Special Chapter: Curse

CAYDEN'S POV

"Your Highness" the butler greeted and bow his head. Pagkalabas ko ng kwarto ay agad rin niyang isinara ito.

"Where's Caleb, Uncle?" I ask.

"I suppose your brother is not yet awake" he said. I look at him and he gave me a confuse look.

"What is the problem, Your highness?" He ask.

The father of the Fairy Queen...Uncle Gregor. Seeing those white strands on his hair indicates of him being old. Even though he's just our butler in this empire, I have my biggest respect on him since he's a good friend of my mother years ago.

Umiling ako at ngumiti ng unti "Nothing, Uncle. You look good today" I said and continue to walk. I notice a smile formed into his lips na ikinangiti ko nalang din. I heard he use to work in the hands of the King of Winter Kingdom before and came back here after mom and dad got married.

I decided to go check Caleb. I'm sure that boy is still sleeping.

"You're free to go now, Uncle. You can have your free time, no need to escort me" I said. He nod and bowed his head.

"Then I shall take my leave, Your Highness" he said and left. I immediately go to Caleb's room. Napailing nalang ako nang makita si Caleb na tulog pa. Umupo ako sa gilid ng kama.

"Caleb, wake up. Umaga na" I slowly shake his shoulder. He slowly open his eyes and turn his head to me.

"Kuya?" Dahan-dahan siyang bumangon.

"Matagal ka nanamang natulog" I said look to his side table. Magdamag na namang nagbabasa to.

"I can't stop reading it and accidentally finish reading it" he said while rubbing his eyelids.

The books of spells... Caleb loves to read books especially when it comes to magic.

"Is Celestine already awake?" He ask. Napalingon kaming dalawa sa pintuan ng bumukas ito. Bumungad si Rose ang personal maid ni Caleb. Nagulat siya nang makita ako at agad bumati.

"You're late, Rose" I said and stood up.

"I haven't seen Celestine yet. Prepare yourself, Leb. You'll be having magic class at 10. Your favorite" Tinignan ko ang oras at alas otso na. Agad siyang bumangon at nilapitan siya ni rose.

"Then I'll leave now. See you later" he nod and I left. Naglakad ako patungo sa office ni Dad. I hope Celestine and Mom is there right now.

When the knights saw me they immediately open the door and greeted.

"Greetings, Your Highness" bati nila at diretso lang ako sa pagpasok.

"Mom----" napahinto ako at madismayang wala si mom and celestine sa loob.

"Oh, Cayden. Ikaw pala, come sit" Uncle Leo said with a smile. Umupo ako sa sofa habang siya ay nasa upuan ni dad nagsusulat. Even Dad is not here, he must be in the throne room right now.

"Where are they?" I ask. Tumayo si Uncle Leo at umupo sa tapat ko.

"Your Dad has some matters to do. Si Eleena at Celestine nasa dining room, kumakain pa" sabi niya.

"Uncle Leo, I have a question" he raise his eyebrows

"Hmm? What is it?" He said with a big smile on his face.

"Bakit ang pangit mo?"

LEO'S POV

Unti-unting nawala ang ngiti ko nang marinig ang sinabi niya. Parang gusto kong manakal ng bata ngayon! Kamukhang-kamukha ni Felix ang batang 'to pero ang ugali mala Eleena ang impostora! Nakooo kung pwede lang talaga manakal ng anak ng emperor ginawa ko na!

"What do you mean?" I ask. He grab a cookie at the table and eat it.

"Just came out of my mind" he said. Kung pwede lang hindi makulong.

"Did you actually mean that I'm ugly?" I ask in a low tone voice. Kailangan kung isipin na nagkamali lang siya dahil bata palang. Kahit matalino siya sa murang edad eh bata parin.

"I'm just kidding, Uncle" he said and let out a small giggle. Umagang-umaga sinusubukan na talaga ako! Pagod na pagod pa ako sa kakainggay ng mga anak ko sa bahay, dito naman sa palasyo ay sinusubukan ang pagkatao ko!

"Your pretty, Uncle" napataas ang kilay ko.

"Pretty? Hindi gwapo?" I ask.

"You have long hair so your pretty" napabuntong hininga nalang ako. Let just let this slide. Nagbibiro lang naman siya eh.

"Here's actually my question, Uncle. And I know you can answer it" he said.

"What is it?"

