CLEA

I woke up feeling groggy. My whole body was aching. That's when I remembered I dared to hurt my own body by multiple stabbing and slashing. That time, Count Orestilla's reaction was so satisfying that I could not feel any pain. His horrified expression gave me ecstasy, and I couldn't care less about the wounds I inflicted myself. 

"How is she?" I heard someone asking. Base sa lapit ng boses niya ay sa tingin ko nasa gilid ko lang siya nakaupo sa isang upuan. He sounds like Levine Orestilla. 

"I cannot seem to heal her wounds, Lord Levine." How many hours has it been since I fell asleep? I had no idea. 

"I do not wish to intervene, but she is the saintess known for her extraordinary ability to heal any diseases. Won't she be able to heal herself?" Rinig ko namang wika ng isang babae na animo't takang-taka ito. 

"All known healers in the Capital's Sanatorium had no match for her holiness healing prowess, My Lord." Bumuntong hininga si Levine. 

My mind concluded that I was brought to the Capital's Sanatorium. I thought he called for a private doctor in their household. Well, Levine was probably thinking it would get me trauma if I woke up on their roof. I was right that despite being that old man's son, he was a good person. 

"It doesn't make sense. Everyone knows the saintess could heal herself," nagugulumihang wika ng isa sa mga healers na naroon. 

Akala ko nga rin mga mhie. My healing ability was slow because I used too much of my mana when I forced myself to consume Dimir's venom days ago. But there's more than that. 

Pinakiramdaman ko ang katawan ko. I have no internal injuries. I feel no pain from my wounds. The one that was not healed was the physical wound itself. The fresh scars were still visible. 

Imumulat ko na sana ang mga mata ko nang may marinig akong kalabog ng pagbukas ng pinto. Kasunod no'n ay ang tunog ng sapak na naging dahilan upang may bumagsak sa sahig. 

"What the fuck did you do to her?!" Muntik na ako mapanganga nang marinig ang boses ni Carnel. 

"G-greetings to the young lord of Briargiss." Alanganing bati ng mga tagagamot na naroon. 

Syempre sino hindi matatakot kung pagpasok na pagpasok niya nanuntok kaagad siya 'di ba? 

"Lord Carnel, calm down." Saglit kong minulat ang kaliwang talukap ng mata ko at nakita kong nagmula ang mga salitang iyon kay Levine habang hawak-hawak ang gilid ng labi niyang may pasa. 

"Calm down? Have you got any idea who that woman was?" Mabilis kong pinikit ang mga mata ko nang aktong gigilid ang leeg ng mga ito upang tumingin sa akin. 

"Yes, she is the revered saintess of Khehan Empire." Ilang segundong katahimikan ang bumalot sa kuwarto. 

"What's her condition?" Sa hindi ko malamang dahilan ay parang gusto kong pumalakpak dahil sa tono ng pananalita niya. He sounded bossy and domineering. Ibang-iba sa boses ng Carnel na naririnig ko tuwing kausap ako.

"Forgive us for our shortcomings, my lord, but the healers of the Capital's Sanatorium are not capable of healing her holiness' condition," kabadong tugon ng isang lalaki sa naging tanong ni Carnel. 

"Then what are you all still doing here? Find more local healers to check on her! Don't just stand there and do nothing! Scram!" Dali daling kumilos ang mga ito upang sundin ang utos niya. Pagsara ng pinto ay nakarinig ako ng mga yapak na papalapit sa akin.

"Stop right there, Lord Carnel." Pagpipigil ni Levine. "I believe you must distance yourself from her holiness if you have no close ties with her." Carnel scoffed at Levine's words. 

"Close ties with her? I am her personal knight, Lord Levine. That makes me closer to her than you, right?" Kahit nakapikit ako ay pakiramdam ko nagtatagisan silang dalawa ng tingin. 

Carnel is Marquis's son, while Levine is the son of a count. Regarding regency, a marquis had a higher status and prestige than a count.  

"Who did this to her?" May diin nitong tanong. Mauulunigan sa boses nito ang pambabanta. Hindi kaagad nakasagot si Levine. 

Malamang nagdadalawang isip siyang sabihin dahil akala niya mismong tatay niya may gawa sa akin nito. Hindi niya alam na may sa baliw ako at ako mismo ang nagbigay ng sakit ng katawan sa sarili ko. 

