MISSING ROYALTY

Chapter 18 : Bliss and Pain

Hindi ko namalayang halos mag iisang linggo na ako dito. I have counted the days since I was brought here. At habang tumatagal, nakilala ko ang Sicily all thanks to Kriven who takes me to walk every afternoon. At habang tumatagal, my hope for my brothers and Cross to find me slowly fades.

Does my brothers knew where this place is? Do they even know na narito ako sa Macedon? And Cross. Did he even wonder where I am? Did he ever wonder why I wasn't home that night I was abducted? Will he ever come looking for me? After all, he said I was a prisoner. Isn't he supposed to find his prisoner?

There was never a night where I didn't think about it. And now a week has passed and I still have no news of them looking for me. During our walks around the town center, I can't help but hope that while I am walking, Pierce will appear out of nowhere and drag me somewhere quiet for us to talk. But that never happened. Hindi naman sa hindi ko gusto sa Sicily. It's just that I wanted to at least let my brothers know I am here in Macedon so that they won't worry.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when someone knocked on my door. Napatingin ako sa orasa and it's 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Usually, Kriven takes me to walks every 4 in the afternoon.

Agad ko itong binuksan and I was half amused nang makita kong si Flux pala iyon. May dala siyang dalawang malaking kahon.

"It wouldn't hurt you if you could just open the door wider and let me in so that I can put these damn boxes down." He said.

Binuksan ko ng malaki ang pinto and he did put the boxes down. He looked at me and for a moment, I saw his eyes looked apologetic. But then again, this man's words and actions can not be trusted how much more are his expressions?

"You deceitful bastard." I hissed.

"Come on, Princess. Sanay na akong tawagin na ganyan. Got anything much stronger than that?" Hamon niya.

Before he could even count one two three, my fist landed on his face that made him stagger. My fist hurt like crazy ngunit tila wala lang iyon sa kanya. At mas lalo akong nainis dahil dun.

"Why did I even come with you to that wedding? Why didn't I even consider the fact that Cross hated you so much because of some particular reasons."

"It's so much more than that. And for a Princess, your punch is hell. Ouch." He moved his jaw and tilted his head.

"Alam mo bang the moment that bastard who abducted me pulled my hair that almost ripped my scalp, I thought you'd come looking for me and will save me from that? Now I hate myself for even thinking about it."

"I'm sorry, Muriel." He said and I sensed sincerity with the way he said it. But I learned.

"I don't know if I can believe that anymore, Flux." He looked at me once again and I hated the look in his eyes. Where is the Flux who would make every conversation dirty? Parang ibang Flux ang kaharap ko ngayon. He wasn't that ninja who threw shurikens at my direction. He wasn't that ninja who climbed my balcony and threatened to kill me. The ninja standing in front of me right now is different.

"This kingdom needs you."

"You should know that I don't have the power for that kind of help. I am just a princess for goodness' sake and not a bloody Queen. All I could do for this Kingdom is fervor."

"And that is more than enough."

"No. Their fervor will die soon, trust me. Kapag wala silang nakitang pagbabago dito sa Sicily they will think that capturing a princess was useless after all and all of this will be nothing."

"You think the Curtizan didn't think about that?"

"Oh yes. He surely did. After I told him the same thing I just told you. The greater help I can offer this kingdom is alliance from Oregon and that will only happen if I can go home and talk to my father about it."

"But you're still not going home."

And I was reminded again of the fact that my brothers haven't found me yet.

"After my brothers will find me." I said almost a whisper.

I saw Flux moving to my direction. His eyes are different. Sympathetic, sad, mad. His eyes were a storm of emotions I didn't imagine he could feel.

"Don't trust anyone Muriel, please. Don't trust anyone. Even me." He said and stormed out of my room. I was shocked to hear that from him. I smiled bitterly.

"Of course. Natuto na ako sa'yo."

* * *

The two ladies who escorted me the past few days are back in my room. They arranged the dresses that was in the box. Turns out, ang box na dala ni Flux ay ang mga damit ko pala.

Hinayaan ko silang pumili ng aking susuotin and I they left me alone in the bath. Nang matapos ako, agad nila akong inayusan. They painted my face with only light make up as I requested. The dress was a simple purple dress with dangling jewelries which I suppose, is the signature style of Sicily. They love jewelries.

My hair was braided softly with jewelries again dangling on the knots. When I saw myself in the mirror, I can only praise the two ladies. Kahit hindi nila sabihin, I am sure they're happy with how well they've done their work tonight.

Tonight will be the night I will introduce myself to the people of Sicily. Kriven agreed to my terms. I don't know about the Konsilors. Pero wala na akong panahon para isipin ang nais nila.

