Kabanata XI
Drawn

***

CLEOBELLE / SINCLAIR

I remember one time when I was still in foster care. I often played with my friends.

If I remember correctly, I think their names are Gabrielle, Lavender and Elvira.

"Pagbilang kong sampu nakatago na kayo. Isa. . . Dalawa. . ."

Napahagikhik akong agad na tumakbo at nagtago.

Pinili ko ang kwarto ni Sister Zoraida at humahagikhik na nagtago ako sa ilalim ng kama. Ngunit maya maya pa ay nagbukas ang pintuan at iniluwa nito si Sister.

Mula sa kinaroroonan ko ay nasisilip ko ang ginagawa niya. Nakita kong may hawak siyang isang itim at lumang libro. Sa di malamang dahilan ay hindi ko maialis ang mga mata ko dito.

"Susmaryosep kang bata ka! Bakit ka nandiyan!" giit niya nang magkasalubong ang mga mata namin.

"Sister Zoraida, ano po iyan?" tanong ko saka itinuro ang libro.

Ngumiti lang siya sa akin at umiling.

***

Hindi ko alam kung bakit iyon ang ala-alang pumasok sa isip ko mula sa una kong buhay.

Ni hindi ko na nga maalala ang mga mukha nila.

I wonder how my friends felt when I died? Did they bawl their eyes out? They probably looked ugly.

I feel alone and miserable here. I wanted to go back, but it's impossible. I should stop holding on to the past by now right?

I'm such a boring character. . .

My only role is to be evil and cause chaos everywhere I go. A character with an empty soul; With a fate filled with mischief.

'Just like the original Sinclair,' I thought.

Right, I'm not Sinclair. My name is Cleobelle. . .

"Miss!" A distant voice called, pulling me out of my train of thoughts.

I felt a strong embrace as we rose to the surface, pulling me out of the depths of the dark ocean.

"Miss!" I heard his voice more clearly.

Kilalang kilala ko ang boses na iyon. Ang kanyang presensya at maging ang pamilyar na init ng kanyang bisig.

Nakakatawa lang na siya lang din ang nagliligtas sa akin sa mga ganitong pagkakataon.

It's always been him. . .

How could he save me when I don't need saving? And when I do, he'd be the one to end me?

How cruel.

"Are you still alive?" He keep trying to revive me.

While he is busy casting a healing spell on me, I suddenly placed my hand in his nape and pulled him closer.

Nakangiting iminulat ko ang aking mga matang sinalubong ang mga titig niya.

I was stunned when I saw how flustered he was. I saw how I caught him off guard, but he was fast at hiding it.

Gusto kong makita muli ang ekspresyong iyon kung kaya't walang pakundangan kong tinawid ang pagitan namin ay ginawaran siya ng mainit na halik.

I kissed him and nibbled his lips and when he slightly opened his mouth I slid my tongue to deepen the kiss.

Naramdaman kong napahigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa bewang ko na nagpangisi sa akin sa kalagitnaan ng pinagsasaluhan naming mainit na halik.

"Are you out of your mind?!" He scoffed the moment our kiss ended.

I licked my lips while meeting his burning gaze. "The way you kissed me back with such intensity, I thought you liked it?" I said with an innocent expression.

Napahilamos lang ito sa kanyang mukha saka muling sumeryoso ang kanyang ekspresyon.

He sighed. "You should evacuate now, the witch might still be nearby."

Oh, she's right in front of you my dear Duke.

"Do you want to marry me?" I asked him directly.

It's probably the alcohol talking.

"No. Stop talking nonsence lady," he hissed as he suddenly carried me.

"I'm not. I'm serious," I frowned.

"You don't look serious to me. Did you hit your head when you fell into the sea?" He asked while walking.

"Nope, I'm serious," I insisted.

"Why would even want to marry me? that is the most ridiculous thing someone has ever said to me," he pointed out.

"Why? You're handsome. Ladies are probably desperate to be wed to you," I shrugged.

"Do you even know me?" he asked me seriously.

"I do!" I said enthusiastically. "You're the most handsome man in this empire!" I added.

"You should probably have your head checked," Aslan commented.

"But I'm telling the truth," I smiled at him. "Plus you're also the most honorable hero of Lumina," I added.

"Ridiculous,' he responded.

Umiling ako doon.

"You fought for our empire for more than a decade. Despite the cold, loneliness and countless of fallen lives of the honorable soldiers you've seen, you still came back victorious. Compared to that good for nothing Emperor, you're an important asset of Lumina. How is it ridiculous, wanting to marry you?" I giggled.

He was stunned and couldn't speak for a moment after hearing the words that I said.

"You're drunk. I don't think you'd say that when you're sobber," he sighed.

"I'm the crazy bastard of Emberwood, Of course I'd say these things even when I'm sobber," I laughed.

