Hindi pa rin maiwasang mag-alala ni Steffanie para kay Gareth. Kararating lang nila pabalik ng Camelot galing sa Cianwood. They had to cut their vacation short because of an emergency. Apparently, may hindi magandang nangyari sa kapatid nito, kay Prince Lancelot.
She could not forget how devastated and angry Gareth looked when the news arrived. Hindi naman niya ito masisi. If she were in his shoes, malamang ganoon din ang magiging reaction niya.
"I am sorry, sweetheart," he said as the chopper descent.
She firmly held his hand and smile at him.
"Don't be. It is not your fault. Maaari pa naman nating gawin ito some other time. As of now, your family needs you."
He gave her an understanding smile, as if thanking her for being considerate.
It was a swift landing, even Ash did not make a fuss out of it. Inalalayan siya nito pababa ng chopper.
"Ihahatid na muna kita sa inyo," he said.
"No need, Gareth. I can manage."
Gareth steeled his expression.
"Last time I let you go in your own, you were kidnapped. And I can't myself but to worry about you halos pareho din ang sirkumstansya noon. That time si Anya naman ang naaksidente."
Dumaan sa alaala niya ang mga naganap sa kanya noon. She was not that bitter anymore. She might not completely over it, but she'll get by. And besides, Gareth had already replaced those memories with a new one. It was something greater. It was something pleasurable. It was something beyond anything in this world. It was something that the man she loved did for her. And it was the only thing that mattered.
Ang hindi na lang niya alam ngayon ay kung paano patutunguhan si Natalya. What she did to her was bad, it was something that a normal person wouldn't do. But she planned to let it pass, to find forgiveness in her heart. Alam naman niya kung bakit nito nagawa iyon. It was because she was in love with the same man that she fell in love with. At wala siyang balak sabihin ito kay Gareth. Naaawa siya sa maaaring sapitin nito. Gareth could be merciless when provoked. And she did not want that to happen.
Pumayag na siya sa gusto ng binata. Total naman, it was only a thirty-minute ride from the hangar to her home. Clarence loaded her luggage to the car. It was him who took the wheel while Gareth sat beside her at the back.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm sorry. I have so many things in store for us," kitang-kita niya ang pagtatagis ng bagang nito. She knew that he was frustrated. Kilala na niya ang ugali nito. He was a self-made man and she knew that things like this infuriated him.
She touched his face and looked him in the eyes. She could see the shadow right behind his amber eyes. She could see the frustration and regrets. She could see his whole being.
"Thank you. For three days, I've lived a life completely different on my own. I've lived a life of luxury. I got to be a Countess. And most of all, I got to be with you."
He gave her a kiss, it was a passionate kiss. It was a kiss that mirrored their feelings for each other. He kissed her with gentleness, the usual urgency was gone. It was a kiss of assurance.
Hindi na niya namalayan ang pagdaloy ng oras. Next thing she knew, they were there in front of her condominium.
"I guess it's goodbye for now," she said as she flashed Gareth a smile.
He just nodded. "I'll call you, Steff."
"I'll wait for your call then."
Tinulungan siya nito at ni Clarence na ibaba ang mga gamit niya sa sasakyan. Ito rin ang nagbuhat sa kulungan ni Ash patungo sa kanyang condo. It was a sight to behold. She never expected this kind of thing from Gareth. Imagine how disturbing it looked, a royal prince of the Kingdom, an heir to the throne, carrying her luggage. This was certainly absurd. Pero ano pa ba ang kanyang magagawa? Gareth insisted in doing this for her. And that simple notion touched her heart once more.
Gareth clenched his fist. He was now inside the private ward of his brother. He wanted to breathe fire when he saw what those sons of a bitch did to him. The bruises on his body were evident. Animo'y isa itong hayop na walang pakundangang binugbog.
Napailing na lang siya.
"I know how you feel, Gareth. They are going to pay." Ares said as he tapped his shoulder.
"Big time," Abaddon interjected.
"Magtago na sila sa kasulok-sulukan ng Kaharian. I'll personally torment them in Tartarus," Halaena said.
Ang kanyang tatlong kapatid ang naabutan niya pagkarating na pagkarating niya rito.
"Anya is still recuperating. Tapos ganito pa ang nangyari?" Ares said.
"They are definitely trying to send a message, whoever the fuck they are," he voiced out thethought lurking in his mind.
He looked at his older brother. His heart shattered at the sight of him. Puno ito ng benda. He looked so helpless. He looked so weak. They will definitely pay!
"What really happened?"
"Reports said that he was on his way to Lyonnese. His Majesty sent him there to meet with the Viceroy. Pero may tumambang sa convoy niya. They were heavily armed men."
