The Spirit Martial

Spirit 12

"Good job," our trainer said with a smile habang kami ay nakaupo sa lupa at hinahabol ang aming paghinga. "You did not only manage to outdo my team, but you even attacked them. It was unexpected," he added at tumango na lang kami kahit hindi na talaga namin siya narinig. We are too tired at first day pa lang ito.

Napatingin ako sa itaas and I saw how the sky's color changed. Parang kanina lang, napaka-blue pero ngayon unti-unti na itong naging scarlet. The sun is going down.

"This is it for today, see you tomorrow, 6:00 AM sharp- in the castle," he said and my eyes widened. I hurriedly glanced at Kailani at kumunot ang noo niya. Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa trainer namin and my eyes widened when I saw him glanced at Kailani and smirked. This is planned.

Tumayo kaming dalawa at nagtungo sa resting area na inihanda ng mga maids at butlers. They gave us towels at sinabihan kami na magpahinga ng 15 minutes at magshower kaagad. Tumango naman kami habang nakaupo at iniinom ang tubig na bigay nila.

"Are you okay going in to the castle?" I asked at napatigil siya. He'suncomfortable.

"Of course, it's my home," he replied with a smile. It's okay Kailani, you don't have to hide.

"I think this place is more like a home to me," I replied at agad siyang napatingin sa akin. "Home doesn't necessarily mean a place with your family, it's a place you're comfortable with or without your family." I added.

"I see. Then I guess this is my home," he said with a smile. Yes, this is your home.

After 15 minutes, isa-isa kaming umakyat sa room namin para magshower saglit at bababa na kami after para sa hinanda nilang dinner. Apparently, we'll be spending our whole day in the castle at hindi namin alam kung anong mangyayari doon. There are lot of possibilities na pwedeng mangyari but one thing is for sure here, they are targeting Kailani. I don't think this is the Duchess' plan, I bet this is the Queen's plan.

Natapos na akong magshower kaya nagbihis ako ng robe at lumabas kaagad. Naabutan ko si Kailani na naka-robe lang rin at may towel sa ulo niya. Sabay na kaming bumaba at dumeritso sa resting area at nagulat na lang ako na may nakahanda ng mga pagkain. They really respect Kailani this much.

Umupo kami sa hinanda nilang upuan at kumain. The butlers poured red wine into our glass while we were eating medium rare steak. Back in my previous life, kahit isang beses hindi ko natikman ang ganitong quality na beef kasi hindi ko afford. I can't believe I'm eating this now.

"How's the steak?" he asked.

"Good. It's tender," sagot ko at kumain muli ng isang piece. "Great chef you have there," I added at ngumiti siya.

"Of course, he's the royal chef. He was the cook back at our castle but for some reason, he resigned and transferred here," he replied with a bright smile. Of course, all the people living in this mansion cared for you since you were born.

"I see," tipid kong sagot.

After that dinner, we went up to our respective rooms to rest kasi maaga pa kami bukas. Whatever happens tomorrow, I'll be standing with him tomorrow. Iyon ang gusto niya, he told me to stand beside him not behind him. Isa pa, it works that way because we're partners.

I spent the time reading books until my eyes couldn't take it anymore so I slept. I woke up at 5 AM kaya I prepared my clothes. Since we're going to the castle, we have to wear royal suits again. This time, I wore a white royal suit with blue and silver linings. I also wore black slacks and some accessories to improve my appearance. 2 ring earrings in my right ear and 1 chain earrings in my left. I also wore some rings in my hands. I took the white boots with blue laces at sinuot ito. I arranged my hair upward at kitang-kita ang blue highlights. I looked into the mirror at napangiti ako. Well, hindi sa mayabang ako pero I look good.

Lumabas ako at nagulat ako nang makita ko si Kailani. Even he was shocked when he saw me too. He is also wearing a white suit but he has golden linings. He also has a black slacks with white boots and gold laces. Even his hair was arranged upwards too. Our accessories differed though. He had 4 earrings in one ear only and bracelets.

"I can't believe we're both wearing white suits without having this planned." sabi niya habang umiiling.

"I guess we're really compatible," I replied at tumango siya.

"Exactly. I like that answer," he replied at nauna siyang naglakad.

Sumunod ako sa kanya at bumaba kami. Sinalubong kami ng dalawang carriage. Sumakay siya sa isa at nandito naman ako sa kabila. I don't get it why we have to be on different carriages though?

"Is everything good, Your Highness?" the man asked.

