Chapter 30: Disguise

Ngayon na wala na kaming problema sa Mudelior ay madali na naming mapapag-usapan ang sunod naming hakbang sa misyong ito. I knew that it would be tough for Kreios and me, but now that we had a new party with all their great talents and ability, maybe this mission would not become too difficult for us. Hopefully.

"Tell me your goals," ani ni Luna.

"Well, we have to visit three places. Asta Wellingzon, Holy Land, and a place in this empire that could be connected to the bone-eating portals. Since you have the mysterious cave in Sartorias, the Gazellians have been dealing with it, the ruined museum in Fevia Attero, Caleb and his group managed to reach, and the Sea of Eronia in Deltora which the Le'Vamuievos could handle, it's obvious that I have to focus with mine which is inside my territory," paliwanag ni Kreios habang itinuturo ang daliri niya.

"Why must we reach these places?" tanong ni Remi.

Huminga ako nang malalim dahil magiging mahaba ang pagpapaliwanag ko.

"Holy Land is a place where Atlas took the water that covered and protected Veda's lifeless body. I don't know how he managed to reach that place since I heard from Claret that only Veda, the blue fire, and Freya managed to enter the said place, but if that water is effective to Veda maybe it will help my brother as well, or Kalla..." I shook my head. "I don't know yet. I just need that water. I am desperate to find it. I have to find the same water." Mabibigat ang bawat bitaw ko ng mga salita.

Tumango silang lahat maliban kay Livius na nakatitig lang sa akin. "And Asta Wellingzon, Kalla's previous tower was connected to it, the reigning king of that world is my Uncle Tiffon, Prince Tavion's father if you're familiar with him. Maybe it will not be too complicated if we visit that world since I am a Gazellian. Iris and Tavion told me about a legend of the Fountain of Youth, but Tavion called it a Devil's Fountain since the water is not really meant to heal rather it's a devil that weighs the life of one to another."

"What do you mean by that?" tanong ni Luna.

"The water does not heal, instead it's an instrument to sacrifice another life to another."

"You mean... someone has to die for someone to live?" tanong ni Elena.

I nodded.

"Is it voluntarily or even if it is against someone's will?" dagdag na tanong ni Catalina.

"Tavion called it a Devil's Fountain. Kahit labag sa loob ng nilalang kung sapilitan itong isasakripisyo ay wala itong magagawa," mariing sagot ko.

Pansin ko na may napailing sa kanila at may narinig din akong napamura.

"And you're thinking..." Luna purposely hung her words.

"Yes. Maybe the water itself was an instrument for Veda and Kalla's situation. King Dastan and Queen Leticia are occupied ruling the Nemetio Spiran and maintaining their social standing, while Claret and the princes of the prophecy are in Deltora. I have to do this." Kumuyom na ang mga kamay ko.

Lily... Dastan sent me to Mudelior on purpose. Gusto nilang tuluyan ko nang yakapin ang kapalaran ko bilang reyna ng Mudelior kapiling si Kreios, ngunit hindi ako matatahimik kung hindi ko man lang sila tutulungan. My plan was to escape and have our own journey, but here I was... with the king of Mudelior, helping me with additional talented women with us.

I shouldn't falter.

Hinawakan ni Kreios ang kamay ko. "We will do this together, Harper."

Tumango ako.

"Now that you mentioned the Devil's Fountain and its ability... are you telling us that it could be connected to the Holy Land?" tanong ni Remi.

Muli akong tumango. "Asta Wellingzon's Fountain of Youth or Devil's Fountain and the Holy Land can be related to each other. That's why after we visited the place here in Mudelior where we could find clues that could be another portal... we can go to my Uncle Tiffon's world."

"Don't you want to ask your cousin to join us?" tanong ni Kreios.

"I think... Tavion would prefer to stay in Deltora for a while. He has to stay with Iris. Iris has to stay inside Deltora."

"So, there could be a place like the cave in Sartorias here?" muling tanong ni Remi.

Kreios nodded. "Don't you think Mudelior is innocent for that? This is the biggest empire of all."

"This could be critical... we have three places to reach. Should we split?" ani ni Delilah.

Umiling ako. "I don't think fate allows us to cross paths and then let us move in this mission individually."

"And what are you going to do with me? Isn't it a hassle for your mission to bring a prisoner along?" dagdag ni Livius na ngumuso sa kuwintas na nakatali sa kanya. "But if you want challenge... well, it's an honor to tag along."

Buong akala ko ay mananatili na siyang tahimik. Pansin ko ang pagiging seryoso niya nang pinag-uusapan na namin ang mga lugar na wala rito sa Nemetio Spiran.

He knew something and I wouldn't let him escape.

"Shut up. Can anyone gag him or knock him down?" iritableng sabi ni Kreios.

