Tears Of Asteria (TAGALOG)

Chapter Nine | Palace

King’s guest.

His words kept echoing in my mind. Now I understand why I’m treated so glamorously here.

Napangiti ako sa naisip ko. The Viese Crest. The King’s Guest. He needed something, I needed something, a win-win situation for the both of us. However, I’m quite nervous about my power.

Isang beses ko lang ‘to nagamit at wala pa kong naiintindihan sa kapangyarihan ko na ‘to. How the hell is he going to train me when I, myself, don’t know a thing about my prowess? Paano pag pang isang beses lang pala magagamit ang kapangyarihan ko at hindi ko na magagamit ulit? He’ll abandon me, a potential pawn for his grand plans, since I don’t wield any power.

Wala namang mawawala sa ‘kin except for the fact that I don’t know what he’s planning for the future with me in it. For now, sasakyan ko muna ang mga pangyayari at mag obserba sa kanila kung mapagkakatiwalaan ba talaga. I need to know whether I could trust them or not and if I could, then perhaps they’ll be a great asset for my sweet, not-so petty revenge.

Binigyan niya ‘ko ng oras para makapagdesisyon but no matter how much I think about it, my answer remains the same.

I need to accept it. I need to know my power.

When he left the office, Aefos bade his farewell to me and followed. Naiwan akong mag-isa dito sa opisina at tahimik na nag-iisip.

Biglang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok agad ang hinihingal na Marianne. Agad-agad siyang pumunta sa ‘kin at tiningnan ang kalagayan ko.

“I’m so sorry we left you, Lady Asteria. Nabalitaan ko galing sa kapatid ko at agad na pumunta dito. Ang hari ba ang gumawa sayo nito? I’m so sorry, Lady,” puno ng pagsisisi at pag-aalala ang tono niya. Ondreus must’ve told her.

“No, it’s okay, Marriane. Kasalanan ko din naman dahil saan-saan ako napapadpad,” sabi ko at bahagyang ngumiti sa kaniya.

Halata ang pagsisisi sa mga mata ni Marianne at pilit na kinalma ang sarili, “What happened, lady Asteria?” tanong niya sa ‘kin.

“Nothing much. Pwede na ba tayong bumalik? Gusto ko lang sanang magpahinga. Pwede naman sigurong sa susunod nalang ang pagpapasyal dito, hindi ba?” tanong ko sa kaniya.

“Yes, of course,” sagot niya.

Tumayo ako na ako at sumunod naman siya. Binuksan niya ang pintuan at ginabayan ako kung saan dapat dadaan. Naglakad kami mula sa opisina ng hari hanggang sa hiwalay na palasyo na kung saan ako nananatili.

I looked at the exterior of the palace and everything, anything, was so grandeur from outside the carriage I’m riding right now. So, this is the palace he promised me if I accept our deal.

Hindi kagaya kanina na kung saan dumaan kami sa likod ng palasyo dahil nandoon ang hardin, dumaan kami ngayon sa frontyard ng palasyo na ‘to.

Our walk was tiring from the king’s palace to mine. It wasn’t really a walk since we had to take a carriage and travel for a while.

I can’t believe I went from here to the king’s bathroom. What the hell?

Huminto ang karwaheng sinasakyan namin sa harap ng isang malaki ngunit engrandeng gate. May mga gwardiyang nakabantay dito at dahan-dahang binuksan ni Marianne ang bintana ng karwahe. Napatingin angmga gwardiya kay Marianne at nang makilala nila, agad na napunta ang mga mata nila sa ‘kin at yumuko bilang pagbati.

Binuksan nila ang gate at nagpatuloy sa daan ang karwahe.

As I leaned and watched the palace’s front yard behind the carriage’s windows, I couldn’t help but be astonished at how grandeur this palace is.

It was a pleasant evening and the sunset’s colorful gaze upon the palace was so pretty.

The palace’s pathway was lit by magic lamps, crystals floating upon its golden stands.

Pebble stones complemented the front yard's garden with their intricate designs in the pathway. The Palace’s front yard garden is truly a spectacle I’d admire forever. Different kinds of flowers-- some glowing, some blooming, some with butterflies and even glowing butterflies filling the garden, and fireflies could be seen now that dusk is settling. The snow gently falling on the garden made it even more beautiful.

