Steffanie's exhibit was doing fine. Maraming mga tao ang dumadaan sa kanyang booth at nagtatanong tungkol sa kanyang centrepiece. Marami na rin ang nagtangkang bilhin ito, but she politely declined. Those two paintings were not for sale. It was hers. This was her expression of herself. Inilabas niya lamang ito para makita ng madla ang kanyang sining.
He heard her phone rang. Agad naman niyang sinagot ito nang makitang si Gareth ang tumatawag.
"Hello, sweetheart?" she heard from the other line.
She couldn't help herself but to be enamoured by his voice. He sounded so masculine over the phone. His voice is just sending a huge wave of electric waves on her spine.
"Hello... Bakit?" she asked.
"It seems that I might be a little late today."
"It's okay. Maayos naman ako dito," she said while smiling.
"I wish I was there for your big day. But no worries, I'll be there by the end of the day."
"Sure thing. Nandito naman si Sofia para samahan ako."
"Good to know that. You know what, Steff? I want to be with you today," his voice turned a little bit husky.
"That's okay. I'll be with you tonight. And that's more exciting."
Narinig niya ang paglunok nito. "Damn it, Steff! You just made hard. I'll punish you tonight for your naughtiness."
She imagined his mode of punishment and how it would be excruciatingly delicious it would be for her. She suddenly felt a strong quenching desire in her most feminine part. It was brewing inside her, like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
"See you tonight then. I am looking forward to it."
"Naughty. Naughty." She heard his bemused laugh over the phone and it made her anticipate more of him.
"Bye, sweetheart."
"Bye." Saktong pagbaba ng kanyang telepono ay ang pagdating naman ng isang hindi niya inaasahang tao.
It was Natalya and her croons. And judging by look on her face, she was up to no good. She stood her guard. She knew Natalya could be dangerous. She got firsthand experience to prove that.
Agad siyang lumingon sa paligid. Matao pa naman. Several people were still just a few blocks away. Kahit papaano naging kampante siya, but was still this underlying fear inside her.
The sight of Natalya brought her the memories that she wanted to completely burry in the sands. Naalala niya kung paano siya nito pinapanood habang pinagsasamantalahan siya ng mga tauhan nito. She was so helpless. She was screaming. She was fighting them. But everything was futile. In the end, kung hindi dahil kay Gareth, she would have been violated, or worse, baka isa na siyang malamig na bangkay.
Now, she just wished that Sofia was there. But alas, Sofia was called by the Queen Dowager earlier.
She suddenly felt suffocated.
"Cat got your tongue?" Natalya said to her.
Binigyan siya nito ng isang mapang-uyam na tingin bago pumasok sa kanyang booth.
"So what do we have here?"
Umikot-ikot ito sa maliit na espasyo.
"Please, Natalya. Ayoko ng gulo," she weakly said. Somehow, all of her energy was deserting her. Nangangatog na ang kanyang mga tuhod.
"Gulo? Mangugulo ba tayo, girls?" she said to her croons. Sabay-sabay namang umiling ang mga ito, waring inaasar pa siya.
"We are actually here to buy something from these pieces of trash," Natalya sarcastically said.
"And besides, tapos na akong manggulo, and as I can actually see here, it didn't work. Kitang-kita naman sa mga basurang ito ang produkto ng paglalandi mo. Now, I am actually waging war. Right, girls?" she said in a way that that the few people beside them would hear her.
"War it is," wika ng isa nitong kasamahan.
Lumapit si Natalya sa painting ni Gareth. It was Mars Ultor, a semblance of the vengeance of the war god.
"Ang mga basurang ito ay walang halaga at dapat na itapon."
Humugot ito ng isang marker mula sa dalang tote bag. She slowly uncapped the marker.
"Tamang-tama, walang salamin. It's just the canvass. Madali lang nating mae-edit. This way, hindi na natin itong maituturing na isang basura. It will have a touch of Natalya."
Hindi niya makapa ang mga salitang nais niya sabihin. She wanted to scream at her. She wanted to say no. She wanted to plea with her. But she just remained frozen.
"It's a pity to see such fine things destroyed by a bunch of lousy individuals who knew nothing in art."