"I don't know the details, but I heard my father was suffering from a terrible disease. He summoned the saintess in hopes of healing himself, but then. . .I heard her shouting, asking for help." I opened my left eye and saw Carnel grabbing Levine by the collar of his neck. Nanlilisik ang mga mata nito habang nakatingin kay Levine. 

Napasinghap na lang ako sa isipan ko. Carnel acted so gentle and obedient towards me but he's pretty brute to other people. Ang marinig at makita siyang marahas sa ibang tao ay bago sa paningin ko. 

Was he only submissive towards me? 

"House of Orestilla has done a lot of illegal mining across the empire. Not to mention the poor farmers your family stripped of their land and crops, your father is a sexual offender!" singhal niya rito habang pilit na hinihigpitan ang pagkakahawak sa kwelyo ni Levine. 

Levine was leaning his back on the door frame. Sinalubong niya ang mga matatalas na mata ni Carnel. Ilang pulgada lang ang pagitan ng mukha nila sa isa't isa. 

What if they just kiss?

"I was supposed to let the count off the hook as long as he doesn't mess with someone related to me." Carnel scoffed and narrowed his eyes at Levine before finishing his words. "But involving the saintess to fulfill his never ending sexual needs? He's gone too far!" Buong akala ko ay magpapaubaya lang si Levine sa pamumwersa sa kanya ni Carnel pero nagulat na lang ako nang hawakan niya rin ang kwelyuhan nito. 

"Do you seriously think I want any of these from happening?" Levine muttered while tightening his grip on Carnel's collar. 

Sige, magsakalan kayong dalawa sa harapan ko. 

"You think I didn't try to do anything to convince him to stop whatever the fuck he was doing?!" singhal pa nito pabalik habang galit na nakatingin kay Carnel.

"Do not talk as if the House of Briargiss is that clean and righteous! Your family is worse than mine!" Pinanood ko lang silang dalawa na nagsusukatan ng tingin. 

Nagtuturuan pa sila e pareho namang walang kwenta pamilya nila. No one is better than them, both households were the worst. Kung meron mang may kwenta sa pamilya nila iyon ay silang mga anak. Despite having useless parents and living in a very toxic environment, they were able to isolate themselves away from different types of negativities. They didn't grow up as a problematic child. 

This is why growing up doesn't depend on your environment or the people you're with as a child. It might be one of the factors, but still, growing up as a good person depends on the individual. 

"I will never forgive my own father for hurting her, neither do I intend to keep silent and defend him from his wrong doings!" Matapos pangatuwiran ni Levine ang sinabi niya ay pabalang niyang binitwan ang kwelyo ni Carnel, dahilan upang mapaatras ito palayo sa kanya. 

"What makes you think I will believe you?" Puno ng pagdududa nitong anas. 

"I don't need you to believe me," Levine replied tersely. 

Akmang magsasalita pa sana si Carnel nang may kumatok sa pinto. When the door opened, I closed my eyes. Mahirap na baka mabuking nilang kanina pa ako gising at nagtutulog-tulugan lang ako. 

Pang award winning talaga actingan ko mga mhiemasur! 

"Lord Carnel, Lord Levine, I have brought one local healer who is said to be a son of a former Empirial Healer." I wanted to applaud them for their efforts, but I'm afraid it will go to waste. None of them could heal me at the moment. 

"Can I request for the gentlemen to leave the room first? I would like to thoroughly examine the patient." Hindi ko napigilan ang pagtaas ng kilay ko nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses na iyon. 

Just as what he requested, I heard a couple of footsteps leaving the room and the sound of the door slamming close. Ang lalaking sinasabi nilang lokal na manggagamot ay naglakad papalapit sa akin. 

"I know you're awake." He sighs. I opened my eyes and looked at him, sitting beside me with amusement on his face. 

This man in front of me had a face I was unfamiliar with, but his voice was recognizable. I rolled my eyes at him and tried to sit on the bed. 

"So when did you become a son of a former Empirial Healer?" nakakaloko kong tanong na ikinangiwi niya lang. 

"I came here because I was worried about you." I raised an eyebrow. 

"Why would you be worried to the point of risking yourself to step a foot in the capital? Knowing your identity. . ." Nabitin sa ere ang sasabihin ko nang magbago ang hitsura niya. 

