A/N: Long chapter ahead~
[credits to the photographer who took this picture of the Bastei Bridge!]
⋆.ೃ࿔*:･*ੈ✩‧₊˚ ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･*ੈ✩‧₊˚
Chapter Fifteen
Ruins of The Forsaken
Amari's P.O.V
"Careful, love," Klyde spoke sweetly, his enchanting red eyes capturing mine as I held his hand he offered. "You look even mesmerizing in that gown." Dagdag nito nang alalayan ako sa paghakbang nang madatnan na ang huling apakan ng hagdanan, while the maids held the trail of my gown.
Blood rushed up my cheeks as he kissed the back of my hand, making it impossible for me to contain my smile anymore.
"Ngayon pa lang, binobola mo na agad ako. Paano pa pag mag-asawa na ta'yo?" biro ko rito, raising one of my brows at him as a joke.
"Amari.." His voice slowly faded as he stated my name, before pulling me toward him and locked my waist in his arms. "You already know I will never get tired of calling you beautiful."
One of his hands made its way to my chin, then used his thumb to caress the edge of my lower lip. "I have my ways to express how tantalizing you are. I can call you beautiful every day."
"Sus! Halika ka na nga!" saway ko rito, barely lowering my head to hide my flushed cheeks. "Napakalandi talaga nito." I couldn't help but giggle lightly.
I accepted his hand after he freed me from his warm embrace, and for the next moments, we were likely inseparable.
We held hands while making our way to the room. Ramdam ko ang init na dala ng kanyang palad na mahigpit na nakakapit sa akin. Almost as if he had no plans of letting go.
"Are you sure you feel alright, mi cielo? Have you drank your medicines?" biglaang sabi nito at pinaulanan ako ng mga katanungan nang makaharap na namin ang dalawang naglalakihang pintuan. "We can reschedule the meeting tomorrow, if you feel exhausted-"
"Klyde, this is the seventh time you've asked me that since this morning." Natatawa kong saad nang putulin ang kanyang sasabihin. "I'm fine, okay? Uminom na rin ako ng gamot. I won't be stressing myself again, I promise."
He reached for my forehead to give it a quick kiss. "If you say so." Klyde's fingers brushed through the strands of my hair then gave me a pat on the head. "Tell me if you feel uneasy, alright?"
"Opo," I rolled my eyes jokingly at him as we finally entered inside.
"Buenas tardes, mi Rey, and Señorita Amari," Lucas welcomed us with a cheerful, warming smile as he and his partner, Margarette, bowed their heads. "Please take a seat with us," aya nito, before leading us to the thick, leather couch while they sat on the seat in front of ours.
"It's an honor to serve the king and the lady again," Marga cheerfully uttered, a wide smile revealing her pale, white teeth. "Especially now for the most anticipated wedding of the dark realm!" she clapped joyfully.
"I'm just as happy to see you two," sagot ko rito at hindi na rin naitago ang aking ngiti.
"We feel the same way," Lucas was quick to respond. "Margarette and I also wish you a fast and strong recovery, Lady Amari." He sweetly spoke, to which I replied with a nod.
Muling nabaling kay Klyde ang aking tingin nang maramdaman ko ang pa-sikretong paghimas nya sa aking likuran.
Nang masaksihan ang kakaibang kinang ng mga pula nitong mata, ay agad ko itong tinaasan ng kilay bago muling ibinalik ang atensyon kanila Lucas at Marga.
Sumusobra na talaga 'tong lalaking 'to! Pati ba naman sa harap ng mga event organizers ng kasal namin, nagagawa pa rin landiin ako? Amputa!
Mukhang hindi lang ang ulo ko ang sasakit kapag naging mag-asawa na kami. Huhu!
"Do we have any ideal date for the wedding?" Lucas broke the thin, invisible barrier silencing Klyde and me.
"Ikaw, Klyde?" I whispered to Klyde. Expecting him to come up with a date for our wedding since he was my 'fiancé' anyway.
Sya naman kasi 'tong masyadong excited na pakasalan ako. 'Di man lang pinahaba ang lifespan ko sa mundo ng mga tao. Hmmp!
