The Empress (TAGLISH)

Chapter 4

The day of the wedding came and all the citizens of the kingdom are celebrating for this grand occasion. The couple is now riding the royal carriage circling around the town and the people are happily cheering for them while waving the flaglets.

After the procession, they went inside the palace and the couple sat on the large golden chair and the guests are now congratulating them one by one while presenting their gifts.

Illyria stepped forward and bowed to them.

"Congratulations to your wedding brother and sister. I wish you a prosperous marriage and as a gift I wish to give you brother this solid gold chain with diamonds along with a medallion carved with a lions face and decorated with a rare white tourmalines. For you sister, please accept this humble gift of mine. It's a white gold necklace with a pendant made of ammolite stone that's surrounded with small diamonds and a pink pearl hanging up on the tip of the pendant."

"I am pleased with these sister. You have my gratitude." Prince William said.

"Yes, indeed. What a beautiful piece. Thank you." Princess Ystrid said pertaining to the necklace.

The two servants came forward and carefully took the boxes from Illyria's servants.

"I am honoured." Sagot niya at muling yumuko bago siya umalis sa harapan nila.

"That was exhausting." She mumbled after it.

"Good work princess." Ivantie said praising her. He's standing behind her after she sat on her chair.

"Thank you Ivantie." Ikinalat niya ang kanyang paningin sa paligid upang hanapin ang kanyang kapatid. "Where is brother Flaviu? He doesn't seem to be here." Tanong niya.

"His Highness was talking with the Minister of the Merican country earlier, but after that I have lost my sight of him." Sagot nito.

After the guests gave wishes to the couple the music suddenly began playing and William took his now wife Princess Ystrid to have their first dance.

The people clapped and cheered for them hanggang sa sinabayan nila ang mga ito sa pagsasayaw. Nakita niya rin ang kanyang mga kapatid na sumasayaw kasama ang mga bisita. Her sister Letiza love this kind of events, even her brothers Brendon and Erroll is dancing.

"Why don't you take this opportunity to enjoy and take a break with your duty for a short while, Ivantie?" Ika niya sa binata. "You've been working all along and I've never seen you taking a break. You should try to enjoy sometimes."

"There is no need for that Your Highness. My duty of guarding and protecting you is my priority." He answered with a stern voice.

Illyria sighed.

"Nothing will happen to me. Besides the palace had tighten the security." Sagot niya rito. Humarap siya sa binata saka niya ito tinitigan.

Ivantie is a tall man. Mas matangkad ang ito ng ilang pulgada kumpara sa kapatid niyang si Flaviu. He has a mascular build and slightly tanned skin. Ivantie has a sharp gaze and his eyes has the beautiful color of amber that almost looks like gold. Matangos ang ilong nito at may manipis ngunit mapupulang labi. He has an grayish brown hair that is slightly wavy. But what Illyria admire the most is his mole right under his left eye.

"Princess?" Takang tanong ni Ivantie sakanya.

"Ivantie, if I give you an order will you obey it?"

"Of course, Princess." Agad na sagot nito. Illyria smiled because of this.

"Well then. I order you to have a dance and enjoy this celebration." Naka-ngiting wika niya.

"But—"

"You said you'll obey." Putol niya sa sasabihin ng binata. Illyria saw how he sighed in defeat.

"If that's the case." Ika ng binata saka yumuko at inilahad ang kamay sa harapan niya. "Would you give me the pleasure to have a dance with you, Your Highness?" Tanong nito kasabay ang pagtaas ng sulok ng kanyang labi.

"Eh?" Gulat na sambit niya. "Why me?"

"You told me to have a dance and enjoy this night princess, and now I would like to enjoy my first dance of the night with you."

Illyria shook her head and smiled before accepting his hand. Ivantie lead her to the dancefloor.

Mabuti na lang at mataas ang takong na kanyang sapatos dahil kung hindi ay baka hirap siya ngayong abutin ang balikat ni Ivantie. He gently put his hand on her slender waist and his left hand behind him while Illyria hold the end of his gown with her left hand.

The music starts and the two of them began to dance along with the other guests. After a few turns the music starts to get faster Ivantie held her hand and made her twirl then she pulled her towards him and they started to dance faster matching the rhythm of the music.

Illyria can't help but to let out a small laughed and Ivantie is now smiling at her as they both enjoying the dance.

"You should smile more, Ivantie." Wika niya sa binata. Madalang niya itong makitang ngumiti dahil laging seryoso ang mukha nito.

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ng binata sa kadahilanang hindi nito naintindihan ang ibig sabihin sa tinuran ni Illyria.

The dance ended and the two of them walk back to their place. Illyria sa her sister Donna Mikha waiting for them.

"Sister." Bati niya rito.

"Your Highness." Sambit naman ni Ivantie saka bahagyang yumuko.

"That was a great dance." Donna said smiling at them.

"Thank you sister." Sagot naman niya. "Ivantie wants to dance with you. Would you mind?" Nakangiting wika niya. Naramdaman naman niyang napatingin si Ivantie sakanya. Malamang ay hindi nito inaasahan ang sinabi niya.

