Chanel breathed in and out. Hindi siya mapakali at sobrang lakas na rin ng kabog ng kanyang dibdib. She could hear her heart beat and she knew she would make a mistake later because she was so damn nervous. She was riding the carriage with Night. The man was just watching her as she tried to calm herself. Pinagpatuloy niya ang breathing exercise niya hanggang sa hindi na niya nakayanan ang pananahimik ng binata.

"Hindi ka ba kinakabahan?" tanong nito. Night shook his head.

"Kahit kaunti?" tanong muli ni Chanel ngunit umiling lamang ulit si Night.

When the carriage stopped, Chanel almost forgot how to breathe. Her heartbeat sounded like a big drum. Like those drums they played every time an event will start. Dug dug, dug dug. Chanel could only curse underneath her breath.

Unang bumaba si Night. Inalalayan siya pababa ng binata. Bago pa man sila pumasok ay hinawakan muna ni Night ang magkabilang braso ng dalaga at iniharap ito sa kanya. Kinuha ni Night ang mask sa kamay ni Chanel at maingat itong isinuot sa dalaga.

"Hinga," paalala nito.

"Kinakabahan ako. Mamamatay na ako sa kaba."

"You can do it. Chersh will be waiting and I'm here. I'll make sure that you won't be harmed."

Chanel exhaled sharply. "Whatever happens, promise me that you will come to me and save me."

Kinuha ni Night ang kamay ng dalaga at ipinulupot ito sa braso niya.

"I'll always come to save you," bulong ni Night saka niya inalalayan ang dalaga na maglakad papasok ng kastilyo.

Chanel looked around the area. It was a big castle. She also took a look at her surroundings on their way here. Oasis, which was the place for the nobles, was so different from the City of Labyrinth. Those high walls that she saw earlier were made to separate the rich and the poor. The prince of this ring, as Night said, loved gold and money. He had different views, beliefs, and ideals on how he should rule this place. He had different practices and traditions for the kingdom. He had implemented rules purely based on what he liked and disliked. He didn't care about his people. He didn't care about anything else but himself.

Chanel saw the status of the people outside and compared it to what she saw inside the walls. There was life here inside, but it was a destitute place outside. The prince forsook the people and his territory outside the walls. He simply didn't care.

Well, what should she expect from one of the princes of hell? Surely, no one was good enough for them to govern a place properly. After all, they were all demons. But she still hoped, that somehow it was gonna be different, but it was not.

"According to the book, this world was originally governed by the God of the Underworld. One God took over when he killed him. Now I wonder, Night. Why is this place crawling with demons? Where did they come from?"

"I thought you were nervous," sagot ni Night.

"I forgot to be nervous for a minute while I was thinking of something. But now that you reminded me, kinakabahan na ulit ako."

Night smirked.

"Maybe Gods are not perfect too. After all, all of us, humans and demons, are created by them."

"Created by them huh," sagot ni Chanel.

"Demons came from the sin of mankind, and mankind was created by the Gods. They said it themselves, no one is perfect. May it be in the human world, heaven, or hell."

Hindi na nakasagot pa si Chanel nang makapasok sila sa loob ng palasyo. She was at awe. Everything inside the castle was made with gold. The whole place was crowded with people wearing their expensive gowns and beautiful masks.

"During the time of King Ronan, when he and his brother fought for the throne, one of his brothers, Ocarius, built this castle. He wanted to be the richest among his brothers who ruled the other rings. This was his proof."

"The current prince right now... Kaninong anak siya?"

"All of the rings are ruled by King Ronan's sons."

"Then where are his brothers now?"

"Sealed and forgotten."

Saktong pagkatapos ni Night magpaliwanag, nakuha ang atensyon ng lahat sa biglaang pagtunog ng mga trumpeta.

"May I all present you, Prince Razerus." One man announced the prince's arrival.

