Tears Of Asteria (TAGALOG)

Chapter Ten | A life on paper

It was a long carriage ride with Aefos. Marianne was left behind since it was instructed that I should be the only one to go. I was enjoying the scenery during the carriage ride until finally, the carriage stopped in front of the palace where the king stayed and where I accidentally got into. After what seemed like forever, finally, we went out of the carriage, and I got to stretch my body.

Kung nasabi ko nang napakaganda ng Luna palace, pwes, nawawalan ako ng salita sa ganda ng palasyo ng hari. It was more… grandeur and enchanting. Isikros truly is extravagant, unlike from what I read in a book back in Lumina that they were tribe-like people who act like animals with poor hygiene.

This kingdom’s extravagance most certainly is one of the reasons why many of the other kingdoms are so envious.

Pumasok kami sa loob at dumiretso sa opisina ng hari. Nang binuksan ni Aefos ang pinto, natagpuan kong nakaupo ang hari sa kung saan siya umupo kahapon habang may hawak na cubix (A/N: Rubix Cube in reality) that’s made of gold with decorations of big and small jewels.

“I greet your majesty, Persaeus Nyx Aphellion, the light of Isikros and its people,” magalang kong bati sa kaniya. Naalala ko ang bati ni Ondreus sa kaniya kahapon kaya ginaya ko. Just because I was abandoned in Lumina doesn’t mean I’m uneducated to the point that I don’t know basic ettiquette.

I bowed my head and lowered my body and held on to the gown I’m wearing, just like how my mother taught me how to do a curtsy.

Tinaas niya ang kamay niya at kinuha ko yun bilang hudyat na pwede na akong tumayo ng maayos. When I raised my head, he wasn’t wearing his mask, unlike yesterday. Why? Is it because it’s just me and Aefos who’s with him right now? Unlike yesterday, Ondreus was here, and he wore his mask. Is this a sign of trust in his language? Or he didn’t bother to wear his mask since I already saw his face by accident?

Just thinking about accidentally slipping in his bath time makes me want to disappear.

“Took you long enough,” komentaryo niya nang makaupo na ako sa sofa sa harap ng desk niya.

“You must’ve taken some high-quality etiquette classes. Your bow was perfect and graceful, Lady Asteria,” nakangiting sabi sa ‘kin ni Aefos. Napangiti din ako sa sinabi niya.

“Thank you,” sabi ko habang umupo at nanatili siyang nakatayo sa tabi ng lalaking naka maskara. If only he knew, it was my deceased who taught me.

My heart felt heavy and at the same time, grateful when I recalled my memory with my mother when I was young.

“Ma, ang hirap naman neto!” reklamo ko sa kaniya habang mas dinagdagan niya pa ng libro ang ulo ko.

“Magagamit mo din ‘to paglaki mo,” seryoso niyang sabi sa ‘kin.

I miss those days. Despite the hardships, I was happy with her.

Biglang nawala sa utak ko ang alaala at bumalik sa realidad nang bigla may kumalampag sa harap ko. Turns out, may nakalagay na makapal na folder na may insignia ng Isikros royalty.

I learned the different types of insignias from kingdom to kingdom, as to what my mother instructed me when I was still young, hence, I immediately recognized it.

Isikros’ insignia was an eagle on top wearing a crown and a lion and tiger beneath it standing on top of two swords. There were more intricate designs surrounding it. It was a delicate and historical insignia; I couldn’t help but stare for a while at the insignia engraved with gold on the thick velvet folder.

Nang binuksan ko ito, a single thick and obviously expensive, paper was present. At ang nakasulat sa itaas ng papel ay Mutual Agreement Contract.

Napatingin ako sa lalaking nakaupo sa desk at halatang naghihintay siya sa masasabi ko. Napatingin ulit ako sa papel nasa harapan ko at nagpatuloy sa pagbabasa.

Mutual Agreement Contract

This Agreement is made on 09/13/608

BETWEEN

1. Persaeus Nyx Aphellion

2. Asteria

“Put your complete name,” sabi niya sa ‘kin at may binigay na quill at ink kay Aefos. Nilagay ni Aefos yun sa lamesa na nasa harapan ko. The quill seemed to glow mysteriously as well as the ink.

Should I avoid writing my real surname and only write my mother’s maiden surname? If they knew I have the Valdis surname, mabubuking na ba ako? I mentally sighed at hinawakan ang quill at ilalagay na sana sa ink kaso bigla siyang nagsalita.

“Do write your real name. The quill you’re holding right now tells us whether you’re telling the truth or not,” aniya.

Napatingin ako sa quill at ink na medyo translucent. Then I’d be d*mned if ever they caught me lying.

Mahigpit kong hinawakan ito at nagsimulang isulat ang buong pangalan ko. There. Now they’ll know I have Valdis blood within me. If they ever pay attention to my surname.

Mutual Agreement Contract

This Agreement is made on 09/13/608

BETWEEN

1. Persaeus Nyx Aphellion

2. Asteria Leyrin Valdis

The translucent ink I used on the paper glowed for a moment and then turned into gold like the ink used for the king’s name. Oh. So, the ink changes color if I lied or not? Ano kaya ang kulay kung nagsinungaling ako? Then a few moments later, the whole paper glowed and returned to normal.

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagbabasa at tinuon ang buong pansin dito. My life depends on this piece of paper.

Mutual Agreement Contract

This Agreement is made on 09/13/608

BETWEEN

1. Persaeus Nyx Aphellion

2. Asteria Leyrin Valdis

At Isikros Kingdom’s main palace, Vasileia Palace; effective immediately.

SCOPE

The 86th King of Isikros, Persaeus Nyx Aphellion, hereby appoints Asteria Leyrin Valdis as an ally not only to the throne but to the whole kingdom of Isikros in building power, in all battles, in defending from outside forces; for Asteria Leyrin Valdis’ prowess and herself to be an ace at the king’s disposal. As used here, “battles” refers to the potential wars, internal conflicts between kingdoms in terms of force, and anything regarding the safety of the kingdom.

TERM

The initial term of this agreement shall be decided by Persaeus Nyx Aphellion and Asteria Leyrin Valdis in agreement with each other once each of their objectives are fulfilled.

COMMISSION

As payment for Asteria Leyrin Valdis’ efforts and future endeavors, Persaeus Nyx Aphellion shall satisfy her needs and wants; anything grand, anything insignificant, everything. Persaeus Nyx Aphellion shall train far and beyond her limit and will utilize anything for her improvement.

Additional terms of the agreement shall be discussed:

-

DISPUTE PENALTY

Both parties must act by their agreement with each other. The party who will infringe the agreement shall be stripped of their possessions and face judgment and severe punishment on the weight their actions carry, in any situation, execution is an option.

A seal tattoo shall be placed upon both parties and any action they do that creates dispute will force the tattoo to restrict, or so, cause pain to the infringing party.

VERIFICATION

In witness, whereof, the parties specified herein have executed this agreement on the day and year specified above.

Asteria Leyrin Valdis Persaeus Nyx Aphellion

Matapos ko itong mabasa, tumingin ulit ako sa kanila.

“I would like to add something, your highness,” sabi ko.

“Go on,” aniya.

“I want you and Isikros Kingdom’s forces as an ally of mine as well in an upcoming battle of mine,” sabi ko. “Please.”

Finally, some progress.