Reign's POV

Umiinom ako ng tsaa sa greenhouse habang tinuturuan ni Amber yung kambal niya kung paano maglakad na parang isang runway model.

Next month pa yung intramurals namin pero next week na ang announcement of representatives para sa games, and of course, pageants.

Usually, sina Vance at Zack ang nagdadala ng class namin sa pageant, pero nasa ICU pa rin sila at di na kami sigurado kung makakaabot ba sila sa announcement.

Which is why, Ash will serve as the back-up.

We didn't bother to ask Grey because we know he'd say 'yes' and then disappear during the pageant like what he did to us once. Sinubukan din naming tanungin si Henri pero umiling lang siya at sinaraduan pa kami ng pinto.

Katabi ko sa kasalukuyan si Paige na kunwari nagbabasa ng libro pero panay naman ang pagsulyap kay Ash. Nasa tabi niya rin si Grey na nakangiti habang nakamasid, at sa kabilang gilid ko naman nakaupo si Henri na nakakunot ang noo.

Gods know where Bella is. She may just be inside her room or lurking in a corner. She's basically everywhere at this point, with her ability to blend in with the light and the shadows.

"Okay, kambal, maghubad ka na."

"Pfft-" Agad kong naibuga ang iniinom ko.

Maingay na nahulog ang libro ni Paige.

Napaubo-ubo ako saka kumuha agad ng tissue. Nagmamadali namang pinulot ni Paige ang kanyang libro at sabay naming inayos ang aming mga sarili, niwalang-kibo ang nangyari.

"You mean I should change to a chiton?" tanong ni Ash.

Tumango-tango si Amber.

"I'll be back in a few minutes," aniya saka lumabas ng greenhouse.

"Suotin mo na rin yung headpiece, ah!" sigaw pa ni Amber sa kanya.

Chiton is the garment worn by the Ancient Greeks. Para lang itong light and flowy tunic na nakabalot sa katawan. It can be long or short, and it can be worn in different styles.

Habang hinihintay si Ash, humilig ako papalapit kay Paige at pabulong na nagtanong, "Are we really sure we want him to join?"

She also leaned to the side and whispered back. "You think she'll get mad at us?"

"Sa tingin ko alam na niya, eh."

"I think so too," sang-ayon niya. "She's a goddess."

"Magpapakita naman siguro 'yon kung di siya papayag, 'no?" tanong ko. "Na pasalihin natin sa pageant yung boyfriend niya?"

Tumango si Paige.

We leaned back to our chairs and continued to mind our business.

I finished my cup of tea and grabbed the teapot for a refill. Isa-isa ko ring sinulyapan ang mga tasa nila at nang makitang walang laman yung kay Henri, tinignan ko siya.

"Want me to pour you tea?" I asked.

Nakahilig siya sa kanyang upuan habang nakahalukipkip ang mga braso sa dibdib. Sinulyapan niya ako bago mapatingin sa kanyang tasa.

Hindi siya sumagot. Ni hindi nga siya tumango o umiling, dahil inalis lang niya ang kanyang atensyon mula sa'kin.

Napakurap-kurap ako sa inasta niya.

Ano yun?

Ibinalik ko ang teapot sa gitna ng mesa, takang-taka kung anong ginawa ko sa kanya para iwasan ako ng pansin.

Kinuha ko ang aking tasa at sa kalagitnaan ng aking pag-inom, nakita ko ang isang god- hindi.

Nakita ko si Ash na pumasok at naglakad sa kinaroroonan namin suot ang isang magarbong chiton na kulay puti at may gintong detalye.

"Pffft-" Muli ko na namang naibuga ang tsaa at nabitawan din ulit ni Paige ang kanyang libro.

We didn't bother to regain our composure as we stared at Ash who looked like a god, and he even seemed to glow like one.

He walked, reserved, but head-high while wearing a calming smile.

Napahawak ako sa hita ni Paige. "Paige..."

Ipinatong niya ang kanyang palad sa aking kamay. "Reign."

"Nakikita mo ba ang nakikita ko?"

"Mmm."

Ash wore a white chiton that reached his knees. On the rims of the garment is a margin of gold plate with patterns. His top was buckled on one shoulder and it hung loose, revealing half of his chest and arms that after years of hard physical training...

"Ash?!" ani Amber.

Ash didn't look gentle nor soft. He looked strong and tall, because beneath his uniform, under his kind demeanor, was a demigod with an exceptional masculine form.

Well, every one of the boys do.

Pero ngayon pa lang namin nakita si Ash na naka-chiton lang at walang sapaw na robe kagaya ng nakasanayan niyang suotin sa tuwing intramurals.

For our intramurals, all of the students are required to wear chiton and Ash...

"Oh, he's going to win," saad ko.

