It has been a great journey writing this story! I enjoyed sharing with you a portion of  story from Parsua Deltora. I know how every one of you falls in love with Gazellian siblings and Sartorias, but I hope you felt the same while joining this journey with the Le'Vamueivos siblings. Deltora is a beautiful world, as a reader, gusto ko rin makarating sa lugar na ito, enjoy the view and everything Rosh and Tobias developed. As I write every chapter of this, I felt like everything is so magical na parang naroon din ako, sana ay naramdaman ninyo rin iyon. I cried. I laughed. I got overwhelmed. I was annoyed and I felt the excitement as I wrote every chapter of it. I am so invested in this story na nahirapan ako i-let go, kahit hindi siya trilogy. I love Kezalli so much! Tobias, his green eyes, and his love!

Thank you so much for still reading my fantasy stories, I know it's not everyone's cup, my writing style is too long with so much details, but thank you for enjoying it! I love writing sooo much! I love writing fantasy stories, and thank you! thank you! thank you for loving my creations.  

See you and I hope my journey will be with you again. 

Epilogue

It was a constant dream when I was young. It was vague yet the repeated scenes of it every time I closed my eyes made it so familiar that it felt so real. There was a woman— a shadow with her familiar curly hair and fluttering dress. I could feel her gentle touch, the sweetness of her voice, the calm music of a violin, and that alluring scent, like the incense of a fresh lavender.

"Aren't my twin brothers so handsome and cute? They look like me."

The shadow said as she knelt in front of us, cupping my face and Rosh's. When she looked over her shoulder, I saw another tall shadow of a man, standing behind her with his enormous wings.

"No. You're beautiful and they're not."

The woman laughed. I felt kisses on my forehead. "Don't you think it's time for you to see the other beauty—" she was cut off.

"To my eyes, it's always you. Don't ever convince me again."

The woman sighed before she kissed me and Rosh again. "He's always grumpy, but he's kind."

She pinched our noses. "Don't grow up too quick? I will take care of the kingdom, and when the time comes that you're both ready I know that you are going to be my greatest supporters, right?"

Alam ko ng mga oras na iyon ay wala kaming kakayahan ni Rosh sumagot sa mga salitang iyon. It was like my soul was trapped inside my young body and it allowed me to hear these words that I couldn't understand if it was merely a dream or something that happened in the past.

Who was she?

"I'll be the greatest Queen and you'll be my generals."

At sa sandaling unti-unti nang nagliliwanag ang mukha ng babae sa akin, doon ako biglang magmumulat at sasalubungin ng pamilyar na kisame ng aking silid.

I got up, leaned my back against the headboard, massaged my temples, and tried to remember the scene, but I knew it would get clearer once I slept again. I took a glass of water from the bedside table and drank it down before leaving my bed.

Barefooted on my carpeted floor, I walked towards the tall window of my room and pushed it forward as the wind welcomed my cheeks, as I continued my steps on the veranda, I slowly closed my eyes, enjoying the fresh air of midnight.

Hindi ko alam kung ako lang ang nanaginip niyon o maging si Rosh. Nanatili lang akong nakatayo at nakatitig sa kawalan nang mapalingon ako sa boses na narinig ko.

"You okay, Tobias?"

I looked to my left side, Rosh, my twin brother, was dressed in his ruffled nightwear with his messy hair and a glass of water in his hand. He had been dressing in fancy clothing lately, giving me more image of Father in him.

Kahit si ina ay naririnig ko rin na unti-unti na niyang nakikita si Rosh kay ama. They actually looked alike, while many say that I had the features of the Queen.

I nodded.

Bahagya pa siyang nakatingkayad para higit akong makita, kaya ibinaba niya ang hawak niyang baso, sumampa sa balustre at doon naupo.

"A nightmare?" he asked again.

Umiling ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. "How about you?"

"I don't have any nightmares."

I sighed. We were both lying.

"I'll head back," I said and he nodded, confused.

Bago ako bumalik sa kama ay ininom ko iyong gamot na ipinaiinom sa amin ni ina. She told me that it was a medicine for our blood. She said that from the blood of Nestania, they had this curse of having a hard time recognizing their mates. It took time for her to recognize our father while Father was chained and restrained for months to stop him from attacking Mother. I remembered how King Thaddeus willingly narrated the scenes during a dinner. Mother was enjoying it, but Father was threatening him.

Huminga ako nang malalim.

I pulled out my drawer and placed the bottle of the medicine. It was the last. Mother told me that it was fine not to take it anymore.

I let my body fall onto the bed with my arms spread as I stared at the familiar ceiling of my room. Which path would I take? Someone who would be chained out of thirst or someone who would fail to recognize his mate?

I knew that I was still young, but I hoped if ever I met her, she'd fall directly into my arms, with no chains nor restraint, or failure of recognition—because the moment she'd blink and look at me, she'd recognize me— a Le'Vamueivos who caught her and would never let go.

I shifted my weight on my side and slowly closed my eyes as a small smile crept into my lips.

***

The sun was about to set, casting orange hues across the sky. The castle's massive door stood open, two knights with their shining armor stationed on either side, immovable with the presence of the royals before them.

Aside from the mesmerizing glitter coming from the orange light behind us, Father, Rosh, and I were facing the entrance while Mother stood facing us casting our shadows on the aisle of the red carpet toward our first throne room where we welcome guests. Butterflies of different colors flutter around us, drawn to my father's pheromones.

I saw how Rosh irritatingly swayed his hand when butterflies were swirling around him. "Sssh! Sssh! They are staining my clothes, Mother!"

Mother laughed, Father shook his head, and I helped Rosh dust his shoulder. Rosh and Father have similar scents, while Mother and I are the same. No wonder the butterflies love to play around with Rosh.

"Be careful," Mother said as she lovingly fixed Father's collar.

She gave Father a white rabbit mask, mine was a brown lion while Rosh chose a panther. Kapwa kami napatulala ni Rosh sa hawak namin bago kami sabay sumilip sa maskara ni ama na isinusuot na niya.

"Isn't that a weak animal, Father? The brown lion and the black panther can easily eat the rabbit alive," Rosh said innocently. I glared at him to stop him, but he just looked at me, unaware of his words.

"Why are your eyes getting bigger, Tobias?"

Mother giggled. I closed my eyes out of frustration. The moment Rosh learned how to talk, he had been like that—he's a free spirit, spouting words at his will. But as his twin, I couldn't help but wonder if he was really innocent or if there was always something behind those words. After all, even though I grew taller than him with features that led creatures in this kingdom to assume we were not twins but a younger and an older brother, there's always been this tight connection between us.

I had to act maturely if he was trying to be this childish.

"Do you think smaller animals are always the weaker ones? Soon, you'll grow up, Rosh, and you'll realize that it's not always like that," Father patted Rosh's head.

"Parsua is the smallest empire but it's the most powerful," I said.

Father laughed again and he crumpled his hair. "That's a word coming from our next king."

I don't know how to react to those words, when I started growing up faster than Rosh, this kingdom looked at me as if I was the future of Deltora. Rosh and I never had a conversation about it, and I wonder how this would affect him because technically, we're both qualified to be the next king.

Titingnan ko na sana si Rosh sa tabi ko nang mapansin ko na nakaharap na siya sa isa sa mga kawal. Hindi naman niya iyon kinakausap, sa halip ay pinagmamasdan niya ang sarili niyang repleksyon sa makintab na kasuotan ng kawal habang isinusuot niya ang kanyang maskara.

"D-don't you think, Father, Mother that Rosh is also—" hindi na ako ni Rosh pinatapos magsalita.

Humarap na siya sa amin habang nakasuot ng maskara. Pinagkrus niya ang kanyang mga braso. "That I'll be the king of Deltora? You can have it, Brother. I can lead this kingdom's military. You can have the paper works."

Tumawa na lang sina ina at ama.

The kingdom might view Rosh as a lesser twin, but I knew how my parents were aware of how this literally worked. Mabagal ang paglaki ng isang bampira kung higit na kapangyarihan ang dinadala nito.

Yumuko na si ina at tinulungan niya rin akong ayusin ang maskara ko. "Thank you, Mother."

