Chapter 7

ELEENA'S POV

"Anne, I don't feel like going" sabi ko sakanya. Anne is fixing my hair.

And I was wearing a green dress. Wala paring corset.

Today is the celebration in Imperial Palace. Zane also wanted me to come with him.

"Should I talk to His Highness?" Sabi niya. I was about to answer when someone knock on the door.

Anne immediately walk through the door and opened it. Bumungad naman si Zane.

"Zane" I said and smiled. He walk towards me and patted my head.

"You ready?" Sabi niya at ngumiti. Tinignan ko naman si Anne.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako.

"Yes" I said and smiled.

"Aalis na tayo" sabi niya at lumabas na ng kwarto. Tumayo agad ako at binigay naman sakin ni Anne ang coat ko.

"Akala ko ba ayaw mong sumama?" Sabi niya. I would feel bad if I tell Zane that I don't want to come. Since u-moo ako sakanya kahapon.

"It's okay, Anne." I said and pat her shoulder. Nakita ko namang parang nag aalala ang mukha niya.

"Mag iingat ka" alalang sabi niya. Tumango naman ako. She's worried about me because of Caspian.

Pagkalabas ko ng kwarto ay nasa labas pala si Zane nag hihintay sakin. He offered his hand and I accepted it.

"Nervous?" Sabi niya. Umiling naman ako na ikinangiti niya.

"Don't worry, I won't leave by your side" sabi niya at medyo hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay ko.

Nakalabas na kami ng palasyo at agad kaming sumakay sa carriage. The snow is still heavy right now.

I was looking outside when Zane suddenly called me.

"You okay, Eleena?" Tanong niya. His face looks worried.

"I'm fine, Zane. There's nothing to worry about about" I said. Tumango naman siya.

*FAST FORWARD*

Nasa Zemira Capital na kami. I suddenly notice some collapse buildings while we passed by.

What happened in here?

Nakita ko rin ang ilang tao na naghuhukay at inaalis yung mga semento.

"Alam mo bang nangyari dito, Zane?" Tanong ko habang nakatingin sa labas. Tumingin rin siya sa labas.

"I've heard that 2 øxgréàm came here. They attack the Capital" sabi niya. Bumalik naman ako sa pagsandal.

I hope they're doing okay. If I did the ritual more early this wouldn't definitely happen.

Ilang minuto ay nakarating na kami sa Imperial Palace. The knights came with us and check the invitation. Tinignan ko ang dalawang kawal at sila parin yung nagbabantay sa labas.

Pinalagpas nila kami at lumabas naa kami sa carriage. Zane escorted me inside.

Nasa harapan na kami ng malaking pintuan. Kumatok ang knight sa pintuan at bumukas ito ng konti. May tumingin saming isang kawal sa loob at sinara ulit ito.

Naalala ko tuloy yung nangyari noon. Parehong pareho.

"Your Imperial Majesty, King Zane Nevis Elysian and Lady Elise Stroban has arrive" rinig namin sa loob.

Elise Stroban? Ako ba yung tinutukoy niya?

Dahan dahang bumukas ang pintuan. Di ko namalayang napahigpit ang hawak ko sakanya.

"Relax, I'm here" bulong niya sakin. Tumango nalang ako.

Naglakad na kaming dalawa ni Zane papasok. Everyone is looking at us. Ang rami nang tao. Ang iba ay pinag uusapan kami.

I take a deep breath and exhaled calmly. Tumingin ako sa harap at nakita ko si Caspian na nakaupo sa trono niya. He's looking at us seriously.

My heart is beating fast. Parang sasabog. He's like drowning me with those blue eyes. I can't breath properly.

Calm yourself Eleena...

"Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty" sabay naming sabi ni Zane at nag bow.

"Lift up your head" rinig naming sabi ni Caspian. Agad kaming sumunod ni Zane.

"It is a great honor to be here, Your Majesty" kalmang sabi ni Zane. Nakatingin siya kay Zane. Napatigil naman ako ng bigla siyang tumingin sakin.

"Elise Stroban" Banggit niya.

