Soulstone Academy

Chapter One: Invitation

Day broke through my windows, announcing the end of night. Sunlight filtered through the slightly drawn curtains. A soft grunt escaped my lips as I tried to avoid the light, so soft and warm in my cold room. Gusto ko pang matulog.

"Raven. Get up."

The gentle order came from my mother who widened the curtains. Wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang umupo sa kama dahil binulabog niya na talaga ang tulog ko. I stared at her with a small pout as she fixed the things on my desk. I forgot to clean the stack of books and pens last night. Iniwas ko ang tingin nang makitang hawak-hawak niya ang isang karton ng biscuit na ninakaw ko mula sa kusina kagabi.

Sana ay hindi niya maisip na hindi ko inaral ang binigay niyang libro dahil naabala ako sa pagdrawing doon.

Itinapon niya ito sa malapit na basurahan at dumagdag, "Fix yourself and we will have breakfast. Your sisters are here."

My carefully-worded protest suddenly died at the mention of my sisters. I paled, and my mother must have known it from the worried glance she sent my way. I moved to the edge of the bed, letting my bare feet kiss the cold floor.

"Bakit po, Mommy? Hindi naman importanteng araw 'to para bumisita sila."

My mother's hand stilled after she placed the last book in my shelf. I heard her suck a deep breath before turning to face me. Sinubukan kong basahin ang mukha niya, ngunit blanko ito. My mother was always good at controlling her outward features, while I was a master to my inner desires.

"May importanteng sasabihin ang Daddy mo at..." I could see her debating whether to tell me or not. "Importanteng araw din ito para sa'yo. Kaya maghanda ka muna dito at pumunta sa dining hall."

Hindi naman holiday ngayon at mas lalong hindi ko birthday kaya paano naman naging importante ang araw na 'to?

Without letting me ask another question and saying another word, Mother left my room. Two maids came rushing in, one fixing my bed and the other preparing my bath. Naglakad ako papunta sa bintana habang hinihintay silang matapos.

From my room, I could see how far our land stretched. My father's vineyard occupied most of our lands. In the center of it all lay our estate, the one pride of my family due to its exquisite, architectural design. Nagmumukhang kastilyo ang mansiyon namin dahil sa dalawang towers na nasa magkabilang tabi nito. My room is situated in the left tower where the sun rises first, kaya ako ang unang nabibisita ng araw.

Pagkatapos ng gate namin ay ang bayan na. The city of Alora is one of the most beautiful places in the Continent of Hiraya, ang tawag sa aming bansa. Hindi lang sa malapit ito sa Palace, o ang tinutuluyan ng mga royal bloods, ay masagana din dito ang mga bulaklak at magagandang tanawin. Out of the four seasons, we experience winter the least and our nights are lesser than the day. Kaya kinatutuwaan ng mga tao ang magandang sikat ng araw at pag-ulan na binubuhay ng malusog ang bawat pananim.

"Miss Tempest, your bath is ready." wika ng katulong bago sila tuluyang lumabas.

I heaved a long sigh before grabbing my robe and stepping into the bath. Humiga ako't tumitig sa kisame. Ano kaya ang kailangan sa'kin ni Daddy? Hindi niya ako pinapatawag unless kailang niyang manermon o may gusto siyang ipa-utos. Mas nakaka-kaba pa na pinatawag niya pa talaga ang dalawang ate ko.

Nainis na ba siya sa pagtambay ko dito sa bahay kaya ipapakasal niya na 'ko?

Napangiwi ako. Arranged marriages between high families such as ours are very common. The usual victims are those like me who has served nothing to society. O 'di kaya sa mga pasaway rin at wala ng magawa sa buhay. It's times like this when I wish I had no name, reputation, and family to protect, para maligaya lang akong sumayaw-sayaw sa gitna ng daan na walang may pumapansin.