Humalik si ina sa noo ko sa kabila ng maskara na nakapagitan sa amin. "Come here, Rosh! Magulo iyong buhok mo sa likuran."

Agad sumunod si Rosh. Lumuhod na si ina at inayos niya na rin ang maskara ni Rosh, inayos niya rin ang buhok nito sa likuran.

What's the difference between us aside from our growth? Rosh has blue-green eyes, while I have green eyes. I have black shiny hair while Rosh has brown wavy hair. It's always a surprise to everyone that we are twins.

"Thank you, Mother," sabi ni Rosh.

Unlike our usual clothing, Father asked our mother to dress us up like the locals of the Floating City. Father said that we were about to meet someone important.

"Be careful, Raheem," ulit ni ina.

"We will. It's just a simple trip, Raeliana."

"I know."

Humalik muna si ama sa kamay ni ina sa kabila ng kanyang maskara bago kami kapwa kumaway sa kanya at magsimula nang lumabas ng palasyo.

"Aren't we taking a carriage or a Hontza?" tanong ni Rosh.

Umiling si ama. "We are dressed like the locals of the Floating City, sons, isn't it unusual to get off by a carriage from a palace or a Hontza?"

Hindi na kami sumagot ni Rosh at sumunod kami kay ama. Sinimulan namin lakarin simula sa palasyo patungo sa pinakadulo kung saan konektado ang tubig na bumabagsak mula rito sa itaas hanggang sa ibaba.

The kingdom of Deltora is basically made of greens and water and our castle is located at the top of the highest waterfall, behind our waterfall are a series of grounds that scream our kingdom's pride.

"Are we going to visit behind the waterfall as well?"

Umiling si ama. "Just the Floating City."

Nang makarating na kami sa dulo kung saan ay may naghihintay ng bangkero na nakasuot din ng maskara agad iyong yumuko sa amin bilang pagbati.

Ito ang unang pagkakataon na bababa kami rito ni Rosh mula sa palasyo na hindi sumasakay ng Hontza o kaya'y lagusan.

It was so unusual to sit on a small spaced wooden boat, but when I glanced at Father, he looked so relaxed and he seemed so excited. As I grew up, I realized how Rosh and Father were so similar, while I could see myself with Mother— now reserved and cautious with everything. Father told us how Mother was a fighter, tough, and outspoken, but now that she has become a queen and a mother, she has become softer and more reserved, and Father has been in love with different versions of her.

"You alright, Tobias?"

"Y-yes."

I blinked and looked away. I placed my elbow on the frame of the wooden boat, leaned my chin, and entertained myself with the familiar view of our kingdom.

"Is this fun?" tanong ni Rosh.

Unlike Father who looked relaxed and ecstatic since I knew this wasn't his first time because he had a fair share of experiences when he was young with King Thaddeus, I felt tense and uneasy. There was a space between Rosh and me, but I felt like we were cramped.

Dahil kapwa kami nakasiksik sa gilid.

Father laughed. "Come on, sons, you need to see the different sides of our kingdom."

Rosh and I nodded in unison. When Father nodded at the masked man and as he slowly moved the saddle, I brought one of my hands on the frame of the boat and tightened my grip around it, and before I knew it, our wooden boat was sliding into the fast water current, my eyes widened as Rosh shouted at the top of his lungs.

Tawa nang tawa si ama habang patuloy sa pagbulusok ang bangka namin.

"Can you make it faster?!" sigaw ni ama sa bangkero para higit nitong marinig.

Since Father was positioned in front of us, all he could do was lean his back on the boat frame with his wide-spread arms as he watched our every reaction, unlike Rosh and I who had to tightly grip the wood if we wanted to stay on it.

When the masked boatman nodded at Father, Rosh and I looked at each other. Mas dumiin ang hawak ko sa kahoy hanggang sa bumilis ang pagbulusok naming sa ibaba hanggang sa hindi na kayanin ng kamay ko, ngunit nauna na si Rosh.

Tumilapon na ang katawan ni Rosh mula sa tubig at ngayon ay kapwa na kami nakatanaw sa kanya ni ama na tumatawa pa rin. "Rosh fell!"

As the boat further slid on the water, Rosh's body fell as well, Father's crawling vines appeared and looped around Rosh's waist, pulling him from the water but with the speed of the wooden boat, Rosh's body was being dragged, bouncing from underwater to the air.

"Rosh!" sigaw ko.

With one of my hands, I grabbed Father's vines and tried to pull Rosh. Hindi ko na alam kung may malay pa si Rosh dahil sa paulit-ulit na pagbagsak ng katawan niya sa tubig at pag-angat nito.

"Father!"

"He is alright."

Nang lumingon ako muli ay sinubukan kong hilahin ang halamang ugat na ngayon ay hindi na hawak ni ama kundi nakatali na sa bangka. "Father, Rosh is drowning!"

"He can't drown. He's a son of a water wielder, Tobias."

Doon ko lang napansin na tila lumapit ang boses ni ama sa akin. Huli na ang lahat ng lumingon ako at makailag. Because I found my father's fingers on my forehead, and with a sudden flick of it, I was thrown out of the wooden boat, with Rosh's similar fate.

If Mother asked us what our adventure was all about, I'd tell her that our father dragged us by a quick wooden boat, vines tied around our waists, with these harsh splashes of water against our bodies.

Lumingon ako kay Rosh, nakapikit na siya, hindi ko na alam kung mawawalan na ba siya ng malay hanggang sa inuubo na siya at tila marami nang nainom na tubig.

"Father! You are killing Rosh! He's still—" itinigil ko ang anumang sasabihin ko nang mapansin ko na gumalaw siya at pilit na inahon ang katawan.

Sinasadyang iwasiwas ni ama iyong halamang ugat na nakapulupot sa amin ni Rosh upang matuto kami manlaban ngunit higit iyong malakas dahilan kung bakit halinhinan ang pagbulusok ang katawan naming ni Rosh sa tubig.

The constant hit of our bodies against the water made us slower and weaker. I hated it when I failed to bring a dagger or any kind of weapon with the idea that my father was with us. I didn't think that he was going to be our opponent.

Habang patuloy kaming ibinabalya ni ama at sa kaalaman niyang wala naman kaming dala ni Rosh na armas, isa lang ang pumasok sa isip ko. Father was trying to force our vampire gifts from us— we already gained our speed, strength, sight, hearing and even healing, but we haven't discovered our gifts.

"Shit."

Father has always been playful and sweet, but stories about him when he was young and how he trained his army were not new to me. He was ruthless. Dalawang hari ang higit na kinatatakutan ng Nemetio Spiran pagdating sa paghawak at pag-e-ensayo sa kanilang mga kawal.

And my father was one of them.

I knew that even if I was his son, he wouldn't give me special treatment. Lalo na ngayon ay lumingon pa siya sa likuran. As the wooden boat continued to descend with the increasing current of the water, I saw growing rocks that emerged underwater.

Mariin akong napapikit nang makitang hinihila iyong pataas ng mga halamang ugat ni ama. Sa sandaling tumama iyon sa katawan namin ni Rosh, hindi lang iilang araw kaming mararatay sa kama.

"Rosh! Try to dodge the rocks! They are sharp!" sigaw ko.

Habang patuloy kaming hinihila ni ama, tumingin ako sa paligid na maaaring makatulong sa amin ni Rosh. Nang may mapansin ako sa madadaanan namin, agad kong itinaas ang isang kamay ko, mabilis iyong inabot, marahas na hinila bago iyon napigtas. Inihagis ko agad iyon sa direksyon ni Rosh.

"Rosh!"

I threw a large leaf at him. Rosh caught it. "Use it!"

Hindi ko na kailangan pa ipaliwanag kay Rosh ang ibig kong sabihin. With the speed and constant movement due to the sudden appearance of rocks, it took him time before he placed the huge leaf under him and held its stem while tightly gripping the vines hugging his waist.

I smiled seeing Rosh maneuvering his movements by the leaf floating on the water with his feet with a challenging look at Father.

