hindi niya inaasahan na magddeclare ng ganun si Emy.
***
Kinagabihan ay nakatanggap ng sulat si Emy mula sa kay Alessandra. It was delivered in Purple Boutique kanina at agad nila iyong ipinadiretso sa kanya.
She also found out from Lia na may sulat na ipinadala si Alessandra sa kanya noong bago siya nakidnap but it was not delivered to her as soon as possible.
'Diana is asking us to resume attacking next week and she wants us to focus on you.'
Agad niyang sinunog ang sulat.
Hula niya ay hindi na mapakali si Diana after nitong malaman na nakaligtas siya kaya naman she had decided to attack her as soon as possible.
Well, if that was what she wanted then let it be.
***
Magmula ng pumasok na ulit si Emy ay nakatatlo ng atake ang Black Council sa Grey Academy. Gaya ng sabi ni Alessandra sa sulat, they focused on her.
Diana was pissed though. Kapag aatake sila ay palaging naroroon si Emy but then she would be immediately gone at saka naman susulpot ang White Queen kasama ang mga tauhan nito.
Hindi siya makapaniwala na natatakasan siya ng isang kagaya ni Emy. Bukod pa doon, that White Queen was making her people caught with every attack they were making.
She had never been push back like this before. Kahit si Samantha noon ay walang nagawa sa kanya. Kaya naman she couldn’t accept that these women could make her step back now.
***
Kinabukasan...
Paglabas ni Diana ng bahay nila para pumasok sa academy ay nabungadan niya agad ang dami ng tao sa labas ng bahay nila.
"What's happening?"
"Nako, young lady! Kayo ay pumasok muna sa loob. Hindi niyo magugustuhan ang makikita niyo sa labas." Sabi sa kanya ng maid niya.
Pero lalo lang siyang nacurious kaya naman ay pinilit niyang makisingit sa mga taong nakikiusyusero sa labas ng bahay nila.
What she saw there literally made her vomit. Naramdaman niya ang pagbalik ng kinain niyang almusal mula sa tyan niya palabas ng bibig niya.
"Diana! Get inside!" Utos sa kanya ng Papa niya ng makita siya nitong masuka suka matapos makita ang nasa harapan ng bahay nila. Agad naman siyang inalalayan ng maid niya at ipinasok siya ng bahay nila.
Her legs gave up. Hindi na rin niya mapigilan ang suka niya. Doon na siya inabutan sa may garden nila.
"Sabi naman kasi sa inyo, young lady, eh. Hindi mo magugustuhan yung makikita mo doon. Bakit ka pa po kasi lumabas?
Curious at what she had seen?
Well, there were two bodies na nakasabit sa sa sanga ng puno na mismong katapat lang ng bahay nila. These bodies were for women. Pero hindi iyon ang nagpabaliktad ng sikmura ni Diana.
The girls were skinned at may nakaukit na mga salita sa katawan nila.
A warning...
For you...
***
Diana got sick after that. Hindi siya tinantanan ng itsura nung dalawang babae na nakasabit sa harap ng bahay nila. Even in her dreams, she could see them.Bukod pa doon, malakas ang pakiramdam niya na para sa kaniya ang babala na nasa mga katawan nito.Nakumpirma niya iyon ng kinabukasan ay mabalitaan niya na sila Cherry at Kelly ang dalawang babae na iyon.That Emy! She was sure that girl had something to do about it.Kung may maganda mang nangyari sa kanya magmula ng makita niya ang nakakasukang tanawin na iyon, malamang iyon ay nang bisitahin siya ni Vio.He was very concern at her. Lalo pa at nalaman nito na sila Cherry at Kelly iyon.Pinaiimbistigahan na rin niya kung sino ang maaaring pumatay at gumawa noon sa dalawa."You must make sure to investigate that Emy Hans.""Emy Hans?""Yes. Pins
Gaya ng sabi sa kanya ni Shantal kagabi, walang nagawa si Emy ng puntahan siya nito sa kwarto niya para ayain na pumunta ng bayan.Maaga pa lang pero mataas na agad ang energy nito. Ganun din si Sabrina na kadalasan ay level headed naman. Well, they were indeed a family who loved shopping.Kaya naman heto siya ngayon at kinakaladkad ni Shantal papuntang Purple Boutique.Napuna naman niya na doble na ngayon ang bilang ng guards na sumusunod sa kanya. Kung noon ay enough na na kasama niya ang mga maidservants niya, ngayon ay hindi na.Napahinga na lang siya ng malalim."Cheer up, Emy."Saka sila pumasok sa boutique.Dali dali naman silang inasikaso ng mga taong naroroon. You could say that they were a VIP in this boutique, after all, Emy owned this."Miss Hans, we have been waiting for you to come."
