Chapter 4: The Prince

Ilang minuto ang lumipas na nasa loob lang ako ng maze. Now that I'm inside the castle, tila lahat ng plano ko ay biglang nabura at hindi ko na alam kung ano ang gagawin.

Tumingala ako at pinagmasdan ang gilid ng palasyo sa aking harapan. Napakalaki nito, napakataas. The towers were menacing, looming, as if looking down on me.

The walls of stone were covered in intricate veins of ivy, and the windows were ceiling high, golden lights from inside washed the walls down to the ground.

Nasaan na si Demetre? Maayos ba siya? Wala ba silang nahalata?

I raised my hand to touch the thick green bush of the maze. Napadaing ako nang maramdaman na may tumusok sa palad ko. A drop of blood bead out of the rough skin of my palm.

A thorn rose bush. I should have known.

Sandali kong pinag-aralan ang posisyon kung nasaan ako. But Demetre didn't mention anything about the maze garden. Siguro ay dahil hindi pa siya nakakapunta sa parteng ito ng palasyo.

Inayos ko ang sarili ko. Suot ko ang itim na uniform ng mga lalakeng tagasilbi. Galing ito kay Demetre. I could blend in with this.

I was about to step out of the maze nang makarinig ako ng ingay. Quick as bolt, muli akong umatras papasok sa loob ng maze. Someone was coming.

Nagtago ako sa likod ng rose bushes. May pumasok sa loob ng maze. Dalawang tao. Someone tall, lean and for a reason, has an alarming dignified posture. Ang isa ay babae, wearing a silver ball gown shimmering under the moonlight.

They were talking about something. Hindi ko sila gustong marinig. But there's a bush between us, and if I moved, they might notice my silhouette behind the leaves.

"I could be anything you want... I could be on your side if you let me."

Umalingawngaw ang isang sampal sa maze garden. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makitang lumuha ang babae habang hawak ang kanyang pisngi.

The guy who raised his long slender hand readjusted his golden ring as though nothing happened. The lights from the windows behind them washed through his profile. His cutting jawline, the darkness of his eyes, the sharpness of his nose, and the lazy sly smile on his sully lips.

Even though the light was golden, he seemed to be reverberate the air of thunderstorm.

"You're a mere daughter of the People of the Halls. Know the limit of your belonging."

He walked away, the dark cape pinned on his shoulder swiped the ground as he left.

"But I own acres and acres of land!" desperadong sigaw ng babae.

Huminto ang lalake sa paglalakad at lumingon. From where I stood firmly on the grass I heard him scoff. For the first time I noticed a gold crown, glistening, like a crescent moon vested on his pitch-black hair.

"And I'm a prince."

--

Ilang minuto na ang lumipas mula noong pareho silang umalis sa maze garden pero nakatitig parin ako kung saan sila nakatayo kanina, hindi makapaniwala.

Sa harapan ko, kanina lang, ay isa sa tatlong prinsipe ng Nightcrest. All the horrible and enthralling stories about them since I was a child came crushing into me.

They're no evil, they're much worse.

Nanginginig ako. All the foolish bravery and stupid courage that made me survive the past few days were now evaporating fast like boiling water.

Hindi ko kaya. I saw one of the royalties and it made me weak to my knees. Ano pa ang mararamdaman ko kung ginagawa ko na ang pagnanakaw? I will surely mess it up.

Halos mag-iisang oras na akong nasa loob ng maze. Matagal nang nagsimula ang kasiyahan sa palasyo and it's probably on its peak. Kailangan ko nang magmadali kung gusto kong gawin ang pinunta ko dito.

Pero natatakot ako.

Isang kaluskos ang muli kong narinig. Bago pa ako makagalaw, isang palad ang tumakip sa bibig ko. "What-"

"Ssshh."

Napakurap ako nang makita si Demetre. Hinila niya ako patago sa likod ng bush.

"Ano na? Kanina pa kita hinanap sa loob, hanggang ngayon hindi ka pa umaalis dito."

Seeing the mix of concern and exasperation on his face made me want to tell him. Natatakot ako. Hindi ko kayang gawin. Paano kapag nagkamali ako?

But then I remembered the reason for all of these. Si Lola na naghihintay sa'kin. Ang mukha ni Lolo na nakatitig sa'kin. Ang boses niya na tinawag ako sa huling pagkakataon.

"Pagliko mo mula dito, may outer staircase mula sa garden," sabi ni Demetre. "Nakabukas ang pinto sa dulo nito. Pasukin mo ito at dumerecho sa hallway. Tandaan mo ang mapang binigay ko. Konektado ang mga kwarto. Makikita mo agad ang treasury ng Reyna."

"Gagawin ko," I said, breathless, more to assure myself than to assure him.

