Third Person

A day before the wedding, the kings and queens called out for a royal assembly in a hidden underground hall in the Fire Continent's palace. The announcement of the wedding made an uproar and ignited troubles for everyone.

Hindi nila nagawang pigilan at ihinto ang Continental Festival. Bukod sa nagulantang at naguguluhan ang mga ito at wala sa tamang pag-iisip kung ano ang gagawin ay may pwersang pumipigil sa mga ito upang makalabas sa institute. It feels like there is a huge and powerful barrier around them and they can't break through it.

Nawala lang ang kalasag na iyon nang lumabas na nagwagi ang Fire Continent sa paligsahan. The Fire Tribe's insignia suddenly lit up in the sky together with the fireworks of victory. Wala na silang nagawa rito.

Hindi pa nga sila nakakabawi sa pagkabigla sa natunghayang pagkatao ni Caiz Perfecto na ngayon ay hindi na nila mahagilap, dumagdag pa ang pag anunsyo ng kasalanan. It was an official wedding because the royalties' words are the law and decree itself. May ibidensya rito at kinompirma naman ito ng ikakasal.

"So you're gonna use my son to accomplish your plans?" Queen Winter asked sarcastically.

Simula nang malaman niya ang totoo mula sa kasinungalingan ay ayaw na niyang magbulag-bulagan dito. She's not even in good terms with her husband, the king of Water Continent. That's the price he needs to face for hiding secrets to her.

"Siya lang ang makakagawa ng bagay na 'yon." King Farus answered.

"And you think my son would favor your heartless plans?" sikmat nito pabalik.

"If we tell him the truth, I'm sure he's willing to do it," aniya ni haring Luther.

"I'm not gonna let my son carry the burden of your lies," matabang na wika ng reyna.

Isang malaking tensyon ang namumuo sa pagitan ng mga ito. Queen Winter Snow Alcastrair is unlike any queens. She won't lay low and obey her king if their perception is not right. Kahit nag-iisa lang siyang tanggi rito ay hindi siya magpapadala sa mga ito. She will always be the queen that would fight for what's right.

Kung ang ibang reyna ayaw kumontra at mas pipiliing sumuporta sa disesyon ng kanilang hari't sa desisyon ng nakakarami, puwes iba siya sa mga ito. Ang baliko ay baliko sa kaniya at walang mali ang magiging tama sa kaniya.

"We have no choice, Winter. Ang kasalang gaganapin ay nakadagdag lang sa problema na ating kakaharapin." Queen Ariaddne of of Air Continent commented.

"And who the hell caused the future problems?" aniya ng reyna sabay sulyap sa reyna ng Fire Continent.

"This is not the right time to argue, Winter. May problema tayong dapat solusyunan at hanapan ng paraan." King Farus countered to protect his queen.

"Then solve the problem without involving my son. What would you feel kung anak niyo ang magsagawa at sumalo sa kasinungalingang ginawa niyo?" Natahimik naman ang mga ito.

Of course they won't let it happen.

"The situation favors on your son," puna ni haring Aries.

"And because of that you're gonna take advantage of the situation?" She scoffed in disbelief. She know where they're coming from. They fear the enemy because he's too powerful, but they never thought of what's going to happen if they harm his daughter.

"Even if it would favor the situation, my son won't do it." King Blizzard assured them which made the confused.

"I know him, we're alike. Flare was the reason why his power unleashed years ago. I may not see it but I know how a man would look at the woman he treasures the most. He loves her dearly," he added.

"If he loves her why do I always hear stories from Vexus that Frost would always express how he dislikes that woman." Sa naging atugal ni Haring Luther ay natigilan si Frinn dito.

"Aerus would always rant how heartless your son is towards her. Minsan ay naikukwento niya pa sa akin kung ano ang nangyayari sa institute," wika naman ni haring Aries.

