Chapter 8: The Sinner's Purpose

They had a sumptuous lunch. Pagkatapos kumain nina Serene ay hinayaan na muna niya sina Zael at Nimfa na kumain din ng kani-kanilang mga tanghalian sa visitor's lounge ng Main Palace.

Si Vester ay bumalik na sa kaniyang palasyo matapos tawagin ng kaniyang personal knight. Si Levi naman ay pabalik na rin sa kaniyang trabaho sa boarder.

"Why do you have to inspect the boarder yourself, brother?" Tanong ni Perry sa kapatid.

"Yesterday, there was a reported attack of rogue warriors in one of the villages in Zarcaiah. That's why all of the boarders are being inspected right now. I have to visit them myself both as a warning and my duty." Paliwanag ni Levi habang sinusuot muli ang kaniyang kulay putting gloves.

"Rogue warriors?" Bigla na lamang naiusal ni Serene.

Napatingin naman sa kaniya ang mga kasama. Napatakip na lamang siya sa kaniyang bibig dahil sa pagkabigla. Perry smiled at her.

"They're those people who's against the palace. They call themselves rogue warriors. They hate nobles and royalties like us. Kaya gumagawa sila ng mga pag-atake laban sa palasyo." Perry explained.

"But that's treason?" Ilang na tanong ni Serene.

Perry chuckled. "Kaya sila wanted! Kailangan nilang mahuli para matigil na ang kung anuman ang binabalak nila." Tinaas niya pa ang kaniyang hintuturo.

"But you don't have to worry, dear. The palace's security is more tighter now that the fiancee of the Crown Prince has arrived." Ngiti ring sabi sa kaniya ng reyna.

"Moreoever, rogue warriors aren't foolish enough to attack the palace directly as well. Kaya ligtas ka rito." Dagdag pa ng hari.

"I'll introduce you your other personal knight tomorrow." Sabat din ni Levi.

Agad namang bumalik ang tingin ni Serene sa binata. May lumapit sa kanilang isang knight at agad na yumuko upang batiin sila saka may inabot na scroll kay Levi.

"I heard Zael and him were old pals from the same training camp in Sardonia. His family transferred here after his knighthood and entered the Second Order of the Knights." Dagdag pa ni Levi habang binabasa ang nakasulat sa scroll.

Tahimik lamang na nakamasid si Serene sa kaniyang fiancee. His eyes were moving fast while reading the scroll. His lips formed a thin line. The loose strand of his soft-looking hair is gently poking his brows. The long lashes of the prince made his auburn orbs looked more intimidating. It was breathtaking, just by looking at him in a close distance.

"What is it?" Tanong ng hari sa anak.

"The full report of the attack yesterday. Can I leave this to you, Father? I need your opinion about this matter."

"All right. Let's have a meeting with your brothers tomorrow afternoon."

"That's fine with me. I have to go now. See you later." Paalam ni Levi sa kanila.

Pinanood na lamang ni Serene ang matipunong likuran ng binata habang papalayo ito sa kanila. Even his back screams elegance and sovereignty. She smiled a bit.

Be safe, Your Highness.

Matapos makapagpaalam sa reyna at hari ay dumiretso na ang dalawa sa Andromeda Palace kung saan ang magiging chamber ni Serene. Nang makalabas sila sa likuran ng Main Palace ay agad na bumungad sa kanila ang malawak na lawn ng palasyo. There's a floor marble and a fountain in the middle. May malawak na gazebo rin sa hindi kalayuan ng fountain. There are flowers blooming on the side as well. Sugar mapple trees were scattered too. May mataas ding wall bush na humahati sa isa pang garden.

Dumaan sila sa lawn. Saka lamang nasilayan ni Serene ang malaki at matayog na palasyo sa tuwid ng mataas na wall bush. Malayo man ito sa wall bush ay kitang-kita pa rin ang baroque exterior design ng palasyo.

"Ah, that's Kuya Levi's palace residence. Centaurus Palace. Nandiyan din ang opisina niya." Ngiting turo ni Perry sa palasyo matapos nilang dumaan sa isang open way papunta sa palasyo ng prinsipe.

"Centaurus? A constellation located in the Southern skies. The bright and one of the biggest Constellation." Usal ni Serene habang nakatingin sa palasyo.

