The Queen’s Arrows (English-Filipino) COMPLETE

Thank You

I woke up in a very unusual place. The rooms smells so.. manly. The colors are mostly blue and gold. I looked around the room. I tried to stand up but my head hurts like hell! I reached for my forehead but I was shocked that I saw a dextrose tube injected in me.

"Don't panic," Archer came in the room, carrying a black box. "Nilalabas niyan ang venom sa katawan mo. Konti nalang, tapos na iyan." Aniya sabay upo sa gilid ng higaan.

He took the comforter that was covering my body. Napakunot ang noo ko nang shorts nakang ang suot ko. I was wearing black jeans! Wha-

"Si Grace nag bihis sa'yo. Hindi ako manyak, excuse me?" Parang na offend na ani Archer. He opened my bandages and cleaned my wound again.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked to avoid flinching from the sting of the alcohol against my cut.

Nagkibit balikat ito, at naka focus parin sa pag gamot ng sugat sa paa ko. "Probably.. 4 or 5 hours?" Nagulat ako.

Nang matapos, inaya na niya akong tumayo matapos niyang tanggalin ang mga tubo na nakatusok sa balikat ko. He gave me the black box. Inside was a beautiful maroon red dress. Deep V-neckline, thin straps, it was cinched on the waist and a slight long A-line, with a slit that's up to my right thigh. He also gave me a pair of matte black heels.

"Wala akong alam sa mga keme keme niyo sa mukha. So I asked my sister to come here and.. turn you in to a clown." He said before snickering. I glared at him and playfully punched his back while he was looking for a tie for himself.

"Ano bang meron? Muntik lang akong namatay, yayayain mo na ako ng dinner?" I joked while checking the dress out. It was so beautiful, the fabric was silk, and it felt so comfortable on my skin. Mukhang mamahalin.

He snickered. "Haba naman ng hair mo," he paused when he heard a knock on the door. "Naming day mo ngayon, ambassadress." He said before opening the door.

A beautiful young lady was behind the slightly opened door. Nang makita ang kapatid na niya siguro iyon, he opened the door completely.

"Archi, where's the lucky girl in your life aside from me?" She said in a sweet tone.

Archer laughed at that. "Believe me, Chloe. Ikaw parin." Napataas ang kilay ko habang nakikinig. Parang mali iyong iniisip ko. Para silang mag jowa, eh sa totoo naman, magkapatid naman ang mga ito. Siguro.

When Chloe faced me, she immediately skipped towards me and gave me a tight hug.

"Omg! Hi! My name is Chloe Celestia Gabrianne Delluna." She handed me her arm. She looks so.. young. "Oh, I'm 16, not 12. People mistook me for that age." She rolled her eyes at what she said. "Don't mind my long name though. Call me Chloe or Chlo. My stupid brothers gave me that name, it's exhausting."

I shook her hand and introduced myself as well. Nang makapagpakilala na kami sa isa't isa. She made Archer leave his cabin. She said that his ugly brother isn't worthy of witnessing my beauty when she's done. Silly girl.

She first washed my hair in the tub. She told me lots of stories, and I was interested into listening. Talking to Chloe was entertaining, and calming. Her voice was like the voice of your childhood best friend, that kind of person who you talk with about anything. She was also a very humorous girl. I love her for that.

She did my make up and my hair. She was examining my face on what make up style I would look best at. Thankfully, she chose the natural look but with a bold red lip.

"Alam mo, I'm actually glad that kuya convinced me into agreeing," she said while curling my hair.

"Why?" I sounded so faint because I was focusing on my mascara that she refused to apply by herself, so I had to do it.

"Because.. finally, maganda na ang mamake-upan ko," she chuckled after saying that and so did I. "Ang papanget ng mga ex ni kuya grabe! Iyong tipong ayaw ko na silang kausapin dahil baka masapak ko. Ang dadaming arte, akala mo naman maganda," she lightly fluffed my hair before looking at me in the mirror. "Gets mo ba?" I nodded, and chuckled.

