"ARA, come on," said Shaye as she pulled me out of my seat but I remained still.

"I don't wanna go, okay?" tugon ko ng hindi siya tinitignan. "Saka mo na ako guluhin kapag sa palace na ang punta niyo."

Napanguso siya at binitawan ako. She sat beside me before speaking, "You have to go. Minsan lang tayo makapag-bonding. Pwede namang humiwalay tayo sa ibang Arcane kung ayaw mong kasama sila."

I faced her. "And what makes you think na gusto kitang kasama?"

Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko at bahagyang napayuko. Pero agad din siyang nag-angat ng tingin at ngumiti na alam kong peke lang.

"Okay, sige. Babalitaan na lang kita kapag nakabalik na kami," aniya sa mababang boses. She stood up and without looking back, she strode off out of my bedroom.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at napairap. I stood up and followed her footsteps. 'Di pa siya masyadong nakakalayo. Tahimik lamang siyang naglalakad at nakayuko.

Napailing na lamang ako. Drama na naman.

I hastened and held her arm. Muntik pa siyang napatalon sa gulat pero walang emosyon ko lamang siyang tinitigan. "Anong oras ba kayo pupunta?"

Mistulang kuminang ang mga mata niya habang nakatitig sa 'kin. Her face slowly lightened up. "Sasama ka?"

I scoffed. "Magtatanong ba ako kung hindi?"

THE loud buzzing of whispers greeted us the moment we stood out of the chariot. One by one, the Arcanes started walking towards a great massive building. Ako ang nasa pinakahulihan ng linya at si Carwell ang nangunguna. Bawat hakbang namin papunta sa malaking entrance ng building ay napapatabi ang mga tao para bigyan kami ng daan.

If katulad lamang ako ng iba, baka ang laki na ng ngiti ko kagaya ni Genesis at Jiro na ngiti ng ngiti sa mga babaeng nadadaanan nila. Pero hindi, ang sarap dukutan ng mata ang mga tao dito.

Like, why can't they just mind their own shits?

I rolled my eyes and continued to walk. Nang makapasok na kami ay bumugad sa 'min ang mataong bilihan. The place was wide. There were boutiques, small and big shops everywhere, and food stalls that looked disgusting to me.

I crinkle my nose at the unpleasant smell from the food stall closest to us.

"Shaye," tawag ko sa babaeng abot tainga ang ngiti na nasa harap ko. "What's that thing? That awful smell."

Her forehead creased as if I had just said something unusual. Tinuro niya ang stall na tinuro ko. "That? Goodness, Ara. That's the best food that Forthmore can offer among all 4 kingdoms!"

My face fell to an unexplainable disgust. "Doesn't look 'the best' for me."

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ni Shaye. She smiled and held my arm. "Do you wanna try some? Come," aniya at hinila ako pero mabilis akong umiling.

"No thanks. Amoy pa lang nandidiri na ako," wika ko. "Let's go. Naiwan na tayo ng iba."

Hindi naman siya nagreklamo o nagpumilit  sa halip ay hinila pa ako para makasabay sa lakad ng iba.

I looked around once again. A big shop dazzled in luxury five meters away from us, and I bet d'yan kami papunta. Patuloy pa rin ang bulungan ng mga taong nadadaanan namin, minsan ay tinuturo pa kami.

Putulin ko 'yang daliri niyo e.

"Hold on, that girl on the last. She looks familiar." Napantig ang tainga ko sa sinabi ng isang babae.

"She's the girl who punched our baby Gen. I heard she went with him to the academy and gave quite an impression," the other girl said.

"Impression?"

"She's the Supreme Student, a transferee. They say she's from Rovuille, some say she's from the island. I don't believe the latter though, kung galing talaga siya sa Forthill, matagal na sana siyang pinabalik doon. Forthill islanders don't belong here."

Napairap ako sa huling sinabi ng babae. So, tinago pala ni Boris kung saan ko nanggaling. Ang sarap bugbugin.