Namula naman ang pisngi ni Donna at pasimple itong sumulyap kay Ivantie. Hula niya ay may pagtingin ang kanyang kapatid sa binata.

"Of course." Agad na sagot ni Donna saka inilahad ang kamay kay Ivantie. Walang nagawa ang binata kundi tanggapin iyon.

Ivantie looked at her for the last time and Illyria just smiled at him. She chuckled as she saw them stepped on the dance floor.

Nagtungo siya sa veranda upang magpahangin. This place is getting stuffier for her and she needed to breath some fresh air.

She unconsciously smiled as the cold wind touched her skin. "This is nice." She said as she looked outside overlooking some parts of the palace garden.

Maya-maya'y nakarinig siya ng yapak papalapit sa kanya. Agad niya ibinaling ang tingin sa direksyong iyon upang tignan kung sino ito.

"What are you doing here in the outside, dear sister?" William asked.

"Why is he here?" Tanong niya sa kanyang sarili at bigla na kang niyang naalala ang nangyari sa hardin. Ngayon ay tila nagsisisi siya na iniwan niya si Ivantie sa loob.

"I should ask you the same brother." Sagot niya. "The groom shouldn't leave his own wedding celebration."

William laughed as he stood beside her. "I will be back later. I'll just want to have some fresh air."

"It's rare to see you here in the palace sister, ever since you moved to your place. You should come and visit here more often." Ika nito. "You used to love the Palace Garden when you were little."

"Yes, the garden here is truly exquisite. It is the only quite place here in the palace and I particularly fond of the garden's hidden gazebo." Sagot niya rito. "It's good for meditation and enjoying the serenity of the place."

Illyria look at her brother upon mentioning the gazebo. She wondered if she can see a small reaction from him but his expression never changed.

"Oh, yes. I also like that place." Sagot naman nito habang nakatanaw sa hardin. "I should invite some time to enjoy the stillness of that place."

"No. I don't want!" Bulong niya sa kanyang sarili. She imagined herself being alone with him on that place and she shivered by the thought of it.

"That would be nice brother but instead why don't you visit our place?Brother Flaviu built the exact replica of the gazebo right in the middle of our Mansion's garden." Sagot niya dito. "I've never recalled you being there and it would be my pleasure to show it to you. You should also bring your wife along to visit." Nakangiting wika niya sa kanyang kapatid.

William look at her intently and then he nodded in agreement. "That's great. Yes, I should give a notice to you before I visit in your place."

"Please do brother." Sagot naman niya.

"It is surely windy tonight." Turan ni William kasabay nito ang pagbugso ng malamig na hangin tangay ang mga mangilan-ngilang dahon sa paligid.

"Yes. But isn't it great?" Baling niya dito. She savoured the wind as if it's relieving the stuffy feeling that she felt when she was inside the ballroom.

Naramdaman naman niya ang pagtingin ni William sakanya at kasabay ng muling pagbugso ng hangin ay ang siyang pagtangay naman ng veil na suot niya.

"Aahh!" Gulat na sambit niya ng lumipad palayo sakanya ang veil. Mabuti na lang at mabilis na na-abot ito ni William bago ito tuluyang liparin ng hangin.

"Thank you brother."

Lumapit si William sa kanya saka bahagyang yumuko upang magpantay ang kanilang tingin. Mataman iting tumitig sa kanya at saka nito inilapit ang kanyang mukha.

"Your eyes are truly attractive dear sister." Wika nito saka niya ini-angat ang kanyang kamay at hinaplos ang mukha ni Illyria.

Illyria clutched her hands that's beginning to sweat. She's trying not to flinch by his touched and pretending to not mind his actions.

Kung hindi niya siguro nasaksihan ang nangyari sa hardin ay maaaring hindi niya bigyan ng ibang kahulugan ang ginawa ng kapatid niyang si William.

"Princess!" A baritone voice suddenly called. Illyria felt a huge relief after recognizing Ivantie's voice.

"Ivantie!" What a great timing! He always come at the right time. "I appreciate your timing. I promise to thank you later!" Illyria thought to herself.

William removed his hand on her face and straightened his body. "Be careful not to lose this again dear sister." He said and gave the veil to her.

"Your Highness." Ivantie said and bowed to him. William made a quick stop in front of Ivantie and gave him a sharp gaze before leaving.

"I've been looking for you, Princess." Ivantie said to her after the First Prince had left.

"I am sorry for leaving. I just need some air." Sagot niya dito. "I really can't stand this place."

"We can stay here if you want princess. I'll ask the servant to bring a chair and a table for you."

"That would be unnecessary. We should go back inside. Let's just head straight home after this." She said and Ivantie nodded.

***

"That was exhausting!" Ivantie heard the princess say after she presented her gift and congratulate the First Prince and his wife.

"Good work princess." Kaswal na wika niya dito.

"Thank you Ivantie. Where is brother Flaviu? He doesn't seem to be here." Tanong ng prinsessa sa kanya.