"You like Astrology?" Ngiting tanon ni Perry at sumilip pa sa mukha ni Serene.

"Yeah, heavenly bodies are breathtaking, aren't they?" Ngiting baling din ni Serene kay Perry.

"They are. Kuya Levi likes Astronomy as well. Out of all the constellations, he once told me that he likes Cancer the most. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung bakit."

Natigilan si Serene sa kinuwento ng kaibigan. She unknowingly smiled.

My birthday is July 20. Therefore, my zodiac sign is Cancer.

Even though that was just a trivial information about the Prince and just a little connection to the Princess, it didn't fail to make Serene happy a bit. She's a simple minded person, kaya ang mga maliliit na bagay tulad nito ay sapat na upang pasayahin siya.

Nang makatawid sila sa malawak na walkway sa tapat ng palasyo ni Levi, the exterior of the palace was painted with dirty white. There are sculptures and designs on the walls of it as well. The roof was painted in gray and has a circle shaped-roof on the front part of the palace. Maraming bintana at napapaligiran ng hanggang hips na mga well-trimmed bushes.

Ngunit agad ding natigilan si Serene nang makita ang pamilyar na mga halaman sa tapat ng palasyo. Hindi niya nga lang matandaan kung ano iyon, lalo na at hindi pa naman ito namumulaklak.

Maya-maya ay lumiko sila sa isa pang walkway sa bandang kanan. Sa gilid ng walkway ay ang mga bushes na hanggang hips ng tao ang taas. It was well-trimmed as well.

Nang i-angat ni Serene ang kaniyang tingin ay agad niyang nakita ang isa pang palasyo na nakaharap sa kanila. Nasa bandang kaliwa ito ng Centaurus Palace at nakaharap sa palasyo ni Levi. The Palace are looking elegant as well. It was painted in white and light yellow colors. There are designs and sculptures on the wall as well, especially on the foundations of the infrastructure.

Just like Centaurus and Main Palace, the design is obviously a baroque inspired which most of the palace's design in the North is. Sa tapat ng building ay ang apat na malalaki at mataas na haligi. It was the front porch. May tatlong hakbang na hagdanan pa ang madadaanan sa porch na iyon bago makarating sa malaking double door ng palasyo. There were two palace guards on duty outside of the building as well.

Nang ilang metro na lamang ang kanilang layo sa palasyo ay napatingin si Serene sa kanilang kaliwa. The princess' eyes sparkled upon seeing the beautiful garden just in between Centaurus and this palace in front of them. She can see the gazebo, pond and a small bridge.

"Welcome to your new home, Princess Serene!"

Natauhan naman si Serene at napatingin kay Perry na nakatayo na ngayon sa kaniyang harapan. Nasa tapat na sila ng palasyo na may yellow paint.

"This is Andromeda Palace! Our chamber!" Excited na hayag ni Perry kay Serene.

Serene smiled upon seeing the palace. The palace guards bowed to the princesses.

"It's beautiful. The exterior's color is my favorite."

"Yellow? Alright, that's noted!"

Sabay silang pumasok sa palasyo. Unang bumungad sa kanila ang malawak na tanggapan ng palasyo. It was a big space for a receiving area. Sa tapat nila ay ang dalawang magkabilang grand staircase. The interior design screams baroque style as well. There are paintings, designer things and even ornaments.

Sa tanggapan ay naroon ang mga sofa, fireplace, isang grand piano sa bandang kanan nila at mga bookshelves. There are five doors in the first floor.

"That door is for my office," Pertaining to the double door on their right side. "The three other doors are for library, tea room, drawing room and dining are. But we won't really use the dining area often. Mother prefers to eat the three meals together in their palace residence. Sa Hydra Palace. But we can use it when we're so hungry or Mother and Father is out in the palace."

Umawang ang bibig ni Serene.

Hydra. Largest constellation. Well, that's reasonable, they're the king and queen after all.

"The truth is, you were originally to reside with Kuya Levi in Centaurus. Pero ang sabi ni Kuya baka raw hindi ka komportable. So we decided to reside you here instead, with me, which I cannot say no to." Ngiting paliwanag ni Perry.

"Thank you, Perry." Serene gently smiled.

"Oh, don't mention it. We're gonna be sister-in-law, so you deserve this much, right?"