Ngumiti siya. He patted my head. "Magkikita tayo sa labas."

Naglakad siya palayo. I watched him until he disappeared in the shadows. I was late to notice there was something wrong with Demetre.

--

Pinasok ko ang palasyo mula sa staircase na sinabi ni Demetre. It was a rough granite staircase covered in the same rose bushes from the garden.

My knees were weak, my hands were sweaty and trembling. The warm golden lights from the hallway was like a warm bath embracing my whole body.

Bawat makita kong sulok, bawat muwebles, sa sahig, pader o kisame. Everything was intricately made. Tumingala ako sa mga nakaukit sa kisame. Crowning the walls were delicate veins and leaves made of gold, crystal chandeliers hang like abstraction of golden candles, and the columns were lined with stripes of gold. Hindi ko hinawakan ang kahit ano. Everything was shining and glorious.

I'm inside the Night Court, walking where the ruler family walks in, seeing what the Princes, the King and Queen see. It's terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.

I managed my way into the interconnected chambers. Hindi nila ako napapansin. I was wearing what the staff wears, from the shoes to the garment on their heads- a black seamless fabric to avoid getting their hair on things. All the people were too busy serving the people at the Night Court.

Narating ko ang hallway na tinutukoy si mapa ni Demetre. Ito ang hallway na pinakamalapit sa treasury ng Reyna. In my stomach was a sunken feeling, like I'm about to jump into an endless cliff.

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?"

Napalingon ako. One of the lady maids rushed toward me. "Kailangan ang lahat ng lalakeng tagasilbi sa hall. Kulang tayo ng tao ngayong gabi!"

The old lady was frustrated. It seemed like they're making a mistake they couldn't afford.

"Ano pang tinatayo-tayo mo dyan? Pumunta ka na."

Bumaling ako sa hallway sa harapan ko. I'm so close. Kapag hindi siya dumating, makakapasok na ako. She was staring pointedly, with wide threatening eyes.

Tahimik akong bumuga ng hangin bago sumunod sa kanya. Shit. Nawawalan na ako ng oras.

The old lady maid walked briskly, gripping the fabrics of her thick skirt while muttering something about the Queen's order and being incompetent.

Unti unti kong naririnig ang ingay habang papalapit kami sa hall kung saan nangyayari ang pagdiriwang. They were people chattering, glass clicking, thick gown fabrics sweeping the marble floor.

Bigla akong napahinto. Sandali... papasok ako sa hall kung saan naroon ang mga pinaka-importanteng tao sa lugar na ito. Kung nasaan ang mga taong kailangan kong pagnakawan.

The realization was a punch in my stomach. Bigla akong napaatras. Naalala ko ang isa sa kanila. The dark prince in the maze garden. The terror I felt earlier didn't left my chest. Mas tumindi ito. Like a drum inside of me, it's ringing my ear.

Bigla akong hinila ng babae. "Hindi ko alam kung saan sila kumuha ng mga tagasilbing tulad niyo," nanggagalaiting sinabi niya.

Pumasok kami sa hall and I was suddenly thrown into the mix of people. People of the Halls wearing ball gowns of lace, soft thick fabrics, and shimmering dresses.

Kung saan saan ako napunta, tumapak. Napapaatras ako at biglang maitutulak. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin. All their skin were white as snow, all there hair were design in detailed perfection. Braids, curls, among feathers or golden hair ornaments. Their skin were decorated in jewels- the deepest blues of sapphire, emeralds as green as the forest in summer.

They were giggling, sipping wine or champagne, chattering as though they were all having a good time. My world was spinning. I couldn't believe people could live like this.

Bumaling ang tingin ko sa harap ng hall, the elevated part where the thrones of the family sit. At nandoon silang lahat. The ruler family of this kingdom.

There's the king, high and mighty on his gigantic throne made of gold and bronze. King Aldrus, with thick dark red cape pinned on his broad shoulders laden with soft fur, a gilded belt circled his paunchy waist, and the gold crown sitting on top of his grayish head, five pointy tip signifying the five regions under his jurisdiction.

A step below the pedestal are three thrones for the three princes. All with the same throne made of copper, and with the same gold crown on their heads.

Ito ang unang pagkakataon na masisilayan ko sila, but I already knew about them from the words of other people. Pero sa gabing ito, sila mismo ang nasa harapan ko.

There's the first prince, Prince Yllack, ang taong may kaarawan ngayong araw. Among all of them, he looks the most dignified. Straight face, white suit and white tie. He has brownish hair, hooded eyes and lips in a small smile.