"K-Kambal?" naiiyak na sambit ni Amber. "Ikaw ba talaga 'yan? Di ka sinapian ni lolo?"

He paired his chiton with gold-stringed sandals and on his head was a golden laurel crown that fit his brown hair perfectly.

"Nice," puna ni Grey.

At sabay kaming napatigil nang marinig ang boses ng isa pang babae mula sa aming likuran.

"Looks good, Ash."

Nilingon namin ang babaeng nakasuot din ng puting chiton na lagpas talampakan at kulay nangangapos na pula ang paanan ng skirt.

I stared at the goddess that looked the same age as us.

She was, undeniably, a goddess, by the way her light brown hair gently flowed behind her back, kahit wala naman talagang hangin na dumadaan malapit sa kanya.

She also wore sleeves of transparent pink that shimmered with the slightest move of her arms.

And of course, behind her was a pair of white closed wings that glowed on its own.

"Hi." Narinig kong bati ni Ash sa kanya. "Why are you here all of a sudden?"

Sinundan namin siya ng tingin nang maglakad siya paikot sa kabilang dako ng table at lumapit kina Ash at Amber.

Sa bawat hakbang niya, nag-iiwan siya ng mahalimuyak na amoy ng matatamis na mga bulaklak sa hangin.

"I heard everything," natatawa pa niyang sabi nang makarating sa harap ng kambal. "Poor Zack and Vance."

Nginitian siya ni Ash. "They're already recovering, don't worry."

"I brought food and drinks," tugon ng goddess.

Lumiwanag ang mukha ni Amber. "Ayos."

"You could've told me when you're coming," ani Ash. "Para mapaghandaan namin."

The goddess chuckled. "Di na kailangan."

"Come here," Ash opened one of his arms and she gratefully stepped closer for an embrace.

Napakameywang si Amber sa tabi nila. "Ayoko na," nakangiti niyang puna. "Punyetang buhay 'to."

Both Ash and the goddess laughed lightly before letting go of each other. She stayed close to him as she gently pressed a palm on his chest and turned her head to face us.

"That's the son of Destiny?" aniya.

"Mmm." Ash hummed in approval while he held her shoulder. "That's Henri."

She smiled and slightly lowered her head. Meanwhile, I looked at Henri who gave her a nod in response.

Kumunot ang aking noo. "Magkakilala kayo?"

Sinulyapan niya lang ako bilang sagot.

Teka nga.

Akmang tatanungin ko na siya kung anong problema niya sa'kin nang bigla akong tawagin ng goddess.

"Reign?"

Nilingon ko siya. "Hmm?"

"Saw what you did," natatawa niyang sabi. "It was awesome."

Napangiti ako. "Thank you, Hedone."

Hedone, was the only child of the god Eros and the goddess Psyche. Their family, in Greek Mythology, revolves around soulful love. Literally, because her father is the personification of love while her mother is the personification of soul.

Eros and Psyche has one of the most beautiful love stories in classical mythology.

Psyche was a beautiful maiden who possessed legendary beauty. Sa sobrang ganda niya, imbes na i-worship ng mga tao si Aphrodite, ang goddess of love and beauty, si Psyche ang inalayan nila at pinagawan pa ng statues.

Syempre, nagalit si Aphrodite, kaya inutusan niya ang kanyang anak na si Eros na gamitin ang kapangyarihan nito upang paibigin si Psyche sa isang halimaw.

Pero ang totoo n'yan, malungkot si Psyche. Dahil kahit siya ang pinakamaganda, walang nahuhulog ang loob sa kanya. Men were just happy to admire her, at nag-alala ang mga magulang niya kaya kumonsulta sila sa isang oracle.

The oracle asked them to leave Psyche on the summit of a dark mountain. Dahil ayon din sa oracle, si Psyche ay nakasaad na mapapangasawa ng isang halimaw.

Suot ang isang itim na dress, tinanggap ni Psyche ang uri ng pagmamahal na nakasaad para sa kanya, dahil ito lang din naman ang gusto niya, ang mahalin siya, kahit gaano pa kasindak-sindak ang halimaw na iibig sa kanya.

On a cliff, Psyche sat and waited for her monster of a husband. She was crying of course, pero wala na siyang magagawa. She got exhausted of the pain and when she was about to sleep, she felt the wind embrace and lift her, and carried her to a beautiful meadow where she slept.

Nagising si Psyche sa harap ng isang napakagandang palasyo. Gold columns, silver walls, floors of precious stones... she found herself in a castle of paradise. Then she heard the voice of a man who told her that the castle was her home, and everything was for her.

And she did live in the castle. She took the most refreshing baths, ate the most delicious foods. She even had beautiful music playing around her.

