LISIANTHUS: THE FLOWER

WHEN flowers bloomed, they were doomed to wither.

It was the year 7005 when an S-gene, not too young and not too old, had been blessed with great people, land, and power. Tomorrow was his 450th birthday, and his coronation day.

Influenced by the Royal Dragon Lineage, he became a man who knew how to value the blessing given to him. Kaya naman nais niyang pasalamatan ang sarili dahil naging mabuti siyang anak ng Dragon Chief, na kilala ang kaniyang pangalan sa buong sulok ng Mythria, at higit sa lahat, sa alak na nasa harapan niya.

"Salamat, Chine. May the dragon's luck accompany you for a lifetime!" He winked at the lady who owned the bar he was pampering in. Leaning on the couch, he undoes the first button of his cloak to let the air enter and cool his chest. Gabi na pero naiinitan pa rin siya, idagdag pa ang ingay at dami ng tao na nasa loob ng bar. Someone was playing an instrument, others were dancing, and at dim corners, there were S-genes living the best memories of their life together with their other half.

Still, he loved the noises.

Bahagyang tumawa ang babaeng nagngangalang Chine at yumuko. "Walang anuman, Lis." At pumunta na sa kabilang table.

While drinking his favorite pineapple rum, he placed his elbow on the edge of the sofa. Ah! How good it burned his throat. The people. The ambiance. The drink. Everything was perfect.

"Master, it's almost eleven. We need to go back home." Nilingon niya ang gawi ng kaniyang katabi. It was his butler and closest friend. He expected a boring look on his face, but oh, silly him for forgetting that his butler's face had always been boring.

"Huwag ka nga. Kahit 'di halata sa mukha mo, alam ko namang nag-e-enjoy ka rin. And don't call me master, we are in the bar right now. Forget about our titles and just enjoy!"

"Yeah, you're right," the butler replied, full of sarcasm. "But it's your coronation day tomorrow. 'Pag nalaman ng Chieftess na wala ka sa kuwarto mo na natutulog ngayon, ako ang mapagagalitan." A pair of hazel grey eyes glared at Lis. The dim light shadowing his butler's face made him look like a villain ready to murder. If only he wasn't holding a chocolate juice to contrast his scary nature, Lis had already run away.

"Hindi na ako bata. At saka para namang palagi ko 'tong ginagawa. Ngayon lang 'to, Aster, kaya pagbigyan mo na ako, okay?" He blinked twice. Smiling like a puppy, he looked straight into his eyes.

Nabitiwan naman nito ang kagat-kagat na straw. The corner of his eyes twitched. Napansin niya rin na napahigpit ang hawak nito sa baso. Oh-ho? Mukhang effective yata ang ginawa niya.

He nodded while praising himself. Yes, yes. Of course. He was Lisianthus Hibius Crimson, the next Dragon Chief of Mythria. Ever since he was born, no one had been able to resist his charm. Greatness defined him. Perfection would not exist without him. He was the best and the most—

"Disgusting."

Napatigil siya sa pagpuri sa sarili at mabilis na napatingin kay Aster. Kulang na lang tampalin nito ang pagmumukha niya dahil sa pagkadisgusto.

"How can you say that to your next Dragon Chief? One thousand laps, now!" Tinuro niya ang pintuan at sinenyasahan itong lumabas.

"I thought we're suppose to forget our titles?" Nagkibit-balikat ito at bumalik na sa pag-inom ng kaniyang chocolate juice.

Ngumiwi na lang siya at hindi ito pinansin. Pabagsak niyang inilagay ang baso sa hugis bilog na mesang gawa sa Narra. Inayos niya muna ang kaniyang itim na cloak bago tumayo at naglakad papunta sa counter.

Habang naglalakad, halos lahat ay binati siya kahit wala pa naman ang koronasyon niya. Somehow, he felt proud that everyone was rooting for him to be the next chief. The three hundred years he spent on serving his people didn't go to waste. All the battles and hard work were paid off by their trust. And if he could brag the greatest reward he accomplished, it was that he knew his people better than anyone else.

