Luminaria

Chapter 6

Plan

"So, if you don't mind, please excuse me... Your Highness."

You will no longer be a brother to this body while my soul is resting in it. Mark that, asshole!

I can't afford any distractions, and this whole thing is a major hindrance.

I slightly bowed my head as a sign of formality, at sa muling pag-angat ko nito ay tila bulang naglaho rin ang emosyong napangalanan ko kamakailan lamang mula mukha ng lalaki.

His face turned stoic as stone and the vulnerable stance he showed me earlier vanished like it never truly happen.

At kagaya niya ay ibinalik ko rin ang ngiting nagsasaad ng pagkalimot, the fake genuine smile I showed everyone during that dinner.

"Your... Your Highness, the King has summoned us."

Agad kong naibaling ang tingin sa pamilyar na tinig ng isang lalaki mula sa likuran.

Mr. Healer, Thalvin. Ang kalmado nitong pigura ay ngayo'y naging alanganin at pansin ko ang mataman nitong pagbaling sa akin.

Kanina pa ba sila? Are they eavesdropping?!

I averted my eyes to Thalvin knowing that he's with another figure—a very familiar man whose hawk-like eyes didn't waver, even when I turned my gaze towards him.

Umangat ang aking kilay nang tuluyang mapagtanto na ito nga ang lalaking tiyak kong kasapi ng gurang. The so called loyal Captain.

What was his name again? Hanzo? Piganzo?

"Thalvin, Lianzo, the King requests your presence for an important meeting... and you too, Pheryncia."

I refrained from glancing at Pheryncia's brother... because Lianzo is probably aiming for a staring contest. Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay bago nagpakawala ng pekeng ngiti.

If he intent on killing me, he better play fair! The sword at his side is longer than my legs!

"Good evening, Lords," I maintained my friendly smile, trying not to make it look like I'm constipated. I'm not ready for any physical clash right now. Hell, I didn't even have a knife with me. If he decides to end me now, so be it! I'll just hope they bury my skincare products with me, not to mention my designer bags and clothes—

My thoughts abruptly stopped when Lianzo looked away giving his attention to Pheryncia's brother, dahilan upang tahimik akong napanatag.

"We're now heading there, Your Highness," matigas nungit pormal nitong turan.

Ang magkabilang kamay ko ay nasa aking likuran at bahagyang kinukurot ang daliri upang pigilan ang sariling barahin ang kanilang usapan.

"Then please escort Young Lady Pheryncia with you," mando ng prinsipe.

Sabay silang bumaling sa akin, I had to keep reminding myself that appearance doesn't matter, yet wealth does. But come on, the look on their faces speaks a thousand words... his money is surely loaded, so maybe I can—shut up! Shut up, Morina! They are a forest of rotten trees.

What am I even thinking... senyales na 'to ng kakulangan sa tulog...

Hindi na pumasok sa aking utak ang pinag-uusapan ng tatlo. Seconds just passed but it feels like my mouth is going to fail me. Napahikab ako sa harapan nila suot ang bagot na ekspresyon. Blame yourselves!

"Maybe you can talk about your life goodbyes some other time," ngiting singit ko.

Lianzo and the Prince fell silent, but their serious looking face didn't even flinch.