Chapter 41

The Le'Vamuievos and the wiser Prince

Hindi matapos ang pagbagsak ng aking mga luha hanggang sa muli kaming makapasok sa mga buhay na larawan.

I've been trying to dry my cheeks, but I couldn't help it! Ayaw talagang tumigil ng luha ko.

"Stop crying Naha," Rosh winced in frustration. He brushed his hair before he placed both of his hands on his waist while pacing back and forth.

Ano pa ba ang hinihintay namin? The time is running inside the painting.

"Faster! Where is my horse!?" he shouted impatiently.

Halos magkagulo ang lahat ng nilalang sa loob ng painting nang marinig nila ang sigaw ni Rosh.

"Can't we just leave the horse, Rosh?" tanong ko.

Nanlaki ang mata nito sa akin na parang isang malaking kasalanan ang sinabi ko.

"No way! White horses are now rare from different empires, mahirap magpaamo ng puting kabayo, Naha. Besides I don't use different shades of horses. Puti lang ang bumabagay sa akin." He's a racist!

Lumingon muli si Rosh sa mga nilalang sa painting. "Where is my horse?!"

"Nandito na! Nandito na mahal na prinsipe!" nagmamadali ang pinakamatangkad na nilalang sa painting habang hawak ang tali na kabayo.

Rosh sighed, walk towards his white horse and caressed it with a small smile on his face. Damn his prince like ambiance.

I heard soft awes coming from the people of painting, kahit ang simpleng bata ay hindi maiiwasang pagmasdan si Rosh sa tabi ng kanyang puting kabayo. Definitely a perfect prince in every fairy tale.

"Hmm, Prince Rosh, I think the time is running." I awkwardly said.

"Are you done crying?" tanong nito. Inilahad niya na sa akin ang kanyang kanang kamay.

"Bigla nang tumigil," tipid na sagot ko.

"Great then," nang abutin niya ang kamay ko, mabilis niyang hinawakan ang bewang ko at isinakay sa kanyang puting kabayo.

Sumunod siya at sumakay sa likuran ko. "You told me that you can manipulate anything about the painting."

"It's a bit risky for it was just a newly discovered ability, Prince Rosh. We can deal about the time lapse, maaari naman namin itong isabay sa panahon sa labas." Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi ni Mrs. Madeline.

"But you told me that-" sabay-sabay yumuko sa akin ang mga nilalang sa loob ng painting.

"We apologize for the lies, we were just merely instructed."

"By whom?" tanong ko.

When Prince Rosh noticed that the paintings were not willing to cooperate or give us their answers, he lightly kicked his horse to start it from running. Hindi na kami nagkaroon ng pormal na pamamaalam sa kanila dahil ramdam ko na rin ang matinding pagmamadali ni Rosh sa loob ng painting.

"They told us that they will make the timeline the same with outside world, Prince Rosh. There's no reason for a hurry." Mahinang sabi ko sa prinsipe.

Nang marinig niya ang sinabi ko ay bahagya niyang binagalan ang takbo ng kabayo.

"Oh, I almost forgot you're same with Claret. You are not used to ride with horses, my apologies." Rosh said in his prince-like tone. Katulad ng paraan ng pakikipag-usap sa akin ni Evan kapag tinuturuan niya akong magsalita bilang isang ganap na bampira.

Oh Evan!

Dahil nawala ang atensyon ko sa bilis ng pagpapatakbo ni Rosh, bigla na namang bumalik ang mga salitang binitawan sa akin ni Evan bago ako umalis. The throbbing pain were starting to overwhelm my whole system again and it's starting to kill me.

Parang gusto ko nang tumalon sa kabayo at tumakbo pabalik kay Evan. The sight of him, impassively standing in front of the painting while watching for my departure caused my chest to tighten.

"Would you leave your mate if he's giving you those kinds of words? It was like a goodbye, Rosh. I hate good byes!" I felt that he suddenly stiffened for my questions, until I heard his heavy sigh.

Did I ask him wrong? Itinigil nito ang kanyang puting kabayo sa ilalim ng isang mayabong na puno ngunit ang mas nabibigyan ng pansin dito ay ang bagay na nakahapon sa pinakamaking sanga nito.

It was a white elegant peacock standing elegantly on the biggest branch of the unnamed tree, the wind blew, and the leaves danced with its whistle and the Prince drew his small flute and started to create a calming melody.

My eyes glittered with admiration when the white elegant peacock remove itself from the branch and hypnotizingly went towards our direction. While Prince Rosh was still with his eyes closed, bringing the enchantment of his music, the peacock spread its wings like it was about to shower Rosh its beautiful grace.

