The Empress (TAGLISH)

Chapter 8: Butting Heads in the Royal Palace

Nakaupo si Illyria sa loob ng karwahe at blankong nakatingin sa bintana, tanaw ang daan patungo sa palasyo. If it's possible she would wished that the carriage will never reach the palace, that's how much she hated going in there. She hated the palace to her core because stepping their only reminds her the things she had seen and experience.

Being an unwanted child and branded as a misfortune of the Kantakouzene, the King placed her inside the cold palace after she was born and ordered the servants to not let her outside the vicinity of the palace. He ordered them to not mention about her existence to anyone. And because of this the servants neglected and mostly they harassed her. Nulara her loyal maid was the only one taking care of her.

May mga pagkakataong ikinukulong siya sa loob ng madilim at masikip na kuwarto at minsan lang sa isang araw siyang dinadalhan ng pagkain and Nulara secretly slips her more food when the headmaid and the others aren't looking. Madalas din na ito ang gumagamot sa mga pasa at sugat nito sa tuwing pagbubuhatan siya ng kamay ng mga katulong.

She remembered the time when she was caught by the guard after sneaking outside the cold palace to place. He was dragging her back to the palace by holding her hair. Walang humpay ang iyak niya dahil pakiramdam niya ay tila matatangal ang kanyang anit dahil sa higpit ng hawak nito sa kanyang buhok. And on that fateful day as if the goddess of hope, Dorena answered her prayers. Her brother Eugene Flaviu saw her for the very first time and rescued her from the guard.

"You brat! How dare you sneak from the cold palace." The guard said and slapped Illyria's face. He grabbed her hair and dragged her to the gate.

"It hurts. Please let go." Umiiyak na pagmamakaawa niya habang pilit na tinatanggal ang pagkakasabunot sa kanya ni Fred. "Please, i'm sorry." Ngunit hindi nakinig ang lalaki at mas lalo nitong hinigpitan ang paghawak sa kanyang buhok

"Princess!" Nulara called as she running towards them. Bakas sa mukha nito ang pagaalala. "Fred! Stop it you're hurting her."

"You shut up! This piece of s**t is nothing but a pain in the ass. Do you know that she almost wandered near the Royal palace." Sigaw nito. "If she was seen by the King we will be severely punished because if this useless brat."

"At least let her go. She is still a princess!"

"I'm sorry. I'm not doing it again. Please it hurts."

"What is happening here?" Biglang tanong ng binatilyo.

"This brat tried to sneak-" Fred didn't manage to finish his sentence as he became aware of the boy behind them. Agad siyang binitawan ni Fred at mabilis na humarap at lumuhod sa binatilyo. Maging si Nulara ay lumuhod sa harapan nito na siyang ipinagtataka ng batang si Illyria.

"What are you doing to the child?" Muling tanong nito ng mapuna ng binatilyo ang batang babae.

"Y-Your Highness." Utal na sambit ni Fred habang namumutla ang mukha nito.

"I asked you a question!" Matigas na wika nito. Saka ito naglakad sa espasyo sa pagitan ni Nulara at Fred at tumigil sa harapan ni Illyira.

She was shaking in fear and rich tears are coming from hee eyes while she eas trying to hold back her sobs. The boy they called Your Highness, suddenly raised her hand and she instinctively closed her eyes assuming that he will going to hit her too. But instead she felt a gentle touch on the corner of her lips where it stings. She slowly opened her eyes and saw him pulling an expensive handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped her tears and blood from her lip.

Why? Who is he? Why is he kind to her? Those are the questions that popped in her mind.

"You there." Ika ng binatilyo. "I heard you were calling this child a princess. Explain it to me!" He command in an authorative voice.

Nulara flinched.

"I-I apologize Your Highness b-ut we are o-ordered by His Ma-Majesty the King, to not speak it to anyone."

Displease was displayed on his handsome face upon hearing what the maid said.

"If you are a princess then that means that you are my sister. I am the Fourth Prince Eugene Flaviu Hastrel Kantakouzene, your older brother." Malumanay na wika nito saka nya inilahad ang kanyang palad. "Come with me little sister." He said smiling. Illyria didn't had any second thoughts and took his hand.

"Hm." He nodded and pat her head before carrying her with his one arm. "Hold on to me sister."

"Your Highness!" Gulat na wika ni Fred. "Your Highness you cannot take her!"

"We were ordered not to let her outside the cold palace!" They nervously said but the prince didn't mind them.

He glared at them and said, "One more word and I'll end your life. Right here, right now."

Shivers run through their spine as they saw the cold gaze of the prince. They helplessly bowed their of the ground as they watched his feet walking away from them carrying the princess.

Naputol ang kanyang pagbabalik tanaw ng marinig ang boses ni Ivantie.

"Your Highness, we have arrived." Ivantie said which made her turn her gaze towards him.