Isang lalaki ang naglakad papalabas sa terrace sa pangalawang palapag. Mula sa ibaba ay kitang-kita ni Chanel ang prinsipeng tinutukoy ng lahat at ang pagnanakawan nila ngayong gabi. He was wearing a white suit decorated with an intricate gold design. White and gold suited him best. He was tall, a six-footer at least. The suit fitted him. His whole presence emitted nothing but sophistication and perfection. He had fair skin, bewitching gold eyes, and raven hair. He was wearing a gold earring on his left ear and has tattoos on his neck up to his right face.

"Welcome distinguished guests," panimula nito. He had a deep and enchanting voice. The crowd became noisier when they heard the prince. But still, nangingibabaw pa rin ang boses ng prinsipe.

"Thank you for coming. This just proves your loyalty and support for me. May the good relationship continue until I become the next king of Hellas."

Nagulat si Chanel sa narinig. Tumingin siya kay Night.

"Enjoy the party and the rest of the night," pagtatapos nito saka ito tumalikod at naglakad papaalis.

The crowd shouted for his name and continued to chant it. Chanel looked around. She couldn't believe what she was seeing right now.

"What's this party for?" tanong ni Chanel sa binata.

"To see the loyalty of the people until the end."

"For what?"

Tumingin siya sa kanya si Night. Chanel could only see his eyes because he was also wearing a mask, but he could see the excitement in his eyes.

"For the next battle for the throne."

Huminga ng malalim si Chanel at muling tumingin sa terrace kung saan nakatayo ang prinsipe kanina.

"He's gone. When should we begin?"

"Shhh, angel. Don't get so impatient," wika nito saka siya hinatak ng binata patungo sa dance floor.

"Relax and let's dance first. This is a party after all."

"B-but—"

Tuluyan na siyang hinatak ng binata. Halos sumubsob na siya sa dibdib nito ngunit madali siyang inalalayan ni Night. Hinawakan nito ang kaliwanag kamay niya at ang kanyang baywang gamit ang kanang kamay nito.

"I can't dance," wika ni Chanel.

"You can learn," sagot ni Night.

Tumingala si Chanel. "At kapag natapakan ko ang paa mo?"

Night smiled. "Try not to."

"Follow my lead, Chanel."

Again, he used her name. Napalunok siya rito at sinubukan na magfocus sa pagsasayaw. Surprisingly, it was not hard to dance. Sumusunod lamang siya kay Night.

"You're good at this," wika ni Chanel.

"I know," sagot naman ni Night.

She smiled when she found themselves dancing to the song. This was her first time dancing at a party like this. It was also her first time to join a party like this. She was really having a good time. She was smiling from ear to ear when suddenly Night smiled and whispered to her.

"Are you ready, angel?"

"Ready for what?"

Nagulat na lamang siya nang bigla siyang bitawan ni Night kaya't dire-diretso ang pag-atras niya. Dahil na rin sa pagtulak ng binata ay nawalan siya ng balanse. Nang mararamadaman na niyang matutumba na siya ay laking gulat niya nang mayroong humawak sa kanyang magkabilang braso. Nang siya'y lumingon ay mas lalo siyang nagulat kung sino ang sumalo sa kaniya. He helped her to get up and looked at her from head to toe.

Nang lumingon si Chanel sa gawi kung nasaan si Night kanina ay nakita niyang wala na ang binata. Napamura na lamang ng mahinga ang dalaga.

"Shit..."

"Are you okay, Miss?" tanong nito sa kanya.

She forced her smile and answered the man, "Yes, thank you."

Mas lalong napabuntong-hininga si Chanel nang makita ang mantsa sa puting suit nito. Ngunit umarteng pa rin siyang tila nag-alala rito.

"Pero 'yong damit mo..."

Natahimik saglit ang binata at tumingin sa suit niya. Hindi pala nito naiwasan ang talsik ng wine na iniinom nito kanina nang itinabi niya ang baso upang saklolohan ang dalaga.

"Ahh, it's okay."

"I can help," alok niya. Ngumiti siya muli. "That is if it's all right for you."

Itinagilid ng lalaki ang ulo nito na tila ba nag-iisip kung papayag ba siya sa alok nito. Chanel was already sweating dahil sa sobrang kaba niya.