"If he loves her then why is he taking Chastine as his concubine and marry her the same day disrespectfully. That is painful and insulting." Napatango ang mga ito sa sinabi ni reyna Vernice.

Queen Frinn immediately came into a realization. She remembers how her sister saved that man. She used her body as a shield to protect him against the curse. The curse that would make a person feel so unloved and unworthy of all the happiness in the world.

The Curse of the Dead Rose...

Faxara shielded him with her unborn child still inside her, and the curse applies to everything that it struck. Even if Faxara died, her child carries the curse. Flare must love Frost back, and Frost knows about the curse that's why he's doing everything to counter her love for him by hurting her.

"He can kill her without a bloodshed." Nagtaka naman ang mga ito.

"She carries the curse. The Curse of the Dead Rose." Sa naging wika ng reyna ay naintindihan kaagad ng mga hari ang ibig nitong ipahiwatag sapagkat alam nila ang nangyari noon.

They are the ones who gathered the strongest witches and warlocks to cast a curse on him. They probably know how the curse works.

"The person etched with a black rose will be the death of the crimson red rose," Wala sa sariling linataya ni haring Aries.

"The more the black rose shows affection and love, thorns will prick and chain each other's heart. They shall never be together. They shall be forever apart," patuloy ni haring Luther.

Napakurap si haring Blizzard. He's not dumb. That means his son is the one etched with the black rose. His son can kill her if he express his love towards her. So that's the reason why he can sense he's totally in love with her yet his actions were the opposite.

"Flare loves Frost. Frost loves her back and he knows about the curse that's why he's hurting her to protect her and keep her alive." Winter was not able to speak upon hearing Frinn's explanation.

"Because once he express his love towards her, she can die..." Frinn trailed off.

"If that's the case, your son is the only one who's capable of killing her." Queen Ariadnne agreed.

"No!" She can't let it happen. They have to find another way. She can't let her son get involved with it and carry the burden of the sin they committed.

"Everyone agrees aside from you," matapang na wika ng reyna ng Fire Continent. Yes, Frinn is confident that everyone agrees with her upon her revelation.

They don't need to create a great plan for it, no soldiers to be deployed, no strategies, no calamities and tribesman losing their life for a battle. There's probably no bloodshed.

Well they can't be sure of that...

"Blizzard don't tell me you also agree?" Hindi makapaniwalang atugal nito habang nakatingin sa pinakamamahal na hari. Nag-iwas naman ito ng tingin sa kaniya kaya napasinghal siya.

So she's the only one who doesn't agree with them?

"And you think he can kill her?" Yes, if she lose the argument between them she still believes her son. He can't kill her. He's been protecting her all this time. He may hurt her emotions but he will never hurt her.

"Unexpected situations can, especially in the wedding ceremony. The auspicious time of the matrimony kiss. Even if Frost can hold back his feelings by not kissing her back, his heart won't lie. Because even if marrying her could kill her, he dreamed of marrying her and becoming his wife," Frinn assured as if she's really sure it's going to happen.

Frost perfected the art of not showing his emotions and holding back his own feelings. Queen Winter is sure he won't gave in with it. She can only have hopes and believe in her son now. Wala naman din siyang magagawa kung iyon ang napagpasyahan ng nakakarami lalo na't sumasang-ayon ang asawa niya sa plano ng mga ito.

If she'll speak more of it, she's sure she will be detained. Mas lalong wala siyang magagawa kung harap-harapan siyang bumalakid sa mga ito. She's sure her husband wouldn't even let her talk to her son.

"Dapat ay hindi ito malaman ng ating mga anak dahil paniguradong ipagtatanggol nila ang babaeng 'yon." King Luther announced.

Knowing how their sons and daughters are close with Flare, they are sure they will defend her and question everything. They spent their remaining time discussing what they must do and prepare if ever the plan fails. They will be responsible for everything that's going to happen, and they will do everything to make it successful flawlessly.