I finished my mascara and Chloe was just staring at me through the mirror, while fixing my half up, half down hairdo. She held on to me shoulders and aligned her pretty face beside mine.

"Aries, you're so maganda, shet!" She exaggerated. I wanted to laugh. Not at her, but at myself. I stared at myself in the mirror for a quick minute. I don't look like Aries at all. The Aries I know has under eye circles, acute vascular rosacea and freckles. Now I have a flawless skin, glowing from the highlight siguro? But damn. I like this new me!

Napalingon kami sa pinto nang bumukas iyon at sumilip ang ulo ni Archer.

"15 minutes, line up na , ambassadress." He teased. I grunted softly in annoyance and faced him. "Stop calling me that!" Masungit na ani ko.

Napansin kong natigilan si Archer sa paglingon ko. Ganda no? I was already in my dress, and the heels. I grabbed the black purse that was also in the box with the dress. Awkward silence was emerging in the three of us. That was before we heard Chloe tsked and excused herself out of the room.

Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Archer habang nakatitig parin siya sakin. Looking at me from head to toe. I got tired of it, so I rolled my eyes and exclaimed.

"What?!" Mataray na tanong ko. He unbelievably looked at me and snickered.

"Ba't parang ang taray mo? Hindi ka kaya mag mumukhang tao kung wala ako." Mayabang na aniya. Excuse me? Is he saying that I'm not pretty by myself?! The audacity of this guy, really.

I put both of my hands on my waist, I tilted my head to the side while staring at him in the most irritated way possible. "Hoy, excuse me. Ang ganda ganda ko na kaya—"

"Alam ko." He whispered pero narinig ko parin. But what?! Are my ears playing with me? Hindi naman siguro nalagyan ni Chloe ng hairspray ang tenga ko no? Did I hear him right?

"Anong sabi mo?"

"Ay ang daming tanong. Tara na nga, hinihintay ka na." Aniya habang iginigiya ang braso sa'kin. Hindi makapaniwalang tiningnan ko siya.

"Are you supposed to be my escort or something?" I said with a hint of sarcasm.

He awkwardly looked at me and nodded. "Yeah, so?"

I chuckled sarcastically and walked pass him. I carefully went down the stairs. Iginiya ako ni Archer papuntang hall. It's already night time, there are fairy lights and lanterns all over camp. It looked so peaceful.

"After your naming, we'll be having dinner at the garden. Sa likod ng hall. Everyone'll be there" Bulong ni Archer sa'kin nang papasok na kami sa hall. Tinangoan ko lamang siya.

I believe this 'naming' thing is my somewhat coronation. As the Fall victor and the freshman ambassadress. I was escorted back stage by Clarian, the previous freshman ambassadress, I'm her successor. Archer went on stage to sit with the other councils. I roamed my eyes around the crowd when the three of us victors went out on stage. I saw Gracey and Prim.

Prim looked sad. I understand. I'm sad too. Skye deserved better. But she still smiled sincerely to me. I appreciate her for being strong, to show me that she's happy for me. Despite her cousin dying in front of my eyes.

"Good Evening, everybody. To all who are still impossibly clueless about who I am. My name is Chandler Ledalla, your student body president. And tonight is the night where we introduce new heads to our council," he raised a stick that looked like a torch. Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko doon, pero hindi ko pinahalata. I'm standing on a stage, along with two others, in front of a lot of people.

"Starting with our junior ambassador," the only man in our line-up went forward. "Slate Montecarlo, an elite descendant of Esteban Montecarlo." The crowd clapped at may dalawang babaeng naglabas ng silver tray. Na may ulo ng robot!

"Slate managed to defeat the holograms and exploited their weaknesses." Inilabas ng babae ang isang pin galing sa ilalim ng putol na leeg ng robot. Isinuot ito ng successor ni Slate sa kaniya, sabay bigay noong torch-stick-thing.