"What about our men? The Imperial Knights? Anong gingawa nila?" he was frustrated.
"Sir Vanroy is still critical. Multiple gunshot. " Si Halaena na ang tinukoy nito ay ang Chevalier ng kapatid.
"Dead on the spot naman ang ibang kasama ng Mahal na Prinsipe, pagpapatuloy nito.
"Kung ganoon, bakit ni isang tama ng bala wala ang Mahal na Prinsipe?" tanong ni Abaddon.
"Easy. They want to send a message to us." Sagot niya.
"So we were right all along," It was Ares.
Confusion was written all over Haleana's face. "What do you mean by that?"
"We thought that someone was after the Royal Family. Remember, Anya's poisoning? We think this is all connected."
"May tumambang din sa akin some time ago. Armed men as well. It was a near death experience kung walang sumagip at tumulong sa akin."
He could clearly remember what happened that time, how somebody tried to attack him and almost succeeded. Mabuti na lang at naroon si Steff para tulungan siya. He will be forever indebted to her.
He suddenly remembered the vile thing that had happened to Steff. Could it be connected to this one? If it were, then those fucking sons of a bitch will not live. He will be the death of them.
"I think it is not the proper venue for us to talk this matter." It was Halaena.
"Right," Ares Agreed.
"Let's meet up my manor after an hour. I'll call the other's up," Halaena commanded.
Gareth reached the Anthurium Manor in no time. May inayos lang siyang ilang mga bagay sa ospital bago tuluyang tumulak patungo rito. Hanggang ngayon kasi ay hindi pa nagkakamalay ang kapatid. He personally talked to Lancelot's doctor. He wanted to know what was happening to his brother.
Ipinaliwanag ng doctor sa kanya ang kalagayan ng kapatid. He had eight broken ribs, sixteen torn ligaments and a hard blow on his skull. They were currently observing him for other possible injuries. His life was still in danger. He wanted to shout at the doctor for not doing his fucking job well. But he didn't let his rage got the better of him. Alam niya kung gaano kahirap ang kalagayan nito. And the doctors could only do what they can.
Kasama niya si Clarence na pumunta sa Anthurium Manor. They were greeted by Sir Percival at the lobby.
"Good evening, Your Highness," he made a ninety degree bow to him.
"Where are the others?" he asked.
"Naghihintay na po sila sa kabilang silid."
He led them inside. Heads turned immediately towards him when he entered the room. He made a mental head count, Ares, Halena, Arthur, Juno, Abaddon and Galahad were there. All of them were seated on a round table. They were also accompanied by their respective Chavaliers, each proudly stood in front of their charges.
Naupo siya sa isang bakanteng upuan. Clarence just stood behind him.
"Expecting anyone else, Halaena?" Arthur asked.
"None, Your Royal Highness," she said.
Complete silence covered the whole place, but their eyes were speaking with each other. Each pair of the amber eyes in this room spoke of danger, worry and vengeance.
"Something needs to be done," Arthur exclaimed, breaking the barrier of silence.
"But what can we do, brother?" Galahad asked.
"This is why gathered today. To know what steps to take." This time it was Ares.
"Who could be behind this? Any ideas?" it was his turn to speak.
He looked at Ares, Halaena, Juno and Galahad. Ito kasi sa kanilang magkakapatid ang direktang involve sa seguridad ng kaharian. Halaena was the Chief Strategist of the Imperial Army. Juno was the Vice Commander of the Black Ops. Ares was a detective for the police and Galahad was a jet fighter for the Air force.
None of them spoke.
"Why don't you answer me. Alam kong kahit papaano ay may alam kayo." He said in frustration. He looked at them in the eyes. Hindi makatingin ng tuwid ang mga ito sa kanya. As if they torn between something that he didn't know. Fuck! Anong inililihim ng mga ito?
He took a glance at Arthur, his expression mirroring his.
"I think it is the oath of the Armed Forces. They are not supposed to speak something regarding confidential matters," Abaddon explained.
"Then what's the point of this if you're not going to talk?" he his hand on the table, causing his brothers and sisters to stir.
"Calm down, Gareth," Arthur said.
"How could I fucking calm down? You value that fucking oath over the safety of our family? How fucking wretched was that!"
Hindi na niya tinago ang pagkainis sa mga ito. He was fucking angry. No. Anger was an understatement. Sunod-sunod ang nangyari sa kanya. The Imperial Consort's confinement in Asphodel. His Attack. Anya's poisoning. Steff's kidnapping. Lancelot's brutal assault. He wanted to know what was going on! He did not want to be blind sighted and to hell with those oath!
