The Lost Flame

Chapter 1: Stage 1

Chapter 1

“I can’t believe this!” The Queen of Arthora burst as soon as the visitors left the palace. “How did that happen?”

Nakatulala lamang si King Demetrius habang nakatingin sa kawalan. Inaalu naman ng Hari ng Arthora ang kanyang asawang hindi mapakali, habang hindi mawari ang reaksyon ng kanilang panganay na anak.

“I can say… you’re still in luck,” Alexandrius whispered behind me.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapa-ngiti na siyang agad napansin ng Hari ng Aquilla. He sternly looked at me like he knew I was behind it. Bumaling siya sa pinuno ng Arthora.

“Ilang taon na ang Royal badge na iyon sa kamay ng Lider ng Nedora. I didn’t know he knew its power. I was there when King Abel gave it to him, and I don’t remember them talking about it,”

“That’s unbelievable! Bakit hindi niyo man ‘lang sinabi sa amin ang tungkol sa badge na iyon?” The Queen of Arthora asked.

“Because we didn’t think it’ll matter like how it is now, Camilla.” Ang aking Ina ang nagsalita.

Napasinghap ako sa kawalan. Hinawakan ko na lamang ang aking suot na gown bago naglakad palapit sa kanila.

“I’m sorry but it’s getting late. I have to excuse myself,” Bahagya akong yumuko. “Have a great night, King and Queen of Aquilla.” I turned to the leaders of Arthora. “King Phillip, Queen Camilla.”

Matapos kong magsalita ay naglakad ako pataas ng hagdan. Hindi pa nakakalayo ay muli kong narinig ang boses ng Ina ni Fennox.

“So, this is how you face this, huh? I can’t believe you have nothing to say about this,”

Lumingon ako sa kanya at magsasalita sana pero inunahan ako ng aking Inang Reyna.

“Stop making my daughter feel worse for something that she didn’t expect, Camilla.”

Something she didn’t expect. Although Mom thinks that I am innocent, Dad’s eyes say otherwise.

Imbes na magsalita ay iniligtas ko na lamang ang sarili ko sa nanghihinalang tingin ng aking Ama. Yumuko na lamang ako bago nagpatuloy sa pag-akyat ng hagdan habang nakasunod ang kaibigan kong si Nemi.

“Bukas na mangyayari ang pormal na anunsyo tungkol sa kompetisyon, Lady Izla,”

Napatingin ako sa kanya na kasabay ko lamang maglakad sa gilid ko. Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa kanyang labi sa kadahilanang nagtagumpay kami sa aming plano. Masaya rin naman ako ngunit hindi pa roon nagtatapos ang lahat kaya hindi pa ako pwedeng mapanatag.

I was about to speak when someone suddenly called my name.

“Izla!”

Nang lumingon ako ay nakita ko ang papalapit na si Fennox. He held my hand as soon as he stopped in front of me.

“I am sorry that happened,”

Napataas ang kilay ko. “What?”

“I promise I will win this competition to save you from Luhermo’s son. I will save you from that monster so we can marry each other,”

Agad kong inalis ang mga kamay ko sa pagkaka-hawak niya.

“I have to go, Prince Fennox.” I bowed and then immediately walked away with the ickiness from what I have heard.

Pakiramdam ko ay nasusuka ako. Hindi ko mawari ang nararamdaman ng aking sikmura matapos na marinig ang sinabi ni Fennox. He was so full of himself for telling that to me. If I could laugh at his face, I would have done it.

Nemi giggled as she closed the bi-fold doors of my room. I seated beside my bed to face her.

“I almost threw up,”

Nemi shook her head while giggling.

“Hindi ko mawari kung bakit ganoon na lamang umasta ang Prinsipe ng Arthora. Tila hindi siya marunong makiramdam,”

“Ganoon siguro kapag wala kang pakealam sa nararamdaman ng ibang tao. Narcissistic people are too self-centered that they doesn’t pay much attention to others,”

Binuksan ni Nemi ang pinto patungo sa aking walk-in closet at nang lumabas ay bitbit na ang puting chemise.

“Huwag kang mag-alala, Lady Izla, bukas na bukas ay magsisimula na ang tagumpay ng iyong plano,”

Tumayo ako atsaka lumapit sa kanya upang tulungan niya akong tanggalin ang suot kong gown.

