Chapter 4

ELEENA'S POV

Nasa labas na ako ng palasyo. Napag isipan kong dito muna tumambay sa garden. Konti rin ang mga kawal na nakabantay dito.

May nakita akong bench at umupo muna. My heart can't stop beating faster. Why do I still feel this? It's almost four years na Eleena! Bakit?

Did I really make this a right decision? Does it mean I'm still not ready to face him?

Napahawak nalang ako dibdib. Why do you still got hurt with those past? Why this feelings won't fade?!

Nagsibagsakan naman ang luha ko.

"Why do this tears always betrays me?" Sabi ko at pinunasan ang luha ko.

"Eleena..."

I look up and saw Zane standing infront of me. He's looking at me with those worried eyes.

Please, don't look at me like that...

Lumapit naman siya sakin at niyakap ako. I just continued crying.

"Z-zane..." I sobbed. Hinahagod niya naman ang likod ko.

"I'm sorry, I should've told you he will also come" sabi niya.

"I was wrong, Zane. I'm still not ready to face him" sabi ko. He face me and carresed my cheeks.

"No, I believe in you, Eleena. You can't just hide forever. I know you're strong" sabi niya. Umiling agad ako.

"But this heart are easy to break and get hurt. I would rather have a broken arms and legs than to f*cking have this" sabi ko at habang tinuro ang puso ko.

He take a deep breath and smiled.

"The heart are also made to be broken, Eleena.They are like wild creatures. That's why they have cages to prevent them from hurting. Just like our body we get hurt. We experience extreme pain, but it'll heal from time to time. I know this is hard for you right now but I know that you can do it. Okay?" he said and spread his arms. Agad ko siyang niyakap at ibinaon ang mukha ko sa balikat niya

"T-thank you, Zane. Thank you..." I said and hug him tightly.  Kumalas siya sa yakap namin at tumayo and offered his hand on me.

"Let's go. Let's meet, Christina" sabi niya. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at tumayo.

Pinunasan naman niya ang luha ko.

"Don't cry again okay? It hurts seeing you always crying Eleena." sabi niya.

CHRISTINA'S POV

Nasa loob ako ng office ni Zane. He told me to wait for him here. For god's sake, why does he want me to come here?

Iniwan ko pa naman si Leo dun mag isa. Buti nalang at may kausap si Leo dun na si Alejandro. Maybe he's giving the present. But why does it have to be here?

I was shock when that Emperor showed up. Akala ko di na siya pupunta dahil hindi siya sumulpot sa simbahan.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako. When I'm looking to that Emperor I started to think about Eleena and I hate him for that. Still, I don't have a choice but to invite him since he's the emperor and Leo's friend. Kung susulpot ang Emperor sa ganitong klaseng pagdiriwang ay matatawag ka nilang isa sa mga swerteng tao. Pero kung pwede lang sana na di na siya susulpot, Tsk!

Bumukas ang pintuan at bumungad si Zane.

"Zane! You brat, why do you reall--" napatigil ako ng may sumunod na babaeng pumasok. Napataas naman ang kilay ko. Who is she? I look from head to foot and she look like she's just from here. A white-haired woman with plain golden eyes.

"Who is she, Zane? Bakit nandito siya? I haven't remembered I invited you here. Kanino kang anak?" Taas kilay kong sabi.

"Christina..." Sabi niya. Napakunot naman ang noo ko.

"How dare you call my name! Wala ka bang respeto?!" Galit kong sabi at lumapit sa kanya. Hiniwakan naman ni Zane ang balikat ko.

"Calm down, Christina" kalmang sabi ni Zane. Nilingon niya yung babae at tumango.

What are they doing?

Tinignan ko ang babae at tumango ito. Nabigla ako ng may lumitaw na black magic circle sa paanan niya.

Black? Dont tell me!

Nagulat ako ng kung sino ang bumungad sa harap ko.

I-is this a dream?

"E-eleena?" Sabi ko at hinawakan ang pisngi niya.

"It's me, Christina" sabi niya. Agad ko siyang niyakap ng mahigpit.

"Eleena! O my! You showed up! You finally showed up! I miss you!" Iyak kong sabi.

"Congratulations on wedding" sabi niya at niyakap ako pabalik.

Kumalas ako sa yakap.

"Your wedding dress really suits you" sabi niya at ngumiti. She wiped my tears and look to Zane.

Nilingon ko naman si Zane.

"That's my present for you" sabi niya. I walk towards him and hug him. Mukhang nagulat pa siya sa pagkayakap ko.

"Thank you, Zane. It's a best gift you have given to me" I said. Since palaging palaka ang binibigay ng lalaking to sakin.

We talk for several minutes and I immediately go back to the celebration. They explained everything to me. Dapat wala ring makaka alam na nandito siya and I understand them. I know she has a reason for it.

Pagkapasok ko ay lumingon naman si Leo sakin.

"How about the present he gave to you? Is it beautiful?" Tanong niya. Napangiti naman ako.

"It's beyond beautiful, Dear" I said and hold his hand.

"Then, it's a good thing" sabi niya. I'm sorry Leo but I can't tell you about Eleena. It's a secret between of us. I know my brother has a plan for it.

"Leo, have you heard anything about, Eleena?" Tanong ko. Napatingin naman siya sakin.

Umiling naman siya.

"We don't know where she have gone to. She cut all the ties we have on her. Vanished like a thin air.  She even remove the curse in the border. That would  be a great help on the border since the tree has gotten weaker" sabi niya.

That would be bad. There is a possibility that It may cause a war again. If Eleena would give a ritual to it. There's a chance we can prevent it.