"Mm. Let's get this over." Sagot niya.

As they arrived at the palace, the male servant lead them to the throne room.

"Your Majesty the Emperor, Her Highness Princess Illyria Asphodel has arrived for an audience." The servant announced and then slowly opened the huge double doors for her to enter while her knight Ivantie remained with the servant to wait for her.

Kalklulado ang bawat hakbang niya habang naglalakad sa gita ng pulang carpet na nakalatag sa gitna ng malawak na silid. Before her was a set of stairs and upon those stairs is the King sitting on his golden throne.

She stop at a certain distance, away from the stairs. Then she hold both sides of her dress and slightly spread it as she bowed in front of the King.

"Glory to the His Majesty the King and the father of Anthos." Wika niya. She felt his gaze on her and Illyria start to shiver.

"You may rise." Malamig na wika nito sa kanya.

"Thank you Your Majesty."

"Do you know why I called you here?"

"No, Your Majesty." Sagot niya. Wala siya ni isang ideya kung bakit bigla na lang siyang pinatawag nito. She was surprised and confused at the same time. Hindi niya maiwasang isipin na baka may nagawa siyang kasalanan dahilan upang ipatawag siya dito sa palasyo.

She heard the King clicked his tongue in displease after hearing her answer. "That fool! He dares to keep on defying me." He spat angrily making her flinched in fear.

"Since you are still lacking of etiquette and manners you will be studying under Duchess Revina. Also she will be teaching you all of the informations about Aendaria Empire." King Bram said.

"I don't understand why the Archduke has taken an interest in someone as creepy as you." Sarkasmong ika nito. "This is the time to prove that you are not a useless wench. Do everything you can to please him even opening your legs on him if needed. Do you understand?"

"I said, do you understand!?" Sigaw ng hari sakanya kasabay ng pag-alingaw ngaw ng tunog mula sa pagpalo ng hari sa arm rest ng kanyang trono.

"Y-yes Your Majesty, I understand." Nanginginig na sagot niya.

Illyria's eyes are fixed on the floor as she tries so hard not to cry. She's also afraid to meet the gaze of their father as she felt his eyes buried on her. His eyes are like void, a dark blue eyes nearly black.

"Even if you don't want to do it for the Kingdom's prosperity then do it for your brother Eugene."

Napa-angat siya ng tingin ng marinig ang tinuran ng Hari.

"For my brother Eugene?"

"Do you know that Eugene is my best choice to succeed me? But he lacks of powerful backing from the nobles and aristocrats since he doesn't have any interest in politics and keep on wanting to live his life beside you as your brother. But if you managed to get on the good side of the Archduke, Eugene will rise to the throne."

"Eugene is bound for greatness but you! You're on his way to attain this throne. He keeps on defying me because of a mere promise for a filthy thing like you. If you truly love your brother then use yourself for him to ascend. Isn't it time for you to repay him!?"

"You are Eugene's weakness! His Achilles heel! So disappear from his sight to protect him!"

Illyria clenched her fists while listening to His Majesty's words.

"I am on my brother's way? I can make him great? I-I can protect him if I leave his side? I, I am his weakness? Then i-f I disappear will my brother become stronger? I can help him! I can help him by disappearing!" These thoughts are keep on repeating inside her head. As if she came into a conclusion that she won't be useless to their sight anymore if she can help his beloved brother. She'll do anything for her only family.

"If you understood what I meant then leave. I don't want to see your face longer. It makes me sick."

Illyria bowed to the King before turning her back. Malalaki ang hakbang niyang tumungo sa pintuan ngunit pakiramdam niya ay tila napakalayo nito. She felt a sudden relief when the double doors swung open and saw Ivantie standing in front of her.

"I'm done. Let's go." Ika niya saka niya nilagpasan ang binata.

Ivantie quickly followed her while the male servant bowed behind them as they both left.

And to Illyria's luck she encountered her older sister Letiza along with the noble ladies who are probably on their way to the Royal Garden.

"Oh. Look who's here." Letiza said mockingly while the ladies snickered at her.

"Greetings to the First Princess Letiza. Blessings of the God Phadteus be with you." Illyria said politely.

Ivantie also made his greetings to her.

"My, my, what is a wench like you doing here?"

"I was summoned by the King, Your Highness." Sagot niya.

"Why would father summoned you?" Taas kilay na tanong nito.

"I was told that I am still lacking of manners and etiquette. His Majesty ordered me to study to not embarrass the Royal Family."

"But you're already an embarrassment of the Royal Family. I have no idea, why Eugene favoured you so much." Wika nito at nagtawanan naman ang mga dalaga na nasa likuran ni Letiza.

"What's so great about you? Building a mansion far away from the Royal Palace just to live with you and bestowing his right hand man, the swordmaster as an escort knight for a disgusting thing like you. How pathetic!"

