Epilogue
AN/ Yay! This is the ending of the book one. I already told to myself to stop writing a trilogy, but Dastan and Leticia has a long journey ahead! It will take more chapters to unravel the past and the deep connections of every story (previous Gazellian stories). So... read deeply. Haha!
I really enjoyed writing Gazellian Series, creating your own world, laws, traditions! It was really urgh... supeer awesome! I loved reading your theories and such! Especially those readers with argumentative comments! You guys rock!
Thank you for supporting this story, and the whole Gazellian Series. (and also those readers of my other series! lol). By the way, the next book will be Moonlight War (book two), see you!
But I'll focus more with my other fantasy-historical fiction story, Behind Millions of Raindrops. (Let the vampires of Parsua Sartorias rest for a while lol)
Happy reading!
Btw, drop your theories, okay? What will happen next?
Epilogue
My deepest cut will always come from your blade...
I've been trapped in several wars, fought the most devastating battles, cut by hundreds of weapons, and bathe with my own blood, but nothing seemed so deep and painful as Leticia's blade.
The blade was out of my chest, but the presence of it was still there. Piercing, pushing and tearing me apart.
"Is this a punishment, Father?"
I stared at my father's life size statue with a silent glint of sunlight from a half-opened window, and I couldn't help but to praise the artist who perfectly mirrored his features. From his face, his royal uniform, and even the way he stood.
My father in his bronze image never failed to give me goosebumps. Especially when Divina tried to speak with him.
I had this urge to ask my little niece to be our mediator. Marami akong nais itanong at malaman mula sa kanya.
This thing happened to me...
Naghilom na ang sugat na siyang ginawa ng punyal sa dibdib ko ngunit ang kirot nito'y mas lalong humahapdi at lumalala sa kaalamang malayo siya sa akin, na nagawa niya iyon sa akin...
"Father, am I worthy as a King?"
Ilang taon na akong nakaupo sa posisyon na simula pagkabata'y ipinamulat na sa akin. Ang pagiging hari ay aking buhay. Isang tungkulin na dapat gampanan at kailanman ay hindi dapat talikuran.
Kung sakaling lilisan ako sa mundong ito, ako kaya'y magkakaroon ng ganitong klase ng rebulto? May nagawa na ba akong kailanman ay hindi makakalimutan ng aking nasasakupan?
"Father..." I called him again, wishing he would suddenly answer. But the statue didn't move an inch.
King Thaddeus Leigthon was not a perfect king, a father or even a husband, but everyone respected, loved and adored him. He had his flaws, imperfections, and mistakes... and I'd witnessed it since I was a kid.
"F-father..."
As I tried to communicate with him, I unconsciously brought myself to my lingering past.
Mga panahong hindi ko pa dama ang bigat ng aking mga responsibilidad at tungkulin.
Years when I was still a kid, an older brother, a son... responsible to make his parents smile.
"Dastan, you look after your brother, alright? Your father and I will attend an important meeting in the council." Mother smiled sweetly at me.
"Yes, Mother."
Humalik si Ina sa aking pisngi at sa noo ni Zen na kasalukuyang natutulog. I glanced at my brother who was peacefully sleeping, ngumuso ako, I like his hair, same color as our mother.
Naiwan kami ni Zen sa silid ni ina at ama, I started reading my lessons while waiting for Zen to wake up. Everyone was so happy when we all discovered that he possessed the power of ice, pero may ilan pa rin ang mukhang hindi nasiyahan.
I was aware of the reputation of the second princes in the history, and having a powerful ability he possessed, it would definitely give them (the idiot councils) a vicious threat.
But how could they have thought bad about my brother? He a good kid.
A minute passed, Zen started to moved on our parent's bed. He sat up groggily, looked around, and fixed his eyes on me.
"Dastan! Let's play!"
I closed my book. "We will, but later."
I rang the bell to the maid's attention. I asked for Zen's clothes, and he requested something that made me smile. "I want the same color as Dastan!"
