THE EMPRESS IN GOLD

Long ago… Bathala, the God of creation had made a woman out of gold. He looked at his other masterpieces and thought to himself that He was very good. Upon knowing that He made a good sculpture, Bathala showed his masterpiece to the gods and goddesses below him. They envied Him for his creation and so they forced for war against the King of Gods to possess that masterpiece. Terrified of what might happen tothe golden statue, He made a kite and let the little thing glide down from the heavens to this world. When the golden statue touched the ground, it brought life to a dead land. People saw her as a prophet, as someone sent from the heavens to save this world. And so they made her the ruler of their land. Years had passed, and the golden woman disappeared. Only to leave a little child inside her bedroom. The child grew into a very beautiful maiden. She was ageless, her immortality is infinite. No sword can kill her, and no disease can slow her life. Her name is not written in the history. But she is the woman who is infinite as gold. “Madama and Miss Saldua , His majesty is waiting for you in his office.” I heard an unfamiliar voice from behind. I sighed, and placed the old journal down on the drawer by the door that leads to the porch. The old journal looks as if it has been written using the a quill and the old ink. Smudges are visible, proving that it has been used as a journal for years. I found the journal when I got inside this spacious living room with a luxurious interior design. Most of the colors painted on the edges are gold, and the wall is peachy enough to look as elegant as it should. But actually, Madama told me to read it if I ever got bored. It wasn’t in my line to touch any of the royal things but since I was bored. What can a bored girl do? After I placed the journal on the desk, I slightly turned my head towards the maid behind me. The maid looked at me as if I just touched the most precious thing in the world. I can’t help but pout and flinch at Madama who was just comfortably sitting on the settee. Now, Madama is a gorgeous woman. She is one of the most influential person I’ve ever encounter except for the King, and the royal blooded people I’ve met. I owe this life to her because I will never be in this position without her. Madama slowly lifts up her eyes to us while she closed the book in her hand. A blink, and her dark eyelashes filtered with a mascara batted, giving out a full detail of her eyeliner that gave a description of her cat eyes. And as she opened her almond eyes that looks as if gold were inserted in those iris, her red lips parted a little. Her skin is not pale but milky white that matches the long golden curls as it dances just below her waist. Madama stood up from her seat while saying, “Finally!” she clapped her hands, “I have been waiting in here for what sounds like forever. Thank you, hija.” Smilin at the maid before turning her head on me, “ Come along now, Daphne. Its time to see the King.” Do you know what makes people marvel at her poise? It’s the way her body radiates elegance, beauty and power. I guess even if she’s wearing a rag, she would still look glamorous. Her heels clicked as she walked towards the hallway, swaying her hips from left to right, her chin up and the cold look of her eyes. If I were to comment about how she looks right now. I would say, its not the way she dresses that makes her look this elegant. Elegance and class is in her skin, making all the proud designer things stand out. “Daphne, darling, don’t dally please.” She frowned at me. “Ah-eh, wait!” I ran forward to her, still enchanged by her heavenly beauty, “By the way, Madama. You don’t really have to tag me along in this meeting. It’s a private discussion, right? And also, I’m just a commoner so you don’t really have to do all these things—” “Shush.” She rolled her eyes, “Don’t talk to me like that.” “It wasn’t supposed to be like that. I was just telling you that His majesty might not like it if I get inside his office—” “To whom do you follow orders?” she asked as we took a turn. I shrugged, “Of course, to you—” “Well, it sounds like you’re following orders from that bastard of a King—” “Madama!” “What?” she scoffed. I groaned, “You can’t talk to the King like that!” She stopped from walking, and faced me, “You can’t talk to me like that either.” I nodded, “I know, and I’m sorry.” I chuckled apologetically. Well, I don’t even look so apologetic at all. Madama just being herself is so comfy. Like even if she screams elegance, her mouth is full of sarcasm and profanity at times. I remembered a time that she cursed a noble person on stage because of he told her that women are weak. Everyone dropped their jaws that time. I guess, she is what we call, 'the rebellious princess.’ But she’s not a princess, she’s a countess and marques. Since she was dethroned in this kingdom because of her rebellious attitude, she is now considered as a spaniard countess. She had two titles which makes her so special and influentially powerful. “I haven’t seen the prince lately. Where do you think he is?” I looked at her sideways. She just glanced at me in silence as I continued, “Do you think he’s in his study? Or perhaps in a club with a lof of women?” “Do I look I care about his whereabouts?” she retorted. I laughed. Now, she’s annoyed. Madama is short-tempered, she easily gets irritated, she’s also very violent. When she’s mad, like really mad, she is so silent. And you better not talk to her. “You don’t? Weh? You don’t really care about the prince, huh? Let me think,hmm, should I try to flirt with him so I can become a royal?” Madama instantly looked at me with a glare, “The prince is off limits. You must not engage yourself with the prince.” “You restricted me from having s*x with the boys and now, you’re…wow.” I laughed, “Just wow. It was just the prince. What’s the big deal in flirting with the prince?” Gotcha! “Daphne!” she called out my name in a tone so loud that it echoed through the hallways, “Will you stop talking about the prince?” “Yikes.” I went into full mood hysterical, “So you like him? You do really like him because you won’t react like that if you won’t, right? And I have noticed that you two have been so close these past few days. Oh, gosh, don’t you dare hide it from me that you’re having s*x with the prince, Madama. Don’t act so clean—” “The prince and I are not engaged in any relationship. And I am not having s*x with him. Is that clear enough for you to stop?” she sounds frustrated. I giggled and nodded in obedience, “Yes, Madama.” “Good.” Madama pushed the victorian double door in front of us, and barged into the room that’s awaiting for her arrival. We just arrived in the King’s office. His majesty is standing by the window, looking outside the beautiful scenery of his garden, not even minding the two of us. “Your majesty—” I was about to declare our arrivale when Madama cut me off. “You asshole, “ I closed my eyes in disappoint. Oh gosh, here she goes and her rants. “You better have a nice thing to tell me because I have been sitting inside that room for—how many hours, Daphne?” she looks at me with a smug look. “Two hours—” She snapped her finger, “Yes, for two freaking hours.” Her voice sounded calm, elegant and gentle but the words that came out of her lips are sharp. “My time is gold, not like yours.” And the King turned around upon hearing her whining. His majesty, King Andresus Tajeño, the monarch of the Kingdom of Filipinas. He stood in front of his window, the sun ray from behind him makes him appear more honorable. King Andresus looked aged but he still had the touch of Adonis in his manly features. I can’t actually say how manly he looks like but with the Prince’s young features, I’m pretty sure they look alike at a young age. “Oh, you’re here.” King Andresus greeted as if he was surprised with her appearance, “I thought it was someone else who entered the office.“ “Oh, whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “If we aren’t friends, I think, you will be the first woman to be beheaded because of rolling her eyes at me.” The king grinned. “Behead me, then.” She taunted and took a seat in front of the King’s desk, crossing her arms as her other hand curled the end of her hair strands. “Oh, you hardheaded woman.” The King shook his head and leaned the back of his hip on the edge of the desk. “So... Why am I being called in yo ur office when you can just call me or just send a letter?” she tilted her head as if she was so bored, “Let me guess, its important. By the way, its been long and I haven’t heard anything from Lily. How is she? And how is your daughter?” “My daughter, the princess, is fine. She was really guilty.” “She should be guilty. And how about Lily?” “You mean, my sister’s daughter?” The king sneered, “That young lady is clever. She’s alright and she’s living with her knight—” “—In shining armor, yes. I know that. They are so inlove.” She smirked. “Hmm, so romantic, aren’t they?” She rolled her eyes, “ Let’s not talk about Ivorus and his babysitting—” “You call that babysitting because you’re envious.” The king pointed. I almost let out a laugh if only Madama did not scoffed loudly. Oh man. She is now cornered by the King himself. I actually like seeing Madama in her frustrated face. But whenever she smiles, she makes me marvel at her. “Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes again, “Can we now get to the point about why you called me to be here? I’m getting bored already.” “Okay, now.” The King laughed calmly, “What do you wanna hear first?