Chapter 1: CHAPTER 1- P R O L O G U E
𝗘 𝗦 𝗧 𝗛 𝗘 𝗟 𝗜 𝗔 𝗡
The sky was clear, a light azure shade scattered across the vast expanses, only a handful of white clouds drifted aimlessly, their edges soft and their forms every-changing. They almost seemed lost in contemplation as they mingled and merged-as if conjuring up a story on their own. Eyes were thirsty in watching the beautiful sunlight outside the window.
The languid wind drifted through the air, it's gentle caress barely stirring the stillness of the day.
I feel drowsy. Its been hours straight and they still knitting my dress. Putting Buttons, ribbons, sashes while spreading my arms either way.
Standing. My arms getting heavier. I can't put my arms down or I might ruin my dress or be pricked by the pins.
They disturbed me while i'm halfway day dreaming about the story I've read about the Pixies. The story is amazing even I read it over and over for countless times but still sent me goosebump. Its captivating every little detail seems dominant.
Inabot kolang yung libro sa maid at itinago niya ito agad. I can't loose it. Its the last of its kind the other copies are lost for ages.
I sighed in relieved as they finally put down my arms and sank on the soft sofa.
Naiirita rin ako sa pag aayos nila ng buhok ko na parang may haba ng ilang kilometro na di pa natatapos. Ang ikli ng buhok ko para ayusin nila ng ganuong katagal. Minsan nakakatulog narin ako sa tagal ng pag aayos nila sakin
"Is it done?"-naatok kong wika kulang nalang mahuhulog nako sa kinauupuan ko
"Almost your highness"
Then how long is that almost gonna take!! Napabuntong hininga ako ng sabay sabay na silang nagsialisan at inayos ko ng mabuti ang kwelyo ko na parang napipiga pati lalamunan ko pasimpleng ngiti at minamasdan ang mukha sa salamin.
"My princess its time. " The maid called and I followed her from behind. We're on the capital for days and were going back to Estheria. My kingdom. My ladies-in-waiting are gracefully followed me while carrying my stuff.
Behind me came the sequel of an approaching wagon and the beating of horse hooves. I face the four majestic, pearl-haired horses and a carriage draped in fine velvets silk. Wafting of a soft and sweet aroma. It came to half a few feet away. The butler greeted the horses with kind whispers and gentle path.
The coachman leaped down, then ran over and swung the door open.
And my maid carried my stuff on the carriage.
Inalis na rin ang mga tent at malinis na lahat. Its been a half boring months for me. May karerang nagaganap once in a year only and we won again.
Its time to go back and have a long rest. Marami rami din kaming dalang mga regalo at mga ginto na napalalunan namin sa mga patimpalak at mga enchanted royal games. Exciting lahat pero pagod na ako. Dali dali na akong pumasok sa karwahe at ako nalang ang hinihintay. I'm a bit lousy and I'm always late for something lalo na sa mga importanteng okasyon. Ayaw ko kasing pinagmamadali ako dahil gumugulo ang isipan ko.
.
.
.
"Why so serious my daughter. Is something bothering you?"
I nonchalantly glance mom with and serenely shook my head and turn my attention back to the view outside the window. Tinitingnan ang mga nalalagpasan na mga punong kahoy at malawak na sakahan ng nayon at mga taong nagtatanim. Mom handed me some letter. I glance over them while arching my eyebrows. they're completely sealed with different colored wax. Each wax has their different meaning. Green wax was for casual, friendly letters; correspondence between friends. Blue one were commonly associated with romance and passion, very strong feelings for one another.
Other are from the prince's whose asking for my hand. I'm not ready yet and they should know that I have a fiance. Don't like to entertain new suiters.
I'm a girl with a few words. I don't talk specially if it isn't necessary.
"Its princess Maridel of the North. I heard that she's coming this month of july but there's been a conflict for the schedule of her arrival but she wanted to come here for the harvest festival and she's expecting you.. I heard that their products were highly affected from drought season.Your mother and I have discussed about this, helping this kingdom. As an assignment to help you become the better Queen "-said dad and I look at him nonchalantly.
"Dad being a queen is a big responsibility I'm still anxious I think I'm not ready or good enough to rule"
"Nonsense"
I met this princess last year and she's beautiful as always but.. she has a loud mouth and I hate people talk to much till death. "Being a princess its your responsibility to start a bond with other nations this will also help our kingdom unite..." my father continued, but i was lost in oblivion, my mind went blank.
"Why so sudden?"-Bitin kong wika. I'm not even good at public speaking i have this anxiety that drives me away from meeting new people.
"Geez introvert"-my sister chuckles. I frowned
"Qeria!"-mom retorted to stop her which makes me scoff at her.
"Well it's true"
Dahil sa kanya dito ko na napatunayan that girls are too noisy. Feeling ko para akong lalake inside. She's one of the most annoying little sneaky brat in the kingdom. Pagpapatol ka nananapak at nambabatok. Isa na ako sa nasapak nya. "Kailangan na din nating paghandaan ang harvest festival at napakaspecial ang araw nayun at malapit narin ang pagdating nang tagtuyot di natin masisiguro kapag uulan. Dahil noon umulan after three years and a half maraming napinsalang taniman sa ating kaharian "
Nag uusapan lang sila ni papa. Dad married a widowed woman from another kingdom. She's Queen Fynne of Devuniak. My biological mother died after giving birth to Qeria. And it's already 10 years. Yet it still hurt like it just happen yesterday.