He told her about the Fourth Prince talking with the Minister of Merican. Merican country is a vassal state of the Anthos Kingdom and it seems that they support the Fourth Prince in succeeding the throne. Ivantie have seen them having a talk about it with the fourth prince for a couple of times but it seems that the Prince haven't give much thought about it yet.

"Princess?" Takang tanong niya ng titigan siya nito na para bang sinusuri siya.

The princess keep on telling him that he should take a break and enjoy the celebration but Ivantie can't do that. Aside from prioritizing his duty on guarding her, he doesn't have any interest on this kind of celebration.

Mula pa pagkabata ay laging dumadalo ang kanyang pamilya sa mga ganitong okasyon. His family Yngrassone has a high status in the Kingdom. They are a family of knights serving the Kantakouzene family for as long as he remembers.

"Ivantie, if I give you an order would you obey it?" Tanong ng prinsesa sa kanya.

"Of course princess." Magalang nansagot niya. Meron na siyang ideya kung ano ang sasabihin ng prinsesa sa kanya at hindi nga siya nagkamali. She orderd him to have a dance and join the celebration.

"If that's the case, would you give me the pleasure to have a dance with you, Your Highness?" Tanong niya dito saka yumuko at inilahad ang kanyang kamay sa harapan ng prinsesa.

He smiled at the surprised look on her face but she eventually accepted his invitation for a dance.

Hindi niya mapigilan ang mapangiti habang sumasayaw kasama ang prinsesa sa saliw ng musika na pumapainlanlang sa loob ng ballroom. The princess laughed as if she was enjoying the dance.

"You should smile more Ivantie." Nakangiting wika nito sakanya, dahilan upang bahagyang mapakunot ang kanyang noo and the princess chuckled because of this.

"Maybe it's not that bad to dance after all." He thought to himself. When the music ends felt a little disappoinment and i's a weird feeling for him, wanting to dance longer with her.

"Ivantie wants to dance with you.Would you mind?" Illyria said to her sister Princess Donna.

Ivantie didn't expect it and so he have no choice but to lead Princess Donna to the dance floor. The music starts and the two of them dance.

"You're a good dancer Ivantie." Donna said to him.

"Thank you princess. You too as well." The dance feels like eternity to him. He wanted to end this as soon as possible.

"It's a surprise that you made my sister dance." Princess Donna said and laughed a bit.

Donna has a pretty and gentle look, mahinhin din itong kumilos at magsalita at laging nakangiti ang mukha nito.

"She often refused to dance except for our brothers." Dugtong nito and tumango naman si Ivantie.

"It's not that she's refusing. It is because no one dared to dance with her because of the baseless rumors surrounding her." Wika ni Ivantie sa kanyang sarili.

"Thank you for the dance princess." Wika ni Ivantie saka siya yumuko ng matapos ang musika. He escorted her back to her seat before he went away to find Illyria.

Ikinalat niya ang kanyang paningin sa loob ng ballroom ngunit hindi niya ito makita. Hanggang sa mapansin niya ang dalawang pigura na nakatayo sa veranda. Agad siyang naglakad papalapit roon upang tignan kung sino ang mga iyon.

"The First Prince? What is he doing here?" Bulong niya sa kanyang sarili at agad siyang nagtago sa gilid.

He saw the how the First Prince caught her veil. Lumapit ito at yumuko upang magpantay ang tangkad nila. Ivantie saw how William move his face towards her saka nito hinaplos ang gilid ng pisngi nito.

Napansin niya kung paano ikinuyom ng prinsesa ang kamao nito. He caught a glimpse of fear from her while looking at the First Prince.

"Princess." He called and Prince William suddenly stopped and look towards him.

Agad itong umayos ng tayo saka niya ibinigay ang veil ng prinsesa. "Be areful not to lose this again, dear sister." Ika nito.

"Your Highness." Ivantie said and bowed to him.

Princess William walked and made a quick halt in front of him habang naka yuko siya at naramdaman niya ang matalim na tingin ng prinsipe sa kanya bago ito tuluyang umalis.

"I've been looking for you princess." Wika niya. Ivantie sensed a relief coming from her after the Prince left.

"I am sorry for leaving. I just need some air." Wika ni Illyria sa kanya. "I really can't stand this place."

"We can stay here if you want princess. I'll ask the servant to bring a chair and a table for you."

"That would be unnecessary. We should go back inside. Let's just head straight home after this." Sambit nito saka ito naglakad pabalik sa ball room.

Gustong tanongin ni Ivantie ang prinsesa kung ano ang pinag-usapan nila ng unang prinsipe ngunit itinikom na lamang niya ang kanyang bibig.

He's been wanting to ask what happened to her when he found her on the garden during the banquet but his gut is telling him that it has something to do with the First Prince, lalo na noong tanongin siya ng prinsesa kung may alam ba siyang dahilan kung bakit pinakasalan ni William ang Prinsesa ng Kaoth Kingdom.

He and the Fourth Prince had a guess but he decided to not disclose it to the Princess since it is not for him to tell. He wondered how much does she know. He can tell that the princess is not completely oblivious to what is happening.

Whatever might happen, Ivantie will definitely protect her at the cost of his life.