Pero kung ako naman kasi ang tatanungin, kahit pa gustuhin kong tumakas ng palasyo, iwanan si Klyde, at ang buong kaharian nya, mukhang mas makabubuti na rin lang kung hindi ko na subukan.
Noon pa nga lang na kahit ako'y nasa loob na ng kastilyo nya ay napagbantaan pa rin ang buhay ko, and even back when I was in the mortal realms. Paano pa kung sinubukan kong lumayo sa katangi-tanging nagbibigay ng pag-asa sa kaluluwa ko na tumagal dito?
"I haven't thought of any," maikling sagot nito, then shrugged.
"I see..." my head rather tilted in disappointment, na alam kong naramdaman ng aking katabing kanina pa nakatitig sa akin. I guess he isn't that prepared too, or he may have just thought our wedding wouldn't occur so suddenly and fast approaching like it's fate that's chasing us.
"Do you guys have a list of the upcoming events?" tanong ko sa dalawang organizer, na mabilis nilang tinugon sa pamamagitan ng pag-abot sa akin ng isang planner.
Kalimitan sa mga araw ngayong linggo ay wala namang gaganapin na kahit ano, puro bakante kasi ito, at malamang ay mailalaan rin lang sa pag-aayos ng aking mga dokumento at kagamitan na kakailanganin sa Silvestra Academy, at para sa mga preperasyon na magagamit sa aming kasal. To summarize, everyday was almost empty, maliban na lamang sa ika-limang araw, na pinaka pumukaw ng aking atensyon.
Friday: The King's Grand Birthday.
The king's birthday celebration? Kaarawan na pala ni Klyde ngayong biyernes! Why didn't he even tell me? Para man lang ay makaisip pa ako ng maaari kong iregalo sa kanya, without troubling more people.
"Kakayanin kaya kung isabay na lang sa kaarawan ni Klyde ang kasal namin?" suhestyon ko, na base sa kinang ng kanilang mga mata ay halatang ikinatuwa ng dalawang organizer, puwera na lang kay Klyde na hindi maipapagkailang nagulat sa sinabi ko.
"You want our wedding to take place the same date as my birthday?" kunot-noong tanong nito sa akin, ang ekpresyon na dala ng kanyang mukha ay walang-dudang mahihirapan ang kung sino mang ipinta. "Then, that would mean our anniversary would be on my birthday as well-"
"Mhm," putol ko sa sasabihin nito bago pa sya tuluyang matapos, getting the hint of where this conversation would lead to. "Wouldn't that be cute to celebrate your birthday and our wedding anniversary together?"
And would you look at that. For the first time ever, I finally caught this man off guard! Tila kasi natulala ito, na syang resulta ng mga katagang aking sinabi.
I pouted my lips purposely, in an attempt to make myself seem saddened after seeing the almost unexplainable confusion drawn all over his perfectly sculpted, out-of-this-world, facial features.
"Bakit? Ayaw mo ba?" I stared at him with my lips still pouted a bit, habang ang boses ko ay parang nanlalambing. Ngunit sa totoo lang, ay pinipigilan ko na lamang ang aking sariling tawanan sya sa harap nina Lucas at Marga. "Edi sa ibang araw na lang-"
Sya naman ang pumutol sa aking sasabihin. "No, I'd like that." Biglaang lumiwanag ang mukha nito, as he looked at me.. lovingly.
Ang gulo talaga ng lalaking 'to. Naguguluhang bulong ko sa aking sarili.
But as long as he brought his sight back in front, I noticed how his expression returned to what it was before.
Agad na lumisan ang ngiting nagtatangkang pumorma sa aking mga labi.
What's wrong with him? Talaga bang ayaw nyang sa kaarawan nya ganapin ang aming kasal? Dang it! Now I feel bad.
"Great!" Marga answered as they both acknowledged our decision. "Now that the date is all set, how about we move to the wedding venue?" she suggested.