Napatigil si Natalya sa ginagawa. She could see the anger and annoyance in her eyes for the newcomer. Hindi nito marahil nagustuhan ang pang-iinsulto nito.
Hinarap na ni Natalya ang bagong dating. "Get your nose out of this, this is not your fucking business!"
Nanalatay ang takot sa mukha ni Natalya nang makita kung sino ang bagong dating. Maging siya ang natigalgal din sa presensya ng mga ito. That voice came from none other than the Queen Dowager herself. Kasama rin nito si Sofia at sa bandang likuran ay naroroon naman ang mahal na Hari.
He could see the crease on the forehead of the King. He was intensely looking at Natalya.
"Sino ang nagbigay sa iyo ng karapatang sigawan ang Inang Reyna?" came the dangerous voice of the King.
Suddenly, she was afraid of the man. Agad naman siyang nagbigay pugay rito.
"Tinatanong ka ng mahal na Hari!" sigaw ng kasamang tagapaglingkod ng Hari.
Natalya and her cronies just bowed down, not a word escaped from their mouths.
"Hayaan mo na siya, mahal na Hari. Maaaring nagulat lamang siya sa ating pagdating," came the compassionate voice of the Queen Dowager.
"But still, that is not an excuse to humiliate your majesty in public," the voice of the King was full of conviction.
"Don't worry my King. I didn't take offense. We are here to appreciate the beauty of art not to strike fear to these innocent lasses."
"Maraming salamat po sa inyong awa, mahal na Inang Reyna. Hindi na po ito mauulit pa," sinabi ni Natalya habang nakayuko pa rin.
Pinasadahan ng hari ng tingin si Natalya. "Naging mabait man ang mahal na Inang Reyna sa iyo. Ngunit may karampatang parusa pa ring nag-aabang sa iyo. Tumabi ka ngayon din sa daraanan ng Inang Reyna. Nais nitong tumingin ng gawa ng pintor na ito."
Mabilis pa sa kidlat na tumalima si Natalya. Aalis na sana ang mga ito ngunit pinigilan sila ng mga kasamang kawal ng hari.
"May sinabi ba akong maaari na kayong makaalis?"
There was a dangerous aura surrounding the King. Maging siya ay nangangatog na rin ang tuhod sa takot. The presence of the King was really too much for her.
Agad namang pumasok sa kanyang maliit na lugar ang Inang Reyna at si Sofia.
Inikot-ikot ng mga ito ang buong paligid.
"Tama nga ang sinabi sa amin ng Prinsesa. Isang mahusay na pintor ang kanyang matalik na kaibigan."
Kasalukuyang nasa harap ng kanyang centrepieces ang Inang Reyna. Her eyes were full of appreciation and wonder.
"Miss Steffanie, maaari bang pakisamahan mo kami rito ng aming Crown Princess."
She sharply inhaled. "Opo, mahal na Inang Reyna." Sa wakas at natagpuan na niyang muli ang kanyang boses.
"Sabi nila, may kwentong bumabalot sa loob ng bawat likhang sining. Sumasasang-ayon ka ba roon, Miss Steff?"
"Opo kamahalan."
"Kung ganoon, maaari mo bang maisalaysay ang kuwento sa likod ng painting na mga ito?"
Muli siyang huminga ng malalim. "Ang tema po kasi ng aking koleksyon ay, Alpha Male. I want to showcase the different facet in a life of an Alpha Male. Here you see a proud a man. A man who wanted to dominate. A man who wanted to conquer. A man who is in control. While on the other one expresses the opposite. I want to show that how much fierce and ferocious an Alpha Male is. There will always be his soft side. A part of his being that allows him to appreciate everything that he has. A joyful man. A happy man. A contented man. I want to show the world that though they are Alpha, they are still human."
"Napakagandang interpretasyon ang ginawa mo dito. I am sure Prince Gareth would be happy to see this. You gave justice to this. I am beyond words." Sincerong pagpapahayag nito.
"Maaari ko bang malaman kung magkano mo ito ipinagbibili?"
She made a bow to the Queen Dowager. "Ipagpatawad po ninyo, mahal na Inang Reyna. Hindi ko po ipinagbibili iyan."
"I understand. There's nothing for you to be sorry about. Sadyang napakaganda talaga ng painting na ito. I suddenly want it hanged inside the Arondight Palace."
