The Nobles

Chapter 9

MATAPOS ANG NANGYARI, ADELAIDE, together with her guards and Claudius went home. Pinaliwanag nila ang lahat kay Hera at ang katauhan nila para hindi ito malito sa nasaksihan nito. She knew exactly how lost Hera is when she asked them awhile ago what's their identity. At doon, pinagkatiwalaan nila ito sa kanilang katauhan.

Good thing, her human friend go back to her normal life, after that almost tragedy.

Pagod ang mga kasama niya sa bahay matapos ang pangyayari, siya naman ay naiwan sa sala kasama si Devian na hindi pa inaantok.

"Lady 'Aide. I want chocolate." Devian mumbled while scratching his left eye using the back of his hand.

She lift her lips a little.

"You already brushed your teeth."

He pouted at her response.

"But Aume always give me chocolate whenever I want."

She sighed. Mas matigas talaga ang ulo ng guard niya na iyon kumpara sa isang bata.

"Let's just go to the balcony on my room, the stars shine the brightest at that part."

Tumango ito bilang pagsang-ayon kahit na alam niyang gusto talaga nitong kumain ng tsokolate.

They went upstairs to go to the balcony. Pagkarating doon, sumandal siya sa railings habang karga ang batang si Devian. Nakatalikod siya sa mga munting liwanag katabi ng buwan, at ang batang karga niya naman ay kitang kita ang mga ito. Devian's eyes shine as he look above.

"Teacher said Mommy and Daddy are there." He said as he point his finger to the stars.

Is it some human beliefs? She just nodded as a response, not knowing about those things.

"Stars are beautiful, Lady 'Aide."

Of course. She remembered someone who controls the stars.

She felt the wind slightly brushed her skin. Niyakap niyang mabuti si Devian.

"Aren't you cold?"

The young boy shake his head. "No, Lady 'Aide? How about you?"

She replied a slight smile.

"Then let's go back?" He offered.

She nodded a response.

"Do you want to sleep beside me?"

Kita niyang kuminang ang mga mata ng bata ngunit maya maya ay inayos ang ekspresyon at tinanggal ang ngiti.

"No. I am a big boy now, I am independent."

She can't help but to chuckle a bit. This little human can really bring emotions on her face. She just felt like there's no need to keep her guard around this innocent child.

Although, she is rest assured that she can to do anything in the presence of her trusted Nobles, she can't act hastily, because she knew how hard headed those Nobles are.

Iniisip niya pa lang ang kalokohan ng mga ito, napapailing na siya.

"Are you sure?" She teased Devian a bit.

"Y-yes." Umiwas ito ng tingin, at namula ang dalawang pisngi sa ilalim ng liwanag ng buwan mula sa bintana ng kaniyang silid.

"But if you insist, I can sleep here." Devian added, almost whispering.

Sa gabing iyon, natulog siyang kasama si Devian. Nakayapos ang braso niya sa maliit na tao, at ito'y nagpapahinga sa dibdib niya.

Kinaumagahan, sa paaralan, sinalubong agad siya ni Hera. Nakangiti ito at masayang nagkwento sa kaniya.

She's relieved that Hera is acting like her old self.

"I'm so thrilled! I can't believe I'm friends with a No—, I mean, with the likes of you."

Iyon ang naging usapan nila, ilang beses, marami itong tanong ngunit mga kaya niya namang sagutin. She likes how considerate Hera is, hindi ito nagtatanong ng mga bagay na hindi komportable sa kaniya.

"So you are staying here in the city instead of that famous country for you?"

Tumango siya. Hindi naman sikreto sa kaalaman ng lahat ang Nobilis. Nasa gitna ng pacific ocean ang lugar na iyon, at tanging mga Nobles lang ang pwedeng makatungtong doon, maliban kung may token to enter ang isang tao o isang half blood na alam ng King.

Walang kahit sinong magtatangkang kalabanin ang Nobilis, dahil naroon lahat ng mga kilalang malalakas na Nobles sa nagdaang mga taon.

Another day had past. Balik sa dati ang buhay nila dahil wala namang kasong inaasikaso. Egon and Guillaume are patrolling around the area. Samantalang si Claudius ay pinatawag sa Nobilis para magreport sa nga pangyayari nitong mga nakaraan.

She knew half bloods are angered by the sudden deaths of the likes of them around this area, that's why she let her guards roam around.

Ayon sa dalawa, may nakasalubong silang mga half bloods but they cannot kill hastily nor harm them because there's still a treaty, and those half bloods have done nothing wrong around their watch.

Sa panibagong araw sa eskwelahan, gulat siya nang dumating ang kanilang break time, pumunta sa silid nila si Devian dala ang lunch box nito.

"I wanted to eat with you, Lady 'Aide."

She sit in front of the child to let the level of their eyes meet.

"But kids are not allowed in our building. How did you come here?"

"I talked to the guard. Why are grown ups like you allowed in our campus but we aren't?"