“ “I wanna hear everything, of course.” She looks at me with her pleading eyes. I nodded at her. And she rolled her eyes at me. What? I didn’t do anything! She really is so unpredictable. I couldn’t help but sigh as I chuckled softly, not letting them know that my presence is interrupting them. “Well, first of all…” the king murmured, and he stopped talking for a while. And because he stopped talking, I couldn’t help but lift my gaze up to them only to find the two of them staring at me. Too much for trying not to make them feel my presence. “Hija,” King Andresus called me out. “Yes, your majesty?” I politely answered. “Oh, dear. You should get yourself a seat.” He told me. I glanced at the couch and nodded, “I’m all good, your majesty.” “This man, the king, just offered you a seat. Declining an offer from the king is treason—” Oh, geez! I hurriedly sat on the couch and smiled at them, “Thank you, your majesty.” He smiled, “And you’re welcome.” She narrowed her eyes at me as if she was telling me to behave. I can behave on my own. Duh. “So?” It’s Madama. “On the border between the Visayan island of Bohol and Leyte, the fishes floats in the sea, dead. We thought it was red tide or just a plague going on inside the ocean but we were wrong.” He paused a little while to breathe deeply, “In the seashores, there are really supernatural things going on around it. Everynight, fire would go out wildly. And in the morning, all that can be witnessed are blood-colored liquids. The Department of Nature and the other ones assigned to his assignment are now currently investigating the area.” I was watching them the whole time. Madama was more fierce than she was before. Her eyes are now on her feet, and there is no soul that can be seen in those golden orbs. She looks a little off, more like dismayed. I guess the news brought her this big disappointment. I have never seen her that shady. “Unfortunately, none of them can give out a clear explanation of why this is happening.” He flinched outside the window, “But I guess you know why this is happening.” “I already left that place years ago.” Madama’s eyes are now enraged. “You know they’re searching for you. You know those creatures very well than I do. I am a ruler in this land. If only I have the power to lead that empire, I would. Unfortunately, I cannot. “ “You can’t possibly be calling me all the way from Palaw-an just to tell me that I need to go back to that land? Right? ” She looked up to King Andresus, looking for answers. Wait, what is happening? King Andresus, “Right. I called you here to let you know that an escort is here to take you back.” “You know what? You’re a bastard.” She stood from her seat, clenching her fist. “So are you.” King Andresus marked, “We’ve been friends since forever, Hina. You’ve been a friend to my wife when she needed you the most. You’ve been a friend to every kingdom because of your generosity. But you’re not as good as you think you are. Do you know what your problem is?” “Don’t start it, Andres.” She feels threatened. I know that. I have been with her for years now and I know how she moves except for the fact that her actions are unpredictably good. “Oh, I will. You are a coward, Hina. You are a big fat coward.” King Andresus emphasized every words he uttered. Mohina, gripping her anger and trying to control the temper, is now facing the king with a glare. “Oh, now, you’re angry? What are you gonna do? Punch me because I pointed out the fact that you are a coward who is running from home, running away from her problems?” “No.” her jaw tightened. ”Oh, why is that—” the king was cut off from provoking Madama because of a fist that landed on his cheeck. He softly cursed and laughed, “Satisfied?” “Yes.” Madama sighed, “But I’m not going back there.” “Oh, yes, you are.” The king stated. “I. Am. Not. Going. Back. In. That. Hole.” She emphasized and marched her way through the room. But King Andresus made her stop halfway because of what he said. “Osman released the Danag Prisoners.” Danag? Prisoners ,what? And with that, she looked towards King Andresus with eyes wide as saucers. “I sent a spy to that land to tell me what was going on and they have witnessed a very horrible incident. Most of your people, who are on the east plate are slaughtered. The south plate are attacking the west and