“I hope you’re right,”

~~~~

Kinabukasan ay maaga akong nagising dahil sa maliwanag na sikat ng araw nang buksan ni Nemi ang kurtina ng aking bintana. Wala na akong nagawa kundi tumayo sa kama.

“Magandang umaga, Lady Izla!” Masigla niyang bati. “Ipinahatid na rito ng Reyna ang iyong umagahan,”

Napakunot-noo ko.

“Hindi ba kami kakain nang sabay-sabay?”

“Galit raw ang Hari, baka ikaw ang pagbuntungan kaya pinadala na lamang dito ni Reyna Madelyn ang pagkain mo,”

Suminghap ako atsaka humarap sa salamin. Hindi na ako magtataka kung mainit ang ulo ng aking ama matapos na mangyari ang nangyari kagabi. I know he’s thinking that I might be behind of all that happened, pero ayoko naman na mas maghinala siya sa akin. Even if it will add fuel to the fire, I still have to face him.

“I am going to eat at the dining hall. I’ll just change,”

“Pero—”

Hindi ko na pinatapos ang kaibigan. Pumasok na lamang ako sa walk-in closet para magbihis ng damit. I went to the dining hall wearing a pink off-shoulder gown with a crown on the top of my head.

Taas-noo lamang ako nang buksan ng dalawang Royal guards ang pintuan. Tumambad sa akin ang mahabang lamesa na mayroong hindi ko mabilang na silya. Nakaupo sa dulong kabisera ang Hari ng Aquilla habang nasa kanang hilera ang kanyang asawa.

They both turned to me as I walked towards the other side of the table in front of My mother, while the King looks unhappy to see me. What’s new?

“Your sister won’t be here until winter dahil abala siya sa kanyang paaralan, anak.” Ani Mom nang mapansin niyang nakatingin ako sa bakanteng upuan sa kanyang tabi.

“I was expecting her to be here yesterday. Mukhang hanggang sa araw ng kasal ay wala siya,”

Umupo ako sa kaliwang hilera, sa tabi ng aking ama na bumaling agad ng tingin sa akin.

“You don’t seem upset about what happened last night,”

Kinuha ko ang loft bread atsaka inilagay sa aking plato. I also took some bacon and fruits.

“About the gatecrashing of Nedora’s leader? No. You’re the one who seems upset,”

Nagulat ako nang bigla na lamang niyang binitawan ang hawak na kubyertos. My mother looked at me then shook her head before she turned to my father.

“Demetrius,”

“Everything was placed according to my plan. How did something like that happen?”

Hindi ako nagsalita.

“I know you’re behind it,”

I looked at him.

“Bakit sa tuwing may nangyayari na lamang rito sa palasyo, ako ang palagi niyong pinaghihinalaan?”

Napatayo ang aking Ama sa kanyang upuan atsaka hinila rin ang aking braso dahilan ng pag-angat ko sa aking inuupuan.

“You’re the only one who’s against this marriage. I know what you’re capable of doing to get rid of it. But guess what? Ako parin ang Hari ng Aquilla, ako parin ang iyong Ama, at sa ayaw o sa gusto mo? Fennox will win and he’ll take over my position,”

Mabigat ang pagkakabitaw niya sa aking braso. Wala akong nagawa, hindi ako nakapagsalita. I just let him leave the dining hall while I was left dumbfounded.

“Huwag mo ng palalain ang sitwasyon, Anak. I’ll try to talk to your father,” agad ring umalis ang aking Ina upang sundan ang Hari palabas ng hapag.

Mariin akong napapikit sa iritasyon hanggang sa pumatak na ang luha sa aking pisngi. Agad ko iyong pinalis. I have no time for tears. Ngayong nalaman kong tama ang lahat ng iniisip ko ay mas lalo kong gustong gawin ang plano ko. Sana lamang ay umayon sa akin ang tadhana.

I was looking at the crowd full of men from the terrace. Nag-uunahan sila para lamang mapa-lista ang kanilang pangalan sa mga scholars na nasa labas ng palasyo. They are the ones my father assigned to get the names of the people who wants to join the competition. Gaya ng inaasahan, marami ang gustong sumali.

“Oh my god. Look at those men,”

Napatingin ako sa direksyong tinuturo ni Nemi saka ko nakita ang mga lalaking walang dudang mula sa mababang angkan dahil sa kanilang mga hitsura. They look older than their actual age because of they way they dress.

“They are still people of Aquilla, Nemi.”

Maya-maya ay naputol ang pagmamasid ko sa mga kalalakihang nasa labas ng palasyo nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses.

“Silence!”

Everyone gathered outside the palace silenced their mouth as they heard the Viscount of Peregrine from the terrace a room away from us.

“Narito na ang opisyal na anunsyo para sa kompetisyon!”

Mariin akong humugot ng hininga. This will be the first time I’m going to hear it since the senior clerks wrote the orders that the King agreed on.

Viscount Kade opens the scroll he’s holding before reading whatever's written on it.

“The senior clerks of the Kingdom of Aquilla signed by King Demetrius have implemented these rules and challenges to successfully find the future consort of the Grand Princess Izla Mereya Castemont,”

Kade stood straight before reading the next lines.

“Everyone, which means even if you’re from a lower, middle, or higher class and clans living inside the Empire of Nysa, is allowed to join the competition as long as you are twenty-four to twenty-seven years of age. You will be facing six stages in this competition,”

“Six? I thought it would be just three or four?” Ani Nemi sa gilid ko.

Hindi ako nagsalita at nakinig lamang kay Kade.

“Everyone can list their names in the royal papers the scholars have. Before you can proceed to the first step, you must first undergo a grooming session with the commoner maids. The first stage will be the screening test. You all must showcase your styles and looks. Those who will pass the first stage will proceed to the next stage which will be the physical health test. If you’ll pass this stage you will be facing the third stage which will be the fertility test,”

Nagkatinginan kami ni Nemi. The stages might sound so easy but the third stage is really weird.

“Now let’s move on to the next real challenges; The fourth stage will be a mental test which you will have to face the members of the senior clerks and answer their questions with hidden agendas; The fifth stage will be the skill test that will require you to use your combat skills without any weapons; and lastly, a duel against every candidate,”

Napatiim-bagang ako.

“Talagang pinaghandaan ng Hari ang kompetisyong ito. All of the challenges are mastered by the Prince of Arthora, Lady Izla.”

Hindi ako ulit nagsalita. Nanatili ang tingin ko sa lalaking nasa kabilang terrace.

“This is a 6-days challenge, all of you must be ready since tomorrow is the first day. Long live the future of Aquilla!”

Nang matapos magsalita ni Kade ay walang alinlangan siyang bumalik sa loob ng Palasyo.

“Stay here, Nemi. I’ll just talk to Kade,” Sabi ko sa kaibigan saka ako nagmadaling pumasok sa loob ng palasyo.

Pagkalabas ay agad akong luminga sa paligid. Napakunot-noo ako nang walang nakitang tao roon. I was about to get back outside the terrace when I saw a tall man on the railings. He was looking straight to my direction while crossing his arms.

“I knew you’ll be here,” Ani Kade.

Suminghap ako atsaka naglakad palapit sa kanya. He bowed his head before speaking again.

“Do you need anything, Lady Izla?”

“I just…” I couldn’t dare to say it.

Itinaas niya ang kanyang kilay, tila naghihintay sa aking sasabihin. “Well… did you… uh,”

“What?”

I sighed when I decided not to say it anymore. “Nothing. I’ll just go back outside,”

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at hinayaan na lang ang kanang-kamay ng aking ama na gawin ang trabaho niya. Hindi narin naman siya nagsalita kaya mas lalong hindi ko tinuloy ang dapat ay itatanong ko. Tumalikod na lamang ako at bumalik sa terrace.