Nang makarating siya sa counter, nahagip ng mata niya ang isang pot na may maliit na halaman. His heart ached while looking at the poor thing. Its leaves were painted yellow, and its stem were too tiny for a three-month old rose.

He knew for he understood the language of the Flora.

"You haven't produced any flower, yet you're already dying." He put the tip of his finger on its leaves. Blowing, he released a tiny whistle on his lips. The flow of energy traveled fast through his fingertip, igniting a small emerald light. As it reached the leaves, it spread with speed, making the plant grow to maturity, releasing thorns, blooming the prettiest red rose, and experiencing the best moment of its life.

He smiled and snatched a petal. "Now, grow healthy until you wither away."

"Wow! Iba talaga si Chief."

Napunta ang atensyon niya kay Chine na nakangiti nang malawak habang nakatingin sa bulaklak at sa kaniya.

He kissed the petal and blew it in her direction. "Of course. And please, don't call me that. I'm not yet the chief."

"Does it matter? We have been calling you chief since your father went missing," saad nito.

Missing? Napailing si Lis. He wasn't convinced. Maybe his father just decided not to return. Dalawang daang taon na rin ang lumipas simula no'ng huli niyang nakita ang ama. Sumunod na binalita ng council ang pagkawala nito kaya hindi na rin siya umaasa pang babalik ito.

"Just call me Lis," he replied and ordered another drink.

Since it would be his last day before taking over Mythria, he decided to drown himself with all the drinks until he could no longer feel himself. Magsasaya siya ngayong gabi at bukas na lang niya proproblemahin ang sermon ng kaniyang ina.

"Oh! One more thing, make sure to take this precious rose outside. It needs sunlight," paalala niya kay Chine.

That was the last thing he remembered until his memory became vague. A memory he never expected to be crucial until later. Nagising na lang siya nang may sumapak sa ulo niya.

"Ano? Wala ka bang planong bumangon d'yan?"

Inis niyang nilingon ang sumapak sa kaniya at buong pwersa niya itong sinigawan. "For Dragon's sake, shut up! Sino ka ba para—"

Ngunit kaagad ding napatikom ang bibig nang makilala kung sino ang nasa harapan niya.

"M-Mama . . ." Napakamot siya sa kaniyang ulo at pilit na ngumiti. "Ikaw pala."

"'Wag mo kong ma-ikaw pala!" She reached for his ears and twirled it in the worst way possible.

"Aray, Ma! Masakit!" hiyaw niya.

"Masakit talaga 'yan. Ngayon mo pa talaga naisipang maglasing na kokoronahan ka na?" nanggigil na saad ni Reora, ang kaniyang ina at ang Chieftess. Nanlilisik ang mga mata nitong nakatitig sa kaniya. Hula niya lalabas na rin ang mga ugat nito sa noo mayamaya.

"Ma, teka lang. Kalma." Tumingin siya sa paligid ng kuwarto. May mga maid na nakapaligid sa kanila at si Aster! Binigyan niya ito ng tingin upang humingi ng tulong pero tinuon lang nito ang atensyon sa sahig, halatang ayaw madawit sa nag-aalburotong Chieftess.

"Kainis!" asik niya na agad niya ring pinagsisihan.

Mabilis na naglaro sa utak ang kamatayan niya nang umusok ang ilong ng ina. Unti-unting napalitan ng kulay pula ang maputi at makinis nitong mukha. Ang kaninang hula niyang mga ugat na lalabas ay humulma na parang mga sangay ng puno sa noo ni Reora.

Napalunok siya nang makaamoy ng nasusunog na damit. Marahas nitong hinila ang kaniyang kuwelyo kaya naman napapikit siya. Sumuot sa kaniyang ilong ang amoy ng nasusunog na manggas ng damit ng kaniyang ina. Ito na, priprituhin na siya.