"You're my Mom's magic teacher before, right?"

"Yes, Why?" I ask.

"Can you tell me what Mom looks like before?" He ask. I smiled and lean on the sofa. Kahit matalino tong batang to marami paring tanong especially about the past. The past was a mess but a key to have this kind of present.

"Well, Eleena is quite good in using her magic. Madaling turuan" I said.

"The scar on her right hand..." He said.

"Oh, That was her scar from the battle. You know what your mom sacrifice her life for the people. She's an amazing woman" I said. Kahit pangit ang ugali ng babaeng yun.

"Why is she good at magic, Uncle?"

"Your Grandfather is the Holiness and has been bless by the Higher-ups and gain divine powers"

"But as years goes by your mom is getting fragile. That's why she's need attention from our tower mages and doctors" dugtong ko. After Celestine was born three years ago, Eleena must not bare another child anymore, because there's a chance she might not make it.

"But why Mom doesn't look weak to me?" He ask. Tumayo ako at tumabi sa kanya.

"Because Eleena doesn't want to look weak in front of his children" I said. I pat his head and smiled.

"In the future, you'll be the next emperor of Zemira, Cayden. I'll be expecting much more of you, but don't push too hard. I know you can do it. Trials are normal"

"Am I going to just like Dad in the future?" A title of an Emperor is a big responsibility.

"Yes, you'll be going to be the best emperor of Zemira, just like your Dad right now" I said.

"How about mom's sword skills?" He ask.

"Talking about her sword skills I guess it's not that good. Your Grandmother is a pro in welding sword and forging her magic to her sword"

"So Mom really takes after Grandpa?" I smiled and nod.

"What does Grandpa look like, Uncle?" I look at the time. I guess I still have some time.

"Your Grandfather has pretty hair as white as snow and golden eyes. He's so kind that the people loves and adored him. Kapag may nangyayaring masama sa mama mo ay palaging siyang nasa tabi siya. He's like an guardian angel of your mother" napangiti nalang ako sa naalala. If Xian didn't die, this kids will definitely learn a lot from him.

"Then what about dad, Uncle? Is he doing good years ago? Just like mom?" Napangiwi ako sa narinig. I mean may magandang nagawa naman si Felix pero lamang parin yung pagiging sira ulo niya.

"Well, your father is not that good doing in the past" sabi ko na ikinataas ng kilay niya.

"What do you mean?"

"A lot happened in the past, Cayden. Maraming nangyari na hindi kaya ng matalino kong utak" sabi ko.

"Don't lie,Uncle. Mama told me your already dumb in the first place"

Napalingon ako sa pintuan at makita si Caleb na nakatayo.

"Yeah, don't lie to us" Cayden laugh habang si Caleb ay nakangisi at umupo sa tapat namin.

Nakoooo isa patong batang to manang-mana talaga ni Eleena! Barang-bara ako sa batang to kaya ayaw kong makita ang batang to sa palasyo.

"What? Did Eleena told you that?" I said in a serious. Bwiset talaga ang gagang yun!

"Yep, she told us a lot from you about how dumb you are" he said. Ito ba talaga ang pambayad ni Eleena sa utang na loob niya sakin? Edi sana di ko nalang tinuruan ang gagang yun!

"Haha I guess you mom is just k-kidding, Caleb" sabi ko at pilit na ngumiti. Magsisimula na ba akong maghukay? Ang sarap ng ilibing ang dalawang to! Sana hindi ganito si Celestine!

"Dad even told us your dumb doings" ngising sabi ni Caleb. What the f*ck? Even Felix?

"Stop it, Caleb. Uncles gonna cry if you continue" pigil tawang sabi ni Cayden. Kung manlait tong mga batang to tagos sa puso. Napatingin ako sa lamesa ng makita ang dalang libro. Napansin iyon ni Caleb at kinuha ito.

Mahika?

"Why are you here, Caleb? You have classes,right?" sabi ni Cayden.

"Yovyl didn't show up. The class has been cancelled" Caleb answered. That book looks familiar.

"Uncle, you know about this book, right? Mahika?"

"The creator of this book is around your age. You must have known him before" he said.

"Really?"

Tumango siya. "He's name is Troy Klevzan from The Elf Kingdom" my eyes widen as I heard his name. Now I remembered Troy made that book about spells when we were in Nethilor. He's quite famous for being extraordinary and his smart ass brain. Di ko lang alam bakit nabobo yun pagdating kay Roselia.