I sneakily glanced at Klyde when he wasn't looking in my direction, wearing the very same expression I just noticed recently. "Y- Yes! Sure, why not.." my voice rather sounded unsure instead of agreeing.
I spent the next few minutes staring at the ground, not knowing exactly what to feel, nor how to describe it. I admit it may have been due to the guilt I'm feeling, pero kasi ano nga ba naman ang kasalanan ko? What did I even do, in the first place?
Just as my head was about to get drowned by harsh waves of queries, a warm hand suddenly brought heat to the back of my palm.
Dahan-dahang umangat ang aking tingin habang marahang niyayakap ng kanyang mga daliri ang kamay ko, at nang magtagpo na ang aming mga mata, tanging nagtatanong na tingin lamang ang aking naipakita sa kanya.
'Why?' he wasn't speaking, but the movements of his lips were telling me words. 'It's okay, Love, I'm alright.' It was as if he noticed my sudden change of mood, and knew that it was because of him. 'Go on, just do whatever you like.' He added.
'You don't have to worry about me. I'll be happy as long as you're by my side.'
I smiled at him caringly, my heart melted and barely survived due to how he made it race so fast.
"Thank you.. Baby," my smile widened at the sight of him getting stunned again.
"Baby?" he squinted his eyes at me, suot ang emosyong may halong pagtataka at saya. This time, he spoke with voice, though in the form of a whisper.
"Yes, babe?" natatawa kong tugon rito, bago muling ibinaling ang tingin kanila Lucas at Margarette na katatapos rin lang sa pagkuha ng kanilang panibagong portfolio.
"Inside are the possible venues for the royal wedding," Lucas announced, then spread open the portfolio in front of us. "Since the lady is still recovering, we can't risk getting her exposed outside Etheris' premises."
I nodded, agreeing to his suggestion. Hindi naman na kasi kataka-takang napapalibutan ng mga halimaw, kakaibang klase ng hayop, at nilalang, ang impyerno. Kasama na nga roon ang kupal na nanggambala sa aking selebrasyon, bukod sa pagiging bahay ng mga kaluluwa.
Nang abutan kami ni Margarette nang kanya-kanya naming kopya ay agad ko itong binuksan. Bumungad sa akin ang iba't-ibang parte ng Etheris, pati sa loob ng palasyo na maaari naming gawing lugar na pagdarausan ng aming kasalan.
Inside the portfolio were pictures of the different parts of Etheris. Including some rooms of the castle that I haven't had time to discover yet.
Although all surpassed my expectations by its elegance, beauty, and versatility, a silly idea lit the invisible bulb on top of my head.
"I know this would sound rather stupid or strange.." pahapyaw ko sa sasabihin, assuring that they won't have heart attacks, especially the man sitting beside me who has turned his head to meet me as well.
A forced grin marked my lips before speaking. "How about we do our wedding, in the mortal realms?"
"What? My lady that would be-" akmang tututol sa aking sinambit sina Marga at Lucas nang mapahinto sila nang sumapaw ang aking katabi.
"I suppose that wouldn't be so bad," halatang hindi lang ako ang nagulat sa sinabi ni Klyde, lalo na't sumang-ayon ito sa aking suhestyon.
"We're spirits. Living creatures that aren't visible to the naked eye." Klyde backed me up, even if I was just as surprised as the two organizers of our wedding. "Humans are not capable of seeing us. I doubt some of them even believe that we exist."
"Making our wedding occur far away from the realm of the Underworld might be a much safer choice. Since monsters and vicious creatures are likely incapable of surpassing the world of mortals, not unless someone summons them, unlike souls." Dagdag pa nito, seemingly into my silly idea more than I do to myself.
Actually.. maybe my suggestion wasn't too bad. Now that Klyde emphasized it.
"Then, how will we transport the guests from the Underworld, your majesty?" Margarette spoke calmly, hindi na suot ang kabado nitong itsura kanina.
"We can always utilize the portals," he crossed his arms with pride. "Most of the guests are my allies. I couldn't care less if they won't survive that, anyway."
I moistened my lips, trying to contain my suppressed chuckle. Knowing damn well he's referring to his friends, Haden, Khair, and Wren whom I have met as well.
