Chapter 41

ELISE'S POV

"Greetings, Lady Stroban" bati ni Lux sakin. I just smiled and entered the Palace. Bumalik ulit ako dito. I still heard from Ken na ganun parin si Zane.

Takot akong bumalik dito ng sinigawan ako no Zane pero nilakasan ko ang loob ko. I know it's painful for him because of what happened but It's also painful for me to see him like that. Zane is precious to me.

I love him...

Matagal ko na siyang mahal noon pa and he knows about that. I confess my love to him but he told me the he doesn't have any special feelings for me and he's also getting married to Ashley Audler. We even promise back then na ako ang papakasalan niya ako. Pero iba talaga ang takbo ng mundo at sa buhay naming dalawa.

Masakit para sakin pero kailangan kong tanggapin at alam kong di niya sasaktan si Zane. I've known her from a few tea parties that I've been attend. She's a pretty lady with a kind heart. She once help me by giving her other pair of sandals. Bumigay kasi ang takong ng suot kong sandal. I was embarrassed at that time because the othe ladies were laughing at me. I was glad she help me than joining the other ladies laughing.

"Greetings, Lady Stroban" bati ng kawal sa labas ng office ni Zane. I just nooded and he opened the door. I entered the room and immediately greeted him.

"Greetings, Your Highness" I said and courtesy. He was doing his paperworks.

"Elise, what are you doing in here? You should have sent a notice before coming here" walang emosyon niyang sabi.

"I came here to visit you" sabi ko. Binaba niya ang quill at tinignan ako.

"You don't need to visit me Elise. Di na tayo bata katulad ng dati" sabi niya at tumingin sa mga papel. Napangiti nalang ako ng mapakla.

Yeah, he's right. I just want to see him. That's all

"May sasabihin ka pa ba?" Sabi niya. Tumingin ako kay Ken at nginitian lang ako. I smiled back and look at Zane.

"Yes" sabi ko.

"Then, take a seat. Ken, tell the maids to make her some tea" sabi niya at sumunod naman si Ken. Agad naman akong naglakad papunta sa sofa at umupo.

"What do you want to talk about Elise. I'm quite busy right now" sabi niya.

"Ipagpatuloy mo muna yan. Baka nakakadisturbo ako. Kaya ko namang maghintay" sabi ko at pilit na ngumiti. Nakita kong nagpatuloy siya sa pagsulat. His face looks tired. Parang wala siyang saktong tulog.

When they're getting married. I decided for myself na lumayo muna para maibsan yung sakit. It really hurts when you see someone you love getting married to somebody else.

But then a few weeks, Ashley Audler died when their carriage were ambushed by the bandits and killed them. I was sad when I heard the news that she died. Kung sa ibang babae pa matutuwa sila. I know Zane didn't love her but Ashley is a good woman.

Many months have passed. I decided to go see Zane again but that was the time when Lady Eleena entered this world and also his life. Akala ko may tyansa na ako sa kanya pero hindi pa pala. Lady Eleena had such beautiful black shiny hair and purple eyes. I saw her when both of them went out to go see the mountain wolves.

I also knew Zane let Lady Eleena use my name. I was fine with it as long as di niya ito gagawin sa masama. For all these years I haven't had a chance to prove myself. Ano namang mapapala ko kung aawayin ko siya? Magiging sakin ba si Zane? Magiging daan lang yung na lalayo siya sakin.

He was into Lady Eleena. I tried my best to let me notice him but it didn't work. The Emperor made her the Future Empress and Zane didn't even care about that because I know Zane will surely get what he wants. Paghihirapan niya ito kung ano man ang mangyari.

He didn't cry when Ashley died but when I saw him crying because of Lady Eleena broke my heart. Seeing him crying and hurting like that proves that he really love that woman.

Ano naman magagawa ko? I'm just a woman who didn't love back. He was happy when she's with that woman kaya napaubaya ako. Mas gusto kong makita siyang sumaya sa piling ng iba kesa sa maging akin siya pero di ko na makikita ulit ang ngiti niya.

Napatingin naman ako kay Zane ng binaba niya ang quill at may kinuhang papel. Nakita kong napangiti ito ng mapakla at binalik sa gilid ang papel.

That woman is lucky. The man that I love has fallen inlove with her...

ELEENA'S POV

I take a bite of the cookies and look outside the window. Zane didn't send back a letter. It's been days when I sent him the letter.

"May problema ba?"

Napatingin naman ako kay Caspian. Nasa office niya ako ngayon.

"Nothing. May naisip lang" sabi ko at ngumiti. He smiled back and continue his work. In this passed days naging tahimik ang buhay ko. Walang masamang nagyari. Patuloy parin ako sa pagpapagaling.

Napatingin ako sa pintuan ng bumukas ito. Leo entered and walk towards me. Nagtaka naman ako ng may inilahad siyang sulat.

"Para sayo. It came from the Winter Kingdom. Hinatid yan ng familiar ni Zane" sabi niya na ikinatigil ko. I immediately grab and opened it.

