The Queen of Inferno

Chapter 7

PLANS

Days have past and the only thing I do was plan for the upcoming outreach program for the needs. Alpha also helped me with the program. But, currently, the Country of Hibernal have a touch of problem. That's why, busy ngayon si Alpha. But, he said we should continue the program. Ewan 'ko ba sa lalakeng 'yon. Pwede naman sanang i-move kasu hindi na daw. Kung ano raw 'yung unang plinano 'yun na 'yon.

Presently, I'm sitting besides the fountain while writing my plans about the upcoming program. Mag-isa lamang ako ngayon habang dinadama ang pagtama ng malamig na hangin sa aking balat. My eyes immediately went to the petal of rose when it was flown away towards the small puddle. The scenario suddenly reminds me of someone... Someone who make me play in the puddle. Someone who likes roses.

Kamusta na kaya si Nyx?

I left him with my responsibilities. Sakanilang dalawa ni Ynelle 'ko iniwan ang responsibilidad bilang tagapamahala. I told them to look after Inferno. And, if ever there's an upcoming war, one of them can inform me here. Pero bihasa naman na si Nyx sa mga digmaan, so, wala na ako masyadong aalalahanin. But, I miss him. I miss his jokes, his deep voice, and his warm hands.

"Good morning, Queen Tiffany"

My eyes immediately went to my right side as a heard an unfamiliar voice. "Can I sit beside you?" Asked Prince Calvin. Based on my knowledge about the history of the royal family, Prince Calvin was 10 years younger than me. Meaning, he was 15 years old.

I slightly nodded at Prince Calvin. He sat beside me before he seriously look at nowhere. Kung si Prince Alpha mapaglaro, kabaliktaran naman si Prince Calvin. He was the serious and smart Prince.

"I-I saw something... at that night" Panimula ni Prince Calvin rason para mapalingon ako dito. "Your soldier was hugging you"

Nanlaki ang mga mata 'ko sa sinabi nito. "Kaya ba ayaw mong matuloy ang kasal dahil gusto mo ito?" Seryosong tanong ni Prince Calvin. Tulala lamang akong napalingon dito.

"C-can you please lower your voice" Bulong 'ko dito. Like his brother, he just laugh at my reaction.

"Don't worry, Your Highness, I won't enter any problem that wasn't mine. Ang gusto 'ko lang sabihin, mag-ingat kayo. Nakita 'ko kayo, pano na kaya kung may iba pang nakakita? Also, my brother didn't know your secrets yet. Ako pa lang ang nakakaalam. But, please, as much as possible don't let my brother expect. Ma-utak 'yon pero maypagkatanga rin" He chuckled. Natawa rin ako sa sinabi nito.

"I know. He's a jerk. But, what do you mean by expect? Pinapaasa, ganun?" I raise a brow at him. "Prince Calvin, I think you're having a misunderstanding about our relationship. It's very clear to your brother that I hate him the reason why I don't want the marriage"

"Well, I don't know" He smirked before moving his head.

"Musta brad?"

Biglang nawala ang ngiti sa mukha 'ko nang sumulpot galing sa kung saan si Prince Alpha. Pinaningkitan naman ito nang mga mata ni Prince Calvin ngunit hindi ito napansin dahil sa akin lamang nakatingin si Prince Alpha.

"Prince Alpha, the Queen of Inferno is here. You shouldn't have called me that way" Galit na saad ni Prince Calvin. Tumawa lamang si Prince Alpha sa kapatid n'ya.

"Nasa labas si Vain" Said Prince Alpha to Prince Calvin. Natahimik naman ng ilang sandali si Prince Calvin bago humarap sa akin.

"Kindly excuse me, Your Highness. I need to go. Thank you for the time" Tumayo si Prince Calvin bago magalang na yumuko at umalis.

"At ano namang ginagawa mo dito?" Masungit na pagtanong 'ko kay Prince Alpha nang tumabi ito sa akin.

"Why? Can't I roam around my castle?"

"Bawal!"

"Sige... Sabi mo 'yan"

Napakunot ang nuo 'ko sa sinabi nito. Hindi ba s'ya manglalaban?

"Ano... ano pala ang pinag-usapan n'yo ni Calvin?" Naiilang na pagtanong nito bago tumingin sa mga mata 'ko.

"Marites ka rin" Napairap ako dito. "It's none of your business"

"Anyways, kamusta pala 'yung meeting n'yo about the current problem?" Tanong 'ko dito.

"It's none of your business" He shot back. Ginaya pa nito ang boses 'ko rason para mahampas 'ko ito sa braso.

"Sabihin mo na kasi sakin 'yung problema ng kaharian n'yo. Probably, I can help" I grin at him. Napailing na lamang ito sa akin.

"Hindi pwede... Mas-stress ka lang"

"Please" I begged.

Napabuntong-hininga ito tumayo. "Kumain ka na? Let's eat" Pag-iiba nito nang usapan. Napairap na lamang ako dito bago tumayo at nauna nang pumasok sa kaharian.

When we reach the dining area, Prince Alpha was about to pull the chair for me but I insisted. Mabilis na inalis 'ko sa upuan ang kamay nito. Hinila 'ko ang upuan at naupo ng tahimik. Napsinghap na lamang si Prince Alpha bago umupo sa unahan 'ko. It was just the two of us and the guards and maids here.

Ilang segundo pa, hinanda na ng mga kasambahay ang pagkain. I put some pasta on my plate. Prince Alpha also did the same. Then, we start eating. None of us were talking until he broke the silence.

"Are you ready for sunday?"

At sunday, we're gonna have the outreach program. "Yes" Tamad na sagot 'ko dito. And, again, silence filled in the room. Ewan... basta ayaw 'ko s'yang makausap ngayon.

"Are you angry?" He uttered in a low voice. My eyes immediately went to him. Para itong pusang naghahanap ng sagot.

"Why would I?!"

"Dahil... dahil ayoko sa'yo sabihin 'yung problema namin" Pabulong na sabi nito bago tumingin sa plato.

"You know what... This is nonsense" Tumayo ako galing sa pagkakaupo kahit hindi 'ko pa ubos ang kinakain. Nakatingin lamang sa akin si Alpha na para bang naiiyak na ngunit nanatili pa rin ito sa kanyang posisyon. I place the napkin on the table before I walk away. Ni hindi na ako pormal na nagpaalam.