NOT yet. And I don't intend to.

"I think it's silly."

"It is, but when you meet love, you don't actually care if you look stupid."

"So, love makes you stupid?" nandidiri kong tanong. "Mas pipiliin ko pang mamatay kaysa ma-in love."

Carwell grunt at my remark. Pinukol niya ako ng makahulugang tingin hanggang sa ako na mismo ang umiwas. I was about to leave when he grabbed my wrist. Kinaladkad niya ako sa kabilang bahagi, mas malayo kina Milka.

I rolled my eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. There he goes again.

"Ano na naman?" naiirita kong wika.

"Hindi ko ba nasabi sa 'yo na hindi kita lulubayan hangga't hindi mo ako sinasagot?"

Napataas ang kilay ko. "Nanliligaw ka ba?"

"Excuse me?" Napaatras siya at saglit na napaisip. Baliw rin 'to e. Slowpoke.

"Why? Anong tanong ba?"

He squinted his eyes. "Acting innocent, huh?"

Binawi ko ang kamay ko sa kaniya. "Carwell, hindi ko rin ba nasabi sa 'yo na kapag sinabi kong ayoko, ayoko. Don't try to change my mind."

Nagtagpo ang dalawang kilay niya. His face hardened. Perhaps to threaten me. Ulol. As if naman matitinag ako.

Inirapan ko siya at akmang magwa-walk out na nang bigla niyang hinigit ang kamay ko.

"Tell me the truth. What did you do?" His voice went cold. Hinigpitan niya rin ang paghawak sa palapulsuhan ko.

"Kahit umiyak ka pa ng dugo, wala kang mapapala sa 'kin," wika ko at sinamaan siya ng tingin. "So, let go of my hand before I gouge your eyes out."

He clenched his jaw, and for the love of fuck, he tightened his grip even more. I tried to pull myself but he must be using one of his abilities dahil walang epekto ang lakas ko sa lakas niya.

"I'm warning you," malamig niyang sabi.

"Fuck you."

"I don't fuck short and hardheaded women, Belacour."

Humakbang siya papalapit at sa bawat hakbang niya ay tahimik akong napapaatras. His eyes were fixed on me. Matalim. Hindi kumukurap.

"Again," aniya. "What did you do?"

"No."

"Last warning, woman..."

"Utot mo. Sa tingin mo matatakot ako sa pagbabanta mong ‘yan?"

He took another step. And then another one. And another one. And I stupidly moved backwards. This seems familiar. Gumaganti 'ata siya sa ginawa ko noong unang pagkikita namin.

Hindi ko tinanggal ang tingin sa mga mata niya. He did the same ngunit sa paraan ng pagtitig niya ay parang sinusuri niya ang buong pagkatao ko. Pilit niya akong binabasa.

We stayed in the same situation for a minute until I felt the cold wall behind me. Now, I'm cornered. Putang ina.

Napangisi siya nang mapansin niya ang pagkairita sa mukha ko. He placed his hand on the wall, just above my head. At halos nakalimutan kong huminga nang bigla niyang nilapit ang mukha niya sa mukha ko.

I could smell mint on his breath, and the scent of his hair. Naduduling ako sa lapit niya.

"Sasabihin mo ang totoo o..."

"O ano?"

"O hahalikan kita?"

"Gago." Mabilis ang pangyayari at hindi ko na namalayang kusang lumipad ang kamao ko sa mukha niya.

A loud thud broke the silence as he fell on the floor. Ilang segundo lang at isa-isa nang naglitawan ang mga Arcanes. Bakas sa mukha nila ang pagkalito nang makitang nasa sahig si Carwell habang sapo ang kaliwang mata.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" sigaw pa nito at kulang na lang ay patayin ako sa sama ng tingin.

"That's what you earn for saying bullshits like that." Marahan kong minasahe ang palapulsuhan ko na nabitawan niya. "Ano? Gusto mong pantayin natin 'yang black eye mo?"

"Woah, woah. Chill out, guys," awat ni Third at pumagitna pa sa amin. The others looked at us in disbelief. Maging si Milka at si Zale pala ay napatakbo rin.

