Kabanata 54
Celebration

Celestia Rogue

THE WHOLE KINGDOM celebrated when  the empress woke up. Buong linggong naghanda ang buong kaharian ng Zacharia para sa enggrandeng pagdiriwang.

"THE EMPIRE OF ZACHARIA'S SUN! HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY!--"

Tila natigilan pa ang announcer nang makitang may kasama si Draco. Marahil ay dahil ngayon lamang siya nagkaroon ng kaparehang inihaharap sa lahat  sa sampung taon niyang pamumuno.

Naubo pa ang announcer nang may sabihin sakaniya si Astrid, ang pinsan ni Draco na nagpailing lang saakin.

"T-THE IMPERIAL SUN, HIS MAJESTY AZIEL SILVERS ZACHARIA AND THE FUTURE EMPIRE'S IMPERIAL MOON!"

He announced.

Nakita ko pa ang pasimpleng ngiti doon ni Draco na inirapan ko lamang.

"Saya yarn?"

Narinig ko si Leonard saaking isipan na hindi ko nalang pinansin.

Bakas ang gulat at pagtataka sa muka ng mga bisita.

All of them were frozen shock making me just shook my head then looked at Draco who's still intently staring at me.

Me and Draco were both wearing our masks as we entered the hall and danced together at the middle after he danced with the empress.

"We've been dancing for an hour already, aren't you gonna talk with the guests?"

I asked as we danced along with the music.

My appearance with the said cold emperor of Zacharia brought havoc to everyone here to celebrate.

And most of them seems to not like the idea.

Specially those greedy bastards who wanted their daughters to be in my position right now.

"I'd rather be with you and dance all night than talk to those fucktards."

He frowned making me roll my eyes on him.

"What? I'm just concern that my hand might accidentally kill those pests the moment they open their rotten mouths."

Kibit balikat niyang saad na nagpatawa saakin.

"Yeah right you're just concerned."

Natatawa kong saad na ikinangiti nito habang nakatitig padin saakin saka marahang hinaplos ang aking muka.

"My heart still beats the same as it does the moment I first laid my eyes on you."

He whispered making my heart again race then just looked away since I felt nervous yet overwhelmed and happy.

"Tumingin ka saakin Celestia kinakausap pa kita."

Masungit nyang saad na nagpairap saakin saka lumingin sa gawi niya.

Nagtagpo ang aming mga mata na tila ba ikinatigil ng mundo ko.

'We warned you Celestia, I don't think this is right...'

I heard Aragon in my mind.

'Muka bang makikinig yan? Sige sirain mo buhay mo, tangina pagod na ako sayo.'

Leonard hissed.

Hindi ko na napakinggan pa ang mga sunod nilang sinabi dahil tutok lamang kami ni Draco sa isa't isa habang sumasabay sa musika at sumasayaw na tila ba kami lamang dalawa ang nasa silid.

We just stared at each other's eyes as if were talking through our hearts and all I hear is his name as my heart only beats for him.

"You're driving me insane."

Napangusong saad niyang unang nag iwas ng tingin saka tila ba nanggigigil pang pinisil ang pisngi ko.

"I can't believe you're here in front of me, that the light I've been trying to reach is now here with me."

Napakagat labi niyang saad na nagpangiti lamang saakin.

"I won't go anywhere, you can stop staring at me now."

Naiiling kong saad na nagpairap lang sakaniya.

"I'd follow you then if you did."

He shrugged.

Finally we decided to stop dancing to eat.

Some tried to get near us but got frightened with Draco's cold stare and imidiately flew away.

Nailing nalamang ako.

"Meet me at my old palace after I talk to Seth."

He whispered while gently holding my hand.

Tumango ako sakaniya bilang sagot.

Then I decided to minggle with those annoying gods and my friends while Draco is with Seth and Cole.

My eyes found the empress finding her way out of tge crowd greeting her.

Sinundan ko lamang siya ng tingin hanggang sa siya ay tuluyang makalayo.