Tumango ako sa mga katulong, hindi rin nagtagal ay nagsimula na silang bihisan si Zen. He's been enjoying telling his dreams to our maid, na hindi naman talaga nakikinig sa kanya.
Everyone was aloof around my brother, and it made me feel like I want to throttle someone's neck. Ano ba ang kasalanan ni Zen?!
"Ako na! Leave us!" inagaw ko ang damit ni Zen sa mga katulong.
I looked furiously at them, and they got the message. They hurriedly left the room, and sighed.
Zen's eyes were curiously looking at me. Bata pa siya ngayon, ngunit pagdating ng panahon ay unti-unti na niyang mararamdaman ang kinatatakutan ko.
I kneeled and continued the maid's unfinished business. Kinuha ko ang damit ni Zen at sinimulan ko iyong isuot sa kanya.
"And after that I used my powers and the snow showered the whole place!"
"That's nice. Tell me... if someone tried to hurt you. I will beat them with my sword."
Tumayo na ako nang matapos kong ibutones ang kanyang kasuotan. I straightened my own royal suite. We're both wearing blue.
"We will beat them, Kuya..."
Surprised, I looked down at Zen. "K-kuya?"
Hinawakan ni Zen ang kamay ko gaya ng ginagawa ko sa tuwing sabay kaming lumalabas sa palasyo.
"Father told me to call you that when we're away from the audience..."
We spent more years together as the only sons, hindi kami agad nasundan ni Zen kaya marami kaming karanasan magkasama dalawa.
It was an unusual night, I was on my way to get a new glass of blood when I heard series of discussions inside our visitor's hall, I was about to let it pass, but I noticed my father's voice.
Sumilip ako sa pinto at nakita kong kasalukuyang pinalilibutan ng ilang konseho at malalakas na bampira si ama. They were arguing on something that I couldn't understand. Until one of them asked for my father's presence to certain place, away from the castle.
Sa lugar na walang proteksyon si ama. Kumuyom ang mga kamao ko, hindi ako papayag na aalis si ama mag-isa, kung bigla akong magpapakita siguradong hindi niya ako papayagan. Kaya napagdesisyunan kong sundan na lamang siya at ang mga bampirang kasama niya.
There were numbers of carriages outside, I hastily went to my stables, I need to take my horse as fast as I can, bago ako maiwan. But I noticed something strange...
May sumusunod sa akin, and when I was about to pull my sword to attack my pursuer... all I saw was my grinning little brother.
"Zen!"
Katulad ko ay nakadamit pa rin siya ng pantulog. "What are you doing here?"
"I will help you."
"Help me? Bumalik ka na sa iyong silid, this is dangerous."
"I want to help you and father, Dastan! I will call mother!" suminghap ako. At tumalon akong muli sa kabayo.
"Shut up." I covered his mouth. "Let's go."
Sa huli nakasakay kami ni Zen sa iisang kabayo, he's still young to maneuver one of our well breed horses, kaya siya'y nakaupo sa aking unahan habang walang tigil sa pagsasalita kung paano gagawing bloke ng yelo ang mananakit kay ama.
"Dastan, I'm hungry."
"Ako rin." Matabang kong sagot.
"I'm hungry..."
"Kasalanan mo iyan, sumama ka pa kasi sa akin."
Nagpatuloy kami sa pagsunod sa karwahe ni ama at ng mga kasamahan niya.
"Should I let you and father fight alone?"
"You can't fight, Zen! You're still a child!"
"Ikaw rin! You are just few inches taller than me!"
"I am matured!"
"I am hungry!"
Irritated, I shoved my right wrist in front of his face. "There! You are not my favorite brother, Zen!"
"You are not my favorite brother, too!"
But he bit my wrist. "Pasama-sama pa sa akin, gutom din naman pala. You'll just make me weak."
