The Nobles

Chapter 15

THEODRED can't still believe what he is seeing. They are inside the palace of the King, and he is sitting in front of the Noble he's willing to sacrifice his life to.

He noticed how similar she is from herself years ago. She didn't change at all.

He was so emotional awhile ago that he shred a lot of tears.

"How are you?" His Master asked.

Napalunok siya sa magkahalong tuwa at mangha.

"I am doing fine, Master. But... but I didn't give up on waiting for you after all those years."

His heart lifted as he saw her rare smile.

"Thank you, Theodred."

Tumungo siya, nahihiyang ipakita ang nag-iinit na pisngi at tenga. Tingin niya ay nananaginip pa rin siya, parang isa sa mga ilusyong ginagawa niya sa pang-araw araw.

To think that his Master will suddenly appear unexpectedly, he don't know how to contain the overflowing emotions.

"W-When did you came back, Master?"

She sip the tea before answering, "Months ago. I was living in Claudius' mansion with the others."

His eyes widened, so this is why Claudius told him to visit his mansion. And that ass didn't even bother to tell him!

He motion his hand and his beautiful fan appeared. Nagpaypay siya habang minumura sa Claudius sa isip.

"Please let me come back with you, Master. I will serve you again like I used to."

His Master nodded. Wala itong gaanong ekspresyon ngunit malambot na nakatingin sa kaniya ang mga kulay lilang mata.

"I'm okay with that as long as his Highness approved."

Tumango siya. May usapan na sila ng King. He will serve him until Lady Adelaide came back. At ngayong nandito na ang hinihintay niya, maiintindihan ng King kung paglingkuran na niya ito.

"Sir Theodred, Lady Adelaide, his Highness will enter."

His lady nodded, and the huge door opened. The King walk towards them with dignity. He sat beside Lady Adelaide in front of him.

"Rainier, you finally met her."

He smiled, "Yes, your Majesty, finally."

"Then I will allow you to follow her wherever she go, protect her with all your life and power."

"Rest assured, your Majesty."

Nilingon ng King ang babaeng nasa tabi nito. Pansin niya ang mga tinging hindi na bago sa kaniya. Napailing siya at bahagyang napangiti.

"Do you want to see the Kingdom's Capital, lady Adelaide?"

Nilingon ng kaniyang Master ang King na naghihintay lamang sa kung anong gagawin at sasabihin nito.

"I'd love that, I want Theodred to accompany me, your Highness."

Nilingon siya ng King, his eyes are threatening him. Nanlaki ang mata niya at agad sumingit sa usapan.

"M-Master, I think his Majesty is free, he can come with you."

Lady Adelaide put the cup of tea in the jade table.

"He is the King of the Nobilis, I am sure he has a lot on his plate, right, your Highness?"

This time the gazes of his Master became sharp as it stare at the King of Nobles.

The King turn his head away, eyebrows almost touching and his forehead is crease.

"If you don't want to be accompanied by me, stay here until tomorrow, I'll finish my work so you won't have anything to be worried about."

After that the King leave the hall. He laughed a little louder because of what he witness.

"He's so easily defeated with you around, Master. I remember the good old days."

"He's just stubborn."

After their small talk, they decided to go to the Capital. He summon his spirit animal, his huge golden pheasant, the name is Dred. Sumakay siya rito at saka niya inabot ang kaniyang kamay sa kaniyang Master. Nang parehas ilang makasakay ay lumipad na ito patungo sa Capital.

"Dred, go a little faster."

"Understood, Master."

Mas bumilis ang lipad ng kaniyang golden pheasant. Sa ibaba kitang kita ang ganda ng kaharian ng mga Nobles. It is nothing compared to the countries of humans or even the country of half bloods. It has the world's largest sum of treasures. Kaya kahit malalakas ang Nobles, hindi nito basta bastang mapipigilan at matatakot ang ibang half bloods at mga tao na umatake rito, dahil maraming gustong kumuha ng yaman sa lugar na ito.

Some part of this Kingdom, in the little town owned by his Master, there are magical waters and rare treasures, but only those she allowed to come can enter the town, or even her palace inside.

Kaunti na lamang ang nakakaalam ng lugar na iyon, tanging ang mga kasing edad na lamang nila at ang King. Even the palace of Leaders cannot be compared to how prosperous Lady Adelaide's palace is.

"Nobilis is still as beautiful as ever."

"As years passed by, our Kingdom grew higher and bigger, Master."

"The King and his people deserve all of that."

Tumango siya bilang pagsang-ayon.

"Yes, Master. The King became ruthless years ago but that made the kingdom prosper more."