Handa na siyang tanggapin ang nag-aapoy nitong kamao nang biglang may magsalita.

"Pardon me, your grace. But the coronation is about to start. I suggest you save your lecture later," singit ni Aster dahilan para mapahinga siya nang maluwag.

Binitiwan naman siya ng kaniyang ina pero hindi pa rin inaalis ang matatalim nitong tingin. Her eyes looked like his. His mother was a beauty, but she was more than a beast when angry.

He just gave her his sweetest smile while scratching his head.

Ang sakit ng ulo niya. Masiyado siyang nasobrahan sa paglalasing kagabi.

"You better hurry. The guests are already waiting," his mother said with the same usual stern voice she always used when she needed everything to be fast. Inayos muna nito ang nagulong itim at kulot na buhok. Pinagpag rin nito ang abo na kumapit sa saya. Tumalikod na ito pero bago pa man ito makalabas, muli siyang sinulyapan. "And happy birthday, son."

His mother let out a smile which also made his lips curved. Despite of her strict and scary personality, his mother was the sweetest person he had ever known. Nang tuluyan na makalabas ang ina sa matayog na pinto na gawa sa katawan ng Narra, nagsimula na ring lumapit sa kaniya ang mga katulong.

"Your bath is ready, master." A maid from the Fox Lineage handed him his garments.

"Is it warm?"

"Yes, master."

Inalis niya ang kumot at nag-unat. He reached out for the vintage drawer beside him when the world spun a little. Damn, hangover. He focused his eyes on the wooden window which was ten meters away from him and waited for his vision to lose its blur. Ilang sandali pa tuluyan na siyang tumayo at nagtungo sa kaniyang silid paliguan.

A creeking sound came out of the door as he pushed it open. Mabilis na sumalubong sa kaniya ang higanteng bathtub na umuusok pa dahil sa init ng tubig. Pagkapasok niya, mabilis niyang inalis ang saplot sa katawan at inilubog ang sarili sa tub.

"Ah . . . feels good." He leaned on the edge while feeling the warm water heating his body. As expected, a warm bath always made him feel refreshed. The pretty little, large scars displayed on his body loved it too. Gumaan na rin ang pakiramdaman niya.

Sinubukan niyang alalahanin ang mga nangyari kagabi ngunit hindi ito malinaw sa kaniya. He unconsciously touched his chest as his mind processed today's event—his coronation day.

Finally. He would be the Dragon Chief! He had been waiting for this day to come. Gusto niya pa sanang tagalan ang pagligo pero wala na siyang oras. He would just enjoy it after the coronation.

Sinuot niya ang itim na pantalon at robe na binigay ng katulong sa kaniya kanina. Paglabas niya, nakaabang na ang tatlong katulong. One was holding a white robe. On its every edge was crafted with curves of light pink, designed to make his features stood out. It was a ceremonial robe made only just for him. Then, the other one walked towards him and removed his bath robe. Lumapit kaagad ang may hawak ng puting roba at isinuot ito sa kaniyang katawan.

"Oopsie." Bahagya pa siyang yumuko dahil hindi nito maabot ang kaniyang balikat.

He gasped inside his head while feeling the thickness of the fabric. The softness clothed him like a blanket and made him feel a little sleepy. Sobrang haba rin ng roba dahil lagpas ito sa mga paa niya.

"It's perfect for me, don't you think?" The woven designs matched his uniquely peaceful pink eyes.

"Definitely, master," said the one with a blonde hair. Lumapit ito sa kaniya at ipinalibot sa baywang ang dala-dala nitong kulay rosas na linen cloth at may pagkamadilim ang kulay.

Naglakad siya papunta sa kaliwang bahagi ng kaniyang kama kung saan naroroon ang salamin. He smirked as he saw himself. He couldn't help but adore the person reflected. What an epitome of perfection.

'How can you be so perfect, huh?' None could praise Lisianthus better than himself.

