CHAPTER 22.3
Rushed Preparation“HABANG wala pa si Chief Knight Lyte, mas magandang mag-ensayo ka na muna sa ilalim ni Jonas. ‘Di ba kahit papaano, makakapaghanda ka sa oras na dumating siya?” nakangiting suhestiyon ni Selene. “‘Tsaka, ‘di ba kapag gano’n, mas mabilis mong malalaman kung ano ba talagang gusto mong gawin sa lakas na makukuha mo sa pag-eensayo?”Seryoso siyang pinagmasdan ni Lucas bago siya nginisian. “Jokes on you, Selene. Matagal ko nang alam kung para kanino ko gustong ibuhos ang lakas na makukuha ko.”‘What was that all about?’ Napanguso si Selene bago inilapit sa mga mata ang binabasang libro. Hindi naman ganoon umakto si Lucas pero kanina, parang nag-ibang indibidwal ito.“Prinsesa Selene, lumilipad na naman ba ang utak mo?” Basag ni Merlin sa katahimikan, dahilan para mapapitlag siya’t inboluntaryongCHAPTER 22.4 Punishment KATULAD ng sinabi ni Jonas sa kanila, ilang araw lamang e dumating na nga si Chief Knight Lyte sa Lullin village. Nalaman nila dahil noong mag-a-agahan sana silang apat, bigla na lamang nag-ingay ang buong baryo. Akala ni Selene, nagkaroon ng aksidente kaya nakipag-unahan siya sa mga kasama sa bahay, pero namangha siya nang makita ang troupe ni Chief Knight Lyte sa labas at ang kabayo nitong hindi niya maiwasang hangaan. “Mama! Dumating ka na nga. Tapos na ba ang ginawa niyo sa grupo nina Kontesa Hussaine?” pag-uusisa ni Jonas habang naglalakad ito palapit sa ina. Lucas followed his knight and also greeted the Chief Knight, so is Merlin. While Selene was behind them and if people would see her reaction, they would probably laugh at her since her eyes almost sparkled at the sight of the magnificent knight. Selene clutched her chest when Chief Knight Lyte smirked at her son. &l
CHAPTER 22.5 Training APPARENTLY, Lucas and Selene had separate trainings from Chief Knight Lyte. Different set of education and discipline to learn during the entire session. Natural lang na mas mahirap at mabigat ang training ni Lucas bilang matagal na itong nag-aaral kung paano gumamit ng sandata. Habang si Selene naman, baguhan lamang kung kaya ang focus nila e ang stamina niya. Pinaalalahanan din kasi ni Merlin si Chief Knight Lyte na kung ang sarili niyang enerhiya e hindi niya makontrol, imposibleng kayanin din ni Selene ang pakikipaglaban. Though, she thought that she could use her berserk mode as a reason to at least skip some steps, Lucas then appeared out of nowhere and said that she was unconscious for an entire week after going berserk. Hindi magandang ideya na gamiting last resort ang katauhang kahit siya, kinakatakutan niya. Moreover, when training began, Lucas was partnered with Jonas, who’s considere
CHAPTER 23.1 Return Home EVER SINCE Selene began her training with Chief Knight Lyte, maraming nakapansin na mabilis siyang matuto. Siya mismo na ilang araw pa lang nang magsimulang mag-ensayo sa ilalim ni Chief Knight Lyte, nagulat nang mapagtantong kahit wala siya kaagad sa lebel ni Lucas, mabilis niyang na-adapt ang tungkol sa pakikipaglaban. Lalo na ang tungkol sa self-defense. However, despite learning quickly, there are still a few things that hinders Selene from unlocking her potential. “Your stamina isn’t that good so I suggest you not to put too much effort in fighting, Princess,” puna sa kanya ni Chief Knight Lyte. Katatapos lamang nila noong mag-sparring. And though the Chief Knight went easy on her, it just felt like something inside her was brimming with frustration, thus; she tried to be more aggressive during the entire sparring session. Unfortunately for her, what she did took
CHAPTER 23.2 Return Home IITHE SECOND that they arrived at the palace, Selene gulped a mouthful of air when she noticed that they took a secret route. Ilang beses siyang sumilip sa labas para siguruhing walang nakaabang na kahit sino sa kanila at bagamat nasa loob siya ng sasakyan, pinoprotektahan ng mga kawal sa labas, hindi maiwasan ni Selene ang matakot para sa sariling kaligtasan. She used to believe that vampires are immortal just like how fairytales and fantasy stories introduced the race, but apparently; that wasn't really the case. Vampires still die, they just live longer than humans and has no natural prey, that's why they're thriving. But still, their population is lesser than humans since their ancestors practiced how to balance their community and there isn't really much need for growth in number. Anyway, this is just... ack, why was she suddenly thinking about their race in order to distract herself?