I look to the front and saw the Emperor talking to Kiel. I don't know why but I feel disgusted while looking at him.

All of the people represent him like the sun but his heart is colder than this place. His heart is filled with darkness...

I smirked.

A sun that could make your life filled with darkness.

ELEENA'S POV

Several hours have past natapos na rin ang celebration. Nagsiuwian narin ang lahat ng noble.

Si Leo at Christina ay umuwi na sa Therondia. Sa bahay ni Leo. I can't even have a proper farewell to christina.

After that Zane annouce that I would be a palace guest for a mean time. Everyone treated me good. And I'm here with Zane. Nasa garden kami ngayon. He invited me for a night walk.

Nagkausap daw sila nibChristina bago sila umalis. It's about the Golden Tree in the palace. And the barrier that the tree gives has gotten weaker.

And it's true that I removed the curse on the border. I decided to remove it since the tree has already given a barrier and also cut my ties on them especially to Caspian.

But it happened unexpectedly to meet them again.

"You have to do a ritual on the tree, Eleena. Yun lang ang paraan para walang masamang mangyari satin" sabi niya. Napayuko ako. Am I ready?

"I don't know, Zane" yun lang ang lumabas sa bibig ko. Napabuntong hininga naman siya at tinapik yung likod ko.

"Okay, I'll give you some time to think about it." Sabi niya at ngumiti. Zane is such a good man. Bakit ba kay Caspian pa ako nahulog? Bakit di kay Zane?

"Thank you" I said. Napag isipan naman naming bumalik na sa palasyo. He said he'll take Anne in my room later.

Nasa loob na ako ng kwarto and I'm waiting for Anne to show up. I missed her. Ano na kaya ang kalagayan niya ngayon?

I smiled wgen.

"Come in" I said. Bumukas ito at bumungad si Anne.

"Good evening, milady" sabi niya at nagbow sakin.

She gotten more beautiful. Tumangkad narin siya. She look like a proper lady now.

Tears started to fall on my cheeks. Nagulat naman siya ng nakita akong umiiyak.

"Is there something--"

I immediately hug her.

"Anne...I missed you" I sobbed.

"E-eleena?" Utal niyang sabi. Kumalas ako ng yakap. I saw a tear fall on her cheek.

"Yes, it's me Anne" I said and smile. Napahawak naman siya sa bibig niya.

"I-ikaw ba talaga yan?" Sigurado niya. Tumango naman ako.

"Eleena!" She said and hug me. Hinahagod ko naman ang likod niya habang siya iyak ng iyak.

Pinabayaan ko muna siyang umiyak. Tumahan naman siya ng ilang minuto kaya ikwinento ko sakanya lahat.

"I'm sorry for what happened, I've caused you trouble. Sana mapatawad mo ako" Sabi ko. Tinapik niya naman ang balikat ko.

"Okay lang yun. Hindi kita sinisisi. Buhay pa naman ako oh" sabi njya at tumawa. Napangiti nalang ako. I'm glad that Zane took them here. I would be worried about them if they still continue to stay on that palace.

"I want to talk a lot about you but you have to take a rest now, Eleena. Mag uusap nalang tayo bukas" sabi niya. Nagpaalam na siya sakin at umalis. Bumalik nanaman sa isip ko yung sinabi ni Zane.

Zane was right. I have to do this. Sa ikakabuti to ng lahat. I only have to do the ritual nothing more than that.

I just closed my eyes and decided to sleep.

Hapon na ako nagising kaya agad akong naligo at nagbihis. I did have a proper meal and dessert. It's been a while since I've tasted this kinds of food. Kulang nalang akong maging kambing dun sa bukid na kakagat sa mga gulay doon.

Zane is busy with his paperworks so I'm here in his office looking at him. I wanted to help him but he insisted. Kaya nandito ako nakatingin lang sakanya. Wala dito yung knight niya dahil may trabaho dawng ginagawa.

When looking at him. I started to see Caspian on him. Just like what we always did in his office. Watching him from here.

Agad naman akong napailing.

Hayst, get a hold of yourself Eleena!

Napatigil kami ng may kumatok sa pintuan. Bumungad naman si Sir Gregor. Medyo naging mature na ang mukha niya. But I'm glad he's still doing fine.

"What is it, Gregor" sabi ni Zane.

"Captain Lux wanted you to meet immediately outside, Your Highness" sabi niya. Tumingin naman sakin si Zane bago tumayo.

"Babalik din ako" sabi niya. Tumango naman agad ako. I gave his coat at umalis siya.

Napaupo naman ako pabalik at sumadal. I have no choice but to wait for him.

Pero 1 oras na ang nakalipas di parin siya nakabalik. Bat ang tagal niya?

Im starting to get worried so I get out. Sakto namang bumungad si Sir Gregor. Napatigil naman siya ng makita ako.

"What can I help you, milady?" Sabi niya.

"Did you perhaps know where His Highness go off to?" Tanong ko.

"He went to the border milady"

Napatigil naman ako sa sinabi niya. Border? Ano namang gagawin niya doon? Nakita naman niyang nagtaka ako kaya nag patuloy sa sa pagsalita.

"The barrier has been breached, milady. A lot of demons entered the border. Pumunta sila para tumul---" hindi ko na siya pinatapos at agad tumakbo palabas.

What? The barrier breached? In times like this?!

Tumakbo ako malayo sa palasyo at agad huminto sa bakanteng lote. I immediately summoned Obi and hop in.

"Obi, to the Imperial Palace. Now" I said.

DONE CHAPTER 4

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