A little moment later they arrived in the entrance of the Capital.

Sa kinatatayuan pa lamang nila, marami ng Nobles. May mga matang napapatingin sa direksyon nila, dahil na rin sa katauhan niya bilang personal na Royal Knight ng King.

Some came towards him to greet. Tinapos niya agad ang mga mumunting usapang iyon para maipasyal ang kaniyang Master.

Lady Adelaide is looking curiously around. Maraming mga bagong botique, at mga auction halls sa paligid. May mga restaurant at bar. Meron na ring mga palace na pagawaan ng mga wine o iba pang kagamitan.

Those palaces are just like infrastructure buildings in the human countries, but compare to that, palace is more glamorous, and businessmen Nobles just use that to make wines, weapons and other things.

There were plenty of palaces in the whole Nobilis, but of course above all of that is the King's palace and Lady Adelaide's palace. It cannot be compare to any of those.

"I want to try their wine here."

Parang nagningning ang mata niya dahil sa sinabi nito. Napangiti tuloy siya sa likod ng pamaypay na tumatabon sa halos kalahati ng kaniyang mukha.

"I know a place that offers a good wine, Master. It is owned by the first ranked Leader."

Nagtungo sila sa lugar na tinutukoy niya. The place is cozy as ever. Lagi itong dinadayo ng mga Nobles, at kahit ang ibang pinapayagang bumisita sa Nobilis, gustong matikman ang mga alak na gawa ng mga tauhan ng first ranked Leader.

He ordered the best wine for his Master. Umupo sila sa pinakasulok kung saan wala masyadong nakakapansin.

Inaabangan niya ang reaksyon nito nang uminom ito ng porsyon ng wine.

His Master nodded a few times, "It's good. Way better than those made by humans."

He felt so proud that his Master liked what he recommended. Malapad ang ngisi niya buong panahong nasa loob sila ng lugar na iyon.

"There are many changes here, but too bad, there were fewer and fewer high ranking Nobles."

"That's understandable, Theodred, the academies lack high ranking Nobles, and they cannot control the students. The King mentioned about the new manuals, it will lead to doom."

Alam niya ang sitwasyon ng mga Academy. Hindi mapipigilan ang desisyon ng mga Headmaster ng bawat academy dahil nagpulong na ang mga ito, maging ang mga Leaders ay walang nakitang mali sa pagbabago. And the King wanted to respect the decision of majority even though he has the power to change the tide.

The King became busy these days because of that. But his Highness told him that if something goes wrong, he will take action, and he will put the manual in the trash.

He feel bad that he had to leave his Highness' side at this crucial moment.

"But he'll handle this wisely, I know the King well."

Agad siyang sumang-ayon sa dinagdag ng kaniyang Master. Sa ilang taon niyang pinaglingkuran ang King, ni minsan hindi ito pumalpak.

"Yes, Master. The King is deadly and wise, he can handle simple things like that."

After they finished the wine, they went out of that place to see more of the Capital.

Pumasok sila sa isang auction hall to see the materials to be auctioned.

"This is a rare jade bracelet found near the Victoria's town, not many of you knew about this town, but it is said to be a wealthy land. The jade bracelet can strengthen your muscles by ten percent and it can also strengthen your mentality by 15 percent. The bid starts with 1000 golds."

Napatingin siya sa katabi niya. His Master became serious as she heard the name of the town she owned. To think that someone will declare its existence that boldly.

"1500 golds!"

"2500 golds!"

The bid became larger and larger. That jade is just a simple thing inside the Victoria's town, but for the Nobles who doesn't know much about the treasures inside the town, it is a very rare material.

"50,000 golds!"

That was one of a hell huge gap.

After a few minutes, the lady on one of the VIP room got the jade bracelet.

"Did you hear? The person in the VIP room number 4 is Zara Diana Philip, the eighth ranked Noble Leader."

"That's why she just throw that sum of gold for a bracelet, no wonder."

Rinig niya ang bulung-bulungan ng iilang nasa likod nila. Zara Philip, that Leader really gets on his nerve. She always bother him like she doesn't have loads of work on her shoulders.

He can't help but to scoff. He knew he's a very beautiful man as a flower and many girls wanted him, but a crazy fan like her irritates him a lot.

"Let's go outside." Utos ng kaniyang Master.

Nakahinga naman siya maluwag. He don't want to meet the naughty eighth ranked Leader.

But he really have no luck this time. Nakasabay niya itong lumabas. Agad siyang namataan nila at patakbo pang lumapit.

"Sir Theo!"

