Royal 24

Meteor's POV

"He's King Arcturus' son?!"

Astro abruptly stood up as soon as he heard the news. Madaling araw na akong nakauwi sa palasyo. After what happened last night, I stayed up at First Shadow's quarters to clear my thoughts and pull myself together. Hindi ko na magawang matulog ng maayos. There are so many things popping in my mind that I didn't notice the time. When I heard from First that it's already 4 in the morning, I decided to go back. Just when I thought I'm already successful sneaking in, Astro was waiting for me in my room. And he was definitely furious of the thought of his little sister coming home at this hour.

"Arcturus' bastard to be exact," I corrected his remark earlier.

He placed both of his hands on his waist and heaved a long frustrated sigh, "Teka! Dahan-dahan lang. Give me time to process what you're blabbing to me right now, because seriously Meteor, my mind is really fucked up right now."

It was probably the first time I heard him curse. Who wouldn't be? Pagkatapos kong sabihin sa kanya ang tungkol sa organisasyong gumagawa ng illegal na stardusts, the possible mastermind who's behind all of this, his/her motive of getting Stella World under his command, possible people involved, dangers that will come and the treacherous act of Blizzard-dash-Frost-dash-bastard-dash-the jerk I badly want to burn right now, sino nga ba naman ang hindi ma-ma-mindfuck? The Stella World is nearing its end, for solar's sake! At ilan lang sa amin ang nakakaalam nito.

"So you're saying that you're doing this mission of finding these missing old people, who turned out to be members of a forbidden organization whose task is to manufacture illegal stardusts for their own selfish needs. Then, you and Blizzard should be doing this together and protecting the last member but he turned out to be a part of this sort of kidnapping thing and you tried to fight back but he knocked you out, so you end up waking at the quarters of whom you call First Shadow, and I asked you of his gender and you tell me he's a man and you slept on a man's bed unarmed and what on stars were you thinking Meteor Flare Sirius!"

Hindi ko pinansin ang pag-emphasis niya sa dulong part ng kanyang pagre-recall sa mga pinagsasabi ko sakanya kanina. Instead I continued what he started.

"And I keep on telling you that First and I just talked about what can happen with those missing people, and Blizzard's identity and all the possible dangers that may come because of that illegal stardusts and nothing else happened. I came back this morning, still in one piece. And you're furious because I came home late and that you demand an explanation and I'm giving you the 'explanation' and now your mind is fucked. End of story."

Tanging buntong hininga lang ang naisagot ni Astro sa pinagsasasabi ko sakanya. We were silent for a moment. Pinagmamasdan ko lang siya while he's busy walking back and forth across the room. Probably he's recalling again what I said to him earlier or most probably, he's still worried that First may have done something 'unimaginable'during my stay in his quarters.

After a while, tumigil din si Astro sa kalalakad niya. He sat beside me on the edge of my bed, placed both of his elbows on top of his knees while he entwined his hands and slightly bowed his head.

"You haven't told me everything, Meteor."

"I told you everything that there is," I insisted. "And please, nothing happened between me and First so stop worrying. That guy is like a brother to me."

"You're hiding something, sis. I can feel it," he said almost in a whisper. "And we both know it's not about the upcoming war or saving the world or the missing people making illegal stardusts or even that First Shadow. Tell me that one thing bothering you."

"Tell you what?"

He raised his head and looked directly at me.

"You haven't told the whole story of Blizzard."

"Oh." Was the only answer I could give him. Mapait akong tumawa. Blizzard. Just hearing his name makes me want to burn every snow I can see, every ice I can hold, and all cold things just to make sure the word Blizzard and Frost will no longer be a word.

"You do love him, don't you?"

"I did." I answered him once again, giving emphasis to the word did. "Now, all I could think of is burning and crushing that fucking traitor with my own fire-wielding hands."

I clenched my fists. He deserves to be set on fire. My fire.

"What you said," Astro sighed. "You don't mean it."

I got on my feet and looked at him with disbelief. "I meant every fucking word I said, kuya! That bastard fucking deceived us! And I'll make sure his body will turn to ashes!"

"If you mean what you said, then why are there tears falling from your eyes?"

Natigilan ako. I raised my hand and caressed my cheek, only to find out that Astro was right. I am crying.

Marahas kong pinunasan ang mga luhang tumulo pero hindi ito tumigil. "I am enrage! The sudden burst of emotions probably caused my tear ducts to drain this fluid," I reasoned out.

Astro stood up, gently placed his hand at the back of my head and pushed me softly towards his shoulder. I didn't hold back anymore and let the tears flow. He wrapped his arm around me while his other hand brushed my hair.

"You were strong enough for a long time. You concealed your emotions and you didn't let fear or pain consume you. But once in a while, it's okay to feel these emotions. It's okay to be hurt, to break down, to cry. Sometimes, being fragile is not a sign of weakness; rather it is a reminder that we are still humans and we can be hurt too."

"Still, remember that you shouldn't allow these negative emotions to cloud your judgement. You have to sort your feelings out before jumping to any decisions, because you'll never know what may happen in the future, and I don't want to see you regret the choice you've made in the end."

~

Astro's POV

My sister 's a wreck, and it hurts me to see her that way.

Hindi ako sanay ng nakikita siyang ganito. She's strong, fearless and a risk-taker. Her personality is far from the stereotypical princess; and no matter how many times her lecturers teach her the proper actions of a royalty, no matter how many times they urge her to be the 'ideal' princess, she doesn't budge. She tries to maintain the real Meteor Flare.

Unlike me.