She lift the side of her lips a little. This kid is really smart, but his eyes are full of innocence.

"That's how the rules are, remember that we can't bend the rules, hmm?"

She can feel a lot of stares around them, she can even hear their whispers but she didn't mind any of that.

"What if the rules are unjust?" The child asked in curiosity.

Tumayo siya at hinawakan ang maliit nitong kamay. Habang naglalakad sila papuntang cafeteria, sinagot niya ang tanong ng bata.

"If the rules are unjust, use a just rule to go against it."

The little human nodded his head as if he get what she is pertaining. Sa loob loob ay gusto niyang matawa, dahil sa batang edad, ganito ang takbo ng isip nito.

Pagdating sa patutunguhan, nakita niya si Hera na kumakaway sa pwestong lagi nilang pinagkakainan.

Umupo siya sa tapat nito at itinabi niya naman si Devian sa kaniya.

"So the rumors are true. The handsome boy is here." Bungad sa kaniya ng dalaga.

"He came to eat with me."

Tumango si Hera, "Alam mo bang sikat ang batang 'yan? Siya ang pinakagwapo sa campus ng mga kids!"

Nilingon niya si Devian na nakasimangot. Marahan ang galaw nito habang inaalis ang takip ng lunch box. Ang sa kaniya naman ay nakaayos na.

"Hello, Devian, nameet mo ako nung nakaraan, sa condo ko, naalala mo pa ako?"

Devian just nodded. Pansin niyang hindi ito agad nagiging komportable sa iba. Lalo na sa mga hindi nito lubusang kakilala, pero sa mga pinagkakatiwalan ni Adelaide, mahusay itong makisama.

"Lady 'Aide, whenever Aeneas does our lunch it's always vegetables, but when it's Aume, it's sweets."

Pansin niya nga. Hindi naman bago iyon lalo na sa personality ni Guillaume, kapag nasa tamang pag-iisip naman ay maayos ang mga pinapadala nito sa kanila.

"Don't you like sweets?"

"I like chocolates in particular, not every sweets, Lady Aide."

Tumango tango siya, taking notes of what the little kid said. She's planning to tell it to the three guys at the mansion.

Another day passed in a bliss. Kakarating niya lamang sa classroom nila. Umagang umaga ay marami nang bulungan. Si Hera na nasa tabi niya, mukhang inaantok pa at walang pakialam sa paligid.

"Gosh girl, I saw the transferee, his ocean blue eyes are really enticing!" One of Adelaide's classmate said dreamily.

"And did you saw his dark blue hair? It's almost black but it just made him more beautiful in my eyes!"

"I want him mine."

"I thought you want one of Adelaide's guys? Those handsome princes?!"

"Yes, I want them too. But I also want the transferee..."

"Girl, as if naman. Shut up ka na lang, wala ka pa sa kuko no'n."

"Love is blind!"

Pinigil niya na ang sarili sa pakikinig. She wonder, ganoon pala kagwapo sila Claudius sa mata ng mga tao. Hindi naman maitatanggi, halos lahat naman ng Nobles at mga malalakas na half bloods. Their blood is that superior.

Nang dumating na ang professor para umagang iyon. Pumasok ito kasama ang isang lalaking kilalang kilala niya.

Nagdapo agad ang mata nila. Agad itong napahakbang palayo, bahagyang nanghina at napahawak sa lamesa ng propesor sa harapan.

"M-Mast—"

"Don't. I'll speak to you later."

She forced herself to use one of her power. She can use telepathy, but at her state, she had to force it.

She was sealed for a very long time along with her power, only one fourth of it is activated. She need time to polish each her abilities and powers or else it will be fatal. The strength she regain the past months is not enough for the large power and energy she holds.

She can taste blood in her mouth for the sudden rush of power inside her. Tahimik na lamang niyang ininda ang kirot. She's hiding her condition from her precious Nobles but she knew she can't keep them in the dark for a long time. Malalaman at malalaman din ng mga ito ang kalagayan niya.

She can only fly, use her senses, speed, use slightly her divine words, and release her weapon now. Mas malakas pa rin naman siya sa ibang half bloods ngunit sa lagay niya, matuturing lamang siyang A Class Half blood, at kung makalaban niya man ang isang S Class ay magiging mahigpit na laban ito, may tyansa pang matalo. It's only a fourth of her power, or it's even lower than that.

Sa buong klase pansin niya ang paulit ulit na sulyap sa kaniya ng isa sa iniingatan niyang Noble. He must be really startled to see her here.

Pagkalabas na paglabas nila ng gusali, agad siya nitong tinanong sa parteng wala masyadong tao.

"M-master. Is it really... Is it really you?"

Kita niya ang kagustuhan nitong lumuha at hawakan niya. She take the initiative to hug him. Sa apat na Guard, kahit ito ang pinakamailap at tahimik, ito naman ang pinakasensitibo. She knew him so well.

Duncan Emmanuel cried silently at her shoulder.

"I can't believe you're here. I'm only dreaming of this, My Master."