They say that she is a kind empress, full of empathy and do not posses even a little greed.

But there's something about her that makes me feel unsettled.

Napatingin ako sakaniyang gawi habang tahimik lamang itong nakatanaw sa nasasakupan mula sa veranda.

I can feel that she's hurting...

Probably because of the years she lost and how it ended with her husband.

"Celestia!"

Ngiting tawag saakin ni Misha na papalapit saamin kasama si Eithan na mukang napipilitan lamang.

Mula sa malayo ay tanaw ko ang kasintahan niyang si Noah na kausap ngayon si Dylan.

"Bakit nag iisa ka diyan?"

Ngisi niya.

"Kasi wala akong kasama?"

Taas kilay kong saad na nagpairap sakaniya.

"I mean, bakit hindi mo ata kasama ngayon si prof?"

Tanong nito, nakita kong nag iwas tingin doon si Eithan na nagpabuntong hininga lamang saakin.

"He's talking to emperor outside."

I shrugged and looked at Draco's direction seeming to be having an important talk with Seth and Cole outside.

They are discussing about business.

"Ganoon ba?"

Napatango tango doon si Misha sabay tulak kay Eithan palapit saakin.

Nakita ko pa kung paano ito panlakihan ng mata ng lalaki na ikinanguso lamang nito.

"Come on just talk to her and fix some things, hindi pwedeng umiwas ka nalang lagi! She's our friend, wag kang bitter dyan!"

Pabulong nitong saad na dinig ko naman. Napatampal ako roon saaking noo.

I think he needs time to fix himself than talk to me though.

"Pabantay lang dito saglit ha baka biglang tumalon eh! Ciao!"

Tatawa tawa pang saad nito sabay alis na ikinakunot noo ko lamang.

"Sorry about that."

He sighed then looked away.

"How did you even like me? You seriously have peculiar taste."

Iling iling na saad kong nagpangiti lang kay Eithan.

"Tell that to Draco, sa nakikita ko ay mukang mas malakas ang tama sa iyo."

Ngisi nito nang makita ang di maipintang muka ni Draco mula sa malayo habang kausap padin ang mga kaibigan na ayaw siyang paalisin ngunit nakatingin na saamin.

"Why is it him?"

He asked still hurt.

"Do I have to have a reason to love someone?"

I chuckled.

"Paano kapag nawala na ang rasong iyon ay mawala narin ang nararamdaman mo sakaniya?"

Sambit ko.

"I honestly don't know how it happened. I just woke up one day, that I already fell for him. That even in my death, his face is what comes to mind. That even in the brink of death, our future together is what I've been dreaming. It's only been him since then, and I feel like I am just falling even deeper."

I said, I saw how Draco's eyes brightened even from afar making me roll my eyes on him.

"You shouldn't have told me that."

He frowned.

"What? It's not like I gave you any motives before, you did that to yourself."

I shrugged.

"I don't know how I fell for you with that attitude of yours."

Ngiwi niyang nagpangisi saakin.

"But seriously Eithan, I think you're a good guy and It's an honor to be admired by you and anyone whom you'll love is really lucky."

I smiled.

"I honestly don't exactly know how to comfort someone, puro kasi sama ng loob naibibigay ko."

Kibit balikat kong saad na nagpatawa saka nagpailing sakaniya.

"I do have a peculiar taste."

He smiled, I rolled my eyes on him.

"I'm just thankful for meeting someone like you Celestia. Even if it hurts,  you don't have to feel sorry, I can still manage. Right now, your happiness is my happiness."

He stated making me smile.

"I'm relieved, thank you."

I stated making him nod his head on me then turn his back.

Nanatili lamang akong nakatitig sa papalayong bulto niya nang matapos ang usapan namin.

I wanted to find a way to comfort him since he's a good friend, but I think what he needs is time and I would only hurt him more if I tried comforting him.

"This is damn bothersome."

I frowned then looked at the sky filled with stars around the bright silver moon.

I again looked at Draco's direction.