"My siblings adored Eugene. He has strength, powerful magic and more importantly he was considered a hero. That's why my siblings treats you well in front of him, because they know that he favor you so much." Matatalim ang bawat salitang binibitaw nito. It still stings even though Illyria was used to listen words belittling her.

"Your Highness please stop." Ivantie intervened but it didn't stop Letiza.

"You dare to stop me? I am just stating the facts Ivantie!" Matigas na wika nito. "Did serving her made you an idiot too like how Eugene became one? Or did she seduced you?"

"Well, you must be a w***e like your mother. What was her name again? Yelena? The lowly w***e who seduced the King to become a concubine." Letiza continued.

"Princess that's—"

"Ivantie, stop." Mahinang wika ni Illyria. "I apologized Your Highness. I'm afraid I bothered you too much, along with your companions. Please, I will take my leave." She said and bowed before leaving.

"Hm," Letiza scoffed, "What a shameless w***e you are. Did I allowed you to leave?" She said and laughed. "Ha! Eugene must be crazy. I am afraid he became a disgrace to the Royal Family for keeping you!"

Hindi napigilan ni Illyria ang inis at galit niya dahil sa huling salita na binitawan ni Letiza.

Illyria glared at her older sister. Letiza doesn't have no right to demean her beloved brother in front of her.

"Wh-what?! HOW DARE YOU GLARE AT ME YOU WENCH!!" Nang-gagalaiting bigkas ni Letiza sakanya. She raised her hand and slapped Illyria.

PAKK!!

Malakas ang pagkakasampal nito sa kanya dahilan upang mamula ng sobra ang pisngi ni Illyria.

"Your Highness, that's enough!" Ivantie raised his voice to intervene, but then he felt a sudden gush of heavy pressure around them. It was almost like Eugene's aura.

"Did I not tell you not to intervene Ivantie?"

He felt a sudden chill as he heard his master's voice. It was cold as if he's going to freeze. The sweet and innocent voice was gone.

"Is she the cause of this pressure?" He thought to himself. This is his first time seeing Illyria like this.

"I don't care even if you insult or hurt me. I don't mind you calling my mother whom I never met a w***e. Even if you showered me with curses, it doesn't matter," Illyria said with a low voice. "However, you don't have the right to insult or demean my brother Flaviu in front of me!" Galit na wika niya.

"THE NERVE OF YOU—"

"Sister," Illyria cut her saka ito nakangiting lumapit sa dalaga. "I know your affair with eldest brother William. I've seen you committing blasphemy in the hidden part of the garden." Mahinang sambit ni Illyria, enough for Letiza to hear.

She felt how her older sister freeze by what she had told. Letiza took a step backwards away from her.

"What are you trying to say?!"

"There is no use in denying it. I know what I saw."

"YOU! ARE YOU THREATENING ME?!" She spat angrily.

"Oh no. How dare I?" Illyria answered, "I'm merely telling you not to say any ill words against my older brother Flaviu. Who knows your blasphemous acts will come to light suddenly."

"Ha! Who will believe someone like you." Letiza said with a confidence voice. "It's just going to be a baseless rumor."

"Even if it's just a baseless rumor don't you think it won't damage your reputation? Ah imagine seeing, "The First Princess committing a s****l acts with the First Prince" in the newspaper's front page. It will surely become a talk among the nobles as well as the commoners."

Letiza gritted her teeth angrily. "Are you trying to defame me, f*****g b***h!!"

Illyria chuckled.

"No, not at all sister, I'm just trying to say that compared to you I don't have any reputation to maintain. Unlike you, a highly regarded figure of the Kingdom bringing shame upon the Royal family name. What a laughing matter."

"I will kill you! JUST WAIT AND I WILL END YOU!!" Letiza angrily said. Her became so red because of her rage.

"Then please, do so. I don't have anything to lose anyway. Well then, good day Your Highness. I'm afraid I will need to take my leave now. It was such a pleasure having a sisterly talk with you. I will treasure this moment, farewell." Illyria said with a bright smile.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Tanong ni Ivantie habang pabalik sila sa mansion mula sa palasyo.

"Yes, why?" Maikling sagot niya.

"But Your Highness is shaking."

Napatingin siya sa kanyang palad at tama nga ang winika ni Ivantie. She's indeed shaking, she clasps her hand tightly in an attempt to stop it. It must be because of adrenaline that she mustered a courage to say those things to her oldest sister.

She started to feel frightened after realizing what she did. Letiza must be burning in rage right now and probably formulating a plan on how to dispose her. She's an idiot, if only she held her anger it wouldn't end like this. She should've endured it and stayed quiet with that she'll be able to avoid trouble. However, she cannot ignore someone that tries to bad-mouth her brother.

"Princess?"

"It's nothing. Don't mind me. Tell the coachman to increase the speed. I want to rest as soon as possible," She said without looking at him.

"I am terribly tired."