She caress his hair. Tinapik niya ang likod nito.

"I miss you too, Duncan. It's been so long."

His embrace became tighter.

"I felt so alone without you, I really suffered, but I endured everything in hope that I would see you again."

Her heart felt heavy of the thought that her precious Nobles suffered and she can't do anything about it. She wasn't there when they endured the curse of long life, of loneliness.

"I'm sorry for leaving without a word." She whispered using her tiniest voice.

Natapos ang sandaling iyon nang mahanap sila ni Egon. Umubo ito ng paulit ulit hanggang humiwalay sa yapos niya si Duncan.

Bumalik ang seryoso at mailap na ekspresyon nito nang harapin si Egon. Ang isa naman ay tawang tawa sa itsura nito dahil namumula pa ang mata at may bakas pa ng luha sa mata ngunit seryoso ang ekspresyon.

"Dude. You don't have to conceal the fact the you cried!" Tumawa ng malakas si Egon.

"Hindi lang ikaw." Mahina ito ngunit narinig nila bago pa tumalikod si Egon para pumunta sa sasakyan nila.

"Come with us." Tugon niya at sumunod na rin kay Egon na nauna na.

Pagkauwi sa mansion ni Claudius, bumungad sa kanila si Devian at Guillaume na naglalaro ng Chess.

"Master, you were living with them? What about Theodred and Claudius?" Tanong ni Duncan na nasa tabi niya.

"I haven't met Theodred yet. " She answered pertaining to the last member of Four Guards. "And this is Claudius' Mansion, he's currently in Nobilis."

Tumango tango ito.

Nang lumingon sa gawi niya si Guillaume, nanlalaki ang mata nitong napatingin sa katabi niya.

Agad itong patakbong lumapit kay Duncan na sumasama na ang ekspresyon ng mukha.

"Duncan baby!" Napailing siya sa ginawang pagsigaw ni Guillaume palapit kay Duncan.

But she knew he can't go near him without any bruises.

Agad na lumagapak sa sahig si Guillaume at napasubsob. Duncan manipulate the gravity around him so the ever gullible Guillaume will fall on the ground.

"You're so bad, Duncan baby! I'm just going to welcome you!"

Nag-ingay ito ng nag-ingay. She knew he can get up but he's just doing it for the sake of the fun. Kilala niya ito, hindi papayag na sa loob ng isang araw hindi makapangulit. Ngayong nandito na si Duncan na paborito niyang asarin, mas magiging magulo ang mansion ni Claudius. She can already foresee the short tempered Claudius kicking the ass of the Four Guards.

Nang matapos magluto si Egon ng pagkain, doon lang nagseryoso sa ang lahat.

Si Devian lang ang mukhang nagtataka sa katauhan ni Duncan na bagong dating.

"Devian baby, ito si Duncan baby, parehas na parehas kayo." Si Guillaume na ang nagpakilala sa mga ito.

Tumango lamang ang dalawang tahimik at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Tanging si Egon at Guillaume lamang ang madaldal sa hapag.

"I wonder why they aren't making any move." Egon said.

He was talking about the Class A half bloods that they met as they patrol the city.

"I am also investigating about it. That's why I came here, beside the fact that I am looking for Lawyart." Duncan said.

Tumango tango ang dalawa.

"Anong kailangan mo kay Lawyart babe?" Si Guillaume na pinatutungkulan si Claudius.

Marahan lamang siyang kumakain at inaasikaso ang batang nasa tabi niya. Tulad niya ay nakikinig rin sa usapan.

"I am suspicious at the sudden increase of half bloods around this area. And I knew that Claudius is living around here, he said it when I met him around the time I met Guillaume years ago."

Agad bumusangot si Guillaume nang may halatang naalala.

Ngumuya siya ng marahan at nilagyan ng tubig ang basong nasa harapan ni Devian.

"Alam ko 'yon! Gago Duncan baby! Ang lala nung binigay mo sa 'king pill na nagtatago ng presensya!"

Duncan shrugged his shoulders as if he doesn't care.

"You wanted it. I told you that I haven't perfected the experiment around that time."

Napalingon siya kay Duncan nang marinig ito. Napansin nito ang mabilis niyang pagbibigay atensyon, kaya agad itong nagsalita.

"I already have the perfect pill to hide our presence, my Master."

She didn't expect less from the genius of Nobles. He is Duncan Emmanuel, he has an enhance intelligent.

"Atlast! Hindi na rin ako magkaka-diarrhea." Ngumuso si Guillaume matapos iyon.

"So you came here for Lawyart because of your suspicion?" Si Egon ang nagsalita.

Duncan nodded, nginuya munang mabuti ang steak bago nagsalita, "Yes, and beside that, I wanted him to come with me to a town to investigate something."

Oh.

She knew already what they are doing next. Sa oras na bumalik si Claudius, pupunta sila sa lugar na tinutukoy ni Duncan. Lugar na kung saan niya nilaan ang maraming taon para hindi magpakita sa iba.