Tumingin din siya saaking gawi na tinanguan ko lamang, kasabay nito ay ang pagpasok nila sa isang pribadong silid upang doon ipagpatuloy ang pinag uusapan.

I took a drink from a maid carrying a tray then just walked somewhere away from the annoying visitors.

Mula nang magpakita ang senaryong iyon saakin ay hindi na ito nawala saaking isipan.

Who is that angel and why does the moon goddess seems threatened to keep her alive when she's only a mere angel?

What happened to that chind after being a mortal?

Did she live well?

I have no idea.

Ang tanging makasasagot lamang nito ay kung magpapatuloy ang mga senaryong iyon na magpakita saakin.

Natigilan nalamang ako sa pag iisip nang dalhin ako ng aking mga paa sa madilim na veranda kung nasaan ngayon ang empress na tahimik na nakatitig sa buwan.

"I greet you, good evening, your Imperial highness."

I greeted but she just glanced at me and gave a soft smile as she looked back at the bright moon as if she's too fascinated in it.

Her long silver hair is swaying along with the gentle wind and her clear blue eyes were reflecting the moonlight yet it still looks so empty.

"I'm relieved."

She stated.

"Aziel has been through a lot without me by his side. So I'm at ease that he found a reason to be happy and move forward."

She smiled.

"Ang hiling ko lamang ay manatili ka sakaniyang tabi, isang bagay na hindi ko nagawa."

Sambit niyang nagpalambot saaking ekspresyon.

"I'm sure you would if you can, hindi niyo ginusto ang nangyari."

Saad kong nagpakawala sakaniya ng isang mabigat na paghinga.

"That day still lingers in my mind, the day everything suddenly changed."

Mariin siyang napapikit.

"You know how Draco was born right?"

She askes.

"Yes, empress"

I responded.

"Just call me Clemente."

She smiled.

"I met the late emperor when I ran away from home after my suppose to be enggagement and got lost."

She looked up, reminiscing the past.

"That time I was so troubled and confused as I wander around in a forest not knowing it is actually forbidden. I almost died if that man didn't save me."

She shooked her head.

"Yet he made me his captive, I thought it's better than being married off to a random stranger after being imprisoned in my own home since I was born."

The empress sighed.

"I didn't even know he is the emperor back then. He is cold at first as if he is badly hurt and is in deep pain. But as we spent our days together we started to open up to each other. The emperor, my husband turns out to be the kindest and most caring man I've ever known."

She chuckled yet I see the deep pain in her eyes.

"How come those happy memories that made me smile before is hurting me now?"

Mapait siyang napangiti roon.

"Masaya ang naging pagsasama namin, ngunit nagbago lamang ang lahat, isang araw nang makabalik siya galing sa kagubatan kung saan kami unang nagkita."

Mariin siyang napapikit doon.

"The man that used to look at me with love and care suddenly changed and couldn't even remember me."

Pumatak ang luha niya roon na nagpatigil saakin na agad niya namang pinunasan.

"My husband only remembers the memories before we met and completely forgot me... As if he's now a different person. "

"He's gotten cold and greedy, he wouldn't even blink as he hurt and lock me up ruthlessly as if he never once love me like before."

"Then a month after he changed, I found out I was pregnant with our son, Draco, the only evidence of those happiest days we spent together before he lost his memories."

Tuloy tuloy lamang ang pagluha niya habang nakatitig sa mga bituin tila ba pinakakalma ang sarili.

"I found hope, even if he's still hurting me while I'm baring our child, I am still hoping that the day will come that the man that I know and love will come back to us."

"But then when I gave birth to Aziel, everything is still a blur to me. All I remember is I am protecting my child from my husband. He's gotten insane saying that our son is a demon, a monster. He tried killing him but Aziel let out an overwhelming power that made me unconscious. When I opened my eyes, it's already been more than two decades."

Dama ko ang sakit sa bawat salitang kaniyang binibitawan.

I then walked towards her direction and hugged her as I let a warm light flow into her body to calm her down and ease her mind.

That's the least I could do for now.

