Ruthvann

This unfamiliar feeling while looking at the unfamiliar room makes me wonder if it's really okay for me to finally explore? Like I'll give myself a chance to open my heart to explore but this time, here in this land?

Because when I was in Villador, I was scared to let myself to be seen by the other beings. I was scared to be discriminated and criticized in negative way. I am scared to hear negative feedbacks from the others knowing I'm gay, and knowing I am playing one of the important roles in that country.

I am a Prince, my parents are Maharlikas while my brother is a King. Hindi man nagkaroon ng korona ang mga magulang namin pero hinayaan ni Evergreen na bigyan sila ng ganoong klaseng titulo. I don't know if it's for respect because she was my brother's wife... before or it was just a kind of drama. But after knowing that she manipulated my brother and changed the destiny to be mated by him, it scares us all. We all know that she is powerful, she is a Goddess and a Demon God after all.

She gave birth to my niece with my brother knowing my brother doesn't love her in the first place. He can't do anything because he was weak that time and controlled by Evergreen's evil power. Kuya Ruthven was chosen to be that woman's King because she saw something to my brother that she couldn't see to others and I think it was because of my brother's powers that can stop the time.

"It's refreshing here." I whispered while looking at the outside view while I'm standing here at the window. The air is cool and relaxing while those trees outside of this land are swaying their bodies a bit under the music of the birds' humming voices.

It's different here, it's giving us safe and light. Unlike to Villador, this place screams freedom and safe securities. Not just that, I can sense that the other beings from here are not just ordinary, they are all powerful based from my observation when I secretly went outside. They look, happy... and contented.

"Anak? Are you not going outside? Your Kuya Ruthven wants to tour you so that you can familiarize the land. Of course, you are still the Prince." Napalingon ako sa likuran ko at nakitang nasa pinto si Mom. I smiled at her preciously and went to her.

"Mom, I feel so uncomfortable calling myself a Prince knowing that we are not originally from here. Isn't it unfair to other beings?" I asked with so much concerned not just for my Mom but also to the other creatures living here. My mom sighed deeply and hold my hands, and then she caressed the back of my palm that made me smiled a bit.

"Your Kuya's husband is kind, anak. I can sense that he has the pure heart that we are looking for, for a long time. It is nothing for him and it is natural for you to be a Prince because your brother is a King." I sighed deeply, wala akong nagawa kundi ang tumango na lang.

When I heard Kuya's husband's name before and their story, I told myself that like him, I can still find my true love despite being misinterpreted because of my gender preference. Kuya's love for that specific being is true and loyal. Kuya Ruthven even cried when he hurt Queen Lara, because he needed to go back in Villador because of his mission. I witnessed how he suffered, how he cried a lot because of his regrets being the King of Villador. He prayed everyday that one day will come for him, and everything will be alright.

One thing is for sure that he didn't regret that happened in his entire life is his daughter, my niece, Ruthvienne.

"Queen Lara is a real Queen, even though he is a man. He is a man written by a woman." I replied to my Mom, she smiled at me and kissed me on my cheek.

After that short conversation, she bid her goodbye because she still have errands to do with the Queen together with the leaders of each race in this land. While me, I decided to went out from my room and roamed my eyes inside of this tall Palace. Napakalaki at napakataas ng palasyo nato pero dalawang palapag lang ang meron na siyang ikinalito ko. Hindi ko alam kung sinadya ba 'to o ganito lang talaga ang pagkakagawa?

Well it is not bad, it's actually a breathtaking kind of Palace because I really can see how far the ceiling is from the ground. But there's a gold big chandelier that I am sure that are also mixed of diamonds and rubies to make it more shine. The light from it is almost blinding if you'll stare at it and that's how it gave so much light inside of the Palace. I also notice that each room has torch beside of each door and if I am not mistaken, mukhang almost fifteen plus ata ang room sa loob ng palasiyo na'to and I am sure that it's huge and spacious inside.

Lahat ng mga bagay na nakapalibot sa akin sa loob ng palasyo na'to ay masasabi kong mahal. Lahat ay may kantidad at hindi lang ordinaryong bagay.