We ended up in front of the infamous tunnel of Parsua Sartorias located at the foot of Mt. Saturtino, ilang daang taon na raw iyon hindi bukas dahil sa nangyaring makasaysayang lindol.
Bakit sila nagtungo rito?
Nakatago kami ni Zen sa likuran ng isang puno habang pinanunuod ang nangyayari.
"Nakasaad sa propesiya na isang malakas na bampira ang makapagbubukas muli ng lagusang ito. At sa kasalukuyan, ikaw Thaddeus ang nakikita ng maraming siyang pinakamalakas na bampira."
Tahimik si ama ng ilang segundo bago siya bumuntong-hininga. "Wala akong kakayahang buksan ito."
"Isang kasinungalingan! Akala mo ba ay masasarili mo ang lihim na itinatago ng lagusang ito?
"Wala akong inililihim at lalong may ideya rito." Mahinahong sagot ni ama.
Mariin kong yakap si Zen na nagsisimula nang magwala, nais na niyang sumugod sa mga nakapalibot kay ama.
"O nais mong pwersahin ka namin, Mahal na Hari?" nagsisimula na akong makaramdam ng tensyon mula sa kanila.
"You will force your king?" tanong ni ama.
"Marami kami at ang maaaring mangyari ay madali lamang—" hindi na ako nakapagpigil. Iniwan ko si Zen sa likuran ng puno pero may iniwan akong mensahe sa kanya na makatutulong sa amin.
Inilabas ko ang aking espada habang nakahawak ang aking dalawang kamay, at lakas loob kong hinarap ang masasamang bampira, hinayaan kong manatili si ama sa aking likuran.
"Not my father!"
"Dastan..."
Matinding gulat ang rumehistro sa mukha ng masasamang bampira habang pinagmamasdan ako.
"The first Prince!"
"You heard my king, wala siyang alam sa lagusan! He is not lying! If... he can't... I will! I will open that tunnel when I ruled this empire! I am the first prince, I will open that tunnel! Go away! Before I ordered my soldiers to attack you!"
Isa-isang nagpakita sa likuran ng mga puno ang napakaraming anino na mas gumulat sa mga masasamang bampira.
"T-this is a trap, Thaddeus!"
My father sighed. "I will let this pass, go..." he waved his hand in dismissal.
Sa isang iglap ay naglaho ang masasamang bampira, napahinga ako nang maluwag kasabay nang pagbitaw ko sa aking espada.
Tumakbo si Zen mula sa likuran ng puno at natutuwang yumakap kay ama na tila hindi man lang nagulat sa aming dalawa.
I was waiting for him to scold me, but all he did was to carry Zen and smiled at us.
"A lot of snowman's shadow, I guess?"
Zen nodded. Inilahad ni ama ang isang kamay niya sa akin at inalalayan niya akong tumayo. He was holding my hand while carrying Zen with his other arm.
Sa huli ginulo ni ama ang buhok naming dalawa ni Zen. "I am so proud of my boys."
Mas kinabig ako ni ama at ginulo pa ang aking buhok. "My future king."
Zen mimicked father's gesture, nakigulo rin siya ng buhok ko. "Dastan will be a king."
Tinanggal ko na ang mga kamay nila sa akin. "He is no good, Father! We were chasing you and the enemies, tapos bigla na lang siya nagutom!"
Father and Zen just laughed at me.
I enjoyed my childhood days with father, mother and Zen. I felt like a common child, I did wish for those days to stay forever but as the days passed, my responsibilities turned clearer and clearer...
"Checkmate."
I massaged my temple, hindi na ako nanalo kay ama. He's too good in this game.
"Can you spill a secret, my king? I want to beat you with this game."
He gently laughed. "Dastan, in chess game... you shouldn't just know the whole game, the rules... you should read your opponent. Read his thoughts, know his movement... manipulate him..."
"What do you mean manipulate? Something like using a pawn as bait and lead him to foolish movement? It's common."
