CHAPTER 7.4
Ellesmere KingdomELLESMERE kingdom is ruled by Queen Sara Beaufort, known as the ‘Lady of Concord’ or the ‘Protector of Charity’. For years, her administration of her territory had never been questioned by the public, instead; admired by everyone. Nevertheless, every now and then, citizens who think otherwise pop out like fungus and would spread negativity to soil the queen’s reputation. But they were ignored—other citizens defend the queen from their false accusations. With that, they are blessed by prosperity and the land continued to thrive with its citizens cooperating with each other.
Going back, according to mythology and their history, Ellesmere kingdom is a gift from the Virtue of Charity, Jamaerah. After Xeofarea was reborn, the people who worshipped her wandered with no place to stay. Therefore a decision was made. To return their undying loyalty for her, she blessed them with this land they now call as Ellesmere.
“Kalayaan!” sigaw ni Jonas noong oras na makatapak na sila sa loob ng Ellesmere nang hindi nag-aangat ng hinala mula sa ibang tao at sa mga guwardiyang naglilibot sa kaharian.
Nang marinig ang sigaw ni Jonas, napapitlag si Lucas at mabilis niyang sinikipan ang hood na nagtatago ng itsura niya nang hindi siya makilala ninuman. He purposely wore casual clothes, one that according to one of their servants, won’t appear too much in the eyes of public and they won’t attract any attention—he was even in the middle of enjoying the fabric that embraced his body because it’s extremely comfortable and then... when he looked away for one second, Jonas came shouting like an idiot! Sira ulong ito!
Nang masigurong hindi siya makikilala dahil nagsuot din siya ng shades at facemask, nilapitan niya si Jonas at binatukan. Ang sarap pagmumurahin, a! Ah, the things he can’t do when he was still bounded by the shackles of his reputation as a prince.
“Jonas!” pasinghal niyang tawag sa binata pero mahina lang nang walang makarinig sa kanila at pinanlisikan ito ng mga mata sa kabila ng shades na suot, “we’re trying not to gather attention, idiot! We’re trying to stay lowkey!”
Mahinang napaaray si Jonas nang mabatukan pero nang mabawi ang tindig at mairehistro ang sinabi niya sa isipan, hinawakan nito ang parte ng ulo na tinamaan niya’t mahinang tumawa.
“Ah? Gano’n po ba? Pasensya na, mahal na prinsipe,” paghingi pa nito ng paumanhin.
Napahilamos siya ng mukha. “And don’t call me that. For three months, we’ll be commoners! Call me Lucas!”
“Hindi ba ‘ko mapupugutan ng ulo, mahal na prinsipe? Baka bigla akong makasuhan ako ng treachery!”
“Hindi! Ba’t ka kakasuhan ng ganyan e may permiso mula sa hari lalo na’t ang cover up story natin e magpinsan tayong naglalakbay sa iba’t ibang kaharian?!” pangangatwiran niya.
Sa pagkakataong ito, napakamot na ng ulo si Jonas. Ipinilig din ang ulo at kung tignan siya e parang wala itong kamuwang-muwang sa cover up story na gagampanan nilang dalawa nang hindi sila ma-track ninuman!
“Iyon ba ang cover up story, Prinsipe Lucas?” pag-uusisa pa nito.
Dahil medyo napalakas ang boses ng binata, nakapukaw sila ng mangilan-ngilang reaksyon, mabuti na lang e agad na nakabawi si Lucas at kinaladkad ang knight niya tungo sa isa sa mga eskinitang wala namang tao. Marami ang nagtataka at sinundan pa sila ng tingin. Nakaririnig na rin si Lucas ng bulung-bulungan dahil tinawag siya ni Jonas na ‘Prinsipe Lucas'. Bad trip! Unang araw pa lang mula nang humiwalay sila sa mga kasama tulad ng napag-usapan tapos mabubulgar kaagad sila.
Ngayon, gusto niyang kausapin si Jonas. Mag-uusap lang talaga sila kahit nanggigigil siya.
Though, actually... he understands the enthusiasm that Jonas feels because it’s the first time that they went out of Vintress kingdom without the restriction of acting as the ‘beloved prince’ and the ‘strongest knight’. They’re basically free of any responsibilities and only bounded by the mission of finding Princess Selene, that’s all.
“Listen!” he can’t help it but to shout out of frustration, “don’t go blowing off our cover. Makukwestyon ang buong Vintress, Jonas.”
