Royally Misunderstood

"So what exactly happened, Wynknight? Where did it all start?"

Nanatili akong tahimik.

"Why aren't you reporting anything and why can't you explain what happened that the Kranssian prince arrived unconscious?"

In my whole life as a knight, ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng panliliit at pagkapahiya. Sanay akong laging sinesermonan ni commander ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, hindi ko kayang sumagot nang pabalang. I know I messed up, badly. In the most embarrassing way at that.

"Wynknight, answer me."

"I refuse." I deadpanned. I can't let him know about the version of me that even I, myself, find disappointing. Alam niyang hindi niya ako mapilit na magsalita lalo na at tinatamad akong magpaliwanag.

"Report. It's an order."

I looked at Lord Kazan smirking and I can see the laughter in his eyes. I didn't expect him to use that card on me. Sly fox!

"Well, I didn't read the details about the prince---"

"You never read anything." I rolled my eyes. He's clearly making fun of me, again.

"Whatever."

"Continue."

"I didn't bother to read the files so I thought the aide was the prince. They thought I was a man. After a few bloody scenes which I bet you never wanna hear the details, I used the secret route towards the nearest village. We went to an inn and had an amazing truth discovery. The prince got scared because of some insect, rushed out, bumped into my non-existent chest, triggered his phobia and passed out. End of story." I said in one breathe and in an uninterested tone.

Hindi ko na napigil ang sariling irapan ang commander nang bigla itong tumawa nang malakas. Iba rin ang tama sa utak nitong isang ito. I know that he already heard from that prince's aide when we arrived at the palace. He just wanted to make me embarrass myself. Tuwang-tuwa talaga kapag nakikita ako sa mga nakakahiyang sitwasyon.

"You're still the same, with that lazy and eccentric way of reporting your mission to your superiors. Now, do you know the answer to my question earlier?"

"It started with a cockroach?" I stated matter-of-factly. Napahalakhak naman siya nang husto. Tinamaan lang ng pag-ibig bigla nalang naging sobrang masayahin ang taong ito na dati'y tila estatuwang gumagalaw lamang ayon sa pinag-uutos at madamot ngumiti. Saglit lang iyon dahil muling sumeryoso ang kanyang anyo.

"Well done, Wynknight."

"I should really be commended for bringing you a new source of entertainment, commander."

He cleared his throat probably to stop from laughing out loud.

"That and something else. Good job on escorting the prince safely. You may now go."

"What about the prince?"

"Well, your mission ends here. The prince will now be guarded by the Imperial Knights. You've got an interesting tale back there, Wynknight. Do you still feel bored and wanna quit?" Nanunukat ang uri ng tinging itinuon niya sa'kin.

"My decision is final. Unless, you give me a real challenge, Kazan." I retorted, finally meeting his gaze.

"Very well. You are suspended for a week."

"What?!? For what offense?" Naaalarma kong tanong. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang commander naming paiba-iba ng mood. I can't have suspension. Lalo lang akong makakaramdam ng pagkabagot.

"Insolence and mistreatment of a royal."

"As far as I can remember, I've been at my most respectful state throughout our encounter."

"That's not what Count Ucliff told me."

"That guy is a count?!? But I really did my best to not act rude! You know how I hate mingling with royals. If I truly behave rudely, it's not on purpose! A week of suspension? I can't endure that long!"

"Okay, make that two weeks."

"Commander! What is it again?"

"Insubordination. You're dismissed, Wynknight." Pagtatapos nito sa usapan. Wala akong nagawa kundi sumaludo at lumabas ng office.

Pinagsisipa ko ang mga batong nakita ko sa daan. Gusto kong magmaktol sa sobrang inis pero kailan pa ako nakadama ng ganito at umakto na parang bata?

It's because of this crest. Come to think of it, no one else knew about this. I bet even that brat---prince didn't know. I doubt that he saw my mark since it was only the middle part of my chest that was exposed. In addition, his mind was probably fuzzy when his phobia was triggered. Judging by his behavior, direct skin contact and awareness of a woman can trigger his psychological reaction.

Ayos lang naman siya noong akala niya lalaki ako. Dinama niya pa nga ang dibdib ko nang hindi nahihimatay. The memory sent an unfamiliar feeling on my chest. It feels hot and weird. I should probably visit someone who can explain this.

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I changed into my black and white riding uniform paired with knee-high boots and went to the stables.

"Erebus, take me to the Laurel Tree."

Laurel Tree is a cabin in the woods beside the palace. Daphne, the Empire's sorceress lives there. She's an old friend of my mother who took care of me after that tragedy. In more ways than one, she became a mother to me. Siya lang ang tanging taong mapagsabihan ko tungkol sa mga alalahanin ko.

The cabin is built atop the giant Laurel Tree, hence the name. The tree itself is magical and Daphne's source of security and mana. At first glance, it looks just like a normal tree but when trespassers break through the barrier surrounding the tree, it's branches and leaves transform into deadly blades attacking those unwelcome guests.

Normal na sa aking makita ang mga buto at bungo sa daan patungong cabin. Marami pa rin talaga ang nagtatangkang pumasok at magnakaw ng dahon ng puno. The leaves has excellent healing properties and greatly improves mana and strength making it a target for those who thirst for power.

I crossed the barrier with ease and let Erebus take a rest on one of the tree's roots. Umakyat ako sa hagdanang gawa sa sanga at baging paakyat sa cabin at marahang kumatok. Kusa naman itong bumukas at pagpasok ko ay agad kong nakita ang taong sadya ko.

"To what do I owe this visit from the Empire's Lady Knight?"

"I missed you too, Daph. Quit the pleasantries."

Nakangiti ko itong nilapitan at niyakap. Daphne still looked the same. Long curly black hair, purple eyes, and youthful skin. She still loves to wear dark colored robes and never takes her gloves off.

"It's been months since your last visit, dear. May ipapagayuma ka na bang lalaki?"

"Stop teasing me! I know that you're already aware why I came here as soon as I finished my mission."

She looked at my face seriously.

"Hmmmm... Let's see. You were puzzled as to why you were given a crest which is a blessing from the gods. Seeing that you look unusually bothered, you already knew who possessed the same mark, right?"

I nodded. She's still as sharp as ever and she knows me too well.

"So, it's not a problem then. Just accept it and bond with him."

"Well, you don't understand. He's a kid! I don't plan to be with a kid nor anyone all my life."

"So? Age doesn't matter."

"Jeez! No, that's not what I meant! What's wrong with everyone?!?"

"There's nothing wrong with the people around you but with you, there is."

"No, I was misunderstood! This crest is also the reason why I'm acting unlike my usual self."

"You're changing, Jynx Calypso."

I unconsciously flinched. No one calls me by that name. It's always "Jae" or Wynknight. Daphne rarely calls me that unless she's being serious.

I sighed.

"I'm still me, Daph. No one could ever change me and make me submit myself. Never."

She just gave me an enigmatic smile.

"Are you sure about that?"

~🥀~

*To be continued*