HUSH #1
Enjoy reading!

KATARINA

"Are you sure about this?"

Hindi ko pinansin ang aligagang tanong ni Sia.

"Geia sou! Periménete!" (Hey! Wait!) "Eísai sígouros?" (Are you sure?)

"Siopí." (Hush.) I glanced at her. "Milás polý, Iseah." (You talk too much.)

"Gamóto." (Fvck you.) She hissed.

Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa kambal sa aking magkabilang kamay. Tuloy-tuloy lang ako sa paglalakad tungo sa opisina ni King Malachi.

Napapayukod ang mga tauhan ng palasyo na nakakasalubong namin ngunit naroon ang pagtataka sa kanilang mga mata nang masulyapan ang mga batang bitbit ko.

Nagpapasalamat akong tahimik at hindi malikot ang mga batang ito kasalungat sa pinapapakitang nerbiyos ni Sia.

"Welcome back, Prinkípissa Katarina." Sabay na bati sa akin ng dalawang royal guards na nagbabantay sa pinto ng opisina ng Hari.

"Let me in." I commanded them with my head held up high.

Subalit yumuko lang sila at hindi pinansin ang utos ko.

"I said let me in."

"Forgive us, Princess but there's no order given to us by the king's secretary that you have an appointment with the King today. We can't allow you in." Magalang na saad ng isa ngunit para sa akin ay kalapastanganan ang kaniyang sinabi.

I looked at Sia over my shoulders and gestured what to do.

I smirked upon hearing the sound when Sia unsheathed her katana.

"Let us in." Sia said coldly as the tip of her katana kissed the royal guard's neck.

Nakita ko ang pag-alangan sa mga mata ng dalawang royal guards lalo na ang tinutukan ni Sia. But eventually, they finally let us in... no, they should let us in because I am for who I am.

"What are you doing here?"

Isang malalim at malamig na boses ang sumakop sa silid sa pagpasok pa lang namin. Ang kaninang pilit tinatago na kaba ay tuluyang kumuwala sa aking mga palad na nagsimulang mamawis.

Inalalayan ko muna ang kambal na maupo sa couch kung saan malayo ito sa desk ng hari bago ako naglakad tungo roon kasunod ni Sia.

"I'm asking you, what are you doing here? Do you have a scheduled appointment with me?" muling tanong ng hari na ang mga mata ay nakatuon sa papeles na binabasa.

Napalunok ako bago makapagsalita.

"Jacobo is dead." It was my aloof answer, staring straight blankly.

Silence echoed the whole room and I can't help but to felt more frightened with this kind of silence. I could even see Sia fidgeting through the sides of my eyes.

Ibinaba ng hari ang binabasa niyang papel at tumayo. He had thoroughly fixed his black royal suit before he walked in front of us. The king was towering us and his dark shadow was shading me for he was standing against the light.

I felt so small but no, I wouldn't let him see me scared of him. I gave back the stare he's giving me with same intensity. Those eyes like mine, why should I get afraid if I was just like looking my own eyes in the mirror?

I wasn't that much surprised when his hard, calloused palm landed on my left cheek.

Napapikit ako sa sobrang sakit ng sampal ng hari. Nakaranas ako ng panandaliang pagkabingi. My hands balled into fists, trying to calm down my awakened nerves before they could explode.

Bahagya kong nilingon ang puwesto ng kambal. They were just watching us with no emotion written over their small faces, it's as if they were used to witness a scene like this or maybe they're too scared to react. But thank goodness, just by seeing them near me made me calm down so easily.

Muli kong binalingan ang hari na ngayon ay taimtim na nakatingin kay Sia na nakayuko lamang at halatang takot na takot. Sino nga ba ang hindi matatakot sa hari?

He is the most powerful person in this kingdom. One of the most influential dictators of huge assassins for hire organization called Empyreal Community that subdues all the countries of the world. Yes, damn it! He's a dictator! One point of his finger, all heads should bow down because of his so called glorious presence.

"State the released mission order given to the both of you, Iseah Frost." The King commanded with overflowing authority in his voice. Damn it. I really hate his voice. I want to puke. It disgusts me.

