A palace chariot was waiting for us as soon as we got through the Great Bridge. Sumalubong sa akin ang pamilyar na daan, makitid at pinalilibutan ng mga maliliit na bahay na hindi ko matukoy kung bahay nga ba o tindahan. The old fountain at the center of the roundabout, which I best guessed was broken the first time I got here, is now cut in half. Mukhang tuluyan na itong niluma ng panahon.

Ilang linggo na ang lumipas pero wala man lang nagbago sa lugar na 'to.

"Three-hour ride, yes?" If I remember it correctly.

One of the guards shook his head.

"This is a palace chariot, your highness. Our journey will not take long." He teetered for a moment at the mention of the honorific.

I flinched. Minsan ay nakakalimutan kong sa isang hari nga pala ako ikakasal. I cannot stand imagining myself waving and excessively displaying my gums to smile at his people for hours.

Sinandal ko ang ulo sa lumang cushion sa likuran at tinuon ang atensyon sa palagid. My eyelids were close to shut when a nasty smell of rust and acid penetrated my nostrils. Kahit ang dalawa sa harap ko ay napatakip sa ilong.

Umayos ako ng upo at dumungaw sa bintana. Shivers went up my spine when I realized where the smell was coming from.

Almost all houses alongside the road were burned down, leaving nothing but burnt wood and ashes mixed up with the blood splattered on the ground, forming little puddles infested by hordes of parasites. Everything was in ruins and all that remained erected were only the foundations and a fraction of the walls of some brick made houses.

Maging ang mga puno sa paligid ay hindi pinalampas. Mistulang naging kalbo ang lugar.

There was a pile of what seemed like white blankets on the other side of the road, and by the looks of it, mga patay na katawan iyon ng mga tao. Pero walang makikitang mga taong nagbabantay rito.

"What happened here?"

"The kingdom has become the target of the Dygaians ever since our king aided Forthmore."

My forehead creased. "Your king took Mallà's amulet. He didn't aid Forthmore. It was his responsibility to return it."

He shrugged.

I was carefully examining the whole place as our ride continues. At gaya ng sinabi ng kawal, hindi rin nagtagal ay natanaw ko na ang pamilyar na palasyo.

"A palace chariot!"

"Hustisya! Kailangan namin ng hustiya!"

"Nasaan ang hari?! Bakit siya nagbubulag-bulagan sa mga nangyayari?!"

We were greeted by a furious crowd when we reached the massive gate. They were screaming and yelling at us, crying in desperation. Walang gumagamit ng kapangyarihan sa kanila pero hindi mapapantayan ang mga sigaw nito. Nakakabingi.

Kaya pala wala akong nahagilap na tao kanina. Nagtipon pala ang lahat rito upang magtipon.

"Does your king knows about this?" tanong ko nang makababa kami.

Muntikan na kaming dumugin ng mga tao but the guards used their ability to restrain them. Maayos akong nakapasok sa loob. Muli kong hinarap ang mga tao sa labas bago tuluyang nagsara ang gate.

'Yung pagod, desperasyon at sakit sa mga mata nila. Wala man lang bang ginawa ang hari para aksyonan 'to?

"The king cannot stop everything at once, your highness, but the palace dragons were tasked to give these people shelters up on the mountains," the guard answered, leading the way to the great hall.

"Palace dragons?" Ngayon lamang ako nakarinig ng gano'n. Of course I know what a dragon is, but to see one is different.

"Have you not known? The Kingdom of Ambergail is the land of dragons, your highness. We have palace dragons, which are under the king's control. Mayroon ding iba na nakatira sa mga kweba sa hilagang kabundukan at mga karagatan sa timog, malaya mula sa hari."

It's the land of dragons. Shaye's voice echoed in my mind. Nabanggit niya na nga pala ito sa akin noong nasa Central kami.

"Finally, my bride!" the king's voice filled the halls.