"Yes, he is indeed around my age" I answered.

"I heard that he betrayed the empire, Uncle. Is it true?" 

"He actually didn't betrayed the empire, nadamay lang siya" I said. Kung hindi lang siya nabulag kay Roselia ay isa na siya sa mga kilalang magaling na otor sa Zemira.

"What about you, Uncle? What were you doing in those times? I'm sure Uncle Alejandro and Tito Kiel is doing good" Cayden said. Napatawa ako at inakbayan siya.

"Of course I am! Hahaha I'm even more better than them" I said proudly but my smile slowly fades when the two look at me with doubting eyes.

"Really? Or maybe your just following Aunt Christina all around" sabi ni Caleb na ikinasimangot ko. Kung alam lang sana ng dalawang toh ang mga paghihirap ko dahil sa tatay nila na palaging iniiwan ang trabaho!

"You both don't know my suffering, kids. I almost died because of your parents" bwiset mamatay ako dahil sa stress na binibigay ng magulang niyo!

"Dad said you're sa scene crasher" sabi ni Caleb na ikinataas ng kilay ko.

Scene crasher? What does he mean by that?

"Scene crasher?" Tumango naman siya.

"That's why I don't want you to see and get close to me at all times" sabi niya sabay kuha ng cookies. Napangisi ako ng makuha ang sinabi niya.

HAHAHA! Well I guess I am an indeed scene crasher

ELEENA'S POV

"Mom, I want to see Kuya Cayden and Kuya Caleb" Celestine said as we got out from the dining room.

"Okay, we'll go see them" I said and put her down. Napatingin ako sa daanan ng makita si Sir Gregor na naglalakad patungo samin.

"Sir Gregor" ngiting bungad ko sakanya. He bowed his head and smiled.

"Greetings, Your Majesty" he said. Tumakbo ang tatlong taon kong anak at niyakap ang binti niya.

"Uncle!" ngiting tawag niya na ikinatawa ni Sir Gregor at lumuhod sa harapan niya.

"Greetings, Your Highness" he greeted. Celestine giggled and hug him. Celestine also loves Sir Gregor. Parang lolo na ang tingin niya sakanya lalo narin ang dalawang anak kong lalaki.

"Eleena?"

Napalingon ako sa likod at napangiti ng makita si Caspian.

"Caspian!" sinalubong niya ako ng yakap at hinalikan ang noo ko.

"Tapos ka na?" Tanong ko at tumango naman siya.

"How's your body? Are you feeling better? Wala bang masakit sa katawan mo? How about your head?" He ask. I chuckled and shake my head.

"I'm fine, Caspian. Don't worry" I said and smiled. He gave me a worried look. For the past few days nagkasakit ako at grabe yung alala nuya sakin. My body's getting weaker.

"Don't push yourself too hard, okay? Baka magkasakit sa ulit" alala niyang sabi at tumango lang ako. Nilingon niya si Celestine na buhat-buhat ni Sir Gregor. 

"Dad!" masayang sabi ni Celestine. Agad siyang binigay ni Sir Gregor kay Caspian at agad sinalubong ni Celestine and ama niya ng yakap.

"Hello, my princess" Caspian said and kiss her cheek.

"Then, I shall take my leave, Your Majesties" Sir Gregor said and left.

"Where's the two?" Caspian ask.

"Maybe at your office. They always come to visit you there" I answered. Agad kaming dumeretso sa office niya at saktong nandito ang ang dalawa kasama si bobong Leo.

Cayden stood up and hug me "Good Morning" he said as I hug him back. Hinalikan ko ang noo niya at ganun din kay Caleb. Binaba ni Caspian si Celestine at niyakap ang dalawa pa niyang anak. I can't deny that Caspian is really good father to my children. Hindi siya nauubosan ng oras para sa mga anak niya. He always gives time to spend with them.

"Did you wait too long?" Caspian ask.

"Not too long and we got Uncle Leo. Marami rin kami g pinaguusapan" sagot ni Cayden. Nilingon ko si Leo at saktong nakatingin rin siya sakin.

Nagulat ako ng tinignan niya ako Hanggang ulo at paa at tinasaan ako ng kilay.

Anong problema ng baklang to?!

"What?" taas kilay kong sabi. He just rolled his eyes na ikinaseryoso ko.