"I-I ah..." utal na panimula ni Sia, malakas siyang tumikhim. Hindi na rin siya mapakali sa kinatatayuan. I wouldn't be surprise if she'd fall unconscious. "I-I—"

"State it!" his voice boomed again. Pati ako ay napaigtad lalo na si Sia.

She cleared her throat before speaking, "Mission Order 0404 from the head office of Empyreal Community: Infiltrate Armando Consuelo's Townhouse in Berlin Germany. Get the listed files written below and take down the mentioned person, do the mission before Jacobo Cortez could kill him. Special order released from the High King of Slovenia's office: bring Jacobo Cortez back to Slovenia. Alive."

Tila nakahinga naman nang maluwag si Sia nang matapos niyang sabihin ang mission order na natanggap namin noong isang buwan. Ibang klase, gusto kong pumalakpak dahil saulado niya pa ito.

"Then tell me, Iseah..." bahagya pa akong nilingon ng hari bago magsalitang muli, "Is it a mission accomplished or failed?"

Namumutlang lumingon sa akin si Sia. Bakas sa mukha niya ang paghingi ng tulong kaya bago pa siya himatayin ay nagsalita na ako.

"The twins are Flynn Flamenco's children." Anunsyo ko. Tumuon sa akin ang atensyon ng hari pati si Sia.

"Say what, Princess?" nahihiwagaang tanong nito. Lumapit ito sa akin at sinakop ng kanang kamay niya ang aking mukha saka mahigpit na pinisil ang magkabilang kong pisnge. I groaned, nagmumukhang tweety bird ang nguso ko. Sh*t.

His grip was too tight but I was able to send a mocking glare at him.

"Let go of me." I ordered him. Yasss! I just ordered the High King of Slovenia! How was that? Ain't I cool? Ha-ha.

He smirked.

"What an audacious act you had shown me, my dearest princess. Tell me, where have you gotten that courage to order the High King of Slovenia?! Why did you kill Jacobo Cortez?!"

See? I have easily got into his nerves! Nice one, Katarina!

Mas lalong humigpit ang hawak niya sa akin. But I don't want to feed his eyes with any fear from me. Sigurado akong papalapak ang tainga niya kapag masilayan niya ang takot sa mukha ko. Darn it. Marahas kong hinawi ang kamay niya.

Yeah! I was born so cool!

"Katarina!" mahinang saway ni Sia sa akin na bakas ang gulat sa mukha ko dahil sa kawalanghiyaang ginawa ko.

"Eseís!" (You!) dinuro ako ng hari. Namumula na ang mukha niya sa galit, "Insolent, impudent—"

Wow, are we going to learn about synonyms today?

"More!" I shouted on his face. Wala na ang tuldok na pagtitimpi na mayroon ako. Tuluyan na itong nawala dahil sa galit na nararamdaman ko ngayon, matagal-tagal ko ring inipon ito. "What more can you say about my audacity?! High King of Slovenia?! Huh?! Insolent, impudent? Give me more, Your Highness! I want more!"

He slapped me again. And again. And again. And again.

Phew. A family of slap.

"You sacrilegious brat! You are a disgrace to the royal family! You gave us nothing but a shame, not just to us but to the whole Kingdom of Slovenia!"

Namamanhid ang mukha ko sa sunod-sunod niyang pagsampal pero mas manhid ang puso ko sa halo-halong nararamdaman ko ngayon. Nilabanan ko ang pandidilim ng paningin ko.

No! Of course I am not blacking out just because of his 'glorious slaps' but because a little bit more, I would turn rogue and the 'High King' will regret bigtime if that happens!

I smirked at him, "How about you, my King? What honor have you given to me, your only heir for the throne left?" balik kong tanong sa kanya. "Have you ever asked yourself of what are the good deeds you have done for the welfare of this Kingdom? Of this family? You have been blaming me for what happened in that damn royal mansion four years ago but have you done self-checked? Did you ask yourself why you weren't there to save the Queen, the Prince and the youngest Princess? Didn't you? Well, my king... you were not there and I was there!"

Sa pagkakataong ito ay naramdaman ko ang pagputok ng gilid ng labi ko dahil sa mas malakas niyang pagsampal sa akin. Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata ko.

