MISSING ROYALTY

Chapter 19 : The Warning

Kriven called two people to escort me to my room nang sabihin ko sa kanyang pagod na ako. The party proceeded still.

The palace was open for the people and they went shaking hands with me and the look on their faces was just priceless. The hope is visible in their eyes as they saw me. And it only gave me motivation to do my best to help. I should. They trusted me now and I shoud not break that trust.

Hindi ko na pinapunta sina Vera and Dena. No, they haven't introduced theirselves. I named them myself. Hindi sila nakikipag-usap sa'kin kahit anong pilit ko. The young, tall one, with dark brown hair was Vera and the older one who is just as tall as Vera and also has dark brown hair was Dena.

I slip into my silk night gown and rested my body on the comfortable bed. Ngunit parang may nakabukol sa unan ko kaya kinuha ko iyon. The Diary of the Half Blood Prince.

Kulay pula ang notebook na iyon and the golden letter L was written on the lower right of the cover. I opened it and the same elegant handwritten words greeted me. This notebook is a property of the Half Blood Prince. I flipped to the next page read the first entry.

06/21/345

The training went well. Pero nakatikim ako ng malulutong na sermon galing kay George. I guess me as a Prince doesn't scare him and I like that. He told me to get myself together. I can still remember that time when he drowned me after I answered him disrespectfully. He told me he is raising a future King and not a bloody brat. I was 5 that time. He is my adviser. He always was. Wala siyang awa pagdating sa training. And I like that more. Tomorrow is his wedding. I am the happiest when I heard the news. And they're expecting a baby boy. I am the best man. I can't wait for tomorrow.

Lucas

Lucas. I repeated the name over and over again ngunit wala among maisip na namention ito ng isa sa mga scholars sa palasyo. Lucas is a Prince, nasabi niya iyon sa diary. He was a Prince here in Sicily once. Tiningnan ko ang taon and I realized matagal na iyon. And in my conclusion, Lucas is the same age as my Grandpa.

I touched the paper of the notebook. The texture is indeed smooth, just like how it felt when I first touched it. It is one of the finest papers in the ancient times. And it is used in the palace's affairs.

I almost jumped to my bed when I heard something landed on the veranda. Dali dali kong tinago ang notebook sa ilalim ng unan and get to my feet. The stone floor was cold against my feet. Kumuha ako ng tela para itakip sa balikat kong walang saplot. I am very familiat with this kind of scenario.

I roamed my eyes around the room for something hard para depensahan ang sarili ko but all I could find are books. Kinuha ko ang isang hard bound na libro at hinawakan iyon nang mahigpit. I walked straight to the veranda pero hindi ako masyadong lumapit. I was about at two arms length nang makita ko ang isang bulto ng tao sa labas ng veranda. The curtain was madr of silk at idagdag pa ang ilaw ng buwan, the silhouette of someone reflected to the glass door.

I gulped a lump in my throat. Nakita ko ang pagpihit ng doorknob doon and I hitched my breath nang mabuksan niya iyon. I can't see the intruder's face and all I know at this moment is that kung sino man ang taong ito, if he's going to kill me, I should at least put up a fight.

"Don't even think about it." I muttered and I was surprised by the firmness of my voice. Nakita ko ang bulto na huminto sa kanyang pagpasok. Nakita kong tumingala siya and I felt its gaze bore on me.

"Muriel." I dropped the book with a loud thud on the floor. Agad akong tumakbo papunta sa pinto kung nasaan ang bulto at hinagkan ito.

"I didn't know you'd miss me." He chuckled and now that I am near him, kitang kita ko ang mukha niya.

"Ares." I muttered and I tried so hard not to cry but failed miserably.

"Shh now. I'm here." He patted my head habang nakayakap ako sa kanya.

"I thought you'd never find me." I said in between my sobs. Narinig ko siyang tumawa nang mahina.

"With Pierce as the tracker, it wasn't hard. And with the help of someone, madali ka naming nakita. In fact, we were already here the next day you got kidnapped."

"What!?" Hindi ko napigilang hampasin ang dibdib niya. They already found me the next day I was kidnapped! Ibig sabihin, isang linggo na rin sila dito?

"Yes. Five of us."

"And you did not even approach me all those times I wandered outside together with the Curtizan! And what did you say? Five of you? The last time I checked, I only had three brothers Ares and that includes you. Sino ang dalawa? Dad and grandpa?"

"That's exactly the reason why we did not approach you. Because all those f*****g times you were out, kasama mo ang Curtizan na iyon. He can't know we are here. And yes. Lima kami. Your three brothers which includes me, Zyon and then Cross." I was taken aback nang magmura siya sa harapan ko. This is Ares for goodness' sake. And I always see him as a calm person. But what shocked me more was the last thing he said.

"What?" Hindi ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko. Cross is here. Hinanap niya ako. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti.

"Cross is here?"

"Yes. Listen, Muriel." Ares held both my shoulders and made me face him. 

Napatingin naman ako sa kanya and I observed the look of urgency in his eyes.

"What is it?"

"Do not trust the Curtizan." Naguguluhan akong napatingin sa kanya.