Dear Eleena,

I'm sorry if I didn't reply to your letter immediately. I was quite busy. Yun din ang rason kung bakit di kita napuntahan nung gising kana but I'm happy you are doing okay now. Don't worry about me. I'm fine...

Love,
Zane

"What is it?" rinig kong tanong ni Caspian.

"Sagot niya sa sulat na pinadala ko nung nakaraang araw" sabi ko.

"Give to me" sabi niya na ikinataka ko. Tumayo naman ako at binigay sakanya. Binasa niya iyon at pagakatapos nilagay sa drawer. Napansin ko naman sa pagbukas niya na may dalawang sulat na di pa bukas. That crest... It came from the Winter Kingdom.

I was right. He's the one who kept it. Kaya di ko natanggap ang mga sulat ni Zane noon.

I look outside the window and saw the Golden Tree.

"Caspian, Gusto kong bisitahin yung Puno" sabi ko habang nakatingin doon.

"Why? You're still weak. You must stay here with me" rinig kong sabi niya.

"It's been weeks since the last time I check it. Gusto ko lang malaman kung okay lang ba yung puno" sabi ko at tinignan siya. Nakita kong napabuntong hininga ito.

"Fine, but let Alejandro come with you" sabi niya na ikinangiti ko. Sakto namang pumasok si Alejandro sa office.

"Thank you" ngiting sabi ko. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at ngumiti.

"You're Welcome" he said and let go of my hand.

"Alejandro. Call Anne to grab a parasol. It's hot outside" sabi ni Caspian. Lumapit naman ako kay Alejandro. Nakasimangot ito na ikinatawa ko.

"Anong nangyare sayo?" Pigil kong tawa.

"Ngayon lang natapos ang training. Akala ko makakapag pahinga na, hindi pa pala" simangot niyang sabi.

"Wag ka nang magreklamo kung ayaw mong magalit si Caspian. Tara na" sabi ko at hinila siya palabas. Ilang minuto ay dumating si Anne para ibigay sakin ang Parasol.

"Thank you Anne" sabi ko.

"Walang anuman. Mag iingat kayo ha?" Sabi niya at diretsong nagpaalam dahil may gagawin pa siya.

Nagsimula naman kaming dalawang maglakad palabas sa palasyo.

"Don't worry Alejandro. Saglit lang tayo dun" sabi ko at nagpigil ng tawa. Di pa kasi nawawala yung simangot niya. He have this fierce look but when you know him more. Makikita mo yung ibang ugali ni Alejandro. He also had this Childish attitude.

Di ko ma-iimagine ang reaksyon ng makakatuluyan niya pag makita niya ang ganitong side ni Alejandro.

Nakalabas na kami ng palasyo. Alejandro is about to open the parasol when We heard someone called my name.

Nakita ko si Felisha na tumatakbo papunta dito. Bawal tumakbo ng ganyan ang isang prinsesa but Felisha also likes to break the rules. She don't give a sh*t about it.

"Felisha, anong ginagawa mo dito? " Tanong ko. She was catching her breath and wiped her forehead. Nakayuko ito at nakahawak sa makabilang tuhod niya.

"I finally found you! Kanina pa ako libot ng libot sa Empire na toh!" Sabi niya.

"Take a deep breath first Felisha. Pawis na pawis ka" sabi ko at hinawakan ang likod niya. Inangat naman niya ang ulo niya.

"I just want to give this yo-------" nagtaka naman ako ng tumigil siya sa pagsalita. I shook when she suddenly did the courtesy.

"G-greetings, P-prince Alejandro" utal niyang sabi. She was staring at Alejandro like she was amazed by his beauty. Alejandro smiled and bowed at her.

"It was nice to see you. Princess Felisha" sabi niya. Nakita kong namula si Felisha na ikinangiti ko.

"H-here, take this Eleena. Makakatulong yan sayo. Alis na ako. Bye!" Sabi niya. I was about to thank her when I saw her already running away.

Ganun na ba talaga siya nahihiya?

Napalingon ako kay Alejandro ng napatawa ito. He was also looking at Felisha running fast. Dinaig pa ang cheetah.

"She's interesting" bulas niya. Napangiti naman ako at sinundot ang gilid niya.

"Interesado ka sakanya? She's an interesting woman. You might like her" sabi ko. Binuksan niya naman ang parasol at naglakad palabas. Langya! Di pinansin ang sinabi ko.

"Hey! Gusto mo siya noh? Bat di mo sinagot ang tanong ko?" Sabi ko at humabol sa kanya. Tinignan ko ang mukha niya at nagulat sa nakita.

He's blushing...

F*ck! The death machine is blushing!!!!!!

"Keep it a secret a Eleena. Pagkakalat to alam kong ikaw ang may pakana" banta niyang sabi na ikinatawa ko. I can't believe the death machine of the Empire has fallen inlove.

DONE CHAPTER 41

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