Wow. Nagkaapo kaagad ang pamilyang sampal. Magaling.

"How dare you spat things on me? Ungrateful child!"

Hindi makapaniwalang natawa ako.

"Isn't it more shameful that you have done nothing but sitting on the throne and giving orders to your puppets and toys than someone who did her best to save the family, was abducted and imprisoned by your enemies then had suffered to death?!" matigas kong tanong sa kanya.

Tumalim na rin ang mga mata ko.

Muli niya pa sana akong sasampalin nang pumagitna si Sia at isinalo ang dapat sa akin.

Stupid Frost.

Dumugo ang bibig ni Sia dahil sa lakas ng sampal na iyon. Napaatras pa ang aking kaibigan. Mabuti na lang ay naalalayan ko siya kaya hindi siya natumba.

"You!" tinuro niya si Sia, "Iseah Frost, the royal squire, you are supposed to guide her in every mission and to stop her from doing any stupidity?! What have you done, royal squire?!"

Marahan kong inalis si Sia sa harapan ko at hinarap ang Hari.

"Don't try diverting the spot to my royal squire, my High King. Our topic is about who have done better things for the welfare of this kingdom. So, stop questioning others because of their shortcomings. Why can't you see that you are an inefficient ruler but a monstrous dictator?" I said with a toned down voice.

Napalingon sa akin si Sia na may nanlalaki ang mga mata. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. What?

The King laughed knowingly, "It's because you are the highest ranked assassin in Empyreal, you are the Crown Princess of this Kingdom and you are the Wing Regal... you have already the right to give comment on my sovereignty, my dearest granddaughter. You're not a critic. I am still your King, your Empyreal boss and your grandfather. I am still above you. Put that on your rotten brain."

Dinuro niya ang noo ko at malakas na binigwasan. Muli akong natawa nang mapakla.

Psh. Everyone is entitled to be a critic! Even though we are living on Monarch Country, everyone here in Slovenia have the freedom of speech and he was the one who implemented that. And I am the Crown Princess, so I have the right to be brutally honest to him that he's no good at all. This old wart!

"You are." Kalmadong sambit ko at inangat ang tingin sa kanya. "You are for now but who knows, time would come it'll be you were. Don't worry, my High King... I'd make sure that your name will be recorded on the history books."

Ngumisi ako sa Hari. Nakita ko ang pagdaan ng pangamba sa kanyang mga mata pero napalitan agad iyon ng galit.

"I'll be sending you out of the country with your royal squire. You will be out of the service indefinitely. Meaning your access, grants and royalty status in Empyreal and our Kingdom will be put on-hold. This is the punishment for the both of you." He said with finality.

Natigilan ako. Hindi ko alam na aabot sa ganito ang pagsuway ko sa utos at sa pagsagot-sagot sa kanya. Ito ang unang beses na insultuhin ko siya nang ganito kaya siguro ipapatapon niya ako.

Coward. Porke't dehado siya sa bangayang ito papaganahin niya ang kapangyarihan niya?

Alam kong matagal niya nang gusto na mawala ako sa landas niya pero dahil sa position ko sa Empyreal Community, hindi niya ako basta-basta mapapaalis.

I gritted my teeth. This old man had shown me that he's still superior to me and damn that truth. If he isn't my grandfather, I will kill him.

"M-my K-king..." utal na saad ni Sia sa tono ng pagkadisgusto pero mabilis kong nahawakan ang kamay niya para patigilin siya. Ayaw kong umabot sa puntong magmamakaawa siya sa matandang 'to. She is my royal squire and she should bow down only to me.

"And that's where you are expert right? When something's gone worthless to you, you'd easily dumped them away. Like me, I may not be worthless but I am useless to you because you can't toy me. Am I right my High King?! You'll be sending me away to lessen your burdens and for you to do everything in this damn kingdom freely! You—"

"I am doing this for your own good!" malakas niyang sigaw kaya natigilan ako.

Hindi ko napigilang matawa sa narinig ko, pinagloloko ba ako ng matandang ito? Para sa akin? Kahit kailan wala siyang may ginawa para sa kabutihan ko! Sinira niya na ang buhay ko sa simula pa lang.