Hindi rin nagtagal ay nakakuha rin ako ng malaking dahon dahilan kung bakit dalawa na kami ngayon ni Rosh na hindi na kinakalikad ng bangka ni ama.

Father was looking proud, arms wide strength at the wooden boat as he watched us. I noticed that we had been entering a portal giving us an endless loop of this waterslide. He's really a damn ruthless trainer!

"Rosh, hindi tayo titigilan ni ama," seryosong sabi ko.

Kapwa na nakasabit sa leeg naming ni Rosh iyong tali ng aming maskara habang nililipad iyon ng hangin. Ganoon din si ama na nanghahamon pa ang tingin sa amin dalawa.

"I know. I will give him a black eye on his right eye. You can have the left eye."

Marahas akong napalingon kay Rosh. "W-what? He. Is. Our. Father."

"Or . . ." itinuro ni Rosh ang hawak niyang halamang ugat. "We will loop this around his neck." He grinned with his evil laughter.

Napapansin ko na rin iyon kay Rosh, minsan ay natatakot na rin sa kanya iyong mga tagasunod. Where did he learn this laugh? Sometimes I wonder if we really are twins.

Malakas na sumigaw si ama na siyang umagaw sa atensyon namin ni Rosh. Nakalagay malapit sa labi ni ama ang isa niyang kamay para higit namin marinig ang sinasabi niya.

"Why do I have this feeling that you're planning to have an assassination of your own father?!"

Rosh laughed. Napangiwi ako habang si ama ay mukhang natutuwa pa na sinabi niya iyon. I have an insane father and a twin brother.

As we entered the portal and were welcomed by an endless loop of wild waterslides, Rosh and I managed to balance ourselves against the current and dodge the obstacles.

I knew that Father was not going to stop because now another batch of crawling vines appeared. Ilang beses kaming hinahagupit nito sa likuran at sa iba't ibang parte ng aming katawan na makapagpapabitaw sa amin ni Rosh, ngunit mas madiin kaming humawak sa halamang ugat at hinayaan namin ang mga sarili namin patuloy na hilahin nito.

Father wanted us to return to the boat on our own, but with the increase of water current, and more and more emerging rocks and vines, it was getting more difficult for us.

Si Rosh ay napaupo na roon sa dahon, habang ako ay hindi ko na maigalaw ang isang balikat ko dahil sinasadya ni ama na patuloy iyong tamaan.

"Rosh! Should I jump to you—" lumingon na sa akin si Rosh, nakayuko na siya at pansin ko na kaunti na lang ay lalaglag na siya sa kanyang tinatapakan.

But his eyes grew wider, and he unexpectedly extended one of his hands, my brows creased, and I slowly looked over my shoulder— it was no longer a stone, another crawling vine, but a bone-eating plant with sharp jaws.

"Fuck—" ang tanging nagawa ko na lang ay iharang ang dalawang braso ko.

I was about to close my eyes when the gigantic flesh-eating plants turned into tiny pieces as smaller leaves turned into blades— spinning so fast in front of my eyes.

Father saved me?

Nagtataka akong lumingon kay ama ngunit nakatayo na siya at nakaawang ang bibig.

I gasped. It was not from father but . . .

I looked at Rosh, he was still kneeling on his leaf, but he was looking at his open palm.

"Rosh . . ."

Rosh can also manipulate plants . . .

Unti-unting nag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Rosh at ngumisi na siya sa akin. Handa na siyang paliparin iyon patungo kay ama. But another flesh-eating plant emerged behind him, he tried to use a similar ability, but it didn't work.

Natagpuan ko na lang ang sarili ko na mataas na tumatalon. Before I knew it I was already above the flesh-eating plant, my fist tightly balled behind my back as I forcefully threw it on the head, spinning water was moving behind my fist, creating a huge impact when my punch landed on the monster sinking it to the depths of the water.

Umapaw ang tubig kasabay nang marahas kong pagsuntok.

Habang patuloy kaming hinihila ni Rosh ng bangka ni ama, ako na nanatili sa ere at si Rosh na nakatingala sa akin, kapwa kami napangiti sa isa't isa at sabay na napasigaw.

We just wielded our vampire gifts!

"Let's now give father his black eye—"

Hindi na natapos ni Rosh ang sasabihin niya nang marahas kaming hinila ng halamang ugat ni ama. Finally, the portal disappeared, and the endless loop ended, our wooden boat ascended on its own as Rosh and I dropped our tired bodies on Father's chest, his arms tightly hugging us.

"My sons!" I even felt kisses on our heads.

Nang sandaling bumagsak na sa ibaba ang bangka, tila nagkaroon ng pagsabog dahil sa taas ng tubig na bumalot sa amin, ngunit nanatili lang kaming nakasubsob ni Rosh sa dibdib ni ama na tuwang-tuwa sa nakita niya.

We were almost lying on the boat with our father's arms around us as if we didn't see each other for ages. Nakangiwi na sa akin si Rosh habang nakatitig lang ako sa kanya dahil kapwa nakatagilid ang mukha namin sa dibdib ni ama.

"Will you still give him a black eye?" I asked.

"Father's happy, maybe next time. But I will tell this to Mother," we grinned at each other.

Magkasunod na pitik sa noo ang natanggap namin mula kay ama. "This is going to be our secret."

That day Father, Rosh, and I spent our night outside the castle walking by the streets of the Floating City, enjoying the city lights, street performances, foods, and even fun games like regular locals in Deltora.

Father might have been harsh a while ago but after that boat ride, I suddenly felt like a regular son to a regular father.

"Do you want this, Rosh, Tobias?"

Father bought three meat on sticks with different flavors. Si ama iyong pumipila para sa amin habang hinahayaan niya lang kami ni Rosh na hintayin siya. Si ama pa mismo ang bahagyang magtataas ng maskara namin ni Rosh at ipatitikim niya sa amin ang hawak niyang pagkain.

I even saw him wiping Rosh's lips with his thumb finger. "Careful, son."

He titled his head with those gentle green eyes, just like mine. "How was it, son?"

"Your food tastes better, Father," sagot ni Rosh.

Father exchanged his food meat with Rosh, ate the remaining portion, and happily nodded at me. "Taste it, Tobias."

Inangat ni Rosh ang pagkain niya, yumuko ako at kumagat. "You want to taste mine, Father?" I asked.

Sinubuan ko rin si ama at ilang beses siyang tumango. "It's tastes the same though."

Dumaan kami sa halos lahat ng tindahan ng pagkain at binibili ni ama ang iba't ibang klase nito. Lagi niyang tinatanong sa amin ni Rosh kung ano ang gusto naming at sumasagot lang kaming dalawa.

I feel bad that I almost agreed to give him a black eye.

"Are you thirsty? Wait for me. I'll buy you drinks."

Sabay kaming ngumunguya ni Rosh ng pagkain habang nakasunod kami ng tanaw sa likuran ni ama. He looked happy and he seemed to be enjoying spoiling us like a regular father.

Napalingon ako sa paligid. Dahil ang buong atensyon ko ay naroon lang kay ama, mas nabigyan ko ng pansin ang mga nilalang na nasa paligid.

There were families, mothers, fathers, siblings, elderlies and even children. May pamilyang nagtatawanan, naglalakad ng sama-sama at magkakahawak ang kamay.

I tightened my grip around the meat on the stick. My chest tightened as I realized the value of this kingdom for my father— to our family. I have to serve this kingdom and preserve the warmth, happiness, and peacefulness of this place.

I have to be strong. I have to be a great king.

Dinala kami rito ni ama, hindi lang upang pilit na palabasin ang aming kapangyarihan kundi para ipakita sa amin ang ganda ng kahariang ito na kailangan namin protektahan.

"I will forever protect this place, Rosh."

"I will forever help you then."

Yumuko ako upang salubingin ang mga mata ng kapatid ko kahit nakasuot ng maskara si Rosh, alam kong nakangiti siya sa akin.

"I am back!"

Kapwa kami napalingon ni Rosh kay ama.

Father came back with drinks in huge bamboo mugs. Inabot niya iyon sa amin ni Rosh at tahimik kaming uminom.

"Go, taste it."

Bahagya muli namin inangat ni Rosh ang aming maskara at uminom kami. "Do you want to taste mine?"

