Ito na ang pagkakataong pinakahihintay ng lahat. Lahat ay nakatutok sa mga sandaling iyon. It was the event of the year, the engagement of Sofia York and the Crown Prince of the Kingdom, Prince Arthur Pendragon. Ngunit para kay Gareth, isang ordinaryong araw lamang ito. For him, attending this momentous event was a waste of his time, something that was forced to him.
The engagement was set inside the throne room of the Arondight Palace, but the interiors were altered to fit for the engagement ceremony.
Iginala niya ang paningin sa paligid. He was looking for someone. Agad namang nahuli na kanyang mga mata ang taong hinahanap. Kasalukuyang dinadaluhan ni Steffanie si Sofia. Even from afar, he could feel the radiating aura that she emanated. Her movements were very fluid. It was as if she was dancing on the silent music of the crowd. At hindi lang siya ang nakakakita rito. The male species from within the perimeter was ogling at her. But who wouldn't be? She was a knock-out in her sky-blue dress. She looked gorgeous, like a Snow Fairy straight from the snowy mountain range.
He suddenly felt very territorial. Nais niyang bakuran na ito. Hindi niya nagustuhan kung paano siya tingnan ng mga kalalakihang nakapaligid dito. Their stares were practically devouring her. Naiinis siya. He suddenly wanted to ran amok and gouge the eyes of these insolent men who dared to even gaze at her.
Napagpasyahan niyang lumapit dito. He needed to mark his territory. But he was only half way there when somebody beat him to her. The man was now casually chatting with her and Sofia. Agad niyang inaninaw kung sino iyon. It was Tristan. He clenched his fist. Just what did he think he was doing?
He was within earshot and he could hear their conversations. Mukhang nagkakasayahan ang mga ito. Agad siyang lumapit at nakisali sa usapan ng mga ito.
"Hello ladies and hello to you, brother," he said while grinding his teeth.
Bumaling ang tingin ng mga ito sa kanya. Steffanie beamed a gorgeous smile. Agad naman siyang tumabi sa babae. He needed to show his pesky brother that Steff was his.
Tiningnan niya ng masama ang kapatid.
"Just what are you doing here?"
He could see the mischief in his eyes. "I am just getting myself acquainted to our soon to be Crown Princess and her best friend. May masama ba roon?"
Nagsukatan sila ng tingin. He will not back down, especially when Steff was concern.
"What about you, brother? What are you doing here?"
"Same as you. I'm making myself known to the lady who'll soon be the matriarch of the Kingdom," sagot niya.
Naputol lang ang namumuong tensyon nang pumagitna na si Sofia. "Can't I just get a minute to talk to my best friend before this engagement? Kanina pa ako paikot-inot. Ngalay na ang panga ko kakangiti. And now, kung kelan naman nagkasarilinan kami ni Steff, saka naman kayo nagsisulputan. And cut that bullshit that you want to meet me. I am very much aware na hindi ako ang ipinunta niyo rito."
Sofia hit the bull's eye. Pareho sila ni Tristan na hindi makasagot. They were speechless at the tirade of their soon-to-be sister-in-law.
"Now, if you'll just excuse us. The ceremony will start any moment and we still have a girl talk to finish."
Agad na kinaladkad ni Sofia palayo si Steffanie sa kanila. Nais sana niyang magprotesta ngunit hindi na lamang niya ginawa. It was no use. Tama ito. Magsisimula na nga ang seremonya. He needed to be in his spot.
"See you later Steff!" sigaw ni Tristan.
"We still have many things to talk about!" pahabol ulit ng kapatid.
Nagpapanting na ang kanyang mga tenga sa boses nito. He was still mad at his brother for barging inside his territory.
"Looks like we got owned by our soon to be sister-in-law," Tristan said.
He did not answer him. He refused to even look at him.
Maya-maya pa'y lumapit na sa kanya si Clarence at si Wolfric, ang Chevalier naman ni Tristan. Both Chevaliers informed them that the program was about to start, and they should be in their places.
Nagmadaling pumunta sa posisyon niya si Gareth. He wanted this to be over with. He didn't know what the fuss over this nonsense event was all about. People around him viewed this engagement as a modern fairytale. A typical yet romantic story of a prince falling for a girl. But he knew better. Arranged marriage ang naganap sa pagitan ni Sofia at Arthur, not a product of some brewing romance with everlasting love. Kung siya ang tatanungin, mas matatamisin pa niyang makasama na lang sana si Steff. But he did not have any choice. There was an underlying threat of exile from the King, ano pa ba ang magagagawa niya?