"Kriven?" He flinched when I mentioned his name. "Kriven is kind, Ares. Why shouldn't I trust him?"

"I can't tell you this time but promise me, Muriel. Never trust that man. Promise me."

"But Ares --"

"Promise me." He shook my shoulders and I looked at him carefully. Anong meron? What is with Kriven?

"Alright. I promise." I saw relief in his eyes nang sabihin ko iyon. He pulled me into a tight hug and kissed my forehead.

"Exene has planned something very half assed." I chuckled at what he said. I can tell he and Exene get along so well.

"And what is it?"

"Infiltrating this palace."

"The way I see it, you've already infiltrated the palace, Ares." I eyed him from head to foot.

"That's not what I meant. Muriel, be strong. Whatever happens, I will get you out of here."

"Ares, this kingdom needed me."

"That is not your job Muriel."

"But--"

"Dad knew all about this already. There's a reason why he hasn't forged an alliance with Sicily and I won't tell you why. The lesser you know, the less it will be dangerous for you."

"That's not fair!"

He pulled me into a hug again as if doing it would calm my tantrums.

"Trust me Muriel. Trust us." Naguguluhan man ay tumango nalang ako. He kissed my forehead again ang went to the verana and jumped. Tumakbo ako and looked down and Ares is gone. Bumalik ako sa kama at hindi ko mapigilang isipin ang sinabi ng kakambal ko. Don't trust the Curtizan? How can I not trust Kriven? He seems so kind and warm. He even reminds me of Ares. I can't understand why they can't trust him.

Kinuha ko ang diary na binabasa ko lang kanina. Bumaba ako sa kama and pushed the wooden floor just under my bed. Agad kong nilagay ang diary doon at sinarado iyon. I had a feeling that notebook will tell me everything I need to know that everybody doesn't know. Not even the Curtizan or Ares. 

Bumalik ako sa kama and it took me hours before I fell asleep.

Nagising ako sa mahinang katok ng kwarto ko. Agad akong bumangon para buksan iyon and I was greeted by Kriven. He smiled kindly just like what he always do kapag nagkikita kami.

"I came personally to escort you to the dining hall but as I can observe, you have not yet prepared. I'll come back later." Saad niya ay tumalikod ngunit agad ko siyang napigilan.

"You can get inside. I won't take long." Nakita kong nagdadalawang isip siya.

"Sure. But I prefer staying outside. I'll wait for you here." He smiled again and I returned it. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit hindi ko siya dapat pagkatiwalaan. Shaking the thought off, agad kong sinara ang pinto and prepared myself. I just wore a simple riding clothes. Nang makalabas ako sa kwarto, nasa harapan lang siya with his arms crossed. Nang makita niya ako ay nilahad niya ang braso niya sa akin at agad ko namang ikinawit ang braso ko doon.

The dining hall was quite. The long table was placed with foods. Marami pero hindi kasing rami sa Oregon. Flux is already there waiting for us. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano ang posisyon niya rito. Nang makita niya kaming paparating ay agad siyang tumayo and bowed slightly. Hindi ko alam kung para sa'kin o para kay Kriven.

Naupo kaming tatlo sa paligid ng mesa, Kriven sa dulo at magkaharap naman kami ni Flux with him on the right and me on the left. I was about to get the spoon nang hawakan ni Kriven ang kamay ko. Nang tingnan ko siya, he smiled and mouthed the word wait. Sinunod ko naman ang sinabi niya.

I saw him clasp his hands and closed his eyes. Flux did the same kaya gumaya na rin ako. I heard him mutter something I can't really hear but I felt like it was a prayer.

Nang matapos sila ay agad rin silang kumain. I loomed at Kriven and he met my eyes. Ngumiti siya ang wiped his mouth with the napkin.

"That was a prayer, Muriel. We always do it before eating a blessing. Everything in this table was hunted by our people. Hunting is a very dangerous task here in Sicily. So we thank the heavens for giving us this blessing." Tumango nalang ako and stared at my food.

Naisip ko ang Oregon. Back at home food is abundant and we don't have the custom of praying to the heavens before eating. I realized how scarce the food is here in Sicily. The table isn't even full but they thanked the heavens still. I suddenly felt ashamed.

"You have to eat, Your Highness. The food was not made to jump to your mouth." Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Flux and he just smirked and continued eating.

Matapos kumain, agad akong nagpaalam sa dalawa. They wanted me to come with them to practice pero hindi na ako sumama. I have to continue reading that diary. Maybe that answers my question of why can't I trust Kriven. Hindi basta basta nambibintang si Ares nang walang ebidensya. He must have some reasons kung bakit ayaw niyang pagkatiwalaan ko si Kriven. And Flux said not to trust anyone in here pati na rin siya. Does that include the Curtizan too?

Whoever the Curtizan is, kailangan kong malaman. I want to prove them he is the opposite of what they're thinking. Mabait si Kriven. And I will prove it to them. Besides, natali na ako sa Sicily. Kahit pa umalis ako dito, I can't possibly ignore the fact that this kingdom needs some helping. I have made a promise to its people and a Princess should not break a promise.