The paintings once said that Prince Rosh has the pheromone for women, but they were all wrong! Because he has the mesmerizing pheromone for every parts of nature. Even inside the painting!

Nakaawang ang aking mga labi habang pinagmamasdan ang buong kapaligiran. They were all utterly honored with Rosh's presence! The trees, the birds, the wind, the grasses, his music, the butterflies and even I was stuck inside an orchestra filled with Rosh's warm beauty. He is indeed the Prince in every fairy tale.

There's something in his music that suddenly left my heart settled to its calm feeling. He slightly removed the pain, not all but it hindered my heart to bleed more for my endless longing.

When Rosh stopped his flute and opened his eyes, he gently moved his arms to welcome the white peacock. It was like the white peacock found its new master.

Marahan itong hinaplos ni Rosh at hindi man lang pumitlag ang malaking ibon nang kumuha ang prinsipe ng balahibo mula sa kanya. And the Prince smiled, the white peacock flew back to its original position.

I suddenly flushed when Rosh's eyes veered on me. Evan would definitely hang me to his curtains if he did find out that I slightly admired Rosh for a moment.

Kinuha ng prinsipe ang kamay ko at ibinigay niya sa akin ang balahibo ng peacock.

"This is for you as a present, you can use it as a symbolic design for your paintbrush? Or you can use it anywhere, it's your choice." I gaped at him, still with amazement.

"This is for me?"

"I always give present to every woman with tears." Nang marahan niyang isumping ang aking buhok ay isang pulang rosas ang ibinigay niya sa akin.

"You are so sweet, Rosh." Tumalikod na ako sa kanya at nakangiti na akong humarap sa unahan. "Your mate is so lucky to have you."

Hindi sumagot ang prinsipe at pinatakbo niya na muli ang kanyang puting kabayo. "I wish you have the same thought with her, Naha."

Wala nang kalahating oras ang itinakbo ng kanyang kabayo dahil nang sinabi niyang malapit na kami, isang marahas na pagtalon ang ginawa ng kanyang puting kabayo dahilan kung tumagos kami sa akala kong isang kagubatan.

Nanatili nakapikit ang mga mata ko habang mariin ang hawak ko sa balahibo ng ibon.

"Welcome to Parsua Deltora, Shalani Nahara from the other world." Nang nagmulat ako ng mata ay nakababa na mula sa kanyang kabayo si Rosh.

He slightly bent his body, one hand on his chest and the other one was on his back, a formal greeting for every vampire royalty.

Hindi pa man ako nakakasagot sa kanya nang makarinig kami nang biglang pagkabasag.

"Oh! Rosh is back!"

Until we saw an elegantly dressed woman with her creamed gown, neatly bun hair, white silk gloves and fiercely eyes yet with glittered tears that was about to came out.

"Marah," Rosh recognized her.

Sa isang iglap ay sinalubong nito ng yakap si Rosh at halos mitumba pa silang dalawa dahil sa matinding pagkatuwa ng babae.

"Buong akala ng Deltora ay tuluyan ka nang nilamon ng mga larawan." Prince Rosh softly chuckled.

"It's been hundred of years before you embraced me like this, Marah. Missed me that much, eh?" natauhan ang babae at mabilis humiwalay kay Rosh. She composed herself and straightened her body, before she finally laid her eyes on me, still on the white horse.

Biglang tumaas ang kilay nito.

Is she Rosh's mate?

"Who is she? Babae na naman Rosh!" she stomped her foot looking annoyed. Nagkibit-balikat lamang si Rosh at mukhang wala siyang balak ipaliwanag sa babae na hindi ako isa sa kanyang mga babae.

"Let me introduce you to my sister, Naha." Lalong kumunot ang noo ng babae nang makita niyang alalayan ako ni Rosh para bumaba sa kanyang kabayo na nasa loob lang naman yata ng isang palasyo!

So they are siblings, kaya pala ay kaunting pagkakahawig ang mga ito.

"Princess Marah Heloise Le'Vamuievos," hindi man lang gumalaw ang prinsesa at pinagmasdan ako simula ulo hanggang paa.

"She is Shalani Nahara Carvajal," pakilala ni Rosh sa akin.

"She smells like a human, another Claret?" tanong nito kay Rosh.

"She is not a human, but she grew up there." Paliwanag ni Rosh. Marah rolled her eyes.

"I'll call Tobias and Pryor, akala nila ay naakit ka na ng magagandang babae mula sa mga larawan."

"I think that would be the other way around, sister."

"Whatever Rosh," she turned her back and waved her hand for dismissal. The princess brought both of her hands on her back and she happily made her steps away from us.