Gaya ng inaasahan, maraming tao ang nasa palasyo. All of them were anticipating this event that was dubbed by the press as "The Engagement of the Decade."
Lumapit siya sa hilera kasama ang mga kapatid. Ngayong gabi, wala sa karaniwang ayos ang Throne Room. There was a makeshift stage in the middle of the room. The usual throne of the King was now added with the thrones of the other members of the Royal Family, including his. The throne of the King was located at the top-most portion of the stage. In its right laid the throne of the Queen. Just a few steps down from the thrones of the King and Queen rested the Mother Dowager's throne. Sa baba naman ng mga ito naroroon ang trono ng tatlong Imperial Concubines. On the left side of the stage, the thrones of the ten princes of the kingdom were placed, while the thrones of the eight princesses were set on the right side. Sa gitnang aisle naman ng stage naroroon ang trono ng Crown Prince at ng susunod na Crown Princess.
Nagsimula nang tumugtog ang mga trumpeta, hudyat ng pagsisimula ng pagdiriwang. All of people stood firm as they watched the parade of colors, courtesy of the Imperial Knights. After the graceful march, the King emerged from the Crowd.
"Magpugay sa Mahal na Haring Rupert Pendragon!"
The King began his march towards his Throne. And walked like a King, he did. He was very arrogant, it emanated a sense of superiority towards the people around him. He exemplified his title. His actions depicted his omniscience over his kingdom. To him, everybody was just his mere subject. He hated him more for that.
Sinundan naman ito ng pagdating ng Mahal na Reynang Marian Pendragon, ang Mahal na Inang Reynang Clarisse Pendragon. After that, all of the Concubines followed, it started with the second Imperial Consort, Lady Nehelania. May mabigat na pakiramdam pa rin sa puso niya. His mother, Lady Guinevere was the first Imperial Concubine. Ngunit wala ito nang mga sandaling iyon dahil sa sakit na dinaramdam. Her throne was left vacant.
Ang sumunod ay ang dalawa pang Imperial consort na sina Lady Galatea at Lady Gabrielle.
Nang makaupo na sa kani-kanilang trono ang matatanda ng palasyo, doon naman dumating ang hudyat para maupo ang mga Prinsipe at Prinsesa sa kanilang mga trono. Isa-isa silang tinawag, simula sa mga prinsipe ng kaharian. They were called according to their ranks. It was Prince Lancelot who was first called, the second prince of the kingdom. Then, he was followed by the Third Prince, Prince Ares. Siya naman ang sumunod dito bilang pang-apat na prinsipe ng kaharian. They were then followed by Prince Ulyses, Prince Geraint, Prince Galahad, Prince Tristan, Prince Camael and Prince Abaddon.
When all of the princes were called, the princesses immediately followed them. Kagaya nila, naayon din sa kani-kanilang mga antas ang pagtawag sa mga ito. It was Princess Bedevere, the first Princess, who graced her throne first. Princess Halaena came next. Then immediately after that, they were followed by the remaining princesses; Princess Juno, Princess Anya, Princess Leylah, Princess Lavaine, Princess Lorraine and Princess Arielle.
The room became quiet when all of the members of the royal family were settled. It was now the turn of the Crown Prince and his betrothed. For the others, it might be a momentous event, but for him. It was all but a ceremonial shit of the Royal Family. So he just laid his back on his throne as he waited for time to fly.
Steffanie cannot help herself but to be in awe. Ngayon lang niya nakita ang buong Royal Family. They were indeed a flash of elegance, a league of their own. And soon, Sofia will become a part of it.
Isa-isa niyang sinuri ang mga ito nang magsimula ang seremonya. Kitang-kita kasi niya ang mga ito mula sa kanyang kinauupuan. All of the Princesses were plain gorgeous. They were very stunning. And the men, all of the Princes were good-looking. It was as if all of those men were some demigods who were sent to earth just to entice the female species. But be as it may, isang tao lang ang nagpahigit ng kanyang hininga. It was Gareth. She didn't know why, but for her it was him who stood out the most.
Napako ang tingin ng lahat nang sabay ng lumakad patungo sa kanilang trono ang Crown Prince at si Sofia. She cannot help herself but to tear up. She was happy for her best friend. Naalala niya tuloy ang biro nito sa kanya, Engagement pa lang to Steff. Wala munang iyakan. Reserve mo na lang sa kasal.