The guards bowed before me bago nila ako iniwan sa gitna. Samantalang ang hari ay nagmartsa palapit sa akin. Huminto ito sa harap ko.

"It's a pleasure to see such beauty for the second time, my lady. I cannot anticipate no more for the eclipse, to officially declare you as my queen." Bahagya siyang yumuko upang halikan ang kamay ko.

I rolled my eyes. "Huwag na tayong magplastikan dito, Rafael. There's no one in here but us."

"My name sounds better when you say it." He grinned before leading the way. "Come, let us dine first. Maya-maya lamang ay may susundo sa 'yo patungo sa iyong silid."

I wanted to say no. Kakatapos ko lang kumain sa birthday ni Rhysan and I'm still full. Pero kailangan kong makisama, kahit katiting lang.

Ilang sandali lang ay dumating na ang mga pagkain. Isa-isa itong nilapag ng mga maids sa malaking lamesa.

"There are people rallying outside. I've seen their homes on my way here, and their families. Ruined and dead." Tumalim ang titig ko sa kaniya. "What's the purpose of your kingship when there's nothing left to rule in this kingdom but corpses?"

The king's face hardened. "I am aware. I have sent a special mission to the strongest Crimson we have to hunt the Dygaians' leader. The palace dragons are also not resting under my command."

Tumango ako. Kung gano'n, hindi naman pala puro pagpapakasarap ang inaatupag nito. I was just too quick to judge.

"Does your people know?"

"If they'd open their eyes, they will. Hindi ko nais na i-anunsyo ang mga aksyong ginagawa ko kung ang tanging nakikita lang nila ay ang mga pagkukulang ng kahariang ito. The palace is giving the best that we can."

"You can't blame them. Have you not taken a look outside your castle walls? A burnt village, bloodshed streets and bald forests, piles of cold bodies in white blankets. They are in despair. They need not only your solution and logic, but your sympathy."

Natahimik ang hari. He stared at me for a while before an amused smile crept on his face.

"I am not mistaken. You will no doubt become a great queen."

I broke eye contact. There was a deafening silence between us when a woman arrived. She wore an old rose dress. Short and a bit thick. Mukhang mas matanda ito sa akin ng sampung taon.

"Your highness." She bowed.

"Ah, she's here. She will accompany you today," the king said.

Tumayo na ako at hinarap ang babae. Ngumiti ito sa akin bago muling nagpaalam sa hari.

"Oh, before I forget, Lucia, send words to General Damian. Gather the people. I will be there in 30 minutes," huling sabi ng hari sa babaeng kasama ko bago kami tuluyang umalis.

"ROYAL blue suits your complexion so much, your highness," Lucia uttered, fixing the hem of the gown I am wearing. "But the white one is not bad either. You look great with either of them."

Pinagdasahan ko ng tingin ang sarili sa salamin. The royal blue brings out the color of my skin. It was a mermaid dress of silk that hugged my body perfectly, giving emphasis on my curves. The sleeve was an open bell sleeve exposing my whole arm.

Sinubukan kong igalaw ang paa ko. It feels uncomfortable. But then again, hindi ko rin naman 'to masusuot.

"Lucia," tawag ko at pinatigil siya sa pag-ayos.

"Yes, your highness?"

"How old is the king?"

"He's in his late 50s, if I'm not mistaken, your highness," aniya na ikinangiwi ko.

The fuck. I will marry a fifty-something man who will most probably be bedridden three years from now. What did I even sign up for?

"He's old and never got to find a woman his age. What has he been doing inside these walls?" Napailing na lang ako.

"He did marry, your highness, but the king has a habit of not sticking to one queen." May kinuhang tiara si Lucia. She stepped on the elevated platform that I was standing on and placed the tiara on my head. "This was once mine."

Napalingon ako sa kaniya. "Yours?"

