CLEA

"You're too light. Is that asshole starving you?" Naigulong ko ang mata ko nang marinig ang komento ni Zeev habang buhat-buhat ako habang itinatakbo palayo sa kumosyon na nagaganap sa gitla ng plaza ng capital.

"Will you prefer if I was heavy?" I clung my arms around him, and he tightened his grip under my knees before turning to the left.

Napatitig ako sa kanya habang siya ay naka-focus sa pagtakbo. How daring of him to kidnap the emperor's bride using his bare face with only a cloak to hide his identity.

"Hold tight." With a mighty leap, I look back—only to see myself fleeing through mid-air with him carrying me like I was his bride.

Sa muling paglapag niya sa lupa mula sa matayog na talon niya ay nasa ibang lugar na kami. Kumunot ang noo ko. "Where are we?" Takang tanong ko.

"This is our Safe Zone." Lalo nagkasalubong ang kilay ko. We found ourselves in a majestic building that resembled a church.

The interior featured a small, ornate altar adorned with intricate carvings and flickering candles. Surrounding the altar were numerous statues, each meticulously crafted. An abundance of pure white flowers further enhanced the space, their delicate petals adding a touch of elegance to the solemn atmosphere.

What is this place? This doesn't look like the temple. Akmang magtatanong pa ako nang makaramdam ng matalim na titig sa harapan.

"Will you lay your hands off her, or I will send you on vacation to hell for laying a hand on a holy servant of God?" Narinig ko ang paghalakhak ni Zeev nang marinig ang pambabanta ni Dominique.

"I'm surprised you could still see us despite the blindfold in your eyes. How did you do that, practice seeing with your ears?" Zeev fired back before carefully placing me down.

Pagbaba ko sa bisig niya ay nakita ko nakatayo sa aming harapan si Dominique kasama si Caelus, Levine, at Carnel. Lahat sila ay nakatingin ng masama kay Zeev na para bang may ginawa itong karumaldumal na krimen. I'm sure they are thinking of the different ways to kill him.

"What?" Patay malisya niyang tanong nang mapansin ang titig ng mga ito sa kanya. Napailing na lang ako. I cleared my throat to gain their attention.

"So. . ." I trailed. "What's the—" Napaatras ako nang sabay lumapit ang mga ito sa akin.

"How are you?" They chorused. Isa-isa ko silang tiningnan. Concern was evident in their eyes. Sinusuri ng mga ito ang buong hitsura ko na para bang tinitignan kung may sugat ba ako o ano. There was also a glint of longing. Do they miss me that much?

"I am fine. How about you guys?" Napahinga naman nang maluwag ang mga ito.

"How about we take a seat before catching up?" Paanyaya ni Zeev na nakaupo sa upuan kung saan may pabilog na mesa. Mabilis namang naglakad ang mga ito papalapit sa gawi ni Zeev at sabay na pinaghila ako ng upuan.

I bit my lower lip. Tinitigan ko lang sila na naghihintay kung kaninong pinaghilang upuan ako uupo. What kind of situation is this? Parang nakikipagpaligsahan sila para sa atensyon ko.

May nakita akong bakanteng upuan sa tabi ni Zeev kaya naglakad na lang ako papalapit doon at pinaghila ng upuan ang sarili ko upang umupo. Wala silang nagawa kun'di umupo na lang din dahil sa inakto ko. A few seconds of silence covered us after that.

"How's your investigation going, Your Honor?" Magkakrus brasong tanong ni Dominique sa kanya.

"Can you drop the formalities, Your Excellency?" He grunted, emphasizing their titles as if it were their way to be sarcastic with one another. I raised an eyebrow. What's the beef between them?

"Are you familiar with the newly appointed baron from the east? Baron Blane?" Napaangat ako ng tingin. Blane? I remember meeting his daughter at the ball. Aeronia Blane was it?

"It's reasonable that you have not heard of him, but I found his daughter yesterday. She was in a cave near the river border of the palace and temple." Panimula niya.