"I see," Margarette finally agreed as she nodded. "If the wedding will happen in the human realm, which country would be the final venue?"
For the next minutes, I left that question for Klyde to answer instead. Ayaw ko naman kasing puro ako ang nagdedesisyon para sa kasal namin. Kaya na nya ang tanong na 'yan.
"The Ruins of Der Verlassene, in Saxony, Germany," Klyde stated after glancing at me.
"The Ruins of Der Verlassene?" my forehead creased not because of confusion, but curiosity. Para kasing ngayon ko lang narinig ang pangalan ng lugar na 'yan. Ilang taon rin kasi akong pabalik-balik sa Germany, dahil isa ito sa mga paborito kong bansa.
"The Ruins of The Forsaken, my lady," si Marga na ang sumagot sa aking tanonf.
"The Ruins of Der Verlassene is located in one of the undiscovered mountains of Saxony, not so far from the Bastei bridge," Klyde answered before finally looking at me again. "You may have never heard of it before, because it simply did not exist to mankind."
"It was built centuries ago by spirits that never found their way home," My eyes started to blink slower as I meet his pair of red orbs. "Same reason why it is purely impossible for a mere human to see, nor discover such forbidden history."
"It used to be a sanctuary powered by the existence of spirits inhabiting it, and served as home for those abandoned." He closed his copy of the portfolio and brought it back to the coffee table. "But as time passed by, these spirits began to cease and lessened gradually, resulting in the sanctuary to weaken as well, and turning into the ruins we know today."
My jaw almost dropped out of amusement. Especially after realizing that even if I read hundreds and thousands of books about the Underworld and its existence, it wouldn't be enough to uncover all the secrets it held for years. Katulad na lamang nitong lugar na ito.
"It must've been as beautiful as it meant for the spirits," I guessed, wondering when I'd be able to see it. "Ano kaya ang itsura no'n sa totoong buhay?"
"Would you like to see it in person?" Klyde suddenly said, making my eyes wide.
"Oo, pero ngayon na ba agad?" pabalik na tanong ko rito, obviously caught off guard.
"Yes," he reached for my face and brushed the thin strands of hair away from it. "But we can go tomorrow instead if you'd prefer that."
"Then let's pay a visit today!" my eyes sparked happiness as I spoke.
Liningon ni Klyde ang dalawa. "Would that be alright?" matipid nitong tanong.
"Of course, mi Rey." Lucas agreed. "It'll be better for the lady to see it first before the both of you decide on a theme for the wedding."
"Ford," Klyde firmly summoned the guard inside the room. "Tell the guards to ready the carriages. We'll be departing to Germany."
"G- Germany?" the guard surprisingly stuttered, halatang ikinagulat nito ang sinabi ni Klyde. "Understood, your majesty." The man named Ford, quickly collected himself as he bowed and swiftly made his way to the room's exit.
"Klyde, wouldn't it take at least whole day for us to arrive there?" hindi ko naiwasang magtanong nang sabay kaming lumisan ng kwarto.
"It won't take that long since we're close to Spain," Klyde held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We'll use a portal to get to Saxony faster."
"Hello, su Majestad, and the lady," Valleen greeted us as we meet her in the hall. "Here is your cape, Señorita Amari. I wish you all a safe trip to the mortal realm." She passed me a velvet cape.
"Thanks, Valenyre." I winked, making her chuckle a bit.
"Let me put it on for you," Klyde offered, kaya naman hindi na ako tumanggi pa at ibinigay ito sa kanya para masuot nito sa akin ang kapa.
It was a pastel violet cape made with velvet felt. The upper portion of it had soft, white fur, that was sewn along with the ribbon sealing it from falling off my shoulders.
We then continued walking and met the guards waiting for us outside the castle. Tatlo ang karwaheng narito, isa para sa amin ni Klyde, yung pangalawa ay para kanila Lucas at Marga, at yung pangatlo naman ay tyak na mas malaki kaysa sa amin. Nandoon kasi ang mga gwardya, and a few witches that Klyde said would help prevent monsters from following us.