I strive to be the perfect prince. I'm the exact opposite of her, the perfectionist, full of doubts and afraid of taking risks. No wonder I didn't get the one thing that I liked the most. To be the Astro I want to be.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto pagkatapos kong maghanda at mag-ayos para sa ikaapat na araw ng Stella Royal Games. Isang araw na lang ang natitira bago kami umuwi sa palasyo. Isang araw na lang para muling i-angat ang kaharian namin mula sa baba.

Nakasalubong ko si Meteor sa may grand staircase, wearing her usual princess attire. Kasama niya ang dalawang babaeng servants na tahimik na nakasunod sa kanya sa likod. She has dark circles under her eyes. Mukhang hindi niya hinayaan si Casey na lagyan ng make-up ang kanyang mukha para matakapan ito.

"Mom would be worried if she sees you like that,"sabi ko sakanya after I extended my arm to escort her down the staircase. "You should at least put some light make up on."

Hindi siya umimik. Sa halip, nakatuon lang ang atensyon niya sa binababaan namin.

Nang makarating kami sa dining hall, sinalubong kami ng mga servants at iginiya kami sa mahabang la mesa kung saan nakahain na ang pagkain para sa breakfast. Naupo kami ni Meteor sa magkabilang-gilid. We waited for Mom to arrive before having our breakfast. When she entered the hall, we stood up. The servants greeted her and we followed, giving her morning kiss on the cheek. We uttered our Grace before starting to eat our meal.

"Are you all set for today, Princess Meteor?" Mom asked. Oo nga pala, ngayon rin ang araw ng Royal Swan Lake tournament.

Tumingin ako kay Meteor. Nakatuon pa rin siya sa kinakain niya, as if she did not hear Mom's question. Pasimple kong sinipa ang isang paa niya. She was surprised. Tumingin siya sa'kin and I mouthed Mom.

"Mom? You were saying?"

"I'm asking if you're ready for today. Today is your ballet tournament right?"

"Oh. Yeah, I guess so." Sagot ni Meteor. "I'm planning for a solo this time."

"Solo? Why? What happened to your partner?"

"Chickened out. Ran away," Meteor said bitterly while releasing her irritation on the bacon she's cutting.

"Would that affect your performance? I hope not. You've been holding the Royal Swan title for years, well not until the princess from Vega Empire won it in the last tournament. Still, many royalties are expecting for your comeback performance this year. Especially the Arcturus clan. You do know they will be watching the soon-to-be bride of their crowned prince."

"I'm well aware of that, Mom. And I know the Kings will be arriving today for the show. Including dad."

"He's expecting you'll steal the title and wear the silver crown once again. For the kingdom."

Napatigil sa pagkain si Meteor. "He better not expect anything. No princess has ever won doing a solo performance." Inayos ni Meteor ang hawak na kutsilyo at tinidor at maingat na ibinaba ito sa plato. "If you'll excuse me. I still need to practice."

She stood up, bowed and left the room. Sinundan siya ng dalawang servant na kasama niya kanina. I stuffed my mouth with the last bacon and excused myself to follow her. Dali-dali akong naglakad papunta sa hallway para maabutan siya.

I signaled her two servants to leave us alone. Tumigil ang mga ito sa gilid at yumuko, habang patuloy lang kami ni Meteor sa paglalakad.

"Are you still joining the tournament? You can back out if you want. I'll do the explaining to Mom and Dad."

"You don't have to, Kuya. Napag-isipan ko na 'to."

"Are you going to perform the same routine?"

"No. I made last minute changes."

"You what?!" Gulat akong napatingin sa kanya. Last minute changes?!

"You heard me," walang emosyon niyang sabi. "Kanina ko lang napag-isipan ang bagong routine, and I guess I still have two hours to try, practice and master it."

I stopped. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Can she do it? Hindi basta-basta ang pagbuo at pagmaster ng isang ballet routine. Some princesses are practicing for this tournament for several months. Claiming the Royal Swan title is a huge plus for a princess, lalo na kung gusto ng parents nila na ipakasal sila sa isang kilalang prinsipe. And by that I mean a prince who's next in line for the throne, like Prince Ice Arcturus.

"Meteor," I called out. Tumigil siya sa paglalakad pero nanatili siyang nakatalikod sa'kin.

"Look, if you're not ready then don't do it. Wag mong pilitin ang sarili mo. Ikaw na nagsabi sa'kin noon, hindi basta-basta ang pagiging isang ballerina, lalo na kung maraming tao ang nag-eexpect na makukuha mo ang korona ngayon. You have a reputation to uphold, I understand that. Pero ayoko rin namang ipahiya mo ang sarili mo sa harap ng madaming tao, sa harap ng buong mundo!"

Bahagya niyang inilingon ang kanyang ulo. I can only see one side of her face, pero kahit na ganoon kitang-kita ko ang walang pagbabago sa ekspresyon niya. Desidido pa rin siyang pasukin 'to.

"I did say no princess has ever won the title with a solo performance. Kaya maraming prinsesa ang sinusuyod ang buong mundo makahanap lang ng perfect partner. But who knows..

..I might make history this time."

~

Kyamii: Short update. Huhu. Pero, finally! Nabalikan ko na rin ang storya nina Meteor at Blizzard! (joke) But yeah, I'm happy I finally updated this. Banzaaii~!

The question is: Ano kaya ang mangyayari sa Royal Swan Lake tournament ni Meteor, lalo na't wala na ang kanyang kapartner na Blizzard? Let's find out in the next chapter which will be uploaded on Thursday! Opo, sa Thursday na, hindi na po ulit aabutin ng 2 months. Haha :) Banzaaii~!

Thank you for reading! Have a nice day!