Prey of the Lion

Chapter 1: Departure to his Empire

Chapter 1: Departure to his Empire

I am the Prince of Parzelin Kingdom and my life was spent with me preparing to be its King someday, but everything changed when Emperor Leonhart came and decided to take me in as his Queen.

How can a man be a queen?!

“Emperor Leonhart, my son Lark is my heir to the throne—”

“I will not repeat myself again.” He told the King, my father, with his demanding tone. Muli siyang tumingin sa akin pagkatapos, nakita ko namang tila lumuwag ang paghinga ng mga kapatid kong babae at ngayon, sila na ang tumitingin sa akin na tila naaawa.

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. “This must be a bad dream.” I unconsciously said while my eyes were closed.

“No. I am afraid not, Lark.” Napamulat muli ang aking mga mata nang sumagot si Emperor Leonhart.

Agad akong yumuko dahil baka masamahin niya ang sinabi ko at gamitin pa itong rason upang magkaroon ng digmaan, “I-I did not mean—I mean, Emperor Leonhart—”

“I said Leo is fine.” He cut off.

I heaved a breath and focused on calming my nerves, then I spoke. “I am afraid that I am a man and I cannot be your queen. I am also going to be the king of Parzelin Kingdom someday. Please reconsider and look at my beautiful sisters.”

Ang dami kong kapatid na babae, bakit ako na lalake ang pipiliin?!

“Filo, is there a law that says that the title of being a queen is only exclusive for women?” Tanong ni Leo sa kasama niyang kabalyero na nakatayo lang sa likod nito. He was muscular and huge, I can see how rigorous he must have trained because of those pumping physiques that he paraded, but he was handsome as well, though his face remained blank and he had the eyes of someone who would kill you if you get on his wrong side.

So, his name was Filo—I mentally chuckled, it’s too girly for a manly chap like him! Though I am not one to talk.

Umiling lang si Filo bilang sagot sa tanong ni Leo.

“But it has been a culture that queens are women, Emperor Leonhart, as they will bear forth the princes and princesses who will carry on the royal family for the next generations. They ensure that the royal bloodline does not end.”

Tumingin ako sa babaeng kasama ni Leo. Her red hair glowed like fire against the warm rays of sunlight that peeked through the tinted windows of the throne room. She was beautiful, I must add.

“Ah, a child-bearer.” Saad ni Emperor Leonhart, “we can just adopt a child—have as much as Lark wants.” He looked at me after with those powerful glances that made me gulp. My cheeks burned and I don’t know why.

Tumingin ako sa aking ama at ina. They were rendered speechless. My eyes were already screaming at them to say something, but they just looked at me with a gloomy expression... I know the kind of looks that they were giving me. They’ve completely given me up to the Emperor.

I looked at my youngest sibling, Larnie, the eighth child and the only prince in the family next to me, he will probably take over the throne when he comes of age. Not me anymore. I was disqualified already.

I sighed. “Sigurado ka na ba na ako ang pipiliin mo, Leo?” I wanted to cast doubts on him, but when he faced me, something told me otherwise—he has made up his mind already and he has decided. I wanted to run, to escape and hide somewhere, but I could not move. I remained rooted on my spot. Something about his golden eyes that seem to pierce through my soul has captivated me, trapping me like a bird in a cage.

He walked towards me, when he was already close, I could not help but look up a little to match his daring gazes. He was taller than me. Up close, I saw his smooth skin and the long eyelashes that framed his almond-shaped eyes. I stared back at those golden orbs of his and I saw how his pupils dilated. He looked at me like I was his prey—perhaps I was.

“Interesting.” He said after a few seconds, “you are the only one who can stand my stare. Something about you is truly different, which is why I chose you.”

“But I am a man.”

“Likewise.”

“That’s why you can’t choose m—”

He cut me off when he pressed his index finger against my lips, he looked at my parents after and without looking at me, his hand went unto my arm and he pulled me to be beside him. Agad niya akong inakbayan nang nasa tabi na niya ako. “I will not repeat myself again.”

Tumango ang aking mga magulang at yumuko, “if you wish to take our son, Lark, then he is all yours, Emperor Leonhart. Please take care of him.” My father said, there was fear on his voice and sadness as well.

“I plan to do so.”

Something about the Emperor’s voice sent shivers down to my spine once more. I do not understand how he can do this to me, and he’s not even trying. I was still beside him and my body was pressed against him, from the mantle that covered him, I felt his hard muscles within. I can feel the weight of his arm on my shoulders as well... And up close, he smelled nice. He reminded me of the combination of vanilla and mint.

Alam kong labag sa loob ng mga magulang ko ang hayaan akong kunin ni Leo, ngunit wala silang magagawa dahil ito ang kagustuhan niya. Wala rin akong magagawa dahil para sa kaharian ito. I cannot be selfish now. I cannot runaway from my responsibilities because if I do, our land will fall and many men will die in war. This is to ensure peace in the kingdom. And also, I guess this is my way of protecting my sisters, the precious princesses of this kingdom, against him. We all know how bad the Emperor’s reputation is.

“I will just pack my things...” I said.

Agad namang tinanggal ni Leo ang kaniyang pagkakaakbay sa akin. “There is no need. You’ll be given with new things when we are at my Empire.” Tiningnan ni Leo ang babaeng may pulang buhok na nasa kaniyang likod. “Akane, are we running late for our next appointment?”

Umiling naman ang babae. Judging by her uniform—a black pinafore dress with the lion insignia in gold, and the hairband that adorned her dark red hair. She must be his personal maid. “We are right on track, Emperor Leonhart. If we leave now, we’ll be able to reach the Royal Citadel by nightfall, which is right in time for dinner.”

Kumunot ang noo ko. His next appointment is dinner?!

“Alright, then. We better get going.” Tumalikod na si Leo at naglakad paalis nang walang sabi sa aking mga magulang. Nang napansin niyang hindi pa rin ako umaalis sa aking puwesto ay nagsalita muli siya. “Let’s go, Lark.”

I looked at my family for one last time, I do not know for how long will I not be able to see them, or if I will be able to see them again. I bowed my head at them and smiled at them encouragingly. “I love everyone of you. Stay safe, please.” I said and walked towards Leo. In my mind, I made myself believe that this is for my kingdom. It will fall under Leo’s protection, so my kingdom will be safer. The people within can live at ease and in peace, including my family.

Hindi na ako lumingon pa upang tingnan sila dahil pakiramdam ko ay maiiyak lang ako. Alam kong pinagmamasdan nila ako ngayon habang ako’y paalis sa kanilang piling. Mabibigat ang aking mga hakbang habang nakasunod lang ako kay Leo.

Sumakay kami sa isang karwahe na naghihintay sa labas ng kastilyo at agad kaming naglakbay papunta sa kaniyang imperyo.

༶•┈┈┈❂┈┈┈•༶