With his pair of jade eyes and curtain mullet-styled black hair, I wasn't mistaken. 

"I just don't want anything happening to my benefactor," aniya bago mag-iwas ng tingin upang ayusin ang buhok niya. 

Tinukod ko ang kaliwang kamay ko sa higaan upang mapalapit sa kanya. "Is that so, Zeev?" Saktong paglingon niya ay nakatapat ang mukha ko sa kanya kaya nakita ko ang pagkagulat sa kanyang mga mata.

"Yes," He took a deep breath when his gaze landed on my lips. "I was also here to bring what you asked for." I nod my head. Pinanatili ko ang magkalapit naming mukha't binuklat ang palad ko sa harapan niya. 

He handed me a piece of thick scroll without breaking an eye contact with me. I mouthed him the words 'thank you' before moving my face away from him. Saglit akong sumulyap sa kanya at nakita ko ang paggalaw ng Adams apple niya. Binuklat ko ang polyetong hawak ko at hindi ko mapigilang mamangha. 

As I have told you before, Zeev was the illegitimate child of the Emperor. However, he was a brilliant kid who taught himself to read and write. He lived in the forest and became the leader of a notorious bandit, but he was an intellectual with a photographic memory. That's why I asked him to draw a detailed terrain map of the Khehan Empire. 

"Why don't you apply as a cartographer? This is a very detailed map, Zeev. If one of the military's generals were to find a map like this, they would spend millions of gold to get their hands on it." Nagkibit-balikat lang siya. He crossed his legs and stared at me for seconds. 

"I have no right to question my client's request as long as he or she is paying me, but I couldn't help but ask, what do you need that map for?" Binalik ko sa pagkakarolyo ang scroll na hawak ko. 

"Are you planning for a rebellion? That's why you needed the map. Or maybe you're trying to figure out the imperial positioning of the knights to know when to attack?" sunod-sunod niya pang tanong. 

"Are you worried the empire will no longer be in peace?" I teased. Kaagad naman siyang umiling. 

"I don't care. I live in the forest. As long as it won't affect my way of living, it's not my concern." Tinitigan ko lang siya. His words do not match his body language. It's telling me that somehow, at some point, he was worried. But of course, he won't admit it. 

"You will find out soon, but know I mean no harm to the innocents." He didn't answer me and just stood up. 

"I must go. The real son of the Imperial Healer must've been awake now. I have to leave before my cover blows up." Akmang aalis na ito nang biglang dumako ang tingin niya sa mga sugat sa braso ko. 

"I don't know what happened, but are you sure you're alright?" Tumango lang ako. "Do you want me to cast an illusion that your wounds are gone?" Napapalakpak ako. 

"Yes! Do that!" Para naman hindi na ma-praning si Levine at Carnel sa labas. Baka sumakit lang ulo ko sa pagsisisihan nilang dalawa. 

I watched Zeev lift his left hand on top of my body. A small green light appeared in his hand as the energy bathed my body. Ang kaninang mga galos at mahahabang sugat sa katawan ko ay nawala. It wasn't healed. It was just covered by an illusion that it was all right. 

How could I forget that Zeev's power is all about illusions? 

"I'll take my leave then, until we meet again, Your Holiness," pag-papaalam nito bago tuluyang lumabas ng silid ko. 

After Zeev's visitation, Carnel and Levine also left. Siguro sinabihan sila ni Zeev na ayos na ang kalagayan ko at kinakailangan ko ng pahinga. I was able to sleep for a few hours. Nagising na lang ako dahil sa sinag ng buwan galing sa bintana. 

A sweet, lingering aroma of fresh flowers entered my nostrils when I fluttered my eyes open. Kaagad akong napatingin sa side table. May isang pungpong ng kulay puting bulaklak. If I'm correct, these flowers are called azalea flowers. One that means 'I belong to you' when given to the person you admire.

Sino nagbigay nito? 

My eyes landed on the box beside the vase of flowers. On top of the box was a golden envelope. Napabangon ako sa kinahihigaan ko upang abutin box. Binuksan ko ito. Nakaramdam ako ng pagkagutom nang makitang chocolates ang laman nito. I took the heart shaped chocolate to have a taste. Habang kinakain ko ito ay napag-isipan kong buksan ang envelope. 

