CLEA 

Tinanggal ko ang gloves sa mga kamay ko bago magtungo sa pungpong ng kulay puting rosas. I squatted on the ground holding a gardening tool to trim it's thorns. Narinig ko ang mga yapak ng paang papalapit sa gawi ko. 

"Your Holiness, I brought you snacks." I thanked Fifteen and continued to trim the roses while she was arranging the snacks she got for me. 

"Any news about her?" Tanong ko habang nakatalikod pa rin sa kanya. 

"She stormed out in your quarters a few minutes after I left her alone in the room," she paused and snickered. "I can still remember the look on her face back then. I've never seen the composed princess have that chaotic expression." Napangisi ako. I could only imagine how sour her face looks like. 

"I have requested assistance from Lord Zeev's men to investigate and spy on the princess's whereabouts." As expected from Fifteen, she knows what to do. I don't need to dictate anything from her. 

"Lord Carnel passed the qualifications for being a knight and registered himself as your knight. He will start accompanying you tomorrow." Napakibit-balikat na lang ako. Wala naman ako magawa roon. It was his request to help me. 

"There was also a message sent by a young lord named Eclipse from the Gigolo House." Napatigil ako saglit sa paggugupit ng tinik. 

I expected him to send a message to see me, but I did not expect him to use his identity as a gigolo. Well, that would be fine as well. Mas mabuting walang makakita sa amin na magkasama. 

"Anything else?" Saglit itong natahimik na para bang nag-iisip. 

"Oh, and the head priest was on a therapy session." Tumayo ako sabay harap sa gawi niya. She pulled a chair. Nagtungo ako roon upang umupo. 

"A therapy session? Si panot?" Tumango-tango si Fifteen. She started pouring the tea into a cup. 

"Your engagement with the crown prince made him bedridden for days, and when he found out the count hurt you, his condition got worse." Sinimsim ko ang tsaang hawak ko habang nakikinig sa isinasalaysay ni Fifteen. 

"It was the princess who suggested he have therapy." I scoffed in my head. 

He doesn't need therapy. He needs exorcism. 

God knows how I struggle to prevent my inner demons from strangling him to death. Pero kung bibigyan ako ng pagkakataon para mag-decide kung paano siya mamamatay, I want him to strip him naked and bath him with eggs and wait for the vultures to find his body and feed on his flesh until he dies. 

"The princess did? She's running out of reasons to visit the temple. That's why she's clinging to the head priest this time." I crossed my legs under the table and offered Fifteen to sit beside me to enjoy the tea together. 

The lemon tea brewed by Fifteen tasted savory and sweet. It was an excellent choice to pair it with a chocolate chip cookie. 

As I spent my leisure time in the temple greenhouse, I couldn't help but think about my confrontation with Dimir yesterday. He figured things out earlier than expected. However, that wasn't the problem. I did not expect his body to consume my healing abilities. 

That means the moment I consumed 100% of his venom, I would lose my ability to heal.

As of now, I have already got three-quarters of his venom. The severity of pain I would suffer from the venom also increased. I would need him to heal myself if I ever berserk. I thought I had a successful cheat code in the story, so I deduced that my body could be a vessel of his venom since I possess a powerful healing ability. 

I have shortcomings. I did not consider that even without the venom, he was already formidable. While consuming his venom, his body must have reacted to my mana magnetically. Unlike mine, instead of rejecting the mana from me, he was adapting instead. 

"Your Holiness?" Nabalik ako sa realidad nang iwagayway ni Fifteen ang magkabilang kamay niya sa harapan ko. 

"Oh, yes? Were you talking about something?" Nilapag ko ang teacup. Kumuha ako ng cookie at kinagatan ito habang pinagmamasdan ang mga bulaklak sa loob ng greenhouse. 

"I also heard news from the elder nuns and acolytes that the archpriest will visit the temple." Nalunok ko ng buo ang cookies na nginunguya ko. Fifteen immediately poured me a glass of water. Uubo-ubo kong tinaas ang kamay ko. I managed to calm myself down after a few seconds. 

