The Queen’s Arrows (English-Filipino) COMPLETE

Freedom and Duties

"f**k! Bagay ba 'to sa'kin?!" Natatarantang tanong ko kay Virgo.

"Ate you're so OA naman eh!" Napakamot ito sa ulo at nagdadabog na tinutupi ang mga damit na tinatapon tapon ko sa kung saan dahil hindi ako makahanap ng tamang damit na susuotin ko mamaya.

I'm meeting Archer's dad! He said it's a casual dinner at their place. Kasama daw si Pierce and Archer already excused us three from the camp kasi pupunta kami sa bahay nila.

Correction. Mansion! It's a freaking mansion! Malaki na ang bahay namin pero parang palasyo naman 'to! Ano ba 'yan nagkikita kita paba sila dito?

"Why are you nervous?" Parang natatawa na ani Archer habang ibinigay niya ang susi ng sasakyan sa valet nila.

Hindi makapaniwalang lingon ko siya. "Are you f*****g kidding me?! This was impromptu!" I whispered.

He chuckled before fixing his folded sleeves. He's wearing a white floral dress shirt, folded up to his elbows. Maroon pants. His hair is gelled, slicked back leaving a strand to hang on his forehead.

"You look amazing. Don't worry." He winked at me and put his palm against my back. Leading me inside this freaking palace!

I'm wearing a maroon silk dress. Fit siya sa katawan, hugging my body curves. Thigh length ang height ng dress, cowl neck at may pa krus sa likod. Hindi ako nakapili ng maayos kanina, at sabi naman ni Archi, nahulaan na daw niya 'yon kaya nag order siya ng dress para sa'kin. At matching pa nga!

"Good morning, sir." Sabay bow ng mga katulong nila. Ang dami!

I saw some na nag va-vacuum sa living room. Iba nag dudust sa mga picture frames, vases and table accents. Mayroong nag lilinis sa mga hagdan. Ang busy nila dito. Iginiya naman ako agad ni Archer sa dining room nila.

Tall walls, may malaking aircon. Parang palasyo talaga ang dating. Ang laki pa ng lamesa nila at punong puno ng pagkain. Eh kami lang naman ang kakain neto.. diba?

I noticed na wala pa ang mga magulang nina Archi. He pulled me a chair and he sat beside me. We glanced at Pierce who came and Chloe who's holding a little shih tzu puppy in her arms. I grinned when she had a little table set for her puppy beside the dining table.

"Sila mom? Dad?" Tanong ni Archi sa mga kapatid.

"Omg! Ate Ririiii!" Napangiti ako sa tili ni Chloe at mahigpit ako na niyakap. I saw Archi roll his eyes and pulled Chloe away from me. Masama lamang niya itong tiningnan.

"Akin 'to diba?" He said.

"Stop mocking me, asshole! I was 3 when I said that!" She playfully smacked Archer's forehead and went to his seat.

"Hi Aries." Ngiting aso na tawag sa'kin ni Pierce na naka upo sa harapan namin ni Archi. Katabi ni Chloe. "Kamusta naman araw mo?"

"Okay naman." I narrowed my eyes at Pierce. "Ikaw? Kamusta araw mo?"

Pierce chuckled. "Ah, okay na-"

"Matagal pa ba sila?" Archer cut him off. When I looked at him he was talking to the mayor doma in the house, I think.

The lady was about to speak and answer Archer when a man in a suit entered the room. The workers stood up straight and formally greeted their house master. A beautiful woman, I think in her early 40s entered. She's wearing a two-piece suit set. She looks so elegant, sweet, warm and so beautiful. Archer has her eyes. Pierce has her nose, and Chloe has her.. basically everything. She said, ✨copy paste Chloe✨.

I got so nervous hindi ako nakapagpakita ng reaksyon nang umupo na sila sa hapag. Archer's mom sat beside Chloe. His dad sat at the center of the table. We were on his left side.

When Archer's mom glanced at me. I gave her a smile. I was even surprised when she slightly raised her brows, a sign of disbelief. But then she gave a warm smile. Archer's dad however, looked so serious.

"Good evening everyone." A deep, baritone voice spoke. "Sorry I'm late."

I glanced and saw a beautiful man! Omg. Dark eyes. Thick brows, thin and supple lips. Nose so proud and arousing. His jawline is slick and looks like it could cut through paper! His hair is also curly, just like Pierce and Archer's. He has two moles on top of his eyebrows, which looked so good on him.

"Liham, you're here." Archer's dad spoke. "I thought you wouldn't make it?"

Liham gave his father a nod and sat down beside Pierce. He looked at Archer, who's looking so brooding and serious. He gave Archer a smile. "Hey little brother."

I was shocked. Brother?! Little brother?! Akala ko ba sila lang tatlo ang magkakapatid?! How old is he? Where is he from? Bat ba ngayon ko lang nalaman ang tungkol sa Liham na'to? Wait, Liham means message in Filipino right? Siya lang ang may Filipino name sa kanilang magkakapatid! Ang cool!