"Don't take my head away from me because you can't fool me, old man."

Napapagod na tinalikuran niya ako. Ilang beses siyang bumuntong hininga bago ako muling hinarap.

"Katarina, the punishment will be effective today. Your flight will be tonight."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Sia. Napabuga ako ng hangin. Mukhang wala na akong magagawa.

"I'll bring the kids with me."

Naglakad ako tungo sa mga batang kanina pa tahimik. Ramdam ko ang pagsunod ng titig ng hari sa akin.

"No, they'll be staying here."

Galit na hinarap ko siya.

"What makes you think I'd allow that? I brought them here and I will leave this damn place with them!"

Taimtim niyang tinitigan ang kambal na nakatingala sa akin.

"I know who they are, Katarina. They'll be staying here with me. You know, you can't do anything about it." nakangisi niyang saad.

Napakuyom ang kamao ko, "How dare you!" galit kong singhal.

Hinarap ko ang kambal at lumuhod sa harap nila. Mahigpit ko silang niyakap.

"They'll be staying here while you and Sia will be sent to the Philippines but don't worry I have a proposition with you, my dear princess."

Nilingon ko siya at tinaasan ng kilay.

"You will be staying in the Clementin Mansion in Buevo Mainland, I won't block your bank accounts—"

"I don't need your money." I cut him off.

"Yeah right. You don't need my money... yadda yadda yadda. Here's the thing, I won't stop you from chasing your revenge to Flynn Flamenco but in one condition, you will be keeping your eyes to this certain young man named Zync Orlando."

Napalatak ako, "What the hell? Is that a mission order for a suspended agent? You wish old man!"

"Zync Orlando will be your subject for protection while staying there or else I will hinder all of your plans taking down Flynn Flamenco. You choose."

This sly High King needs a powerful punch on his wrinkled face to wake him up from his delusions. After suspending me, he still has the guts to give orders to the Wing Regal herself? Talk to my arse.

"No. I'll accept your punishment but I won't be babysitting that Zync Orlando."

Kinarga ko ang kambal at naglakad tungo sa pinto. Agad namang sumunod si Sia sa amin.

"But he's a direct way going to Flynn Flamenco, my dear."

Napahinto ako. What?

"Zync Orlando, he is the Triad's Target of Execution. In the Philippines, Flamenco Mafia has built a gangster base there and all the gangs who are direct underlings of Flynn are after Zync Orlando's life. Look, I am helping you." Dagdag pa niya.

"Target of Execution?" untag ko at nilingon ang hari.

Ngiting-tagumpay ito nang magawa ako nitong palingunin. Oh, how I wish to erase that triumphant smile on his wrinkled face.

"Interested eh?"

"Panáthemá se!" (Damn you.)

Ako naman ang napangisi nang mawala ang ngiti sa mukha niya. Ayaw na ayaw niyang minumura siya.

"Why don't you find it out yourself, my dear?" he challenged.

Napaisip ako sa mga sinabi niya. Kung direct underlings ni Flynn ang mga gangs na humahabol kay Zync edi magkakaroon ako ng pagkakataon na inisin ang Flynn na 'yon at kapag nainis na siya, magpapakita siya sa akin.

I grinned, "Zync will be safe in my hands then."

And I turned my heels to walk away with the twins, Sia at my back, a bit of disappointment in my heart, but with a bloody war raging on my head that anticipates to be done when I have set a foot in the land of the Philippines.

"Will you leave us here?" The handsome and cute boy asked me.

"Don't worry, I'll be back." He nodded his head and smiled.

"I'm sad." I look at the girl on my left. She really looks sad.

I scooped her up. Her little arms hugged me in my neck. Naramdaman ko rin ang pagyakap ng batang lalaki sa aking hita.

"I'm going to miss you."

"Me too."

"Everything's gonna be fine."

"Please, take care of yourself." Says the boy as tears fall down on his cheeks.

I smiled and put my forefinger in my lips.

"Hush."

-End of HUSH#1-

Thank you for reading freaks! God bless us all.

Hugs and kisses,
CL with love.