Sa madaling salita, para kaming susugod sa gyera dahil sa dami ng gwardya't mga mangkukulam na kasama namin.
"Careful," Klyde lent me his hand as I took a step inside the royal coach. Inside the carriage was even more beautiful compared to how it looked outside. The exterior was colored black and had gold engravings and wooden trims that radiated elegance, kahit pa sa malayuan ito tignan. While the coach's interior was adorned with a muted shade of red for the walls, and embellished with minimal black patterns and soft cushioned seats.
Nang makapasok na rin si Klyde sa loob ng karwahe ay agad nilang sinarado ang mga pintuan. 'Di rin nagtagal ay umarangkada na ang aming mga karwahe, at walang kahit ano mang salita ang makakapaglahad ng aking reaksyon nang bigla na lang umangat ang sinasakyan namin.
"Hala-" natatarantang sambit ko at niyugyog ang braso ng katabi kong patulog na sana sa aking balikat. "Klyde! Bakit tayo nalipad?! Nalipad tayo! AHH!" dahil sa aking sigaw, kunot noo pa nang titigan ako ni Klyde na naalimpungatan.
"Pegasus, Amari," kinusot nito ang kanyang mga mata at hinabi ang kurtinang nakaharang sa maliit na bintanang katabi namin. "Our coaches are driven by winged horses."
"Ha?!" my jaw dropped, then proceeded to peek at the windows and saw half the wing of one of the horses.
"Putangina..." mahina akong napamura nang maupo ulit sa tabi nya. "What the fuck?" I stared at him, eyes widened and stunned.
Marahang sumunod ang aking tingin sa kanya nang tawanan lamang ako nito at bumalik sa pagsandal ng kanyang ulo sa aking balikat.
Tangina! Parang kahapon lang nabiktima ako ng scorpion ng isang mangkukulam, tapos ngayon makakakita ako ng kabayong nalipad?!
Nagdedelusyon na ba ako? Parang araw-araw naman ata.
Ano na kaya ang itsura ng Planet Earth? Malapit na ba sya sa araw? Or baka kasing laki na ni Jupiter at may nakapalibot na rin na singsing katulad ng Saturn?
Nako. Malala ka na, Amari.
────────⊹⊱✫⊰⊹────────
Nanatili akong nakatitig sa labas ng bintana habang nilalakbay namin ang liblib na parte ng kagubatan kung saan ayon sa aking katabi ay naroon ang portal palabas ng Underworld.
Tanging mga mata ko lamang ang sumusunod sa bilis ng karwahe sapagkat hindi ako makagalaw dahil sa lalaking natutulog nang mahimbing sa aking balikat, at nakayakap pa sa aking beywang.
It was quite dark outside, especially since there were many trees blocking the light. Ngunit buti na lang dahil sa pulang langit ay nagiging maliwanag ito sa iilang parte. Mayroon ring mga uwak at kuwago na nakapatong sa mga sanga, at iilang mga hayop at kakaibang nilalang na buong buhay ko'y hindi ko inakalang totoo pala.
"We are now approaching the portal, my lady," mahinahong sambit ng coachman mula sa maliit na bintana sa aming harapan, alam siguro nitong tulog ang kanyang hari kaya ako na lamang ang sinabihan nito.
"Alright," maikli kong sagot rito nang masaksihan ang isang lumulutang na bagay, hindi ganoon kalayo sa amin.
It was an oval-shaped warp. Kulay asul ito at may halong itim sa may gitnang parte. Ang bawat gilid nito ay tila puting usok at humahalo sa hangin. The center of it danced as it formed a vortex, at kahit nga'y mga dahon sa paligid ay nahihigop nito.
It was indeed a portal. I thought. Isa pa sa mga bagay na hindi ko inakalang makikita ko pa at mararanasan.
I was about to lean closer to the small window when I was interrupted by Klyde, who tightened his hold on my waist as his eyebrows unconsciously furrowed.