I was stunned when I suddenly felt an unfamiliar strong energy from somewhere and my head automatically looked at the back. And there, a familiar face surprised me with his dark aura and strong presence. His energy is overflowing and I know that he is a powerful being too. But there's something odd with him.

"H-Hi!" Utal na nahihiya kong bati. I don't know but I am not good at fitting in, I am not good in interacting and I am not good in socializing with beings that I am not really comfortable with. Kahit naman kilala ko ay hindi rin ako sanay, nahihiya lang ako dahil alam ko na magiging iba ang tingin nila sa akin kapag nalaman nila ang gender ko.

Nakatingin lang siya sa akin na walang ipinapakitang ekspresiyon sa mukha. His eyes are like dead, the color of his eyes are the blackest of all black and while I am staring at it... I was like staring to infinity darkness.

"Who are you?" He is not cold but his expressionless and I don't know if it's a different thing. When he asked me such question, I suddenly coughed for no reason and shyly stared at him with my apologetic eyes.

"I-I'm Ruthvann." I was about to tell him that I am Kuya Ruthven's brother but I stopped. There's something stopping me to tell him who I am, and I think it is because I am scared? I am scared that they'll just befriending me because I am a Royalty?

He nodded, and I was shocked when he was about to walked away from me.

"W-Wait, what is your name?" He is familiar to me but I forget where did the last time I saw him! His face feature is like perfectly sculpted by the God of Darkness because of his expressionless gorgeous face. His defined jaw is captivating and even his well-built body can make every woman drool over him. It's just that, he is kinda dead? Lifeless? He acts like no one can bother him!

He stopped in midway and stared at me again. Ngayon, kita ko na ang taka sa kaniyang mga mata at ang pagkunot ng noo niya. Is it even an expression?

"Why do you ask?" He seriously fired back that made me stop. Yeah, he's right! What's with me and I am asking his name?

"A-Ahmm, sorry. Sorry for asking." Nasabi ko na lang, tumalikod na ako sa kaniya pero bago pa ako makapaglakad ay huminga muna ako ng malalim. Nakakahiya!

"Gosh." I whispered and was about to walk but suddenly he speaks.

"Wait." Natigilan ako hindi dahil sa tinawag niya ako, natigilan ako dahil sa malalim niyang boses na parang sinasadiya niyang iparinig sa akin. Hindi ko alam pero simula nang marinig ko ang boses niya, nagsisimula ng kabahan ang puso ko.

Unti-unti akong humarap sa lalaki at kahit alam kong awkward, ngumiti ako ng maliit.

"B-Bakit?" I stuttered and I don't know how many time I stuttered in front of him! It's kinda embarrassing!

"They called me, Zachariuss. That's probably... my name." I suddenly showed my confused expression to him. What did he say? Is he saying that he is not sure of his name?

"I don't understand, y-you are not sure of your name?" I asked back, he manly sighed deeply thay made me more nervous. Wait, is he mad that I asked so many questions? Do I have to stop now and continuously walk away?

"S-Sorry again for asking, if you are not comfortable then it's okay with me. You are not obligated to tell me w-wha..."

"I can't remember anything." He cut me off that made me stopped and when I heard those words from him, my heart boomed. Like I was hurt because of what he said.

"I can't remember anything, that's why I can't tell if it's really my name." He added, tumango na lang ako at ngumiti sa kaniya. He's having a hard time to tell his name because he wasn't sure if it's really his name. Right.

"Sorry." Nasabi ko na lang. He shook his head.

"No, don't feel sorry. I don't want to be pitied." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya kaya agad akong umiling.

"N-No, I don't pity you. It's just that, I was sorry because I asked too much. I know t-that you're being uncomfortable." Saad ko sa kaniya, natahimik siya sa sinabi ko kaya kinabahan akong huminga ng malalim.

"A-Ah, I have to go." I uttered and walked away, I went out from the palace having the heavy feeling! Hindi ko alam pero ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko dahil sa lalaking 'yon! Kapag tumitingin siya sa mga mata ko ay parang dinadala niya ako sa ibang dimensiyon. Na para bang kinukulong niya ang mga mata ko sa loob ng dilim.

