Efimia Silveria
The street was busy. Ang daming tao ang abala sa kani-kanilang buhay. Maingay at nakakamangha ang mga building dito. According to Kazi, Mesmeinia is under the Yoveneah Kingdom na enemy ng Zuren Kingdom kung saan ako nanggaling. However, who cares? I'm excited to see new things. Pake ko sa away ng dalawang kaharian.
Moreover, iba ang kasuotan ng mga tao rito kasi yung damit nila ay parang mix style ng british at fantasy vibes. Iyong alam kong design ng clothes sa manhwa ay ibang iba because theirs are so stylish plus their hair ornament is talagang makalaglag panga. Ghurl, they wore headdress and hairpins like those in fantasy historical chinese dramas. Even men wore hair ornaments like pandesign sa nakatirintas nilang buhok. Napansin kong usual dito ang mga lalaking mahaba ang buhok na iba't ibang paraan at parte ng buhok ang nakatirintas which I guessed that's their beauty standard.
Maraming nagroronda na mga kawal at mukhang mayayaman ang mga tao rito. Halata naman dahil entrance pa lang mapapanganga ka na. Feel na feel ko talaga ang fantasy-historical vibes! Anyway, they notified me that this place is called Lourend, ang unang bayan na matatagpuan sa northern gate ng Mesmeinia. Dalawang bayan pa raw ang madadaanan namin bago marating ang Gotriven, ang capital city na nasa paanan ng bundok.
Actually, dito pa lang ay natatanaw ko na mula sa malayo ang palasyo ng Yoveneah na nasa itaas ng malaking bundok. Sabi ni Kazi kung saan siya ang nagkuwento ng mga dapat kong malaman ay dalawang bansa raw ang sakop ng kaharian na nakapalibot lamang sa bundok. Meaning sa kabilang side ay ibang bansa na ito.
Although, Lourend is far from the capital but, for me, it's already developed compared to where I came from.
I smiled. A new place and new life. Finally, nakalayo na'ko roon sa mga hinayupak. I won't see their annoying faces anymore! However, nasaan na ba si Shin? I hope hindi nagtampo ang espirito na 'yun. He has the responsibility to protect me kaya hindi siya pwedeng mawala nang parang bula!
Huminto kami sa tapat ng Zulric Inn na nabanggit ni mother. Pinagbuksan naman ako ng pinto ni Kazi saka ako inalalayan bumaba ng karwahe. Sumalubong naman sa'kin ang isang lalaking makapal ang balbas na nakatirintas at malaki ang katawan na puro muscle.
Nagulat na lang ako nang ang dalawang kamay niya ay pinag-cross niya sa tapat ng kaniyang dibdib. Medyo nakaharap pa sa'kin ang palad niya tapos ang nakatiklop lang ay ang kaniyang hinlalaki. He then flipped both of his hands towards him leaving only his forefingers and middle fingers unfolded and he bowed. "Welcome to Zulric Inn, Young Miss."
Wait, what did he do? Na-loading ako kasi para siyang gumawa ng hand seal. Ah, I remembered. I was told that it's the way how they greet and give respect here. Hmm, not bad.
I cleared my throat. "Ikaw ba ang u-uncle ko?" Lah, wag naman sana! His body and muscle is so big! Kahit nakasuot siya ng damit, I could tell from it since hapit na hapit sa katawan niya ito na parang ano mang sandali ay mapupunit na sa laki ng katawan at muscles niya.
His clothes is the typical style for mercenaries but, he has the same vibes of a pirate. Natatakot tuloy ako sa kaniya. I have never seen an actual body like this in my previous life. Literal na nakatingala ako dahil matangkad din siya.
He laughed. Even his voice ay pang pirata! "No, I'm not, Young Miss. My wife is the owner of this inn and also I'm your uncle's best buddy." oh, thank goodness its not him.
"T-then where is he?" Don't stutter my goodness! Napaghahalataang kinakabahan ako.
"Uhh... He's not here but, he'll return maybe in three or seven days? I don't know." what? Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napanganga. He's my uncle! Dapat nandito siya para gabayan ako! Saan naman kaya nagsusuot si tito?
"Are you serious, sir? Then what am I supposed to do here?" Ang sabi ni mother matatagpuan ko siya sa Zulric Inn pero wala siya rito so ano nang mangyayari sa'kin?
"You'll stay here for the meantime kasi sa akin ka ibinilin ng tito mo. Don't worry I got 'ya, Young Miss!" He smiled at itinuro ang sarili niya. I swear, nakita kong kumislap ang ngipin niya.
This muscle guy said his name is Hagrid. He guided me inside and I saw a lot of people drinking liquor with their comrades but, the smell of it is killing me! My head hurts! Anyway, most of their customer are guards or mercenaries based on their clothes. Napangiwi ako kasi pakiramdam ko ay nasasakal ako sa ganitong klaseng lugar.
