THE EMPRESS IN GOLD

✨CHAPTER 2✨

“I am Mohina Vecce. “

By introducing herself to a crowd of armed people, and the way she carries the domineering aura made the people with guns gulp in thrill. They had no idea what will become of them if this Madama will do something to turn the tables.

“Not just any woman.” She delivered her words in a clear voice.

I was expecting for her to do a stunt to help us escape this threat. But what comes next surprised me.

“Put these handcuffs on.” The big guy threw the handcuffs towards her which she caught just on time.

“How boring.” She huffed and wore the handcuffs.

She faced me with a wink and cuffed my left wrist along with hers. Madama flipped her golden hair, indicating that she wasn’t even intimidated by the boy’s threat. I, on the otherhand, is clinging onto Madama’s arm as we were told to walk over the car. She took a seat first inside the van and I followed.

“Move faster!”

“What the—” I croaked.

I almost fell on my face when I entered the van. Luckily, Madama got my back and patted me on my shoulder. Her eyes then moved towards the window where the king is watching us.

“Are we getting kidn*pped, Madama?” I asked out of fright.

I may look calm but I am not. My knees started to wobble as I felt the cold air conditioner of the car.

Madama taught me how to put on a poker face in front of a danger. It is an advantage to not show that you’re not afraid or even moved by them. When a predator looks at a prey and the prey looks more vicious than his crime, he will feel threatened. No matter how scared you are, don’t show your expression in front of a predator. If they know you’re scared, it will only satisfy their egos. And seeing you in boredom will possibly shatter their plans.

Madama dropped a glance at me before sighing, “So, where are we going, boys?”

The other one flinched at her momentarily before smirking. He took out a cigarette, lit it up using his lighter and puffed a smoke out from his dark lips.

“To the Charcoal Valley.” He answered.

I don’t really understand why people think they look cool just by smoking in front of people who don’t. Its disrespectful.

“Cigarette is dangerous to your health. Do you even know that?” I told him but he only scoffed.

“I know more dangers than you do, girl.” He boasted.

“I guess you do.” I faked a giggle.

There was a loud thud coming from Madama’s spot resulting for everyone to look at her.

“Oh, I apologize.” She sarcastically tapped the window and placed her hand in her chest while muttering, “There is too much smoke in this van.”

“Don’t worry, Madama.” The other one with a mask on sarcastically uttered her title.

She sighed and murmured something inaudible under her breath. I continued to look around, trying to enjoy myself with the one millior dollar view outside the car’s window. There are no houses, only old barns and dark forests.

Madama clicked her tongue in a monotonous rhythm five times and sighed again.

“Madama, is something wrong?” I asked her.

“No, this is so boring.” She groaned.

I almost jumped in my seat when Madama pushed her right feet on the back of the seat of the big guy who is smoking. The guy almost turned to pale because of what she said. Another reason why he looks so afraid is because the blade like heel of her shoe are piercing through the foam. Their eyes widened at Madama who stared at them with her soulless eyes.

“What the—”the driver almost lost his grip on the wheels.

A ten-wheeler truck was approaching our way but in a swift move, the driver uses his expertise in avoiding a collision. The van’s pace slowed down initiating a halting sign.

“Keep driving.” Madama commanded.

“H-Huh?”,the driver.

“You are in no position to order us! ” He yelled at Madama who just stared at him.

The big guy took out a gun from his side, pointed it to the woman who looks like she was getting more bored. He leaned closer, facing us while using his other hand for support on the back rest of the seat. This big guy is threatening Madama using a gun. I don’t think that would work. No—uh.

“Oh, yes, I do.”, she smiled, “You know you can’t fool me, you tricksters. “

Tricksters?

I looked at the two guys who sighed and raised their hands in defeat. Oh, wow, what is happening? Do they happen to know each other? Is Mohina just playing along with their games? Or what?

“I told you, we shouldn’t do it like that since His majesty didn’t give off a signal.”

“It wasn’t my idea. It was his idea.” The other one pointed at the driver.

“Me? It was your ideas. “ the driver snorted.

“Oh, don’t throw it at me. You started this. We were told to take her silently so no one knows about it—”

“But she knows. How is that even impossible?”

“That only means we’re not good with tricks.”

“Nah, we are good. She’s just too amazing—”

“Silence.” Just one word from Madama and they all fell into a deep silence.

“We’re really sorry, Mohina.” The big guy apologized.

“We are very sorry for our actions.” The other one stated.

“We mean no harm. We were just following orders.” The big guy explained, “Bayani ordered us to fetch you. If we can’t talk you out of it, we are told to use force. And keep this as a secret mission until we arrive at the mansion.”

“Yeah, yeah, but looks like you knew.”

The guys were gentle and more caring to us when we arrived at an old mansion covered in vines. I stared at the vines that surrounded the walls of this large building. Beside the building is a large landscape of green grasses and an empty field. I thought I would find this mansion as creepy as it looks like but I was wrong. When i got off the van i feel nothing but fulfillments. It was like a part of me just wanted to stay in this place and never go back in those crowded cities ever again.