Umawang ang bibig ni Serene sa sinabi ng dalaga.

I wish for us to be sisters by law as well, Perry. But I don't think that's possible. Your brother do not wish to marry me.

"Let's go to your room! I was the one who arranged it and I'm glad that I picked the right color-theme." Masayang yaya ni Perry.

"Okay." Ngiting sagot ni Serene.

Nang makarating ang dalawa sa second floor ay muling namangha si Serene. Hindi nalalayo ang interior design ng first floor sa second floor. Ang kaibahan lang ay mas maraming paintings ang narito. May mga sofa rin upang maupuan. There are book shelves full of Ethics, Economics and Politics stuffs.

May area rin kung saan may nakatayong knight armor sa bandang gilid. There's wall shelves and tables with trophies on it. Ayon ang unang nilapitan ni Serene. Agad naman siyang napansin ni Perry kaya mas lalong napangiti ang dalaga.

"Ah, my trophies back when I was still a ballerina." Ngiting hinaplos ni Perry ang huling trophy niya.

"Ballerina?" Gulat na tanong sa kaniya ni Serene.

"Yep! But I already stopped when I was Eighteen years old. I developed a terrible stage fright after messing up my Swan Lake performance. So, I decided to keep myself busy with palace works instead."

Serene's gaze towards Perry softened. Agad niyang hinawakan ang isang kamay ni Perry kaya natigilan naman ang dalaga at tinignan siya nito.

"You still have a chance. This might sound sensitive, I'm sorrry, but did you ever consider to continue?"

"I did." Perry sighed. "But I already made my decision to focus on my duties under my jurisdiction. Maayos naman na ako. Hindi na talaga para sa akin ang ballet. Nevertheless, I had a precious memories with it, so I'm gonna treasure those instead."

Unti-unting nawala ang pag-aalala sa mukha ni Serene. The young princess was amazed by Perry's braveness. With that, mas lalo niyang nakuha ang loob ni Serene.

"Let's go to your room now, shall we?" Tanong ni Perry.

Tumango naman si Serene. Sabay silang tumalikod papunta sa malawak na hallway sa bandang kanan ng second floor. Nadanaanan pa nila ang isang malaking portrait ni Perry na nakadikit sa center wall ng second floor. Kaya pagka-akyat pa lamang sa second floor ay ayun na agad ang bubungad sa bisita.

She was beautiful in the painting. She was wearing a green satin elegant gown with gold embroidery from upper to lower part and bell sleeves. It was paired with a head dress that has yellow flowers and furs on it. Her hair was in lower bun. She was seating on a throne that's made for princesses like her and Serene. Nakatagilid siya nang kaunti habang nakaupo sa throne na iyon at nakapatong ang dalawang kamay sa kaniyang lap. Nakangiti rin siya nang bahagya sa painting.

"Ah, that portrait." Perry looked at her painting as well. "I was planning to put yours there too. Magkatabi tayo! Pwede ba, Serene?" Masayang tanong niya pa sa kaibigan.

"U-Uhm... Is it all right to put mine there?" Naiilang na tanong ni Serene.

"Of course! This is our residence palace now. Kaya hindi pwedeng ako lang ang may painting dito."

Napangiti naman si Serene at tumango. "Okay, let's do it."

"Okay! I'll commission a painter once you're free."

Nang tuluyan silang makarating sa isang kulay puting double door ay binuksan iyon agad ni Perry. Pagkapasok pa lamang nila ay agad na silang binati ng amoy ng bulaklak ng Gardenia. Serene's lips went ajar upon seeing her room.

The color-theme was pale yellow and white. There's a king-size canopy bed with yellow and floral tulle fabric as a curtain of the bed. A bed bench at the end of it and two night stand on each side with white lamps, blank picture frames and a bell on the right nightstand.

There are three large windows with thick white curtains that has yellow flower embroidery on it. There was a huge glass double-door as well for the vast terrace of her room. Mayroon ding fireplace at sofa set with coffee table sa gitna na gawa sa ivory. Large wall shelves and paintings are there too.

Narito na rin ang kaniyang mga gamit. Hindi rin nalalayo ang laki ng kwartong ito sa kwarto niya sa Sardonia. Mas maliwanag lamang ang kwartong ito dahil hindi natatakpan ng malalaking puno ang labas ng bintana dahil sa taas ng second floor.

