Chapter 18: The Political Game

When I had a conversation with Juniper after I read some of her articles about the Viardellons, I always knew that something was wrong. Alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi papayag ang mga Viardellon na may mabasang mga ganoong klase ng balita tungkol sa kanila. Pumasok na rin sa isip ko na posibleng isa nga sa Viardellon pero nang sabihin ni Juniper na galing na siya sa Avalon, pero bakit hanggang ngayon ay narito pa siya?

There's no way that any Viardellon would let her go once he felt that Juniper is...

"I don't understand."

Kreios shrugged his shoulders again. He already had an idea, and he was using it to his advantage, but why wasn't the Viardellons moving yet to have her? Bakit siya pinakawalan?

Did Kreios do something?

Kumuha muli siya ng aklat at sinimulan niya iyong buklatin kahit hindi niya naman binabasa.

I never thought he'd be cunning enough to directly attack the Viardellons, and these attacks would only increase his popularity with the success of Ancient Quillper and its high income. And what's more? Despite all those articles, the Viardellons weren't fighting back. 

Bigla kong naalala ang mga unang inilabas ng Ancient Quillper— for me, but for his real targets: the Sartorias and Deltora. He was hitting two birds with one stone.

Napatulala na ako kay Kreios habang unti-unting pumapasok sa isip ko ang mga ginawa niya nitong mga nakaraang buwan na akala ko ay parte lang mga pagseselos niya.

When I first saw him after entering this empire, he was that king—the one he tried to depict in this world: the uninterested, lazy king sitting on his throne, yawning, looking bored and disinterested in everything around him—the foolish, idiotic one who only acquired the throne because of his sister. That was his image—his mask.

Hindi na agad ako makapagsalita.

"No. I will not agree, Your Majesty. I just want to write here. I don't want to be your consort or some sort of chess piece in this political game. I don't want to get involved with the story."

My brows creased with Juniper's words. "Story?"

Kreios shrugged his shoulders again.

Mas lalo na akong naiinis sa pagkibit balikat niyang iyan na parang wala kami sa seryosong usapan. 

"She is always like that. Telling me that we could be inside a story, she's an outsider and she might ruin the flow of the story if she gets involved."

"What?"

Lumingon na ako kay Juniper. "No. Juniper this is a real world. Some creatures can travel from your world to this world. You're aware of it."

She sighed, "Maybe? Or I am still in a long dream. Actually, ito iyong nauuso ngayon sa mundo ko. I was hit by the truck. Namatay ako sa kaka-overtime ko, sobrang pagod at hindi ko na napansin na may babangga na pala sa akin."

"We're aware of the human world, Juniper. I even tried to visit it. You're not inside a story." Paglilinaw ko.

"See? She's talented but sometimes that's how her brain works. She's still in denial of this world."

Napalingon ako kay Kreios.

"Do not convince me," umiiling na sabi ni Juniper. "I don't want to play a major role, not even a sacrificial lamb who can't even fight. Mamamatay lang din naman ako, mag-o-overtime na lang ako. Bahala na kayong magpatayan diyan, huwag na ninyo akong idamay. Magta-trabaho na lang ako nang marangal."

Muli akong lumingon kay Kreios. "And you planned to make her a consort? Even if she has the talent if she doesn't want anything about this..."

Kreios had been on this throne for years. I happened to meet him outside Mudelior, and even attended some meetings with my brothers and sister in his presence as the king of this empire, he always had that old political advisor beside him who would talk in his place, now it was new to me to witness how he played with his words as a king in his game.

"Tell me, human girl, what do you want? Maybe we can compromise."

"I want to live peacefully. Pero walang labanan, paglalakbay o kahit anong komplikasyon sa mundong ito. A complete peaceful place where I can write, plant fruits and vegetables, play musical instrument and die of old age... without monsters or vampire bites."

Kreios waved one of his hands as if he was too bored. "Walang ganyan dito."

"Then I can't be your consort. I am happy to remain as the official writer of Ancient Quillper."

At first, it was really a ridiculous plan. He couldn't just leave this empire to a weak human girl, even though she had a great knowledge of this world already. Nabasa ko na rin ang nalalaman niya sa Mudelior at hindi ko maiwasang hindi humanga sa kanya. I even felt envious of her talent, she wasn't even exposed to this world, but she managed to take in the information of this world, even the sensitive and trivial ones. If she could be a real consort, she could be a real threat to my throne, and even if I already had an idea that she wasn't interested... there was a little whisper in my mind that I shouldn't agree with this.