Why would he suddenly come here? Is he planning to take back his authority from the head priest? 

I can't move as freely as I want if he's around the temple. Most importantly, I can't use my power because he can detect the anomalies in my mana. Sa dinami rami ng panahon bakit ngayon niya pa naisipan na bumalik? Why doesn't he just stay in that damn tower? 

"Be careful around the archpriest. He's smart. Me mindful of your words and actions if he's around." I reminded her before sipping the last drop of tea. 

"Will do, Your Holiness." She replied. 

As the saintess, I could not avoid using my power to exorcise evil entities. I could suppress it before because the dark mana in my body was only half of Dimir's venom. Compared to now, the dark mana is overpowering the holy mana. I could not hide it for too long. 

Napatayo ako kaya napatingin sa akin si Fifteen. I need to think ahead. To avoid suspicions, I must obtain a particular artifact that could help me conceal the dark mana in my body. And there's only one person I can ask for help. 

"Fifteen, if the head priest tried to find me, tell him I went outside to buy pastries." Hindi na ito nagtanong pa.

I teleported myself in Zeev's camp. Pagdating ko roon ay napasinghap ako nang maabutan ko siyang nakahubad baro sa harapan ko. Zeev was too stunned to even speak and I was too embarrassed to look away. 

Akala ko tapos na ang streak ng pagtambad ng mga light saber sa mukha ko, may isa pa palang hahabol! 

"Y-your Holiness?" He gasped as he nervously run his fingers on his wet disheveled hair. Dumako ang mga mata ko sa matipuno niyang dibdib na mayroong mahabang guhit ng sugat. 

Napamura ako sa isipan ko. I immediately dropped my eyes on the floor. Wala akong nakita. Hindi ko nakita ang mahaba at nangungugat niyang sawa. Wala talaga akong nakita promise! Ma-mink mink pa! 

What kind of embarrassing situation is this? I expected him to be on his desk near the cave where he usually forged his weapons. It's beyond my imagination to find him freshly coming out of the bathroom. 

Seeing his well-built body, broad shoulders, toned muscles, and big hands. . it seemed as if he could pin me down with just a simple hold. I can feel his stares at me as if drowning me in the depths of his jade eyes. 

I saw in my peripheral vision he grabbed a piece of cloth to cover himself. I stood still, trying to focus on the small bug on the ground. Eyes on the fucking floor, Debina!

"Is there anything I can help you with?" He whispered, his voice was hoarse and deep. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kanya na kasalukuyang nakasuot na ng kulay itim na roba. 

I cleared my throat. What explanation would I give him for barging into his private hut unannounced? I should have at least teleported outside his door to knock. How could I possibly forget about basic manners? 

"I apologize. You must see me in that disgraceful state, Your Holiness." He sincerely apologizes, slightly bowing as water droplets from his hair dripped down the ground. 

Disgraceful? Paano naging kahiya-hiya yun e palong-palo nga? 

I shook my head. What the hell am I even talking about? 

"I have come here in such a hurry because I need your help," panimula ko. I turned my back at him and walked towards the desk. Umupo ako sa mesa niya at muli siyang tinapunan ng tingin. 

"Can you lend me the Tearmoon Concealing Artifact?" Dahil sa naging tanong ko ay nagbago kaagad ang timpla ng mukha niya. He didn't even blink. 

"Why do you need that artifact?" He look at me with his sharp eyes. Sinalubong ko lang ang klase ng tingin na binibigay niya sa akin. 

"Are you even aware what that artifact is for?" Tinukod ko ang magkabilang palad ko sa mesa sabay pinagkrus ang binti ko. 

"Tearmoon Concealing Artifact was an ancient lost artifact passed down in generations from your mother's side." His face remained expressionless. Of course, he would be. After all, it was his family's secret. 

"It originally belonged to the first Archduchess of Alcanta." I saw his fingers flinched. I tilted my head and continued to talk. 

