Time suddenly felt insignificant for the chosen maiden of Eteilla. 

Hindi na niya namalayang ikaanim na beses na pala niyang bumisita sa nakaraan. Nahanap na lang niya ang kanyang sariling nakaupo sa dining hall habang masayang nagtatawanan ang magkakapatid kasama ang kanilang ama. Base sa mga palamuting nakasabit sa paligid at sa nyebeng bumabalot sa labas, this must be their Christmas celebration.

At the head of the table, King Lycaon joyously talked to his eldest son, Socleus. Hindi masyadong matanaw ni Red ang mukha nito, pero agad niyang natandaan ang kakaibang kulay ng kanyang buhok.

She wouldn't be surprised if he looks exactly how he looks like in that portrait Acontes painted.

Hindi na napigilang malungkot ni Red.

So, instead of dwelling on their loss, she instantly scanned the table for one particular prince. Nang dumapo ang mga mata niya sa binatang nakaupo sa pinakadulo ng mesa, Red instantly felt her senses kick in.

'He must be Corethon.'

The magic of Eteilla confirmed it.

Wala na siyang inaksayang panahon at mabilis na tumayo at naglakad papalapit sa kanya. Red Ridinghood ignored the fact that the younger version of Carteron was now looking at her with that sadistic glint in his eyes as he fumbled with a short piece of rope. Hindi na rin niya inisip pa kung bakit tila hindi siya nakikita ng ibang mga prinsipe.

'But I guess that has something to do with this part of the past. I think every portal lets me meet specific persons for the mission.'

Kaya sa nakaraang ito, sina Corethon lang ang makakakita sa kanya.

Pero bago pa man tuluyang makalapit si Red sa kanyang target, napahinto siya nang makitang kausap na nito ang kanyang katabi. Red Ridinghood stared at the prince sitting next to Corethon. His dark hair and gray eyes were full of life. He looks a little less stressed with his responsibilities. He looks a little less...dead.

'Acontes.'

Seeing him again, albeit a younger version, made her heart ache.

Sa huli, wala nang nagawa si Red kung hindi huminga nang malalim at pigilan ang nagbabadyang lungkot. She can't let her emotions get the best of her. She is not like those stupid princesses in children's fairytale books. May tungkulin pa siyang kailangang gampanan, at gagampanan niya ito anuman ang mangyari.

"What do you got there, boys?"

She smiled when she finally approached them. Napansin kasi ni Red na para bang may tinitingnan ang dalawa sa ilalim ng mesa. Nang lumingon sa kanya si Corethon, agad itong ngumiti. He smiled brightly and it was almost overwhelming.

"Hello! My brother was just showing me this---"

Bago pa man ito maipakita kanyang ni Corethon, mabilis siyang pinigilan ni Acontes at sinamaan ng tingin. Hindi nakaligtas sa paningin ni Red ang pamumula ng kanyang mga pisngi dala ng hiya. "Don't show it to strangers! Baka pagtawanan lang nila ako."

Pero hindi naman nakinig si Corethon, completely ignoring his brother's protests. Mabilis niyang inabot sa kanyang kabilang kamay ang bagay at ipinakita ito sa prinsesa.

"Tadah!"

Red Ridinghood stared at the small painting.

"A...red haired maiden?"

Hindi siya makapaniwala sa mga detalye nito. At lalong hindi siya makapaniwala sa pagkakahawig niya sa babaeng ito. Kinuha niya kay Corethon ang painting at tinitigang maigi ang mga mata. Indeed, it was even the same shade as hers!

"Hey! Kamukhang-kamukha mo po pala siya... What a coincidence, right brother? Siya ba 'yong inspirasyon mo?"

But Acontes only avoided her eyes, his face becoming even redder. Soon, they heard him mumble, "I...I see that woman in my dreams. Pero tuwing gigising ako, nakakalimutan ko na ang hitsura niya, kaya naisipan kong iguhit siya nang paunti-unti. Every night, I try memorize a piece of her appearance-the color of her hair, her eyes, her smile. Then, whenever I wake up in the morning, I paint it. It took me a month to finally complete that."

Corethon blinked in confusion. "Pero bakit mo naman siya naisipang gawan ng painting?"

"Because I don't want to forget."

Those words made her freeze on the spot. Tuluyan nang hindi makapagsalita ang prinsesa. 'He's been dreaming of me ever since?' At kahit gustuhin niya pang itulak papalayo ang mga alaala, Red couldn't help but remember the time he took her to his tower filled with artworks.

Acontes looked so vulnerable and it felt like a lifetime ago.

Nang akmang ibabalik na niya sana ang painting sa prinsipe, napahinto si Red nang mapansin ang likod nito.



THE SUN.

It was a Tarot card!