"That's your weak point, pawns are not just for bait, son. They're as useful as the other officials..."
Ngumuso ako. "It's confusing... should I risk my officials, too? It will lessen my power."
"Power is not the position, Dastan, always remember that."
"Hmm... so you're still unbeatable? Simula iyong pagkabata ba ay wala nang nakatatalo sa'yo sa larong ito, Amang Hari?"
He smiled. "Your mother..."
It was a common empire celebration, elites, royal blooded vampires, different officials were all gathered to the palace court.
Kasalukuyang nagsasayaw si ama't ina sa gitna ng bulwagan habang pinanunuod sila ng napakaraming bampira.
"I heard there will be a huge announcement." Tumango ako kay Zen, malaki ang ipinagbago ni Zen nakalipas ng ilang taon. My innocent and annoying little brother just vanished in an instant.
"Probably a new Gazellian."
Suminghap si Zen. "We will have a brother or sister?"
"Yes. Within a few months, we will be three..."
Our parents were showered by endless congratulations, kahit kaming dalawa ni Zen ay naging masaya sa naging anunsyo, an addition to our family was a blessing, and we're all looking forward to it.
"Princes..." one of the old ladies greeted us. Kapwa kami yumuko ni Zen bilang pagsagot, we made a few conversations until it went to our coming brother or sister.
"Another prince or a princess?"
"A princess."
Halos sabay kaming napatalon ni Zen dahil pareho ang isinagot namin sa matanda.
"Yes, we're looking forward for a princess..."
After that night, our days were filled with excitement as our mother's baby bump started to show.
It was my turn to visit my mother, she smiled at me before I closed the door. Mother slowly caressed her stomach, "Lily, Kuya Dastan's here..."
Isa sa mga babaylan ng emperyong ito ang nagkumpirmang isa ngang prinsesa ang padating na Gazellian.
"How's your day, Dastan?"
"Still the same, Mother. How about you? Lily..." hinawakan ko ang tiyan ni ina. Lily kicked like she could really notice my presence.
Sa halip na sumagot si ina sa akin ay hinawakan niya ang magkabilang pisngi ko. He forehead settled on mine, and she played the tips of her nose with me. It was her usual gesture to me, and Zen. Kahit si ama'y ganito rin ang ginagawa sa amin ni Zen kapag natutuwa siya sa amin.
"Don't pressure yourself, Dastan, promise me... you're still my little boy."
"Always, Mother..."
When Lily showered her grace in this world, my parents, Zen and I were the happiest soul.
It was one time when mother agreed to attend a formal vampire gathering, ito ay para lamang sa mga babaeng bampira kaya naiwan kaming tatlo nina ama para alagaan si Lily.
Father was carrying the little Lily while Zen and I were sitting on his side trying to get Lily's attention.
"She is so beautiful..."
"Of course, she's the prettiest princess of this empire." Sagot ni ama kay Zen.
"She cries a lot..." I played with her fingertips.
Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko at hinalikan ko ang noo ni Lily habang buhat siya ni ama, kahit si Zen ay nanggigil at hinalikan niya rin ang paa ni Lily. Umiyak muli siya.
"Oh, stop annoying her!" Father complained.
It took almost half an hour before Lily settled to her sleep. Naiwan muli kaming tatlo habang kapwa nakaupo sa malaking bintana, we could see the whole empire of Parsua Sartorias.
"In chess... the queen possessed everything, but why is it the king symbolizes the whole game? The game favored the king's existence rather than the queen." Tanong ko kay ama.
"Good question, Dastan."
"Well... maybe, the king's too in love with the queen? And he allowed her to handle everything?" He laughed.
"I am talking about the game, Father."
"What game, Dastan?" seryosong tanong niya na nakapagpatahimik sa akin.
"What's with the game of chess, Father? Dastan?" tanong ni Zen na kumakamot sa ulo.
**
"This is really unusual, Father." Nagkibit balikat si ama at binuksan niya ang lampara sa gilid na aking maliit na lamesa.