"The 26th Archduchess of Alcanta gave birth to twins. That was the birth of your mother and the present archduke's father. However, your mother must die because of the prophecy of the former saintess." Nakita ko ang pagkuyom ng kamao niya.

Yes, you heard it right. Dimir's father and Zeev's mother were twins. They're cousins by blood. 

"Twins will be born, and bloodshed will bath the oceans and mountains of the Empire. The weak must die, and the strong must persist for the evil to perish." I recited. Pinanood ko siyang magsalin ng tubig sa baso upang uminom. He looked like he was trying to calm himself while listening to me. 

"Between the twins, your mother was born weak. So the people of the empire, including the emperor, were demanding her death—because the saintess' words were a message from God, it was absolute." I began tapping my fingers on the table. 

"The wise Archduchess faked your mother's death and gave her the Tearmoon Concealing Artifact to conceal her real identity as a Rognvaldur. She was left in the orphanage with her dark mana temporarily cleansed and concealed using the artifact." Pagsasalaysay ko. 

"When your mother grew up, she became the famous dancer in the cabaret. The crown prince, the present emperor, fell in love with her at first sight. Upon the crown prince's accession ceremony, she found out about the truth of her identity." Binaba niya ang hawak niyang baso upang tumingin sa akin. 

"She felt like falling in love with the son of a man who doomed her entire life was a mistake, but it was too late because she loved him, and he was already pregnant with you. She planned to keep it a secret until she died, but the present empress accidentally discovered her identity. She threatened your mother to leave the empire or she would reveal her identity. To protect you, she agreed and fled to the Vrotia Empire." Huminga siya nang malalim. Nakita ko ang pagbabadya ng luha sa namumula niyang mga mata. 

"And I assumed you already know what happened after that when you read your mother's journal." Silence covered the room, and the tension in the air started to rise. Despite the information I gave him, he seemed unbothered about it. 

Or was he only pretending? 

"The prophecy from the former saintess was a lie. The former emperor ordered it because he wanted to destroy the House of Rognvaldur's power and prestige. Your mother sacrificed for nothing." Umiwas siya ng tingin sa akin. 

"And what does it have to do with the Tearmoon Concealing Artifact?" I raised my left hand and released a small amount of energy. Bumalata kaagad ang gulat at pagtataka sa mukha niya nang muli niyang ibaling ang atensyon sa akin. 

"Dark mana?" Humakbang ito papalapit sa akin na tila ba naninigurado kung tama ba ang nakikita niya at hindi siya namamalikmata. 

"Are you a Fallen Seraphim?" Umiling ako. Umalis ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa lamesa upang lumapit sa gawi niya. 

"I am a transgressor, Zeev. I have Vladimir Rognvaldur's Venom of Karma, and I desire revenge for the people who wronged me." He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. With just a few sentences I said, I am sure he already connected the dots and knew what I was up to. 

A transgressor in this world means a criminal sinner living against the gradient of life. It was a severe offense that was punishable by a guillotine. 

"People who wronged you?" He scoffed. He gazed at me with hatred on his face.

"You are the revered saintess! Who would dare wrong you?" Sikmat niya sa akin. His pupil was dilated, which reflects his anger. 

I know where his hatred was coming from. If it were not for the saintess's stupid prophecy, his mother wouldn't have to endure those sufferings. She could've lived as a nobility from the House of Rognvaldur. 

"Who would dare wrong me?" I laughed bitterly. Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata. I closed the distance between us and grabbed the collar of his robe to pull him closer. 

"I am the saintess born with an extraordinary ability to heal. I was revered and respected by everyone. So no one would dare to do me wrong, is that it?" I gritted my teeth and gripped his collar tighter. 

"The Head Priest used me for gold and threw me into the jungle of sex driven noblemen with an excuse to heal them," matigas kong wika habang pinagdidilatan ko siya ng mata. 

"I was taken advantage of!" Sa paghakbang ko ng paa ko ay siya namang ikinaatras niya. 

"They took leverage on my innocence!" Marahan ko siyang tinulak hanggang sa wala na siyang maatrasan pa. 