Kapwa na kami umiling ni Rosh.

Rosh and I were just staring at Father with his glowing rabbit mask, he looked weird, but as my hands tightened around the wooden mug, I couldn't help but smile behind my mask.

I love our father so much that I wish that he'd not leave this world too soon.

Iinom na sana si ama ng hawak niya nang marahas niya kaming kinabig ni Rosh papalapit sa kanya. He was hugging as tightly as he shouted at the carriage that suddenly just passed by.

"Be careful! You almost hit my sons!"

"You okay?"

Kapwa kami tumango ni Rosh. Pansin ko na hindi lang ako ang kanina pa natatahimik kundi pati na rin si Rosh.

Father and Mother had been busy these days, kaya hindi ko akalain na ganito ang mangyayari sa araw na ito. "Let's look around more."

Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad habang nakasunod kami ni Rosh sa likuran ni ama.

And then I noticed which I knew Rosh noticed as well, a father, with his two sons. Nakasalubong namin ang mga iyon, hawak ng ama ang kamay ng dalawa niyang anak na lalaki at nilalaro niya ang mga iyon sa pamamagitan ng pag-angat sa kanila at pagtakbo habang nakasabit at nakalutang sa ere.

Tawa sila nang tawa sa isa't isa.

I noticed how father faltered. His ears turned red as he awkwardly scratched his cheek. Of course, he was different. Isinabit niya rin naman kami ni Rosh kanina, na may kasamang kaunting pagkalunod, pagkawala ng malay, paulit-ulit na hampas ng latigo sa likuran at muntik na pagkain ng buhay ng higanteng halaman.

Now I realize that at the back of our father's heart— he wished that he could be a regular father to his son, that he'd not be harsher and force something from us, but we were born in a family with big responsibilities and giving us those kinds of training would help us in the future. He was trying to protect us by making us stronger.

I didn't notice how my legs moved as I extended one of my hands to reach Father's, and before I knew it, Rosh was also with his other hand. I leaned my head on his arm and Rosh moved a little bit closer to him.

"Thank you for today, Father!" Rosh said.

"I enjoyed," dagdag ko.

"Hindi ninyo na ako bibigyan ng black eye?"

And then we laughed. One of the most unforgettable days of my life.

***

I stretched my left arm, holding it with my right hand, my head slightly tilted, brows furrowed, and a pained grimace pulling at the corner of my lips as I walked down the long aisle of the castle towards my room. The bright moonlight streamed through a series of tall windows, casting my shadow against the statues and on the paintings plastered on the wall as I moved forward. The leather strap around my waist creaked, the metallic clank of my swords echoed with each step, and the heavy thud of my boots against the marble floor overwhelmed the silence of the night.

Tonight was another of those nights where I spent most of my time improving my physical strength and vampire abilities—the same powers my mother possessed, which had been witnessed by the entire kingdom. Sharing her gift only increased the expectations placed upon me.

I just finished one of my training sessions with the palace knights. Today was one of those days that I longed to fully dive into my bed, have enough sleep, and forget everything, but as someone who had the eyes of the ton, just like what Dastan had told me, I had to learn to show myself as someone perfect and ideal— someone who had the constant mask and learned how to live with it.

It made me think that maybe in the process, I lost myself that I couldn't even identify myself.

I sighed.

Maybe this might not be too difficult if Rosh and I grew at the same time— that my twin didn't encounter complexities. Maybe the pressure and expectation wouldn't be this heavy, but now that everyone sees me as the heir to the throne, I couldn't just disappoint my father and mother.

Father, Mother, and I might have the idea of the real reason why Rosh had to grow slower than me, but in the eyes of the ton, I was special, powerful, and gifted.

Akala ko ay tuluyan na akong makararating sa silid ko nang hindi ko inaasahan na marinig ang boses ni ina at nasisigurado kong kausap niya si ama.

"Y-you made them take those medicines?! I thought something happened to their powers—" biglang tumigil si ama sa pagsasalita. "Tobias?"

There was no way that they wouldn't notice me. Binuksan ko na nang tuluyan ang silid at hinarap ko ang mga magulang ko.

Naupo ako sa tabi ni ina. She looked worried, uneasy.

"What medicine?"

Huminga nang malalim si ama habang minamasahe ang kanyang noo. "The medicine for your blood to recognize your mates, I thought it has a side effect," paliwanag ni ama.

"W-wala naman?"

"You and Rosh have your powers back—"

"Back?"

"I mean you discovered your powers a long time ago in the Floating City. I am tired today, Tobias. Hindi ba't katatapos mo lang sa ensayo? Bumalik ka na sa silid mo."

Tumango ako. Tumayo at yumuko sa kanilang dalawa. "Good night, Father, Mother."

But that night, confusion started to baffle me.

***

Life has been smooth sailing between Rosh and me not until we had a new brother— a very peculiar one.

"Mother, isn't Pryor a little bit weird? Sleeping all day inside a coffin? Is he a century-old vampire or a reincarnation perhaps?" tanong ni Rosh.

"Maybe," she laughed.

Rosh crumbled his hair frustratingly. "Maybe?"

Wala naman akong problema kay Pryor. He has his own world, and I was so busy with my growing responsibilities as the next ruler, but with Rosh's constant complaint about Pryor, one day, I just found myself intrigued as well.

"Nasusunog ba sa araw si Pryor? Is this a family's curse? May isang Le'Vamueivos ang isinisilang na ganoon?"

Natigil ako sa pagsubo ng pagkain at pinagmasdan ko si ina. Minsan ay naiisip ko na hindi lang abala si Rosh at si Pryor ang napapansin niya ngayon.

"Rosh, let's just respect your brother. Shall we?" sagot ni ina.

"But he's frustrating! I wished to have another brother so he could aid me in the future, and then what? He will sleep and hide inside his coffin? Can't you see that he's humiliating us?"

Ganoon na lang ang usapan nina ina at Rosh tungkol kay Pryor sa hapagkainan. Minsan ay nagkakatitigan na lang kami ni ama at umiiling na lang siya. Hindi na rin sumasabat dahil mas binibigyan niya ako ng pansin at ang mga pinag-aaralan ko.

"Eat a lot, Tobias. We'll have a meeting with the councils," sabi ni ama.

"But he's so frustrating! I need another brother, Father!"

Halos maibuga ni ama ang kanyang kinakain. "Parang humihingi ka lang na may magsalin ng alak sa 'yong kopita."

"I don't drink, Father."

"You're being ridiculous today, Rosh. Nagkita na naman ba kayo ni Zen? Is this because he gained three brothers lately?"

Ngumuso lang si Rosh at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

But one day, I saw Pryor's coffin outside the castle, Rosh brought it outside for sure. I was looking at the window when Rosh opened it under the sun, he was laughing sinisterly, and all the servants were huddled around the coffin, curious about the third prince of Deltora. I was expecting the gloomy-looking brother with his old Victorian clothes that I used to see when Mother and Father forced him sometimes for family dinner, but this time, he was surprisingly wearing our royal suit, creating an unexpected dramatic scene— a sleeping prince waking up in the middle of the garden.

I laughed inside my room.

The servants gasped, mouths hanging open with Rosh's widened eyes. I saw a small smirk on Pryor's lip as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Good morning, Brother."

Rosh pushed him back on his coffin, closed the coffin, and brought it back inside the castle.

The rumors spread like wildfire that the second prince of Parsua Deltora had been spreading ill lies about his own brother for him to secure his spotlight as the known prince of beauty.

Nagsimula na rin lumabas si Pryor sa kabaong niya at pinanindigan niya ang pag-aayos na katulad ni Rosh. He kept the rumor alive for a few months, but Pryor got bored, stopped his façade and showed his true colors. Si Rosh pa rin ang nagwagi.

Madalas silang mag-away ni Rosh natigil lang iyon ng dumating si Marah, dahil inaaway niya na ang lahat.

Rosh and Pryor are her enemies. I never dared to be her enemy since I kept giving her wants. Kaya iyong dalawa lagi ang kaaway ni Marah.