“Ah.” Nang maipunto ni Lucas ang nangyayari, tila ba roon pa lang din napagtanto ni Jonas na posibleng magkaroon ng giyera lalo na kung malaman ng lahat na ang ekspedisyon nilang dalawa ng prinsipe e tungkol pa kay Prinsesa Selene. “Pasensya ka na, mahal na prinsipe. ‘Di lang din kasi ako sanay na tawagin ka sa pangalan mo. ‘Tsaka minsan lang naman tayo makalabas mula sa kaharian na walang nakabantay.”
“Yeah. Naiintindihan ko.”
Ipinagkrus ni Lucas ang mga braso bago sumandal sa pader na malapit sa kanya. Iginala niya rin ang mga mata sa kapaligiran para masigurong walang nakikinig sa usapan nila. Nang makumpirma na walang ibang presensya rito bukod sa kanila ni Jonas, lumipat ang mga mata niya sa maingay na bayan sa labas ng kinaroroonan nila.
“Three months from now, address me as Lucas. No questions asked and just ride the flow,” he instructed.
Tumango si Jonas. “Sige po, mahal na prinsipe.”
‘What the hell.’ Kasasabi niya lang na Lucas ang itawag sa kanya! He threw daggers at Jonas and that was enough for the male to realize what he had blurted out which made the knight apologetic again. Man. Dapat yata, si Theo ang isinama niya rito e.
“Humanap muna tayo ng matutuluyan,” aniya bago umayos ng tayo at lihim na inihanda ang sarili para makihalubilo sa mga mamamayan ng Ellesmere, “without drawing attention to us, of course. So you have to act like my cousin, Jonas. If we were to attract attention, just think of what we could be accused of.”
Humalakhak si Jonas. “Masusunod po, pasensya na talaga.”
He really better be sorry because even though he didn’t like this expedition and he didn’t really want to bother with Princess Selene, he doesn’t want to fail his father.
*
BEFORE the sun could set and the bright red orange hue could paint the sky, Lucas and Jonas finally found a temporary home within Ellesmere. Since they are pretending to be travellers, they wanted an ordinary looking apartment. Only that, they had to ask people for their best recommendation instead of actually looking at a bulletin board full of promotions. It took them time though, and since they don’t know any better, they let their feet guide them until they stumbled on a strange-looking guy.
This stranger offered them a temporary shelter for an expensive price and they both refused. Even when the stranger persuaded them that it’s the best temporary home for travellers like them—but oh well, they aren’t stupid! Lucas knows when someone is bluffing and trying to push him in their trap.
Lucas threw his bag somewhere and let himself fall on the soft cushion of the bed, seeking comfort after an exhausting day. Oh dear Goddess of Destruction, may She bless him with a good night rest.
“Prinsipe Lucas, ‘di mo dapat tinatapon lang kung saan-saan ang mga gamit mo!” sita sa kanya ni Jonas na noo’y kapupulot lamang ng bag niya mula sa sahig, “baka may babasagin kang dinala.”
“Those are just books and clothes.” Lucas snorted and rolled off the bed, his chest faced the mattress and his cheeks squeezed against the pillow where he rested his head. “Also, don’t shout my title. I don’t want anyone crashing in our room to ask us whether we’re nobles or not.”
“Walang tao sa labas,” pagpupunto naman ni Jonas, “mahal na prinsipe, ‘wag ka munang matutulog—”
Huh? Paano nito alam na inaantok na siya?
Lihim na napaismid si Lucas nang mapagtantong ang bigat na nga ng talukap ng mga mata niya. Ah, he’s exhausted. After dealing with several shit today such as Jonas’ stupidity and that weird ass who followed them until they finally checked into this hotel, he can’t help it but to feel—sleepy. Kailangan niyang matulog nang sa ganoon, makabawi lalo na at mahaba-habang araw ang mayroon sila kinabukasan.
“Gisingin mo na lang ako kapag kakain na tayo,” pahabol ni Lucas bago niya hinayaan ang sariling dalhin ng antok.
Bumuntong hininga si Jonas habang pinanonood ang prinsipe na tangayin ng pagod. “Masusunod, Prinsipe Lucas.”
*
IN THE end, Lucas didn’t wake up for dinner even when Jonas shook him during his sleep. It was such a shame because Jonas managed to cook steak—his favorite food. Anyway, he was able to eat it for breakfast. He shouldn’t really, but since a refrigerator is available and they needed to be thrifty, Lucas decided to eat the leftovers.