"Who is that?"The Emperor asked the Prime Minister habang nakaturo sa isang dalaga na nakablue traditional foreign long dress."That, I think, is the niece of General Hans."Napatingin ang Emperor sa kanya."You mean that kidnapped niece of his?"Tumango ang Prime Minister at tiningnan din ang dalaga. Somehow, she reminded him of his daughter, Samantha."No wonder she was kidnapped. Look at that beauty."When the Second wife heard that ay napasimangot siya. If that girl would be Emperor's wife too, it would be outrageous. However, wala namang reaksyon ang Empress. Ngayon pa ba siya magrereact eh nakaapat na nga na asawa ang Emperor eh."Let's go there.""What are you planning, Your Highness?""Masyado ka namang mapagduda, Seigfried. I just want to talk to General Hans and his
Pag-uwi ni Emy ay sinalubong agad siya ng pamilya niya saka siya pinagkwento sa kung ano ang nangyari. Sinabi naman niya agad iyon sa kanila.Pero kahit na ikinuwento na niya sa kanila ay hindi pa rin naubusan ng tanong ang mga ito.In fact, hindi siya nito tinantanan hanggang sa matapos ang hapunan.She was tired and feeling irritated ng sa wakas ay makapasok na siya sa kwarto niya. Agad siyang naghubad at naghanda na para matulog. Pahiga na sana siya sa kama niya ng biglang bumukas ang bintana niya. Naramdaman niya ang pagpasok doon ng isang tao."And here I thought you're gonna wait for me." Sebastian said."Why would I?" She asked coldly.The window closed saka siya may narinig na lumalakad. Emy couldn’t see anything. She had already turn off the lamp kanina pa.Then she felt him stop in front of her."Why w
Emy's mood drastically changed in the next days. Bumalik na ito sa pagiging makulit at palangiti kaya naman napayapa na ang loob ni Feng.Kunot noo namang pinagmamasdan ni Franco ang pinsan. Naguguluhan na talaga siya dito. Oo, hindi pa rin naman siya nito pinapansin pero hindi na siya nito iniirapan kapag nagkakatinginan sila.Si Anika naman ay nacurious kaya tinanong niya na si Red."Red, nakabalik na ba ang Fifth Prince?" Tanong niya sa binata."Oo. Noong isang araw pa."Napangiti si Anika. Well, she was maybe just thinking things pero lately, nauubos na ulit ng Miss niya ang cookies na iniiwanan sa kanya ni Lia.***"Did you like my gift to you?""Gift?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Emy kay Sebastian. They were playing chess again and talking about things that had happened in Grey City."Yes. Didn't you hear about what had happened to Cherry and Kelly?""I was contained for many days in here so maybe that's why I did
Diana clenched her fist.Her situation now was too hard. Her family was angry at her for giving them shame to the whole Grey City. Ayos lang sana if her father was able to contain the news but it spread so much to point na ultimanong sa bayan ay nakaabot ang balita.People were now talking behind her. Kesyo daw she was a seductress, na sinadya niya ang nangyari dahil hindi niya gusto na minamatchmake ng Emperor sila Prince Vio at Emy.Maaatim pa sana niya ang ibang balita tungkol sa kanya eh. But not those that were attached with Emy's name.Hindi rin siya pinapansin ni Prince Vio. Ang dami dami pa niyang plano. Ni hindi pa nga siya naaannounce as Crown Prince. Paano na lamang kung makaapekto ito sa kanya?And he was trying his best to please their father. But now, it was Sebastian who had the most favor at the moment.Matapos itong ipadala ng Papa niya sa isang mission, madalas na silang nag-uusap ng sila lang. Sebastian, the Emperor, the P
It was done.Diana was already defeated.After the Black Council members were all caught, agad agad silang pinatawan ng execution. Even their families weren't saved.Prince Vio was like swallowing a bitter pill. When these people saw them before the execution, they started to call out to him, asking for him to have mercy.The people were looking at him kaya mas pinabilisan niya ang execution ng mga ito.But it was still not the end of his misfortune.Diana was found in a corridor of Grey Academy na umiiyak. She kept on saying, "That woman... That bitch..." and then she would sob unstoppingly.Her image was no longer the same as before. And the worst part was Prince Vio still had to marry her.Walang magawa ang Emperor dahil sa isang Minister ang Papa ni Diana at nakapagbitaw na rin ng salita ang Emperor noong mismong araw na nakita silang magkasama na pananagutan niya ang nangyari.Kaya naman pinagpipiyestahan siya ng bu
"Samantha..."I looked at Marco as he called me. We were at the Palace Garden where different species of flowers started to bloom. It was amazing.Hindi ako mahilig sa mga bulaklak but watching them alive like this was just wonderful..."Samantha..." He called me again.I rolled my eyes. Nangungulit lang na naman ang isang ito. And as proof of that, I saw him smiling when I looked at him."Stop calling me, Your Highness..."Nangunot ang noo niya. He hated it. The people closest to him were forced by him to call him Marco instead of 'Your Highness'. And I think that made him unique."Don't call me that, Sammy.""And don't call me that too."I stood up at nagsalin ng tsaa sa mga tasa namin. I gave him the other one."Say, Samantha...""Uhm?""What do