The Case of Adelaide (S1)

xxi. case closed

-case solved

EPILOGUE

It has been 2 weeks. 2 weeks since the case of Adelaides closed.

I'm walking at the hallway of our manor. 

Nahuli na ang mag-asawang Byron. They lost their title. 

So as Felix. But with my father's help, he still had the title of baron. He wasn't charged like his parents. If he tries his best with the legal business his father had, he might regain his title once again.

But unfortunately, he was no longer Hilian's fiancé. They both agreed that it's the best for both of them. But I know that their feelings remain.

For our manor, it's still the usual. Sir Druce helps my father and guards us, Melissa became my personal maid. Sir Tony and the other coachmen were back as well.

And for the main character, Sherlock Holmes.

Hindi maipinta ang mukha ko kapag pumapasok sa isipan ko ang mukha niya. I don't care about him nor where he is right now.

What I care is . . .

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad at napatingin sa bintanang nasa gilid ko. Tumatama ang sinag ng araw sa loob.

Why am I still here?

I bit my lower lip.

Is it the novel done? I already finished it. Hilian is here. Walang napahamak.

Pero bakit . . . bakit nandito pa rin ako sa mundong ito?

"Harlotte!!!"

Nabigla ako nang makaramdam ng pwersang pagdagan sa 'kin. Tumakbong tumalon sa 'kin si Hilian para yakapin ako.

"Ang bigat mo," reklamo ko.

Natatawa siyang umalis sa pagkakayakap sa 'kin. "What are you doing there? We're going to have a picnic in the garden!"

I sighed. "I'm going to my room."

"Awww, sama ka."

"Pero-"

"Dali na!" Yunogyog niya ang kamay ko.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Oo na, may kukunin lang ako sa kwarto ko."

"Yey!!! Okay, I'll wait for you here!" She smiled.

Now that I look at her, I remember to ask something. Hilian noticed that I was staring at her as well.

"Hilian . . ."

Napaangat ang kilay niya. "Hmm?"

"Don't you notice anything different from me?" I asked, making her forehead furrowed.

"Like what?"

"Hmm, I don't know . . . like my eyes?"

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo niya at napatitig siya sa mga mata ko.

"Why? Does it hurt?"

"Argh, no. I mean, the color." Nag-aalangan pa 'kong magtanong. Unlike what I remember from the novel and illustrations, Harlotte's are the same as Hilians'. They are emerald green.

But mine was golden.

Isa 'yon sa mga katanungan ko sa libro.

"Hmmm, nothing," deretsong sagot niya. "I love your eyes."

Natigilan ako sa sinagot niya. "W-What do you mean? Are they always gold?"

Nagtataka na siya sa sinasabi ko. "Uhm, yeah? Why? Are you okay? Are your memories still blurry? Does your head hurts again?" Hinawakan niya ang noo ko na agad kong iniwasan.

"Nevermind. . ." I tried to change the subject. "Well, now you know that a simple accident like that could still cause some memory loss, so don't do it again," I scolded her like an older sister.

I started walking again, not until I noticed that Hilian stopped. I glance at her to see her confused look. I thought she was still thinking about my question, not until I heard the words from her mouth.

"What do you mean?"

"About? The memory loss?-"

"No, about me, not doing it again," pag-uulit niya. "Wasn't you?"

Nagharap kaming dalawa, parehong naguguluhan.

"Me?" Pagturo ko sa sarili ko. Tumango-tango siya.

"Ikaw ang nagplano ng aksidente."

Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko.

"No . . . hindi ako. I thought it was your idea." I never saw it in Harlotte's memory. She never planned any accident.

"It wasn't me. Pinagkatiwala ko sa 'yo ang pagkawala ko. I thought it was a part of the plan."

Hindi ako nakasagot. Alam kong iikot lang ang mga tanong namin sa isa't isa. Pero ngayon, may bago akong katanungan.

"I-I'll go to my room. Mauna ka na sa garden, susunod ako." Hindi ko siya hinintay na sumagot at nauna na 'kong umalis. Alam kong nakasunod ang naguguluhan at nag-aalalang mga mata ni HIlian sa akin.

Punong-puno na naman ng katanungan ang isipan ko. Hindi ko napansin na nakarating na 'ko sa kwarto ko.

Now that I think about it . . . the coachman disappeared that day . . . could it be?

Naningkit ang mga mat ako nang masilayan ang liwanag sa kwarto ko. Bukas na bukas ang bintana at humahampas dito ang hangin. Sumabay ang kurtina rito. Doon ko narinig ang pagsama rin ng mga pahinga ng libro.

There I saw my journal. The journal I was hiding— opened.

Bumigat ang pakiramdam ko, napalunok ako nang malalim. Even though having second thoughts, I went closer to it.

My heart sank when I saw what was written. A handwriting different from mine, words I'm sure that I didn't write before.

It's written under a question I wrote during my first day here.

Who is the person that brought me here, and why?

Nanlamig ang buo kong katawan, hindi ko mahawakan nang maayos ang libro.

Here it is, the answer to my question.

Looks like I won't be leaving this world so soon.

"You did well, Miss Jurlian. I hope you'll make the next game more interesting. -M"

END