“Ang sakit ng leeg ko,” reklamo niya habang naglalakad silang dalawa ni Jonas sa plaza malapit sa tinutuluyan nila, “tang ina, pa’no ba ‘yong posisyon ko kagabi?”
“Para kang nagba-ballet habang natutulog, Lucas,” natatawa namang sagot ni Jonas.
Sumagitsit lamang siya at bumuntong hininga. Patuloy pa rin niyang hinihimas ang parte ng leeg na masakit habang pilit na huwag ilinga ang ulo—masakit! Nakakainit ng ulo, hindi na lang siya pinugutan ng ulo kagabi, e. Nahiya pa ang kung sinumang espiritu sa tinutuluyan nila ni Jonas!
Anyway, tinawag ba siyang ‘Lucas’ ni Jonas? Hindi niya alam kung mamamangha siya o ano kaya nilingon niya ang binata para masigurong hindi siya nagkamali ng dinig.
“Anong tinawag mo sa ‘kin?” tanong niya rito, naniningkit pa ang mga mata niya na siyang dahilan upang mapaatras at kabadong tumawa ang binata.
Humakbang paatras si Jonas. “Lucas. Ano pa bang itatawag ko sa ‘yo?”
“Oh. So you did call me by my name.” Akala niya, nagkamali lang talaga siya ng dinig. Mabuti naman at sa unang pangalan na siya tinatawag nito. Hindi na siya mamomroblema. “By the way, I’ve already mapped out the places we’ll have to check today.”
“Kailan mo pa ‘yan ginawa? Tulog mantika ka kagabi, Lucas,” ani Jonas.
Kumibot ang isang kilay niya bago siya humigop ng malalim na hininga. “Noong isang araw ko pa ‘to ginawa. At alam kong tulog mantika ako. There’s no need to rub it on my face!”
“Sorry?”
After their conversation, Lucas and Jonas decided to split up to investigate the places he saved for today. Hindi nakalimutan ni Lucas na ipagdiinan kay Jonas na malalaman lamang nila na nasa iisang lugar si Prinsesa Selene kung mayroon silang maaamoy na pupwedeng maging dahilan para mawalan sila ng malay. Kaya nga ang bilin niya, kahit na anong mangyari e huwag kakalimutan ang mukha ng prinsesa.
“Pero pa’no ko naman maaamoy ang dugo niya? Susugatan ko ba lahat ng babaeng makakasalamuha ko?!” namamanghang tanong ni Jonas.
That was when Lucas snapped his fingers and with a completely stoic but stupid face, he exclaimed, “iyan ang ‘di ko alam kung pa’no natin gagawin.”
Fuck. Baka mayroong makapansin ng ginagawa nilang pasimpleng panunugat sa mga nakakasalamuha nilang babae lalo na’t hindi lang sila ang iba ang lahi rito sa Ellesmere.
Lucas massaged his temples as they brainstormed of how they could track down Princess Selene. Ni hindi nga ito magawa ng mga ipinadalang assassin mula sa kaharian ng Izquierdo, e! Kaya paano rin nila magagawa?! Kahit naman si Merlin, hindi alam kung paanong hahanapin ang prinsesa!
Ang huli lang niyang naaalala mula rito e sa oras daw na mahanap nila ang prinsesa, tutulong daw ito kung sakaling masangkot sila sa hindi kaaya-ayang sitwasyon. Paano niya iyon gagawin, ha?!
“Just...” Lucas trailed off as he heaved a sigh. Nag-angat siya ng tingin kay Jonas na hinihintay ang utos niya, “look around the corners and check if there would be any assassin around. If you found one, follow them and inform me. Don’t do anything rash and wait for my orders.”
Nag-aalangan siyang pinagmasdan ng binata at napansin niya iyon lalo na nang mag-iwas ito ng tingin, hawakan ang likuran ng ulo, at tila ba dumaing ito—hindi aprubado sa sinabi niya.
“Anong problema? May iba ka bang suhestiyon?” pag-uusisa niya.
Baka kasi mamaya, may mali sa plano niya. Pupwede rin namang magsuhestiyon itong si Jonas dala ng may experience ito mula sa pagiging kabalyero. Ilang beses na rin itong naipadala sa labas ng kaharian upang dipensahan ang tarangkahan kung sakali mang mayroong nangangahas na sirain ang kaharian ng Vintress.