"Do you know why I'm here Aslan?" I asked again.

Hindi niya ako sinagot.

"The Emperor asked for me. I was rotting in that basement for so long I don't even know how the Emperor knew about my existence," I shrugged.

Napatingin siya sa gawi ko.

"You were summoned by the Emperor?" he asked.

Muli akong nagkibit balikat doon habang nakahawak sa balikat niya.

"It doesn't make sense right? Unless I'm the witch or he's thinking about marrying me off to someone he loathes for mockery," I laughed.

"Hindi magandang biro iyan," komento niya saka ibinaba na ako nang malapit na kami sa evacuation area ng barko.

"Make it make sense then," I jokingly rolled my eyes at him.

"The latter is much more acceptable," he uttered, referring to my previous half-meant joke.

"Yeah, why would he randomly summon a countryside's Baron's illegitimate daughter if it weren't for that reason? The Emperor is known for his petty tricks right?" I said.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"Who do you think he'd sell me off to, if the chaos didn't happen?" I asked.

Natigilan siya doon.

"How would I know that? I'm not the Emperor," he hissed.

"Kung ganoon ay gusto mo ba akong itakas dito? Baka lang naman ay interesado kang tulungan ako," hagikhik ko.

"Bakit naman kita tutulungan?" iritang sambit niya.

"Kasi papatayin ako ng ama ko kapag nakita niya ang labi kong namamaga nang dahil sa iyo," ngiti ko saka itinuro ang labi ko.

Napahilot na lamang si Aslan sa kanyang sintido. "You did that to yourself woman."

"I wasn't in my right mind. I thought I was dreaming," I shrugged.

Ngumisi ako sa kanya. "Ikaw diyan ang bigay na bigay na pumapak sa labi ko."

Marahas na lamang itong napabuga ng hangin.

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin doon. "Hindi ko alam kung bakit ba nakikipag-usap pa ako sa iyo," komento niyang nagpatawa sa akin.

"Are you not gonna find the witch? I heard she's your mortal enemy?" I asked.

Umiling ito sa gawi ko.

"She's just pulling some prank. I don't even know if she's still here. A simple snow like this is nothing to worry about," he shrugged.

"Wow. You seem to know the witch well?" I teased.

"At some point I guess," he responded. "The witch is very strong. She can be wicked but she won't kill anyone just for games. If she does want to sink the ship along with the nobles, she could easily do so," he added.

Napatango ako doon.

"I see."

I didn't know he thought of me that way.

"In fact. . ." he paused and looked directly into my eyes.

"Hmm?" I hummed as a response.

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin.

"Nothing," he frowned. "You should go back to your family. I think the ball will resume soon after the commotion," he informed.

Napangiti ako doon saka tumalikod na. Ngunit sa kalagitnaan ng paglalakad ay muli akong lumingon sa gawi niya.

"Aslan," I called his name while meeting his gaze. "My name is Sinclair by the way," I told him my name. "Marry me," I smiled.

He sighed. "No," he said coldly.

That made me chuckle. "Aw that's too bad," I winked at him and then decided to finally leave.

Maybe I drank too much. I wouldn't ask him directly if I were sobber.

Nailing na lang ako habang patuloy lamang sa paglalakad. Pupuntahan ko na lamang si Catherine sa nakalaang silid niya.

Habang naglalakad ay may hindi inaasahang nakasalubong ako.

It's a woman with blonde hair and green eyes, wearing clothes from the Holy Kingdom.

"Okay ka lang?" tanong niya.

Just by looking at her, I know she's the Saintess.

"You're a new face. Are you also one of the nobles?" She asked while gently looking at me.

Ngumiti lamang ako saka hindi siya pinansin.

"Wait!" She called my attention as I was walking past her.

"You're all soaked and the witch is probably nearby. You should go to a safer place and warm yourself. Do you want me to take you to your family?" She asked.

Umiling lamang ako sa kanya.

"No thanks," simpleng sagot ko.

"My name is Asteria Hearst by the way," she smiled.

"I know. You're the Saintess everyone is talking about," I shrugged.

"Oh, right," she chuckled.

"At least let me dry you up. You must be cold. What happened to you?" she asked, curious on my current state.

They said that the Saintess is very kind.

Unlike any other greedy people from the temple, she doesn't discriminate. She doesn't choose who to help as long as they need it.

Annoying.

"Ahh this?"

Napakamot ulo na lang ako. "Nadulas lang," kibit balikat na sagot ko.

"Let me help you then," she smiled.

I shook my head. "No need, my room is nearby. I don't want to bother you, your Holiness. Have a great evening," I smiled and left her completely.

A saintess and a witch? Definitely not a good match.

Nailing na lang ako.

Let's see what happens from now on. . .