"Yes, your highness, before the king married a camp mistress from Creiston. I am the third wife of the king. However, I didn't remain in position for long but I was given the chance to tend to his future wives and now we meet at last, King Rafael's seventh bride."

My jaw dropped. What the actual fuck? Seventh wife. Seventh. Fuck. May plano bang mag-collection ng babae ang hari nila?

"I've talked to his previous wives before. I've seen how the king treats them. I can tell you're his favorite, your highness. A brazen woman," pagpapatuloy pa niya. "Isa kang malaking biyaya sa kaharian na 'to kapag ikaw na ang umupo sa trono. Nararamdaman ko."

I tried to maintain a blank face. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kong maramdaman. Those people out there, the people like Lucia, finds hope in my arrival, pero hindi ko naman maaaring tuparin 'yun. Hindi ako karapat-dapat para sa isang trono.

"I will take you to your room now, your highness. Iwan mo na lang ito rito at ako na ang bahalang mag-ayos nang makapagpahinga ka na," wika ni Lucia nang mapansing natahimik ako.

Tumango ako at nagpalit ng damit. I took off the jewelries including the tiara and carefully placed it on the table. Muli kong tinignan ang sarili sa salamin before we set off and Lucia escorted me towards my room.

ISANG nakakabinging pagsabog ang gumising sa akin sa kalagitnaan ng gabi. I bolted upright and quickly scanned the palace through the window. The dark sky was covered with a large grayish smoke coming from an area outside and there was a menacing flame burst dancing from the ground. Unti-unti nitong tinutupok ang mga kabahayan.

I took my jacket and quickly put on my boots. Inipit ko ang dalawang punyal rito. I could hear the villagers' scream and the sound of swords clashing as I ran through the dimly lit hallway.

Naabutan ko ang hari na kinakausap ang kaniyang mga kawal sa bungad ng palasyo. The sound of my footsteps made them turn their heads on me.

"What's happening?"

The king gave his order to the soldiers. Saka siya lumapit sa akin. "You shouldn't be here. Bumalik ka na sa iyong silid. Kami na ang bahala rito."

Umiling ako at nilampasan siya. I rushed outside. Sumabay ako sa hilera ng mga kawal na tumatakbo patungo sa pinanggalingan ng gulo.

Napatakip ako sa ilong nang makarating. Puno ng usok ang paligid. Hindi magkamayaw ang mga tao sa pagtakbo sa iba't ibang direksyon samantalang ang iba ay sinusubukang makipaglaban.

Napaatras ako nang may babaeng bumunggo sa akin.

"P-pakiusap, tulungan mo ang anak ko... Nasa loob pa siya... Pakiusap..." She pointed a nearby wooden house na halos lamunin na ng apoy.

Tumango ako. "Please proceed to the palace. Isama mo ang iba. Sabihin mo sa hari na ako ang nag-utos sa 'yo."

The woman nodded. I immediately ran towards the house ngunit may bwisit na humarang sa dinadaanan ko. A man in torn clothes. A Dygaian. Ngumisi siya at dinilaan ang espada niyang puno ng dugo.

"Wala ako sa mood para makipaglaban sa 'yo ngayon, bungal. Tabi!"

Mabilis kong hinugot ang dalawang punyal sa botas ko at iniwasiwas iyon sa harap niya. Alisto niya itong iniwasan ngunit hindi niya napansin ang paa kong patungo sa kaniyang tiyan. The impact sent him backwards and I took the chance to throw the daggers at him, piercing both his chest and abdomen.

Nakangisi kong binawi ang aking punyal at iniwan ang lalaking tuluyan nang nalagutan ng hininga. Dumiretso ako upang harapin ang apoy. I used my shadow strings to lift the woods blocking my way.

The heat was piercing my skin as I forced my way in. Halos hindi na ako makakita at makahinga ng maayos sa sobrang kapal ng usok sa loob. Everything was in haze. Wala akong ibang makita kundi natutupok na pader at mwebles.