Sofia walked with the sense of nobility that she innately possessed. Tunay ngang nababagay ito sa Royal Family. Somehow, despite the circumstances of being an arranged marriage, she felt very secured for her best friend. Hindi pa man nito napagtatanto sa sarili, pero alam niyang may gusto rin si Sofia sa mahal na prinsipe.
Mabilis na natapos ang seremonya. Just after thirty minutes, Sofia was now officially the soon-to-be bride of the Crown Prince. After all the formalities, the festive mood in her surroundings resumed.
She was just sitting on her designated table nang makita niya ang ama sa 'di kalayuan kasama ang kanyang kuya. She wanted to wave at them but she chose not to. Ipanaalala niya sa kanyang sarili ang sirkumstansiyang kinalalagyan niya. They were in a party full of royals and noble men. She should know her place.
Her phone then started to ring. Agad naman niyang sinagot ito nang makita ang numero ng kanyang Kuya Michael Angelo.
"You look stunning, princess," he softly said. Agad naman niyang ibinalik ang tingin dito. He was looking at her, smiling like a doting brother that he is.
"Salamat, bakit ka nga pala napatawag?"
"Dad wants to talk to you. Meet you in the Pavilion in five minutes? Okay?"
She nodded at him. Agad naman niyang binaba ang tawag ng kapatid. She checked her belongings before going out of the room. Agad naman niyang hinanap ang mga ito nang makarating siya sa malawak na hardin.
She spotted them in a nearby pavilion. Agad naman siyang lumapit patungo roon. Her brother and father lit up a smile as soon as they saw her.
"Steff! Glad to see you here today," her dad said to her while giving her a tight embrace.
"I feel the same way, too, Your Grace."
Kinuha naman ng kanyang kapatid ang kanang kamay saka hinagkan.
"Hello, little princess."
"Hello to you, too, Sir Michael Angelo."
She saw fondness in the eyes of her brother.
"What brings you here to this event, Steff?" her father said.
"Your Grace, forgive me. I was invited by my best friend. I have no other choice but to go. I didn't want to upset my friend," she humbly said.
"You did not do any fault. I am just curious."
"Dad, best friend ni Steff ang magiging Crown Princess."
Nakita niya ang pagdaloy ng gulat sa mukha ng ama.
"Really? You are friends with the daughter of the Duke of York?"
She just quietly nodded.
"She's lucky to have you. You are always very sweet and understanding."
Puno ng pagmamahal ang ngiti ng ama. She was initially taken aback. What was happening? Under normal circumstances, her father would not do such kind of thing in a puclic place. But she just accepted it.
"Thank you, Your Grace."
The tranquillity of the moment was ruined by a ring on her father's phone. Sinagot naman nito ang tawag.
"Michael Angelo, it seems that the Count of Weatherfield is requesting our presence."
"Yes, Dad," pagsang-ayon naman nito.
She perfectly understood what was happening. It was her cue to exit. Ngunit bago niya ito magawa ay lumapit muna sa kanya ang ama.
"You look like a very fine lady Steff. You look gorgeous. This weekend, if you have time, come visit us in our ancestral home."
"Thank you, Your Grace."
"Catch you later, Steff."
Nagbeso muna siya sa kapatid bago bumalik ang mga ito sa loob ng palasyo. Napangiti siya nang muling maalala ang mga naganap. By some miracle, her father was openly affectionate towards her. Marahil dahil wala ang asawa nito sa tabi. But still, nonetheless, she was happy. Very, very happy.
Tinatahak na niya ang daan papasok sa throne room nang harangin siya ng grupo ni Natalya.
"What do we have here?" it was Natalya. Her tone spelled trouble.
Sinubukan niyang umiwas. She tried to go pass them, but one of the girls grabbed her by the arm.
"Anong kailangan ninyo sa akin? Ayoko ng gulo." she asked.
Inikutan siya nito. "Ayaw mo ng gulo? Then, mind your own fucking business and do not meddle with mine."
"What did I do?"
Natalya gave a hollow laugh. "Prince Gareth is my business. He is mine. And you are meddling with him."
She chose to be quiet. Alam niyang walang patutunguhan ang usapang ito. She tried to shrug-off the hold of Natalya's crony but to no avail. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa kanya.
"Nagkakalinawan ba tayo? O malabo pa rin ang kokote mo? He is mine. Para sa kanya isa ka lang laruan. Isang past time."
Again. She refused to be affected by her sewer of a mind. In her heart, she knew that whatever Gareth and her shared was special.
She just looked at the face of a desperate woman.
"Please let go of me."
"Hindi pa ako tapos sa yo. Hindi mo alam kung paano ako magalit. So if I were you, you should back-off already."