MORNING came, Flare was getting dressed with her royal red wedding gown made of soft cotton fabric. It was her chamber maids dressing her, carefully putting on every accessories on her braided hair and dress. She put on her famous poker face as they dressed her. Inayos ng mga ito ang belt nito't magalang itong pinaupo sa harap ng salamin upang ayusin ang buhok nito.

They were about to put make up on her but she refused. She has natural pinkish cheeks, red supple lips and creamy white skin. She don't need any make over for it.

Looking at herself in front of the mirror, she can't believe she's getting married this day. Truth is, she doesn't feel anything at all. It's just like one of her normal days when she wakes up and do nothing.

She can't even find the essence of the wedding because it was wedding out of love. Other than that, after he marries her he will marry another woman as his concubine. What a very happy day for her. Two wives and one husband. She doesn't share but she don't own him anyway so she doesn't have a choice.

"No, put it right there," wika nito nang akmang ipapatong na sa ulo niya ang koronang gawa sa ginto't mamahaling hiyas na kulay pula.

She want to wear the crown herself because she doesn't need anyone's help to be a queen. She can be the queen without anyone's help. She don't need a king for it because historically speaking, a queen without a king is more powerful.

"Wait for me outside." Tumango naman ang mga ito't sumunod sa naging utos niya.

As soon as the door closed and she was left alone she stared at herself in front of the mirror. Today is her wedding day but it looks like a coronation day for her. She held the crown using both of her hands and slowly put it on her head. I took a deep breath bago ikabit ang red bridal veil dito na siyang tumatakip sa mukha ko.

"You look stunning, your highness," puri ni Caiz dito. Caiz was no longer a dragon bracelet in her arm, but a dragon pendant choker she wore on her neck.

"As always," dag-dag pa ng binata.

As Caiz look at her, now he knows how she would look like in a wedding dress and she'd be the prettiest wife in the whole continent. Truth to be told, when Flare was still unborn and Caiz was still three years old the Dragon King and the King of all Kings promised they would marry off their child to each other.

All hell broke lose, one day everything was chaotic. He woke up losing everything, his parents, his friends, and tribesmen. He grow up carrying the scar those selfish people left him. He grow up remembering he needs to protect the only hope of their land. Growing up thinking how his fiancee would look like and feel about him.

But still, the choice is up to her...

Flare released a ridiculous laugh before lifting herself up on the chair. Inayos pa nito ang mabukadkad na gown at ang mahaba nitong kapa sa kaniang likuran. She was ready to go. And so she opened the door of her room to go out.

Sumalubong kaagad sa dalaga ang mga katulong nitong tila ba naka-uniporme din dahil kasama ang mga ito sa pag-alalay sa kaniya para sa kasalang magaganap. There were about six young chamber maids assisting her. The taller one's holding her left hand to help her walk and the rest are holding her red cape.

Normally, the wedding should be held in the groom's homeland. However, this wedding is different. It will be held in the Fire Continent's palace. The Knight Princes are aware something is up and they're probably planning something against her. That's why Caiz is there to protect her personally and the three of them are working on shadows.

The ceremony will be in the Throne Hall, and she must be accompanied for walking until she reached the throne doors. Nasa corridors pa lang ito ng palasyo ay puno na ito ng mga iba't ibang klase ng bulaklak na sinasaboy sa kaniya sa tuwing napapdaan siya. There are even knights alongside as she walked.

Naririnig ng dalaga ang paglagating ng mga sandata nito sa kaniyang uluhan sa tuwing napapadaan siya. There are red strings and red lanterns designed in the palace. She can her majestic sound of matrimony drums and trumpets, even the melodic voice of group of people singing as well.

To every woman this could be a very emotional wedding, but sadly to her it's just a little show. Despite of the warmth of the celebration, she felt empty. What's the essence of the wedding when your husband doesn't even love you.

A wedding for a cause, yeah right.

