King

CHAPTER XXII

The rest of the night, Josefina and I ended up catching up with each other. I learned that her parents and our other relatives were killed by the previous rulers. That means she and I are the only ones left. Aside from that, I also found out that her husband is locked up somewhere in the kingdom. Both of them were kept alive because their powers were beneficial to the queen.

It’s already the morning and we were called in front of the castle. People were flocking around. I could see people living in comfort and people living in poverty.

“You can do this,” I heard Josefina whisper beside me.

“I know,” I said and pressed my lips together.

At first, I was worried that I might not be able to overcome the challenge but when I saw my people all of my fears were erased.

“I feel more confident than before after seeing them,” I said and Josefina smiled.

“I’m delighted to know that you’re still soft,” She said and smiled at me. “I thought the battles you had would turn you stone-cold,” She admitted making me giggle.

“To be honest, I thought I would hate to come back but when I encountered something confusing I found myself coming home,” I said and smiled at her.

The queen introduced me and told the people what was about to happen. I stood in front of everyone and I could hear everything they had to say. Not only was I able to hear everything, but I also saw their reactions.

“I’m sure you won’t last for even a day,” The queen whispered in my ear as she passed by me.

“That’s because I’ll escape before the day ends,” I said cockily. She scoffed at me and bumped my shoulder after saying, “We’ll see,”

She sat on her throne and looked at me. She had a cocky look on her face as she looks down at me. I smirked at her and mouthed, “You’re dead after this,”

Danilo came along with Josefina; I could see the nervousness in Josefina’s eyes so I smiled at her. Her expression didn’t change.

“Okay, let the test begin,” The queen said and Josefina mouthed, “Good luck,” Before she sent me in her Phantom Castle.

I arrived in the castle garden and I immediately knew what was about to happen, “Alright, Ellesmiere Isabel Villanueva Carter,” I said with my eyes closed, “You can do this,” I whispered before opening my eyes.

I walked into the castle and saw that it was the time when I was still seven. I walked around the castle and I felt at peace as I roamed the castle.

“I missed this,” I whispered as I touch the walls.

I looked up and I was tempted to go to my room but I ignored this urge to enter my room.

I continued to roam around the castle and when I didn’t see anything I decided to go to my room.

“Isabel, you’re here,” My mother greeted when I entered my room.

“Inay (mother),” I whispered and couldn’t help but tear up when she walked towards me.

“Why are you crying?” She asked and hugged me.

I ended up bursting in tears when she wrapped her arms around me. “Tahan na (calm down),” She whispered while running her hand on my head.

“I miss you,” I cried but she just giggled at me.

“I saw you an hour ago,” She said and cupped my face. “Your father will visit us later so calm down,” She added and kissed my cheeks.

“What?” I asked and just as I finished asking my father appeared in front of us.

“Dad!” I yelled and ran to him.

I hugged him and he hugged me back. I heard him chuckle when I cried on his chest.

“Honey, my clothes are going to get wet if you continue to cry like that,” He said and separated me from him.

He knelt in front of me and kissed my cheek before holding my hand and we walked towards my mom.

He kissed her on the lips and smiled, “I’m home,” He whispered and hugged my mother.

I could remember seeing this back when I was young. I couldn’t understand why they were always acting this way whenever they saw each other but now that I’m seeing this as an adult I could see how much they love each other and miss each other.

“I missed you,” My mother said with tears in her eyes, “You’re always so dramatic,” My dad said why my mother started crying.

I started crying when I saw them being like that. “Please, don’t separate,” I said and hugged them as I cry.

“Awe, my two favorite ladies are crying,” My dad said and carried me.

We played together and spent time with each other. I wanted to stay here forever. I don’t care if it’s an illusion. All I want to do is stay here for the rest of my life.

I opened my eyes and saw that my parents had their arms around me. I smiled when I woke up to this.

“Good morning, Isabel,” Mom said when she woke up.

“Good morning, mother,” I said and kissed her cheek.

She giggled at what I did. “You’re being sweet,” She said and kissed my cheek before standing up.

“Do you want to help inay (mom) to prepare itay’s (dad) breakfast?” She asked and held out her hand.

I nodded and got out of my bed. I passed by the mirror and realized that I was turned into a child.

“Isabel,” My mother called out when she saw me staring in the mirror.

“Coming, inay (mom),” I said and followed.

We prepared breakfast and when dad got to the kitchen he smiled and we had breakfast. We were happy having our breakfast when an old woman came into the castle.

“Bakit ka napagparito mahal na tagapagpayo? (What brought you here beloved advisor?)” My mom said and walked up to her.

I could still remember this man. This means this is the day the advisor found out that my mother was seeing my father.

“Mahal na Reyna, alam kong hindi lingid sa iyong kaalaman na naparito ako sa kadahilanang aking nabalitaan na ika’y nakikipagkita sa isang itim na mangkukulam, (Beloved Queen, I am sure that you aren’t clueless that the reason why I am here is that I found out that you are seeing a dark wizard,)” The advisor said and I held my mother’s hand.

She smiled at me and knelt. “You should go to your father,” She whispered and kissed my cheek.

“Okay,” I said and I knew that things are about to turn into a dark side.