Nang makita naman ni Corethon ang kanyang pagtataka, natatawa na lang nitong ipinaliwanag. "Acontes isn't too confident with his artworks. Kaya kung saan-saan na lang siya nagdo-drawing! Kahapon lang ginawa pa niyang canvas ang pinto ng royal toilets. Hahaha!"

"Tsk! You didn't need to tell her that!"

"Why? Totoo naman, eh!"

'At least hindi na ako mahihirapang maghanap,' Red Ridinghood thought and mustered her best smile. "Kung ganoon, pwede bang hingin ko na lang 'to?" Sa kanyang gulat, nagkibit-balikat naman ang dalawang binatilyo. Somehow, it seems like they didn't mind entrusting it to a stranger.

"Keep it." Acontes sighed, "I'm not even good at painting, anyway."

Corethon looked at her. His eyes were clearly telling her that he already tried convincing his brother otherwise but it was no use. Mukhang wala talagang kumpyansa sa kanyang sarili ang Acontes sa panahong ito.

'Let's blame it on puberty.'

"That's not true. Alam mo, kung ikaw mismo wala kang tiwala sa sarili mo, paano magkakaroon ng tiwala sa'yo ang ibang tao? You're talented, but you just won't admit it to yourself," Red tried to convince him.

His gray eyes were doubtful.

"You think so?"

Habang tumatagal, mukhang lalo siyang nahihirapang pigilin ang kanyang pangungulila. Ilang araw na ba mula noong...? Damn. Ayaw na niyang alalahanin.

"Yup! Besides, art lets you express yourself. It's already a part of you...wala kang rason para talikuran ang mahalaga sa'yo."

Corethon nodded enthusiastically, still grinning. Nagpapasalamat na lang si Red at mukhang sa lima nilang kalaban, si Corethon ang "sunshine" sa kanila. Which probably explains his card, of course.

At nang lumitaw na ang arkong bato sa pwestong pinanggalingan ni Red, agad siyang lumingon sa dalawang prinsipe at sandaling niyakap sila. Hindi na niya pinansin ang naguguluhang ekspresyon ng mga ito.

'Hindi niyo alam ang mangyayari sa kinabukasan.'

It's tragic future for both of them.

...for all of them.

Kung may paraan lang sanang mailigtas silang lahat, gagawin niya.

*

The seventh and last portal.

Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi na nakakaramdam ng kaba ang prinsesa. Naroon na lang ang kagustuhang tapusin ang misyong ibinigay sa kanya ng Eteilla at bumalik sa palasyo.

Red knows her father and her kingdom are waiting for her return.

Huminga siya nang malalim at sinulyapan ang mga binatang nag-uusap sa throne room ni King Lycaon. Bakas ang pag-aalala sa kanilang mga mukha habang nakatitig sa trono. Red Ridinghood stared at the blonde prince who she knew so well.

"Ilang araw nang nawawala ang hari. Sa tingin mo ba may nangyari sa kanya, Socleus?"

Nawawala?

Napabuntong-hininga naman si Socleus. Pinipilit maging kalmado. "I knew the witch hunt was a bad idea. Pero hindi naman nakikinig sa'tin ang hari... I have a bad feeling about this, brother."

Then, it hit her.

Nauunawaan na niya kung aling parte ng kwento ang nakaraan nilang ito. This happened in those days the king was already cursed. Kung hindi siya nagkakamali, it will only be a moment before the king rips his heart out and triggers the curse of his twelve sons.

This was the calm before the storm.

Sandaling natahimik ang magkapatid. Nanatili namang nakatayo sa isang gilid ang prinsesa. Mabuti na lang at hindi pa siya napapansin ng mga ito.

"Kung...kung sakaling may mangyaring h-hindi maganda sa hari, ikaw ang magmamana, hindi ba?" Lycros asked out of nowhere, staring at the ancient throne with furrowed eyebrows.

Napangiti naman si Socleus. Walang saya sa kanyang mga mata. Red could only guess that he doesn't want to inherit such a big responsibility at a young age. Somehow, she understands him.

"I guess so... But it's not that simple."

"Why?"

"Well, being a king is more than inheriting the title, Lycros. Walang saysay ang pagiging hari kung hindi mo namang pinagsumikapang makuha ito. I'd rather prove myself first...that way, I'll someday die in peace, knowing that I've earned it. You should try to do it, too."

Nakatulala lang si Lycros sa kanyang kapatid habang iniisip ang sinabi nito. Maya-maya pa, hindi niya napigilang sumimangot.

"Prove myself? Why would I go through a lot of trouble just to prove something to myself? Hindi ko talaga maintindihan."