Then the sophomore ambassadress was introduced. Josephine Ledalla, she's an elite, she looks like she could be Chandler's sister or something. I heard Chandler has a younger sibling. She seems important. Winning against a battle of a saber tooth tiger. She seems important and dangerous. Her pin was behind the tigers large teeth, and her successor gave her the stick as well.

It's my turn now. "Now to the most unbelievable victor. The first Argente in camp, won her conclave against pythons and a cobra," again two girls walked beside me with the queen snake's head on the tray.

Nagulat ako nang si Archer ang lumapit. Where's Clarian?

"Aries Elessidyl Argente, an elite descendants of Ofelia Antoinette Argent , the freshman ambassadress." Archer put the pin on my dress and gave me the stick.

"This is the flame spirit stick. May the spirit of your ancestors guide you to safety." He made a cross across my face and chest with the stick before giving it to me. He gave me a small smile before winking and walking back to his chair.

My stomach suddenly felt funny after that wink. It made me feel annoyed. Winks are baduy and cringey, why is that guy making me feel butterflies in my stomach with a stupid wink?

After the ceremony, it was time for dinner. We were escorted to our seats in front of everybody. It made me feel awkward. We're like leaders. We technically are but I didn't mean for it to happen. I don't understand, why did I enter the fall if I didn't want to be in this position? Do I really want to die that bad?

Then I remembered. How about to those who have passed during the conclave? Won't they be given recognition for their fight? They fought til their last breath. Including Skye. It made me tear up, so I immediately wiped away the lone tear that fell from my eyes and continued eating.

I felt relieved when moments later. Archer went up front to the mic and renamed all those who passed in the dome. It made me emotionally. He didn't forget them. I'm glad he didn't. I'm thankful he's doing this.

"Skye Romero. She was a friend of mine, kind of. But she was an amazing soul, even though it's not obvious. She cares, and she's a good cousin-" he looked at Prim who's now silently crying with a smile on her face. "-and a good companion and/or bully to our freshman ambassadress," he faced me which made the crowd chuckle with his humor. I gave him a smile.

He raised his glass of champagne and spoke. "To those who have passed. May their soul plant on the soil of glory. Find peace in the darkness. Glory be their name." We all raised our glasses and repeated what he said.

During dinner. I was just silently finishing my dessert when I felt a pebble landing on my back. I didn't notice it at first. Napaigtad nalang ako nang napalakas ang pagbato sako. Iritadong nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan ng maliit na bato. Aray ha! I immediately rolled my eyes when I saw who it came from. Of course, it's Archer. Sino pa bang siraulong mamato sakin para tawagin ang attensyon kung pwede niya naman akong sitsitin or lapitan?

"Ano?!" Mahina pero iritadong ani ko sa kaniya. He tilted his head to motion me to come closer to him. Hindi niya naman ako alipin para pag utosan ako, hindi dapat ako papayag. Pero makulit ang mga paa ko at naglakad naman ako palapit sa kaniya.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at nilagay ang dalawang kamay sa'king beywang. He looked at me from head to toe and chuckled.

"Bakit ba ang sungit mo parin sa'kin? Ako kaya tumulong sa'yo doon." He said with a playful smirk on his face.

"Hindi naman ako nanghingi ng tulong," supladang ani ko na ikinatawa niya lang ng mahina. His deep baritone voice sounded so sexy against that chuckle-- wait what?! Aries, ew no!

"Ano bang kailangan mo, tukmol?" I impatiently asked. Mukhang nagulat siya sa pagtawag ko sa kaniya ng tukmol pero hindi niya naman pinansin at tumawa lamang itong muli.

He put his hands on both of his pockets, and damn does he look sexy. "Your sister's here," he casually said.

Both my eyebrows shot up. "Nim and V?" I felt excited.

Umiling ito. "Just Nimue. I didn't get to convince the council to let Virgo in." He had this disappointed emotion in his face.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "'I'?"

