Chapter 44: We Made It

12 years later...

"Si Count Vigor ang project head ng construction ng event hall na ito sa capital, hindi ba?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. According to the report, they are already halfway done with the interior, kaunti na lang ay matatapos na rin iyon."

Inilapag ni Levi ang scroll na hawak sa desk at sinandal ang likuran sa backrest ng kinauupuan. Bumuntong hininga siya at pinagsalikop ang dalawang kamay.

"That's good, then. What are the kids doing?" tanong niya habang sinusundan ng tingin ang tasa ng tea na inilapag ng maid sa kaniyang desk.

"The First Prince is in the training grounds, practicing his swordmanship, Your Majesty. The Second Prince is in the library, as usual. While the First and Second Princess went to the Humker estate to visit their cousins," Tobias answered.

Napaismid si Levi bago sumimsim sa kaniyang tea, "Eli must be feeling pressured since his inauguration as the Crown Prince is getting near."

"Probably, Your Majesty," sagot ni Tobi.

"It's a good thing that the Second Prince didn't ask for the position of the Crown Prince. It'll be a big trouble for both Serene and I if he were to ask the throne," ani Levi bago ilapag sa saucer ang teacup.

"Mas interesado ang Second Prince sa Magic Tower kaysa sa posisyon, Your Majesty."

Napahawak na lamang sa kaniyang noo si Levi nang muling marinig iyon.

"I don't know what that kid is thinking. Gusto niya bang palitan si Vega bilang Headmaster ng Magic Tower? Though he inherited his mother's divine mana and has excellent abilities, I don't know what's going on inside that big brain of his. He's my son but it seems like I am the one being pushed around," buntong hininga ni Levi.

Nagkatinginan sina Lysander at Tobias at sabay na lamang na napabuga ng hangin. Tobi chuckled a bit.

Your Majesty... The Second Prince basically got that attitude from you. I could even see the teenager King Levirence in him. Reserved and stern.

A complete opposite of the First Prince who got his attitude from Her Majesty. A soft and positive man.

"You said Eli is in the training grounds, right?" tanong muli ni Levi habang tumatayo mula sa kinauupuan.

"Yes, Your Majesty.'

"I should pay him a visit and see how much he progressed," ngising usal ni Levi habang hinuhubad ang kaniyang jacket suit.

Natigilan sina Tobi at Lysander sa narinig.

"Your Majesty, you mean...?"

Napangisi lalo si Levi sabay sulyap kay Tobias. Nililis niya ang sleeves ng kulay puting buttoned-shirt na undergarment ng kaniyang jacket hanggang sa itaas ng kaniyang siko. Because he removed his jacket suit, his plump chest and muscles became clearer under his shirt. Even in his 40s, he's still a stunner and it seemed like he didn't even aged except from the matured features and slight wrinkles on the side of his eyes when he smiles.

Tobi silently thought...

Good luck, Your Highness Eliseo!

Dumiretso ng training grounds si Levi kasama sina Lysander at Tobias kasama ang iilang mga maids at knights.

Nang makarating sila roon ay agad nilang napansin si Eli sa gitna ng training ground habang ka-sparring ang isa sa mga captain ng unit ng First Order. Tamang-tama rin ang kanilang dating nang mabitawan ng captain ang kaniyang sword matapos ang smooth na pag-atake ni Eliseo.

"Oho... Look at this kid," ngisi ni Levi sabay halukipkip.

Eli stopped as he wipe his sweat using the back of his hand. The white poet shirt that he's wearing is already drenched with sweat to the point that his well-built body is already visible. Kasing-tangkad na nito ang kaniyang ama and just like what everyone expected, he became one of the most eligible bachelor and talk of the ladies in the high society. Praises of how handsome the First and Second Prince are is the favorite topic of salons and tea parties today.

"Too bad. His mother was thinking of not proceeding with his engagement with the first daughter of Marquess Rayne," ani Levi.

"Bakit daw, Your Majesty? Though Lady Margaux is a bit... Energetic, she's still a good child. Even Her Majesty likes her," tanong ni Lysander.