"Are you sure it's safe for me to stay here, Hagrid? You know, it's forbidden for a kid like me to enter this place. It reeks of liquor!" Tinakpan ko ang ilong ko pero natawa lang si Hagrid. What? May nakakatawa ba sa sinabi ko? The heck? I'm just stating a fact! Ang sakit kaya sa ulo ang amoy ng alak.
"I told you I got 'ya, Young Miss. Who would touch the ge— ack!" Naputol ang sasabihin niya nang hampasin siya sa tiyan ng isang babaeng hanggang dibdib lang ni Hagrid. She looks innocent and charming because of her baby face and light pink eyes na kapag nakatingin siya sa'yo ay mapapatulala ka na lang kasi ang ganda ng pagkashade ng eyes niya.
"Darlin', what did I do? I'm just telling her that no one would mess with the ge—" she punched his gut again while smiling.
"Shut your mouth, dick head!" I gasped. Her appearance were so opposite of her personality! Who would taught that she could say something like that!
"I'm sorry my darlin'." gosh! Yung ma-matcho biglang tiklop sa babaeng ito.
She greeted me using the Yovenian's traditional style for greeting and giving respect. "The name is Faeya and I'm Hagrid's wife. Welcome, Young Miss. Unfortunately, I cannot trust this dick head here for your safety so... I will be taking care of you." she smiled.
Napanganga na lang ako sa isipan ko kasi she's so bold to say that! Ang tapang niya, ah! Buti na lang hindi siya sinasapak ng kaniyang asawa. Kung ako ang may asawa ng ganiyan ay baka matagal ko ng hinawalayan. Tsk tsk.
"What? But he said I would— Yep, sabi ko nga ikaw na. If that's the case, my wife will take care of you while your uncle's not here, Young Miss. Unfortunately, I have to leave because I have other matters to attend." he bowed and kissed his wife's forehead before he left.
"Follow me, Young Miss. I cannot let you stay in this place because you're still young." very well said, Ate Faeya.
I followed her. Dumaan siya sa pinto na nasa tapat lang ng hagdanan kasi dalawang floor itong Zulric Inn. Makitid na daanan itong tinatahak namin pero hindi naman siya madilim kasi maraming nakainstall na ilaw sa kisame. And of course, ang ilaw nila sa mundong ito ay hindi gumagamit ng electricity because it's purely made of magic.
"Where are we going?" May natatanaw kasi akong pinto sa dulo.
"To a place that you'll love, Young Miss."
I got confused but I didn't said a word. However, I couldn't stop myself to wonder. What it would be? Will I really like it? You know, maarte at mapili akong tao especially dito pa ako titira ng ilaw araw dahil nawawala si tito. Tsk tsk. Of all the people here ay dapat siya ang present. He fetched me from the Fajilans yet he's missing! Aren't he curious that maybe I'm not in a good condition? Gosh! I'm worried for my future under his care ngayon pa lang na parang he doesn't care for me. I hoped that my guess is not right because my mother wouldn't leave me to his brother's care if he can't be trusted.
Anyway, their inn is quite big that's why it took us for a while to reach the end. Ang bagal pa kasi maglakad ni Faeya kaya medyo nakaramdam din ako ng inis. Can't she walk a little bit faster? Wait... Is she a noble? Because the way she walks tells me that she had received a proper etiquette.
"Are you a noble, Faeya?"
She chuckled. "Oh, you noticed it? Yes, I am, Young Miss."
She opened the door using her Mazico. "Unlock."
Nang makalabas kami ay nakita ko ang isang bahay na napapaligiran ng mga naggagandahan at makukulay na bulaklak. This place looks peaceful and enchanting. Their house also had a unique style because it's similar to a dwarf house but, the difference is its size. It's big enough for one family.
"It seems like you're a level 4 mage and base on this place.... Maybe your rank is Class S."
Nasabi ko iyon kasi yung mga bulaklak na nakatanim dito ay kahit kailan ay hindi ko pa nakikita. It's unique, beautiful, magical and some of them emits an enchanting smell. Yung iba pa ay naglalabas ng iba't ibang kulay na particles which makes them sparkle. Parang nasa mundo ako ng mga diwata. She's right, I do love this place. The flowers here are not ordinary.
"No, you're wrong, Young Miss. I'm on the Elite rank." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. She's what?
"Then, why are you married to Hagrid? From what I know, yung mga rank na ganiyan ay usually ikinakasal sa matataas na rangko sa society saka rare pa ang ability mo. Madalang lang kasi ang nakakakuha ng level 4 ability." she laughed and pinched my right cheek. How dare she?!
"Ouch! Re-release my cheeks!" Ang walangya! Ang lakas niyang mangurot! Nang maramdaman niyang lumalayo ako at pilit na tinatanggal ang kamay niya ay pinisil din niya ang kabilang pisngi ko. What the heck?! It really hurts!
"And when did you learn that?"
"Uh... Somewhere? P-please my cheeks will get murdered!" She's scary!
"Oh my bad. I couldn't resist it because you're too cute." Is she for real? Nananadya ba siya? Ang pisngi ko nangamatis na naman!