"Oh, I'm sorry." I was even more shocked when looked at me and lended me his hand. "I'm Liham Armani Delluna." My hands were slightly shaking when he smiled at me. I shook his hand and silently cleared my throat. "If you're confused about my name's pronunciation, just call me Liam. I get that a lot." He added.

"My, I did not notice the young lady with us." Medyo nagulat nanaman ako nang nilingon ko ang ama ni Archer. Is he pertaining to me?

"You must be Aries.. Argente right? Is it Argente?" He gave Archer a questioning look. Archer just rolled his eyes and sat back. His Dad chuckled and asked the maidens to prepared their food.

We then started eating. The time for interviews. Shucks!

"So.. Aries. Shall I call you Aries?" I nodded politely. Archer's dad wiped the side of his mouth before continuing. "My name is Dustin Delluna. This is my wife Ariadna Delluna. I suppose you already know my children, including Liham right?"

"Yes po. Uhm, nice to meet you po," I politely bowed at them, letting go of my utensils for a while. "I'm Aries Ellesidyl Argente, po." I felt awkward. Bat ba puro ako po? Eh sa bagay,act ng pag galang naman 'yon.

"Of course we know, dear." Archer's mom's sweet voice made me glance at her and give her a sweet smile.

"Tell us about yourself, Aries."

Lihim na napalunok at dahan dahang binitawang ang kubyertos. Interesado naman na nakatingin sa'kin si Liham at Chloe. Si Archer naman pa lingonlingon lang sa'kin habang kumakain. Pierce is containing his laugh, this annoying s**t. He could probably tell how nervous I'am!

"Uh, sige po. I'm Aries Ellesidyl Argente. 18. I'm the middle child, I have two sisters named Virgo and Nimue. My family has a clothing and accessory business—"

Archer's mom cut me off, politely. "I'm sorry but do you mean 'argent' ? The big international store with the best coats, leather bags and accessories?"

I smiled. I feel flattered. "Yes , ma'am." Archer's mom giggled.

"Oh please, call me mama."

Nabilaokan si Pierce sa sinabi ng mama niya. Si Chloe naman bahagyang nagulat at nilingon ang ina at ako. Si Liham naman, nakangisi na nakatingin kay Archer na pigil ang mapangiti at kagat ang ibabang labi.

"Mama agad? Speed naman." Ani Pierce habang nakatingin sa pinggan niya at pinupunasan ang gilid ng baba.

"Joke lang naman. Tita muna." I chuckled at the way her mom revived that statement. She sounds like Archer.

Ininterview pa ako ni Tita Ariadna, habang nagpapatuloy kami sa pagkain. Nagtatawanan pa kami kasi nag kukuwento ng mga nakakahiyang moments ang mama ni Archer tungkol sa kabataan nilang magkakapatid.

"Aries, can I ask you a question?" It was already time for dessert when Archer's dad called me. "Sure, sir."

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "How's your family business? I heard your father, Remus, is holding it now." Napaigtad ako sa malakas na pagbitaw ni Archer sa mga kubyertos niya.

"Really?" He said in a small voice, facing his father with a slight fury and annoyance in his eyes.

His father chuckled. "I was just asking the young lady, Odelle. I'm sure she doesn't mind.. right?" He faced me. He looks intimidating but I managed to smile and node.

I held Archer's hand underneath the table and squeezed it gently to tell him that it's okay.

"Uh. My dad's handling it well, po. He's even planning on expanding the family business to more sides of the world."

"How brave of him. I'm glad." Bahagyang napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya pero binalewala ko na lamang iyon at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

After eating, Archer's father excused himself and answered a phone call. Archer quickly faced me and held my hand. He whispered an apology but I just smiled and told him that it was nothing. I wasn't offended. Merely because I wasn't business minded and I didn't know what he was talking about. If Archer's dad and mine have some business beef with each other, I am not longer apart of it, neither will be me and Archer's relationship.

The reason why I never wanted to be involved with the business. Tita Ariadna mentioned that their business was real estate and engineering. I didn't even know that Archer's dad was an engineer, and his mom is an architect. I feel like our business is related to theirs in terms of infrastructure? Is our family's business established with Archer's family business? Did they build our buildings and design our interiors? I don't know and I don't want to know.

The next day was another lazy day for me. More classes and duties as an ambassadress. Chandler came in sick and wanted me to handle his job for a bit because the rest of the council are busy with Urel Velasco's recruiting. Today's his last week. I almost forgot.

"How's the other freshmen in the assessment?" I asked Paige. She's a camp manager trainee, and also Chandler's new assistant.

"They're doing good. The countess Vida, almost broke another freshie's hind leg. She must've had a rough morning." She chuckled and I nodded and checked the countess' name from the checkbook. I'm keeping track on who's going to be next in the assessment. The best ones are going to be recruited for Urel.

"Virgo?" I asked Paige while she's also checking her own checkbook.

Paige raised her brows and looked around. "There," she pointed at my sister in the middle of the field. Getting ready for her assessment. "I guess it's her turn now?... Right, it is." She said, making sure that it really is her turn in the checkbook.