Nilampasan ko na lang ang dalawang babaeng 'yun at tahimik na sumunod sa mga Arcanes. They looked so comfortable with the crowd and the whispers. Iba talaga kapag lumaki ka na sanay na sa mataong lugar. Aside from Genesis and Carwell's identity, wala na akong alam kung taga saan ang iba.

I looked around when we entered the luxurious shop. It was full of clothes in different sizes, some jewellery that were too shiny to describe, and weird amulets. At the center was a fat woman beaming at us, waving her big hands as if we're nowhere near.

"Welcome, Arcanes. I was expecting your visit since yesterday," bati sa amin ng isang ginang. Halos kita na ang gilagid niya sa sobrang laki ng ngiti, at sobrang lagkit ng tingin kay Carwell.

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata. Kahit tindera, landi ang unang inaatupag.

"Greetings, Madam Mildred," bati ni Genesis sa kanya. Kinindatan niya pa ito. Halos nangamatis naman sa pula ang mukha ng malanding Mildred. "We stopped by for things we can bring to the palace. Sabi ni Headmaster, 3 days kami do'n."

"Oh yes, I was informed by the king himself," said Mildred. Isa isa niya kaming tinignan. Dumako ang tingin niya sa gawi ko at tinitigan ako direkta sa mata. She slowly walked towards me, wearing her unexplainable stare. "You're Aurora—"

Napatalon sa gulat ang mga Arcane, pati na si Mildred, nang biglang kumulog ng napakalakas. It sounded like a canon had just been released to us.

"Uulan ba ngayon?" tanong ni Jiro sa katabi niyang si Rhysan na tulala lang. Sinundot niya pa ang tagiliran nito nong hindi siya pinansin. "Hoy."

"Ano ba!" ani Rhysan at sinamaan ng tingin ang lalaki.

"Unusual. It's not supposed to be stormy today," mahinang sambit Mildred at binalik ang tingin sa 'kin. "Salot ka."

Napasinghap ang mga Arcane sa sinabi ng ginang. Napahigpit ang hawak ni Shaye sa braso ko. Humakbang din palapit si Genesis at kunot-noong tinitigan si Mildred, pero hindi ko mawari kung nagtataka ba siya o galit.

While me, I remained emotionless. Walang bahid ng pagkainis ang mukha ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang problema ng Mildred na 'to sa 'kin pero bahala siya.

"That's a rude thing to say, Madam Mildred," said Third, but Mildred was still staring at me.

Itinaas niya ang kanyang kamay at tinapat sa mukha ko. May plano 'atang hawakan ang pisngi ko pero mabilis kong tinabig ang kamay niya. "I don't let strangers touch my face, fat woman."

"Insolent!" malakas niyang sigaw. "Umalis kayo rito! Kayong lahat!" Pinagtulakan niya kami paalis habang bumubulong ng kung ano-ano.

"Teka lang, 'di pa kami nakakabili ah," pagmamaktol ni Snow pero malakas na sampal ang natanggap niya mula sa ginang. Magkahalong gulat at galit na tinitigan ni Snow  si Mildred. "Sino ka sa paningin mo para sampalin ako?" halos nanginginig niyang sambit.

Mukhang alam ng Arcanes na malaking gulo ang mangyayari kaya'y mabilis nilang hinila si Snow palayo. All of them rushed to the other side of the place but I stayed in front of Mildred. Marami na ring mga taong nakatitig sa 'min at nagbubulungan.

"Hindi ka pa ba aalis, salot?" magaspang na tanong niya.

Hindi ako umimik. Tinignan ko lamang siya mula ulo hanggang paa. Hindi naman nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pagtago niya sa kanyang kaliwang kamay na may suot na kulay berdeng bracelet. As if naman maiinggit ako sa bracelet niyang kinalawang na.

She opened her mouth to speak but before she could do so, I immediately turned my back at her and walked away. Huminto ako sa pwesto ng mga Arcanes. Sinamaan ako ng tingin ni Snow habang nakahawak sa pisngi niya.

"Kasalanan mo 'to. Kung hindi lang sana matabil ang dila mo, hindi 'to mangyayari."