Hindi na rin humingi pa ng kapatid si Rosh kina ama at ina dahil takot na itong madagdagan pa ng panibagong Pryor at Marah.

Our legs were both hanging at the parapet while we were sitting at its edge barricade, looking at the vastness of the ground where we could see greens around the castle.

"Why are my siblings like that? Pryor's starting to return to his coffin routine again, while Marah? Why does she keep on playing inside my room? She's annoying! What's wrong with her eyes? Isn't she a Le'Vamueivos? Bakit gusto niya ang Zen na iyon?" tanong ni Rosh sa akin.

"Take care of them. I am busy with my lessons." I patted his head, sinalag iyon ni Rosh.

"Or you can ask Father for another brother or perhaps a sister? You like Lily, right?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa akin. Yumuko at kumuyom ang mga kamay niya sa hita niya. Tumanaw ako sa kalawakan ng palasyo. "It must be nice to have a caring older sister, right?"

"She's not older than Zen though."

I sighed and leaned my head above Rosh's with my arms crossed. "Maybe if Marah grows up, she'll be like her. But I love Marah the way she is," mahinang sabi ko.

Ngumuso si Rosh. "Of course, but she's a spoiled brat."

Then we laughed together.

Yes, there was a time in our life when Rosh and I wished that we had our own Lily, just like how Dastan and Zen had her.

***

It was one of those days when Zen and Dastan went to our kingdom to attend training with us. I saw in the carriage that they brought their little sister, Lily.

Lily had been known in different kingdoms, not just in Parsua but to other empires. I admired her. Rosh admired her. Everyone in Parsua admired the perfect princess of Gazellian.

"Do you like her?" Pryor asked.

Kapwa kami nagulat ni Rosh nang mapansin namin si Pryor na nakatanaw rin sa bintana, nakakrus ang mga braso habang tanaw si Lily na inaalalayan nina Zen at Dastan na pababa ng karwahe.

"She's been receiving marriage proposals since she was seven. Her family has been rejecting her suitors."

"Lily's still young," I said.

"I don't like her," sagot ni Rosh.

"Really? I noticed you staring at her during one of the parties in Sartorias. Both of you," magkasunod kaming itinuro ni Pryor.

Sabay namin hinawakan ang kamay niya para tigilan iyon.

"Shut up and stop pointing at us. We are your older brothers," iritableng sabi ni Rosh.

We were assigned to separate training grounds since we would have a different lesson with Zen and Dastan during the day and just meet up at night.

I thought it would be one of our regular training sessions. Rosh and I would have our sparring when Lily showed herself with a rattan basket, she was wearing a white fury cloak, her blue fluttering dress, her hair was curly and loose, and she had the sweet scent of a vampire.

Kapwa kami umiinom ng tubig ni Rosh noon nang bigla siyang magkita.

She curtsied in front of us. As royalties trained to filter our emotions, I knew just like me, Rosh had done his best to appear unsurprised with her appearance.

Ilang beses na rin namin nakasalamuha si Lily sa bawat pagdiriwang ngunit matapos ang usapan naming iyon kasama si Pryor, hindi ko na alam kung bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko sa tuwing malapit siya.

I admired her, but I knew that I wasn't attracted to her, not to the point that I'd ask my parents to send proposals for her.

"Prince Tobias, Prince Rosh . . . have you seen my brothers?"

Sabay namin ni Rosh itinuro ang sunod na pinto. Hindi kami nagsalita at alam kong katulad ko ay nalilito na rin si Rosh sa epekto ni Lily sa amin.

"Thank you!"

Nakasunod lang kami ni Rosh ng tingin kay Lily nang tumalikod siya sa amin nang bigla muli siyang lumingon pabalik. Naglakad siya at naupo sa gitna namin. Saglit kaming nagkatitigan ni Rosh at nanatiling pinagmamasdan si Lily.

She opened the white cover of her basket and revealed pastries from it.

"We brought our baker as well. She baked our favorites. Marami naman ito. Here, Prince Tobias, I know you hate too sweet foods! That bread is less sugar," inabot niya sa akin ang isang tinapay.

"You do?" I asked, Lily nodded.

"As a princess, I should know the preference of our future allies, here is yours, Prince Rosh." Tulalang tinanggap ni Rosh ang tinapay kay Lily.

We were just staring at her as we took a bite. "I hope we'll be good friends in the future, and kindly have patience for my brothers," she smiled at us.

"Lily!" malakas na sigaw ni Zen.

Agad niyang hinila si Lily mula sa kinauupuan niya at niyakap nito ang leeg ng prinsesa habang mariin ang titig sa amin. "I offered them some bread, Zen!"

"Naligaw ka?" Dastan asked.

"Yes!"

Dastan nodded at me. "We'll have to go."

Sabay yumuko sina Dastan at Lily sa amin. Lily jumped and pushed Zen's head. "Learn to respect, they are our hosts!"

Tumayo na si Rosh at hindi sila pinansin. Ako lang iyong yumuko pabalik sa kanila. "Thank you, Lily."

She smiled at me before they took the path to the next room. Nakaakbay si Zen kay Lily, kinuha ni Dastan ang basket sa kamay nito at nagsimula silang magtawanan.

I was thinking back then why Rosh and I had an attraction towards Lily or why are we too fascinated by how she took care of her brothers— that even in the war against vampires councils and werewolves Rosh and I went all the way to save Lily, with Rosh leading the largest army from Parsua, and I, using my power as the first attack— my tsunami leading the largest rebellion ever happened in the history of vampire.

Because . . . because Lily had that figure . . . a warmth of an older sister that we never had, she was our Veda . . . Lily was a constant reminder of that shadow—that there was a time in our life that Rosh and I had an older sister.

A sister that we had no memories . . .

***

The time came when all her memories—her sweet voice, the gentleness of her soft hands, her fluttering white dress, and how she called our names as her little brothers had returned. The sister that Rosh and I wished we had was someone else, a woman who lost herself to power—a sister who, instead of embracing us, wanted us killed.

Veda . . .

The moment I opened my eyes after our war against Atlas and my sister, even with the weakness of my whole body, all I wanted was to reach Kezalli.

"K-kamahalan . . ." usal ng tagasunod na nakakita sa akin na siyang nakasasalubong ko.

"Where's my Queen?"

"Nasa sunod na silid, Kamahalan. M-may mga babaylan na—" hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko nang napahawak ako sa pader nang muntik na akong matumba.

May mga tagasunod na nagtangkang humawak sa akin ngunit ang tanging ginawa ko lang ay salagin sila at magmadaling maglakad patungo sa silid ni Kezalli.

Pabalya kong binuksan ang isang silid, may tatlong babaylan na naroon at kapwa nakatutok ang kanilang nagliliwanag na kamay kay Kezalli.

"W-what happened to her?"

"T-the queen needs enough rest, King Tobias—" I cut her off.

"Please, leave us alone. I want a moment with my queen."

Sabay-sabay silang yumuko sa akin at nagmamadali silang lumabas sa silid.

Nang sandaling marinig ko ang pagsasara ng pinto, agad nanghina ang mga tuhod ko, napaupo na ako sa upuan na malapit sa kama niya at agad na ginagap ang kanyang kamay.

There, as I leaned my forehead on her hand, I couldn't help but cry. What happened to my sister? Why do we have to see her again in that state? Why instead of telling us, our parents erased our memories?

Napahilamos na ako sa sarili ko.

What do I have to wake up like this? Kezalli is in a comatose. Veda and her group did this to her. What happened after I collapsed?

"I'm sorry . . . I'm sorry . . . I should have protected you. I should have do something for her," mariin kong hinawakan ang kamay ni Kezalli.

Tila sasabog na ang isip ko sa napakaraming katanungan tumatakbo rito. "I'm sorry . . ."

Halos nakasubsob na ako sa kamay ni Kezalli nang marinig ko ang pagbubukas ng pinto. "I said leave us—"

"T-Tobias . . ."

Unti-unti akong lumingon. It was Rosh.

"W-what happened? Tell me everything."

I followed Kezalli to the forest. I caught two shadows with her, and I knew that she was trying to fight with them, but when those shadows noticed my presence, they disappeared. I tried to approach her because even from afar I knew that she was under a spell, but what I felt next was a dagger in my gut.