"Yes, Your Majesty" agad kong sabi. Nakatingin parin siya ng seryoso sakin.

"Enjoy the celebration" sabi niya habang nakatingin sakin.

Nakikilala niya ba ako? Does my illusion doesn't work to him?

Nabalik naman ako sa reyalidad ng hinawakan ni Zane ang kamay ko.

"We'll definitely enjoy it, Your Majesty" sabi niya at hinila ako papaalis. Tinignan ko si Caspian at nakatingin parin siya sakin.

Pumasok kami sa medyo maraming tao bago tumigil si Zane sa paglakad.

"Zane" I said. Napatingin naman siya sakin at hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay ko.

"Don't worry, I'm here okay?" Sabi niya. Tumango nalang ako.

Ilang minuto rin ay nag uusap kami sa ibang nobles. Naghiwalay kami ni Zane pero malapit lang din siya sakin. A lot of people also complemented my dress. They also want to have this kind of dress. Napangiwi nalang ako at tumawa.

"So are you having a relationship with King Zane? You two look perfect together" sabi nung sa kabila. Sumang ayon naman ang ilang kasama niya.

I was right. Talagang pag uusapan kaming dalawa nito dahil ni isa wala pang sinama ni Zane sa ganitong celebration.

"I know that he's been inlove to that Golden Tree keeper Woman. That woman even  have a gut to cheat on the emperor" sabi nung babaeng naka puting damit.

Tsk! Believing on those made up stories of that b*tch.

Speaking of that b*tch. I haven't seen her here.

"About what happened 4 years ago, the Future Empress left----" di ko agad natapos ng sumingit ang isa sa mga dalaga.

"I-it's better f-for us not to t-talk about that m-matter, Lady Stroban" kaba niyang sabi na ikinaseryoso ko.  I roamed my eyes to all of the aristocrats. I look again to the ladies and their face were uneasy.

I knew it...

No one dares to mention that accident. They kept their mouth shut. Did he blackmail all of them? Sa karami-raming noble ang pumunta pero walang ni isang kumalat sa nangyari.

Napansin kong nakatingin si Zane sakin kaya napagisipan ko munang mag paalam sa kanila.

"Then, ladies I think I have to take my leave now. It's nice to see you all" ngiting sabi ko.

"You too. Lady Stroban" sabi nila. Agad akong pumunta kay Zane.

"What?" I said. Nakita ko namang sumimangot ang matanda niyang mukha. Napataas naman ang kilay ko.

"I'm bored, Elise. I want to go home already" bagot niyang sabi. Napa face palm nalang ako.

Bwiset talaga tong matandang lalaking to. Siya pa yung malakas mag sabi na pupunta kami tapos ngayon tatamad siya.

"Let's go ho--" napatigil ako ng may biglang tumugtog

Narinig naman naming nagsimula na silang nagpatugtug. Nakita ko ring ilang sumasayaw sa harapan kasama ang mga pares nila.

"Eleena" I heard him wispered. Tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay. Bwiset talaga tong matandang to oh. Edi sana kasama ko ngayon si Anne at kinakausap tubgkol sakanila ni Lux.

Sarap sabunutan yung buhok eh.

"What?" Pikon kong sabi. Inilahad niya naman ang kamay niya sakin.

"Would you like to dance?" Sabi niya at ngumiti.

CASPIAN'S POV

I'm sitting here in my throne while looking at this f*cking nobles dancing.

Napansin kong may baging pumasok sa sayawan.

It was the Elysian and that Stroban Woman.

I saw him kissed the palm of that woman. Sa nakita ko parang bigla akong nagalit. Why would I be angry in that thing? I didn't even know whos thay woman is.

I stared at them. They started dancing and the stroban woman is smiling. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko ng bigla itong sumakit.

"Are you okay, Caspian?" Rinig kong sabi ni Alejandro.

Tinignan ko sila ulit. Nag eenjoy sila sa pagsayaw.

I'm sure I didn't met that woman in my whole f*cking life. But why am I feeling like this?

Looking with those smiles that she shows to that Elysian wants me to grab her and take her away from him.

What's with you Elise Stroban?!

DONE CHAPTER 7

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