Anyway, totoo naman ang sinasabi ko, ah! Her ability and rank is rare at kadalasan para mapreserve ang kanilang ability o kaya mapalakas ito ay ipinapakasal sila sa mga nobles na may mataas ding ability and rank. And, I doubt that Hagrid's a noble. Well, on Elisse case hindi pa yata dumating ang oras niya for marriage and currently pa siyang naninilbihan sa Silveria Family.
"I think you have a lot of questions on your mind, Young Miss. Come... let's get inside and have a cup of tea perhaps?" She smiled and walked towards the house na parang wala siyang ginawa sa pisngi ko. What the F? Talagang namamanhid na itong pisngi ko dahil sa ginawa niya taposs she acts like it's nothing?
"Hey! Take responsibil— Wait!" She opened the door at sapilitan akong pinapasok sa loob.
Magrereklamo na sana ako sa pagiging rude niya but my jaw dropped again kaso napangiwi ako kasi yung pisngi ko ay humapdi. However, the interior matched the exterior of the house. Yung sahig niya ay made of big and small flowers at once na apakan mo ay nagliliwanag ito at nag-eemit ng golden particles. To my surprise, hindi mo talaga siya literal na naapakan kasi parang may barrier kaya kapag naglalakad ako ay flat talaga ang sahig. In short, para itong 3D flowers. Pati yung mga paintings na mga bulaklak ay parang totoo because it's moving.
Pinaupo niya ako habang naghahanda siya ng tea na iinumin namin. I observed the place. Para akong nasa loob ng old tree kasi yung mga poste niya ay trunk ng puno na may bulaklak rin. Basta everything is made of flower or it had a flower decoration. It matches her appearance but not her personality.
Nakita ko siyang lumabas mula sa kusina nila at nang ilapag niya ang dala niyang tray sa lamesang kahoy ay napatigil ako. Dinampot naman niya ang isang baso mula sa tray saka ito inilapag sa tapat ko.
"Milk is healthy for you, Young Miss. And, it goes well with cookies here. Am I right?" Well, she's right but...
I crossed my arms at sumandal sa upuan. "I don't like milk. It taste so bad." I don't really drink milk but I do eat cookies. Funny isn't it? I drink tea which is bitter than milk. Well, I guess I'm used to it now that I'm in a different body.
"Oh... then, would you try flower tea?" What? May ganoon ba?
"Is it good? Ang alam ko lang kasing mga tea ay gawa sa mga herbs and such except for flowers."
Kinuha niya ang kettle at nilagyan ng tea ang tasa na nasa tray saka ito inilapag sa tapat ko. "Try it and tell me if it's to your liking."
Ininom niya ang sa kaniya habang mariing nakatitig sa'kin. Somehow, she's creepy kasi kung makatitig siya sa'kin ay parang may something. Alam niyo yung ganoong feeling? Yung feeling na nakatingin sa'yo nang hindi kumukurap ang isang cute at mukhang mahinhing tao. Kung sa iba iisipin nilang gusto ka niya or kung ano pero para sa akin ay nakakapanindig balahibo.
Kanina ko pa ito nararamdaman nang makita niya ako kanina sa inn. Hindi ko lang ito pinapansin at dahil doon hindi ko siya gaanong matarayan. Also, she's nice to me that's why there's no reason for me to be mean. Hmm... Well, it depends on my mood and her action. Siguro hindi lang ako sanay sa ganitong pakikitungo ng tao sa'kin.
Also, she always smile! Naaalala ko tuloy sa kaniya si Goddess Melian because they share the same aura except for her personality. Like akala mo she's so innocent pero kapag nagsalita na siya ay napapatanong ka na lang sa sarili mo na... tama ba yung narinig ko? Chuchu.
'I better ask her if there's something wrong with me but first, let's taste this flower tea that she's talking about. I wonder what would it taste like.'
Kinuha ko ang tasa. Ang kulay ng tsaa ay light pink at para sa akin okay lang ang amoy niya kaya uminom ako ng konti. And, to my surprise, it tastes like amazing. Hindi siya mapait basta para lang siyang juice.
"What flower is this?"
"Fermel Duzia Flower. I worked really hard to create it and I'm glad that my hard work were paid. You're the first one who tasted it before we put it on sale." oh, sana all na lang. Pinagkakakitaan niya ang kaniyang ability. While here I am... Wala pa ring pinagbago. I don't even know what is my ability.
"Ate Faeya, if you don't mind. May I know what is your relationship with my uncle? Because you two had the same surname." nakita ko kasi ang pangalan niya kanina sa necklace na suot niya.
"You have a good eyes, Young Miss. To tell you the truth, Reynold is my niece. He's my brother's son to a noble woman from Zuren Kingdom." what a small world. Kaya pala sinabi ni mama na sa Zulric Inn ko mahahanap si uncle because her auntie runs the place.
"Now... let me tend your red cheeks. It keeps distracting me. You looked nice and cute with it."