Hinawakan ng isang katulong ang kamay niya at ang isa naman sa kabila. They started putting accessories on his body. Four gold and silver rings wrapped on his right fingers and on the left side were two. Nilagyan rin ang kaniyang kanang paa ng anklet na may Rubellite stone.

"Which necklace would you like to wear, master?"

He glanced at the two options that the blonde maid showed. The first one had a pendant of a Crimson stone, while the other one had no pendant at all, however, its golden laces were scattered, forming curves around the chain and making it stylish and elegant. Both were pleasing in his eyes, so he couldn't decide.

"I can't choose. Which do you think will make me look good, Rai?" he asked the maid who brought the white robe earlier.

Napaisip naman ito habang nakahawak ang kamay sa baba. "Hindi rin ako makapagdesisyon."

"Why not wear them both?" Ami, from the Fox Lineage, said while yawning. Palagi na lang talaga itong inaantok. Nagtataka nga siya kung ano pinaggagawa nito kapag gabi, e. Rai told him before that she doesn't sleep at all.

Sabay naman na nag-thumbs up ang dalawa sa suhestiyon ni Ami kaya um-oo na rin siya. Isinuot na niya ang dalawang kuwintas habang si Rai naman ay nilagay ang family crest sa tela na nakasabit sa baywang niya. Ami, on the other hand, dried and styled his hair—the part of him that received the most praises for he didn't inherit it from his parents.

His pastel, curvy hair painted with the color of his eyes brought complement to his pale skin. He was already gorgeous, but what made him more noticeable was the color of lavender. It wasn't completely mixed, but like wet paints, it was shaded randomly on his hair.

It was a rare sight for none had a hair like him in Mythria.

A flower. The people called him a beautiful flower. The one who bloomed like no other. The one who stood out. One who was remarkable.

The maid was supposed to style his hair in a slicked back, but he requested to just put it down. He was more comfortable with it. He wasn't confident exposing his forehead, thus, making him carry this hairstyle for a long time.

For the last touch, Rai put the chain brooch—with a dragon on each end—on the bottom part of the robe's sleeve. He liked to put it there.

"Nasaan pala si Aster?" tanong niya habang hinahawakan ang ilang hibla ng buhok.

"Your Chieftess called for him."

When they finished fixing him, he rushed out to the throne room. He had to go to the second floor and walk for ten minutes before he could reach the room. Compared to his height, he was just an ant from how huge their mansion was. From the floor to walls, as he strode past, he could hear their whispers; the whispers of the trees that had lost their lives and had been made into different shapes to fortify the mansion.

It was because of those trees that the shades of brown enveloped the entire ceiling, walls, and floor. Hanging on the walls were the painted images of his ancestors. It made the place more nostalgic, like a home filled with many histories. And he couldn't help but feel proud. The Royal Dragon Lineage already left a legacy, and now, it was his turn.

Napahawak siya sa barindilya ng hagdanan nang makarating sa tuktok ng floor. Unti-unti na siyang nakaramdam ng kaba. The woods shaped like rectangles, guiding him to the end where the door lies, felt like it had no end. Mabilis naman ang mga lakad niya pero bakit ang bagal niyang makarating?

His emotions started to mess with him, so he glanced at the window in hopes of diverting his attention. The light shone against the glass, forming a scenic portal to present the green garden outside. Lumapit pa siya sa bintana para lalong makita ang labas.

He thought it would calm his nerves but—

"I'm still nervous."

Huminga na lang siya nang malalim at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad. Napakagat siya sa pang-ibabang labi upang pigilan ang sariling mapangiti. Bukod sa kaba, alam niyang may iba pang emosyon ang sumasapaw sa nararamdaman niya. Lumulukso ang kaniyang puso sa tuwa.

Restraining his emotion, he clenched his hand as he was greeted by the giant, wooden door carved with the shape of a dragon that resembled his.

He had arrived.