CHAPTER 23.3 A Risky Request“PLEASE let me participate in the war, King Alexander.”Inboluntaryong nahulog ang hawak-hawak na bolpen ni Haring Alexander kasabay ng pagtigil nito’t pagkahulog ng panga nang marinig ang ‘request’ na tinutukoy niya kagabi. The King blinked in surprise and perhaps, he looked to comical that when Merlin and Duke Louwes took a glimpse of him while they were helping him with the paperworks, both wheezed. Pero hindi ipinahalata ng dalawa ang aliw nang makita si Haring Alexander.Nevertheless, Selene remained standing in front of the King’s desk. She had this determined expression on her face which took him aback and once he has gathered some of his composure, Selene watched King Alexander’s eyes go back and forth from her to Merlin who was giggling mischievously.“I’m sorry Princess Selene, it seems like I didn&r
CHAPTER 23.4 A Toll Ignored SPEEDING THINGS up in terms of training, Selene began to take an intense training procedure under the Chief Knight Lyte’s supervision. The thing is, the knight was not spoiling her anymore, has become stricter, and more outspoken. Her little mistakes wasn’t tolerated and feedbacks are done pre and post-training. Nonetheless, Selene wanted to persevere and strive. Then again, of course she’s exhausted. Simula noong makabalik sila sa kaharian, hindi lang naman ang training ang inaasikaso ni Selene. Of course, her normal routine was returned to her. She has to attend classes. Then, train afterwards. Chief Knight Lyte wasn’t forcing her to train, though. The training regimen passed unto her was difficult and very much of a burden. It’s just that, she wouldn’t allow herself to appear weak when the war is about to begin. “Three days,&rd
CHAPTER 23.5 Something Absurd SELENE was forced to rest during that day. Hinatid siya ni Lucas sa kwarto at bagamat ilang beses niyang sinabi na kaya na niyang maglakad, hindi naniwala sa kanya ang binata. He kept on insisting that it’s impossible for her to regain strength right away when she couldn’t even move her arm. Para raw siyang nalanta. Gawa ng pagpupumilit mag-training at biglaang episode. “Prinsesa Selene, naiibsan ba ng ibang klase ng dugo ang pagkauhaw mo?” the palace psychiatrist asked. Apparently, there are two types of doctors in the palace. One is for the humans while another is for them, vampires. However, this palace psychiatrist in front of her is the royal family’s personal doctor. Si Lucas ang tumawag dito dahil urgent daw ang kaso niya’t gusto nito na may mapagkakatiwalaan ang mga itong titingin sa kanya. For the other doctor, this must be a
CHAPTER 24.1 A Conversation before the War “ANO PO ANG pag-uusapan natin, Mahal na Hari?” kabadong tanong niya. Pagkatapos siyang lapitan kanina ni Haring Alexander, tinanong nito kung pupwede ba silang mag-usap na dalawa na siyang pinaunlakan niya. Isa sa mga bilin nito e ang iwanan silang dalawa ni Selene ngunit ang mga guwardiya nila, nakasunod pa rin sa likuran. Sadyang malayo lamang ang distansya ng mga ito, sapat para mabantayan silang dalawa. “Ah. Let’s beat off the bush for a bit.” Mahinang tumawa ang Hari at iminuwestra sa kanya ang kagandahan ng hardin dito sa palasyo. Selene regarded the flowers too. “Maganda ang sibol ng mga bulaklak sa ganitong panahon, Prinsesa Selene. Lalo na ng mga rosas.” Tumango siya. “Opo. Kaya po kami nandito kanina ni Miss Sephare e dahil nagandahan po ako sa hardin.” “Masaya akong malaman na nagustuhan