CLEA

I watched Fifteen concocting an herbal medicine for her friend. Napahalumbaba ako sa isang tabi habang pinagmamasdan ang mukha ng lalaki. I couldn't see his face yesterday because he was wearing a mask. But now that I have looked at him, he's a tanned-skin beauty. His cherry brown hair compliments his topaz eyes. 

"How are you feeling?" Rinig kong tanong ni Fifteen dito matapos niya itong painumin ng gamot. Saglit na pinakiramdaman ng lalaki ang sarili niya bago sumagot. 

"I feel so well, I can't feel pain from my internal injuries." Nakita ang paghinga ni Fifteen na para bang nabunutan ito ng tinik. Seeing how she look relieved that he's fine, they are probably close. 

"Hurry and thank her holiness for saving your life." He turned his gaze at me and stood up from the bed. Lumapit siya sa akin na kasalukuyang nakaupo habang sumisimsim ng tsaa. 

He knelt his left knee on the ground and bowed his head. "I owe you my life, Your Holiness. I could not thank you enough." Binaba ko ang tasang hawak ko bago siya tapunan ng tingin. 

"You should thank Fifteen instead. Without her first aid, you could've died earlier." I replied. Lumingon siya kay Fifteen upang pasalamatan ito. 

"Take more rest. You can't leave the temple now. Fifteen will guide you to the secret tunnel later at night." I instructed. I expected him to show his gratitude again and rest, but he remained kneeling on the floor. 

I crossed my arms. "Is there anything else you need?" Tumunghay siya sa akin. 

"I know this is too much, and I am in no position to request from her holiness, but my comrades were also dying as we speak. Only I was lucky enough to receiver her holiness grace to heal." Nabanaag ko sa mata niya ang pakikiusap na para bang nakasalalay sa akin ang buhay niya at ng mga kasamahan niya. 

"Although from a humble origin, I will do the best of my abilities to return the favor to her holiness. I request for more healing essence to tend my wounded companions." I cock my head sideways. His topaz eyes were looking at me intently, pleading with me to grant his request. 

"Please, I am begging you, Your Holiness!" Muli ay sumimsim ako ng tsaa. I pretended as if I was thinking things over. 

Judging from what he wore the day I saw him, he wore an all-black suit with a mask on his face. He looks like an assassin sent to murder someone secretly. However, he mentioned he has other comrades who are also hurt. He can't be a solo assassin; they must've been in the group.

And there are only a few guilds of assassins in the empire. If I were to narrow it down based on current events, I know of only one assassination activity thus far. It is an attempt to assassinate Zeev because his identity was exposed. Therefore, he belongs to the Phantom Guild of Assassins, one of the guilds that was under the control and supervision of the Empress. 

Lihim akong napangisi sa isipan ko. The odds were with me. Every piece I need for the game is approaching me. So, who am I not to use them at my disposal? 

"Give him the amount of healing essence he needed, Fifteen." Kaagad na nawala ang kaba sa mukha ng lalaking kaharap ko matapos marinig ang naging turan ko. Umaliwalas ang mukha niya at mababanaag ang labis na saya sa mga mata niya.

Itinukod ko ang kaliwang braso ko sa mesa bago imuwestra ang kanang kamay ko sa kawalan. Letters appeared in mid air, it was a contract. "Holy Contract?" He whispered.

"I don't know your identity nor what kind of person you are. How can I ensure you will adhere to whatever favors I ask you in the future?" He nods his head. Tumayo ito upang basahin ang nilalaman ng kontrata. 

These days, signed contracts are needed. Kahit magkakapatid pwede mag-away at mag sumbatan dahil sa utang, pera, o lupa. Nagkaka-amnesia kapag sinisingil. 

"I may not be able to reveal much about my identity at the moment, but I am named Sixto, and Fifteen can vouch that I am trustworthy." He flicks his finger to sign the contract. I motioned my hand once again, causing the contract to disappear. 

"Your Holiness? This is Archival, the archpriest's clergy. I want to inform you that his Excellency wanted to discuss something with you in his office." Mabilis na tumaas ang kilay ko nang marinig ang baritonong boses sa labas ng pinto ng quarters ko.

Gusto ako makita ng impaktong yun? Ano na naman trip niya sa buhay? 