Tulog na tulog kasi ito. Halatang pagod rin at walang-oras magpahinga dahil sa pag-aasikaso ng mga dokumento at mga kakailanganin sa aking paglipat, na nadagdagan pa nga ng kasal namin.
Kaya naman nang makatulog ito sa aking tabi ay hinayaan ko na lang muna, makapagpahinga man lang ito kahit sa maikling oras.
Ilang segundo akong natulala sa mukha nito nang isiksik nya lalo ang kanyang ulo sa gilid ng aking leeg. At dito na nga'y napaisip ako nang tuluyan.
Just why does this man care for me so much?
I gave his head a pat after caressing it for a while. My eyes were graced by his otherworldly poise and beauty.
Sharp, killer red eyes and long, thick lashes, structured jawline, tall slim nose, and blushed plump lips.
I really am lucky, aren't I?
I couldn't contain my smile, even after taking my eyes off him. Ang pogi talaga ng mapapangasawa ko!
Buti na lang. Biniro ko ang sarili.
Tila bumagal ang takbo ng oras nang tahakin namin ang loob ng portal.
Ang buong paligid ay nagmistulang kalawakan. The colors blue, white, and black complimenting each other to perfection despite being scattered instead of combined.
I can see how the wings of the horses remained at normal speed, though it was just within the portal that made it seem like we were going relatively slower.
The streaks of shaded lights passing by started to become sheer, and soon formed see-through holes that showed different capitals of several countries within Europe.
These tinted-glass-looking circles presented the most popular destinations of each capital. At kanina nga'y nalagpasan pa namin ang mga dalusan patungo sa Rome, Italy, na ipinakita ang Colosseum, at Eiffel Tower naman para sa Paris, France, na parehong isa sa mga historical landmarks ng mga nasabing bansa.
"Lady Amari, we are now around the state of Berlin," the coachman almost caught me by surprise for talking suddenly. "After this, we will have to fly again, so it wouldn't take more time for us to arrive in Saxony."
"Okay, got it. Drive safe." Paalala ko rito, because unlike us, he is more exposed outside. Nakakatakot rin kasi at baka mahulog ito o 'di kaya'y mawalan nang balanse.
Dahan-dahan kong inabot ang maikling kurtina at hinabi ito upang pansamantalang matakpan ang maliit na bintana sa harap namin.
I could hear the cacophony outside, within the streets of Berlin. Where many people tend to stay for a while.
Halos mag-iisang buwan pa lamang ako sa Etheris, pero ngayong bumisita ulit ako sa mundo ng mga tao, tila ba nakakapanibago nang bumalik rito. Ibang-iba kasi ito kumpara sa Underworld. Dito, malaya kang makakapaglibot at pumunta kung saan-saan nang walang kalbaryo kung may engkanto o mangkukulam mang susumpa sa'yo. Eh, sa impyerno? Imbis na tao ang makakasalubong mo sa tabi-tabi, kung hindi multo ay naglalakad na skeleton naman.
There were a lot of people outside. Mayroong mga nagtatakbuhan, may mga lumalabas-pasok ng mga tindahan, at may mga turista at mga bata ring kasama ang kanilang mga magulang habang nililibot ang bawat eskinita.
And even if Germany wasn't the country I grew up in, simply returning to the realm I once treated as home, reminded me of countless memories with my mother, friends, at mga may saltik kong bodyguards na noon ay halos araw-araw akong inaasar at pinagtritripan.
I miss them. I really do and I won't deny that. Pero kasi kailangan ko na ring tanggapin na hanggang tanaw ko na lamang sila ngayon.
The glare of the golden sunlight reflected in my eyes as we passed multiple roads. We were now above everything and everyone, who have no idea we even exist.
The next moments were just us with the cotton-like, blue clouds. And being up here feels like time doesn't move at all. To the point that I didn't even realize we have already arrived, not until the coachman announced.
"We're have reached our destination. Welcome to Saxony, my lady," sambit nito, habang ang silipan nya sa amin ay nahaharangan pa rin ng kurtina.