"Cae, pfft—" Shaye burst out in laughter na sinabayan naman ng iba. "I got you, cousin. Pero in fairness, bagay sa 'yo 'yan," pang-aasar pa ni Shaye bago ginamot ang mayabang niyang pinsan.

I rolled my eyes on them. Nakakainis. Magsasalita pa sana si Rhysan pero agad na akong umalis at dumiretso sa kwarto. Nagtama pa ang paningin namin ni Genesis na tahimik lang sa gilid. I couldn't discern his expression but it's the least of my concern anymore.

Sinawalang bahala ko na lang ito at padabog na sinara ang pintuan. I flinched when my hand landed on the bed.

Putang ina. Ang sakit ha.

"HE told me everything he knows. Ang sabi niya ay may kapatid ako," pagkukwento ni Milka.

Shaye nodded in response.

"Y-yes, but it's kind of complicated—"
"What do you mean? Can I meet her now?" putol ni Milka sa sasabihin ni Rhysan.

Sabay na napaiwas ng tingin sina Rhysan, Shaye, at Estelle. Milka rounded on me.

"Ara? Do you know my sister?"

I kept my mouth shut. Her eyes were desperately pleading for my answer. Kulang na lang ay tumayo siya at yugyugin ako para magsalita.

"You all know my sister, yes? Kung gano'n nasaan siya?"

I was about to spill a word when Genesis interrupted.

"Headmaster Boris wants you in his office as soon as possible, Ara," he said in an unusual tone of voice. Nawala ang palabiro nitong boses.

"Why?"

"No idea." Then he walked out without another word, nor a glance.

Problema ng lalaking 'yun?

"Gotta go," paalam ko sa apat.

Everyone but Milka agreed. She stayed silent. Bagsak ang balikat na parang tinakluban ng langit at lupa.

I gave her a tap on the shoulder. "You'll meet her soon." Sinuklian niya ako ng tipid na ngiti bago ako tuluyang umalis.

Sinubukan kong hanapin ang anino ni Genesis habang naglalakad but he's nowhere to be found. Ang bilis naman mawala ng lalaking 'yun.

I didn't bother to knock when I reached the office. Tahimik akong pumasok at sinalubong ako ng apat na pares ng mga mata.

"Oh, nasaan na ang nagsundo sa 'yo? Where's Genesis?" tanong ni Boris.

"Hindi ako tanungan ng nawawalang tao."

My eyes darted on Sin who's staring intently at me. He's wearing the school uniform already, except for the badge. Katabi niya naman sina Zale at Caelum na kanina pa nakatitig sa kaniya.

Buti na lang at hindi nagkagulo rito. Well, Zale's not a war freak.

"Anyway, I called you so we can decide who's going to be Sin's opponent in his upcoming duel. Para mai-sort out na natin kung saang rank siya."

My forehead creased.

"Pinatawag mo pa talaga ako para diyan? When I first came here, I didn't even had an idea about my opponent," sambit ko.

"Because I already know what you're capable of. Baka makapatay ka pa ng estudyante."

"Whatever." Napairap ako. "I think Carwell's the best fit for the job. He's your peacemaker. He'll certainly not going to kill any student."

Sinulyapan ko pa si Carwell at diniinan ang salitang peacemaker. He glared at me. Shaye did a good job on healing him. Wala na ang maitim na marka sa mukha nito.

Bigyan ko kaya siya ng bago?

"I want to fight you."

"What?"

"Are you kidding?"

I shrugged Boris's and Zale's reaction off. Taas noo kong hinarap ang matapang na tingin ni Sin.

"Tinatamad sana ako," sambit ko at kunwaring tinignan ang mga kuko, "but for your pride's sake, sure."

Hindi maipinta ang itsura niya sa sinabi ko. Natamaan ko siguro ang ego niya. Lihim akong napangiti.

"But before that, Milka wants to meet her sister," I continued.

"Sister? Milka has a sister?"

I ignored Sin's question and waited for Boris's response instead. Reluctance was evident on his face, perhaps because the king might disagree with the idea. But who are they to interfere anyway?