I eyed Fifteen to hide Sixto in the hidden chamber. Nakuha niya naman ang ibig ko ipahiwatig at mabilis na nagtungo sa staircase pababa. I stood up and fixed myself before opening the door. Bumungad sa akin ang isang binatang mayroong mahabang kulay abong buhok. His hair was single braided neatly. 

He lead me the way to the archpriest's rectory office. Binilisan ko ang lakad ko dahil gusto ko mauna sa kanya. Sa tangkad ni Archival nagmumukha akong duwende na nakasunod sa kanya. 

When I arrived in his office, I grimaced. Napabuga ako nang malalim na hininga. I thought he wanted to see me because of something so urgent? Akala ko kung gaano ka importante ang pagpapapunta niya sa akin dito tapos maririnig kong may umuungol sa loob? 

What am I here for? Audience? Look-out?

My eyes landed on Archival, and he just gave me an innocent look as if his master was not doing anything obscene. "Please come inside, Your Holiness." Tiningnan ko siya na parang may sampu siyang ulo. 

Talagang papapasukin niya ako sa loob habang may ginagawang kababalaghan amo niya? 

Napaismid na lang ako. When I opened the door, I was expecting to see Dominique fucking a random nun in the temple, but my expectation from reality was different. "What's that look on your face?" He mused. Nadatnan ko siyang minamasahe ang isa sa mga elder na madre sa templo. 

"You look disgustingly disappointed, were you expecting something?" dagdag niya pa na mas lalo ikinasira ng mukha ko. 

"Always keep a good posture to avoid back pain, Elder Naria." Narinig kong magpasalamat sa kanya ang elder bago ito umalis sa kanyang opisina. The elder also greeted me when she saw me standing on the door. 

"Oh, please come in, Your Holiness." I rolled my eyes at him and entered his office. Archival locked the door and waited outside. 

I looked around his office; it was a typical catholic office where everything was full of holy furniture and celestial paintings. There's nothing special besides the golden eagle eye symbol in every corner of his office. 

"What do you need?" Diretso kong tanong. He sat on the corner of the table while fixing the blindfold in his eyes. 

"Why are you so grumpy? Life is beautiful!" I gave him a sarcastic smile. 

"Why do you have asthma? There's so much air!" I countered. He pursed his lips and acted as if my words so hurt him. 

"You speak so rudely. I am still the archpriest." Pagdadrama niya pa na siyang ikinairap ko. I gave him an IDGAF look, and he just shrugged his shoulders. 

"Do you still hold a grudge against me for acting roughly that night?" I frowned at what he said. He's making it sound so suspicious. 

"Can you just go straight to the point, Your Excellency? I hate wasting my time." He picked up something above his table. It was a document. 

Pagtanggap ko ng dokumento ay kaagad ko itong binasa. It was a list of people who petitioned the Emperor to issue a decree to null my engagement with the crown prince. My brows furrowed, seeing his name on the list. 

Did he personally issue this petition?

"Must I thank you for this?" Nilapag ko ang papel sa mesa niya at umupo sa pinakamalapit na upuan. I crossed my legs and look at him. 

"I am your guest. Shouldn't you be serving me tea?" He smirks at me. 

"My, where are my manners? I'll go grab some tea then." Mapanuya niyang wika. I saw him walking towards a glass cabinet, looking for tea in his drawers. 

I am acting this way towards him because I have nothing to fear anymore. He won't hinder my plan because I have the Tearmoon Concealing Artifact to hide the nature of my mana from him. True, he is the archpriest, the superior of the temple. 

But considering how he accused me of being a Fallen Seraphim and acting unruly towards me, I am only returning the favor of how he treated me. So what if he's the archpriest, and I must respect him? He didn't even respect me as a saintess. 

It's a bull cycle. If you don't want to be treated like crap, stop treating someone like shit. 

"What would you like? A chamomile tea or mint tea?" 

Your tea-tea. 

Tinampal ko ang sarili ko dahil sa naging side comment ng utak ko. Really, Debina? Kailan ba magkakaroon ng matinong side comment ang utak mo? 

"Here." May nilapag siyang tasa ng tsaa sa harap ko pero hindi ko iyon pinansin. 

"I changed my mind. I don't need tea." He gave me a patient smile. "Then what do you need? Coffee?" Sunod niyang tanong. 