When she reached the huge door of the throne hall. The knight cannot take his eyes of her. He was glued on the ground and cannot even speak for a moment. Yes, she's wearing a veil but it was made out of thin fabric. Tila ba ang nadadapuan ng kaniyang mga mata'y parang hinihikayat ang sino mang tumitig dito na tingnan siya. Her eyes are enough to bewitch and intoxicate someone.

"T-the..." he cleared his throat and went back on his senses as he stood straightly with honor.

"The wedded wife Princess Flare Fyche Fiery of Fire Tribe has arrived!" he announced.

The sound of trumpets and drums went louder this time as the door slowly opened. When the door fully opened, Flare saw people wearing a blue traditional dress code from Water Tribe on the left side. She can see familiar faces as well. It must be Frost's cousins and relatives.

On the right side she saw people wearing red. Nakikita niya mula roon si Feleri na may malawak na ngiti sa kaniya't kumakaway-kaway pa. Head master Dan was also there, looking at her with a small smile on his face. Nang dumako naman ang tingin ng dalaga kay Flame ay nakita niya itong mataman lang nakatitig sa kaniya. He was smiling but she knows it's not because he's happy.

She also saw Tinashe and Icca at the back. Halos mapudpod na ang kamay ni Tinashe kakapalakpak and Icca's smiling face made me smile unknowingly too. She didn't saw how Icca's smile vanished and how a lone tear escaped from her left eye. Icca's happy Flare's getting married, but not with Frost. She can marry anyone but not him.

Flare shifted her gaze and took a step forward entering the red carpeted aisle of the throne hall. Tinuon niya ang ataensyon niya sa altar kung saan naroon nag hihintay nakatingin sa kaniya ang lalaking makakaisang dib-dib niya. He's wearing a red traditional wedding suit as well. His long grayish white hair fixed properly with his crown on top of his head.

He wasn't smiling. Flare thought maybe he must feel boring and gibberish about it. Marrying a woman you don't even love, he don't need to say anything because he already made her feel how much he dislikes her into every fiber of her being.

But she was wrong...

Frost couldn't contain his emotions. The woman he loved for years is here in front of him, walking in the aisle looking so beautiful and elegant. She was the most stunning bride he ever saw. He would just dream this from happening. He can only dream because marrying her in real life could kill her.

He remembered every word he said to her. Lahat ng masasakit na mga salitang ibinato niya rito upang saktan ang damdamin niya ay naalala niya lalo na't doble ang sakit na nararamdaman niya rito. Labis na naninibugho ang damdamin niya't para siyang namatayan nang makita ang pagbalata ng sakit sa mga mata nito nang sabihin niyang may mahal siyang iba.

I only love you, and only you for the rest of my life even if I die.

He wanted to voice it out but he just couldn't. He would live his life enduring the pain of hurting her and himself from this damned curse. There's no way to reverse the curse. He tried to find it, he did tried his best but couldn't find anything.

So he had no other choice but to make her feel he don't like nor love her even a bit.

When he said he loves Chastine, that was a lie. They were all lies and he mastered the art of lying to protect someone as well. He can see through Flare. He knows her even if she tried to remain calm and expressionless of what she heard. Alam niya kung gaano ito nasaktan sa sinabi niya.

Others may not see it, but he can. Because he loves her that much.

His heart was beating so fast as her distance became more closer to him. Hindi niya pa rin magawang iiwas ang tingin niya rito. Ang mga mata ng dalaga'y tila ba hinihigop siya't hindi niya magawang alisin ang atensyon dito.

It was her eyes that made him fall in love with her. Her eyes that seeks justice, answers, and bravery. Her eyes that can rip through your soul and snatch your sanity. And he would never trade her for anything.

Flare on the other hand kept her cool to herself. Everyone's looking at her and she can feel something else from it making her uncomfortable and alerted. Umiwas siya ng tingin kay Frost at binaling ang tingin sa walong trono na nasa harapan ng entablado kung saan gaganapin ang seremonya.