Langya! Problema ng baklang to?? Sarap sabunotan eh!

"What did you guys talk about?" Tanong ni Caspian sabay tingin kay Leo.

"Baka anong kalokohan na naman tinuturo mo sa mga anak ko" seryosong sabi ni Caspian.

"Luh! Wala no! Di ako siraulo no! Baka yang asawa mo kung anong pinagsasabi sa mga anak mo, Felix" simangot niyang sabi at tinignan ako.

"Ha? Ako? Bakit? Ano bang sinabi ko? Ha? Leo?" Taray ko.

"Sinabihan ba naman ako ng mga anak mo na bobo ako noon pa! Akala mo di yun masakit?!" Sumbat niya.

"She's telling the truth though" singit ni Caspian habang nakatuon parin ang pansin kay Celestine. Napangisi naman ako at tinignan si Leo.

"Grabe ka, Felix! Mag re-resign na ako. Pinagtutulungan niyo na ako dito" Caspian glared at him.

"What did you just say? Don't try me, Leo" seryosong sabi niya.

"Ay hehe...i-ikaw naman di mabiro. Joke lang no! Happy-happy lang tayo" sabi niya at pilit na tumawa.

"A-alis na ako. May g-gagawin pa a-ako eh....

Baka maubos pa buhok ko sa inyo. Baka pati bulbo--"

"What did you say?" Seryosong sabi ni Caspian at sinaaman siya ng tingin.

"Wala! Sige na, bye!" sigaw ni Leo sabay sirado sa pintuan. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at napaupo sa sofa.

"Should I go tape his mouth while he's around with the kids?" Umupo siya sa tapat ko habang si Cayden ay tumabi sakin at si Caleb at Celestine ay sa tabi ni Caspian.

"Hayaan mo na, Caspian. Tumatanda na eh, nagiging stress" sabi ko. I guess we should hive Leo a one week leave for a meantime rest.

"How's your body doing, Mom? Are you feeling fine?" Tanong ni Cayden.

"I'm fine, son. Don't worry about me" Cayden is very concerned about my body's condition. Alalang-alala talaga siya lalo na't magkakasakit ako. Napatingin ako sa lamesa at makita ang isang libro.

"Are you reading again, Caleb?" tumango naman siya.

"I would like to try to help you heal, so we don't have to wait for the doctors anymore, Mom" sabi niya na ikinangiti ko. Caleb is such a sweet boy. We tried to get in touch with the winter fairies and they can't help us. Kahit anong pagpapagaling nila ay hindi umeepekto. They suspect this cause by my curse. It's like eating my body slowly.

I look at Celestine and Caleb. I'm still not sure which of them will be the next guardian of the Golden Tree when I'm gone. I guess when the time is right malalaman na namin kung sino sa kanilang dalawa.

My son's is supposed to be at the Nethilor right now, pero hindi pumayag si Caspian dahil sa edad na anim ay medyo maaga pa silang aalis sa palasyo para mag-aral at malayo samin. If they'll turn 10, then they are free to go in Nethilor.

CASPIAN'S POV

"Dad, I want to play outside" Celestine said.

"Okay. Cayden, Caleb take care of her" I said. Cayden gently carried her and they went out. Tinignan ko si Eleena at nakasandal siya sa upuan habang nakapikit ang mata.

"Love, you okay?" I ask and sit beside. I gently out my hand on her forehead.

"Your burning up again" alalang sabi ko. When will this end? We thought the curse will stop if Eleena will stop using it, but we're wrong. It's slowly eating her life. She easily get sick and always laying on our bed. She may be look fine in front of our kids but she's suffering inside.

"Hey, I'll be fine" Eleena assured and kiss my lips.

"I love you" she whispered. I let out a gentle smile and kiss her forehead.

"I love you too, Love" We must find a way to stop the curse eating her life. We must stop it! Whatever it takes... I can't lose her...

Again...

----END----

Greetings, Noble Readers! Kumusta kayo? Na miss ko kayo! Pasensya na at nawala ako bigla naging busy si Lady Author, eh.  I made another special chap para makabawi sa inyo. I hope nagustuhan niyo ❤️ And I'm planning to make a series for Eleena and Caspian's children. Mag-aanounce lang ako soon. Keep safe kayong lahat! Love lots! ❤️

-Lady Author