"Uh, last time, we got to ride one carriage only. Why are we separated?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Royalties with different titles are not allowed to be in one carriage sir, unless you have the same blood." he explained.

"Oh, I see, let's get going then," sabi ko at isinara na niya ang pinto. I still don't get the logic of having us in different cariege.

Mag-isa lang ako dito so I can't help but think about what we are about to do in the castle. I wonder what kind of treatment they will give to us or to Kailani? I promised his butlers to protect him so I'll do whatever it takes to keep him safe.

It took us a couple of minutes bago kami nakarating sa kastilyo. When we arrived, bumaba kami sa carriage. I was right, this is planned. Sinalubong kami ng Reyna kasama ang kapatid ni Kailani. Hindi ako nag dalawang isip na naglakad papunta kay Kailani at tumabi sa kanya.

"It's been what? 16 years?" the Queen said with a smirk at kumunot ang noo ko. She's getting on my nerves. "Well, welcome to my castle once again. How about let's go and get some tea?" she offered.

"I'm afraid we're not here to grab some tea, Your Highness," sagot ko at napatingin ang Reyna sa akin.

"A big mouth from a peasant like you, how peculiar, island boy," she replied with a smirk.

"I see that being the Spirit Martial's son is a peasant," I replied with a smile and her smirk slowly vanished. She glanced at our trainer and he nodded as he glanced away. I'll do whatever it takes para hindi nila sasaktan si Kailani. "With all due respect, we're here as we are summoned by our trainer. If we come here for tea, we'll gladly go back home and train," I added.

"Mother! He's-" putol na sabi ng kapatid niya at aattake na sana siya kaso hinarangan siya ng Reyna.

"Don't get cocky just because you're the son of the Spirit Martial," she warned.

"Says someone who took over the mainland. I can take the throne whenever I want, Your Highness," I replied and she froze. "I suppose you know what I mean," I added with a smile and she gritted her teeth out of frustration.

I glanced at Kailani and he was smiling. Akala ko pipigilan niya ako pero hindi pala so I guess I can talk whatever I want.

"So, may gagawin ba dito or should we just go home?" Kailani asked.

Our trainer was pissed too but he ordered us to come in so we did. Unang pumasok ang Reyna at ang kapatid ni Kailani at sumunod kami. They brought us into their garden at may training grounds doon. We saw couple of kids there around our age. I even saw his brother's partner at bigla kong naalala ang nakita ko. I can tell that my face turned red kasi ramdam ko ang pag-init nito. Such bad memory.

"This is our training grounds, you'll be training here from now on for the remaining days until the entrance exams starts," he said.

"Today is your first day so be friendly," the Queen said and she glanced at me. Good, sa akin mo ipunta ang attention mo, huwag kay Kailani.

"That depends on them, Your Highness," I replied with a smile.

She rolled her eyes and turned around at naglakad palayo.

"You've got some scary partner right there, brother," his brother said with a smile at bigla siyang lumapit sa akin. "I'm Kali," pakilala niya at kumunot ang noo ko. I know.

"Cygnus," I said and he offered his hand to me with a smile. I glanced down at his hand at binalik ko kaagad ang tingin ko sa kanya.

"Be friendly," he said with a smirk. I had no choice but to get his hand.

Bumitaw kaagad ako and I noticed that the people around our age wondered who we were.

"Keep your mouth shut about me being the Spirit Martial's son Prince Kali," I whispered. "Or maybe you want me to set this castle on fire," I blackmailed at tumawa siya.

"Interesting," he replied at nagulat ako nang hinawakan niya ng mukha ko. He leaned forward as if he was about to kiss me but Kailani interrupted us and pushed Kali backward.

"I think that's a little bit too far, dear brother," Kailani said with a smile. Kali did not respond but he smirked. What's wrong with this family? They smirk a lot. Is it their hobby or what?

"Are you afraid that he'll come with me and you'll be left alone again?" Kali asked. "You're used to it. Do you expect he'll stay long?" he asked at tumawa siya.

Napatingin ako kay Kailani and his smile started to fade at umiwas siya ng tingin.

"You should get stronger kuya," Kali said with a smirk. "Baka hindi mo mamamalayan, nakuha ko na siya. He's an interesting fellow. A perfect personal servant." he added and Kailani clenched his hand.

"No need for that," singit ko at napatingin silang dalawa sa akin. "There's no way I'll serve someone like you, Ka-li," I said with a tone in his name without mentioning his royal title. I unbuttoned some of the upper buttons of the royal suit and showed him Kailani's mark. "This mark says it all," I added with a smile.