"How?"

"I-I can wash it?" Hindi siguradong sagot ni Chanel. At walanghiya naman talaga, kahit siya ay natatawa sa katangahan niya.

Nakita niya ang pagngiti ng lalaki. "Sure, follow me."

Sunod-sunod na question mark ang lumitaw sa utak ni Chanel. Naguguluhan sa biglang pagpayag nito. Lalo na sa lugar kung saan sila pupunta nito. Tumalikod ang binata at nagsimulang lumakad. Bago sumunod si Chanel sa binata ay muli siyang tumingin sa paligid upang hanapin si Night ngunit hindi niya makita kung nasaan ito.

Tahimik siyang sumunod sa binata. Mamamatay na siya sa kaba at gusto na niyang magpalamon sa lupa dahil halos lahat ng mga tao rito ay nakatingin sa kanya.

Bakit nga ba?

It was none other than the prince himself who saved her and talked to her. The prince of this kingdom, idolized and worshipped by many, and the most powerful person in this place.

Prince Razerus

Hindi lamang 'yon. Ang biglang pag-alis ng prinsipe sa gitna ng party habang siya ay nakasunod ay hindi ba kahina-hinala para sa ibang mga bisita?

Sino siya?

Sino ang dalaga?

Bakit kausap siya ng prinsipe?

At saan sila pupunta?

Chanel still maintained her fake smile. She only wished that wherever they were going right now, she could get out alive. Not just from the prince, but also from the people in this party.

***

Chanel followed Razerus. They silently walked outside the ball room. Dinala siya nito sa pangalawang palapag. Pumasok sila sa isang kuwarto. Tinanggal ni Razerus ang suot-suot niyang puting suit at inilipag ito sa lamesa. Tinanggal niya ang pagkakabutones ng kanyang puting shirt at itinaas ang sleeves nito.

"Well, do anything you want."

Muntik nang mawala ang ngiti sa labi ni Chanel. Lumapit siya sa lamesa at hinawakan ang suit ng prinsipe. Hinaplos nito ang parte kung nasaan ang mantsa ng wine. Tumingin siya muli sa prinsipe na nakatayo hindi kalayuan sa kanya.

"Really? Can I really do anything I want?" tanong ni Chanel.

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti ng prinsipe sa boses ng dalaga. He couldn't see her face because she was still wearing her mask, but he damn knew that the woman was beautiful. Not just her face, but her body too. And he would love to taste that.

"Anything," Prince Razerus said in a low voice.

Lumapit si Chanel at tumingin sa prinsipe. Hinawakan niya ang dibdib nito at dahan-dahan na tinulak patungo sa sofa. Nang tuluyang nakaupo ang prinsipe ay hinaplos naman niya ang pisngi nito pababa sa matulis nitong panga.

"That's tempting, Prince Razerus."

Chanel then touched the lips of the Prince. She bit her lip and licked it.

"Really tempting."

"Can I really do this to you? I am nobody..." She whispered on his right ear. Itinaas ni Chanel ang kanyang dress upang mas lalong makita ang kanyang legs at hita. Ipinatong niya ang kanyang tuhod sa magkabilang gilid ng hita ng prinsipe upang makaupo siya sa kanduangan nito.

She felt the touch of the prince. Lalo na sa magkabilang hita niya na paulit-ulit na hinimas ng prinsipe. Dahan-dahan niyang tinanggal ang pagkakabutones ng shirt nito.

Tumingin si Chanel sa suot-suot na korona ng prinsipe.

"If you don't mind..." Hinawakan ni Chanel ang korona at bago pa man niya maalis ang pagkakasuot ng korona sa prinsipe ay hinawakan na agad ni Razerus ang kamay niya. Nang maramdaman niya ang pagkakahigpit nito ay kinabahan muli ang dalaga. Ngunit hindi siya nagpatinag at muling nagsalita, "Are we gonna do that while you're wearing a crown? Really?"

Lumuwag ang pagkakahawak ni Razerus sa kamay ni Chanel.