Hindi na ako sumagot pa nang marinig ang pagaspas ng pakpak ng mga kabayong nakasunod sa amin. Muli ko namang liningon ang lalaking hanggang ngayon ay mahimbing pa rin ang tulog sa aking balikat at sinubukang yugyugin ang braso nito para gisingin.
"Klyde," I shook his arm again, only for him not to respond. "Klyde, nandito na tayo." Mahinahon kong sabi rito na dahan-dahan nang naaalimpungatan.
Napangiti ako nang dumilat ito saglit, para lang bumalik ulit sa kanyang pwesto sa aking balikat at natulog ulit.
"Klyde.." I whispered close to his ear, na nagsisimula nang mamula dahil sa tagal ng paghiga nya sa aking balikat.
I reached for his chin and gently lifted it for him to face me clearly. I then gave him a few quick kisses on his forehead to keep him from sleeping.
"Huy! Gising na kasi!" I gave his eyebrow a soft flick.
"Pag hindi ka gumising, tatakas ako para hindi mo na ako mapakasalan."
Dahil sa aking sinabi, kunot-noo ito nang biglaang imulat ang mga mata. Akmang tatawa sana ako dulot ng kanyang reaksyon nang lumapat ang labi nya sa akin.
Ang mga braso nyang kanina ay nakayakap sa akin ay nakatukod na ngayon sa bawat gilid ko, preventing me from moving.
Marahan akong napasandal sa pintuan nang diinan nya ang paghalik. His lips were warm, and it was the very first time I felt them pressed hard on mine.
I could feel his desire just by the way he sent butterflies in my stomach. Ravishing my lips in every possible way he can.
"Pardon for the disturbance, my lady, and mi Rey," I heard a familiar man's voice from outside as he knocked.. on the open windows... "But we have now arrived." I realized that it was Ford speaking.
Agad na lumipat ang aking tingin sa bintana at nanlaki ang mga mata sa gulat nang makasalubong ko nang tingin sina Ford at iilang mga kasamahan nito.
"Would you still want to leave me?" He spoke as he caught his breath, a smug grin marking his lips as he succeeded with his desires for me again.
Putangina...
I felt heat rush up my cheeks as I almost aggressively pushed Klyde away from me.
Puta! Nakakahiya!
"Kasalanan mo talaga 'to!" I gently punched him on his chest, while he remained looking satisfied.
Bubuksan ko na sana ang pintuan nang mapatigil ako dahil sa itsura ng handle nito.
Paano ba 'to buksan, huhu!
"Let me, Love. I'll open it for you." I faced him, only to meet his subtle, smug smile.
I rolled my eyes as he opened the door.
Nang makalabas ay dali-dali akong dumistansya sa kanya. "Be cautious, Lady Amari. Baka madapa ka nanaman, eh! Mabato pa naman ang daan." Paalala sa akin ni Mallory, sya kasi ang napili kong isama, kaysa dalhin ko pa silang tatlo.
Mal was about to lend me her hand to help me walk on the stoned pathway when Klyde called her all of a sudden.
"Mallory," narinig ko ang malamig at matigas na pagkasambit nito ng pangalan ng aking katabi.
"Y- Yes, your majesty?" her head remained bowed down as her voice accidentally quivered, both of her hands secretly scratching one another. Is she nervous?
"I can handle my fiancée myself,"
Klyde rushed beside me and held my hand before I could even interfere. Nang lingunin ko naman ulit si Mal ay saka ito sumagot.
"Muy bien, su Majestad. My sincerest apologies." Mallory only rose her head again once Klyde pulled me away.
"Ano na naman ba ang problema mo?" I raised an eyebrow at him as we strolled around the top of the mountain where our carriage dropped us off. "Bakit ang sungit mo kay Mallory? Tauhan mo rin naman sya, eh." Hirit ko.
"I don't like anyone borrowing my belongings when I'm clearly not done with them yet," maikli nitong sagot sa akin nang sabay naming lakarin ang mabatong daan na nagsisilbing gabay palapit sa pugad-kaligtasan ng mga kaluluwa.