Clea, I heard about what happened to you. It deeply saddened me that I wasn't there when you needed me. I came to visit, but you were sound asleep. I hope this letter finds you well. Don't worry. I will let the person behind this pay with his dear life. 

Ferocious. 

Nabilaukan ako nang mabasa kung kanino ito nanggaling. May nagbigay sa akin ng tubig kaya kaagad ko itong tinanggap upang inumin. Uubo-ubo kong binasa muli ang mensahe na nakapaloob sa sa sulat. 

Ferocious came here?! Bakit parang halos lahat ng lalaki ko ay pumunta rito para kamustahin ako?! 

"Bakit parang ang bilis naman 'ata kumalat ng balita tungkol sa nangyari sa akin?" I blurted out in a blue. 

I've only been here for a day or so pero pati si Ferocious ay napapunta na rito para bisitahin ako. Carnel, Levine, Zeev, and now Ferocious. Who's next? 

"Are you alright?" Napasapo ako ng noo ko. 

"Yes, I'm fine. Can I ask what—" natigilan ako nang matandaang may umabot sa akin ng baso ng tubig kanina. "—time is it?" tuloy ko nang mahinuha kong hindi ako nag-iisa sa kwartong 'to.

Pagaharap ko ay napanganga ako nang makitang may lalaking nakaupo sa upuan na nasa giliran ko lang. I was preoccupied with the letter that I forgot to notice his presence near me. 

I scanned him from head to toe. Napakurap-kurap ako nang masilayan ang katangiang mayroon siya. He was wearing a white long-sleeved mystical cloth adorned with intricate designs of silver sequences. On his neck was a silver necklace with a cross pendant. May suot din itong kulay itim na makapal na robe. 

His silver hair was flawlessly cut like a messy half two block haircut. May nakatakip na maliit at manipis na tela sa mga mata niya na nagsisilbing blindfold para hindi ko makita ang kabuoan ng hitsura niya. He was strikingly attractive even with a blindfold on. 

Gojo, ikaw ba 'yan? 

"Don't be afraid, it is I." Pinagkunutan ko siya ng noo. Hindi ko siya kilala. "You don't remember me?" tanong niya bago ipagkrus ang binti niya sa harapan ko. 

"Who are you? No sane man would sneak into a lady's room in the middle of the night." Umisod ako nang konti upang dumistansya palayo sa kanya. My senses were alerted when I felt this man's presence was dangerous. 

"Hmm?" He hummed as his lips twitched into a loop sided smirk. He rested his arms on the arm of the chair. Kapagkuwan ay ipinatong niya ang kaliwang bahagi ng pisngi niya sa palad niya na para bang nagtataka ito sa inaakto ko. 

"Are you sure about that, sweetheart?" Lalong nagkasalubong ang kilay ko. Siya naman ay nakatingin lang sa akin na para bang nakikita niya ako sa kabila ng blindfold sa mata niya. He looks as if he was fascinated by my reaction. 

"Since you may have forgotten who I am, then allow me to introduce myself." Tumayo ito. Pinatong niya ang kanang palad niya sa higaan ko bago ilapit ang mukha niya sa akin. 

"I am Dominique Hechanova," Doon pa lang sa pagpapakilala niya sa akin ay napasinghap ako. "I am the archpriest, Clea Vaisravana." Muntik na ako mapatutop ng bibig ko kung hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko. 

The archpriest? How can I be so dumb to forget about him? What the hell is he doing here? Isn't he supposed to be in the magic tower? 

Puno ng katanungan ang isipan ko pero ni isa ay walang lumabas sa bibig ko. "As the holy saintess born pure and sacred, tell me, Clea." I lifted my gaze at him when his other hand held my chin, forcing me to look at him. 

"Why does your body emit a dark mana?" Napaamang na lang ako. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko hindi dahil sa kagwapuhan ng lalaking kaharap ko kun'di dahil mukhang mapapaaga ang pagkamatay ko. 

"Are you seeking death, O' holy saintess?" mariin niyang usal habang nakahawak pa rin sa panga ko. 

This is my end. Revenge no more. How can I be so dumb to recklessly use the dark mana within my body? I did not even keep in mind that a character like him exists! The man who had very little exposure in the story but created a lot of mischief. He is the character who is obsessed with the female lead. 

The archpriest, the second villain of the story. 

G O L U C K Y C H A R M