I continued to stare at the building and was only stop when Madama snapped her finger in my eyes. I blinked and shook my head.

“Eyes down, Daphne. “ she ordered so I did as told.

“This place is so amazing. I just wanted to look at how—”

“This place is enchanted. If you stare longer and would end up wishing to stay, your soul will not leave this place. You might die if you leave this place.” She explained.

I blinked, “What?”

“Yes.” She took the handcuffs off our wrist and threw it on the big guy.

“Woah,” unbelievable, “Do you really believe those superstitions?”

“Oh, then don’t believe me until it happens to you.” She turned towards the guy, “Is the Bayani here?”

“He is here, Mohina. “ the guy smiled, “Let us escort you inside. “ he then tilted his attention on me, “Will she be coming with you?”

“Yes, she will accompany me.”

He looks more worried than ever, “Does she—”

“No, but she will.” She smiled at me.

Madama stood in front of me, placing her palm in the air. I glanced at it and was doubting whether I should place my hand on top of her palm or not. She could be asking for something. Or I don’t know.

Its Madama, what do I expect?

“Give me your hand. “

“Why?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“Just give me your hand.” She took my hand and rolled her fierce eyes at me, “This is to keep you awake as we get inside. You had to open your eyes and if ever you feel like sleeping, alert me okay? Don’t touch anything. Avoid smiling at the people we might met. Avoid too much eye contact. No flirting. No s****l intentions. No men. No winking or smiling sexily. Behave properly, okay?” she placed a bracelet on my wrist.

“Why are you giving me this?” I was shocked.

Mohina rarely gives anyone a gift.

Narrowing my eyes at her, I smiled, “You need something from me, don’t you?”

She rolled her eyes, “No, it’s a protection charm.”

I pouted, “Oh? A protection charm? P-Protection from what? There could be no danger in here, right?”

“Danger can be found everywhere, darling.” She moves on with her normal resting face. “Take us . Take us to the commander.”

We forwarded towards the door. The mansion was large enough to fit a couple of hundreds of people or more. It was silent like I literally can’t see anything through those open windows with dark chambers.

The big guy twisted the door knob while inserting a really unique key to the keyhole and pushed the door open with his strength. The room was empty and dark.

“Woah, looks like we’re going on a ghost hunting, aren’t we?” I joked stupidly.

They all looked at me.

The big guy smiled, “This is much better than any ghost hunting .”

They all jerked their heads at us before turning their backs and wnet inside the dark room. It was so dark to the point that I can hardly see what’s on the inside. It looks as if it was an abyss, a dark hole with nothing inside. My master took a step aside and raised her hand at me, beckoning me to move forward.

“You go first, Daphne.” Madama smiled.

I was puzzled as if ever that I looked at her, furrowing my eyebrows. In some circumstances my master would never allowed me to go first before her. She should always take the first step before I could. I don't know if she just wanted me to walk behind her or she was just being protective. It doesn't make sense at all.

Shaking the uncertainty off my shoulders, I decided to walk forward while staring at her. When I got into the door, I shrugged and just let it all go as it should be. I know Madama more than anyone else, at least that's what I think.

As I took a careful step in the marble tile of the inside of the house, I felt a cold breeze that softly slammed on my ankle. I was wearing a skirt just above my knee, paired with dirty white socks and black shoes. I look like a good girl in this outfit, honestly.

And then another step, my eyes almost bulged out of their places. I was in a different world, a different room and a different atmosphere. If I was feeling a bit of eerie minutes ago, this time I feel like I am floating in the cloud nine with nothing but being high.

I roamed my eyes around and saw a lot of people walking from there to here. All of them are wearing brown robes in uniform and their eyes were steady, void but their smiles are a little of a creep. I mean, how can someone smile without their eyes smiling too? It looks not just horrible but—

“Oh my geez—what in the hell are you?!” I almost fell on my back when I saw a humanoid figure.

A body with three human heads, three pair of arms, two heads and a freakingly big build. They look gigantic for my small height. And they don’t just look like freaks but so out of this world.

“Its alright, little Miss.” The central head said with that big guy’s face.

“She’s in shock for Pete’s sake!” the other head said.

“Its alright. Don’t be afraid. We won’t hurt you—”

“We look like predators, just so you know.”

They kept on bickering while I was frozen on my spot. Shaking my head, I turned my back to them.I must be hallucinating really bad. I need to get some air and was about to walk away when Madama appeared.

“Madama, I am having delusions.” I shook her while trying to blink my eyes as if it would help me in doing that so.

I looked back to where the guys are and my eyes widened even more. They were still there. How is that even possible?!

“No, no, no, no. This can’t be right—”

My master snapped her fingers in front of my eyes, “Pull yourself together.” She emphasized every word.

I took a deep breathe, “I’m not dreaming, am I?”

“Yes, you’re not.”