"Welcome to Luna Palace, Lady Asteria," nakangiting sabi sa 'kin ni Marianne. So Luna's the name of this palace... so pretty.

The carriage stopped at the palace entrance and when Marianne and I stepped out of the carriage, the carriage then made its way around the fountain and back to the gate.

The fountain in front of the palace was big and it seemed like the fountain’s water glowed under the sky’s reflection.

God bless this palace’s gardeners.

Umakyat kami sa hagdan ng palasyo at bumukas ang mga malalaking pintuan at sa loob ay mga maids, stewards, at buttlers na naglilinyahan. They bowed when I entered, and I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.

I couldn’t fully describe my emotions but after that overwhelming scene, I was guided by Marianne to the room I was staying in. I got changed, skipped a meal after convincing Marianne, and finally, lay my tired mind and body on the heavenly soft bed and fell asleep.

What a day.

The next morning, I got up early. Ginising ako nila Marianne at sumalubong sa ‘kin ang isang guilty na Penelope. Ang cute niya tingnan sa maliit niyang maid dress habang mangiyak ngiyak na napatingin sa sugat ko.

Marianne treated me with the medicine her brother, Ondreus, provided and did what he instructed. Mahapdi siya pero nakakaya naman. After getting dressed, we went downstairs to eat in the dining hall.

I was moving perfectly and felt well.

Nang bumaba kami at dumating sa dining hall, nagulat ako sa dami ng pagkain na nakalagay sa mataas at malaking lamesa. A male servant pulled a chair at the end of the long table and ushered me to sit on it.

“Thank you,” sabi ko sa kaniya at ngumiti naman siya.

“Kumain ka na, Lady Asteria,” sabi ni Marianne.

“Ako kakain ng lahat na ‘to?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko sa kaniya. Funny how I lacked food to eat when I was at Lumina but now, I’m struggling looking at the numerous foods in front of me.

Kinakabahan akong napatingin sa mga klase-klaseng pagkain na nakalagay sa lamesa at parang nawalan na ako ng kaluluwa. Anong uunahin kong kakainin, bakit ang dami, makakain ko ba ang lahat na ‘to?

Napatingin ako sa mga taong nakatingin sa ‘kin, clearly telling me to eat.

“Hindi ko ‘to mauubos ‘to,” mahina kong sabi kay Marianne na nakatayo sa tabi ko.

“Of course, mauubos mo yan,” sabi niya sa ‘kin at ngumiti ng malaki. Umiling ako sa kaniya at ngumuso sa upuan na katabi ko.

“Kumain ka din,” sabi ko sa kaniya.

“Oh no, hindi dapat kami nakikikain sa mga amo namin,” sabi niya sa ‘kin.

Huh?

“Hindi niyo naman ako amo?” nakangising sumbat ko. If not for the king, you guys wouldn’t be here. In other words, he is your master.

“His majesty said to serve you as the master of this palace,” sabi niya sa ‘kin.

I didn’t even accept our deal yet. He’s predicting my moves and knows I’d stay here. Bumuntong hininga ako at tinuro ang upuan.

“Samahan mo nalang akong kumain, please?” sabi ko sa kaniya. Nakipagtitigan siya sa ‘kin hanggang sa bumuntong hininga siya at umupo sa tinuturo kong upuan.

“Kayo din,” sabi ko sa ibang nakatayo. Nagulat sila sa sinabi ko at parang nagdadalawang isip na sundin ang sinabi ko.

“Sige na, hindi ko naman mauubos ang lahat na ‘to,” ngiti ko sa kanila. They took their own seats pero medyo malayo sa ‘kin. Dumating si Penelope at umupo sa kabilang banda ko.

Kumain na kaming lahat at sa sobrang ingay at daldal ni Penelope, gumaan ang awra ng silid at unti-unting umingay at napuno ng tawanan ang dining hall. I couldn’t help but feel so welcomed when each of them asked how I’m doing, greeting me, conversed with me and shared things with me, etc.

I wanted to stay for a while pero biglang dumating si Aefos at sinundo ako dahil utos ng hari.

It’s time.