PEOPLE and danger don't go together, do they? But it's inevitable. I never thought my questions would be answered this early. Danger has found me, but the thing is — I must turn danger into opportunity.
Seeing him wearing the crown, gaining respect from people, living the abundant life everyone wishes for, makes me wanna curse him to death. How dare he live a life in spite of the horror and traumas he inflicted to an innocent child.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah. Don't mind me," sagot ko sa tanong ni Genesis. Hindi ko mapigilang mapayukom ng kamao na siyang dahilan ng pagkunot ng noo ng kasama ko.
"You're acting weird since you've met the king. He's quite intimidating, isn't he?"
Intimidating, huh? I was never intimidated, and never will. He's just acting mighty because of the throne, pero walang bagay na nakakatakot sa kanya. Why would I fear danger when I am the danger itself?
"Are you really sure you're alright? Hindi mo 'ko sinusungitan," pag-uulit ni Genesis. Inikot ko ang mata at tumayo. I've seen and discovered enough. Sapat na ang nalaman ko para sa buhay na tatahakin ko sa lugar na'to, at sisiguraduhin kong ako ang mananalo.
"Hey! Saan ka pupunta?"
"Sa lugar kung saan wala ka." Hinubad ko ang pares ng takong na suot-suot ko at naglakad paalis ng nakapaa. Ilang segundo lamang at may humigit sa kaliwang braso ko at iniharap sa kanya.
"Bitawan mo 'ko, Genesis," malamig kong sambit at tumingala upang salubungin ang nakakainis na mukha nito pero natigilan ako nang mapagtantong hindi si Genesis ang nasa harap ko.
"You forgot this. It was unlikely of me to leave the party but I want to return this personally to you." Kinuha ng hari ang kamay ko at may inilagay rito na maliit na pouch. Tipid itong ngumiti bago muling nagsalita, "Have we met before?"
I secretly gritted my teeth. "I don't think so. I don't remember seeing you somewhere from the past."
Natigilan ito at tinitigan ang mga mata ko. Nilabanan ko rin ang titig niya. Hindi nagtagal ay umiwas ito ng tingin at tumikhim.
"Do you often talk to people like that?" Ngumiti ito at mahinang tinapik ang balikat ko. "Use honorifics. Hindi ka ba tinuruan ng mga magulang mo na rumespeto sa mga katulad ko?"
His voice was gentle but his words held meaning. Plastikan pala ang gusto niya.
"I believe that respect is given only to those who deserve it," I said and held my chin up. I shall not bow down to anyone. Never.
His eyebrows narrowed. "Are you saying that I don't deserve to be respected?"
"Maybe." I gave him the sweetest smile. "But it's not my opinion that matters."
"I like that. You're straightforward and honest." Itinaas niya ang kamay at hinawi ang buhok na nakatakip sa kanang mata ko. "Your parents raised you well."
Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa pouch. "Yeah. They were the best." I should congratulate myself for having the best parents anyone could have.
Best parents, my ass.
Muling ngumiti ang hari kasabay ng paghawak ni Genesis sa kamay ko na kakarating lang. Palipat-lipat ang tingin ng hari sa sa kanya at sa kamay namin. Alam ko na kung anong iniisip nito.
BINABASA MO ANG
Curse of the Fallen Deity (Zarsothian Tales #1 | Volume 1 & 2)
Fantasy"She must remember the sacred rule; to fall in love is a curse." Abandoning the isle means having the life Aurora longs to live. In the prosperous kingdom of Forthmore, she will seek vengeance with the power even death can't prevail. But life is a...
