SIX
"You called for me, Your Majesty." Izach kneeled in front of Luciano. He's indeed a knight; full of loyalty and chilvary.
"You don't have to be too polite, Duke Swithun." Luciano asked him to stand up and take a seat. "I apologize for calling you suddenly."
"I have no rights to complain, as it was Your Majesty's order for me to come here." Izach responded. Tumayo na rin siya mula sa pagkakaluhod. Binati niya sina Erich at Kreios bago umupo sa tabi ni Kreios.
Tumawa nang mahinhin si Luciano. "Naabala ba kita sa mga ginagawa mo?"
Umiling si Izach.
"Mabuti naman." He smiled. "Ipinatawag kita rito para pag-usapan ang pagkawala ni Prince Kassius."
"I figured." Izach shortly replied.
"We called you here to ask for your assistance." Singit ni Kreios.
"Why is that?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Izach. "I don't think I am the one whom you're looking for. I don't use magic."
"Hindi iyon ang rason kung bakit kailangan ka namin," tugon ni Erich. "We need your power."
Nanatiling tahimik si Izach upang pakinggan ang kanilang sasabihin.
"A lot of people look up to you, Duke Swithun." Ani Luciano. "Kahit na ako ang namumuno, may mga tao pa rin na ayaw sumunod sa akin. I am powerful because of the throne. That's all. Ang pangalan ko lang ang makapangyarihan. Hindi ako katulad mo na naging makapangyarihan dahil may tunay kang kakayahan. Kaya kung ikaw ang kikilos, malamang madaling mareresolba itong kaso."
"Your Majesty's expectation of me is far too great."
"Because you've proven yourself numerous times. Kaya maaari mo ba kaming tulungan?"
Ilang minuto ang naging katahimikan bago nakapagdesisyon si Izach. When he nodded as an agreement, three of them were smiling. Nagpasalamat pa si Kreios kay Izach. Matapos ang usapan, nagpaalaam na si Izach dahil sinabi nitong sisimulan na niya ang pag-iimbestiga. Umalis na rin si Kreios dahil paalis na ang sasakyan niyang barko pauwi sa kaniyang imperyo.
Ang naiwan na lang sa silid ay si Erich at si Luciano. Maya-maya pa'y inilabas ni Luciano ang panyong natanggap niya kay Cliodhna at pinagmasdan iyon. It helped him calm the storm inside of him during that moment.
Nang makita iyon ni Erich, agad siyang napatayo sa kaniyang upuan at dali-daling lumapit kay Luciano.
"That handkerchief..." He looked at the familar handkerchief, then looked at Luciano. "D-Don't tell me..."
Nakatingin lang si Luciano sa nakakatawang ekspresyon ni Erich dahil parang gumuho ang mundo nito.
"What's wrong?"
"Saan mo nakuha 'yan, Your Majesty?"
'That's definitely the handkerchief that I gave to Yona! Is His Majesty... Yona?'
"May nagbigay sa akin nito." He smiled as he looked at the handkerchief again.
'No. It can't be! Hindi puwedeng ang Emperedor yung babaeng yun! She's not this gentle. Malamang hindi niya rin alam kung paano maging mabait at malambing. Ni hindi nga yun ngumingiti! Masungit yun! Di tulad ng lalaking nasa harapan ko ngayon.'
"Who gave you that?"
"A friend."
'Wait. Huwag mong sabihin na siya nga si Yona?!'
BINABASA MO ANG
Only Death Awaits
Historical FictionI've been stuck inside the novel "Where Flowers Bloomed" for more than a decade. I failed to fulfill my role as the villainess, Cliodhna Isabeau Hamilton, and lived as her 'til my eighth life. Ngayong ika-siyam na buhay ko, napagdesisyunan kong hind...