"I need a gun." Sagot ko habang pinandidilatan siya ng mata. 

"Oh, dear God." Lumayo siya sa akin at bumalik sa pag-upo sa dulo ng office table niya. 

"What are you trying to accomplish by cutting off the engagement?" Tinukod niya ang palad niya sa mesa bago dumukwang papalapit sa direksyon ko. 

"What do you mean? It's one of the rules of the temple." He replied. I scoffed, loud enough for him to hear. 

"When did you care about temple rules?" Hindi niya pinansin ang sarkasmo sa boses ko. Instead, he crossed his arms. 

"Since I came back hearing a bunch of nonsense from the elders." He clicked his tongue before turning his head in my direction. 

"I also heard you are summoned to the Capital Court of Justice?" Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay. 

"It has nothing to do with you." I sneered at him. He raised his left hand to touch his lips with his index finger as if he was thinking deeply of something. 

"Thing is, based on what I also heard, Count Orestilla was the one who attempted to hurt and assaulted you. Now, why did the House of Orestilla summon you to court for a trial for attempting to murder him? There must be a story behind that." I gave him a sheepish look. 

Na-mention ba sa libro na may lahing chismoso ang lalaking 'to?

"Baka pagod ka na sa pagiging chismoso mo sa buhay ng iba? May alam akong magandang furinarya kung saan pwede ka magpahinga." Napangiwi naman siya dahil sa pambabasag ko sa kanya. 

"Hey, I'm just trying to be nice. I am willing to be your lawyer in the court just to amend our relationship." Pinatong ko ang braso ko sa arm rest ng upuan habang nilalaro ang kuko ko. 

That sounds appealing. I haven't found a good lawyer. I was only planning to defend myself. Ako na ang biktima, ako pa ang witness, ako rin abugaga—este abugado. Saan ka pa 3-in-1. 

"Be my lawyer? I don't need you to defend me. You might as well focus on your duties and responsibilities in the temple. Your selection of temple shrine maidens and acolytes are red flags." He let out a throaty laugh as if my words fascinated him. 

"And yet I still accepted you." He fired back. 

So sinasabi niyang red flag din ako? I mean totoo naman yun pero duh! Parang siya hindi!

"You did not accepted me, I am chosen by the Gods." Pagmamalaki ko rito habang nakataas noong nakatingin sa kanya. 

"I could choose not to accept you in the temple, but I still did." Well, he was right. The saintess still needs to be recognized by the archpriest. They had no choice but to acknowledge me because back then, the old saintess radiated with holy mana even when she was still a baby. 

"If you have nothing to say, I will take my leave, Your Excellency." Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo. I gave him a slight bow despite wanting just to stab him with a knife so he could bleed and die. Tinalikuran ko siya sabay lakad paalis. 

"I guess the news that the saintess was kind and gentle was nothing but rumors. I wonder how people would react if they knew she's but a rude and sarcastic saint? Will they ever worship you again?" Napahinto ako. Mabilis akong humarap sa kanya. Nakangiti kong inangat ang kaliwang kamay ko upang pakitaan siya ng pangmalakasang middle finger. 

"Fuck you, Your Excellency." Hindi ko man makita ang mga mata niya ay nakakasigurado akong nagulat siya dahil sa inasta ko. Pabaling-baling ang ulo niya sa mukha ko at sa daliri kong nakaangat sa ere. I heard him gasped disbelief. 

"Can you be more respectful and gentle with your words?" Lumawak lalo ang ngiti ko sa sinabi niya. 

I placed both of my hands in the level of my navel before bowing. "With all due respect, Your Excellency. Please, intercourse yourself." Sa pagkakataong ito ay dalawang middle finger na ang itinaas ko. Tuluyan ng umawang ang bibig niya kaya matagumpay akong napangisi bago siya muling talikuran. 

I thought I would spend my day smiling from ear to ear for pissing him off, but I was wrong. Bago pa man ako tuluyang makalabas ng pinto ay bigla akong nabuwal mula sa kinatatayuan ko. My body was scorching hot and my insides felt like it was being burned. Napasinghap ako at sinubukan kong humawak sa hamba ng pintuan pero ni paghakbang ng mga paa ko ay hindi ko magawa. 