Humarap ako kay Rosh. "She's happy that you're back."

"Really?" ngising tanong ni Rosh habang pinagmamasdan ang kapatid niya.

"I think you're good at pleasing other women, but you're a bit weaker with your own sister." Rosh suddenly choked for no reason.

Now, I've found Rosh's first weakness. It's a vampire named, Marah Heloise.

Tumigil sa paglalakad ang prinsesa, she looked over her shoulder and I think my heart fluttered with Rosh when the woman gave her a genuine smile.

"Welcome back, kuya."

Tipid akong ngumiti nang makitang isang beses napaatras ng hakbang si Rosh bago kami tuluyang iwan ng kapatid niya. Ah, I suddenly wanted to have a brother.

"She called me that thrice in her hundred years of existence, that vixen!" what a poor brother.

Gusto ko man sabihin kay Rosh na dalhin niya na ako sa Sartorias ngayon, siguro ay hahayaan ko muna siyang damhin ang kanyang pagbabalik. The painting snatched number of years from him.

Isang malakas na sunod-sunod na pagtambol ang gumulat sa amin ni Rosh.

"Ah, at last, the empire recognized my arrival."

May mga tagasunod nang nakalapit sa amin para kuhanin ang kabayo mula kay Rosh, he even ordered them to dress me up for the feast.

"We need to separate for a while, Naha. We'll see each other for dinner. Sila na ang bahala sa'yo, I just need to do something. Kinabukasan ay magtutungo na tayo sa Parsua Sartorias." Tumango ako sa prinsipe.

Humarap muna ako sa painting na siyang pinanggalingan namin ni Rosh, kapwa nakayuko ang mga tagasunod na naghihintay sa akin at narinig ko na ang papalayong hakbang ni Rosh kasabay ng ilang kawal na kasama nito.

"By the way, Naha. I forgot to answer your question."

"Question?" tanong ko.

"Something about leaving your own mate, I guess no words would make me run away from her. Maubos man ang mga salita sa mundong ito." I smiled with his answer.

And for the first time in this vampire world, I tried myself to follow a vampire gesture. I bowed my head to him.

"I've already expected a mighty answer from a mighty prince, your highness." When I raised my eyes to meet him, he just nodded at me before he turned his back.

Ibinalik ko ang aking mga mata sa painting, isa nga itong kagubatan tulad ng nakita ko, but the other side of the painting is a plain road with bermuda grasses on the other side of it and at the edge of it was the big tree. The same tree with the white peacock, but it was not as detailed as the mysterious forest which was painted in a nearer view.

Bigla ako ng nagsisi nang hindi ko isa-isang pinagmasdan ang mga painting sa unibersidad, Kalla mentioned to Rosh that the paintings have the connection itself.

Bumuntong-hininga ako bago ako humarap sa mga tagasunod na iniwan sa akin ni Rosh.

"Maaari nyo na po akong dalhin sa aking silid."

"Masusunod po,"

Pinaglingkuran ako ng mga tagasunod ng palasyo ng lahat ng pangangailangan ko simula ulo hanggang paa. Hindi ako iniwan ng mga ito hanggang hindi nila nasisiguro na nasa maayos na akong kalagayan.

"Maraming salamat po," tumango sa akin ang tatlong tagasunod bago ako ng mga ito iwan. Sila rin ang nagsabi sa akin ni si Rosh na ang susundo sa akin para sa hapunan.

Nang sandaling mag-isa na ako sa aking silid, tuluyan na akong nakahinga ng maluwag. Hindi ko yata kakayanin ang pamumuhay ng mga bampira, they're too formal! Added the fact that I am mated to a royalty!

I suddenly wanted to strip this heavy dress of mine. Can't they choose something that would let them wear a dress alone? Mabuti sana kung pwedeng gisingin si Evan kapag natutulog para sabihin na tulungan akong bihisan.

I felt curious about Claret, sinabi sa akin ni Evan na katulad ko rin itong lumaki sa mundo ng mga tao. How did she adapt with them? Was she a party girl before?

Ilang beses kong ipinilig ang ulo ko. I shouldn't think about my adaptation to this world, but I should focus about King Thaddeus' puzzle!

Sinubukan kong matulog habang hinihintay si Rosh pero kahit anong gawa kong pikit ay hindi man lang ako makatulog. Until I finally heard knocks from the door.

Hirap na hirap pa akong maglakad dahil sa kasuotan ko at para na akong humihingal nang pagbuksan ko ang prinsipe.

"Evan told not to dress you up too much, but I was intended to make every woman beautiful inside my empire." Inilahad niya sa akin ang kanyang braso.