“You weren’t even shocked.” I blinked, “Does that mean you’re also like that thing? Did you just saved me years ago only to make me your meal?”

I feel like tears are ripping out of my eyes as I covered my mouth in shock.

Madama rolled her eyes, “I am not.”

I blinked, “Oh, is that true? Should I believe you, then?”

She rolled her eyes again.

“Madama.” I was catching my breath, “I need—I need water.”

Someone poked me from behind so I slowly faced who was it and to my surprise, it was a girl with eyes as clear as water. She took out a small bowl from her casket and just by touching the bowl, a water was there.

“Don’t drink it.” I heard Madama’s warning.

Upon hearing what was being warned, I turned the little girl down by shaking my head but she insisted.

“You must drink this water.” She looked at me with those tearful eyes.

Madama pushed me aside, faced the little girl. From behind her, I can see how her eyes pierced through the little girl’s blue orbs. The girl gulped and eventually fell to the ground on her knees. She stood on her knees, bowed her head and took Madama’s hand. The little girl pressed the back of Madama’s palm on her forehead.

“Mohina, our lady.”

And just like that, the little girl’s voice travelled through the air as crystal clear as water. It was like everyone had heard her voice that echoed through the large halls, corridors and rooms of this so big and out —of —the—world place.

Everyone tilted their attention on us. Hundreds of eyes are now focused, not to me or to this three headed giant but to Madama. A small reflection of my master from the wall was visible. I focused my eyes on it and what I saw pulled me into a great surprise.

Madama’s eyes glowed as gold and bright as ever. It was as if her eyes were taken from a mount of jewelries, making it shine as bright as it could ever be.

Everyone knelt on the ground except for me and this three headed freak beside me. Their heads are down on the floor, their foreheads touched the cold tile.

They didn’t even minded the dirt.

If Madama was well respected everywhere she goes, I have never seen people to respect her in this way. In a way that shocked me. No one bowed down to her as if she was a somekind of a queen. And now, look at this, everyone bowed to her as if they owe their lives in this great woman.

“Mabuhay!” They shouted those words three times before keeping their heads up.

Some of them almost teared their eyes out. Gone all the smiley faces and all I can is them, looking at this woman with so much hope.

“May the Empress be as gold as ever!” they all chanted over and over again.

Madama lifted her hand to the air like she was beckoning them to stand up. The people who bowed on the ground stood on their feet in unison. And even if they are now standing, their eyes are staring on the floor.

“May the Great Empress be eternal.” They chanted again.

“People of my Empire, I am sorry for leaving all of you, for forsaking this empire. I pray that you accept my sincere apology.” Madama said, her voice echoed.

My jaw dropped when she gently pushed herself down to her knees, bowing before the people around us. For my whole life, I have never seen Madama down on her knees. I have never seen her begging for forgiveness this deep and sincere.

When she bowed down, her almost golden curls moved. I had to blink a lot of times only to find out that her hair is growing longer than ever. Golden inks moved to her skin like it was writing foreign ancient words along with spiral designs that looks like flowers. Her once nice dress was now covered with that golden ink absorbing the cloth and squeezing it into her small waist. She was like wearing a tight overall that outstood her curves. The golden inks then slowly moved down to her bottom, creating golde threads that fell down to her ankle. Her shoes are now covered with the golden ink. She was everything but gold.

Right now, the words that once described her as being GOLD is becoming real. Or should I say, she is indeed a gold. Slowly, my mind was in a haywire. This woman needs to explain a lot of things to me after this formality.

The people in robes saw how she transformed into full-edge with gold. They turned to their knees, and knelt.

“You have never created a sin, My

Empress!” the other one shouted.

“You will always be Our Empress!”

“We forgive you, Our Empress!”

“Please don’t leave us again!”

“We beg of you to stay and rule this empire.”

I can feel that at this moment, Madama just smiled. She rose up in a more powerful poise. A poise with so much authority, glamour and elegance. She is radiating gold as if it was her own energy.

“I will fix this mess and bring peace once again.” She sounded like she just promised a responsibility.

She never likes responsibility nor fulfilling her duties. All she wants is to live and die again. But this one, this revelation. This, everything is just so shocking.

I took Madama by the hand and looked at the crowd, “I know that you all need to talk but so do we.”

Everyone was now looked confused because of what I did but I just shrugged it off.

“Your—whatever you call this Madama— Empress or what, but anyways, I need to talk to her. Let me just borrow her.”

I pulled her, making her turn her back into the crowd who are now facing away from us. So, are they like, respecting us with our talk? How polite.

“I demand for explanations, Madama. You have no idea how much shocked I am to see this—”

“You shouldn’t be shocked.” She chuckled.

Puzzled, “What? Why? I am so damn shocked seeing this three-headed giant, those robes, that water girl and you—you’re wearing gold and, and your hair is…oh my gosh. Madama, you look different.”

She smiled, “This is who I am.”

I stared at her, “Who are you?”

“I am Mohina, the Empress of the Golden Empire.”

To be continued...