Zen came inside my room with his pillow, ruined hair, and all white sleep wear same as mine. Humihikab siya habang patungo sa aking kama, father moved to give Zen his space.
"This is childish! Why don't you sleep with Lily and mother, My King?" hindi siya sumagot sa akin. Habang si Zen ay tamad nang humiga at binalot ang sarili nang makapal na kumot.
Nanatiling nakasandal sa kama si ama habang nabukas ang kanyang aklat. I was laying on bed, straight while staring at my painted ceiling, while Zen's laying on sideways pretending listen.
King Thaddeus Leigthon Gazellian was a loving father, we were so lucky to have a king, a teacher, a best friend...
Lahat ay nasa kanya na. I couldn't help but thank the gods or whoever powerful from above for blessing us a good father.
Kapwa na kami nakatulala ni Zen kay ama habang binabasahan niya kami ng kwento. He was reading the book like we were still the little kids who used to play with him. Well... we're still young, yes, but if you were born with the blood of a royalty, you couldn't just pause to be a kid or innocent... pero ito iyong ginagawa ni ama sa amin.
That no matter how tough and heavy our responsibility, his existence would always try to remind us that we're allowed to enjoy, be pampered... and be spoiled...
My eyes were getting heavy. Lumalabo na ang imahe ni ama sa akin. I saw how he kissed Zen on his forehead, he closed his book and turned off the lamp.
And before the darkness overwhelmed me, he leaned on me and whispered something...
"Always favor the queen, my son... always..." I nodded while in a verge of sleep.
"I promise..."
I blinked. Pinagpatuloy ko ang panunuod sa imahe ni ama hanggang sa piliin ko nang talikuran siya.
Sinalubong ako ni Casper at alam kong may dala siyang balita.
"They are preparing for the greatest war, My King. Seeking powerful alliances, it's a matter of time before the news dominated the different empires. They are moving."
"It's odd, they're not using force."
"What approach are we going to do, My King?"
"Call Evan, if those empires are up for word war as of the moment, we should gather the wisest vampires of our empires. We have our convincing words, we are filled with knowledgeable vampires."
Agawan ng kakampi tulad ng aking inaasahan.
"Yes, we have Evan but Rosh absence with his great connection—" hindi natuloy ang sasabihin ni Casper nang humahangos na nagpakita sa amin si Caleb.
"King Dastan... the tunnel..."
Hindi na kailangan pang sabihin ni Caleb ang balita, dahil ng nagtungo kami sa lagusan na ilang daang taon nang nakasara ay agad nitong nakumpirma ang hinala ko.
"Someone opened the tunnel..."
Leticia's stabbing easily spread around the empire, at hindi rin magtatagal ay kakalat na ito sa iba pang emperyo. The whole Parsua Sartorias was facing a huge crisis, a disgrace made by their own king.
She ran away few days after the whole empire witnessed our union. Such a shame for a king...
Was I a bad kisser, Goddess of the Moon?
I smiled bitterly. Ilang beses na ba akong tinakbuhan ni Leticia?
"Send guards, few scholars and some of our powerful vampires. This tunnel is the least of our problem."
I glanced at red rose petal near the entrance before I turned my back. I never liked that brother of yours, Tobias.
"But Dastan... I could sense that—"
"She ran away from me, stabbed me. I'm done, Caleb. The empire is waiting."
Claret and Kalla tried to talk to me, but I refused. I would explode in any moment, at hindi ko nais na sila ang abutan nito.
My mind could make me mad, my heart couldn't stop aching and I don't think I could last for any moment, but the empire needs me.
Maraming nilalang ang umaasa sa akin, at isipin ang sarili kong sakit at paghihirap ang siyang dapat kong isantabi.
But should I lie to myself?
I am so in love with her, and even if she tried to stab me again, I would still search and look for her. I will accept her explanation, turn blind and hear her words.