"She took her in my temple, and I cured her. In the process, I found complex chemicals injected into her body. It was a mixture of sedatives and unique types of substances I'm not sure what for." Dugtong ni Dominique.

"While I went to the baron's house, I discovered she was missing for nearly two weeks. He has sent a report to the guards about his missing daughter, but due to his lack of power and influence, he could not raise his concern to reach my ears." Pagak na wika ni Caelus habang nakahawak sa panga niya. His brows furrowed as he fixed his glasses, looking a bit puzzled.

"I took matters into my own hands and went to the public offices of every corner of the empire, and I found out there are numerous accounts of reports regarding the frequent disappearance of women. Most are young, ranging from seventeen to twenty-three years old." Pagpapatuloy nito.

Nahulog naman sa malalim na pag-iisip ang lahat. I tilt my head. There have been no incidents such as women kidnapping in the original novel. "It turns out that the reports were held because the missing women were found three days later without any memories of what happened." In my peripheral vision, I noticed Carnel leaning his left arm on the marbled table, his fingers interlocked tightly as he observed the room with a thoughtful expression.

"I heard about it while I was infiltrating the royal knights. Last week, they found a woman in the barracks who was said to be missing. There were no bruises or any sign of abuse, so cases were closed normally." Dahil sa naging pahayag ni Carnel ay napatingin sa kanya si Caelus.

"No bruises? No needlestick wounds?" He clarified.

"No."

"But how's the Lady?" Tanong naman ni Levine. Prente lang itong nakasandal sa upuan habang naka-dekwatro ang paa.

"She hasn't woken up yet. I was hoping she would wake up today. I've healed her wounds and stabilized her condition, but her body seems to have been traumatized physically." Sagot naman ni Dominique.

"Claudia Burnington is a regular in the Gigolo House, and I heard she was somehow acquainted with Lady Aeronia. But on her disappearance, she revealed she didn't care and wished she would disappear for good." Levine cocked his head before continuing. "Do you think she's related?" Napailing naman si Caelus.

"I don't think so. The wounds that she had looked like she'd been stabbed by a syringe multiple times like she was experimented upon." Dahil sa sinabi ni Caelus ay natigilan ako.

Missing women. Cave near the border of the palace and temple. Syringe and experiments. Isang imahe ng lalaki ang kaagad na pumasok sa isipan ko.

"It's Ferocious." I click my tongue when I've said those words aloud. Mukhang narinig nila ito dahil sa sabayan nilang pagtingin sa akin.

"Are you sure?" Paninigurado ni Zeev. Nakita ko ang pagkuyom ng kamao niya. His calm and composed expression from a few moments ago was overtaken by a gradual shift towards a more menacing and threatening visage.

I just love how Zeev was so soft towards women. He's giving that big boy green flag vibe that keeps everyone safe around him. He really cares a lot about the well-being of a woman.

"I am sure it was him. Why do you think the numerous reports of missing women never reached the ears of the higher-ups? Because he had control of everything that passed through the officials." Sumang-ayon naman ang mga ito sa sinabi ko.

"That would make sense," Caelus responded as if he had realized.

"Don't worry." I smiled at them. "I will figure out what he's up to," I assured them.

"How will you do that?" As I glanced at Zeev, I noticed a curious expression on his face. It seemed as though he was observing me closely, his concern evident as if he was ensuring the safety of the method I was about to use and making sure it wouldn't cause me any harm.

"Don't stress. I made it through the palace alone, even with the empress and the princess plotting my downfall." I said confidently. They should stop worrying about me too much. I'm pretty sure they know a thing or two about me, that I'm not someone you could easily mess around with.

"I am stationed in the palace for the night duties until the wedding night. I will look out for her in case of emergencies." Aniya ni Carnel.

"Besides, his grace will also be there. I'm sure he'll keep an eye on her." Levine reminded. Nakita ko naman ang pagkibit-balikat ni Dominique.

After those few clarifications, Zeev stood up and discussed his plans. Carnel gave a detailed blueprint of the palace, explaining the secret chambers and blindspots. Levine was discussing everyone's role while Dominique kept reminding them not to refrain from doing anything that would mess up the plan. On the other hand, Caelus listened attentively while fixing his glasses from time to time.