Binitiwan na ng kasama nito ang pagkakahawak sa kanya. She was finally relieved when she saw their retreating figures. Ipinagpatuloy na lang niya ang paglakad patungo sa kinauupuan kanina.
Gareth was irritated as hell. He could not find Steff. Kanina pang natapos ang seremonya para sa Crown Prince at soon-to-be Crown Princess pero hindi pa rin niya mahanap si Steff. Napakarami kasing tao. It was as if he was trying to find a needle inside a haystack.
Muli niyang hinanap ang babae ngunit iba ang nakasalubong niya, ang grupo ni Natalaya.
Agad namang umabrisiete sa kanya si Natalya nang makita siya.
"How's your night, Gareth?"
"Terrible. So please get off me before it goes worse."
"Hey, Ella. Please take a picture of us. My followers are begging for this picture na."
Agad namang tumalima ang isang babae. She positioned her camera in front of them. But before she could even snap a shot, Gareth was able to grab a hold of it. Agad niyang ibinato ito sa sahig. The poor device was crushed in to pieces.
"Hey, anong problema mo?" sigaw ng babae.
It attracted a lot of attention. The surrounding people were now looking at them.
"Yeah, hindi ka naman dating ganyan." It was Natalya.
He gave them a hard look. "Do you know who are you talking to? And you dare to even do that in the Arondight Palace? Do you want a life sentence in Tartarus?"
Nakita niya ang pamumutla ng mga kasama ni Natalya. But Natalya remained firm, she just wouldn't budge. Nanatili ang confident na ngiti sa mga labi nito.
"I want to dance. Can you dance with me?" pag-iiba nito ng usapan.
She had gone far enough. Noong una'y hindi niya pinapansin ang mga ginagawa nito. Pero ngayon, iba na ang usapan. He knew that she was the one tipping of the press that they were still an item. She was the one who was insinuating that they were still together. And this will be end of the line.
"Stop it Natalya. I don't dance. You know that. So just stop all of this."
That was it. Mabilis na niyang nilisan ang paligid. He needed to find Steffanie, he wanted to be with her.
"Don't follow me, or else, face the consequences," he threatened them as he walked away.
Steffanie was a little bit restless. Hindi dahil sa engkwentro niya kay Natalya kanina kundi dahil mag-isa na naman siya. Sofia was currently attending to her guest. She felt alone. Her brother and father were nowhere in sight as well.
Marami rin sa kanyang estrangherong nagyayang sumayaw. But she just politely declined them.
Nilaro na lang niya ang pagkaing nasa hapag. Wala rin siyang gana. She just wanted to get home. Total naman tapos na ang lahat. Pero hindi niya magawa iyon nang hindi nagpapapaalam sa kaibigan. Napagpasayahan na lang niyang hintaying mabakante ito saka siya magpapaalam.
"Didn't your parents tell you not to play with your food?"
Tiningnan niya ang pinanggalingan ng pamilyar na tinig. It was Prince Tristan, standing in all of his majestic glory. She could see the resemblance between him and Gareth. They were both equally gorgeous. They both have this dangerous aura emanating them. And they have the same ambers eyes, like the other members of the royal family. But all of those similarities end there. The effect that Tristan gave to her was not the same as she had for Gareth. He couldn't make her heart race a beat. He couldn't render her breathless. He just couldn't.
"Like what you see?" Tristan teased.
Doon lamang siya natauhan. She was practically gazing at Prince Tristan. Nakakahiya.
"Can I sit here?" tanong nito.
Agad naman siyang tumango.
"About what Sofia said earlier, nangangailangan ka raw ng models for your paintings, right?" he said.
Nabanggit nga pala kanina ni Sofia ang tungkol sa problema niya.
"Tama po. I need models."
"Come on, Steff. First name basis na tayo. No more po and opo. Just call me Tristan."
She again gave a nod. Unti-unting nagliwanag ang kanyag mga mata. Prince Tristan will be a perfect model. He definitely would be. Tulad ni Gareth, he fitted her concept well. Unti-unting bumalik sa kanya ang katotohan. Time was flowing non-stop. Kaunting panahon na lamang at exhibit na niya. Was this what they call a blessing in disguise?
"Naku! Maraming salamat po at sineryoso ninyo si Sofia Kanina. This will help me a lot."
"So what do I do? Do I pose for you in nude?" nakapa niya ang kapilyuhan sa tinig nito.
But before she could say anything to the man, Gareth appeared from out of nowhere.
