Moonlight Throne (Gazellian Series #6)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

-- HARI --

Pinagmulan

"Would you like some tea? A chalice of blood or anything, Your Highness?" Lily asked me with her usual tone. She playfully bent down her body to peek on the governmental scrolls that I've been reading since this morning.

"It's fine."

I did not meet her eyes, and I remained fixed with the words written on these drastic papers. Pilit kong inaabala ang sarili ko sa suliraning dala ng digmaan dahil iyon naman talaga ang siyang dapat kong bigyan ng pansin. Ngunit nang sandaling hawakan ko ang espada ni ama sa kanyang tanyag na estatwa, halos hindi na ako mapalagay sa aking nakita.

Was it true? Should I doubt what I saw?  But my father wouldn't show me that past if it will just make me worst and complicated. Hindi siya magbibigay ng mga bakas at bagay na higit na magpapahirap sa akin.

I frustratingly massaged my forehead.

Ibinaba ko na ang hawak kong basahin at itinuon ko na ang dalawa kong siko sa ibabaw ng lamesa.

"You need to rest, Dastan. I can read some scrolls if it is okay with you. I will highlight the important things." Halos hindi ko na rin napansin na naririto pa rin si Lily.

Sa halip na maupo siya sa harapan ko, pinili niyang umupo sa paboritong upuan ni ina malapit sa bintana sa tuwing dinadalaw niya ako rito sa aking aklatan. 

I didn't answer her. Pinanatili ko ang mga mata ko sa papel kahit hindi na pumapasok sa isip ko ang mga salitang dinadaanan ng aking mga mata.

"Don't force yourself, brother." I glanced at her. My eyes softened, how I admired Lily for being firm after all that had happened to us.  She almost experienced a tragic execution, became a center of the war, and even witnessed two deaths right in front of her eyes, but she's still here, strong, alive, and a sweet sister.

Hindi ko miminsang inisip na baka siya naman talaga ang itinakdang maging panganay sa aming magkakapatid. Lily could be a queen, an empress, or beyond that.

And she was right, my brothers and I wouldn't have survived this cruel world without her.

"I thought you're reading about the previous wars happened in the history. Turned out to be this King's past. Why?"

Should I tell her?

Sinubukan kong ibuka ang bibig ko upang simulan ang mga nakita ko, ngunit kusa rin akong tumigil. I should keep it to myself for the meantime. It's not that I don't trust Lily, she's the most trustworthy vampire I've ever known. Pero kung nais din ni ama na malaman iyon ni Lily, dapat ay hindi lang niya sa akin iyon ipinakita.

There's a purpose.

Mabilis nabasa ni Lily ang siyang naging reaksyon ko. She gave me a small smile.

"Very well. I respect your decision, Your Majesty."

Sumandal na ako sa aking upuan at pinagsalikop ko ang aking mga daliri. Mas isinandal ko ang ulo ko dahilan upang makita ko ang kisame ng aklatan.

"I wonder where are they now, Lily..."

"Everything will be fine, Dastan. Just focus on your way. Nemetio Spiran has a way for you to meet again. Leticia's fighting with our siblings for this empire, for the future... for peace."

Ilang beses ko na bang narinig ang mga salitang iyon? Kahit ang sarili ko'y inuulit-ulit iyon sa aking isipan.

"How about your wounds, Dastan? Ginagamit mo ba ang iniwan ni Claret?"