"Ruthvann!" Natigilan ako nang makitang papalapit sa akin si Kuya, smiling widely kasama ang hindi ko kilala na lalaki. Nakangiti silang pareho sa akin kaya gano'n na rin ang ginawa ko, I shyly smiled at them back. Pagkalapit nila ay yumuko sa akin ang lalaki na siyang nagparamdam lalo sa akin ng hiya.

"N-No, you don't have to bow your head at me." Taranta kong sabi, nang inangat ng lalaki ang mukha niya ay ngumiti lang ito.

"Isa kayong Prinsipe kaya hayaan niyong igalang ko kayo." Geez, that's why I hate those beings knowing who I am because of this kind of interactions!

"His name is Diablo, a Demon God Slayer. He is Medusa's lover, the other Serpentes of this land." Mahinhin na lang akong tumango and greeted Diablo. I know Demon God Slayers are dangerous but I know some of them that has pure hearts, but they died before my eyes. They were mercilessly executed by Evergreen.

"Maligayang araw, Prinsipe Ruthvann."

"Good day too, Diablo. A-Ahm how you doin'?" Halos gusto kong sapukin ang sarili ko dahil sa tanong na 'yon. I really don't know how to interact with other creatures aside my parents and Kuya... and Ruthy.

"Naghahanda kami sa escuelahan ng Mystic Verdurous dahil nalalapit na ang araw na bubuksan na ito sa buong lupain. Kasali ang mga bansang Roha at Raja." I smiled at him because of what he said. I met them in Villador, the Queen of Raja and Roha. Hindi ko na silang nakitang nakipaglaban kay Evergreen but I heard that they are also powerful like Queen Lara, they even used the Holy Water spell that can prevent creatures with dark powers.

Tumingin ako kay Kuya na ngayo'y nakangiti lang sa akin. Wearing that simple but powerful and perfect crown makes him more decent looking, strong man, responsible and superior among all of us. With that green long robe that has lot of rubies and diamonds sewed on it makes him more God-looking knowing his powers and title in life.

"How's the students that you saved, Kuya? Are they okay now? And the other races, are they comfortable living here?" Alala kong tanong, alam kong mahirap din sa kanila ang nangyari sa Villador. Naiwan ang trabaho, ang mga bahay, ang lahat-lahat na pinaghirapan nila kaya hindi madali sa kanila ang ampunin ang buhay na meron dito. This land is not that advanced like the Villador but I heard they are working for it so thay they'll surpass that destroyed country.

"Healers already healed them, my wife already gave them words that can ease their minds and hearts. We also assured them that they'll live happily, comfortably and safely here in our land." He answered that made me nodded. And as for him, I know he is doing his very best to adjust and adopt all the things. The numbers of the creatures in this land is no joke, this land is still not a country that's why it can possibly cause misunderstanding and chaos.

"But don't worry my brother, we already built extra buildings in M.V. so it will expand more and can accommodate a lot of students. In process na rin ang susunod na lungsod na siyang nagpapaabala sa amin ngayon. Ikaw? Kamusta ka rito?" He asked back, ngumiti lang ako ng pilit. I know they are doing their best, lalo na't alam kong si Queen Lara and mas abala ngayon. Kung abala ang Reyna, mas lalong abala ang mga ordinaryong trabahador lang.

"I am still adjusting Kuya, you know I can't interact that much with other beings. But I am trying m-my best." I replied, he smiled widely. Napalingon pa ako kay Diablo and he is just smiling at me.

"You can ask anyone here to tour you in each town so that you can familiarize the land. It's also better to socialize yourself with the others and make friends, I am sure you'll like them. They are all kind and respectful, you don't have to be scared this time." Ngumiti na lang ako ng matamis.

He's right. Nagawa niya ngang Hari siya, ano na lang kaya na akong Prinsipe lang?

"I will. Sige Kuya, I'll just walk around."

"Okay, okay. Tell me if there's something that you need okay? Ask anyone to call me so that I can assist you, my brother." I thanked him with that, I bid my goodbye and bowed my head. Gano'n rin ang ginawa ni Diablo kaya napailing na lang ako habang nakangiti.

In my head, I want to explore outside of this land and I know that I can't make sure if it's safe being alone. But because of my curiosity, I want to check how beautiful their trees here why I always see them dancing together along with the flow of the cool wind.

