Chapter 16

ELEENA'S POV

Two days have passed when Zane and I went to the capital. I was preparing myself for our departure. Kalaunan ay pumayag akong sumama sa Zodvic. Leo went to my room and pleaded. I care for the people of Zodvic kung yun ang ikabubuti nilang lahat fun ay gagawin ko.

I was standing in front of the mirror fixing my tie. I just wear a suit. A black one.

Tinago ko ang kwintas sa loob ng damit ko. I'm still grateful because I still felt that mom is always gyiding me wherever I'm going.

I heard a knock on the door. Binuksan ko ito at bumungad si Martha.

"Lady Dolan, the carriage is ready" sabi niya kaya tumango lang ako. Lumabas na ako sa kwarto at sinamahan niya ako palabas.

Naalala kong Linggo pala ngayon. Apat na araw nalang ay karaawan ko na. Napangiti nalang ako ng mapait. No one would ever celebrate my birthday just like in the Wonfez. Thinking that it is just like a normal day for me.

Nakalabas na kami ng palasyo. Nakita ko namang nakahanda na sina Leo at Alejandro. Lumapit ako sa kanila at bumati and they just smiled.

Palinga linga ako at napataas ang kilay ko. Walang isang bakanteng kabayo rito.

"Asan ang kabayo ko?" Tanong ko na ikinataka nilang dalawa.

"Eleena, you will join with Caspian  inside the carriage" sabi niya. Napakunot naman ako at lumingon sa carriage. He was already there sitting at malalim ang iniisip.

Tsk! There's no way I would join him.

"I would prefer riding a horse" walang emosyon kong sabi. Alejandro was about to talk when Leo stop him.

"Okay, I understand." Sabi niya at ngumiti.

"Captain Sebas" tawag niya. Nakita ko namang tumango siya at umalis.

"What is going on here?"

Napalingon naman kaming lahat kay Caspian. He was standing infront of us.

"Greetings, Your Majesty" I greeted.

"Lady Dolan said that she would prefer o. Riding a horse" sabi ni Alejandro. Napansin ko namang tumingin siya siya. I just gave him a cold look. It lasted 5 second until he turn his back at us.

"Do whatever you whatever you want" he said in a serious tone. Napangisi naman ako.

There's no need for me to tell me that Caspian. I would do whatever I want to.

Ilang minuto ay nakarating na si Captain Sebas na may dalang kabayo. Its a black Stallion.

"Here it is, Lady Dolan" sabi niya. I thank him and immediately hop on the horse.

"Shall we get going?" Tanong ni Leo at tumango lang ako. Nagsimula ng umandar ang Carriage kaya agad kaming sumunod.

CASPIAN'S POV

Napapikit ako ng bigla namang sumakit ang ulo ko. What the f*ck is wrong with me?

I take a glimpse of her and she was talking to Leo. The way she talk and express her reaction is far too different when she's infront of me and talking.

I've waited for her to hop on the carriage but she chose to ride a horse. That's the reason why she wear a suit and not a dress. I have some matter to talk to her but it looks like she doesn't want to talk to me anymore.

Those cold gazes and looks she gave when I was standing in front of her digs through my heart ang being crumpled. I don't know why am I feeling this but it looks right.

Did I miss something?

ELEENA'S POV

"So, how's your date with Zane?"

Napakunot naman ang noo ko at nilingon si Leo.

Date? Anong date ang pinagsasabi niya.

"What are you talking about?" Sabi ko. Napakunot naman ang noo niya.

"Diba nag date kayo ni Zane? Sa Capital?" Sabi niya.

"We're not dating. Were just having fun" I said.

"Oh, I thought you were dating" sabi niya at tumawa. Inirapan ko nalang siya at tumingin sa daan.

"How's Christina?" Sabi ko habang nakatingin sa daan.

"She's doing fine. Gusto ka nga daw niyang makita" rinig kong sabi niya. Matagal naring di ko nakita si Christina. I should visit her soon.

"I shall visit her soon" I said and look at him. He smiled. Naging mature na ng konti ang mukha ni Leo even Alejandro.

"How was your life when you were away from the empire?" Tanong ni Alejandro.

"More better than this" sabi ko. Nakita ko namang napatahimik silang dalawa. They seemed down to what I answered. Nababuntong hininga nalang ako.

"But, I still have my responsibility to do in the empire. Di ko pwedeng matakasan yun" sabi ko. If that tree can still continue to live without me. I should never show myself to them until my death comes.

But I know that everything has a reason. What I'm doing right now has a reason. Everything has a reason.