"Well, because my son seems like a jerk towards the poor lady. Ayaw namang pilitin ni Serene ang dalawa kung ayaw nila. Imagine, he literally said, 'If Mother wants us to be engaged, then so be it, but that's all there is to it' in front of his supposed-to-be-fiancee. Lady Margaux got mad and shouted at him for the first time. When Serene told me that she was laughing so hard. She didn't even dare to stop the lady from insulting her own child just because she enjoyed watching Eli's flustered reaction. Well, he deserves it anyway," natatawang kwento ni Levi habang papasok ng training grounds.

Bahagyang natigilan si Tobi nang marinig ang kwento ni Levi.

"Your Majesty..."

"Hmm?" bahagyang lumingon si Levi kay Tobi.

"Doesn't it ring a bell? Hindi ba pamilyar?" Tobi lowkey teased.

"What do you mean?" nagtatakang tanong ni Levi.

Tobi sighed.

You said almost the same thing when you first met Her Majesty. Ang kaibahan lang ay hindi sumailalim sa black mana ang First Prince.

"An apple doesn't fall far from the tree" nga naman.

"Father?"

Hindi na nakasagot pa si Tobi nang tawagin ni Eli ang atensyon ng ina. Even Eli's voice have become matured. He's already 20 years old that is why most of Levi's physical features are already visible on his whole appearance. Lalo na at minana niya ang kagandahan ng mga mata ni Serene.

"Up for another round, son?" ngising tanong agad ni Levi sa anak.

"Huh?" Eli tilted his head as he held the back of his neck full of sweat.

"I'm asking for a spar with the future Crown Prince," ani Levi sabay pulot ng sword na nabitawan ng knight na kalaban kanina ni Eli.

Agad na natigilan si Eli sa narinig. Even the knights flinched with Levi's offer. But upon realizing Levi's last words, a surge of pressure urged him to say yes to his father's challenge. Muling kinuha ni Eli ang hawak niyang sword kanina sa stand nito sabay bigay sa isang knight ang towel na ginamit niya bilang pamunas sa pawis.

I gotta do this. It'll by my official inauguration in the next few weeks. Hindi man sabihin ni Dad, I know that this is some sort of evaluation.

Nakangising itinaas ni Levi ang hawak na sword sa kaharap na anak. The confidence of a greatest swordsman of the kingdom could be seen on Levi's image right now. Eli gritted his teeth.

But damn it...! I'm up against the greatest swordsman of this country. One wrong move and I'll be finished in an instant. My image would be questioned right before my coronation.

Eli was the first one to attack. Nakatayo lamang ang mga knights sa gilid ng training grounds habang manghang pinanood ang mag-ama. Even Lysander and Lorcan are observing their moves carefully.

"Prince Eli is holding out pretty well. Though his strength is not that impressive like His Majesty's..." Lysander paused for a while.

Eli immediately blocked Levi's powerful attack before swirling his sword and switching position to attack Levi on his shoulders. Levi was surprised but he immediately backed off.

"... Prince Eliseo is faster than His Majesty. That's quite impressive considering the fact that he's not even using his divine mana," ngisi ni Lorcan habang patuloy pa ring pinapanood ang mag-ama.

"Speaking of, Sir Vega said there is something he gotta do during His Highness' inauguration," baling ni Lysander sa katabi.

"Ah, yeah. I don't know either."

"Hmm..."

The sparring finished when Levi withdrawn the fight due to exhaustion because neither of them was able to get the advantage on the fight.

"That was impressive, son. You just have to work more on the strength in your feet and your grip of the sword. Marami ka pang pagkakataon kaya mahaba pa ang oras mo upang makabawi," ani Levi habang naglalakad sila ni Eli palabas ng training grounds.

"Yes, Father," ngiting sagot ni Eli.

Napatingin naman sa kaniya si Levi bago umismid habang nakangisi, "Your mother's worried about you growing up. Ever since you turned 15, she's been restraining herself from treating you like a baby. But aside from the worries, she's proud of you as well. So, just do whatever you want and do your best in it. Siguradong ayun din ang gusto ni Serene."