Napatitig na lamang ako sa kanya nang mapagtanto ang sinabi nito. Ayaw ko naman na mag-away kami kaya hinayaan ko na lang muna ito saglit, bago nag-isip ng pwedeng isagot sa kanya.
"You don't have to be so protective of me, Klyde." Paglilinaw ko at kalmadong pinisil ang kamay nitong nakakapit rin sa akin.
"I wanted you to be free, but after all these circumstances, I don't think I could spend a day without you in my sight." He freed a sigh as we approach the front of the sanctuary. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you with me."
His response made me smile and adore him more. Hindi ko rin naman kasi sya masisisi kung ganito nya ako tratuhin, dahil na rin nga sa insidenteng nangyari sa akin na ikipinahamak ko.
"Ang ganda..." I couldn't help but comment as we see the ruins.
Here ahead of us was the middle of the mountain where the remaining ruins of the Verlassene stood. I could tell that the sanctuary looked more like a Roman temple before it was destructed, based on the white, gigantic marble pillars and columns, that now had green vines encircling each of them.
Ang buong santuwaryo ay prinoprotektahan ng isang gintong barrier. Pabilog ang hugis nito, quite see-through and ran from the ground up to the highest peak of the sanctuary.
The vines around them had little orbs instead of grapes that glowed a shade of dark-blue, ang paligid ng gusali ay napapalibutan ng mga kakaibang tanim at bulaklak. Iilan na nga rito ay mga bulaklak na puti ang dulo ng mga talulot at itim ang nasa gitnang bahagi, na maihahalintulad sa mga baging, ay umiilaw rin sa dilim. Mayroon ding mga tanim na imbis na kulay berde ang dahon, ay halong puti at ginto naman ang kulay. There were multiple fallen debris on the ground that were turned into huge rocks, for some were almost covered with moss. Habang sa dulo ng bundok naman ay matatanaw mo ang Bastei bridge, at malaking liblib na kagubatan na aking natitiyak na puno ng mga iba't-ibang klase ng hayop.
A few unique species of birds and butterflies lingered outside. They were the kind you only see in fairytales or storybooks, and they ranged in many sizes. Mayroong mga kasing laki ng loro, na ang mga pakpak ay tila salamin kung kuminang, sapagkat ang kulay ng mga ito ay pinagsamang kahel at dilaw, na tuwing tinatamaan ng ilaw ay parang araw na sumisikat. Bukod pa, there were also smaller birds with a pair of gradient red and violet wings, which, unlike the bigger species with blazing ones, theirs portrayed how the sky looked as the sun sets.
Ang mga kulay ginto at tanso na paru-paro ay masiglang pumapalibot sa amin habang pinapasok ang barrier ng lugar, at nang tuluyan na kaming makapasok, agad akong napaatras nang bigla na lang yumanig ang lupang inaapakan namin.
One by one, each fallen part of the sanctuary gathered and built itself for us again. Ang mga bumagsak na marmol ay sunod-sunod na tumayo, ang mga baging na nakatali rito ay kusang naputol at lumubog sa lupa, at ang mga alikabok at buhanging nasa sahig ay sabay-sabay na nagsi-angat para muling itayo ang bubong ng gusali.
Sa likod ng santuwaryo ay umusbong ang isang malaking punong wala ni isang dahon. Ang mga paru-parong kanina lang ay nakikipaglaro sa amin ay lumipad patungo rito, at hindi ko na naiwasang mamangha nang manatili ang mga ito sa sanga at ibinuka ang mga pakpak na ngayon ay nagmistulang dahong gawa sa tanso at ginto.
Dulot ng aking nasaksihan, muli kong naalala ang saad ni Klyde kanina.
'It used to be a sanctuary powered by the existence of spirits inhabiting it, and served as home for those abandoned.'
Oo nga pala, mga kaluluwa kami. Kaya pala bigla itong nabuo, at bumalik sa dating tindig at itsura.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" nabalik ako sa realidad nang akbayan ako ni Klyde at sinamahan papasok ng gusali. "Still as gorgeous as ever,"
"Mhm," I faced him and agreed with a sweet grin on my lips. "It's perfect!"