"I asked Ate Adelaide last time about your favorite book and she sent me a list of it. Kinuha ni Kuya Ezra ang mga iyan since nasa jurisdiction niya ang literature matters and stuffs."

"I should thank Ezra later, then." Ngiting usal ni Serene saka tinignan si Perry. "Perry, this is beautiful. I love it! Maraming salamat."

"Really?! That's a relief. Kapag may gusto ka pang ilagay rito ay magsabi ka lang. That's why I left some space both on the wall and on the floor for you."

"Okay, thank you so much, Perry."

"You're welcome, Princess." Perry chuckled.

Hindi rin nagtagal si Perry sa kwarto ni Serene nang dumating sina Zael at Nimfa, may kasama pa silang apat pang mga katulong. Kinailangan niya rin bumalik sa kaniyang opisina dahil mayroon daw siyang bisita, her father's vassal.

"Zael," Tawag ni Serene sa kaniyang knight habang inaayos ang mga bulaklak sa vase na nasa coffee table.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Agad na humarap so Zael kay Serene na nakatayo lamang sa gilid ng sofa na kinauupuan ng dalaga.

Abala rin sina Nimfa at ang mga kasama nitong kasambahay sa pag-aayos ng mga gamit ni Serene.

"Ang sabi ng Crown Prince ay kilala mo raw ang ipapakilala niyang knight sa akin bukas para bantayan ako kasama mo. So I was thinking if it's fine with you na may kasama ka?"

"Mas lalo po akong mapapanatag sa kaligtasan niyo kung ganoon, Your Highness. Wala po kayong dapat ikabahala." Agad na sagot ni Zael.

Napangiti naman si Serene. "Salamat, Zael." Saglit na baling ni Serene sa kaniya.

"Wala po iyon, Your Highness."

Pagkatapos mag-ayos nina Nimfa ay hinayaan na muna nilang umidlip si Serene pagkatapos nitong maligo. Pasado ala singko na ng hapon nang magising si Serene dahil sa tatlong magkakasunod na katok.

"Come in." Serene announced before sitting on the bed.

She was squeezing her eyes when she heard the door opening. Nang mapatingin siya sa pintuan ay muntik na siyang mapaiktad sa gulat nang makita si Levi roon. Nakasandal siya sa frame ng pintuan habang nakahalukipkip at iniikot ang tingin sa kwarto ng dalaga.

"Y-Your Highness." Usal ni Serene at mabilis na gumalaw upang bumaba ng kaniyang kama.

"Stay there." Agad ni Levi dahilan upang matigilan naman si Serene. "I didn't know that you were napping. You must be tired from the long ride. I apologize."

Napaupo na lamang si Serene sa gilid ng kaniyang kama habang nakatingin pa rin kay Levi. She cannot believe that the prince is in her room. She never imagined this to happen back then.

"No, it's fine, Your Highness. Kailangan ko naman nang magising para makapaghanda sa dinner."

Bumaling si Levi kay Serene. His eyes are still cold yet those orbs still managed to take Serene's breathe away. Her heart is beating like crazy.

"Is the room to your liking? Are you comfortable here?" Tanong ni Levi.

"Yes, Your Highness. Thank you." Ngiting sagot ni Serene.

"I didn't do much. Si Perry ang nag-asikaso ng lahat. Anyhow..." Umayos ng tayo ang prinsipe. "I just want to your check your state. I owe you this engagement. Ito lang ang magagawa ko bilang kapalit."

Nakaramdam ng kirot si Serene sa kaniyang puso nang marinig iyon. She almost forgot that fact. Nevertheless, her smile didn't fade.

"You have nothing to worry, Your Highness. Komportable ako rito, Perry is a great company as well."

He nodded a bit before putting his hands inside his pant's pocket. "Alright, rest well. I'll go now."

Tumango na lamang si Serene at pinanood nito ang pagsarado ng pintuan at pagkawala ni Levi sa kaniyang paningin. The hopelessness she's feeling flooded her whole system. Muntikan na niyang makalimutan ang kaniyang purpose sa palasyong ito.

Serene sighed before putting her legs back on the bed. Niyakap niya ang kaniyang tuhod.

I'm such a sinner for wanting for more. I'm sorry, Marcela.