The Wicked Crown

Chapter 5: Dungeon Hill

Chapter 5: Dungeon Hill

Umatras ako palayo sa prinsipe. One of the royals had seen through my disguise and all I could do was to create as much distance as possible while I regained my calm.

Pero mukhang hindi ko kailangang lumayo, dahil wala siyang pakialam sa nadiskobre niya. Tumalikod siya, his hand pushing the cape out of his way.

"Tell them I went for a walk. This party bores me."

His crown was glistening nang maglakad siya paalis sa balkonahe papunta sa outer staircase ng courtyard. He walked with the confidence that comes with royalty. With no care for others but himself.

"Hindi mo ba ako isusumbong?"

I don't know if he's playing a trick with me. Wala ba siyang pakialam kahit alam niyang nakapasok ang tulad ko sa palasyo kung saan siya nakatira?

Lumapit siyang muli sa'kin, and the heaviness of being face to face with a royal drowns me. Hindi ko alam kung pwede ko itong gawin, ang tingnan siya ng deretso sa mga mata. I grew up learning to lower my gaze in front of the members of the Night Court.

I tried not to blink as I stared at him. Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi niya. "I have no business dealing with their problems." Saka siya tuluyang umalis.

Naiwan akong mag-isa sa balkonahe. I don't know if I was already safe from him. There's something bothersome about him, about the way he acts so recklessly for a royal.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas bago ako nakapag-isip nang maayos. Kailangan kong makaalis. Kailangan kong mahanap si Demetre at makalabas dito.

Binalik ko sa ayos ang buhok ko. Pinakalma kong muli ang sarili ko na tila nandito ako sa unang pagkakataon. Huminga ako nang malalim at muling pumasok sa hall kung saan nagaganap ang pagdiriwang. It's my safest route. Hindi nila ako mapapansin sa gitna ng madaming taong nagsasayahan.

The people at the party remained merry, intoxicated, and noble. Opulent shoes and heavy gowns sweeping the floor as they dance around under the gigantic chandeliers gleaming golden on their blissful faces. The People of the Halls has no idea of the chaos happening outside of these walls.

Bumaling ako sa pedestal. A throne was empty because Prince Keegan left the party a while ago. But the rest still acts upon their masks, watching a percentage of their subjects drown themselves in the finest wines and most exquisite food, in one of the most luxurious parties in the kingdom, while their remaining subjects barely have food on the table and a roof above their heads.

For a split second I want to be part of them. Not to belong but to exist to ruin; like a bomb. I want to cause chaos, to distraught their perfect lives the same way they did with mine.

But I'm no one.

I made my way out of the hall. Maingat kong tinahak ang daan kung saan ako pumasok kanina. Kailangan kong mahanap si Demetre. Kung nadiskobre na nilang may nakapasok sa palasyo, maaari din siyang mapahamak. Kailangan naming makaalis dito.

I slipped myself once again inside the maze garden. Ito lang ang lugar sa courtyard na pamilyar sa'kin at nagkalat ang mga gwardiya na nagpapatrolya sa buong palasyo.

Muli kong hinanap ang likod na bahagi ng palasyo. Madilim pa rin dito dahil sa pagsira ko sa mga ilaw sa paligid. I didn't intend to cause noticable damage. Pero hindi ko magawang kontrolin ang aking kapangyarihan.

Ilang gwardiya ang nakabantay sa gate na pinanggalingan namin ni Demetre. Mas madami sila kesa kanina. Halos domoble din ang mga paikot-ikot na tauhan sa likod ng palasyo.

"Bantayang mabuti ang lahat ng gates! Hindi pa ito nakakalabas."

Isang gwardiya ang nagmamando sa iba. Nakatayo ito malapit sa sasakyan ni Demetre. Isang bagay ang naaninag ko sa dilim. Someone was beside him... on the ground.