Natawa na lang ako sa isipan ko dahil ang cute nilang tingnan lima. Their plan was risky, but the success rate would be around sixty percent if everything went well. "Are you telling me I have to team up with this piece of shit?" Singhal ni Carnel habang tinuturo si Levine.

"What? You got a problem with that, huh? You wanna give it a go?" Paghahamon ni Levine. Napatingin ako sa kanilang dalawa na nagsusukatan ng tingin.

"You dare? I will kick your ass, I tell you!"

"Oh yeah? I will beat your face!"

Akmang magsasapakan na ang mga ito nang batukan sila ni Caelus. "Would the two of you stop quacking like a fucking duck?" He hissed.

Sabay na kumunot ang noo ni Levine at Carnel. "Are you jealous you can't quack like them?" Patutsada ni Dominique. Napasapo na lang ako ng noo dahil nakisali rin siya.

"How about you chirp like a freaking bird?" Pabalang na sagot sa kanya ni Caelus. It's astonishing to hear the Judex, who was always articulate and composed, cursing his lungs out.

"Are you listening?" Poker-face na tanong ni Zeev sa mga ito. Wala sa sarili itong namewang nang makitang nagbabangayan silang apat.

I was about to speak when someone came in. Napalingon ako, at wala sa sariling sumilay ang kakaibang ngiti sa labi ko nang makilala ko kung sino ito. Napatayo ako.

"Your Holiness!" She chirped. Inilapag niya ang tray ng pagkain sa mesa bago ako yakapin nang mahigpit.

"Please forgive my insolence, but I thought I would never see you again!" She held both of my hands and knelt on the ground. Pinanood ko ang pagdaloy ng luha sa mukha niya at ang mga mata niyang tila ba nangangausap sa akin.

"That day. .in the temple. . .I thought I wouldn't survive." Her hands were trembling while she was shaking her head. The terror in her eyes mirrored the haunting images of the tragedy, flashing through her mind like lightning in a storm.

"Don't marry the prince—the emperor! He was the one who killed everyone in the temple! He ruthlessly killed the shrine maidens! The orphaned children! He's. . .he's a madman!" I gazed at her pitiful expression and gently tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear. Even when desperately crying, she looks pretty.

"He will only hurt you! He will. . ." Her grip on my hand tightened. Napansin ko ang paglapit ni Dominique sa direksyon namin.

"Fifteen, calm down." Ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa akin ay lumipat sa magkabilang braso ko. Her long nails dug deep on my skin, scratching me. "Leave the palace! Never return!" She shouted. Narinig ko ang tunog ng paggalaw ng upuan at mga yabag ng paang papalapit sa akin.

I let out a soft gasp when I saw blood on my arm. Ang kuko niyang nakadiin sa balat ko ay nagdurugo na. She looks delirious. "Please, Your Holiness!" Zeev held her shoulder and tried to pull her away from me. "Save yourself!" Sa pagkakataong ito ay umawat na rin si Levine upang hilahin si Fifteen palayo sa akin.

"Fifteen!" Pumagitna sa amin si Dominique. Umiling ako upang senyasahan sila na huwag hatakin si Fifteen.

"I am fine, Fifteen. Everything will be fine." Sa kabila ng hapdi na nararamdaman ko ay hinawakan ko ang pisngi niya upang pakalmahin siya. "I will marry him to avenge the lives that were lost in the temple." I managed to smile.

"But—"

"Who do you think I am, Fifteen?"I asked, my eyes piercing through the silence with a chilling, emotionless stare.

She paled. Napatigil kaagad ito sa pag-iyak. "I—I'm. . .sorry, Your Holiness!" Bigla siyang napaupo kaya nabitawan niya ako. Inalo siya ni Levine at Zeev samantalang hinila naman ako ni Dominique at pinaupo sa mesa.

"Let me heal you." Pinigilan ko ang kamay niya. "You are bleeding!" Tila ba'y taranta niyang atugal.

Wow, nakikita niya kahit may blindfold siya?