Saglit na napatigil si Eli ngunit maya-maya ay unti-unti rin siyang napangiti.

"I will, Father. Thank you."

"Hah... What's there to thank? Anyway, speaking of, your mother should arrive later this afternoon from Sardonia. Hindi niyo ba siya sasalubungin?"

"Ah! That's right. Gotta go, Dad! Oh and, Uncle, when are the twins coming back?" baling ni Eli kay Lysander.

"Your Aunt said that we are going to have lunch in the palace, so expect them to arrive around 11 o'clock, Your Highness," sagot ni Lysander.

"Okay. I'll drag my brother to lunch later. See you!" paalam ni Eli at patakbo nang pumunta sa kaniyang residence palace, sa Centaurus.

Kumaway na lamang si Levi sa anak bago tumungo rin sa kanilang sariling residence palace upang maligo. After almost an hour and half, lunch arrived. Nauna na si Levi sa dining hall ng Hydra si Levi upang hintayin ang mga anak doon at ang pamilya ni Perry. He was reading a document while waiting for them.

Ilang minuto lang ang nakalipas ay nakarinig na ng ingay si Levi sa labas. Napangiti na lamang siya at muling nirolyo ang scroll na binabasa. Tamang-tama naman ang pagbukas ng double door ng dining hall at pagbigay nito kay Tobi ng scroll.

"Daddy!" a tiny ang feminine voice shouted.

Napatingin si Levi sa isang batang babae na tumatakbo papunta sa kaniya. She's wearing a pink dress with ribbons and rufflles, the pink ribbons partnered with the ribbons tied on her ponytailed, curly and raven black hair. Sa likuran niya ay nakasunod din ang isa pang batang babae na may tulad niyang dress ngunit kulay yellow naman ito. She has the same raven black hair, except that the second child's are straight and silky with half-ponytail hairstyle.

The First Princess Roishin Ilaria Lockridge and Second Princess Ariadna Rise Lockrdige.

"Roishin, you'll trip. Don't run like that next time," salubong ni Levi sa pinakamatanda sa kaniyang kambal na bunsong mga anak.

"Okay!" Roishing giggled while hugging her father's hips.

"Good afternoon, Dad," ngiting usal din ng isa sa mga kambal na nakasunod kanina kay Roishin.

"Come here, Rise. Let Daddy kiss you," lahad ni Levi sa anak.

Lumapit naman si Rise sa ama. Levi gave both Roishin and Rise a peck on their cheeks. Napatitig si Levi sa kambal niyang bunso matapos iyon.

They both have raven black hair just like mine along with almost all of their physical features, kaya halos magkamukha sila nina Eli. But their hazel green eyes with golden freeks are obviously from my wife's. They are identical twins. Their only difference is their beauty marks. Rise has a small mole on the left side just under her mouth. Samantalang si Roishin naman ay wala. But Roishin's trademark is her cheerful grin that reminds me all the time of Perry's when she was younger. They are already five years old, time flies so fast.

Kung ang first prince, first at second princess ay tila mga mini version ko...

"Stop it, brother!"

Halos sabay na napatingin ang lahat sa kapapasok lamang na si Eli habang akbay ang isa pang binatang lalaki.

"Why are you so stingy today? Mother's coming home later and yet you're still locked up in your library," Eli said.

"I'm going to greet Mother later. What do you think of me?" the boy argued.

"That's right. You didn't even visit your Aunt," kunwaring nagtatampong sagot naman ni Perry sa dalawa na kasabay pumasok kanina ng kambal.

"Oh, Aunt..." the boy mumbled.

Ngumiti lamang si Perry sa kaniya bago lumapit kay Levi at nakipagbeso rito.

"I hope the kids didn't bother you that much," ani Levi.

"Oh, don't mention it, Your Majesty. I love playing with my nieces."

"Greetings, father, Marchioness Humker," halos sabay na bati nina Eli at ng kasama nitong batang lalaki.

Napatingin si Levi sa katabi ni Eli.

Ah... Here comes the male version of Serene.