4 na oras kaming byumahe At nakarating na kami sa Zodvic. Sakto ang pagdating namin dahil tumigil ang ulan.

Nagulat ako sa resulta ng ulan sa Zodvic. Maputik. Sa ibang parte ng lupa ay may baha. Umapaw narin ang mga kanal na ipinagawa nila.

Ang ibang bahay na nasa mababang parte ng lupa ay binaha na. As we passing a village maraming mga tao ang nakatingin samin. Madudumi na ang kanilang damit at naka paa lang sila. Nakababad sa putik ang mga paa nila.

Napakagat nalang ako sa labi. Napalingon naman ako kay Leo ng tinapik niya ang balikat ko.

"Wala kang kasalanan Eleena. The good thing is mapapabago na natin ang Zodvic and that's because of you. Kaya wag kang malungkot. Magiging okay din ang lahat" sabi niya. Tumango naman ako at tumingin sa harapan.

After we passed the village is we saw a group of knights and mages. Bumaba ako sa kabayo. Napangiti naman ako nang may damo sa ditong parte ng lupa.

Nakita kong bumaba si Caspian sa carriage at may sumalubong sa kanya.

"Greetings, Lady Dolan"

Napalingon naman ako salikod konat nagulat ng makita si Mage Wei.

"Sir Wei, Why are you here?" Tanong konat bumati rin sakanya.

"I was one of being given the special gift of magic" sabi niya. Tumango naman ako. It's a couple of years since nakita ko siya. The last time I saw him was when I'm running unto the battlefield to save Caspian.

He said that he is the head of the mission.

"Thanks to you we can now save the Zodvic" sabi niya. Umiling naman ako.

"Sa ikabubuti rin naman lahat ng tao dito" sabi ko. Tumango naaman siya at dinala ako sa isang parteng lupa na pagtataniman nila.

The mages started to grow the trees they bought.

"Ilang lote na ang napagtaniman?" Tanong ko. Tinuro naman nila ang magkabilang gilid ng Zodvic.

"Dito at sa harap ng Zodvic nalang ang dipa natataniman. We've also check the result and it was doing good" ngiting sabi niya. Tumango nalang ako at tinignan ang mga mages. They were working hard for the better of Zodvic.

"Greetings, Your Majesty"  rinig kong sabi ni Wei. Lumingon ako sa likod at nakita si Caspian na nakatingin sakin.

"Greetings, Your Majesty" sabi ko at nag bow.

"I want to talk with Lady Dolan alone" sabi niya. Tango naman si Wei at umalis.

Ano nanaman ba pakay niya ngayon?

"What do you want" seryoso kong sabi.

"What was the report" sabi niya na ikakunot ng noo ko.

"Why don't you ask Mr. Wei for that?" Sabi ko na ikinaseryoso niya. He take a deep breath and look at my suit.

"It's unusual seeing you wearing that kind of clothing" sabi niya.

"I can wear whatever I want" sabi ko at tumalikod sakanya. Gusto ko nang umalis siya sa paningin ko. Nababalot ng poot ang puso ko pagnakikita siya. Di ko mapapatawad ang ginawa niya kay Obi.

"You really do hate me" rinig kong sabi na ikinatawa ko. Di pa ba obvious Caspian?

"Sa ginawa mo sa familiar ko ni kahit sinong tao na saktan ang mahal niya sa buhay ay magagalit. You nearly killed my f*cking familiar" diin kong sabi.

"If it wasn't for the tree. I would never show myself to you anymore." Sabi ko pero nakatingin lang siya sakin. Napakunot naman ang noo ko ng napasapo siya sa noo niya.

Tinignan ko siya at nakapikit lang ito at parang may dinidiin na sakit. Why am I starting to get panicked?

"C-caspian?" Tawag ko sakanya. Nagulat ako ng napaluhod ito sa lupa. I immediately kneeled and held his shoulder.

What the heck is happening to him?!

"Arrgghhh!!!" Sigaw niya. Nakahawak siya sa buhok niya at hinihila niya ito.

"Caspian? Answer me?! Hey! Anong nangyayari sayo?!"sabi ko pero sumisigaw lang siya sa sakit.

"Eleena..." he said in a stuttered voice.

Napatigil ako sa narinig ko. This is the first time he called me on that name. Tinignan niya ako sa mata at bigla siyang napabagsak sa balikat ko.

"LEOOOOO!!!!"

DONE CHAPTER 16

PLEASE LIKE,COMMENT, and SHARE