"I'll try to talk to the king about that," said Boris.

I scoffed. "No need. I'll escort Milka to the palace and I won't take no for an answer."

GAYA ng binitawan kong salita, I escorted Milka on her journey to the palace. Not just me, sumama rin sina Shaye at Carwell. Shaye just wants to see the palace again while the latter had some business to do, ayon sa sinabi niya. A good thing, actually. I can use their prince if the king rejects our request.

The familiar massive entrance of the great hall greeted us as we entered the palace. Nangunguna si Carwell na sinundan ni Shaye. Milka and I were at the back. She was holding my hand firmly, gripping it more when we reached the throne room.

"Your highness," Carwell greeted.

The three of them bowed and as usual, I dropped the honorifics. The king stood up, darting his eyes on Carwell before shifting on Milka. Bahagyang napakunot ang noo niya.
"You seem familiar, hija."

The latter smiled awkwardly. "I'm not sure, your highness."

Yeah, dahil wala ka namang naaalala. I mentally rolled my eyes.

"May I know the purpose of your sudden arrival?"

"May kailangan lang po ang—"

"We wish to enter the Palace Dungeon," I cut her off. So much for the pleasantries. Pwede namang straight to the point na.

"Dungeon?" I heard Milka whispered to herself. I almost forgot na hindi ko nga pala nasabi sa kanya kung nasaan si Demi.

"The supreme student, we meet again," the king rounded on me, "Anong kailangan ninyo roon?"

"Ms. Ross here wants to see her sister, your highness." It was Carwell who responded, giving me a side glance as if telling me to shut up. Napairap na lamang ako.

"Ms. Ross..." he uttered. "The murderer."

"Murderer?" Milka was taken aback. Mabilis siyang napalingon sa akin, puno ng pagkalito ang mga mata. "Anong ibig niyang sabihin, Ara?"

"Oh, I see. Ms. Ross has no idea," wika ng hari. Hindi ko matukoy kung may bahid na pangungutya ba ang boses nito.

"No idea about what?"
Milka's voice shifted. Bahagya nang lumakas ang boses nito. Nilingon ko siya at tahimik na sinenyasan.

"I'll explain later," I mouthed.

Hindi nagbago ang ekspresyon niya pero tinikom niya ang bibig.

"We need your consent."

The king stared at me. Ilang segundo kaming nagtitigan bago siya umiwas ng tingin.

"And who am I to say no? Maghintay muna kayo rito. May kukunin lang ako," aniya.

Umalis siya at tahimik na lumabas ng throne room. Not a while have passed and he went back holding a scroll on his hand. Inabot niya ito sa akin.

"Show this to the guards."

"Thank you, your highness." Napalingon ako kay Shaye nang bigla itong nagsalita. She tried to catch the king's sight but the latter was beaming at something behind me.

I turned around to see Atya wearing her ear-to-ear smile.

"Ate!" She ran and leaped on me. Kinarga ko na lamang ito. "I missed you! Kayo nila kuya Caelum and ate Shaye!"

"It's good to see you too, Atya, but we can't stay long. We have some business to do," wika ko habang inaayos ang buhok niya. Nahagip ng mata ko ang peklat na nakita ko noon sa kaniyang leeg. "Your scar still vivid."

"It doesn't hurt anymore, ate." She looked at the king with pleading eyes. "Can I go with them, uncle? Please?"

The king chuckled and nodded, making Atya scream in delight.

"THIS way," Carwell commanded us to come after him while he's leading the way. He's supposed to stay at the palace but the king urged him to go with us kaya wala rin siyang choice kung 'di sumunod.

Nilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid habang naglalakad papasok. Kanina lamang ay dumaan kami sa malaking pintuang gawa sa bakal. It was covered in chain. There were no guards though. The place was eerie, silent and dark. Not to mention the shivers we got because of the cold. Malawak ang pasilyo ngunit apoy lamang ang nagliliwanag.

"Ara, bakit tinatawag ng hari na mamamatay tao ang kapatid ko?" Milka broke the deafening silence.

"She killed a student," Carwell said.