And though she lived alone in the day, she slept peacefully at night, knowing that the gentle voice was her husband's. Masaya siya, dahil nararamdaman din niya ang pagtabi ng kanyang asawa sa kanya gabi-gabi.

At di bale nang hindi ito nagpapakita sa kanya. Sapagka't sapat na para sa isang babaeng walang ibang hinihiling kundi ang mahalin, ang maramdaman ang presensya ng kanyang asawa at marinig ang boses nito.

Her husband whispered to her softly every night, and she was happy, to know that her husband was not a cruel monster, but the loving husband she always wished for.

However, as the days passed, Psyche missed her family. She also felt guilty. Ang alam kasi ng mga magulang at kapatid niya, ay namatay siya dahil sa halimaw na kumuha sa kanya. Lingid sa kanilang kaalaman, buhay na buhay siya at namumuhay nang masaya at mapayapa.

And so, Psyche asked her husband that he let her sisters come visit her. Her husband's voice said 'no' at first but after he saw her sad, he changed his mind.

Her husband allowed her sisters to come visit her, but before that, he warned Psyche that she must not listen to what they say. Sa oras na magpapa-impluwensya siya sa mga kapatid niya, masisira ang relasyon nila.

The next day, Psyche's sisters came to visit. They enjoyed the pleasures of living inside the castle and as time went on, envy and curiosity filled their hearts, kaya di nila naiwasang magtanong kay Psyche kung sino ang asawa niya.

Psyche, who also has no idea, just told them it was a young hunter.

Syempre, nagduda ang mga kapatid niya, dahil sino bang hunter lang ang may ganoong palasyo? Her husband must have been a prince or even a god.

As they bid goodbye, her sisters turned evil and told Psyche that her husband must have been the awful monster that she was doomed to marry.

That is why he doesn't allow you to see him, they said. Because he knows that if you see him, you will be disgusted and leave him forever.

Oh, poor Psyche. They also asked, how could you sleep with such a horrible creature?

Simula sa araw na 'yon, ang mga sinabi lang ng mga kapatid niya ang tumatak sa isip ni Psyche.

Kaya isang gabi, habang nahimlay ang kanyang asawa sa kanyang tabi, nagsindi si Psyche ng kandila at itinapat ito sa lalaking mahimbing na natutulog sa higaan.

At naiyak siya, naiyak siya nang makitang hindi halimaw, kundi isang napakagandang lalaki ang kanyang asawa.

But while she was leaning on him, a drop of oil fell from the candle and landed on the back of her handsome husband. And it woke him up.

Her husband looked at her with distrust, and left their bedroom without uttering a single word, heartbroken at his wife's betrayal.

Psyche chased him, but he only spread his wings and left, with his voice echoing, saying that 'love cannot live without trust'.

And that's when Psyche realized that her husband was Eros, the god of love, himself.

She cried again, obviously, but she also loved her husband enough that she collected herself, gathered courage... and knelt in Aphrodite's temple, praying, begging, for the goddess to allow her to speak to her son.

Psyche wanted him back, and Aphrodite, after hearing her pleas, told Psyche that she needs to accomplish three dangerous tasks, and if she failed in one task, Eros would be lost forever.

Dinala siya ni Aphrodite sa isang bundok at ibinigay sa kanya ang unang gawain: paghiwa-hiwalayin ang isang napakalaking tambak ng mga buto ng iba't ibang pananim.

Psyche tried. One by one, she tried to pick every piece of seed and separated them, while her eyes blurred with the thought that the task was just impossible. Isa lamang siyang hamak na mortal, at sa gabi, naiyak siya sa takot na baka tuluyan na ngang mawala si Eros mula sa kanya.

You have not finished your work, Aphrodite said after she came to visit her in the night. She ordered Psyche to sleep on the ground and left her without any food.

Ngunit habang pagod na natutulog si Psyche, may mga naawa sa kanya.

Ang mga langgam na dumaan at naging saksi sa kanyang kahirapan.

That's right. The ants helped her, and because they were experts of carrying seeds, they separated them and by the morning, Psyche has accomplished her first task.

Aphrodite was not too happy about the help that she got, and so for the second task, the goddess pointed at a black river descending on a hill. She commanded that Psyche fill a bottle of the rushing water.

Tinanggap naman ito ni Psyche at nang malapit na siyang makaabot sa rumaragasang ilog, napagtanto niyang madulas at matarik ang mga bato.

The water just rushed violently against very sharp rocks that she couldn't help but stare at it in defeat.

Fortunately, an eagle passed by and saw her trying to enter the dangerous river. Naawa ito sa kanya kaya ang agila na mismo ang lumipad upang kunin ang bote sa kamay niya at pinuno ito ng itim na tubig mula sa ilog.