I am still the Queen, the only one. I don't want Kreios to have a consort.

Ngayon na narinig ko na ang paliwanag ni Kreios, ang tanging nagawa ko na lang ay makinig sa sagutan nila.

If Juniper is mated to any Viardellon, they would do everything to protect Mudelior and Juniper. Kreios could announce a friendly alliance with Avalon with a few Viardellon brothers as the delegates, puwede namin iwan ang Mudelior habang gagawin nila ang lahat para protektahan ang pansamantalang namumuno ng emperyong ito.

Juniper's already aware of Mudelior's status and how everything works here. She's a perfect right hand, it's a shame that Kreios had her first. I am sure Lily would keep her or Rosh... the two of the most cunning political advisors from Sartorias and Deltora.

Napalingon ako kay Kreios. Saan niya nakilala si Juniper?

If we could get Juniper to agree, the only problem is whether Kreios would survive... my siblings and the Viardellons would kill him immediately.

"I think I can arrange something like that. I can send her to the place where Divina and Cyanara once stayed."

Doon ko naagaw nang tuluyan ang atensyon ni Juniper na nasa isinusulat na niya ang atensyon kanina.

Umangat ang kilay ni Kreios. "My Queen, why do you sound like you're on my side now? Aren't you jealous that I am taking a consort?"

"Why would I? You're madly in love with me."

He laughed. "Yes."

"But isn't it unfair for Juniper? If you take her as a consort and remove her from the title after our journey... that would ruin her name, and what's your plan about the two families that will assassinate you? I am serious about this, Kreios. Zen will kill you."

"I thought it was Lily?"

Mariin akong pumikit sa sagot niyang iyon na pumipili pa siya ng papatay sa kanya. "After Lily killed you, Zen will kill you again."

"Oh... interesting."

"Kreios!"

Kreios waved his hand dismissively again. "We can think about it after the announcement of my consort."

"They should know, Kreios. Hindi ako nagbibiro. Magwawala ang mga kapatid ko."

"But that will ruin our journey. It's supposed to be just us, right? It's a secret. It's our honeymoon, Harper."

"You need to find a consort just for a honeymoon? Idadamay ninyo pa ako?" sabat ni Juniper.

"Oh, I haven't told her yet the journey."

Kumunot ang noo ni Juniper. "What journey? Should I mention it to Ancient Quillper your honeymoon destination?"

"No. It's a secret. Hindi ka ba nakikinig?" nakangiwing sabi ni Kreios.

"But that is my job."

"And I am your boss— your king. Now let's cut the chase, human girl. My Queen will provide your lodging and peaceful life after playing as my consort for a few months."

Nanlaki ang mga mat ani Juniper. "Months?!"

"And without telling them about this? Kreios, my brothers will kill you!"

"If they happened to find us, My Queen, protect me from your idiot brothers."

Marahas na akong napatayo, napahampas na sa lamesa at mas inilapit ko ang mukha ko sa kanya. "Kreios Sageton Doyle."

"King," he corrected.

I took a deep breath, massaged my temple, and paced around with one of my hands on my waist. "Kreios, tell me that you have a plan to inform them at least."

"We'll just explain it to them after our honeymoon— our journey."

Mabilis akong bumalik sa tabi niya at mas malakas kong hinampas ang lamesa. "Kreios, I am serious! Don't take this lightly! That would create more conflict! Hindi lang sa Gazellian—" lumingon ako kay Juniper na wala man lang ideya.

"You're not even aware of what the Viardellons can do! Sinong kakampi sa 'yo? No one!"

He looked at me calmly.

Mas humilig pa siya sa inuupuan niya at prente niyang isinadal ang ulo niya roon na parang hindi mabigat itong pinag-uusapan namin.

"We need the power of Ancient Quillper and its influence now, Harper. Since it would be a big scandal if the King of Mudelior took a consort— with a Gazellian as a queen— everyone in Nemetio Spiran would focus on our dramatic love story just like how this world watched us, you, me, and that long hair," he rolled his eyes, but he continued.