Halinhinan ang titig ko kina Kreios at Livius na ngayon ay masama na ang tingin sa isa't isa. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang maalala sina Rosh at Zen sa kanilang dalawa. Kapwa ayaw magpatalo ng bawat isa sa kanila.

I shook my head and tried to ignore them.

But Livius was partly right. I don't think it was fine to completely tie one of the women with him to watch over him. Nagtungo ang titig ko kay Luna... her power could be beneficial for us, she's a witch, and her ability could be like Claret. Dapat ay nasa tabi ko siya sa kritikal na sitwasyon. She shouldn't waste her talent just by being Livius' guard. I knew that there could be more of Luna, dahil hindi biro ang kapangyarihan ng babaeng kayang ilibing nang buhay ang isang Le'Vamueivos.

Muli kong pinaglandas ang titig ko sa natitirang mga babae. Remi's a critical thinker, so I had to keep her close as well she could be the Lily in this group or Kalla. While Elena and Catalina were both used to social interactions as they grew up as nobles, it was good to have them close so they could cover me and keep me less suspicious, while Delilah's a spy. We need someone who could run around, collecting more information.

I bit my lower lip, and my hand balled tightly as I started analyzing the ability and usefulness of my group. We couldn't just leave Livius somewhere even if he had the necklace tied around him. Fuck.

"Where is our first location?" tanong ni Remi.

"Since we're inside Mudelior, we must find a place that could be connected to the bone-eating portals or anything related to those symbolic locations. Your people gave us the places, right, Kreios?"

Napahawak ako sa sentido ko. Kapwa namin binasa iyon ni Kreios ngunit hindi ko natandaan lahat ng nakalistang lokasyon. Shit.

Kreios prodded his lips. "Actually... I have already visited some of it. Negative."

I blinked, putting down the hand from my temple. "You've visited them?"

"Yes. Don't you think I was just sitting idly on my throne after receiving such information, My Queen? We could be busy flirting inside our castle but during my free time, I do some of my king's duties besides entertaining my queen." Kreios said with a shrug.

My lips parted as I looked at Kreios, realizing that he could be annoying and useful at the same time, even if it was hard to admit it to his face.

"You said some, that means you left a few more locations?" tanong ni Delilah.

"Yes. I never thought that I could find something useful in the Entertainment District, so I put it last on the list."

Pansin ko na nagkatitigan sina Delilah, Catalina at Luna. "Your Majesty, one of the good sources of information no matter how messy and unrealistic the information had come from the sickest places of the empire..."

Kreios sighed. "Yes, yes... of course." He shook his head and threw up both of his hands in defeat. "But with my queen's recent arrival in Mudelior, I was hesitant to visit the Entertainment District. Mudelior have eyes... and I was anxious that Harper might have her disciples on the loose... what might happen if the king visits the House of Pleasure?"

Livius laughed. "My, it's a surprise coming from you, it was you who usually frequent the House of Pleasure influencing me and Desmond."

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Kreios. "Shut up."

"It's his hobby actually... taking women..."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Kreios at napatayo na siya na handa nang umatake kay Livius na tumatawa. "It's Desmond's fucking order! Why me? I was just helping! Desmond and his countless virgin brides!"

Naningkit na ang mga mata ko kay Kreios, ganoon din ang mga kababaihan sa paligid namin. Halos sabunutan ni Kreios ang sarili niya nang makita ang reaksyon namin. "Harper, you're aware of it! It was your brother and his cause! I didn't even dream of having numerous brides! Si Desmond ang dahilan kung bakit madalas kami roon!"

Since the women around us were clueless about Kreios and his previous life with Desmond and Livius, I gave them a brief background, telling them how Desmond and Kreios, Claret, and the princes of prophecy saved hundreds of women from slavery.

"Umupo ka, Kreios."

Natigil ang dapat pagsugod nito kay Livius at nakanguso siyang naupo sa tabi ko.

"So, it's settled. We must visit Mudelior's House of Pleasure, but we have countless House of Pleasure, Kreios. Alin doon?"

"According to the list, we'll visit the most popular and known for the tourist. It's located in the northern part of Mudelior, to be specific in the kingdom Mudelior Velhara," sagot niya.

"What is your social standing in that kingdom?" I asked.

"They don't like me, but they're afraid of me. So... it's quite good?"

"I remember sending an invitation to that kingdom. Did you notice someone who attended from that kingdom?"

Kreios nodded.

"And their reaction?"

"The usual. I am viewed as a foolish king with great luck for having a powerful ability. The look on their faces is filled with mockery with their idea that I could easily get swayed by a beauty," he said casually.

Muli akong humarap sa mga babae at tumango sa kanila. "That means, they will kill Kreios the moment they realized that he was there, weak and defenseless."