Then there's the youngest prince, a sit away from him. Prince Yu. The fourteen years old prince. He's looking all polite, trying to smile whenever people talk to him. But I could see he was tired. Panay ang hawak niya sa butones ng suot niyang damit, a navy blue suit, with silver plate on the shoulders and vest.

In the middle of both prince is the second prince. The middle child. Sa kanilang lahat, he was the only one with visible emotions on his face. Boredom. He was lounging on his throne, the gold crown sitting askew on his black, messy hair. On his hand was a tall glass of a red drink, he was watching the liquid swirl as if it was more interesting than the party in front of him.

Prince Keegan.

Bigla kong naalala ang nakita ko kanina. The slit of anger in his eyes, the menacing smile on his lips when he told the crying girl how far their stature are from each other. They're like thunder. High, enchanting, powerful.

Pero hindi tama na kamuhian o hangaan ko sila sa oras na ito. It was enthralling, yes. Pero ito ang una at huling pagkakataon na makikita ko sila.

May pumasok sa hall na kinatigil ng lahat. Everyone paused from their merriment because of her late arrival. But a Queen was never late.

Queen Selvina walked gracefully despite her heavy golden gown with intricate trimming. She sat in her thrown without a trace of smile before blessing the crowd with her gaze.

The Queen has sharp eyes, like falcons, cautious and measuring. On her head, intricately slip on her braided hair is the crown- like thin intertwined branches made of gold, a drop of the bloody-red ruby at the center.

Natulala ako. Sabi ni Miss Poppy nag-iisa ang batong 'yon sa Night Court. The bloody-red ruby. Demetre and I were sure the stone is encrusted on a necklace or some other form of jewel. Pero hindi ko akalaing nasa korona ito ng Reyna.

Isang lalake ang nag-abot sakin ng kupita. "Boy, paki-palitan ang laman nito."

It wasn't enough to shove me back to the current situation. Inside my head was chaotic screaming. Imposibleng magawa ko ang dahilan kung bakit ako nandito. Because I would be stealing, not only a jewel, but a crown.

The random guest stared at me, waiting for me to depart.

Kinuha ko ang kupita kahit hindi ko alam kung saan pupunta. Wala sa sarili na binalik ko ang tingin sa harapan. And then my eyes seemed to deceive me. Because his lazy eyes, formerly fixated on the glass, were now on me.

Resting his elbows on the arms of his throne, he lean his right cheek on his white knuckles and stared across the hall to me. The curve of a smirk tugged on the corner of his devilish lips.

Prince Keegan.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit siya nakatingin. Dahil ba ito sa nangyari sa maze garden? Alam niya kaya na nandoon ako noong oras na 'yon? Or was the stare nothing? Is my face as entertaining as the swirling liquid on his glass?

Wala akong panahon para pag-isipan ito. Lumabas ako sa hall dala ang kupitang walang laman. Kailangan ko ng hangin. Kailangan kong magisip.

Hinawi ko ang mabigat na tela at lumabas sa balkonahe. Tinakpan ng makapal at velvet na tela ang ingay mula sa hall. Pumikit ako pansamantala, huminga nang malalim, at hinayaan ang malamig na hangin na tumama sa pinagpapawisan kong balat.

Ano na ang gagawin ko?

My eyes snapped open and I stared across the wide courtyard. Doon ko napansin ang kaguluhan sa ibaba. Lumapit ako sa marmol na rails at sumilip. Torches were lit. Nagkalat ang mga gwardya. Nagsisigawan. Kumalat ang matinding takot sa'kin lalo na nang marinig ang sinasabi nila.

"May nakapasok sa palasyo!"

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at agad umatras. Abot abot ang tahip ng aking dibdib. Hindi pwede. Pumihit ako para bumalik sa hall. Ngunit naestatwa ako nang makita kung sino ang nasa aking harapan. Prince Keegan was standing in front of me.

"What's a village mouse doing here?"

Hindi ako makapagsalita. Hindi ko alam. Am I even allowed to answer? Tinitigan ko ang itim at marangya niyang damit, ang mga singsing sa kanyang daliri, at ang kumikislap na korona sa kanyang ulo. I gulped hard.

Village mouse. Alam niyang ako ang nakapasok. Siguro nga ay nakita niya ako kanina. We're standing between chaos and serenity. The merriment inside the hall and the bedlam of the people below.

Napaatras ako nang i-angat niya ang kamay niya. Akala ko sasampalin niya ako o sasaktan. But instead, his slender fingers slowly lifted the cover off my head.

My brown hair cascaded down my shoulders as I stared at him, eyes wide with fear.

There was a flicker of entertainment on the black orbs of his eyes, like it's all a game for him. Like the trouble I just made was his way out of boredom.

He leaned closer, white skin and lips smirking, tainted with red wine, before whispering.

"Criminal."

***