Sadyang tumataba na ang kanyang puso sa mga papuri nito. "Maraming salamat po, Inang Reyna."
Dumako naman ito sa isang sulok ng kanyang booth. Naroroon kasi ang isa pang painting na kanyang ginawa. Medyo matagal-tagal na rin ang painting niyang iyon. It was one of the first paintings she finished. It was a painting of the King himself. She entitled it as Jupiter Invictus.
"Mahal na Hari, may nais akong ipakita sa iyo."
Agad din namang pumunta ang hari sa loob ng kanyang booth. Suddenly it felt cramped inside it. Napakalaki at overwhelming kasi ng mahal na hari.
"Tingnan mo ito, kuhang-kuha niya ang iyong ekpresyon."
Sinuri ng mahal na Hari ang kanyang painting. And all of the sudden, he smiled. Nagulat siya sa nakita. Bibihira kasing ngumiti ang mahal na Hari. She could see the fascination in the eyes of the king as he traced out the contours of her paint.
"Why did you name this Jupiter Invictus?" The King inquired while still looking at the painting. Waring sinusuri nito ang kanyang estilo ng pagpipinta.
"Jupiter, like Mars, was one of the gods worshipped by the ancient people in the European Faction. Mars was the god of war whereas Jupiter was the god of the gods. He reigns through the heavens and earths. His name is mighty. And like Jupiter, I found his majesty to be like him. Mighty. Omnicient. All encompassing. And invictus is another term for unconquerable. You have made the kingdom indomitable. Through your Kingship, Pendragon had lead a dominating path. In this painting, I want to showcase his majesty's greatness."
Tumungo-tungo sa kanya ang mahal na Hari.
"Binibini. I overheard from your conversation from the Queen Dowager that some of your paintings here are not for sale. But perhaps, can you make an exception for the King. Can you sell me this painting of me? I'll hang it inside the walls of Arondight Palace."
Nagulat siya sa narinig. The King wanted her painting. She must be dreaming. But she's not
"I am humbled by your kindness, your majesty. I'll have this one wrapped up for you," she politely said to the King.
"May ilang painting din akong nais kong iuuwi. Miss Steff, maaari bang paki-assist dito," sabat ng Inang Reyna.
Hindi niya mapagkasya ang tuwang nararamdaman niya. This was the confirmation of her life-long dream as an artist. This was the mere reason why she became a painter. The smile of satisfaction given to her by the King and Queen Dowager will be forever engraved in her memories.
Kasalukuyang inihahanda na niya ang mga painting na binili ng mga ito, one for the king and five for the Queen Dowager. Muling lumapit ang Inang Reyna sa kanya.
"Remember during the wedding of the Crown Princess? I told you that the complete set of the Sirius gems would look perfect on you. And I was right, especially the ring. Good luck to you dear child."
Napangiti na lamang siya sa mahal na Inang Reyna.
Soon after, nagpaalam na ang mga ito sa kanila. Samantala, nagpaiwan naman si Sofia para makakwentuhan pa siya. Nagsabi na lamang ito na susunod na lamang siya sa Inang Reyna at Hari makalipas ang dalawang oras.
Isinama rin ng convoy ng Hari ang convoy ni Natalya. Inakala niyang patatawarin na ito ng mahal na Hari. But she was dead wrong. Apparently, there was still a punishment waiting for her.
"Mabuti na lang at wala na ang Hari at ang Inang Reyna. Muntik nang mapanis ang laway ko. Ang hirap palang 'di magsalita," Sofia said when everyone was gone except for her own court ladies and Chevalier.
"Sino ba naman kasi ang nagsabi sa 'yo na tumahimik ka?"
"Ay naku, Steff. Kabilin-bilinan yan ni Arthur. Pag kasama ko ang Hari, matutunan ko na raw tumahimik. Less words, less mistakes."
Nagulat siya sa kaibigan. "Kailan ka pa naging masunurin?"
Nakita niya ang pamumula sa mukha nito. She's blushing through the roots of her hair.
"Mabuti na lang pala at dumating agad kami. Kung hindi, baka kung anong nagawa na ni Natalya," pag-iiba nito ng usapan.
