Tears Of Cinderella

Chapter 32 - Skeletons in the Closet

His train of thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his door.

"Kamahalan, the Imperial Consort Guinevere is requesting your audience," his secretary said.

Great! Just great! His mother had the perfect timing. Kung kalian naman siya inuusig ng kanyang konsensya doon naman ito magpapakita.

"Let her in."

He composed himself. Then after half a minute, the reason of his pain and self-punishment came in to his view.

Umupo ito sa isang settee sa kanyang opisina.

"You're office looked good," wika nito habang nililibot ang tingin sa buong paligid.

"Cut the chase, why are you here?" tanong niya. His tone of voice was cold as the icicles in Asphodel. He want to make sure that she will feel unwanted.

"Why are you like that, Prince Gareth? Masama bang bisitahin ng kanyang ina ang kanyang anak? I haven't seen you for so long now."

He could feel now the effects of the alcohol. Just the sound of her voice made his blood boil. Anak? Kailan pa ba nagging anak ang turing nito sa kanya. For her he was just a tool in her selfish ambition. Nahilot niya ang sentido nang bigla itong kumirot.

"Well, I am here to know what the people of Asphodel were like. As a future Queen Dowager, gusto ko namang tumulong sa kapatid mo pagpapatakbo ng kahiraan. I want to help people by being the best matriarch."

He remained quiet. He was nauseated by his mom's words. Somehow, he struggled to find the truth in her words.

"Oh, c'mon Gareth. Are you still mad at me about that? It had been five years already. And you see the fruit of everything?"

Tiningnan niya ito nang masama.

"You should be grateful. Kung hindi dahil doon, you would be the third prince. Hindi mararanasan ang mga ganitong prebilehiyo."

He balled his fist. He was wearing his anger like a second skin now.

"Privilege? Do you think I chose to be in this place? I am here because I do not have any choice! I didn't want to see any of you."

Waring nagulat ito sa outburst niya. His mother wore a different expression right now.

"Still sulking, huh. This was the reason why I chose Lancelot. You are too fainthearted. Mahina ang kalooban mo."

He gave her a wry smile. "You chose Lancelot dahil pareho kayo ng tabas ng pagkatao. You are both hungry for power. And sorry for not living up to your expectations, because unlike you, I still have my conscience intact with me. At ngayon, ako pa rin pumapasan sa mga pinaggawa niyo."

"Oh, I am so sorry if that's what you felt. But we are now reaping what we have sown. It is our time to shine. At kung hindi ka masaya para sa amin, then stay hidden in this god forsaken place. Wala ka na rin namang magagawa."

He looked at her with anger and pity. Ito ba ang kanyang ina? This person was not even a human being. She was nothing but a monster. Sinong matinong ina ang isasangkalan ang kaligtasan ng anak para lamang sa ambisyon nito? She had him battered to death five years ago. Nilason naman nito si Anya.

Tumayo ito sa kinauupuan. She paced back and forth.

"Kahit na magsumbong ka pa. There was no evidence that may point everything to us. Malinis naming trinabaho iyon para mapunta ang lahat ng sisi kay Arthur. And you knew that for five years now. Ibig sabihin, isa ka na ring accessory sa ginawa naming. So be my guest, magsumbong ka. At nang sabay-sabay tayong mabulok sa kulungan. It's now us vs. that insolent prince in the jail."