"After my wedding ceremony with the human girl, you will run away in our story. The Ancient Quillper will spread the news like wildfire that Queen Harper Esmeralda Gazellian can't accept my decision to take a consort, and as a king— with an official mission I can go outside— to chase my beloved jealous wife— no one would think that we're about to have our own journey to find the Holy Land, kill some Atlas's minions and visit your Uncle Tiffon in Asta Wellingzon. We need to find the Holy Land, the real origin of the powerful water—that even the Water Kingdom, Deltora doesn't have. We need it for Finn, right?"

Nanghihina akong napaupo sa tabi ng upuan ni Kreios at napatulala na ako sa kanya. Hindi ko na napansin na tumutulo na ang luha ko habang pinagmamasdan siya.

He knew what I wanted the most. I wanted to do something for Finn, and the Holy Land and its water could help him.

Nangangatal ang mga kamay ko at nagawa ko nang takpan ang bibig ko na tila may magagawa iyon para pigilan ang paghikbi ko.

"Y-you planned all of this... for me..."

"Anything for you."

"B-but you will ruin your image... you might ruin your relations with my family, the Viardellons..."

He chuckled, not looking at me but staring at the ceiling with a small smile on his lips. "I don't care how anyone sees me. This world can judge me and call me the most foolish king. They can go to hell—I only care about how you see me, Harper."

I heard Juniper's scribbling. "I will highlight those words, Your Majesty."

Agad kong pinunasan ang luha ko at humarap ako kay Juniper. "I promise that I can offer you peace— a place with no monsters, but I can't promise that someone else's fang will try to bite you."

"That's non-negotiable."

I sighed, "Alright. I can ask Claret to give you protection. She's a powerful priestess who can create a magical dome— a shield. But promise me... if you ever fall in love, do not suppress it. Do not run."

"I will not fall in love in this world."

"Just promise me."

Mariin kaming tumitig sa isa't isa ni Juniper hanggang sa bumuntonghininga na siya. "Fine."

Muli akong humarap kay Kreios. "Casper is away. I don't know when he will return, but he knows me too well. He will realize that everything about the Ancient Quillper is part of our game to play the public's attention and probably divert the attention of the growing alliance of Atlas and Veda inside this world."

Kung maagang makababalik si Casper, magagawa man gumawa ng reaksyon ng mga kapatid ko para higit na makumbinsi ang publiko sa problema namin ni Kreios, hindi na sila higit na makakagawa ng hakbang o kaya'y sumunod sa amin.

The Ancient Quillper which was Juniper herself could manipulate the information. The paper would monitor my siblings' movement and their reaction to the issue, and since this would be a marital conflict— the Gazellian siblings shouldn't get involved. The Ancient Quillper would limit everyone and dance with our farce.

Kreios was right, with the drama of our love... no one would notice that we were actually trying to help Claret, Zen ... and the rest of them.

"With Casper's help... maybe Dastan will soon know as he reads some issue of the Ancient Quillper, but I doubt if he reads gossip... that leaves one problem, who from the Viardellon will kill you?"

"Why would they kill him?" tanong ni Juniper.

"For taking someone else's bride."

"Excuse me?"

"It's that human girl's choice," sagot ni Kreios.

"But Kreios... hindi matutuwa ang mga Viardellon."

"As if it's a real wedding, of course, it's going to be a fake ceremony, and that someone should be thankful, now that I gave him a reason to stay beside her. You'll have your royal guard soon, human girl."

Tumayo na si Kreios at tipid siyang ngumiti sa amin ni Juniper. "So now that I explained to you, My Queen, and my soon-to-be consort our plans, I can rest for now. You can continue with your conversation."

Kreios waved his hand lazily and left us casually.

"Are you really okay with that? He's taking another woman."

"I know that he's mine."

Juniper laughed. "I never wish to compete with a powerful queen."

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "I should go, the offer is still open, Juniper. If you find your peaceful life boring, you can be my right hand."

"The ex-consort?"

Sabay kaming tumawa. "Well, that's quite..."

"Weird," she added.

Hindi pa man ako nakakailang hakbang mula sa silid ni Juniper ay agad kong nakita si Kreios, hindi siya kalayuan sa silid habang nakatayo, nakasalikop ang mga kamay sa likuran at nakatitig sa painting na nakasabit sa pader.

He was waiting for me.

Magagaan ang hakbang ko patungo sa kanya at nang sandaling tumigil ako, inangat ko ang dalawang palad ko malapit sa pisngi niya.

Kreios leaned in casually with a small smile on his lips, allowing my palms to cup his cheeks. I stepped closer, tiptoed, and gave him my softest kiss. "Thank you."