He was about to stand up. He had enough already. If they wouldn't budge, then to hell with them. He'll find a way to find the culprit.
"Stop this non-sense. All of you!" Arthur exclaimed.
"Gareth is right. This is our family that we are talking about! You gave an oath but to whom did you pledged your allegiance? Answer me!!!"
Walang nakasagot sa kanila. All of them were rendered speechless under Arthur's wrath.
"This is a decree from the Crown Prince, throw away those fucking oaths. For the benefit of the royal family, for the benefit of the Kingdom, talk! I will take responsibility over this one."
Huminga ng malalim si Halaena, saka yumuko. "I'm sorry, Your Royal Highness."
Sumunod naman dito ang iba niyang kapatid. He sneered at them, not only were they hounds of the palace. His brothers and sisters were certified military dogs.
"Can we continue? Do any of you have any idea as to who is responsible for this?" he said once more, this time emphasizing each word with conviction.
Juno was the first to answer, her voice was very calm but with a hint of danger, "Maraming kalaban ang Royal family. The Black Ops has noted a great movement within the Purist Faction. Minamasdan namin ang kanilang galaw. They were silent now but we think that they're cooking something."
"But this thing was not their style, Juno. They are more of a revolution. They use the people. They wanted to oust the Royal Family, but they want acknowledgement from the people," Ares rebutted.
"Is it the Fei Long Empire?" si Abaddon. Ang tinutukoy nito ay ang kaaway na Imperyo ng Pendragon.
"Posible. Pero nagdeklara sila ng ceasefire. And a peace treaty is now in motion. Do you think it's a diversionary tactic?" si Galahad.
"I do not think so. Fei Long does not move that way. Kilala ko na kung paano sila gumalaw. The emperor may be ruthless but they cannot outwit us. Yes, may mga espiya sila sa loob ng teritoryo natin, but they do not have access to Pendragon's intel," si Halaena.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked her.
"Kung sino man ang may gawa nito. They have access to Arondight Palace. Paano nilang nalamang lumabas ka noong gabing iyon, Prinsipe Gareth? Paano nilang nalaman kung ano ang mga paboritong kainin ni Prinsesa Anya? Paano nilang nalaman na papuntang Lyonesse si Prinsipe Lancelot?" Halaena continued.
"What you mean to say is?" si Ares.
"The culprit is inside the palace. There is a serpent within our own ranks."
Halaena's conclusion fitted perfectly inside the puzzle. Tama ito. It would be impossible for an outsider to do such things.
"And if my deductions are right, those people – whoever they are – are sending a message to us. And most probably than not, their next target is..."
Hindi na nila kailangan pang marinig ang susunod na sasabihin ni Halaena. They all knew what she was pointing. Sabay-sabay silang napatingin kay Arthur who was clenching both of his fists. Puno ng pag-aalala ang mukha nito. Their next target will be the wedding of the Crown Prince.
"So which one will they target next?" tanong ni Galahad.
"That, I am not sure of."
Silence crept inside the room once more. Bawat isa sa kanila ay nagpapakiramdaman.
"Did the King know this?" he asked.
"I talked to him about what happened to you Anya. He just brushed it off," it was Arthur who answered.
Just like what he expected from his father. He didn't care for him or his siblings at all. Lalo lamang siyang napoot sa Hari.
"But we still need to inform His Majesty on this," Juno said.
"Ako na ang bahala diyan."Halaena volunteered.
"As of now, all we could do is to prepare ourselves for the worse. Inform the Imperial Knights on a possible attack during my wedding day. Paigtingin natin ang seguridad sa bawat miyembro ng Royal Family. We must ensure everyone's safety."
And right there and then. They reached an agreement.
Steffanie was sipping a lemon tea inside the IMPERIO Boutique. Niyaya siya ni Sofia na pumunta dito upang tingnan at isukat ang pinagawang wedding gown nito. Dalawang araw na lang kasi at kasal na nito.
Laman na sila ng lahat ng pahayagan at TV shows. The media had been all but ecstatic to the wedding of the decade, or possibly the century, the wedding of the future monarch.
"Are you supposed to fit the wedding gown? They say that its bad luck," she said while flipping through the magazine.
"I didn't know that you were very superstitious, Miss Steffanie," Valerie said as she assess any possible faults in the gown of Sofia.
"I need to know how I look. Every camera will be focusing on me. Every fashion magazine will critique my fashion. I need to look smashing!" Sofia exclaimed.
Pinasadahan niya ito ng tingin. She was looking gorgeous in her white free flowing silk gown. Valerie did an amazing job for her. She will definitely be the envy of every woman in the kingdom during her wedding day, during the day that she will become the Crown Princess.