"She was falsely accused," pagtatama ko. "Sadyang madaya ang sistema ng kahariang 'to at ang mga ordinaryong taong tulad ninyo ay sunod sunuran sa mga taong katulad nila."

I intentionally glared at Carwell. Surely he knows what I'm talking about but he likes to keep a blind eye. A voiceless royal.

Natahimik si Milka sa wika ko. Pansin ko rin ang paghigpit ng paghawak ni Atya sa aking kamay. She's been giving Milka uneasy stares since earlier. Sinawalang bahala ko na lang ito.

Lumiko kami sa isang mas maliit na pasilyo pero mabilis na napaatras. We were greeted by several men standing erect on an elevated area pointing their swords at us. Sa likod nila ay isang pintuan ulit na sa tingin ko ay ang daan patungo sa mga selda.

"You are not allowed inside by the king's order," the man in the middle stated.

Itinaas ni Carwell ang dala niyang scroll. "I have a letter from the king."

The man took the scroll and paused but he refused to step back. "My apologies. However, we were tasked to secure the dungeon as tight as we can. Kung gusto niyo talaga ay mas makakabuting ang hari na mismo ang magdala sa inyo rito nang sa gayon ay makasigurado kami na hindi lang gawa-gawa ang liham na ito."

"So your fucking uncle gave us that shit though he knows it won't help anyway." Malamig kong tinignan si Carwell. "Are you behind this too? Is he messing with us?"

He shook his head. "No. I didn't know that he changed the law."

Yes! Kasi kailan ba naman nagkaroon ng boses sa kaharian na 'to ang lalaking 'to? Walang silbi ang pagiging dugong bughaw niya.

"Please, sir. Kahit ngayon lang po," Milka begged. "I really need to see my sister."

Napairap na naman ako sa kawalan. Bakit ba ako napapalibutan ng mga taong mahilig magmakaawa?

Shaye held Milka's hand in an attempt to console her.

"I've said everything. Makakaalis na kayo."

"No, no, please!" Milka stepped forward and grabbed the man's hand. "Please, kahit isang minuto lang. Let me see my sister."

"I have given you my warning, young lady. Bumalik na lamang kayo rito mamaya."

"Please—"

Milka gasped when the other men pointed their swords on her neck. I was about to use my shadow strings to control them but a ring of fire surrounded  us. It shrunk and shrunk. Little by little. Hanggang sa unti-unti nitong natatamaan ang likuran ng mga kawal.

I looked at Carwell. He mastered his fire. Hindi kami naapektuhan sa init nito. His hands were clenched tightly into a fist but his eyes were fixed on Milka.

Shrieks of pain echoed in the hallway and before things get out of control, kinumpas ko ang kamay ko para kontrolin si Carwell.

"That's enough."

Mistulang nagising siya nang magsalita ako. He looked around, looking guilty at what he have done to his soldiers. He almost skinned them alive. Sunog at punit ang damit. Ang iba ay sunog ang kalahati ng mukha.

"This is your fault," biglaang sabi ni Atya na sobrang sama ang tingin kay Milka na nanghihinang nakatingala sa 'min.

"Who taught you that, Atya?" Carwell blurted. I could sense a hint of anger in his voice.

Hinigpitan ko ang paghawak sa kamay ni Atya.

"She's just a kid. Calm down," wika ko. "Let's just go back to the palace and—" Natigilan ako nang makitang nakahandusay na sa lupa si Milka.

Oh, fuck.

Napalingon sila sa tinitingnan ko and before Shaye and I could even move, Carwell ran towards Milka. Sinandal niya ito sa balikat niya habang sinusubukang gisingin. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala. Only then, blood dripped from Milka's neck down on his hand.

Tila natuod ako sa kinatatayuan ko. The swords hit her.

"Take her to the nearest infirmary. Now!" I commanded.

Carwell stood up and lifted her, even with the blood on his shirt. Saka siya mabilis na umalis. I stood silent and watched his back vanish from my sight. Yet another moment that he showed his vulnerability. But this time, it's because of a woman.

I'm not pretty sure. I don't know why.

It kinda hurts.