Lumabas ako ng lungsod ng Mystic Emerald na siyang pagbungad kaagad sa akin ng mga puno. But these trees are not the trees that I am talking about, if I am not mistaken, ay kaunting distansiya pa ito mula rito. After minutes of thinking, lumakad na ako papunta sa direksiyon kung saan sigurado akong nandoon ang mga tinutukoy ko.

"Trees in Villador don't sway their bodies if the wind's blowing. There are no birds humming and there are no even beautiful flowers in there." Sabi ko sa sarili ko at nilibot ang mga mata ko sa paligid, it's already minutes before I started roaming around and I think I am far enough from the land.

"There you are!" I almost scream when I saw the trees swaying their bodies along with the wind. I think this forest is alive and I wonder if creatures of Mystic Emerald knows it? I heard Angels from there are tasked to guard the sky, so probably, they already knew it!

Lumapit pa ako ng kaunti at tumingala sa bawat punong nadadaanan ko. They are literally dancing and I noticed that their roots are like breathing! Wow! This is the first time seeing trees like this, breathing and at the same time they entertaining the forest!

"Grhh!" Mabilis akong lumingon sa parang may kung anong umungol, and suddenly I felt something in my back kaya lumingon ulit ako but there's no one. And suddenly sa other side ko na naman kaya kaba akong lumingon ulit pero wala ulit.

"Show yourself!" Matapang na sigaw ko, ilang segundo ay napaatras ako nang may malaking tigreng lumabas. That's not an ordinary tiger, it has long horn on his head and its fangs are longer than the usual. Its paws are big, its nails are long na parang mga kutsilyo sa haba. The tiger is showing its monstrous teeth readying himself to attack me. Ang laway niya ay nahuhulog pa sa lupa habang nakatingin sa akin na siyang nagpaatras sa akin!

This forest is not really safe!

I can sense so much power from the wild tiger and I am sure that this monster is no good!

Bago pa ako makatakbo aya agad na itong tumalon ng napakataas sa ibabaw ko, nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa nakakatakot nitong mukha na handa na akong sakmalin. Akmang sasanggain ko na sana ang posibleng atake nito ng bigla itong tumalsik hindi gano'n kalayo sa puwesto ko. Napahinga ako ng malalim at mabilis dahil doon. Suddenly, I felt a familiar energy that's why I immediately look for it and there... a tall guy standing not that far while seriously staring at me.

His hands are darkly glowing while his black eyes are also glowing. What is he doing here?

"Z-Zachariuss." I nervously called his name. Kinapos ako halos ng hininga ng unti-unti siyang lumapit sa akin. Nang nasa harapan ko na talaga siya, ngayon ko na lang napagtanto na masiyado siyang matangkad kaysa sa akin.

"Are you okay?" He asked, I can't distinguish his sound if it's a concern or it was just an ordinary sound.

"Y-Yeah, I was about to attack it." Nasabi ko na lang at tinuro ang hayop, lumingon ako do'n at nakita kong hindi na ito humihinga. Sa atakeng 'yon, nawalan na agad ng buhay ang tigre. Humarap ulit ako kay Zachariuss, seryoso niya lang akong tinititigan.

I wonder how strong he can be if we'll have a duel?

At teka, anong ginagawa niya nga pala dito?

"What are you doing here, Zachariuss? D-Did you follow me?" Halos sumigaw ako ng malakas dahil sa tanong kong 'yon sa kaniya!

The what?! Did I really asked him that? Gosh! What am I thinking! What are you thinking, Ruthvann?! Anong naisip ko bakit ko natanong 'yon?! I am really insane! Ewan ko pero hindi talaga ako makapag-isip ng tama kapag nasa paligid siya! His eyes are something that can make my mind in chaos! He can also make my heart trembled!

"W-Wait I mean what ar..."

"Yeah, I followed you." And that's it! I'm done! I'm done enough! He's making me crazy for no reason! Binabaliw niya ako! At ako naman ay nababaliw sa hindi malaman ang dahilan! I can't believe that there's such thing like this! I just met him a while ago but his presence and stares made me shaken!

Before I could say anything else to ask question, he already spit words again that made me literally stopped.

"I followed you because I feel comfortable when I'm with you."