The ladies went immediately out of my room after they're done with me. I looked at myself once again in the mirror. Napagdesisyunan kong sumilip sa veranda and I almost gasped with what I saw. Maraming tao ang naroon sa harap ng gusali ng Curtizan. The people. And they're waiting for their Curtizan's announcement. Waiting for me to step into the platform and ahow myself to them. Thinking about it racks my nerves.

I heard a gentle knock on my door at alam ko na agad kung sino iyon. Agad ko itong binuksan and I was greeted by the Curtizan. He wore his white coat with silver and gold medals pinned on his broad chest. Looking at him, naalala ko si Ares. Before they become leaders, they were trained soldiers. My Dad has those medals too. Pati na rin sina Ares, Pierce and Exene. Though Exene never lived inside the palace, he was trained nevertheless.

Kriven offered his arm and I inclined my arm to his. He smiled gently as if comforting me as I will be facing hundreds - thousands of the people of Sicily.

"Don't be silly. I've done this one a thousand times." I said convincing myself more than him. I heard him chuckled.

"Sure you do. I've always watched the daily broadcast."

"Right."

Mas humigpit ang kapit ko sa kanya as we walked an unfamiliar path. May mga guwardiya sa magkabilang gilid ng hallway. I composed myself just like what I always do kapag nagsasalita ako sa harap ng tao.

We reached a wooden door at nakita ko sa Flux na nag aabang doon. He opened the door that leads to a huge podium overlooking the whole population of Sicilian people. Nahigit ko ang hininga ko when I stepped into the light. There are few Konsilors in the podium too. Flux and Kriven stood on my sides as I made my way to the center of it.

I heard collective gasps, murmurs and whispers as soon as they saw me. Ngunit natahimik din sila nang magsalita si Kriven.

"Good evening, Sicily." Panimula niya in an authoritative voice. He glanced briefly at me at nagpatuloy.

"Tonight, I will give you good news. Someone from another Kingdom came to visit Sicily. Ladies and gentlemen, meet our visitor." I heard murmurs again in the crowd. I don't know if they're excited or curious or doesn't even care pero ang tanging nasa isip ko ngayon is to deliver my practiced speech.

Kriven stepped aside para ako naman ang magsalita. He nods his head as if trying to encourage me. Nang tingnan ko si Flux, he did the same.

I stepped forward and I almost covered my face with the blinding light. I looked at the vast number of people below, waiting for the good news their Curtizan was saying.

"Good evening, people of Sicily." They fell more silent as I spoke. And that's just the way I like it.

"I am the first Princess of Oregon. Princess Tamina Muriel Ailani Magnussen." And just what we expected, I heard collective gasps and somebody even shouted. Their eyes are on me as if stripping me naked, searching if there's truth with what I just said. Ngunit sanay ako sa ganito.

"The people of Sicily has been truly accomodating. And even made this fantastic dress." I said and somewhere in the crowd, someone shouted. Probably the one who tailored my dress. I giggled.

"And your Curtizan has been specially kind to a visitor like me and for that, I am forever thankful." I glanced at Kriven and he just smiled.

"I have stayed here for one week and within that short time, I have known Sicily. I was amazed by how you made your ways to stand alone, to be a lone and independent Kingdom, to be a Kingdom fighting your own battles with no alliances. The last few days, I saw a child whose finger was cut. I realized he was a butcher's assistant. And it pained me, it pained your Curtizan to see children too young to work. That's why I came to a decision. I will help this kingdom. I will help its people so that no young children will be working in order to live. I will ask my Father, the King of Oregon to build alliance with this Kingdom. I will do everything, anything and for that, I need your cooperation." Silence followed and later on, claps and shouts filled the place. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I smiled at Kriven.

"Good job." Flux whispered on my ear and I turned to face him.

"I always do a good job." I smiled and he smirked. The same smirk he used to have at the island. He leaned closer and whispered.

"Really? Why are you so lousy with regards to confessing to Cross?" Nanlaki ang mata ko habang nakatingin sa kanya. Bloody hell.

"Wha--" before I could even finish what I was about to say, he already turned his back while still smirking.

Why do I get a feeling that the old annoying Flux is back? I huffed and walk down the podium. How the bloody hell did he knew about that?Kriven offered his arm again and I took it gladly.

Binagtas namin ang daan papunta sa dining hall nila and I can't help but wander again. Flux mentioned him kaya naalala ko na naman si Cross, wondering if he's looking for me. I smiled bitterly, I should've confessed what I felt kung alam ko lang na magigising na pala ako sa isang malayong lugar, I should've told him what those terms in the paper meant.

Naibog ko nimo.

I smiled. Those memories are so bliss yet so painful at the same time. Bliss because it reminds me of my times in the island and painful because it reminds me that it will never be the same again, that I can't go back to those times again. Bliss and pain. I never knew those two cotradicting words can go together.

* * *