Kalaunan, ipinikit nito ang mga mata at ikinunot ang noo. “Wala naman akong ibang suhestiyon pero sa ‘ting dalawa, pakiramdam ko e ikaw ‘yong padalos-dalos lamang na kikilos.”
Aba’t! Namilog ang mga mata niya nang ganoon ang ipunto ng binata at nang magmulat ito ng mga mata’t nakita ang itsura niya, napaubo-ubo ito bigla.
“Ang ibig kong sabihin, sana tawagin mo rin muna ako bago ka gumawa ng kahit na ano!” dipensa nito bago ikinumpas ang mga kamay para muwestrahan siyang mali siya ng iniisip, “ma—mahirap na, Prinsi—este Lucas! Baka kung ano pa ang mangyari sa ‘yo. Hindi naman ang prinsesa ang prayoridad ko kung ‘di ang kaligtasan mo bilang ikaw ang tagapag—”
“Tama na ‘yan,” agap niya sa binata bago sumagitsit, “oo, gano’n din ang gagawin ko. Para sa’n pa’t naging plano ‘to kung ‘di ko rin susundin?”
Nang marinig ang sinagot niya, tila ba nakahinga ng maluwang si Jonas. Lihim tuloy na umismid si Lucas at minuwestrahan itong simulan na nila ang plano.
“Magkita na lang tayo sa harap ng tinutuluyan natin,” aniya.
Bahagyang yumuko si Jonas para magpaalam. “Masusunod.”
Nang makaalis na si Jonas at maiwan si Lucas, inilibot niya ang mga mata sa kabuuan ng plaza. Huh. Not gonna lie, Lucas doesn’t expect their day one to be easy. Not with his fucking stiffed neck.
CHAPTER 7.5 Lady of ConcordDESPITE staying within the premises of Ellesmere for a month, Lucas and Jonas’ expedition had no progress. They had zero clue of where to find Princess Selene and they haven’t seen an assassin around the kingdom. Goddamn, he really thought that they’d find some clues within Ellesmere because this is the nearest country to Izquierdo kingdom next to Vintress kingdom.Lucas huffed at the thought as he leaned against the edge of his window, staring at the bright moon that illuminated the night sky and blessed Xeofarea with its gleam. He had a glass of blood in hand and he’s been spinning it, causing for the liquid to follow its rhythm and prance along. Not gonna lie, Lucas wouldn’t really resort to drinking blood today if his bloodthirst wouldn’t feel an inexplicable sting around his body.Normally, he would even consider drinking the pills th
Chapter 8.1 The Tyrant’s Territory INFILTRATING Westmount Kingdom wasn’t surprisingly difficult. After all, Lucas had always heard about how King Xavier was labeled as the ‘tyrant king’ feared by everyone. It’s over the place—from newspapers to media, they never fail to emphasize that King Xavier administers Westmount Kingdom with an iron fist.When Lucas and Jonas first got to the place, the security was tight as the knights scrutinized every travellers who desired to step inside the land. They even tried to rummage all over their stuff and sometimes, some knights would try to steal items from the travellers, abusing the authority bestowed to them by the royal palace. What dumbasses.But did Lucas and Jonas experienced this? Unfortunately for them, they had to or else they might snatch unwanted notoriety especially from the royal family. If they resist, the knig
CHAPTER 8.2 AssassinNAGKAMALI ba siya ng dinig? O baka kapangalan lamang ng nawawalang prinsesa ang dalagang nakabungguan niya? A lot of thoughts really went gushing inside his head the second he heard that very familiar name. Hindi na niya alintana ang kumpulan ng mga mamamayan sa paligid nila. Basta umikot ang buong isip niya sa pangalan ng dalaga.‘Paano kung kapangalan lang? Paano kung susundan namin ni Jonas ta’s madidismaya lang kami dahil ‘di pala si Prinsesa Selene?’ Ito ang iilan sa mga katanungang tumatakbo sa isipan ni Lucas habang pilit na ibinabaon sa isipan ang mukha nito.Habang minamasdan niya ang direksyong pinuntahan ng dalaga, hindi niya napansin ang paglapit sa kanya ni Jonas. Bakas din ang pagkagulat sa mukha ng binata lalo na nang isigaw ang pangalan ng dalaga kanina. Namamangha ito at tila ba may bakas ng pagkataranta—gustong sundan nila ang dalagang naka