"Stop it, Snow. Tinawag siyang salot ni Madam Mildred. Sino bang matutuwa do'n?" sambit ni Zale na nasa tabi lang ni Estelle, who's looking at me weirdly. For a while, ngayon ko lang siya narinig na nagsalita ulit.

"Let's just proceed to the palace. The king will understand." We all agreed to Carwell's statement at agad na naglakad papunta sa sakayan.

All of us stayed together in a single carriage ang quickly enough, we reached the entrance of the palace.

ISA-ISA kaming bumaba sa sinakyan naming karwahe. Nanguna sina Carwell, Zale, at Snow. Sumunod naman sina Jiro, Third, at ang dalawang babae na sina Rhysan ar Estelle. While Genesis chose to go out the last.

Shaye and I hopped out of the carriage. Nilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid. The place looks the same. Gaya ng una kong nakita 'to. The lawn, green trees, and perfectly-cut bushes. The place still looks dreamy. Lalo na ang sinag ng araw na tumama sa malaking statwa sa gitna kaya mukha itong kumikinang.

Ngayon ko lang nakita ang statwa na 'to. Nong gabing pumunta kami ni Genesis, 'di ko 'to nakita. It's a statue of a beautiful woman. Her long blonde hair was wavy, complementing her curves. She looked like a dancing statue. Pero sa kabila ng ganda niya, there's something not right about her. If I'm not mistaken, I could see a single tear on her cheek.

"I'm glad the king finally placed her statue here, where she belongs," I heard Estelle said. Kausap nito si Rhysan na nakatitig sa mukha ng babaeng statwa.

"Who is she?" tanong ko kay Shaye.

"The woman who saved this kingdom 20 years ago," sagot niya.

"She's dead now?"

"She died to save this kingdom. Pero ang alam ng mga tao, siya ang dahilan ng pagsimula ng unang Zarsothian War. But those who knows the truth remained faithful to her. She's—"

Genesis cut her off. He walked towards us, stopped right in front of me and looked up to the statue. "Partly, she started the war, and she ended it. A tragic fate of a deity who fell in love with a human."

Napantig ang tainga ko. I glanced at Genesis and to my surprise, he was staring at me too, pero hindi ko maintindihan ang paraan ng pagtitig niya.

"That statue is a deity who died 20 years ago?" mahinang tanong ko.

Both Shaye and Genesis nodded.

So, she's the one that the book I got from Carwell was referring to. Twenty years ago, when all had fallen.

"Come on, guys. Naghihintay na ang hari sa 'tin," Jiro called, the others agreed.

Iniwas ko ang tingin sa statwa at sumunod na rin sa kanila. We went through the giant door where a couple of men in gold and white suits were guarding. I looked around the moment we entered the great hall. It still looks amazing like the very first time I saw it, minus the decorations and the people in ball gowns that night.

Tahimik lang ang paligid. The wide windows were open, letting the light shine even brighter from the center. Magarang magara tingnan. Pero wala akong nakitang anino ng hari. Lahat ng nakapalibot ay mga guards lang.

Snow was about to speak but Carwell started walking towards the west part of the hall. Yeah, right. He knows this place better than any of us. This is where he lives after all.

Napagtanto 'ata ni Carwell na wala kaming alam kung saan siya papunta kaya'y nagsalita na siya, "The king must be in the throne room." The rest of us nodded and followed him.

After a minute of walking, we entered another massive door, pero mas malaki pa rin ang nasa entrance. Carwell knocked and a hoarse voice responded from behind the door.

"Come in, child." It was the king.

Napayukom ako. Makikita ko na naman ang pagmumukha niya at nakakainis lang na wala akong magawa kung 'di makisama at makipagplastikan.

Binuksan ni Carwell ang pintuan at pumasok na. Sumunod naman kami sa kanya. Shaye held my hand. Ang lamig ng kamay niya, namamawis pa. Nilingon ko siya at kinunutan ng noo.

"He doesn't like me as much as he likes Caelum," she whispered.