Mahina namang natawa si Socleus. Soon, he patted his younger brother's head, earning a scowl from him. "You'll understand when you have someone to prove yourself to, Lycros... Sa ngayon, kailangan na lang natin paghandaan ang anumang mangyayari." Socleus then took out a silver dagger from his pocket, hidden from Lycros' view. Sandali siyang sumulyap sa trono ng hari bago ibinalik ang patalim.

Pilit inaalala ni Red kung saan niya nakita ang punyal na 'yon. Finally, she sighed and gave up.

Lycros and Socleus walked out or the throne room.

Sa nakikita ni Red, halatang malapit sa isa't isa ang dalawa. Kaya hindi na nakapagtatakang pinagkatiwalaan pa rin ni Lycros ang mga salita ni Socleus kahit noong naging masama ito. It's ironic how trust can lead to a mistake that caused his banishment.

Napabalik na lang sa kasalukuyan si Red nang mabunggo siya.

Kamuntikan na siyang nawalan ng balanse kung hindi lang siya hinawakan ni Socleus. Instead of snapping at her, the eldest smiled and asked. "Are you hurt, miss? I'm apologize, I didn't see you there a moment ago.."

'That's because I magically popped out of nowhere.'

"No, I-It's fine. Thank you, Your Highness." She acted and sighed when Socleus finally vanished into the hallway.

Nang dumapo naman ang mga mata ni Red sa sahig, doon niya napansin ang isang baraha.



DEATH.

Hindi niya napigilang ngumiti. Sa wakas, kumpleto na ang labindalawang Tarot cards! Mababasag na nila ang sumpa---

Someone whistled.

"What are you gonna do with that Tarot card?"

Red mentally scolded herself. Green eyes glared at her. Kamuntikan na niyang nakalimutang nandito pa rin pala si Lycros! Napalunok na lang ang dalaga at pinilit ngumiti.

"Umm... I collect these cards. It's important to me."

Sandali lang siyang tinitigan ng prinsipe. Kalaunan, nagkibit na lang ito nang balikat at nauna nang maglakad papalayo. But not before Red heard his comment, "Well, it's a shame you're not my type, miss! Or else I'd probably kiss you on first sight. Bye!"

Napasimangot na lang si Red.

["Seriously?"]

Soon, Nyctimus responded with a sigh.

["He's always been like a bit full of himself."]

Tumango na lang si Red kahit na hindi siya nakikita nito. Maya-maya pa, naaninag na niya ang portal pabalik sa Eteilla. A small smile crept on her red lips.

When she wished for a gothic adventure all those years ago while gazing out of her bedroom's window, ni minsan, hindi niya inakalang makakapaglakbay pa siya sa nakaraan para maghanap ng mga baraha. Nonetheless, she learned a lot a things from their past...

*

The Tower Of A Thousand Artworks felt emptier than usual. Tahimik siyang napapalibutan ng mga obra maestra habang nakatuon ang kanyang atensyon sa mga kagamitang nahanap niya kanina.

Amber eyes stared at the vibrant pigments and paint brushes neatly kept in a rosewood box. Naroon pa rin ang nagkalat na papel at ilang mga tintang napaglipasan na ng panahon. Sunod niyang pinasadahan ng tingin ang blangkong canvas sa kanyang harapan.

'This is where he spends his time painting, huh?'

Without second thoughts, Red Ridinghood picked up a brush, dipped it in paint, and started stroking it on the cream-colored surface.

Hindi niya alam kung anong ginagawa niya. No, Red definitely has no clue when it comes to visual arts.

"I knew I'd find you here."

Hindi na nagulat ang dalaga nang sumulpot sa kanyang likuran si Lycros. Nagpatuloy lang siya sa kanyang ginagawa, kahit pa ramdam niyang nakatitig na rin sa canvas ang binata. Ayaw na niyang alamin kung ano ang reaksyon nito sa nakakahiya niyang gawa. Red Ridinghood paints as bad as she rhymes, that's for sure.

Finally, he spoke.

"Err... I think you should've started with a rough sketch?"

"No need. I wasn't even thinking when I started this."

"Touché."

Makalipas ang lang sandali, ibinaba na ng prinsesa ang paint brush at lumingon sa kanyang kasama. "Bakit mo nga pala ako hinahanap?"

Lycros stared at her with those piercing green eyes again.

"I...I just want to congratulate you for a job well done. Thank you, Red Ridinghood. Alam kong hindi naging madali sa'yo ang lahat ng 'to, but at least we're one step away from breaking the curse, right?"

He sounded too casual; the carefree tone in his voice wasn't there anymore. Hindi lang 'yon... Sa dalawang araw niyang pagiging alpha, napansin rin ni Red Ridinghood ang ipinapamalas na leadership ni Lycros. Surprisingly, he was handling things well inside the castle and even devised several traps just in case their undead brothers attack them again.

Naroon pa rin ang ilang pagkakataong nakikipagkulitan at biruan ito sa kanyang mga kapatid, but when things became serious, the spirit of maturity possessed him.