Muli na namang sumagi sa kanyang isipan ang naganap sa pagitan nila ni Natalya. Isa lang ang napatunayan niya sa nangyari, she was not able to completely forget what happened during that night. May kung anong takot pa rin siyang nadarama kapag nakikita ito.
"I pity her though," muling pananlita ni Sofia.
Nagkunwari siyang may ginagawa upang maitago ang kakaibang takot na muling nadama. "Bakit naman?"
"The King is the last person you should anger. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawing kaparusahan ng Hari."
Sabihin nang masama ang kanyang ugali, but somehow she felt avenged. Oo nga't napatawad na niya ito, but there was still this nagging feeling inside her to get even. At least now, she could appease herself that justice had been served. One way or the other.
Ilang sandali pa't dumating ang isa na namang hindi inaasahang panauhin. It was her brother.
Agad naman niyang sinalubong ito ng yakap.
"What are you doing here?" tanong niya.
"I was in the vicinity. I just though, I'd drop by," he said as he gave her a kiss on her cheeks.
Napadako naman ang tingin nito kay Sofia.
"Naririto pala ang Mahal na Prinsesa," bulong nito sa kanya.
She just nodded in response.
Nagbigay pugay ito sa kaibigan.
"You don't need to that, Your Grace. We are not in a formal event. Just treat as Steff's BFF."
"If that's your Highness's wish."
"So, anong ipaglilingkod ko sa iyo?" she said.
"I am looking for a display in my office. Can you assist me?"
"I will be all too glad to assist you."
Inalalayan niya ang kapatid. In the end, halos lahat ng natitirang painting ay binili nito.
"Naparami naman ng binili mo," she said.
"Well, some of these are mine. Ang iba naman ay kay Dad. His Grace specifically sent me just to do this."
Napangiti na lamang siya. In all fairness to her father, somehow, sinusubukan nitong bumawi sa kanya.
"Is his Grace in town today?"
"Yup, meet us tonight at the Lead Hotel. Meet you there."
She nodded in response.
Gareth was frustrated as hell. Kanina pa sila naroroon sa selda ng kampo ni Halaena. They were trying to interrogate their captives. Ang iba rito ay ang nambugbog sa kanya, samantalang ang iba naman ay ang sugatang nakasagupaan ni Ares.
Tatlo lamang silang nandoon. It was him, Ares and Halaena. They were looking at the one-way mirror in front of them. They were all there, tightly tied up in their own seats.
They were going nowhere. Kanina pa silang naroroon ngunit wala man lang silang makuhang impormasyon sa mga ito. They were all tight-lipped.
"We're just going in circles here," he said in his frustration.
"Damn it! Bakit ba ayaw magsalita ng mga yan!" Ares shouted.
"Maybe we're doing something wrong here. I'll try something, wait here."
Agad namang lumabas ng silid si Halaena. He immediately looked at the wall clock in the room. It was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon. He immediately thought of Steff. Damn it! He wanted to go to her. Today was her big day. Dito niya itatampok ang mga paintings nito, her paintings of him.
Ilang araw na rin niyang kinukulit ito na ipakita sa kanya ang mga gawa nito. But she refused, it was supposed to be a surprise for him. But apparently he will be the one spoiling the surprise. Ilang oras na lamang kasi't matatapos na ang exhibit ng kasintahan.
He fished his phone from his pocket. She immediately dialled Steff's phone number.
"Hello, sweetheart," he immediately said when the other line answered the phone.
"Anong sweetheart, sweetheart... Ang corny corny mo naman pala Prince Gareth."
Napatigalgal siya sa narinig.
"Who's this?"
"Well... I am surprised that you didn't recognize your sister-in-law's voice."
"Princess Sofia?"
"Bakit may iba ka pa bang sister-in-law?"
"I was wondering if I could talk to Steff?"
"Well... Obvious naman siguro na wala siya 'di ba kasi ako ang nakasagot."
Sometimes, she also wondered why the King chose Sofia as the Crown Princess. This woman definitely lacked the finesse.
"May I know where she is?"
"Currently she's at the clinic. Medyo nahilo ng kaunti dahil siguro sa stress."
Agad na bumundol ang kaba sa kanyang dibdib. Did something bad happen to her? Agad siyang tumayo mula kinauupuan. He needed to be with her.