Sa walong trono na 'yon nakaupo ang mga hari't reyna mula sa apat na kontinente at nakatingin din ang mga ito sa kaniya na may kakaibang ngiti sa labi. Sa hindi niya malamang dahilan ay bigla siyang kinutuban ng kakaiba.

When she arrived in the end of the aisle, Frost offered his hand and she took it like it was a very normal thing to do. They faced the priest and the kings and queens as they bowed their heads lightly as a sign of respect.

"Bow down to the Heaven and the Empire." The priest said.

Sabay na humarap si Flare at Frost sa harapan ng mga tao't dahan-dahang yumuko upang lumuhod sa mga ito. When they're on their knees, both of them lifted their arms together with their hands and bend their bodies down to the floor.

"Bow down to each other," dag-dag nito.

Pareho namang napaatras ang dalawa't magkaharap na lumuhod sa harap ng isa't-isa bilang seremonya.

"Rise, and bow down to your roots and origin." Frost get on his knees and bowed in front of his mother and father while Flare on the other hand just stood up looking at the Fire king and queen. She mentally smirk in her head before bowing in front of them.

"Rise, and bow down to great kings and queens of the Elysian Empire!" Both of them stood up once again and bowed in front of the kings and queens.

"With all the power and proper ceremony held in front of these people, I now pronounce you as an official husband and wife." People began clapping their hands, whistling and shouting for a kiss.

"Husband, you may unveil and kiss your wedded bride." Flare rolled her eyes. Frost wouldn't kiss her that's sure, but she was wrong.

A moment of silence came when Frost held the veil. Dahan-dahan niya itong inangat na siyang hindi inaasahan ng dalaga. When he fully uncovered the veil in her face he was astounded.

Why is their love so complicated?

His hands traveled on her waist as he pulled her closer. He was looking at her red sultry lips making his throat went dry and dehydrated for it. Saints now how he badly wanted to taste those lips and express how much he loved and cared for her but the situation just wouldn't permit.

He turned around, turning their back against the kings and queens. Humarap ito sa mga taong nakasaksi ng kanilang pag-iisang dib-dib. Kinabig ng binata ang ulo ng dalaga't inilapit ang mukha nito sa kaniya. Nang magkalapit na ang mukha nilang dalwa ay binaba niya ang belo nito dahilan upang matabunan silang dalawa ng belo.

He then moved his head closer to her and the people began shouting thinking they really kissed but they didn't. Their lips are centimetres apart. Konting tulak lang dito ay paniguradong magtatama ang labi nila ngunit dahil sa anggulo nila at sa sitwasyong may telang nakatambon sa kanila ay aakalain ng mga tao na naghahalikan nga sila.

But they didn't...

The kings and queens were expecting something from happening and they're waiting for it after they kissed. Umalis mula sa pagkakatulakbong sa belo si Frost ngunit nanatiling hindi gumagalaw ang dalaga. She just stood there standing.

Sa hindi malamang dahilan ay biglang nakaramdam ng sakit sa bandang leeg ang dalaga. She felt sting on the left part of her neck where the rose tattoo was etched. Kamuntikan na ito matumba kung hindi niya nakontrol kaagad ang balanse niya.

Aerus, together with Flame and Vexus suddenly stood up upon her reaction. Akmang lalapit na ang mga ito nang biglang sumigaw ang dalaga. She was holding her neck as she shouted in excruciating pain nobody could explain but her.

"Flare-" Akmang hahawakan na ito ni Frost nang pigilan siya ng kaniyang ama.

Pagkatapos ng ilang segundo bigla itong tumigil sa pagsigaw. Nakaluhod lang ito habang nakayuko't habol-habol ang hininga na para bang tumakbo ng ilang kilometro.

The third bud already bloomed...

When she was calming herself down, Queen Frinn knew their plan didn't succeed. So they have to proceed to plan B. Hit her with a disastrous spell when she's off guard, and now is the right time.