The curly and a bit messy of a honey blonde hair shine like the sun up the sky. The auburn eyes that goes well with his mother's hair, a porcelain-like skin, beautiful and handsome face at the same time, pale pink lips, small with high bridge nose and pretty, long, beautiful lashes. He's like a walking statue.

The eleven year-old second prince of Zarcaiah, Prince Theros Alduin Lockridge.

"Ah, you both are here. Alduin, your mother likes the tea you served to her last time. Why don't you make it again later this afternoon when she arrives?"

"I will, Father."

Halos matawa si Levi nang makita ang pamumula ng tainga ni Alduin.

I'm glad that the children have a very close bond with their mother. They respect her a lot and treat her like a fragile porcelain. Well, maybe part of it is because Serene's body became weak after giving birth to our twins.

But I am grateful that she can still manage to travel in Sardonia to visit her mother's grave for its second death anniversary.

Queen Mahlia died two years ago due to sickness. I can still remember how Serene suffered that time. She was regretful that she wasn't there during her mother's last moments. Mabuti na lang at nandiyan ang mga bata, hindi rin ako umalis sa tabi niya. Thanfully, Eli volunteered to pass the state affairs to him for a while, that's why I was able to give the emotional support that Serene needed that time. Our first born was sensitive enough to do that much.

"Even though I asked for a boy version of Serene, I still can't get enough of your second child's beauty. Both men and women could have fallen in love with him, brother," usal ni Perry habang sinusundan ng tingin si Alduin na umupo sa kaniyang upuan sa dining table.

"Right. Even I, think that way as well," Levi proudly said.

Nagsimula silang kumain sa lunch ding iyon. The 7-year old daughter and 3-year old son of Perry was there too. Their brown hair came obviously from Lysander, but their features and even skin color is from their mother. Levi also greeted them and gave them a pat on their heads.

"Balita ko ay nagsisimula na sa swordmanship lesson niya si Blaise?" tukoy ni Levi sa babaeng panganay ni Perry.

"Ah, yes, Your Majesty. Father is the one teaching me," magalang na sagot ni Blaise.

"That's good. Your father has an excellent talent in swordmanship. Don't mind other people's words. Hindi porque babae ka ay wala ka nang karapatang matuto paano humawak ng sword. If you want to become a female knight so be it," ani Levi.

Napatingin naman si Blaise kay Perry. Perry smiled back at her before caressing her child's back.

"I will put your words in my heart, Your Majesty," ngiting pasasalamat ni Blaise.

"Dad! I want to be a knight like Ate Blaise!" sabat ni Roishin habang nagkalat pa ang icing ng kinakaing cake sa dessert sa kaniyang bibig.

Levi chuckled, "Oh really? Sure, let's tell Mom later."

"Okay!"

Natawa rin si Eli habang pinupunasan ang bibig ng kaniyang kapatid. Nagpatuloy sa kanilang pag-uusap ang lahat habang kaharap ang kani-kanilang mga dessert.

Later that afternoon, the siblings and Levi stood outside the Main Palace together with the servants and knights of the Queen are behind them. Halos kalahating oras din silang naghintay roon hanggang sa makita na nila ang papasok na carriage ni Serene kasama ang kaniyang mga escort knights.

The carriage stopped in front of them. Levi opened the door. His smile immediately went bigger upon seeing his wife. Serene's green dress flattered along with a sudden blow of the wind together with her hair as he made her way down the carriage. Levi held her hand to assist her.

"Welcome back, Her Majesty, Queen Serenity," bati ng mga servants habang nakayuko.

"Thank you," Serene smiled at them before looking at Levi.

"Tired?" Levi asked before kissing Serene's forehead.

"Not much. Komportable ang carriage," sagot ni Serene sabay yakap sa asawa.

"Mom! Welcome back! I missed you so much," Roishin jumped before wrapping her tiny hands around Serene's waist.

"Oh my... I missed you too, darling," ani Serene sabay luhod at halik sa pisngi ni Roishin.

"Mom, please stand up. You'll hurt your knee," ani Eli habang binubuhat si Rise.

Natawa naman si Serene at tumayo upang lapitan si Eli.