"Tell me where she is."
"She's okay now. Kasama naman niya ang isang court lady ko. I just received a text from my Lady Jenina, simple dizziness lang naman daw, sa sobrang init ng panahon. But she's okay now. Pabalik na raw sila."
Kahit papaano'y nakahinga siya ng maluwag sa narinig.
"Okay, just please tell her that I'm gonna take her to dinner later."
"Sure thing." Sofia said as he dropped the call.
Muli siyang napaupo at nahilot ang kanyang sentido. He assessed himself. He reflected on different things. Muli na namang sumalakay ang kakaibang takot sa kanyang dibdin. Losing her was indeed unbearable. He didn't know how to live without her bright smiles. Kaya naman nung magsinungaling ito sa kanya, he just let it pass. He gave her the benefit of the doubt. Maaaring ayaw lamang nito na mag-alala siya. Damn it! He indeed fell very hard for that woman.
Muli namang pumasok sa silid si Halaena. This time, may dala-dala na itong sangkatutak na dokumento. Inilapag nito ang mga folders sa kalapit na mesa. She scanned it thoroughly. Makalipas lamang ang ilang minuto ay tinungo na nito ang katabing silid.
Halaena's face was blank. It was devoid of any emotion. He could see it right through the mirror.
Agad itong lumapit sa isang nakagapos na lalaki.
"Do you know am I?"
Hindi sumagot ang lalaki.
"Bingi ka ba?"
Wala namang reaksiyong rumehistro sa mukha nito.
"Ah... you want to play this game, huh? Well let me see. Conrad Layfield, forty two years old, a father of three. What if sabihin ko sa 'yo na ang ipapataw ko sa inyo ay ang Three Generation Punishment. We will take your whole family. All the women will become a slave while the men will be thrown in battlefield."
The man hesitated. He looked at Halaena with disdain.
"Hindi mo magagawa iyan," bulong nito.
"At sino naman ang nagsabi sa iyo na hindi ko kayang gawin iyan? Do you have any idea who you are talking to?"
"Madali lamang para sa amin sa burahin kayo sa mundong ito, desaparatidos, bigla na lang mawawala. The police reports could be easily manipulated."
So Halaena initiated a psychological warfare. His sister was really a terrifying tyrant.
"Oo na! Magsasalita na ako!" sigaw nang isang lalaki sa kaliwa ni Halaena.
"Mabuti naman ang naliwanagan na kayo. What about the others?"
"Magsasalita na rin ako," another one declared.
Nangangati ang kanyang palad. The anticipation was instantaneously brewing inside of him. They will know who the culprit was. Sa wakas, mapagbabayad na rin nila ito.
"It was your brother!" sigaw ng isa.
"Yup! It was Prince Arthur! Siya ang nag-utos sa amin."
Parang nabingi siya sa narinig. Arthur? How? Why? What?'His body became numb.
Agad namang dumapo sa mukha ng lalaki ang isang sampal galing kay Halaena.
"You dare to tarnish the name of the Crown Prince? Quit the lies!"
"Nagsasabi ako ng totoo. Siya ang nagbayad sa amin. Gusto niyang mapatunayan na siya talaga ang magiging Hari. Na walang makakapigil sa kanya sa pag-upo niya sa trono!"
"Nonsense!" Halaena shrieked.
"Totoo ang lahat ng iyon." Sigaw ng isa.
"Ito ang dahilan kaya pinuntirya namin ang second family! Prince Lancelot, Prince Gareth, not even Prince Ares could replace him. The others, they're just a cherry on top."
"This is a message to send to them. That nobody could abdicate him of the throne. He is and will be the King!"
"Hail Prince Arthur, the future King!" sigaw ng isa.
Hindi niya alam ang susunod na gagawin. He was rendered immobile. Arthur did this? For what? For the fucking throne. Damn him! But it's already his. Ano pa ba ang gusto nito? Siya man ang Fourth Prince pero ni sa kanyang hinagap ay hindi niya naisip na maging hari. So what about Anya? What about Steff? Are they just the cherry on top?
He was enraged by this point of realization. He clenched his teeth. He will make him pay. Prince or not, pagbabayaran nito ang mga ginawa nito. He will make sure of that.