A disastrous spell is a combined soul energy of fire, air, water, and gravil kinds power. Kung gaano kalakas ang taong pinagmulan ng enerhiyang iyon ay ganoon din kalakas ang epekto nito sa tatamaan. The soul energies came from the powerful kings of the Empire, and it will be fired from the Blaze Volcano straight through the entrance of the hall to Flare.

"Fire it now!" When the Fire Continent's Queen shouted people were left confused. Ngayon ang tamang panahon at wala silang pagkakataon na dapat sayangin. Kung ano man ang isipin ng narito ngayon ay saka na nila ipapaliwanag ang magiging aksyon nila.

Flare on the other hand felt weak after the sudden pain she felt. Para bang hinihigop ang lakas nito kanina't hindi niya ito maipaliwanag. She may feel weak all of the sudden but when the queen shouted to fire something up she was alerted. The only open space in the palace is the entrance of the palace gates and throne hall.

Nararamdaman niyang tila ba may bagay na tila ba papalapit sa gawi niya. Hindi niya man ito nakikita pero nararamdaman niya ito. It was a ball of powerful soul energies merged together as one. Hindi nga siya nagkamali sapagkat nakita niya itong papalapit sa kaniya.

"Flare!" sabay na sigaw ng mga prinsipe. They attempted to create a barrier to protect her but it was too late. The massive ball of energy was already in the throne door and in order to create a strong and powerful barrier they need to create it for a few minutes.

Tila ba gumuho ang mundo ng mga ito nang makita kung paano tumama ang bola ng enerhiyang iyon sa katawan ni Flare. Napuno ng sigawan ang Throne Hall at umalingaw-ngaw ang malakas na pagsabog nito. Napuno na rin ng usok kaya hindi nila alam kung ano ang nangyari rito.

Bumabalot ang makapal na usok sa buong paligid subalit nakikita ng mga ito ang kakaibang kulay asul at pulang liwanag mula sa kinatatayuan ni Flare kanina. Aerus immediately took care of the smokes and made them gone and swift through the wind.

"W-what..." Naptutop ng bibig ang mga ito sa nasaksihan.

Flare was on the ground breathing heavily, a huge red dragon wings was protecting her from the outside. Ngunit hindi iyon ang ikinagulat nilang lahat, kundi ang isang malaking snowflake ice shield na nakapalibot sa dalaga at sa pak-pak na pomo-protekta sa kaniya. It was so strong that it managed to withstand the disastrous spell of the kings.

"Frost! No!" Queen Winter cried when the shield suddenly broke into pieces. Nang mawala ang kalasag na nakapalibot rito ay bigla itong lumiwanag.

Those broken crystal like shields suddenly lighted and formed into a person, and that's Frost Yvo Alcastrair. As soon as he's back in his human form he spit blood from his mouth. Nakaluhod ito sa harap ni Flare habang nagsusuka ng dugo.

He just turned himself into a human shield just to protect her.

"Son, what have you done?!" King Blizzard exclaimed as he watched his son smiling at him weakly.

"If you want to kill her, you might as well have to kill me too, father..." he whispered under his ragged breath.

"Frost! What the fuck is happening?!" hiyaw ni Vexus nang makalapit ito upang alalayan si Frost na ngayon ay hinang-hina na.

They have no idea what's going on. They have no fucking idea where was the sudden attack coming from, who are the enemies and what they are after. People are having confuse faces and they probably have many questions to ask that is needed to be answered. Pero hindi pa man nakakabawi ang mga ito'y mukhang madadagdagan na naman ang katangunan nila sa kanilang isipan.

"It's my daughter's wedding, why didn't I receive any invitations?"

Tila ba tinakasan ng dugo ang mga hari nang marinig ang nakakalokong boses na iyon. Mabilis na napatingin ang mga ito sa pinto ng Throne Hall at nagimbal ang mga ito sa nakita.

You have nothing to hide now.

Itutuloy...