I felt a strong pair of arms caught my waist before I could lose my balance and fall. Mahigpit akong napakapit sa braso niya. Hindi ko napigilang ibaon ang kuko ko sa balat niya dahil sa panggigil na dulot ng sakit na nararamdaman ko. Napatunghay ako at nakita ko ang pagtanggal ng blindfold sa mata ni Dominique. 

His golden eyes met mine, and as much as I wanted to spend time admiring his golden eagle eyes, I could not because of my situation. He touched my face. He was scanning me as if he was trying to figure out what caused me pain. Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata ko. I bit my bottom lip, trying to control myself from screaming. 

But I couldn't help it! So I screamed. 

"Your Holiness!" Ginagap ng mga kamay ko ang magkabilang braso niya. Siniksik ko ang ulo ko sa leeg niya at walang pasabi siyang kinagat para pigilan ang sarili kong sumigaw. Dahil hindi niya inaasahan ang ginawa ko ay bigla siyang natumba habang ako ay nasa ibabaw niya.

I heard him hiss. His left hand reached my nape, and the other held my waist. Now I'm straddling on top of him while biting his neck. Tagaktak na sa pawis ang leeg ko at nanginginig na rin ang buong kalamnan ko. Parang gusto kong magwala. I wanted to rip someone's head off and drench myself with blood.

Why does the Venom of Karma have to take effect now? 

"Your Holiness, Archduke Rognvaldur is—" Napitigil sa ere ang sasabihin ni Archival nang madatnan ang posisyon namin ni Dominique. 

"Y-Your Excellency—?" He was just as clueless as he sounds like.

Mahinang napaungol dahil sa sakit si Dominique. My bite will probably leave a mark on his neck but I don't care. I scratched his back with my fingernails. He arched his back and tilted his neck on the other side, giving me more access. Dahil sa pagliyad niya ay umangat ang katawan niya dahilan upang may maramdaman akong kung anong matigas sa pang-upo ko. 

Huyy! Wala naman sanang light saber ribil ngayon dios mio!

Maya maya ay nawala ang atensyon ko sa kabalastugang nasa isip ko nang mapansin kong may kung anong liwanag na bumalot sa katawan ko. The golden energy that envelopes me was somehow giving me a calming effect. My impulsive thoughts started to relax a bit. Lumuwag ang pagkakakagat ko sa leeg niya pero nanatili pa ring nakabaon ang kuko ko sa likuran niya.

He was probably trying to heal me, but I know he can't. He can give me a calming effect, but he will not be able to heal the external pain that was the main root of my suffering.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Isang mabangis na tinig ang narinig ko. Kasabay no'n ay may kamay na humila sa kanang braso ko upang mapalayo ako kay Dominique. Bago niya pa man ako mahila nang tuluyan ay nahawakan ni Dominique ang kabilang braso ko. 

"She's in pain, let go of her!" Bulyaw ni Dominique. 

Nanlalabo man nang konti ang mata ko ay sinubukan kong kilalanin kung sino ang isa pang lalaking may hawak sa akin. My eyes widened when I identified him. 

The archduke!

"You let go of her, I can heal her myself!" Sikmat pabalik sa kaniya ni Dimir bago ako hilahin papalapit sa kanya. Nagtagisan silang dalawa ng tingin.

The red eyes of a raven and the golden eyes of an eagle. Parehong ibon, parehong malalaki ang birdy. 

Napangiwi na lang ako. Nasa bingit ng kamatayan ang buhay ko pero puro pa rin kahalayan laman ng utak ko. 

"Heal her? You have no holy mana, you cannot heal her!" Apila ni Dominique bago ako hilahin papunta sa gawi niya. 

My mind was in a dilemma, thinking about which of them I should choose to heal me and what explanation I should give to the other if I declined. However, my mind suddenly came to a ridiculous conclusion. 

Dominique can prevent me from having delusions that could result in me berserking if he heals me by calming me, and Dimir can recover the chaotic external forces inside my body. Since both of them will be beneficial to me, I should take both of them. 

Being sandwiched between the archduke and the archpriest is not that bad.  

G O L U C K Y C H A R M
My! Nangangamoy 3sum! Amaccana Clea! Bagong taon, bagong buhay! Although it's late, Happy New Year everyone! Mwa :3