east, and now the north plate is the only one who stood up to protect themselves and served a refuge camp.” “What about the inner plate, the Central, what happened to them?” her lips shivered. A lump moved down from her throat as if her lips become dry. On my point, I couldn’t even help myself but to stand and walk towards Madama to check on her. But she stopped me by raising her hand. “What happened to them?” The king sighed, “They are now being held as slaves by the Emperor Osman. I know there’s still a little care in you that wants to save your people. But doing things impulsively will only cause more chaos.” “I am not asking for your advice, Your Majesty.” She coldly let out a few words and turned her back from him, “Who is my escort?” “Your butler is here to escort you back to your land.” King Andresus smiled, “You will be alright, Mohina.” “I had no choice.” The King walked towards her and smiled, “Having no choice is a choice.” Of all the times that I have been with Madama, the things that made me love her is how careless she was. She no decisions over things she handles. She doesn’t make plans. She impulsively moves on another step. And in every steo she takes, successful or not, its alright for her. That’s one of her most beautiful traits as a human. To most people, she is a beast in their eyes. But to us who knows her well, we know that she’s soft as an angel. She is limitless. “What are you going to do now?” King Andresus asked. I looked at Madama who was staring right at the door. From my position, I feel that she’s almost on her losing point but she’s acting so tough. She cleared her throat and faced us with a smile. There’s always something in that smile. When she smiles like that, all things are possible in her eyes. When she is focused on a goal, it doesn’t matter if she wins or loses, what matters is that she’s done with it. That’s the Madama, I know. The Madama who saved me from p**********n. The Madama who raised me into a better person. The Madama who looks daring and sharp but is slowly melting inside by her own enraging fire. Everyone knew her. And I knew her not as the Madama that she portrays but as the woman whose heart is covered in gold. “I thought you know what Mohina Vecce will do.” She smiled and winked at the King whose eyebrows are now furrowed in confusion by what he just witnessed. She looked at me with that playful grin and beckoned me, “Come along now, Daphne. We’re going on an adventure.” Before I followed her out the door, I made a curtsy for the King who just waved his hand for a dismissal. He gave me a small smile. I returned another bow again and ran towards Madama who is briskly walking in a fast pace. “Madama! Madama, wait—” “Walk faster, Daphne.” She demanded. “But Madama—” She suddenly stopped from walking, making me almost stumble on my spot. I corrected my poise and looked up to her. “It will be a very disturbing and surprising journey, Daphne. But I want you to make me a promise that whatever will happen in this adventure, you must keep it as a secret until grave.” I looked at her weirdly, “I promise?” “Okay.” She breathes deeply. “What will happen if I break the promise?” She stared at me with those sharp smiles, “You will turn to ash.” “Huh?” “I’m just kidding. It doesn’t matter if you break it or not. What matters is your trust, and the way you value your words or promises.” She smiled and snapped the sunglasses open. She placed it before her eyes with a challenged look. ”Oh, does that mean I will still turn to ashes?” I dumbfoundedly asked out of nowhere as I followed her out of the Palace. “Who knows what stupid things can a broken promise do?” she clicked her tongue and went towards the security for an exit check up. She’s right. Who knows? I followed her from behind as she gave the card to the guard. “Name?” the guard asked. Upon seeing her white card, he looked down and bowed. “Thank you for visiting this Maharlican Palace, Madama.” He bowed. “Sure.” Her tone was sarcastic. I took my eyes away from her for a moment and told the guard that I was with her. He let me out and was about to run towards her when she stopped and raised her hands in the air. “Raise your hands in the air. You too, young lady!” the man shouted at us. Madama giggled, “I didn’t know that my escorts are these aggressive. This looks more like a kidnapping.” “Shut the hell up, woman!” I pouted. I am used in shoutings. And I’m not even afraid. Why should I be? My name is Daphne Saldua. And I am serving the Great Madama. And her name is … “I am Mohina Vecce.” She smiled, “Not just any woman.” —end of the chapter— Written by: Mohanni L. Villaro 03|10|21