I just wished that she was still under the influence of a spell right at the moment, so couldn't see the pain in my eyes and the scent of my blood from her hands, I knew that it wasn't her, but Kezalli and her fragile heart would blame herself.

That was the last thing I remembered.

"Tell me . . ." ulit ko kay Rosh.

Sumandal na si Rosh sa pader hanggang sa tuluyan na rin nanghina ang mga tuhod niya. Nakatukod ang isa niyang braso sa kanyang tuhod habang nakatanaw siya sa bintana.

"T-Tobias, we lost two . . ."

"W-what?"

"We lost Kalla and Finn."

"W-what do you mean? Are they like Kezalli? We have our own priestesses. Send them. S-send our help to Sartorias."

Nanghihinang umiling sa akin si Rosh. "Brother, Kalla is gone. Finn is worser than in coma, he's almost dead. V-Veda . . . she made all of this, our sister. W-what happened to her?" usal ni Rosh sa akin na tila isa na lang bulong.

"W-we could have saved her, but she killed . . . she killed a Gazellian," he ran his hands on his face through his hair. "I don't know what to do anymore, Tobias . . . I am glad now you're awake. I don't know how to explain this to Pryor and Marah. I can't function well. I don't know what's happening in the kingdom . . . "

Sunod-sunod na ang pagsasalita ni Rosh na tila sarili na niya ang kanyang kinakausap.

"I thought I was getting mad, I couldn't sleep, every time I close my eyes, I could see Veda, Finn, Kalla . . . then I saw myself when I was young, I was in the forest, I saw Veda, Atlas. I was choking . . . Veda tried to kill me, she tried to kill us . . . and then I saw Kalla again, she was smiling and then . . . and then . . . I heard an explosion, I saw Finn."

Muling tumulo ang luha sa aking mga mata nang yakapin ni Rosh ang kanyang mga hita. Because my brother never wanted to let anyone witness how could he be vulnerable. "S-she was killed because of me— Veda is our family's problem. She was innocent, Tobias."

"Rosh . . ."

That night, beside Kezalli's bed.

I knelt beside Rosh and embraced him. I couldn't utter a single word, because he was right. Veda is our sister— a sister we once wished for, but here we are, tangled in the fate that we didn't wish for— to see our sister as an enemy.

"I hate myself, Tobias . . . that despite everything she did I am still hoping that I could save her."

Pumikit ako at huminga nang malalim. "Sometimes we are allowed to hate ourselves, Brother."

***

Life had never been easier even when Kezalli woke up. I was the happiest when she could look at me with those eyes again, but not with her lost memories. Na sa tuwing tinititigan niya ako ay takot at walang katapusang katanungan ang siyang nasasalamin sa kanyang mga mata.

"Then give her what she wants! Pauwiin mo!" malakas na sabi ni Marah.

I was sitting on our long couch across from Rosh. Kapwa kami nakaupo sa sulok habang si Pryor ay nakikinig at nakatalikod sa amin at may hawak na libro na hindi naman nito binabasa.

Marah was standing in front of us.

I knew that she had been worried about me and how she witnessed Kezalli trying to avoid me or doing everything so I could push her away, but I couldn't just give up on her.

Kezalli has her own demons, and I knew that she could overpower them. All I needed was patience and love for her. I wouldn't give up, even if that meant hearing painful words from her.

She didn't mean it. I kept telling myself.

"Hindi ba kayo napapagod ni Rosh? These human girls kept on hurting you," Marah's voice grumbled.

"She can't remember you, Tobias! Sa tuwing nakikita ka, gusto niyang tumakbo. Can't you see how she looks at you? She's afraid! Is that the look of love? How about you, Rosh? Stop waiting for her! Binasag—"

"It was just a rumor!" sigaw pabalik ni Rosh. "She didn't refuse me. Tinakot siya . . ."

"But for how many years? How long do I have to see my brothers like this?!" sigaw ni Marah.

Kung kanina ay kapwa kami nakatingin ni Rosh sa ibang direksyon ngayon ay unti-unting nag-angat ang tingin namin kay Marah.

She was crying right now— not because she was a spoiled princess who failed to get what she wanted, but a sister— a sister crying for us.

Sinapo na ni Marah ang mukha niya at humagulgol na siya. Yumuyugyog ang mga balikat niya habang nangangatal ang boses niyang nagsasalita sa harap naming tatlo.

We never had this talk. Kung may ganitong pag-uusap man kami, madalas ay kami lang ni Rosh. Because we always thought that Marah's our little princess who only knew was to complain.

"Kasi pagod na pagod na ako . . . pagod na pagod na akong makita tayong tulong nang tulong pero sa tuwing babalik kayo rito, ang lungkot lungkot ng mga mata ninyo. I am so damn tired of having noble brothers— heroic, damn reserved, but so wounded on the inside. I am so tired of suppressing this feeling as if I couldn't see it. I am sick of it. I hate you! I hate you!"

"A-are you crying because of us?" tanong ni Rosh.

"Of course! Damn it, Rosh!" sigaw ni Marah.

"Then give me a hug. I really need it— a hug from a sister," mahinang sabi ko.

Tumakbo na si Marah sa akin at humagulgol siya at niyakap ako.

I'd witnessed how Gazellian siblings love each other. They were sweet to each other. I thought it was weird, but as I spent more time with them, witnessing how they openly showed how they cared for each other, at the back of my mind, I wished to have that. Dahil hindi kami ganoong magkakapatid sa isa't isa.

Nang matapos si Marah yumakap sa akin ay naupo siya nang maayos at hindi gumalaw.

I knew that Rosh and Marah's waiting for any of them to talk. "Come on, Rosh, ask her."

"That spoiled brat? Maybe she's just—" itinigil niya ang anumang sasabihin niya, humarap siya kay Marah at kinabig niya ito.

"Get off me, Rosh! Ayoko magpayakap sa' yo!" hinahampas na niya si Rosh.

"Come on, you should be proud to have the most handsome brother in this world."

Hinila na ni Pryor ang isang upuan at itinapat niya iyon sa amin. "I told you, Marah, sometimes learn to be sweet. Our older brothers have a soft spot for sweet sisters. Matagal nang inggit ang mga iyan kina Zen at Dastan because they have Lily."

"Shut up!" sabay naming sabi ni Rosh kay Pryor.

"Stop villainizing Kezalli, Pryor, Marah, hindi na ako natutuwa. I am fine. Give me a word."

That day, they promised not to bother Kezalli too much.

***

When Kezalli was about to enter the mirror and all I felt was the weak presence of her life, I always knew that I had to follow her to death. Handa na akong iwan ang mundong ito para sundan si Kezalli nang pigilan ako ng mga kapatid ko.

The only thing I could remember was her faint smile as she closed her eyes before the mirror fully swallowed her.

Hindi ko na alam kung gaano ako katagal nakatulog ngunit natatandaan kong gising ang diwa ko dahil naririnig ko ang boses ng mga kapatid ko at ng pamilyar na boses at awitin.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw a beautiful Gazellian— Harper. She was gently stroking my hair as her lips moved with her sweetest voice. "You're awake, King Tobias."

Marahas akong napabangon at inikot ko ang tingin ko sa paligid. "W-where's Kezalli?"

Doon pumasok sa silid sina Rosh, Zen, Seth, Blair at maging si Claret. Ipinaliwanag sa akin ni Claret ang lahat matapos akong mawalan ng malay.

"I will kill those witches. Where are they?"

Umiling sa akin si Claret. Lumapit na sa akin sina Rosh at Zen, hinawakan nila ang mga balikat ko. "King Tobias needs to rest. It's good that Harper is here. Hindi magandang masanay ang katawan niya sa mahika para lubusan bumalik ang lakas niya."

That's when I started to spend most of my days with Harper. Sa tuwing hindi ako makatulog, binibigyan niya ako ng magaganda niyang awitin. Isa na ring paraan upang hindi ako dalawin ng masasamang panaginip.

Claret advised us to spend most of our time near the gardens so I could feel the fresh air and scent of flowers. Kaya madalas akong maglakad sa hardin kasama si Harper.