Bahagyang napamulagat ang mata niya, na para bang ngayon niya lang na realize ang sinabi niya. "Uhh.. Did I say 'I'? I meant 'they'. The mentors tried to." He gave me an awkward smile. My God this man is a horrible liar. "This way." He cleared his throat and I walked with him to see Nimue. In a beautiful blue dress, and her eyes were screaming, 'Im proud of you, sis'

I ran to her and gave her a tight hug. I missed her so much! I gave her a tender kiss on the cheeks and we talked about how we've been the last few days. I told her about my experience in the dome. I showed her my bandages, on my arm and on my leg. It made her worry but I made her sure that I'm fine.

"How's Virgo?" We sat down on one of the seats on the long table, with the rest of the freshmen.

"Stubborn," she sighed. "Palagi niyang pinipilit sila mom na papasukin siya dito. Dad wouldn't agree, but I feel like eventually, he'll give in to Virgo's cuteness." We both laughed in unison. But at the same time, I felt worried of my little sister. "Siguro when she turns 18?"

"I'll be a junior if she enters," I said.

Hindi ko namalayan na nasa tapat ko lang pala si Archer at kumakain ng malaking burger.

"Share mo lang?" Pambabara nito habang puno parin ang pisngi ng kinakaing burger. Binatuhan ko siya ng grape na naisalo niya naman sa bibig niya. Napangiwi ako sa tinuri nito.

"Kadiri." I whispered to Nimue while ignoring Archer, being a pig. I started asking Nimue about her love life. We often talk about it at home. Ever since she escaped the camp five years ago, she only ever mentioned one guy. Well, not technically. She said she didn't catch his name. Pero pag narito parin ito ngayon, he'd be a senior by now. Batch lang sila ni Archer.

Napatigil ako sa pagtawa sa biro ni Nimue nang mapansin ko ang pasimpleng pagtitig niya kay Chandler, na ngayon ay kausap si Pierce, sa gilid ng mini stage, hindi lang naman ito kalayuan sa kinauupuan namin.

A teasing smile then made its way to my face. Kiniliti ko ang tagiliran ni Nimue at inasar.

"Ang landi mo! President pa talaga tinirada!" Pag bibiro ko. She just rolled her eyes at me and denied. Asus, ang obvious naman na may crush to kay Mr. President.

"Hi, Nim." Nagulat si Nim nang bigla nalang sumulpot sa gitna namin si Chandler na nakatayo. Nauutal na nangumusta naman ang ate ko. Ano ba naman iyan! Na third-wheel ako kay umalis ako sa kinauupuan ko at tumabi nalang muna kay Archer.

"Tumabi ka ba sa'kin para sabihing crush mo rin ako?" Ani Archer habang ngumunguya parin.

I showed him a disgusted look and threw my handkerchief on his face. "Ang baboy mo! Don't talk when your mouth is full!" Reklamo ko.

Uminom ito ng tubig at ipinahid ang handkerchief ko sa gilid ng baba niya. "Wow, concerned. Crush mo na siguro ako, no?"

"Yuck! Hindi kita type. Mukha ka kayang pwet." Napatawa ako nang malakas nang mabilaokan ito at may lumabas na tubig sa ilong nito. "Ang bilasa mo talaga, hayop ka!" Natatawang tinatampal ko si Archer habang pinapahiran nito ang bibig at ilong.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatingin na pala silang lahat sa'kin dahil sa malakas kong pagtawa. I cleared my throat before shutting up and fixed my slightly crumpled dress.

"Anong mukhang pwet?! Ang gwapo gwapo ko kaya," He then combed his slightly long hair with his finger tips. His hair is slightly wavy, a small strand of hair is hanging on his forehead, while the rest of his hair is pushed back.

He has these tantalizing green eyes. Soft, naturally red lips. A proud and pointed nose. His jaw is also slick and sharp, that it could cut paper, metaphorically speaking. I don't why I found myself praising this guy. But all I'm saying is the truth. Hate to break it you, Ries. But looks like you're catching feelings for this pig.

