Crowns and Sword (The Alistair Heir)

Chapter 1

"Decades ago, A vast kingdom called Brahem was ruled by one kind King. With a good heart he led his nation to greatness, rewarding his reign to be blessed with nothing but abundance to his people.

He was favored by the commoners and was praised by the rich for his highness was also fair and just. He was indeed loved by everyone.

Everyday the people of Brahem rejoiced.

The King's name was King Eason.

But, Although King Eason had reigned with  a pure heart, greed still managed to spread like disease and violence like wildfire.

His highness was saddened. Maybe he needed help in taking care of his people, he thought.

Convinced that he needed aid, and because he was already weak and old, he commanded seven of his trusted generals to divide the kingdom and maintain the peace in every region.

The king was sure that by this, his kingdom will not fall.

Little did he know that three of his men were already consumed by greed. King Eason was murdered one night by one of his men, plotting to never again unite the kingdom and keep the region as their own. The remaining four tried to protect the kingdom but failed.

In order to prevent the further downfall, the kingdom remained divided. Until today the regions are still separated..."

"Let me guess, Haein, Saoirse, Ghaelli, Jahiba, Lemoria, Creek, and Phanea" A voice interrupted.

Nahinto ako sa pagbabasa at napipilitang isara ang libro na hawak. I lifted my gaze and my eyes found her forest green orbs. Those eyes that mirror my own.

"Nice to know you studied, Princess Catania" sabi ko habang pinipilit na itago ang pagiging sarkastiko.

Mabilis na sumimangot ang mukha ni Catania. "Why wouldn't I? Iyan lang naman ang rason kung bakit tinatrato niyo akong parang preso" pagdadahilan niya.

I almost groaned and sighed at the same time. I don't even know if that is possible. Nang mapagtanto kong hindi ko na siguro matatapos pa ang kwento ay inilapag ko na ang libro sa gilid ng kanyang kama. Nagsimula na naman kasi ito sa kanyang mga hinanakit kaya mukhang wala nang silbi ang libro.

"You're not in prison Catania"

Umikot ang mata niya at parang wala nang balak pa na pakinggan ang sasabihin ko.

I should have known better. Lahat na yata ng bagay na may kinalaman sa nakaraan ng kaharian ay makakastress kay Catania, and when she's stressed, she's just impossible. Sasabihin nito lahat ng hinanakit niya hanggang sa tingin niya ay natapos na niya lahat.

"Talaga?" May tono itong parang naghahamon. "Bakit bawal akong lumabas sa palasyo? Or kahit man lang sa kwarto?" Winawagayway niya ang kanyang kamay kung nasaan kami ngayon.

Sa kanyang kwarto.

"The only time na nakakalabas ako dito ay kapag kakain ako o kung kasama kita o ang mga maid but other than that parang nakakakita ng rebelde ang lahat ng mga tao saka ako ibabalik dito sa kwarto."

Bakas sa boses nito ang pagtatampo. Maging ang mata nito ay kinokonsensya ako. Not that it doesn't stir my conscience already.

Gusto kong ipaliwanag pa sa kanya ng mabuti ang kalagayan niya pero binalewala ko nalang. Tiyak na mapapahaba lang ang usapan namin. I have my fair share of opinions and beliefs and she has hers. If we decide to talk about it all tonight baka abutin kami ng umaga. And I don't want that. Inaantok na ako dahil oras na dapat ngayon ng pagtulog.

Hinayaan ko munang maglabas ng hinaing niya ang aking kapatid. Pasimple ko ding tinakpan ang isa ko pang tenga dahil sa tinis ng boses nito.

I guess at some point she was partly right. As the only girl among us siblings, FORTUNATELY, she was indeed being treated differently. But in our defense hindi lang naman siya ang prinsesa na tinuturing na ganito. The other regions also had their princesses, at gaya ng kalagayan ng aking kapatid ay mahigpit din ang pagbabantay dito.