"Don't you think your mate is not planning an assassination for me?

She giggled. "Maybe."

"You can go."

Pansin ko ang madalas niyang pagbabasa roon sa napapanahong Ancient Quillper, dahil inaako man nina Marah, Pryor at Rosh ngayon ang karamihan sa gawain ko, lalo na ang pagbabasa ay hindi nakalampas sa akin iyong balita. I even saw one of the recent copies, the childish Sageton is provoking Harper Esmeralda Gazellian.

"Our peculiar friendship will soon end, Harper," sabi ko.

Pumitas ako ng bulaklak sa hardin at humarap ako kay Harper. Inilagay ko iyon sa gilid ng tainga niya.

Harper smiled. "I enjoyed playing with you, King Tobias."

"You intrigued me, Princess Harper. I always enjoy seeing your mate's irritated expression when we're together. Now I feel like I have to end it. I don't enjoy it anymore."

Harper laughed. "Because she's already here, Tobias. Your fascination, attraction, or even intrigue is now only for her, but thank you."

I smiled, "Thank you too."

Bago ako iwan ni Harper ay higit pa siyang lumapit sa akin, tumingkayad na tila sa mata ng makakakita sa amin ay humalik siya sa akin. I wanted to push her or step back, but I didn't want to offend her.

Why do I feel like I have imaginary gasps ringing in my ears?

"I only flirt with kings, and please, you better be fast, King Tobias, baka mauna pa kaming makaisa ni Kreios."

And then she distanced herself, clasped her hands behind her, and innocently smiled, she even blushed in front of me as if we really had kissed. "This news will kill me, are you aware of that?"

Her eyebrows arched. "Yes. Let's say that's our parting kiss."

My brows creased. "What do you mean by the words you whispered?"

Tumalikod na si Harper at tamad na kumaway sa akin. "Let's say a new addition to a clan."

I chuckled. She is really an impossible woman.

***

It took me three agonizing long months waiting for Kezalli that I wished to steal her away and lock her inside the castle when she showed herself in front of the mirror again.

Akala ko ay tuluyan nang makababalik sa akin si Kezalli nang sandaling lumabas siya kasama si Astrid. Akala ko ay kapwa na kami masisiyahan ni Rosh matapos naming sabay masilayan ang babaeng pinakamamahal namin.

I was the happiest back then when I saw Kezalli with my brother's mate. Gusto kong patigilin ang oras ng panahong iyon, sana'y higit pa kaming binigyan ng oras ni Rosh upang higit na mayakap ang dalawa.

All I wanted was to feel that moment again— that happiness with Kezalli in my arms, and with the thought that my twin brother was also happy beside me.

But it was wrong to assume that we'd have an easy happy ending with our enemies, still alive and on the loose.

We were all ready to trap Atlas and kill all those witches at once. We used those witches and announced their execution to lure Atlas, but his power was so much that even if we put all our powers together, we couldn't even give him severe damage.

He was invincible.

But we didn't lose hope. We were all motivated to kill him and his minions that day, but with the realization that Astrid had to return and Kezalli was the only one who was capable of doing it— we lost track of our purpose with our eyes just for Rosh and his agony.

As much as I wanted to pull Kezalli in my arms and not let her go, I had to sacrifice and let her go again— because it kills me, it kills me so much that Rosh had to beg like this in front of us with a wish that couldn't be granted.

"Go . . ." when Howl whispered that, all I did was look behind Kezalli's back.

All I did was wrap my arms around Rosh when Howl's power forced him into a deep sleep.

***

I was at my table, reading some of our documents and projects, Rosh was sitting on my long couch with a book in his hand, his legs were crossed, and his other hand had a glass of wine.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes. Just tell Kezalli that I am thankful to her. I am not mad at her or disappointed. I am so happy that she allowed me to hold her in my arms."

"You talked to Howl about it?"

Rosh nodded. "He told me that he can't erase my memories, but he can make it sleep. But it will come back when the time comes that she finally crosses her mirror."

"You are choosing to forget it."

"For a while, Tobias," mahinang sabi ni Rosh.

"I will respect your decision. I promise that Kezalli will receive your message."

Isinarado na ni Rosh ang aklat niya, sumandal siya at ipinatong ang kanyang ulo sa sandalan. Tumanaw siya sa kisame ng aklatan. "Alam mong ikababaliw ko, Tobias, kapag nagtagal pa sa isipan ko ang pangyayaring iyon."

"I know."

"I have to do something before I get crazy because right now, I am not fine. I have to keep my sanity for the next two hundred years. That would be what? Six hundred years of waiting?" he laughed.

"Mababaliw na ako, Tobias."

"Do it. Ask Howl for help. Everyone in this empire will respect it, Rosh."

Tumayo na si Rosh at nagpaalam sa akin.

I sighed. I looked out the window, thinking if it would take me a hundred years before Kezalli returned.

Isang taon na rin siyang wala. Isang taon at tatlong buwan kasama ang una niyang pagpasok sa salamin.

"Why are you taking so long, Kezalli?" bulong ko sa aking sarili.

***

It took another nine months before I heard and felt the familiar presence of those irritating pixies around my library.

I was writing on one of my documents when I felt one of them on my right shoulder. "Kezalli is not yet here."

"King Tobias, don't you think we'll not appear inside your library without feeling the presence of the queen?"

Natigil ako sa pagsusulat at agad kong nahuli sa dalawang daliri ko iyong pixie at iniharap ko sa harapan ko. "What?"

"She's coming home right now! Don't you think you need to welcome her beautifully?"

"What?"

Hindi nagtagal ay mas dumami na iyong pixies na lumilipad sa paligid ko. Bigla akong nahilo, hindi lang sa kumikinang nilang pakpak at ingay ng pagaspas nito, bati ang mabibilis nilang bibig.

"King Tobias, the Viardellons are criticizing your way of welcoming your mates!"

"Yes!"

"They even had their rehearsals!"

"I've read it on the Ancient Quillper!"

"Ang dami nilang practice sabi!"

"They said the first women from the prophecy were disappointed!"

"They said Claret and Kezalli had a bad experience!"

"They said Sartorias and Deltora have poor executions and preparations!"

"Kung sila daw sina Kezalli at Claret, tatakbo daw talaga sila!"

"Sabi pa nila you and Prince Zen, even the other princes from Sartorias and Deltora are ugly!"

Every one of them gasped. "They said those! Ang evil naman nila!"

"Our king is handsome, Prince Rosh is handsome, and Prince Pryor—" sabay-sabay silang umirap.

Napamasahe ako sa aking noo. "Then help me prepare everything, call the attention of everyone. We have to welcome my queen."

When I said those, nagliparan ang mga pixies at nagsayawan sa loob ng silid-aklatan. Tumayo na ako at agad na lumabas roon dahil kapag nagtagal pa ako ay dudugo na ang tainga ko.

I went straight inside my room, stood in front of the mirror, and looked at myself. I have to look good in front of her after two years.

Hindi pa man ako nagtatagal sa silid ko ay pabalyang nabuksan ang pinto. I saw Marah, humihingal pa siya. "Is it true? She's returning?"

"The pixies told me."

"A-are you sure that we can trust them?"

"Pixies are from the clan of the fairies. Kezalli's one of them."

Lumapit na si Marah sa akin at hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. "Did Rosh talk to you?"

Tumango ako. "He's with Howl right now. Mabilis lang daw iyon. I'll just tell him that Kezalli visited Astrid's mirror. You can tell Kezalli that she saw her and peacefully asleep, baka magtaka si Rosh kung lalabas si Kezalli."

Tipid akong ngumiti kay Marah. "I have this feeling that Kezalli will come out from her own mirror, Marah."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Their mirrors are connected."

"So how do you welcome her? Inside the bathroom again?" nakangising sabi niya.

Hindi ako sumagot at humarap muli ako sa salamin. Tumalikod na siya at humarap sa cabinet ko. "I have to find you good clothing. Are you aware of those pixies' preparation?"

"Not yet."

Inilabas ni Marah ang dalawang klase ng kasuotan ko.