"And you think I don't have what it takes to live a hard life of not being wronged?" His expression softened, but I did not change my demeanor. 

"I'm. . ." He heaved a deep breath. His eyes looked lost. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you've been through that." He whispered. I bit my skin inside my left chick. Parang gustong mawala ng galit ko dahil sa lambot ng boses niya.

"Did. . .did they hurt you?" Hindi niya ininda ang kamay kong nakahawak sa collar ng roba niya. He raised both of his hands to hold the side of my shoulder, checking me if I was alright. 

"I desire revenge against the empire, Zeev. I will get the justice I deserve, and I will start by ruining the pillars of the empire that brainwashed the current emperor." Malamig kong wika. I yanked his hands on my shoulders and pushed him away from me. 

"Whether you give me the Tearmoon Concealing Artifact or not, is not up to you. I will fight you to death if I have—" Napatigil ako sa pagsasalita nang iluhod niya ang kaliwang tuhod niya sa sahig. 

Namumungay mata itong tumingala sa akin. Ginaganap niya ang kaliwang kamay ko upang halikan ang likuran ng palad ko. A kiss on a hand means respect. 

The next thing he did was to raise my left foot and remove my shoe. I bit my lower lip when his soft lips touched my toenails. A kiss on the toe means adoration. 

Akala ko tapos na siya pero nagkamali ako. Ang sunod niyang dinampian ng kanyang labi ay ang paa ko. It means devotion. 

Inangat niya ang dulo ng tela ng damit ko papuntang tuhod ko. Without breaking an eye contact with me, he kissed my knee. A sign of obedience. 

"What is the meaning of this?" Tanong ko kahit na alam ko kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin. 

I need him to say it para naman hindi ako masabihang assumera. 

Tumayo siya mula sapagkakaluhod. Binuksan niya ang kaliwang palad niya at lumabas doon ang kulay berdeng ilaw. Napukarap ako nang makitang inilabas niya ang Tearmoon Concealing Artifact. 

It was a a gem made of blue moon quarts shaped like a crescent moon. Makikita ang pag-anhag ng kakaibang enerhiya mula roon. He motioned his hands in my direction. Kusang lumutang ang artifact papunta sa direksyon ko hanggang sa pumasok ito sa loob ng dibdib ko. 

I hissed with the sudden pain. Muntik na ako matumba kung hindi ako nahawakan ni Zeev sa bewang. Napahinga ako nang malalim. I can feel my heart contracting in pain as my spiritual veins start to resonate with the artifact. It was beginning to reconnect itself with my body.

Napahawak ako nang mahigpit sa kamay ni Zeev. I inhaled a sharp breath, trying to ease the pain. With this, I don't have to worry about being suspected by the archpriest. Even his eagle eyes could not detect the dark mana in my body because the artifact contained the first siren's tear that could fool everyone.

"I will become your sword. I will slay everyone who threatens and takes advantage of you." Nagtagpo ang mata naming dalawa. 

"You can use me to threaten the empress and his son's position on the throne. You can use my men against the knight of the empire. You can—" I silenced him by pressing my finger on his lips. 

"You will reclaim your title as the eldest son of the emperor. You will regain your position as a prince and become the crown prince. You will avenge yourself against the empress who killed your mother ruthlessly." I mumbled, looking at him directly so he could weigh how serious I was with my ambition. 

"You have the blood of a Rhinedottir and Rognvaldur. If you become the Emperor, the royal family will no longer view the House of Rognvaldur as its enemy. If you became the Emperor, the Vrotia Empire would no longer be at war with us because the ruler of the Vrotia Empire is righteous. If he knew you were alive, he would treat you as his son with respect to your mother." Mahaba kong lintaya na ikinatulala niya. 

Zeev Rognvaldur Rhinedottir is the true heir to the throne.

G O L U C K Y C H A R M
I apologize for the late update, I am sick. I am getting well naman na. I will continue to update whenever I have time. Happy 39K my dearest! *sending kisses* :3