His forehead crease. Nasa tabi niya lang ang kaniyang Master at hinihintay lamang ang mangyayari.

"You're not allowed to call me that."

His cold voice didn't even reach the troublemaker.

"Eh? Why is that? I'll be your girl in the future, I have to call you that."

Nilagpasan niya ito ang hinapit ang bewang ng kaniyang Master para umalis sa lugar na iyon.

"Theodred Rainier! You dare to ignore me?!"

He sigh deeply. Why does he need to get involve with this girl in a time like this?

Pumunta ang babae sa harapan nilang dalawa. Masama ang tingin kay Lady Adelaide, at nagbabanta ang mga mata.

"Who is she? She looks so weak, my hand is itchy, I want to kill her."

Sa galit niya sa narinig sumabog ang lupa sa paligid. Naghiyawan ang ilang nakapaligid at agad lumayo. He has a power to cause disaster and this is just a percent of it.

He use his speed to grope the girls neck.

"You dare threaten my Master?"

His bloodlust cannot be contained unless he hurt this girl.

"W-What are you doing? I'm a leader, I am stronger than you!"

He smirked.

"You're not even worthy to be my Master's enemy and you dare to threaten her life? Are you courting death?"

"l-I'm going to fight you!"

"Try." Hamon niya rito.

He used one of his power to steal all her remaining energy. Agad itong nanghina, tinanggal niya ang kamay na nakasakal dito at agad itong napaupo sa sahig.

"H-How did you do that? I don't have any energy to use my power..."

He sat in front of her. Nilapit niya ang mukha rito para bumulong.

"You should be thankful that I am the one who hear those words. If His Majesty was here, you're a corpse by now."

Tumayo siya at naglakad patungo sa kaniyang Master na hinihintay lamang siyang umalis sa lugar na iyon.

"I'm sorry for causing trouble, Master. Please forgive me."

Lady Adelaide shake her head.

"Doesn't matter, take me to the finest restaurant around here, I'm starving."

Agad siyang tumango sa gusto nitong mangyari. Hindi niya ito binigo at nagtungo sa pinakaluma pero pinakatanyag na kainan sa Nobilis mula pa noon hanggang ngayon. Ang may-ari ay isa sa mga Nobles na nakakakilala sa kaniyang Master.

Pumasok sila sa restaurant, maraming tao sa loob at mabilis ang kilos ng mga waiter. Amoy na amoy ang aroma ng mga pagkain sa paligid. Iginaya sila ng isang staff sa isang pangdalawahang table.

"Sir Theodred we are glad to see you dine here again, we'll immediately tell our boss." Sabi ng isang staff na lumapit sa kanila.

Their boss is a good man, he is a true Noble. Gabriel is looked like a middle age human, and he is considered one of the powerful Nobles back then, but he wanted to stay low, so he personally requested to the King not to involved him in the rankings.

Sinabi nila ang mga pagkaing gusto, at ilang minuto ang lumipas, lumabas si Gabriel dala dala ang mga pagkaing pinili nila.

He was startled to see Lady Adelaide but he immediately manage to contain his excitement, he bow in front of the two of them.

"I am glad to see you, Sir Theodred. I am really honored to see you again, Lady Adelaide."

Sinenyasan nito ang isang tauhan upang kumuha ng isang upuan para makisalo sa kanilang dalawa ng kaniya Master.

"I can't believe you're here, Lady Adelaide, please excuse me, I have to express how shocked I was. This old man is very thrilled to meet you again."

Natawa ito at maging siya ay ganoon din. Kung tutuusin, kung ikukumpara sa isang tao si Gabriel, para itong nasa early 40's na.

"Gabriel, I am also happy. So you stayed here, you are very loyal to our land."

Gabriel nodded and he gave a heartily laugh.

"I owe the King my life. I cannot afford to leave here, until now I am helping him even in the dark."

Tumango tango si Lady Adelaide.

"But the King wholeheartedly saved you, you don't need to feel indebted."

"This is by my own will, Lady Adelaide, even you, I want to serve you together with his Highness until my last breath."

"Please don't say that Gabriel, but you are free to do whatever you desire."

Nakinig lamang siya sa usapan ng dalawa. It's a good decision to bring his Master here. Gabriel is a friend of all of them. He is very kind and hardworking man, even him is willing to help him in the times of trouble.

"I wish you could meet my daughter and my adorable grandchild, but they are in the mansion."

Tumango ang kaniyang Master.

"I'll meet them one of these days."

After the long talk with Gabriel, naglibot pa sila sa paligid, at nang maggabi na, bumalik na sila sa palasyo ng Hari ng mga Nobles.