But she ran away... she could have explained...
They chased her out.
After I recovered from the cut of Leticia's blade, ibinaba ko ang mabigat na utos na kahit sino'y walang may karapatang buksan ang usapang ito sa palasyo. I tried to live in front of them unaffected, but my whole family knew me too well.
But all they could do were to shook their heads with their eyes of disapproval while at my back.
Tahimik ang buong palasyo habang patungo ako sa pinaka-ibabang bahagi nito. Hindi man lang nagtangkang sumugod ang mga embargo patungo sa akin habang patuloy ako sa gintong pintuan ng aking ina.
Lumps was standing outside when I finally reached the familiar door.
"She's inside, right? I want to come in."
"Mahal na Hari, alam mong—"
"Bubuksan mo o tatapusin ko ang buhay mo?"
Yumuko ang kuneho sa akin. "Mahal na Hari..."
Biglang nabuksan ang pintuan ni ina at nagsimula na akong humakbang dito. At sa unang pagkakataon, nasilayan ko ang lugar na siyang sumaksi sa walang katapusang kalungkutan ni ina.
"Always favor the queen, my son... always..."
"I promise..."
Hindi man sabihin iyon ni ama, ipinangako ko na sa sarili kong mamahalin si ina nang walang katapusan.
Ang pagkabasag ng isang boteng kristal na naglalaman ng kakaibang likido habang naglalagay ako ng bulaklak ang siyang unti-unting nakapagpamulat sa aking mga mata sa murang edad.
Ang pagsuka ng sariling dugo ng aking ina ang unang nagwasak ng aking munting puso.
"Prinsipe Dastan, hindi ka maaaring manatili rito." Isa sa mga tagasunod ang naglayo sa akin sa silid ni ina habang dinig ko ang kanyang mga iyak at hikbi.
Time flies so fast, and I'd witnessed everything. Nakatanaw ako sa malayo habang inihahatid ni ina si ama at Finn sa kanilang karwahe, it was an important journey.
Journey to his mistress.
When father was away, I tried my best to accompany mother, made her happy and spill a lot of stories about the empire. But her laugher was not genuine.
"Why?" I uttered suddenly.
She just smiled at me. Nagbalik si Finn at ama, inaasahan ko nang matatapos na ang lahat at ititigil na niya ang pakikipagkita kay Danna. But because of Finn's talkative mouth, I just discovered that we had a brother.
A brother!
We have a brother! And Finn seems so fond of him.
Gusto kong magalit kay ama, gusto ko siyang kamuhian sa paglipas ng panahon ngunit sa kanyang kaunting mga salita, nagagawa kong makalimot. Na parang wala siyang ginagawang masama.
Minsan ay iniisip ko kung may kapangyarihan ba siyang iginagawad sa akin upang manatili akong tahimik?
But should I wreck my own mother? Alam kong alam ni ina ang ginagawa ni ama, but she's keeping her silence! And it's damn breaking my heart.
"Why?"
Ngayon naman ay kay ama ko iyon itinanong. He feigned innocence, na parang hindi niya alam na may nalalaman din ako.
This whole family was a game of chess, and I was trapped between the masters of the game.
"Dastan?"
Umiling ako kay ama. Ngumiti siya sa akin bago niya ako kinabig at guluhin ang buhok, he kissed the top of my head like the usual.
I hate you... I hate you... but mother loves you so much...
Ramdam ko ang pagmamahal niya sa akin, kay ina at sa lahat ng mga kapatid ko. Pero bakit paulit-ulit niya pa rin sinasaktan si ina?
Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko, sumunod ako kay ama at kay Finn, I hid myself well until I finally reached their place. I was expecting Danna with them, but all I witnessed were Finn, father and our other brother, they called him Desmond.
He's quite reserved, at si ama ang gumagawa ng pag-uusap para magsalita ito. Pero nakikita ko kung gaano kalapit si Desmond at Finn.