"You should welcome her as a king of this kingdom as she walked down the aisle."

"Walked down the aisle?"

Marah rolled her eyes. "We'll have a vampire wedding!"

I blinked. "You'll share your blood—" she cut me off.

"Of course. Pryor and I are willing to cut our wrists to shed our blood with yours and Rosh. We will accept her. You're happy now. Your eyes are happy now. Ipagkakait ko pa ba ang dugo ko sa kopita?"

Napatulala ako sa kanya. "Thank you."

"Come on, which one?"

"I like the one with green gemstones."

Nang simulan na akong bihisan ni Marah at nang sumilip saglit sina Rosh at Pryor sa silid ko ay tila wala na akong maintindihan. I just wanted to get this done. All I wanted was to stand on the altar and wait for Kezalli to cross her mirror.

Hinayaan ko na silang asikasuhin ako. Maging ang mga pixies ay hindi ko na rin napansin kahit gaano na sila kaingay sa silid ko habang inaayos nila ang mga bato sa kasuotan ko.

I found myself in one of our throne rooms—our grandest and most majestic. It was like an island, isolated yet connected, surrounded by gentle waters and waterfalls behind the altar. The space held only a few chairs, arranged properly with towering trees and creeping vines hanging like covers of filtered wood. Birds flew freely, and pixies danced with glitters on their wings. The high windows, nearly touching the ceiling, filtered the moonlight into soft beams that danced across the room.

Portals started to appear on different sides of the throne room, with the Gazellians, the Viardellons, some Thundilliors, and even from Mudelior with Kreios and Harper. All were dressed in black.

Seth, Blair, Zen, and Claret with Princess Divina were positioned in the first row. The little princess waved at me, and I smiled. I saw Dastan who nodded at me, and Queen Leticia carrying her son, Leviticus. Lily and Adam with their twins, Caleb and his mate, Iris, and Tavion, Casper at the last row with some Viardellons eyeing him. I even saw Howl who sat beside Casper and even whispered to him pointing his finger at the Viardellons. Naha came late with her crazy group now with different musical instruments.

I was wondering how they managed to receive the quick invitation, but with pixies hovering around the throne room, entertaining the guests, I suddenly felt the assurance.

Lastly, I noticed my siblings.

Pryor who hates to attend vampire gatherings was standing beside me, dressed in his black royal suit, Marah dressed in her black dress, while Rosh was silently standing behind me. "A-are you feeling unwell?"

He smirked. "Today is my brother's wedding day. I am trying to hide behind you to appear less handsome. This is your day."

Marah rolled her eyes. "Come on, let me fix your collar, Brother, because this is going to be the last time."

"First and last, you don't do this, Marah," sagot ni Rosh.

Sabay-sabay kaming nagtawanan sa altar.

But when Naha's team started to play their music as they positioned themselves near the mirror standing at the end of the aisle of a black carpet, the mirror shimmered.

I took a deep breath.

Rosh, Marah, and Pryor positioned themselves around the marbled shallow, where the chalice was located, and as the scent of my siblings' blood lingered inside the throne room with the dagger's cut on their wrist to serve and accept a new addition to the family— the mirror glimmered.

First, it was her legs, the frame of her familiar figure but as she took more steps, the blinding light of the mirror slowly became dimmer— revealing the most beautiful woman in my eyes dressed in green like a fairy in a forest.

My Queen, now my wife.

The aisle of black carpet turned brighter— not because of the torches that our pixies had appeared, but the brightness of blue fire flickering from her to me— a blessing.

She looked confused as her eyes roamed around, surprised by the sudden welcome of a number of eyes.

Maybe it was really a failure— I was desperate to pull her into this world that I had to drag her into my bathroom and show my skin, but now— maybe this time she'd be happy.

"Love . . ." I extended my hand.

Her eyes brightened when she finally found me. Together with Rosh, Pryor, and Marah's blood, I cut my wrist, and let my blood flow inside the chalice with my eyes locked with her.

Our blood together, on this altar, with the powerful witnesses in this world would signify how we are willing to accept Kezalli. Just like how Gazellian accepted Claret.

When Kezalli reached us and took the chalice, she finished it in front of everyone.

Huminga ako nang malalim at higit akong lumapit sa kanya. I took both of her hands with my eyes staring at her.

"C-can we have our wedding vows in private, King Tobias?" she whispered.

I laughed. "Of course. The chalice is the—" and then I was cut off.

She took the distance between us, wrapped her arms around my nape, and kissed me in front of everyone. "I am home, Love," she whispered.

How I wish I could end this agony and steal her away right now. "Welcome home."

Malakas na palakpakan ang siyang narinig namin kasabay ng sayawan ng mga diwata sa ere.

"But I have a surprise," she said.

I blinked. I held her hand and leaned closer. "What is this?"

Hinawi niya ang buhok niya sa balikat. Natulala na ako. "Isn't he cute?"

A small boy was sleeping, curled like a caterpillar on her shoulder, his ears were pointed, he had tanned skin, his hair was curly with a leaf-like cover on his lower body, and there were small silverish wings behind his back. "It's not his usual size, Tobias. He can turn himself into a regular size or a pixie one."

Nagtatakang lumingon sa amin sina Rosh, Marah at Pryor nang makita nila ang reaksyon ko. Lumapit sila sa amin ni Kezalli at sinilip nila ang balikat ni Kezalli na tinititigan ko.

Umawang ang bibig nina Rosh, Pryor at Marah, natahimik ang buong paligid dahil sa biglaang reaksyon naming magkakapatid.

Unti-unting naalimpungatan ang natutulog na bata. He sat slowly on Kezalli's shoulder, his eyes were still closed, and his lips were pouty as if about to cry.

"He looks like Tobias!" sabi ni Marah.

And when the baby slowly opened his eyes, Marah, Pryor, and Rosh gasped with his green eyes— too bright.

Tipid na inilagay ni Kezalli ang hintuturo niya sa pisngi ng bata. "Wake up, wake up."

And then she pointed to me, "That's Papa."

The baby slowly tilted his head, and his big bright eyes stared at me. I almost forgot how to breathe.

The baby tilted his head staring back at me.

When he tried to fly with his small wings, Kezalli's eyes widened. "Not yet! You can't fly yet!"

And then I found myself pressing the sides of my palm together catching the little boy on my palms.

"King Tobias and Queen Kezalli have a son!" one of the pixies announced.

The Viardellons cheered from the back with their shouting and loudest clap until every one of them followed.

"His fairy blood is evident, Tobias . . ." I saw the worry in her eyes.

"Is that why you didn't return soon?"

Hindi siya agad sumagot.

With our son in my palms, I leaned closer to her and kissed the top of her head. "I love you. You can give me a lot of these fairy babies if you must. Let's fill the castle with flying Le'Vamueivos."

Rosh peeked at my palm, staring at the sitting baby in front of us, he was still glaring at me.

"He's wondering why you have the same eyes," Kezalli giggled.

"This is my first gift," Rosh said as he tapped his forefinger gently at the head of my son, giving him a golden laurel wreath circulating around his head. "There, like a royalty. Now introduce him to everyone, Tobias."

I took a step forward as if my son could understand his situation, he slowly grew and transformed into a regular size baby. I held him in one of my arms as I pulled Kezalli closer.

"Queen Kezalli Lanoire Le'Vamuievos and Prince Rahiil Caesar Le'Vamueivos, my wife, my son."

For the first time, the familiar sound of the waterfalls—the silent witness of all my pain as I grew from a prince to a king—felt different. This was the sound that once concealed my cries when Father and Mother disappeared, leaving me with responsibilities I wasn't sure I could fulfill. It was the sound that echoed in my ears as I longed for Kezalli, a longing that nearly drove me to madness. It was the sound I heard when I broke down in tears, unable to let Rosh see my weakness as he crumbled, when Marah cried in front of me as she confessed how she couldn't take seeing my pain, and when I had to accept that our sister Veda was an enemy.

The waterfall had witnessed my vulnerability.

But tonight, standing before the altar—like a shrine—on the night of waterfalls, the sound was different, like music. A witness to my happiness, as a king, a husband, and now as a father.