"If you're wearing a crown, my prince, how will I able to pull your hair as I scream your name?" bulong niya muli sa prinsipe at doon na tuluyang pinakawalan ng prinsipe ang pagkakahawak sa kanyang kamay.

Itinabi ni Chanel ang korona sa gilid.

"I like it rough, my prince. Do you like that too?"

"Yes, badly," the prince whispered huskily.

It was like everything was in slow motion. She could see Razerus aiming for her lips. He leaned closer and closer until she could feel his breath. When the prince was about to kiss Chanel, they heard a loud explosion. Agad na napatingin si Chanel sa bintana sa gulat. She could see black smoke in the building right in front of them.

"What was that?" Chanel was shocked and afraid.

Tumabi si Chanel at tumayo naman si Razerus. Nagmamadaling nag-ayos ng pananamit ito at akmang aalis na nang muling tumingin ang prinsipe sa kanya.

"Stay here. Don't move. If you run, I'll personally come and get you. We're not yet done."

"Matatagalan ka ba?" tanong ni Chanel sa prinsipe.

Tumingin si Razerus sa bintana kung sana niya nakikita ang malalaking usok sa kabilang gusali ng kastilyo.

"Few minutes and I'll be back."

"I have a request, my prince..."

"What is it?"

"Can you request someone to fetch a wine? Alcohol will spice up some things, don't you agree?"

Razerus smirked. Naglakad ito patungo sa pinto. Binuksan niya ito at kumausap ng guwardiya. While Razerus was busy talking to the guard, Chanel eyed the crown on the small table beside her. If she was dumb and had no idea what that was, Chanel would just ignore it. But it wasn't the case for her, after all, this was what she came for.

"Someone will bring the wine here. I'll head out."

Chanel smiled and licked again her lips. "I'll be waiting," wika niya in her most seductive voice.

Tuluyan nang lumabas si Razerus at naiwang mag-isa si Chanel sa kuwarto. She stood up and looked at the crown again.

Chanel sighed. Sino bang magnanais na makuha ang korona ng prinsipe? Anyone maybe for the sake of the money.

But this crown was no ordinary.

Because this was what she needed.

The Crown of Bones

It was masked with the Prince's powers. She couldn't really touch it. He would detect it, that was for sure. When Chanel was having a dilemma on how she could get the crown without any mistakes, she heard a knock on the front door.

"Come in," she answered.

A man, wearing a waiter uniform, went inside with a serving cart.

"My lady, would you like me to pour you a glass of wine?

Chanel smiled at the waiter. "Yes, thank you."

Tumingin si Chanel sa waiter at napansin ang suot-suot nitong hikaw sa kanang tainga. She found it really cool. It was a small black gem and it suited him. Bagay na bagay ito sa lalaki.

"I love your earring. Where did you get that?"

"My wife gave it to me, my lady."

Wife? Chanel smiled, almost laughed.

"I guess your wife is really beautiful and lovable."

Natigilan ang lalaki at muling nagpatuloy sa ginagawa.

"She is, indeed, really beautiful, my lady. She's not hard to love."

Chanel took a deep breath and smiled at the waiter. Kinuha niya ang glass na inabot ng waiter at uminom dito. She needed a drink after all this. She wasn't ready for this. Not really.

"Thank you," sagot niya.

Chanel scanned her surroundings and sighed. Naupo siya sa sofa at inirelax ang katawan niya. She closed her eyes and continued her breathing exercises. She couldn't hear anyone. She only heard the door closed. When she opened her eyes, wala na ang waiter at nakaalis na ito. She looked again at the crown at muling tumayo.

She slowly walked to the table. Huminga siya ng malalim.

Here goes nothing....

Chanel then touched the crown. She immediately took it and ran to the door as fast as she can. The guards guarding in front of the door were surprised when a lady suddenly bolted outside the room and ran to the hallway. The guards screamed and immediately ran after her.

Chanel again could hear her heartbeat. One mistake and all of their effort would be put into waste.

So, she gave her very best and ran for her life.