We both sat at the very tall chairs, above everyone watching. Virgo fixed the bandage in her hand. She bit the tail end of the bandage and tightened it around her fisted hand, readying for battle. She's up against Josephine. Chandler's little princess.

They began fighting and I just squint at my sister when she falls to the ground and she grunts in pain. The people cheer her to get up and so she does. Her lower lip is already busted and she managed to make Josie suffer in pain by constantly kneeing her stomach. After a few minutes the swords were inside and they fought. Every clash of their swords were like thunder. In every hit Virgo would scream, giving out all her strength in every hit she gives.

Virgo is a competitive person. She doesn't like to be looked down or be pitied. She didn't want people to think that just because she's a daddy' girl, all she knows is being protected. She wants the people to know that she can protect. And that she is definitely not a damsel in distress.

I blinked when Virgo hit Josie's sword which flew away from her hold. She kicked Josie down and made her lay on the ground. She stepped her boot against Josie's chest and pointed the sword at her forehead. My eyes widened when she pointed the sword deep enough to cause a little splint of bleeding.

"Virgo!" I shouted. I though she would pierce the sword deeper but she just left a little split on her forehead. If healed it'd look like a mole.

She let go of the sword. Everyone was quiet. Shocked when they saw blood on Josie's forehead from the sword. People are shocked that someone was brave enough to harm the president's sister. But Virgo couldn't care less. She wasn't going to kill her or anything. That's against the code and even at her young age at 15, she knows that.

I went down and handed her a face towel. I was about to scold her when we heard a clap. A firm one. It was slow yet loud. We faced the direction of the applaud and saw Urel Velasco. He has hid shades on, same like the last time, he was with two white suited men. He has a grim smile on his face while facing me.. or Virgo.

"Well done, little Argent." He chuckled which gave shivers down my spine. "I like me a strong and independent woman in my team. Your talent would do wonders in my company. With the right training and advance equipments, you'll do as much as how you learn here in camp silver."

I furrowed my brows. I was about to protest when my sister spoke.

"You're recruiting me, aren't you?" She bravely said.

"Why not? Do you not want to? You're advantage would do wonders for my company."

"What's in it for me?" I looked at her in disbelief. This isn't a game! You could get hurt and all you worry about is what you'll get when you join?! No!

Urel sighed heavily and clasped his hands behind him. He walked closer to us, a few steps away from us rather. "This opportunity will give you freedom. From the strangling duties you have for your father."

I was beyond shocked when he spoke about my father. How.. did he know that Virgo's going to be the next owner of argent? Dad didn't give it to Nimue because he doesn't think Nimue could. She was always so soft and gentle and he thought she couldn't face business matters without getting her emotions in the way. Me however, I refused. Our business is animal cruelty. In some areas of the world, this is illegal, but we are professional hunters and we are licensed hunter-businesspeople. I didn't want that. I don't want to hold a company of animal killers for fashion.

"Deal." My eyes widened at my sister's response. I looked at her in disbelief. I secretly pinched her elbow which she just nudge away. "When are you taking me?" She said with all her guts.

"V, no!" I whispered.

"Tomorrow, as early as possible." My sister nodded and completely took off the bandage on her hand and grabbed her duffel bag. She quickly walked passed me leaving me not uttering a word. Facing Urel Velasco with so much anger in my eyes.

"If anything happens to her.. I. Will. Kill. You." I threatened him. He just smirked and gave me a slight nod. I rolled my eyes and walked away from him. I followed my sister to her cabin which was just given to her just recently.

She's bunking with Ares and Paige, and I just now realize this.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?! Do you have any idea how dangerous it would be there?!" I tried to stop her from packing her stuff. But she was persistent.

"Let me go, ate." She said in a small voice, like she's trying to refrain herself from shouting at me. "I said, let me go."

"Or else what? I'm your sister! Listen to me, it's not safe there!"

"How would you know?! You've never been there!" She shouted at me which made me speechless. "You're always so quick to judge. Hindi mo nga alam why I wanted to go their in the first place!"

"Y-you wanted this?" I said in disbelief. "Wh- How? I don't— Virgo!"

She took out her gun and shot her silver badge. It was a badge that my dad gave her in advance. That badge resembles our business legacy.

"I don't want this!" Pertaining to the badge. She shot it again and it burst into pieces. I squinted from the loudness of the bullet hitting the silver badge. "I never wanted this!" She shot it again, leaving a hole on the cabin floor.

"I'm sick of this! And if being recruited to whatever business Velasco has gets me away from the chains that has been holding me back from my dreams, then so be it!" She said whilst tearing up. She's making me tear up as well.

I was speechless, I wanted to stop her. I know this is isn't safe but I know her. Knowing her she wouldn't want others to stop her from doing what she wants. She's young, but she's strong and skilled. I don't want to deprive her of what she wants but this is giving me a bad feeling.

"Ate please." She sobbed when I grabbed her hand. "I'm not going to die. I promise." She looked at me in the eyes and swore. "I just wanna be free."