Nang mapansin niyang nakatitig pa rin ito sa kanya, she avoided his eyes and nodded.

"Hindi niyo na kailangang magpasalamat sa'kin. I'm just doing what needs to be done---for all of you and for my kingdom."

Hinahanda na nina Nyctimus ang ritwal mamayang gabi. Wala siyang ideya kung paano nila babasagin ang sumpa, but it somehow involves destroying those twelve Tarot cards. Mabuti na lang at hindi tuluyang nasira ang mga ito nang malunod siya sa swamp. Thanks to Nyct's magic, they were able to salvage them.

"What happens when the curse is broken?" She suddenly asked.

Nagkibit naman ng balikat si Lycros. "The attacks stop and 'everything will be back to the way it should be'---or at least that's what Acontes told us before. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko rin sigurado. Hahaha!'

Seeing his gestures somehow reminded her of his younger self. Hanggang ngayon, nananatili pa ring ang palaisipang ito sa kanya...

"Kung nagbalik pala ako noon sa nakaraan, bakit hindi niyo ako naaalala?"

They saw her.

She even interacted with them! Kaya hindi ba parang ang imposibleng hindi siya natatandaan ng mga ito? Well, given that it was a thousand years ago, but it still doesn't make sense.

Nang mapansin naman ni Lycros ang kanyang labis na pagtataka, napahawak na lang ito sa kanyang batok at sandaling nag-isip. "I wish I can give you an answer, but I have no idea, too... Ang hinala noon ni Nyct, baka may ginamit na mahika sa'min ang mangkukulam para makalimutan namin ang lahat ng 'yon. Heck, I don't really remember you! And if I do, I'd probably...err...nevermind."

Sa hindi malamang dahilan, bigla na lang nahiya si Lycros.

She frowned. "Probably...?"

Sandaling sumulyap sa kanya si Lycros bago nag-iwas ng tingin. He started staring at the marble floor as if it was the most interesting thing on earth, before mumbling, "...I'd probably spend the past thousand years of my life searching for you."

He stared at her again, eyes filled with sincerity and affection. "Kitten, I---"

"Lycros...t-this isn't an appropriate time." She started, unconsciously stepping away from him. "After what...happened to your brother, I-I don't want to rush this."

He suffered too much emotional pain already and Red Ridinghood knew that. She cares for him, yes. But then there's her feelings for Acontes---and whatever bond they had---but now he's gone, and she can't seem to digest that fact and it pains her to see Lycros still being sincere to her despite all that happened and....ugh! Hindi na talaga alam ni Red kung anong nangyayari sa kanya. Ang alam lang niya ay ayaw na niyang saktan o paasahin ang sinuman, lalo pa't hindi rin niya maintindihan ang kanyang sarili.

Hindi niya kayang magdesisyon ngayon.

No, that would be unfair for him.

And that's the thing about love. It isn't about filling the gaps the other person left behind. It's about committing yourself to someone you genuinely want to spend your life with. Nevertheless, Red Ridinghood can live and rule the kingdom by herself (even if it goes against the palace's rules), but that doesn't mean she won't consider whoever person her heart finds peace with.

Right now, she just isn't sure.

Maya-maya pa, muling ngumiti si Lycros sa kanya at hinawakan ang kanyang mga kamay.

His eyes never left hers.

"Shh... I know. There's no need to feel pressured, kitten. Alam ko namang ayaw mo akong gawing panakip-butas sa pagkawala ng kapatid ko. Pero kung ganoon ang gusto mo, ayos lang naman sa'kin kasi---"

"Lycros!"

Red will never do that to him. She can't.

He chuckled and brought her hands to his lips, showering them with butterfly kisses. "Just kidding, of course! Acontes would probably haunt me. And even if I wanted to, I know I can never replace him, either... I am not Acontes, but I just want you to know that I will never be mad at you, no matter what your decision is. Hihintayin ko na lang ang desisyon ng puso mo. Hihintayin ko na lang ang araw na magigising ka at ako ang una mong hahanapin. Hihintayin ko na lang ang gabing matutulog ka at ako ang huli mong iisipin. Hinding-hindi mo kailangang humingi nang tawad sa'kin kung sakaling hindi dumating ang araw o gabing 'yon...I'll devote my heart to you, until the days and nights on earth come to an end, kitten."

Red Ridinghood smiled and embraced him in appreciation. She felt him wrap her arms around her, without hesitation. Black butterflies fluttered above them, a silent audience to this scene.

"Thank you, Lycros."

---

You were faultless
I was flawed,

I was lesser
yet you
gave more.

Now with time,
I find you
on my mind-

Perhaps I loved you,
after all.

---"Change of Heart", Lang Leav