“I would welcome your cooperation with me.”
The King's words twisted her stomach into knots. Kahit pa inaasahan na ni Ceesta ang ganitong bagay pagkatapos siya nitong ipatawag muli, hindi niya alam kung dala ba ng kaba o saya ang nararamdaman. Sinabi rin nito na hindi niya kailangan mamroblema sa tutuluyan dahil may ipinahandang kwarto para sa kaniya.
Ngunit may isang bagay itong hindi nabanggit.
“Pardon me, your Majesty. But how about my companion?”
Nang pumunta ang mga sundalo sa kanilang kulungan, si Ceesta lang ang kanilang pinakawalan at hindi niya alam kung ano na ang lagay ni Apollo sa ibaba. Ayaw niyang isipin na baka mahiwalay ito sa kaniya gayon na nakikita ni Ceesta na may balak ang Hari sa pekeng kakayahan na kaniyang siniwalat.
“What can he do for me?” The King asked, with a goblet on his hand.
She gulped. This was a very dangerous question to answer. If she lied, at sinabi na may kakaibang kakayahan din si Apollo, tiyak na hindi sila maniniwala hangga't walang proweba. Mawawala rin ang tiwala nila sa kaniya dahil sa pagsisinungaling, and worse, baka hindi lang simpleng death punishment ang ipataw sa kanila.
“Kagaya ko, wala na rin siyang pamilya't tirahan--”
“An inadequate man that serves no purpose is good for nothing. Your friend is a worthless man, indeed.” He declared, cutting her words off. Mariing kumagat si Ceesta.
This geezer insulted Apollo and if he only knew Ceesta was not what he had thought, he would say the same thing. It was upsetting and she wanted him to take it back.
“I extend this opportunity to you alone for one reason. You possess the potential that can be very useful for this Kingdom. So take note, for this offer is not extended to one who is unworthy or without purpose, for I am not in the habit of adopting mere orphans.”
She tried to take a deep breath to calm herself. Kahit nagrereklamo si Ceesta tuwing kasama si Apollo, hindi naman niya gustong mahiwalay rito gayon na alam niya ang hirap ng buhay sa ilalim ng madilim at malamag na dungeon.
“There's this one thing--” Mariin niyang linunok ang nagbabadyang piyok. “This ability had bad side effects-- and it could kill me if you separate us.”
“The horror from my visions keeps on haunting me--”
Kinuwento ni Ceesta ang kunwaring pangyayari katulad nang pagkakaroon niya ng bangungot kung saan tanging magulang lang niya ang may kakayahan na makagising sa kaniya. At dahil wala na ang kaniyang magulang, si Apollo na ang naging katuwang nito sa ganoong situwasyon.
“I've had heard enough theatric story before.” Tanging sagot ng hari.
“Your Majesty. My family thinks I am cursed when they discovered my ability. Kahit ako hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari sa akin--”
“I can assign someone who can be with you while you were asleep.”
“It's not like that, your Majesty. It doesn't work with anyone unless--”
“He's not even your family isn't he? Bakit gagana sa kanya pero hindi para sa iba?”
Napayuko si Ceesta nang mapansing lumalim ang boses nito at namunuo ang pagdududa sa mukha. “Do not attempt to fool me, Ceesta.” The King warned.
Marahil masyado siyang naging defensive. Ceesta has been a liar, lalo na kapag may nagawa itong mali at ayaw mapagalitan. Kung nakaya niyang paikutin ang utak ng taong kilala na siya, kaya niyang paikutin ang taong ni katiting ay walang alam sa totoong buhay niya.
But she did not expect it would be this hard. She knew King Matteo was trained to be a ruler, but if she succeed in the first deception, she could do it again.
BINABASA MO ANG
Norfolk
FantasyA book-lover through and through, Ceesta enjoys diving into tales that offer thrilling adventures, true love, and magic. Seeking refuge in the pages of magical adventures, where she can escape from the mundaneness of everyday life. Never in her wild...