Tumango na lang ako. That explains why Carwell and Shaye aren't that close. Shaye was never treated as a part of the family.

"Greetings, Arcanes!" masiglang sambit ng hari.

Sabay na yumuko ang lahat maliban sa 'kin. Nanatili lamang akong nakatayo at nakatitig sa hari. Naramdaman ko ang paghila ni Shaye sa laylayan ng damit ko pero 'di ako nagpatinag.

Bakit ba ako luluhod?

Why would I bow down to someone who killed me?

Napangisi ang hari sa inasta ko. He made a clicking noise with his tongue and slowly walked towards us. He signalled the others to stand up and they obliged, but the king stopped in front of me.

"Greetings to you, my dear," he said.

I smiled sarcastically. "Likewise."

He stared at me for like another 30 seconds and I did nothing but look at the depths of his emerald eyes. Mahina siyang natawa at umiling.

"I'm glad we meet again," aniya. Iniwas niya ang tingin sa 'kin at tinitigan ang mga kasama ko. "And of course, kayo rin."

Kinumpas niya ang kaniyang kamay kasabay ng pagpasok ng tatlong guards. "Kindly escort our guests to their rooms," utos niya sa mga ito. Bumaling ang tingin niya kay Carwell. "And oh, my nephew, a letter from Ambergail arrived last night, it was addressed to you. Nasa kwarto mo."

Tinapik niya pa ang balikat nito bago sinenyasanang mga guards na ihatid kami. He did not even glance at Shaye who's only right beside me. This is so not me, but partly, I feel bad for the poor girl.

Kagaya ko, tinalikuran din siya.

Sumunod na kami sa mga guards at tinahak ang daan patungong East wing. Tahimik lamang kaming lahat at tunog ng mga yapak lang namin ang maririnig sa buong pasilyo. Halos lahat 'ata ng sulok ng palasyo ay may gwardya. Not surprising.

After a couple of minutes, huminto na rin kami sa wakas, sa harap ng malaking pintuan. The guards signalled us to get in and we did. Inside the door was another hallway pero marami ng mga normal na pinto. Looks like this is exclusively customized for the Arcanes. Siguro ay madalas na silang bumibisita dito dati pa.

"The middle room is empty. Only for Ms. Belacour, ordered by the king himself," the guard in the middle glanced at Shaye, "but since you have excess baggage, two ladies can share the room."

I clenched my fist. Did she just call Shaye an excess baggage?

"She's my apprentice," I muttered through gritted teeth.

The guard in the middle did not respond. He slightly bowed and walked out together with the two. Napapikit na lamang ako sa inis.

"Chill. I'm used to that," Shaye said, trying to calm me down. I rolled my eyes on her. Nabibwesit talaga ako sa mga taong 'di marunong lumaban.

Inis kong hinila si Shaye at pumasok sa kwartong para sa 'min. I slammed the door shut and tightened my grasp on Shaye's wrist. She groaned and tried to pull her wrist out of my grip but I insisted.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Do you like being a victim?" malamig kong tanong.

Natigilan siya at naluluhang tumingin sa 'kin.

"W-what... what are you talking about, Ara?" nauutal niyang tanong.

"Why can't you fight for yourself? You're a royal too! Matutulungan ka ba ng pag-iyak mo?"

She repeatedly shook her head. "You don't understand, Ara. My mother, the king's sister, was adopted. I'm only a Carwell by family name, not by blood."

Natigilan ako. I let go of her hand and stared at her. Tuluyan na ngang tumulo ang luha niya, but I could see that there's something more that's bothering her.

"That's why he hates you?"

"Yes, but that's not the entire reason."

My ears perked. I narrowed my eyes on her. "What else?"

"I was a junior, an innocent Cub at Forthmore Academy, when he threatened my life." Her lips trembled. "Dahil may nalaman akong ayaw niyang malaman ng iba."

"Your secret is safe with me."

She stared at me reluctantly. Nangungusap ang mga mata niya. I smiled, a slight one, to assure her. Napatango naman siya. She gulped and looked down.

"He killed a Forthill islander."