Napatingin ako sa teacup na nakalapag sa mesa. Nakikita kong may lumalabas pang usok dito, senyales na ito ay mainit pa. Binawi ko ang braso ko kay Dominique upang kunin ang tasa ng tsaa. Walang pag-aalinlangan ko itong binuhos sa sugat ko.

"You—"

"Hmm..." I hummed as I watched my skin get burned from the hot tea I poured. I licked my lower lip when I felt it stinging from the open wound I got from Fifteen.

"Are you out of your mind?" Sinubukan bawiin ni Carnel ang tasa sa kamay ko pero iniwas ko lang ito sa kanya.

Hinampas ko ang tasa sa mesa hanggang mabasag ito at magkalat ang bubog sa sa sahig. Pinulot ko ang maliit na tipak ng bubog bago ito mariing ipaglandas sa leeg ko upang sugatan ang sarili ko. Nakarinig kaagad ako ng singhapan sa paligid.

"What the fuck are you—" Tinitigan ko si Caelus na para bang hindi makapaniwala sa ginagawa ko sa sarili ko.

"Your Holiness!" They growled.

I glared at them, causing them to halt on their feet. Kahit si Zeev ay walang nagawa kun'di mapatiim bagang na lang habang pinapanood akong ginuguhitan ng sugat ang leeg ko.

"What are you doing? Why are you hurting yourself?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Zeev sa akin.

Sinaksak ko ang sarili ko sa bandang tagiliran ko. Kanya-kanya namang murahan ang mga ito. "Will you please calm down?" Irita kong asik bago itapon ang bubog sa sahig. It had my blood on it.

"Calm down? Are you hearing yourself?" Dominique retorted.

Pinasidhan ko naman ng tingin ang sarili ko. The light cream dress was now drenched in blood. My arms had minimal cuts, but they had a reddish burn, while my neck was filled with long cuts and bruises. And, of course, the shallow stab on the left side of my abdomen.

"Ano na lang ang iisipin nila kung bumalik ako doon na walang kahit na anong sugat?" Inangat ko ang laylayan ng dress ko at pinunit ito hanggang hita ko. Their eyes landed on my legs.

"Y-you don't have to do this much," Carnel mumbled.

"I have to." Umalis ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa mesa. Nakita ko pa ang pagtulo ng dugo ko roon. "Let's dismiss this meeting before Ferocious decides to kill everyone upon my disappearance." Mungkahi ko nang may ngiti sa labi kahit na ang totoo ay baka matuwa pa ako kung papatayin niya lahat ng tao sa emperyo.

Tanging titig lang ang naging sagot nila sa akin. I laughed in my mind. I wondered what they were thinking about me after seeing what I did in front of them.

"Make sure to take care of Lady Aeronia and keep Fifteen in check." Bilin ko bago mawala sa kanilang harapan.

I teleported myself in front of the palace. Mabilis akong napasalampak sa sahig. Malalaking hininga ang pinakawalan ko habang umaaktong nasa bingit ng kamatayan ang buhay ko. Napangisi ako sa loob-looban ko nang matanaw ko si Dimir sa malayo. I caught a slight smirk arising on his face.

"Clea!" Nang marinig ko ang sigaw ni Ferocious ay nanghihina akong napaangat ng tingin. He rushed on my direction. Malayo pa lang ay nababanaag ko na ang kulob ng galit sa mga mata niya dahil sa sitwasyon ko.

He gathered me in his arms and cupped my face. "Who did this to you?" Nanggagatal nitong tanong. He was shivering—in anger. That's right, get mad for me.

"It was your brother, Ferocious." I breathed. Nanlalanta kong isinandal ang ulo ko sa dibdib niya samantalang niyakap niya naman ang katawan ko nang mahigpit.

"Zeev kidnapped me and planned to kill me. I. . . I was lucky I—" He shut me up by kissing me on my forehead, mariin ngunit nanunuyo.

"Shhh." He picked me up and carried me inside the palace.

I'm sorry, Zeev. You told me about your plan, but I didn't tell you mine.

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