I searched for a jealously or hatred against him, but a brother's bond was too thick for anger. Hinayaan ko siyang makipagtawanan kay Finn at ama, I turned back and went back to our castle.
I felt like I betrayed my own mother. Pero wala akong magawa sa paglipas ng panahon, all I did was to watch her misery.
Ngunit natigil ang mga pagdalaw, lumipas ang mga taon at nagsimula na kaming mulat ng aking mga kapatid sa aming tungkulin at posisyon. Nasa tamang edad na kaming lahat upang pamunuan ang Sartorias.
I thought everything would end up so well. Until the huge wreckage of Parsua Sartorias happened...
"Sa tingin mo hindi ko alam ang ginagawa mo, Thaddeus?!" rinig kong sigaw ni ina habang humihikbi.
"T-talisha... mahal ko..." nagsusumamong boses ni ama.
Sinubukang lumapit ni ama kay ina ngunit humakbang iyon papalayo sa kanya.
"Huwag mo akong lapitan! Huwag mo akong hawakan! Alam ko! Alam ko ang lahat lahat! Nagbubulag-bulagan lang ako! Kasi mahal na mahal kita, Thaddeus! Mahal na mahal... pero paulit-ulit mo 'kong sinasaktan... ang sakit-sakit na... sawang sawa na 'ko!"
Gusto ko nang pumasok at ilayo si ina kay ama. Gusto ko nang itigil ang pagpapahirap sa kanya.
"Talisha... mahal kita... mas mahal kita sa inaakala mo..."
"A-ayoko... hindi ko na kaya, Thaddeus..."
"Nagkakamali ka... ikaw at ang mga anak natin ang pinakamahalaga sa akin... mahal na mahal kita, Talisha..."
Nanatili akong nakatayo sa likuran ng pintuan habang pinapakinggan ang pagtatalo ng aking mga magulang.
"T-talisha..."
"T-thaddeus..."
Hinayaan ko ang sarili kong nakapikit sa likuran ng pintuan habang nanalangin na sana ay matapos na.
Pero ang narinig ko'y ibang uri ng katapusan.
"Danna..." rinig kong usal ni ama sa bingit ng kanyang kamatayan.
Nang sumilip ako sa pintuan, tumambad sa akin ang eksenang kailanman ay hindi ko naisip mangyayari.
Si inang lumuluha na may bahid ng dugo sa kanyang mga kamay, si Danna na tulala na siyang maaaring magsukdol kay ina sa panibagong kalungkutan at si ama...
H-how could he close his eyes and looked so peaceful with a silver dagger glinting from the lit of the moonlight on his chest?
But what I did was too good for a son, I turned my back, closed the door and let my tears poured like a river.
My father was killed by my mother. I will favor my queen until I die.
Nasa proseso na ako ng pag-iisip ng maaaring dahilan o sisihin sa pagkamatay ni ama, but a news spread all over the Sartorias. Si Danna ang sinisisi ng lahat sa pagkamatay ni ama.
I didn't move an inch. I was too numbed, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. I secretly looked for Desmond for years, pero nabigo ako.
My mother locked herself inside her golden door, and I never bothered her. Maging ang mga kapatid ko.
Walang nakakaalam ng totoong nangyari at nanatili akong tahimik sa lahat ng pagkakataon.
My mother was innocent.
Ngunit sa mga nangyayaring ito, unti-unting nabubuklat ang nakaraan.
"Is this a punishment from father, Mother?"
Lumuluhang sabi ko habang yakap ni ina. Umiling siya sa sinabi ko.
"He would never punish you. You've met him in one of the paintings, did you feel anger? Sinisisi ka ba niya?"
Kumirot ang dibdib ko. He was too proud of me, hindi niya ba alam na hinayaan kong patayin siya ni ina?
"Then tell me why... bakit mo siya sinaksak? Why would Leticia do the same to me...tell me, Mother... ipinaramdam sa akin ni Leticia ang sakit na ipinaramdam ko kay ama. I let you kill him... I could have stopped you..."
