Ways To Escape Death

Chapter 25: Killian's POV (Part I)

Killian's POV

Inangat ko ang aking paningin para bigyang pansin ang sumira ng konsentrasyon ko.

"Master, we found traces of abnormal energy located in two different directions," Red said, one of the youngster mages.

"Give me specific information! Get lost!"

He shakes in fear and immediately walks out of my sight. I am currently investigating matters that might be related to the Holy Temple. For a thousand years, they have always made things hard for us. They do all the dirty work to frame the mages of this magic tower.

Nalipat ang atensyon ko sa newspaper na nakapatong sa ibabaw ng record book ko. Madali ko itong binuklat para alamin ang balita sa Imperyo. "Annulment of engagement between the Crown Prince and the lady of White Dukedom. What might be the possible cause?" This news was already five days ago.

Napahawak ako sa baba ko habang nakangisi. "Heh..."

Ilang buwan lang nawala sa paningin ko si Elizabeth, ganitong balita pa ang bubuluga sa akin. This is not fun.

Nilingon ko ang direksyon ng mga kasama ko sa silid. "I must go back to Asterin. Make sure you are all fully prepared on my next return."

"Yes, master," they said in unison.

By using a teleportation scroll, I can easily return to the empire within a day. This scroll is eternal. It is fixed for one-way destinations. Hindi ko na kailangan ng delay para huminto pa sa magic circle stops. I especially made this for me, para madali akong nakakabalik sa mansyon.

"Welcome home, milord," bungad sa akin ng personal aide ko. 

No one else knew my true identity besides him. His family has been serving me for generations. Ngayong matanda na siya, sinasanay na niya ang apo niya para pumalit sa pwesto, pagdating ng panahon na lisanin niya ang mundo.

I removed my mask saka pasandal na umupo sa aking upuan. Kasalukuyan akong nasa private office ng mansyon ko.

"Tristan, what exactly happened to my plaything?" I asked.

"Lady Elizabeth committed suicide by drinking poison a month ago. Her father comes back with battle victory, a week after the incident. He immediately summons every well-known doctor in our empire. He even seeks help from the mages and healers, but they all have the same diagnosis... she is no longer in life," he said. "No one could explain how she suddenly awakened from the deathbed."

I laughed, sarcastically. "Even hell won't accept her."

"It was a miracle, they say..."

A miracle isn't real. That's bulls*t.

"Did you investigate why she did that?"

"It was related to the recent rumors about the Crown Prince's relationship with the adopted daughter of Marquess Philip."

"Adopted daughter? What family does she originally belong to?"

"She is from the countryside. Her parents are farmers, and she is the only daughter of their family." 

I am curious why would Marquess Philip suddenly adopted a lady from a no-name family. Sakto pa sa mga panahong nasa labas ako ng bansa.

Napailing na lamang ako. Hindi na bago sa 'kin ang ganitong balita. "The trusted aide of the Crown Prince is his foster son, and now he wants his daughter to be appointed as Crown Princess? He really...such a greedy man."

Binuksan ko ang drawer ng office table ko para kumuha ng papel at panulat. "How is Elizabeth doing?" tanong ko habang sinusulat ang magiging panimula ng ipapadala kong sulat sa White Dukedom.

"She is doing well, milord."

Sandali akong nahinto para sulyapan ang ekspresyon niya. Hindi ito matinag sa kinatatayuan at diretso lang din ang tingin. Mukhang seryoso nga talaga siya sa sagot niya. "Tell me her recent activities."

"She never once left her residence since the incident. But according to our spy, she is acting differently than usual."

"What does it mean?"

"She's now treating them better. She becomes approachable and gentle towards them."

"Like she sees them as equal? Do you think I would believe that sh*t?"

He bowed his head in respect. "I dare not spout nonsense in the presence of my lord."

I finished the letter of request to meet Elizabeth. I can just look for it myself then. If she really has changed herself or it is just part of her another scheme. 

"Deliver this to the White Dukedom."

Tristan carefully took the letter from me. "I'll excuse myself then."

BANDANG HAPON ko na natanggap ang response ni Elizabeth. Binalik niya lang ang imbitasyon ko with her refusing answer. This never happened before. Interesting... Really interesting...

"Lady Elizabeth plans to attend the Mask Festival in the middle-class area, tomorrow night. This is reported from the spy we planted to their household," reported by Tristan.

"Then I should go and observe her,'' l said, smirking.

KINABUKASAN, gaya ng plano ay pumunta ako sa middle-class area para hintayin ang pagdating niya. I am currently wearing ordinary clothes so I can blend well with others. I do not like to attract attention by wearing an expensive outfit. I wore half-face silver mask and change my hair color into black.

Hindi rin nagtagal ay dumating siya sakay ng ordinaryong karwahe. Ang suot niya ay hindi mamahaling tela. She is wearing peasant clothing. Nakatirintas ang kaniyang buhok. Her half-face mask is in a butterfly shape. She's with her lady-in-waiting and two guard knights.

Kung hindi ko lang siya kabisado, baka mapagkamalan ko talaga siyang ibang tao. Elizabeth was a type of noble who cares about her appearance. Mataas ang tingin niya sa sarili dahil na rin sa taas ng ranggo niya sa lipunan. Hindi siya ang tipong bababa para sa 'yo. Pero sa nakikita ko ngayon, kumikilos siya ng malaya. Nakalingkis pa ang braso niya sa servant niya. Pinanood ko lang siya mula sa malayo. Napag-alaman ko ring gumamit siya ng pekeng pangalan, bilang Sophia.

Bawat street food stall, pinupuntahan niya. Nagshi-share din siya sa mga kasamahan niya. Bumili ako ng barbecue malapit sa pwesto nila. Napalingon sa direksyon ko ang knight guard na isa sa mga spy ko. Madali niyang binalik ang atensyon sa harap para magpanggap na hindi ako nakita. Marami kasing secret knights ang naghalo at nagkalat sa paligid. Mukhang dinispatya sila ng Duke White para protektahan ang anak niya.

Sunod na pinagkakaabalahan niya ay ang gaming area. Sandali akong natulala nang makita siyang tumatawa. I can clearly see pure joy in her eyes. Para bang ito ang naging pahinga niya. Wala siyang ibang iniisip, kundi magsaya lang.

I turn my back and walk away. I don't feel like interrupting her fun anymore.