Sabay-sabay tumango ang mga kababaihan.

Kreios sighed exasperatedly as if he had heard one of the most ridiculous words he had received in his lifetime. He gently leaned his head on my shoulder. "Darling love, I don't think I'll be weak and defenseless. You're with me to protect me."

I rolled my eyes and ignored him being randomly flirtatious.

"We need to infiltrate the Entertainment District."

Muling tumango ang mga babae sa akin.

"With a prisoner?" tanong ni Livius.

"Should I watch over him?" tanong ni Luna.

Umiling ako. "You should come with us. I think you are the only one who can summon all of us to one location if something unexpected happens. You need to know the actual situation."

Luna looked hesitant but, in the end, she nodded.

"I can take him," sabi ni Delilah.

Umiling din ako. "We need you to run around in shadows. I don't know how we are going to communicate with one another. We need a messenger in the shadow."

After rejecting Luna and Delilah's suggestion, Remi and Catalina volunteered themselves, I even saw Elena raising her shaking hand.

"I need all of you."

Nang sabihin ko iyon, isa lang ang nilalang na natitira na maaaring magbantay kay Livius, unti-unti kaming lumingon kay Kreios na ilang beses nang umiiling sa harap namin.

"You've got to be kidding me. I should be in action! I am good at combat! I've been on different missions since I was young! Bago ako umupo sa trono ay marami na akong napagdaanan! How dare you put the king in the most useless role!"

Huminga ako nang malalim. "Kreios... it's easy for us, women to fit in the Entertainment District. I don't think it will be easy for you to disguise or let's say avoid anyone with your presence... you can't even pass as a commoner trying to apply for a job."

"No... I am not letting my queen do this alone."

"You will guard Livius! You are helping us."

Umiling muli si Kreios. "I will enter the Entertainment District. I promise I'll never look suspicious."

Mariin akong pumikit at humarap na sa mga babae. "Luna... if you can please assist every one of us for our disguise."

Tumango si Luna.

With her spell, she dressed Catalina and Elena like the usual aristocrats. While Luna, Remi, and I would disguise as servants in selected House of Pleasure. Delilah remained in her all-black outfit who would act as our messenger.

"Luna," tawag ni Kreios.

With Luna's necklace still tied around Livius, Kreios pulled him behind the tree, sumunod rin sa kanila si Luna na nag-aalangang tumingin sa akin.

I sighed. "Let them be."

"King Kreios can be childish sometimes..." natatawang sabi ni Elena.

"Most of the time, but don't be deceived, he's a cunning one," umiiling na sabi ko.

"I always knew that there's more to the known foolish king," dagdag ni Remi.

"I've been seeing him inside some unexpected places, but I chose to ignore him," sabi ni Delilah.

Lahat kami ay napalingon kay Delilah. I thought they only knew Kreios by name. And then she shrugged her shoulder. "Hindi ko alam na siya ang hari."

Natigil lang kami ng pag-uusap nang lumabas na iyong tatlo mula sa likuran ng puno. Luna smiled at us awkwardly as she scratched her cheek. "I think this might be effective?"

The necklace tied around Livius' body was gone, but instead, it was replaced with a chain around his neck, what caught our attention more was how it was attached around Kreios' wrist.

I slowly glanced at the women beside me, trying to find their reaction and maybe their conclusion. Are we thinking the same thing?

Nanlalaki ang mga mata ni Elena na may namumulang pisngi at may pagtakip pa sa labi niya na tila nasisiyahan sa nakikita.

Because it was not just the changes in the chains, but the appearance of the two. Kreios was lavishly dressed like a real aristocrat, with jewelry, expensive silk, and perfectly styled hair with his exposed chest with a mask that hides half of his face— a spoiled, handsome, and rich aristocrat who's into...

And then I looked at Livius, who at first looked annoyingly confident even with the stains of blood and holes on his clothes, but right now looked so different as he dressed quite similarly to Kreios, less lavish, but still with silk, jewelry, and a few tattoos on his exposed biceps.

The clanking of the chain as Kreios pulled it toward him, bringing Livius to him, with his arms to his waist made it so realistic. Tinakpan na ni Luna ang mata niya, napatili na si Elena, umawang ang bibig ni Delilah, natulala na si Remi at napatakip na sa kanyang bibig si Catalina.

The chain tilting Livius' neck, Kreios' hand around his waist, and the bright moonlight behind them made it so romantic.

Napapalakpak na iyong mga kababaihan sa paligid ko, iritableng humiwalay si Livius na agad tumakbo sa puno at nagsusuka habang taas noong humarap sa amin si Kreios.

"I will enter the Entertainment District with my slave lover."

For the first time... after I entered Mudelior and ran into this mess with my head filled with desperation to help Sartorias and prove that I could be a queen, I found myself genuinely laughing.