~~~~~

Umaga kinabukasan nang magising ako dahil sa malakas na tunog ng drums. Sakto namang kakapasok lamang ni Nemi kaya bumangon na agad ako para sumilip sa labas ng bintana.

“Ilan ang nakaabot sa listahan?”

“two-hundred forty, Lady. Pero mukhang sa unang test pa lamang ay kalahati na agad ang mababawas,”

Nagkatinginan kami. Sa tingin ko pa ‘lang ay alam na niya agad kung ano ang gusto kong sabihin. Umiling-iling siya.

“Hindi siya sumali,”

Napatango ako. Inaasahan ko naman na iyon. He’s too busy running errands for the King of Aquilla. Isa pa, noon pa man ay wala siyang balak umupo sa mataas na puwesto rito sa palasyo. I was kind of hoping that he’ll still join despite of it since he’s my friend and it would be easier to do my plan with him beside me, kahit na alam kong ang loyalty niya ay para lamang sa Hari ng Aquilla, malaki parin ang tiwala niya sa akin bilang kaibigan niya.

“I guess the only choice left is Luhermo’s son,”

Tumikhim ang aking kaibigan bago ko siya iniwan para maligo sa palikuran. Nang matapos ay agad akong nagbihis at nag-ayos ng sarili upang manood sa nangyayari sa labas ng palasyo.