"Empress--"

"Clemente."

She interupted while hugging me back.

"Sige mama nalang."

Sambit kong mahinang nagpatawa sakaniya.

"Sure."

She smiled then glanced at something.

She probably sensed Kiara behind the wall.

She is observing the empress according to Aragon, she's been listening to us since earlier.

After my conversation with the empress I decided to meet Draco at his old palace, just like what he told me to.

But then I was surprised to see the place looked so elegant and clean as beatiful ice butterflies the brought the place light flying around the palace.

Far from the gloomy place I saw when we came here.

And at the fountain in the middle of the garden, I saw Draco sitting while staring intently at me.

"Why did you fix the place? I thought you wanted to keep how it looks to serve as a memory?"

Tanong kong nagpakibit lamang sakaniyang balikat.

"Those memories are not even great to remember."

He said then scratched his head.

"I wanted to fix this place and move forward. I decided that instead of holding on to the past, I will create better memories to remember instead."

He smiled.

Napakagat labi ako roon saka lumapit sakaniyang gawi at dinampian siya ng halik.

"For the first new memory you'll have in this place."

I smiled then laughed when I saw how his ears and face turned red. Nailing nalamang siya saka niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

"Let's stay like this..."

He whispered while we were still hugging each other.

Ngumiti lamang akong isinandal ang aking ulo sakaniyang matipunong dibdib at nanatili sa ganoong pwesto.

Ilang sandali din kami ganoon nang napagdesisyunan na naming umayos.

"I want to spend even every simple moments with you. Have breakfast together, walk along side of each other, laugh, smile or even cry, make silly jokes and many more. I want to do it all, as long as I live."

He said sincerely while his hands were wrapped around my waist.

"You sound like you're proposing to me."

Pabirong sabi kong nagpaseryoso sakaniyang muka saka kinuha ang kamay ko at hinalikan ang likod nito habang nakatitig saakin.

"I am."

Sambit niyang nagpatigil saakin kasabay ng mabilis na pagpintig ng puso.

"H-ha?"

Tameme kong saad.

Draco let out a boying grin while his eyes were sparkling with love and sincerity.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makitang may napakagandang singsing ng nakasuot saaking daliri.

Napasinghap ako roon.

"Seryoso ka?"

Gulat pading saad ko.

"Yes I am.."

Napakamot siya sakaniyang batok roon.

"I already asked your parents permission. Gusto ko sanang pagbalik natin ko hingiin ang kamay mo pero hindi na ako nakapaghintay pa."

Saad niya habang ako ay gulat padin.

"I-I honestly don't know how to answer."

I sighed then looked at him.

"There's still a lot going on Draco, I don't even know if we'll be able to save Mytheia, I love you, I really wanted to answer you now, but I have so much responsibilities, I don't even know if I'll liv--"

"Is it Yes?"

He enterupted.

"Yes--Hindi ka ba nakikinig?!"

Irap ko.

"Let's get through this fight together Celestia. Alive, and when we did..."

Lumapit siya at humalik saaking noo.

"Marry me and stay with me... I won't take no as an answer."

He stated.

"Edi don't."

I frowned making him chickle.

"I will aak you again and again even if it takes forever untill you agree."

He winked.

"Ang fogi, shige ne nge."

Pabiro kong saad na nagpailing nalamang kay Draco.

"I'll take that seriously."

Ngisi niyang nagpatikom saaking bibig saka niyakap nalamang sya.

"Are you upset?"

I asked while hugging him.

"I'm not, alam ko kasing marupok ka."

Sambit niyang nagpasimangot saakin.

"Aba bastos den! Konti lang naman!"

Reklamo ko saka napailing nalamang.

"I'm sorry."

I sighed then hugged him.

"I don't take sorry's."

He hissed.

"I love you."

I uttered sincerely making him stop then cleared his throat.

"That will do."

A/n: Ngayon lang uli nagkatime magsulat, nirush ko na sinace may work pa tommorrow. Ingat po tayong lahat!