"Tell me..."
"Hindi maari, Dastan..."
"Hindi maaari? Ina... gusto ko nang kitilin ang buhay ko... hindi ko na kayang mawalay kay Leticia." Kinalas ko ang yakap ni ina.
At inilahad ko ang aking mga braso na parang nandoon pa rin si Leticia.
"I could still feel her skin against mine, naririnig ko ang boses niyang tinatawag ako, nag-aapoy ang lalamunan ko... nauuhaw ako, Ina. Ganito pala ang nararamdaman ni Zen... Finn... Evan..." nasapo ko ang aking sarili.
"I couldn't pretend anymore, Mother... do something... give me back Leticia..." nakaluhod na ako sa harapan ng aking ina habang lumuluha.
"Mababaliw ako... mababaliw na ako... give me the dagger... ako na ang tatapos sa sarili ko..."
Humikbi si ina habang naririnig ang mga sinasabi ko.
"Bakit? Do something, Mother... nagmamakaawa ako. I could give up being the king, Zen... call Zen. I will pass it to him, Claret would guide him to rule this empire. Hahanapin ko si Leticia..."
"Dastan..."
Yumakap muli sa akin si ina habang walang tigil ako sa pagtawag sa pangalan ni Leticia.
"This is a punishment... pinarurusaan ako sa parehong paraan... kinamumuhian ako ni ama, ni Danna... ni Desmond... sa lahat ng mga nilalang na hinayaan kong mahirapan dahil sa matinding galit..."
"H-hindi... hindi mo kasalanan, Dastan..."
"Paanong hindi?! I have the power that time! Pero hinayaan kong mangyari ang lahat! Ngayon ay pinaparusahan ako ng tadhana..."
Patuloy sa pag-iling si ina sa akin.
"Hindi, Dastan... mahal na mahal ka ni Thaddeus at kailanman ay hindi ka niya isusumpa." She held my face to calm me down.
"Then what is this?! What is happening to me? Bakit inilalayo sa akin si Leticia?"
"I am a goddess, and I was sent to kill you father."
Umawang ang bibig ko.
"A goddess? You are one of Leticia's---"
"But I fell in love with your father, and when the goddesses were trying to charge me... your father urged me to kill him using Danna's presence, he pushed my jealousy... and that silver dagger was designed to kill your blood's father... na ngayon ay na kay Leticia..."
Natulala ako sa sinabi ni ina. Hindi ko magawang maipasok lahat sa isip ko ang mga sinasabi niya.
"The game of chess..." nanghihinang umiling sa akin si ina.
"It wasn't all about you against the other queens... or you against Leticia..." hindi na makasagot si ina.
"Because from the very start it was you and father..."
"Kayong dalawa ang magkalaban... but you both fell in love... and the endless damage continued to punish all of us..."
Tumawa ako ng pagak. "Sino nga ba ang maaaring lumaban sa isang reyna kundi isang makapangyarihang hari?"
"At kaming lahat... ang mga diyosa... ang mga kapatid ko... si Danna... ang nakaraan... parte lang kami ng malaking larong ito... ang mga emperyo..."
At hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin natatapos, dahil hindi man nanatiling buhay si ama ang kanyang iniwang mga bakas ang siyang nagtutuloy ng kanyang mga hakbang.
"Ang inaakala kong pinuprotektahan ko mula sa sakit...ang siyang unang punyal na ipinadala ng mga dyosa upang makapanakit kay ama, sa isang bampirang nais lamang tumulong..."
They were hiding something and father would probably reveal everything, kaya ipinadala nila si ina upang kitilin si ama.
But it turned out to be a painful game of chess. Dalawang pinakamatalinong nilalang na nakilala ko.
My mother... siya ang unang talim... ang unang ipinadala sa lupa.
"You are the first moonlight blade..."
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