"How are you? I missed you, sweethearts," ani Serene sabay halik sa pisngi ni Rise at noo ni Eli.

"Ayos kami, Mom. How's grandfather?"

"He's doing fine. Marami silang pinadala sa akin para sa inyo, nasa kabilang carriage," turo ni Serene sa carriage na nasa likuran ng sinakyan niya kanina, "By the way, where's my second prince?"

"Here, Mom," sulpot ni Alduin sa kanan ni Serene, "Welcome back."

"How's your day, honey?" ngiting tanong ni Serene sabay yakap sa anak at halik sa noo nito.

"It was fun, Mother."

"Hmm, really? I'm glad. Your Uncle Constantine gave you a bunch of ancient books and I said thank you for you."

Agad na kumislap ang mga mata ni Alduin nang marinig iyon. Lumapit naman si Levi sa kanila at hinawakan sa baywang si Serene sa likuran nito.

"He obviously loves it," ngising bulong ni Levi kay Serene.

Serene giggled before slipping her hand on Levi's back as well, "Right."

"Thanks, Mom. Oh... We prepared some refreshments for you," ani Alduin.

"Really? Then, shall we go? I need to drink something as well. My throat's drying up," sagot naman ni Serene.

"Let's go."

Nauna na ang magkakabatid sa paglalakad habang nakasunod naman sina Levi at Serene habang magkahawak ang mga kamay. While on their way to the pavilion of Hydra Palace, Serene smiled as he watch the back of her children.

Eli while carrying his sister, Rise. Alduin while holding Roishin's right hand.

"My dear husband..." Serene mumbled.

"Hmm?" baling ni Levi kay Serene.

"Did we make it?" ngiting tanong ni Serene bago salubungin ang mga mata ng asawa.

Levi immediately understood what Serene meant about her question. It made him smile before raising their intertwined hands.

"Yes, wife. We made it this far, thank you for holding on."

Ngumiti si Serene sabay tingin muli sa mga anak. Habang naglalakad ay may bigla siyang naalala.

"Oh... Eli," tawag niya sa anak.

"Yes, Mother?" lingon ni Eli sa ina.

"I've thought about it. Hindi ko na itutuloy ang engagement mo. Besides, Lady Margaux got a marriage proposal from House Winson."

"What? Wait, Mom! Don't! I..." gulat na sagot ni Eli.

Kapwa natigilan sina Serene at Levi sa reaksyon ng anak. Umawang ang bibig ni Serene samantalang si Levi naman ay unti-unting napangiti sa reaksyon ng anak. Nang makita ang reaksyon ng asawa ay unti-unti ring napangiti si Serene nang maintindihan ang reaksyon ni Eli.

"Yes, my dear jerk of a son? What is it? Anything to say to this benevolent mother of yours?" ngisi ni Serene.

Nanginig ang balikat ni Levi dahil sa pagpipigil ng tawa habang umiiwas ng tingin. Lalo na at tuluyan nang namula ang tainga ni Eli habang umiiwas din ng tingin dahil sa hiya.

"I... I'll apologize to her. Don't... Cancel the proposal yet," hirap pa sa pagbanggit ng mga salita si Eli.

"Pft..." Levi laughed.

"Tawa ka nang tawa riyan, ganiyan ka rin naman noon," buntong hininga ni Serene sa asawa bago lumapit kay Eli.

Natigilan naman si Levi, lalo na nang magkatinginan sila ni Eli. Muling umiwas ng tingin si Levi bago tumikhim.

Serene tapped Eli's shoulder while smiling mischievously.

"Sure, son. Word of advice, Eli... If you feel like you don't know what to do with her, just imagine how it feels like to be by her side."

Serene let go of her son's shoulder. Tumingala siya rito dahil sa tangkad ni Eli.

"Stop holding back just because you're pressured by responsibilities. Being a Crown Prince is indeed a huge task, but your happiness is also important. We are here to guide you. Your father and I just wanted you to know that."

"Yes, Mother..."

"That's my son."

Serene smiled before looking back to her husband.

We still have a lot to learn as parents. But we know for a fact that we're trying to be someone our children can rely on and be proud of.