Psyche handed the bottle to Aphrodite who received it with a cold smile, because she knew someone or something helped the girl again.

For the final task, Aphrodite gave Psyche a box and told her that she must go to the Underworld and ask Persephone, the queen of the Dead, to drain a bit of her beauty into the box.

Psyche was still obedient and she took the dark and ragged path to the Underworld. She arrived in the river, kung saan naroon si Charon, ang bangkero ng Underworld, na siyang sumusundo sa mga kaluluwa at naghahatid ng mga ito sa kabilang dako.

Before you could cross the river, however, you have to pay Charon, and Psyche paid him with a lot of money that the boatman offered to bring her to the palace of Persephone.

Psyche found herself in front of Persephone, and when she asked the queen to drain a bit of her beauty into the box, she was glad to do it, in the name of love.

Psyche left the Underworld happy, and cheerfully returned the box to Aphrodite.

Aphrodite who got extremely angry and instead of giving her what's promised, screamed at Psyche that she would never let her go and she would always be her servant.

The gods who were watching all this time couldn't stand the goddess' wrongdoings and sent Hermes, their messenger, to Eros, para ipaalam sa kanya ang pinanggagawa ng kanyang ina sa kanyang asawa.

Eros was touched by Psyche's suffering, and he returned to Psyche who he found exhausted in his mother's garden.

From that moment on, they lived happily together with not just love, but also trust. And as a wedding gift, Zeus granted Psyche immortality.

Psyche also convinced Eros that he forgive his mother.

And even Aphrodite was happy in the end, because after Psyche was turned into a goddess, men on earth had forgotten about her and worshipped again the true goddess of beauty.

"So..." Ipinagdaop ni Hedone ang kanyang mga palad. "Who's up for a feast sa dorm?"

Napangiti ako, dahil naalala ko ang paghihirap din ni Hedone para makuha ang tiwala ng mga magulang niya, at lalong-lalo na ng mga magulang ni Ash.

Nag-anyong mortal si Hedone kaya nagmukha na siya ngayong foreigner.

She looked like a modern-day European beauty, with her brunette hair and dark green eyes. She also wore casual clothes that showed her tall and slim figure.

Unti-unting sumayad ang aking paningin sa paanan nila ni Ash.

Two years ago, our class was asked for a single-man mission that called for a rescue of a lost goddess. I was supposed to do it, but it was the same year my grandmother died, yung nanay ni Dad.

So, being the kindest that he is, Ash offered to cover for me.

But Ash didn't find a goddess. He found a naked girl with broken wings, lying half-dead in a dark and rocky cave.

Because Hedone...

Hedone, like her mother Psyche, after centuries of being alone, was overcome with sadness and desperation as to why she was not destined to be loved, to the point that she searched for the ugliest monster she has heard of.

And she did find one, but it only molested her and left.

It was Ash who gently took her in his arms and nursed her back to strength.

And that is how Hedone, the young goddess of pleasure, enjoyment, and delight, fell in love with one of us.

The moment she realized, she personally talked to his mother and father to ask that they give her a chance to love their son.

And she swore to protect him with her life, from the risks and dangers of their relationship.

Fortunately, di naman gods ang mga magulang ni Ash at naintindihan nila ang goddess, kaya pumayag sila.

Hindi pa rin mapawi ang aking ngiti pagkatapos kong tumayo at sundan yung iba na inunahan ako papalabas ng greenhouse.

It took half a year for him to like her back, because he only respected her as a goddess at first, but eventually, he did fall in love.

It's also kind of ironic because even when Hedone is the goddess of sensual pleasure, she admitted that they never kissed with her first love, who was Ash.

They just held hands, embraced each other, spent time together, and she was still, undeniably, the happiest.

Sa sobrang saya niya, nagkaroon ng malaking increase ang populasyon ng mga mortal at iba pang nilalang sa taong naging sila na.

Natawa ako nang mahina.

Medyo nagalit din nga pala si Tita Thea nang malamang may girlfriend na yung anak niya, at sinugod pa niya si Eros dahil baka raw tinusok niya ito gamit ang mga palaso nito.

But the god denied, and even swore in front of the founders that he never had anything to do with Ash and Hedone.

To prove it, Eros, with the help of my mom who has the ability to see memories, showed his own memories of the year that Ash and Hedone became a couple.

Dahil dito, nakita rin ni Tita Thea ang pinagdaanan ni Hedone sa mga mata ng ama nitong god. Kaya sa huli, humingi siya ng paumanhin sa kanyang nagawa, at binigyan pa ng regalo si Hedone.

My mom, who is a daughter of Aphrodite, once told me that we all have different stories about love... for friends, family, or just anyone who our heart chose to keep.

And sometimes, it may be painful to remember or tell, but every love story will always be a beautiful story.