"Valerie's gown looks smashing on you Sofia. No need to worry about that." She gave her friend an assurance.
"Thank you, Miss Steffanie. And I know this will look perfect on you too," Valerie suddenly put a giant white box beside.
Nagulat siya dito.
"What's this?" she asked.
"Open it." Sofia said.
She did what she was told. The box contained a very beautiful white dress. It was embedded with small pearls and tiny crystals.
"Para saan to?" she clumsily ask.
"That's for you, Steff."
She looked at Sofia with confusion all over her face.
"Pababayaan ba namn kita? You are my maid-of-honor. Hindi ba't yan ang usapin natin dati. We will be the maid-of-honor sa sarisarili nating mga kasal."
She was speechless. She never expected such things. She knew that she was invited but never in her life had she dreamt of becoming the Crown Princess's maid-of-honor.
"Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?" Sofia asked.
"We can revise it. Maihahabol ko pa naman yan."
Umiling siya sa mga ito, "Nope. I like it very much."
Tears were now free-falling from her eyes. She really couldn't believe this. She was touched by Sofia's gesture. That simple thing proved how much she meant to her as friend and as a sister.
Lumapit ito sa kanya, "Oh? Bakit inunahan mo pa akong umiyak? Ako ang ikakasal," Sofia teased her.
"Thank you, Sofia. Thank you," she tightly hugged her friend. She was thankful that she became her best friend. This was one of those heartfelt moments that she will treasure forever. Today, she felt loved. Today, she felt that she mattered.
Steffanie was waiting inside the lobby of The Bay Hotel, a famous five star hotel in Camelot. Her father contacted her. Nais nitong makipagkita sa kanya. She was actually shocked to receive such message. Sa tuwina kasi'y ang kuya Michael Angelo niya ang dumadalaw sa kanya. Mabibilang din sa kanyang daliri ang mga pagkakataong siya ang kino-contact ng ama.
She looked at her watch. She was fifteen minutes too early. Marahil ay abala pa ito sa mga gawain nito bilang miyembro ng parliamento.
Natutuwa siya sa mga nagaganap ngayong araw na ito. Sofia made her feel how important she was in her life. And now, her father wanted to see her. Nag-uumapaw ang tuwa sa kanyang puso. Idagdag pa rito ang mga natatanggap niyang text message from Gareth. That man was very sweet.
And speaking of which, she received another text message from him.
Hi, sweetheart. How's your day?
His simple text message made her smile. Somehow, even his simple gestures could make her happy.
I am fine. Have gone out with Sofia today. What about you? She replied.
Wala pang ilang minuto ay sumagot na ito.
I'm dead as a meat, done some pretty boring royal stuff. Nothing that might raise your interest.
Nag-isip muna siya ng isasagot, How was your brother, by the way?
Muli siyang naghintay sa sagot nito. But five minutes had past, yet wala pa rin itong reply. She was worried na baka may masama siyang nasabi rito. Did she offend him?
She was about to apologize when she received a response from him.
He's doing good, recovering as of the moment. Sorry for the long response, sweetheart. I am here at a Gala event in Cansburry Hotel. Where are you, by the way?
Cansburry Hotel? It was just across the street. Magkalapit lang pala sila ngayon. Her started pounding from her chest. Knowing the possibility that they might see each other today excited her. She was about to tell him that she was nearby when sudden realization struck her. Hindi sila maaaring makitang magkasama ng ama. She was still not prepared to tell him the truth of her identity. She needed some time. She needed to ensure that her father's name would not be jeopardized should a prince of the kingdom would know the she was her father's bastard. Ayaw niyang maging dahilan ng pagbagsak ng ama. She would't risk it.
So with a heavy heart, she chose her family. She told her first lie to him.
I am at Dr. Flyheight's. I have a check-up tonight. Enjoy the gala event :)
Nagtatalo ang kanyang kalooban sa kanyang ginawa. Was it right to lie to him? Was it right to deceive the man she loved? But her conscience rebutted, was it also right to forsake her only family? At the end of the day, it was about choosing the lesser evil. And she made her choice.
She felt her phone vibrate. She received a message from Gareth.
Alright, I'll bear this night. But I would be happier if you're with me here. Take care always and follow the Doc's advice.
She was about to send a reply when someone tapped both of her shoulders from behind. Agad naman niyang hinarap ang guamawa niyon.
"Kanina ka pa dito?"
It was her father. Muling nabuhay na naman ang tuwa sa kanyang puso.
"Hindi pa naman po."
"Let's go and have some dinner then. Today, it's my treat."
She made a courtesy bow to him.
"Thank you for the generosity, Your Grace."
"The pleasure is all mine, Steff."