"Walang magaganap na nude modelling session sa inyo Tristan. I'll be her model," tiim bagang nitong wika sa kanilang dalawa.
Naguguluhan na siya sa mga nagaganap. He refused modelling for her before. Pero bakit ngayo'y sinasabi nitong siya na lang ang magiging modelo niya.
"I thought..." she said.
"You thought what, Steff?"
She was puzzled. She had many questions for Gareth. Bakit biglaan ang pagpayag nito? What was really happening? But she opted to close her lips. Judging by the tone and finality in his voice, wala nang iba pang makakapigil sa gusto nitong maganap.
"Hey! I was the one who asked her first," reklamo ni Tristan.
She saw the daggers that emanated from Gareth's eyes.
Ipinikit niya ang kanyang mga mata. She deeply sighed before facing Prince Tristan.
"I am very sorry, Your Highness. It was indeed Prince Gareth whom I asked to model for me first. I am sorry for not informing you. With that, I'd like to politely refuse your very generous offer."
She gave him a sincere nod.
Hindi pa man siya natatapos ay hinigit na agad siya ni Gareth patayo sa kanyang upuan.
"Hey man, saan mo siya dadalhin?" tanong ni Tristan. He was now holding her other hand.
"Can you please let her go, Your Highness. Steff and I will dance," matigas na pananalita ni Gareth. Hinigpitan niyo ang pagkakahawak sa kanya.
"Since when do you dance brother? As far as I can remember, you are the worst dancer in all of us."
It was now a game of tug-of-war between those two. And unfortunately, she was the rope in this game.
Again, with all of the strength that she can muster, she faced Prince Tristan and gave him a reassuring smile.
"I am sorry, Prince Tristan. But I think I owe His Highness one dance. Can you please let go of my hand?"
Binitawan siya nito.
"I am sorry," Tristan sincerely said.
Gareth then dragged her in the dance floor. She could feel the stare of the people around them as they pass by. Tumigil na lamang sila nang marating na nila ang gitnang bahagi ng dance floor.
She was rendered immobile as their eyes met. Her thoughts became blank. It seems as if they were in a state of trance. The people around them did not matter. Time did not matter. All that matters was the both of them.
She looked at his eyes. It mirrored his deepest emotion, longing, confusion and desire. She felt hot all over.
"Bakit mo ginawa iyon? It was very rude, especially for Prince Tristan."
She saw a pang jealousy passed his eyes. "Does it matter to you?"
Her legs became wobbly. They were so close that he could feel his breath on her face.
"No," she answered. Hindi niya alam kung saan iyon nanggaling. It just slipped through her mouth. But despite that momentarily lapse, she really did not care anymore. What matters most was the both of them.
He just kept staring at her, trying to delve deep inside her soul.
"Aren't we suppose to dance?" she asked, now aware of the silent but romantic music in the air.
"I am not a good dancer, so I can't dance at all," he whispered.
"Does it matter if you can't dance?"
"Nope."
She gave him her sweetest smile. "Just hold me right here on my waist and let us sway in the rhythm of the music."
He followed her instructions. He was now holding her. Inilagay naman niya ang kanyang mga kamay sa magkabilang balikat ng prinsipe.
"Just look at me. I'll be guiding you."
Then, all of the sudden, the dance floor became their world. Everything around them was gone. It was just them inside their own world. He was careful not to step on her and she too was the same. In the end, they symphony of the orchestra became one with their movements.
Hindi na nila namalayan ang pagtatapos ng musika. They were just there in the middle of the crowd, looking at each other's eyes, conveying their unspoken words.
"Steff," he said.
"What is it?"
"About last time, the stars... I am sorry. I should have been sensitive enough to—"
She stopped him midway. "Shh... Don't mention it anymore."
"I want you to have this."
May dinukot ito mula sa bulsa ng suot nitong coat. It was a silver necklace with a large diamond pendant.
"This gem is called Sirius. It was derived from the brightest star here on earth. I want you to have this."
"Nope. I cannot accept this. This is too much."
"This is a gift for you. So that every time that you want to see a star, all you have to do is look at Sirius."
Masuyong isinuot nito sa kanya ang kwintas. The gem was indeed twinkling brightly like an evening star.
"Though its beauty couldn't par with nature's own creation, you still have with you the brightest star in the heavens."
Hindi na niya alam ang gagawin. She could remember all those years that she cried for not being able to see the stars. And now, it will be no more. One look at Sirius and she will remember that once upon a time in her life, there came a prince who swept her off her feet and gave her hope for a future. And that same prince, was kissing her right now, in the middle of dance floor, in front of all the people.