Napatalon ako sa kabilang bahagi ng bahay nang may bumulusok na apoy mula sa kisame. Kasabay noon ay ang pag-iyak ng isang bata. The voice was coming from the kitchen.

Tumakbo ako patungo roon at buong pwersang sinipa ang pintuan. Tumambad sa akin ang isang lalaking kaedaran ni Atya. Nakabalot ito sa basang kumot at walang habas na umiiyak.

"A-ate... t-tulungan niyo po ako..." Maluha-luha niya akong tinignan.

I carefully lift him up. The ceiling was close to collapse the moment we stepped out of the kitchen. Luckily, my hands were swift enough to control the flaming debris that was about to hit us. Ginamit ko ang kapangyarihan ko upang hawiin ang iba pang nakaharang sa amin hanggang sa tuluyan na kaming nakalabas.

I fell on my knees as soon as we got out. Saka ko lamang naramdaman ang hapdi sa binti ko. Fuck. Hindi ko man lang napansin na natamaan pala ako.

The kid was still crying. Humahalo ang iyak nito sa walang tigil sa tunog ng mga espada sa paligid. I picked him up when another Dygaian caught my sight. Nakatutok ang pana nito sa amin.

He launched the attack and I managed to whacked the arrow out with my dagger. Muli siyang humugot ng isa pang palaso at sunod-sunod itong binitawan. I dodged all of his attacks with all speed habang karga-karga ang bata sa kaliwang braso ko.

Ngunit napamura ako nang may biglang umatake sa aking likuran. The kid shrieked in pain. Blood dripped from his face down to my arms. Natamaan ang kalahati ng mukha nito.

Galit kong nilingon ang walang hiyang umatake sa akin. I held my hand up as my dagger metamorphosed into a sword. I bolted towards the man and thrust my blade on his neck. Tumalsik sa mukha ko ang dugo niya ngunit wala na akong pakialam.

Muli kong naramdaman ang paparating na mga palaso sa likuran ko. I turned around to counter the countless arrows surging towards me but they were too many to ward off all at once. Napamura ako nang matamaan ng isang palaso ang aking kanang kamay, sanhi upang mabitawan ko ang espadang dala.

A dash of panic started to build up inside me. Wala na akong kawala. Hindi ko pwedeng bitawan ang batang ito.

I ducked on the ground and hugged the boy. Hinintay kong tumama sa akin ang mga palaso ngunit wala akong naramdaman. Instead, a sound of clashing weapons resounded in my ears.

A hooded figure was striking out all of the remaining arrows. He moved so swiftly that I could barely follow his steps. Kalaunan ay mabilis siyang tumakbo at inatake ang lalaking may dalang pana. The stranger dived on the man. Saka niya ibinaon ang sariling palaso sa sikmura nito.

Kunot-noo kong tinitigan ang estranghero. Tama ako. Siya 'yung nakita kong nagmamasid sa amin sa akademya. Natatakpan ng itim niyang robe ang buong katawan niya, kahit ang kaniyang mga mata.

"Who are you?" halos pabulong na tanong ko.

But he didn't respond. Nilibot niya lang ang tingin sa paligid bago tumakbo paalis. Sinubukan ko siyang habulin ngunit may humawak sa braso ko.

"Where do you think you're going? Ara, I was worried sick about you!"

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. "Genesis? What are you doing here?"

"Hindi na 'yun importante. May sugat kayo. Kailangan niyong magamot." Kinuha niya sa akin ang bata na ngayon ay nawalan na ng malay. Hinila niya ako nang mapansing hindi pa ako gumagalaw. "Come on, Ara."

Hinayaan ko siyang kaladkarin ako, but my eyes were still fixed on the ruins behind me. Humupa na ang apoy at wala nang kalabang natitira pero sa halip na mapanatag, mas lalo lang gumulo ang utak ko.

Sino ang estrangherong 'yun? Why did he save me?