Symphonian Curse 4: Behind the Dragon's Shadow

Chapter Fourteen- King Albert IV

Inilatag ni Albert ang mga pictures na hawak niya sa ibabaw ng mesa. Tiningnan iyon ng mga members ng council. Litrato iyon ng pag-uusap ni Lord Geoffrey at ng isang lalaki.

"Lady Florence confirmed that the man in the picture talking to you was the leader of their abductors. Alam mo bang namamaga pa ang mga mata niya dahil sa pepper spray na ginamit ni Alxiara sa kanya at may sugat pa siya sa ulo sanhi ng pagpukpok ng kapatid ko ng bato sa ulo niya?" Albert continued.

"You're doing this to get rid of me. Alam mong hindi ko papayagan ang ganito ka-childish na mga paratang. An expert in technology can fake pictures like these," galit na sabi ni Lord Geoffrey. "Stop playing. You're not a kid anymore. You're the king!"

"I'm not playing, Uncle. I will never play with my sister's life nor the life of the woman I love the most," matigas niyang sabi. Napabaling ang magkapatid na Hazelbrook sa kanya, parehong nagulat. "Hinding-hindi ko ilalagay sa kapahamakan ang mga babaeng mahal ko."

Pinulot ni Albert ang cellphone niya at may ipinakitang video. Nasindak ang mga members ng council nang mapanood ang video ni Lord Geoffrey na nakikipag-usap sa assassin.

"Leave Hussldren immediately bago pa may makaalam na buhay ka pa at maituro ka ni Lady Florence. You should've killed her, idiot!" that was Lord Geoffrey na lalong nagpagimbal sa mga naroon. Hindi na nakapagsalita si Lord Geoffrey.

"Wala akong gustong paghinalaan isa man sa inyo but I had all of you under secret investigation lalo ka na, Uncle. Your influence can reach anywhere in this kingdom. Mas ma-impluwensiya ka pa kesa sa akin. You can easily put and take out people that surrounds the royal family. It's very easy for you to put people who can kill my sister.

You did a wrong move, though. Hindi mo inakala na makakaligtas ang kapatid ko at si Florence. You underestimated two ladies whom you thought were fragile to defend themselves against four strong men. Naging kampante ang mga inutusan mo. Akala nila iiyak lang sa isang tabi ang kapatid ko. You also forgot something. You underestimated my ability. You forgot that I am your flesh and blood. That I am an Eidlstorm. I am your king and you shouldn't have betrayed me!" sigaw niya na nanginginig ang nagkukuyom na mga kamay at namumula ang mga mata sa galit. Tears fell from his eyes but it was all because of hate for his uncle.

Sa halip na matakot ay lalo lang nagngalit ang mga mata ni Lord Geoffrey. "You are only just a child and you were never my king! You don't deserve the crown."

"Lord Eidlstorm, that is enough!" sigaw ni Lord Humphrey.

"Tama ba ang sabi ni King Albert? Ikaw ba talaga ang may pakana ng lahat ng ito?" tanong naman ng isa sa konseho. Hindi sumagot ang lord at nakipagtitigan lang sa hari. Ilang sandali pa ay may mga pumasok na royal guards sa loob ng conference room.

"You planned all of this," sabi ni Lord Geoffrey.

"Ikaw ang naunang nagplano ng masama laban sa akin at sa pamilya ko."

"Your incapability to rule will make this kingdom fall!" sigaw nito sa kanya. Hinawakan ito ng dalawang royal guards pero pumiksi ito. "They should never let a boy rule just because he is the son of the king."

"My father knew your intentions yet he allowed you in the council. For him, this kingdom needs your wisdom. He can always give up his throne to let you rule and my family will be at peace but knowing your greed for power, my father cannot abandon his position even when he was ill. He didn't want to hand the kingdom to a man who maybe has the ability and mind to rule but doesn't have the heart," aniya.

"And you think you have it?" Lord Geoffrey dared.

"I may not have it now but I know someday I will."

Nang tangkain itong ilabas ng mga royal guards ay nagwala ito at hinablot ang baril ng isa sa mga royal guards na may hawak dito. The ladies screamed with terror. Lahat ay nagulat at natakot. Itinuon nito ang baril sa kanya pero bago pa man nito iyon naiputok ay may narinig na silang putok ng baril at nabasag na salamin. Lord Geoffrey shrieked as he held his right hand that was now bleeding. Tumilapon din ang hawak nitong baril kanina. Agad itong hinawakan ng mga gwardiya at inilabas sa conference room.

"Your highness, are you all right?" tanong ng ilang members ng council.

"King Albert –" it was Florence's voice.

"I'm fine," sabi niya. Hindi siya nasaktan. Nakatitig siya sa bintanang nabasag. Doon dumaan ang balang tumama sa kamay ng tiyuhin niya. Batid ng hari na hindi lang basta-bastang tao ang pwedeng umasinta ng ganoon. F's family is more unique than he thought.

Hinarap niya ang Hussldren council.

"I am not my father or my grandfather or any of my great ancestors. I am Albert and I'm different from them. My predecessors appointed you to your positions and they did not give you choices. I will not follow that path. I will not force you to serve a king that you hate. I'll give you two choices: leave the council and let me rule or stay and guide me how to rule. Choose now."

Nagkatinginan ang mga members ng council. Ilang segundo lang ang dumaan ay yumuko sa harap niya ang mga miyembro ng Hussldren council. They decided to stay.

"Our loyalty is yours, King Albert IV," sabay-sabay na sabi ng mga ito. Nakahinga nang maluwag si Albert. His cellphone beeped. It was a text message from Eli.

"You did well, your highness."

Kung magkakaroon siya ng pagkakataong pumili ng adviser, malamang hindi si F ang piliin niya kundi ang kuya na nito. But then, he already brought enough damage to F's family. It's time to pay them for their help.

Tumayo siya at hinarap ang dalawang babae sa tabi niya partikular si Florence.

"Thank you for your help, ladies," aniya sa mga ito.

"The honor is mine, your highness," sagot ni Lady Florence at yumuko.

"Your highness, we have important things to resolve before my sister and I will leave Hussldren tomorrow," sabi ni Beatrice.

"I know. Let's talk this afternoon. I still have an important thing to do. Thank you once again," aniya pero nakatitig kay Florence. Maaaring pagkatapos nito ay wala ng kasal sa pagitan nila ni Beatrice ang maganap at hindi na niya muling makikita pa ang maganda at mabait na si Lady Florence. Kahit noon pa ay parang ayaw na talaga ng langit na sila ang magkasama.

Tumalikod siya but then he stopped. Nilingon niya ulit ang lady na nagtataka. Inisang hakbang niya ang pagitan nila and he gently kissed her on her forehead. His heart was screaming the feelings he has been hiding for so long.

I love you, my Lady Florence. I always have. You have my heart forever.