"You mean lahat ng mga kababaihan dito sa Deltora ay magaganda?" humahangang tanong ko.

"Of course, because they are required to please me. Hindi ako tumatanggap ng hindi kagandahan sa aking emperyo, hindi maganda sa aking kalusugan." Ngumiwi ako sa sinabi niya. Pero nang tingnan ko siya ay mukha naman siyang seryoso.

What the hell?

"But I like the way you used the white feather." Saglit itong sumulyap sa aking buhok na may palamuti ng balahibo ng ibon.

I wickedly smiled at him. It was not just for my hair, Prince Rosh. Pinili kong tumango na lamang sa kanya.

We reached an elegant room filled with a long golden table, chairs, utensils, a trail of fresh bouquet of red roses, feast of foods, refreshing savor of a high-quality blood and of course, pairs of eyes glowing a reddish paint of royalty.

The other two vampires stood to their feet and acknowledged my presence with their slight bows, while Marah remained seated enjoyingly sipping her chalice of blood.

"Naha, please meet my brothers. King Tobias Caesar Le'Vamuievos," halos mangatal ang tuhod ko nang marinig ko ang salitang king. Agad akong yumuko upang magbigay galang.

"And Prince Pryor Dracove Le'Vamuievos, freshly from the coffin." Marah giggled while Pryor glared widened at Rosh.

Tumango ako sa kapatid ni Rosh. "Her name is Shalani Nahara Carvajal, Evan's mate."

"Oh, Gazellian and your business with them." Kumento ni Marah.

"Our business with them." Pagtatama ni Haring Tobias.

"Please, have a seat." Pormal na sabi ng hari. Pinaghila ako ng upuan ni Rosh bago ito tumabi sa akin.

"So how's the travel, Rosh? Marah was too worried." Panimula ni Pryor.

"Excuse?" Singhal ni Marah.

"Have you discovered something? Hindi ka umaalis ng emperyo na wala kang mapapala." Pagsingit ni Haring Tobias.

"Can't we just eat first? Don't bombard me with your questions."

"First, I don't hold any grudge towards Gazellian anymore, lalo na at may anak na ang prinsipe ng mga nyebe." Marah rolled her eyes. "But I think you should stop meddling with their problems, Rosh. Minsan hayaan mo na lang sila, we Le'Vamuievos have our own problems to deal with." Napayuko ako sa sinabi ni Marah.

She's right afterall. "I never meddled with their problems, Marah. Tulad nga ng sabi ni Tobias, I won't ever move without my own benefit. I led the biggest war between the wolves, council and vampires before not because I want to be heroic but because Deltora was really part of it, I helped Kalla, the white bird before because I have my own reason, at alam kong alam nyo ang posibleng dahilan ko. Have you seen her? Kalla resembles our eldest sister." Silence hovered the Le'Vamuievos siblings by the mentioned of their sister. Where is she now? Bakit wala siya rito?

"While Naha, she is somewhat related with the mysterious painting inside this castle. I am not mere doing a thing just for the Gazellians, but also for us." Hindi nakapagsalita ang magkakapatid sa sinabi ni Rosh.

We silently ate our foods and drink bloods, hindi na nasundan ang pagtatanong ng mga kapatid ni Rosh sa kanya.

Huminga nang malalim ang hari at ibinaba nito ang kanyang kopita. "And your news that about to deliver to my friend?"

"A brother planning for suicide." Suminghap ako sa sinabi ni Rosh. "N-No way- nangako sa akin si Evan, Rosh. He will fight and he'll come back for me."

Mariin lamang tumitig sa akin si Marah, habang tumayo na si Haring Tobias at Pryor.

"I know Dastan a lot, a letter might arrive soon. Pryor, prepare for our departure, set our greatest warriors. My dear friend will definitely raise another war for his insanely brother." Naiiling na sabi ni Haring Tobias.

"Definitely," Rosh agreed.

Nalilito akong tumitig kay Rosh, alam kong hindi ito ang pinag-usapan nila ni Evan. He would never allow me to go with Rosh if he'll just return bringing his family for war!

Tumaas ang kilay ni Rosh sa akin, tuluyang isinandal ang sarili sa kanyang upuan and intertwined his finger on the top of his stomach. And he gave me his famous wicked grin.

"Do you think I'll just follow your Prince's command and trust his foolish plan? He was deceived, Naha. Makakarating lahat kay Dastan ang lahat ng kalokohan niya sa loob ng unibersidad. I pretended to share his visions, but I am a traitor and will always be. He's wise, but I am the wiser Prince."