“Sigurado ka bang ito lamang susuotin mo, Lady Izla?”

I am wearing a beige puffed full dress and heels. Nakalugay ang mahaba at umaalon kong buhok. I also put some makeup on my face with red lipstick. Nemi was staring at me from head to toe when I turned to her.

“I don’t want to draw a lot of attention. I just need to check what's happening outside,”

Tumango na lamang si Nemi bago kami naglakad palabas ng kwarto. Abala ang lahat ng tao sa palasyo, lalong-lalo na ang mga katulong na namamalakad sa unang pagsubok. Wala rin masyadong Royal Guards sa bawat pasilyo dahil binabantayan nila ang labas ng palasyo, pati narin ang mga kalahok sakaling magkaroon ng gulo.

Napatigil ang mga paa ko sa paglalakad. Nemi looked at me, confused.

“Lady Izla, may problema ba?”

Imbes na sumagot ay napalingon ako sa hallway. I felt something but I am not sure what it is.

“Nothing,”

I just continued walking. Sumunod lamang sa akin si Nemi hanggang sa makalabas kami ng Palasyo.

“Nakapila po ang lahat sa labas ng palasyo at naghihintay na matatawag para sa grooming nila, Lady Izla.” Ani Nemi.

Kakalabas ko pa lamang ng palasyo ay bumungad na sa akin ang mga nagkakagulong tao sa malawak na ektaryang frontyard ng palasyo. Gaya ng Sabi ni Nemi, Nasa labas ang lahat ng kalahok at nakapila sa kanya-kanyang mga tents kung saan sila aayusan. May mga tapos na at kitang-kita ko ang laki ng pagbabago sa kanilang hitsura. Their haircuts were fixed and they are all wearing a better clothes than the ones I saw yesterday.

“Lady Izla,”

Napakunot-noo ako nang marinig ang hindi pamilyar na boses. Palapit sa akin ang isang matangkad na lalaki. He is wearing a Black suit with a red cape that immediately answered the question in my head. Luhermo’s son is walking towards me with a dark eyes the same as his father’s.

“You must not know me yet. I’m Atlas, Luhermo’s son.” He bowed his head and offered his head.

Agad kong inilapag ang kamay ko sa kamay niya na agad naman niyang hinalikan.

“It’s my pleasure to meet you,” He looked at me and smiled. It creeps me out.

Hindi ako nagsalita. Taas-noo ko lamang siyang tiningnan.

“I’ve been meaning to tell you how grateful my father is to you for telling us the power of the royal badge your grandfather gave us.” He looked at Nemi to acknowledge her for what she did too.

“Atlas,” I rested my hands on my stomach. “Just so you know, I did not do that for you or for your clan. I did that to save Aquilla,” Mariin kong sabi.

Napangisi siya.

“That’s why I’m thankful. It would be bad for the Kingdom of Aquilla to be ruled by someone like Prince Fennox. I think we both know what I meant,”

I felt the tension between our direct stares to each other. Kung hindi ko pa maririnig ang isang pamilyar na boses ay hindi pa iyon matitigil. Mariin akong napapikit.

“Here comes the devil,” I thought I whispered to myself but I heard Atlas smirk that made me secretly roll my eyes.

Nang lumingon ako sa tumawag ay agad kong napansin ang bagong style ng buhok ng Prinsipe ng Arthora. He is wearing a green victorian coat as he stopped in front of me to bow his head and kissed my backhand.

“I didn’t know you’ll be wearing this color. I should have chosen the same one so we would be a match,”

Atlas chuckled which made us turn to him.

“Oh! I didn’t know you could hear that,”

“You shut up. Would you wear a beige even if you’re a man?” Ani Fennox.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

The tension between the two men made me shake my head. Maliit lamang na bagay ay pinapalaki nila.

“No man would look good in beige,” Mariing sabi ni Fennox.

Atlas was about to speak when we suddenly heard Nemi speaks beside me.

“Wow!” Nalaglag ang panga niya.

Napakunot-noo ako bago ko binaling ang tingin sa direksyon kung saan naroon ang mga mata ni Nemi. I was confused of what possibly made my friend react like that but when a tall man who looks older than me came out of one of the tents, I immediately realized what she’s up to.

“Well, I guess Luhermo’s son is not the only person I must get rid of,” Fennox conceited.

Atlas snickered as he tapped Prince Fennox’s shoulder.

“Good luck with that,” He said as he left.