CHAPTER 8.3Annihilating the Threat“ANG SABI ko huwag kang lalapit!” natatarantang sigaw niya sa kaklaseng biglang lumantad na assassin.Bakit siya pa?! Alam ni Selene sa sarili na wala siyang ginawang masama at hindi siya lumalabag sa batas ng kaharian! Umiiwas siya sa gulo at walang ibang ginawa kung hindi ang gumawa ng mabuti nang hindi kailanman mapasama!“Huwag mo akong sinisigawan!” sigaw pabalik ng assassin.Noong mga oras na iyon, pinagsisihan ni Selene ang pagkurap dahil noong ginawa niya, bigla rin niyang naramdaman ang sakit na namumuo sa tagiliran niya. Doon niya napagtanto ang mga pangyayari, she found out that Drew stabbed her on her waist before he pinned her on the ground and choked her with his free hand. Pakiramdam din ni Selene ay anumang oras, tatapyasin nito ang katawan niya.Drew smirked. “Palagi kong iniisip ko ba’t takot na takot sa ‘yo ang pamilyang ‘yon.”&
CHAPTER 8.4 Lost Vampire Princess Lucas watched in silence as the assassin’s lifeless body turn into ashes and disappear in thin air. It took them a moment, perhaps, more than ten minutes before Lucas could heave a sigh of relief. This is what he decided to do to obliterate any evidences that a crime occurred here and that the killer was an assassin sent by Izquierdo kingdom.After all, Lucas and Jonas—as well as the princess they finally found, would be put in a tight spot if ever someone realizes that they interferred with the assassin’s mission. Not only that the Vintress Kingdom would raise any suspicion, a possible war could also brew and they haven’t prepared for that yet.Well, that is his speculation but who knows what his father had been doing in the kingdom?Noong sigurado na siyang maayos na ang lahat, walang bakas ng kahit na sino pang assassin at wala ri
CHAPTER 9.1 TrippedWHILE Lucas and Jonas discussed of how they could solve their conflict with the knights, Lucas heard a woman from the nurse’s table, asking for the condition of someone named ‘Selene Gallenera’. Since the name sounded very much like Selene’s, Lucas assumed that the woman who came running to meet the lost vampire princess must be someone that the princess knew—or another assassin playing the part as the princess’ guardian.Nevertheless, he and Jonas waited but their guards were up. He was even already planning out how to execute another assassin without anyone catching them. But as soon as the nurse went out of their table and led the woman to their direction, Lucas was surprised to see a seemingly weak old lady whose fear and panic was evident on her visage.‘Who is she?’ Lucas asked himself. He even sat straight when her eyes darted on him
CHAPTER 9.2 ShelterWHEN the clock pointed at three o’clock in the afternoon, both Lucas and Jonas knew that it’s time to go. They still have to find shelter and as much as possible, it would be great if it’s somewhere near Selene’s home. Only that, they don’t know where exactly does she live with her adoptive mother—and yes, Lucas confirmed that Helen was no threat after watching her take care of the lost princess. It was as if Selene was her own so... he gotta respect her for that.“Aalis na po kami,” paalam ni Jonas kina Selene at Aling Helen nang maisukbit ang bag dala nila. “Maghahanap pa po kami ni Lucas ng matutuluyan.”Sumunod si Lucas sa ginawa ni Jonas. Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo sa tabi ni Selene para mamaalam na rin sa mag-ina. Lucas also plans to discuss the connection between Aling Helen and Selene, as well as her involvement with
CHAPTER 9.3 Connecting Puzzle Pieces BASED on every information that they were able to gather, Helen Gallenera is the adoptive mother of the lost vampire princess, Selene Griego. It seemed like the two has a healthy relationship, which relieved Lucas because there could be a huge possibility that persuading them to transfer in a safer place might be easier, but at the same time; unveiling that had been shrouded by Selene’s mysterious disappearance that night would be a whirlwind for them. A sudden turn of events... that may appear farfetched from an individual who believed that they were born as human. “Anong gagawin natin, Prinsipe Lucas?” tanong ni Jonas sa kanya. Dalawang araw pa lamang ang lumilipas mula nang tumuloy sina Lucas sa apartment na pinapaupahan nina Aling Helen at sa loob ng dalawang araw na iyon, ginawa nila ang lahat upang makasalamuha ang mag-ina’t malaman ang relasyon