I slightly shook my head at my last thought. Bahagya ring nakakunot ang noo ni Archer habang nakatitig sa'kin.

"Baliw ka na ba?" He asked out of nowhere. I looked at him angrily and slapped his shoulder.

"Stupid." I whispered. Inakbayan niya ako na ikinagulat ko. "Ano ba!" Reklamo ko. I tried to get his arm off of me pero nagpimilit parin ito.

He tsked and put his head close to mine. "How hard is it for a 'thank you' to come out of that pretty little mouth of yours?" he said.

Hindi ma ipinta ang mukha ko. Hindi ko maintindihan, kung kikiligin ba ako or maiirita.

"I bought you that dress. And those shoes. I payed my sister five thousand pesos just so she would agree to do the clown s**t on your pretty face," I glared at him which made him laugh.

I rolled my eyes at him once more. "'Thank you' lang naman hinihingi ko. Pambayad mo na iyon."

"Eh sa hindi naman ako nanghingi nito." Reklamo ko.

"Ang suplada mo talaga. Sarap mong halikan eh." Pagbibiro niya. Wait, pagbibiro nga ba iyon? I awkwardly looked at my sister and Chandler who were obviously disturbed with our conversation.

I narrowed my eyes on Archer and pulled on his collar and dragged him out of the garden. I'm now walking towards the bar, with my arms across my chest. Still refusing to say the words that he wants to hear from me.

We went inside the bar and I ordered a shot of bourbon. So did he. I drank about 6 shots already and I'm feeling tipsy. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ginagawa ko to sa sarili ko. Bigla ko rin namang naalala si Skye. And Liv. Ares, the girl I slashed. And Cher. I felt bad for them. I hurt them, maybe because I wanted to survive. I wanted to fight because I want to let my father know that I'm strong. Yet here I am, drinking myself to death to forget the fact that I am weak and I'm soft for hurting others because I wanted to live, because I was selfish.

I faced Archer who was also silently drinking his drink. His eyes were slurry. He licked his lower lip and looked at me. His face is flushed. Is he drunk? His cheeks are slightly pink and he looks so hot with his slurry eyes.

"Thank you," I said in my drunken state. "Thank you for all this. For not forgetting those who passed in the conclave. Thank you for caring. You may be a pain in the ass, but you sure do know how to impress me." I laughed nonchalantly and sipped on my bourbon.

He cleared his throat before calling the bartender and ordering another glass.

"Hey, you know I like you right?" He asked out of nowhere. I was surprised, but I acted like I already knew. "I just want you to know that."

"Obvious naman siguro." I said with sarcasm and chuckled. "I don't care. Hindi kita gusto." Well maybe slight lang.

Napatango tango lamang ito at nag aya na itong ihatid ako sa cabin. Pagabi na rin kasi. Nakita ko si Prim na nagpapakalasing on my way out of the bar. I understand her. She lost her cousin, and her best friend. She deserves to mourn. However way she wants.

"Thanks again." I thanked him again. Bat ba paulit ulit akong nagpapasalamat? He already gets it!

He chuckled and scratched the tip of his nose, before putting his hands on his pocket again. "I know. You're welcome."

"Yeah, but really. Thanks." There I go again, ano ba Aries?!

"Sige ka, keep thanking me and I might kiss you." He joked, but I kept my straight face on.

I really am thankful for him. If it weren't for him. I'd honestly be dead. Maybe not by my co Fallkru, but from the snakes. He helped me medically, and in the conclave itself. He kept me safe, and saved me when everything was done and I was down. I don't even know why I hate him. Is it because of our family history? ...What the hell?

I grabbed the back of his neck and placed a soft kiss on his lips. His lips were soft, I felt him stiffen. I was surprise myself. But it felt like I needed to do that. I want to do that. He responded to my kiss immediately, and the next thing we know. We're now stripping each other while our lips are still intact.