My lips are pursed. Until nightfall. Lamp on the side of the carriage are all lit up and soldiers are securing all the possible place that intruder could attack. Our soldiers are highly trained, my curiosity drives me, sometimes father stayed late at night and soldiers are on patrol when dusk comes.
Nakatulog narin si papa dahil sa tindi ng pagod at pag eensayo buong magdamag. "Mom are we there yet?"-Qeria asked. Mom slightly peeped outside and shook her head.
"Is it safe at night?"-biglang tanong nya. "Nabasa ko kase sa aklat ang lagim ng pagkagat ng dilim"
"What about it?"-mom asked serenely
"They said there's Ghost!"
"Night is safe and there's no such thing as ghost"-i interjected in a bored tone. She's so annoying. She asked too much. There's no such thing as ghost.
"Hopefull---" Napatigil si Mama ng biglang gumewang gewang ang karwahe at hinigpitan kolang ang pagkapit sa dingding.
"What's wrong?!"-nabulabog kami ng bigla nalang nagsigawan ang mga kawal sa labas. It could be an ambushed then I can't just sit here and do nothing.
Agad agad akong lumabas at di ko napansin ang pagpigil ni mama sakin at napunit ang gown ko sa likuran pero lumabas lang ako at narinig ko ang tunog ng mga ginto sa paligid at wala akong makita dahil sa dilim at natatabunan ng ulap ang buwan.
"Princess get inside it's dangerous for you to be out here. Secured the princess!!"-ramdam kolang na may parang ilang tao na iniipit ako at ako ang napalagitna sa kanila.
" Ano bang nangyar---?"-Napahinto ako ng marinig ko ang mga malalakas na bagsak ng mga katawan sa lupa pati ng mga nakaipit sakin. Dahil sa wala akong makita dahil sa dilim at may biglang humila sakin at pinadapa sa lupa and hinarangan niya ako
"Get that luna!"-sigaw nila
"Hulihin nyo! hulihin nyo!"-sigawan ng mga kawal at mukhang nabigo sila sa sinasabi nilang luna. Di ko naintindihan ang buong pangyayari basta ang alam ko wala akong nagawa. I know na ambush ang nangyari kanina "That luna again!"-galit na wika nila mama at ako naman panay kunot noo pati ang kapatid ko na parehong walang alam.
"Sinong luna?"-sabay na tanong namin dalawang magkapatid
"The night thief---"
"Night thief?"-nagtinginan naman kame ni qeria at parehong blanko at binalingan ng tingin sina mama.
"Sila ang mga nagnanakaw ng kayamanan ng kaharian"
"For what?"-my sister asked.
"We don't know there motives.. but their target is Estheria, including us..."
"Kailangan na talagang hulihin ang mga salot na iyan hindi lang sila magnanakaw mamamatay tao rin sila"
"How come we haven't heard anything about this luna?"-I complain anxiously
"Its better kapag di nyo alam. Just leave it to the soldiers"
"What?! Better? Pano kaya kung makapasok sila ng palasyo at may balak na masama" There's an anxious paused after that-- no word from her and even for dad. So we just depends are life to those guards?
Ugh i'm tired of this. I'm sick being useless. I can't even master a sword or hold a bow. I need to talk with General Zhyperbliss to help me with self defense. I can't just rely on them like a coward. But I think father won't let me.
Luna is the night thief and Is he alone? Di ako makapaniwala out of hundred guards out there pero walang nakatalo o nakahuli sa kanya? Is that even possible? O baka may mga iba pa syang kasama at itong luna lang ang magnanakaw and disappeared in the dark without leaving any trace.
"Mom how about we come again at tingnan ang mga tracks niya o sila"
"It leaves no tracks behind ganyan siya kagaling anak at kapag magpapatuloy to maghihirapan ang kaharian natin"-dad
"Then we need to secure the place kung saan ang laging dinaraanan ng luna'ng ito"
"We tried but..."
"Ano bang silbi ng mga gwardiya kapag nakakapasok naman ang magnanakaw na ito"-Sino kaya ang luna'ng ito. Bat di ito binalita sakin ni heneral Zhyperbliss
➖➖➖
The sun rises in the east and I couldn't sleep. Like i was under the wrath of nightmares because of what happen that night. It boggles my mind. As we arrived the people of Estheril was gasping, the terror of their voices echoed inside the carriage.
Nagpahuli ako at nagpaiwan sa loob para mapahinga ang utak ko na mula pa kagabi na walang tigil sa kakatanong. Ilang minuto nang nagdaan ay lumabas na ako at nilingon ang mga karwahe at napadilat ako nang makita na lahat ay sira na pala at wala nang dingding at atip bukod lang sa sinasakyan namin. Pano ito nagawa ng isang tao? May nakita rin akong palaso at napaisip na naman ako nung gabi na pinadapa ako ni kapitan. Baka itong palaso nayun ang tatapos sakin and all of our gold is gone.
"Take a rest your highness mahuhuli din namin si luna pangako yan"-he swore but I keep on doubting it. Pumasok na ako sa loob at di ko na pinapansin ang mga tao na kinakamusta ako basta lumalakad lang ako at lutang parin.
Sino ba si luna? and why did he steal? For what purposed? "I need to talk to you"-The General nodded and look around as if no one is looking at us.
"Not here"
"Why?"
"Just follow me your highness"
Nasa isa kaming silid at ang daming mga papel na nakalagay sa bawat pader at nakita ko ang mga nakaguhit na anino na may malaking ekis sa mga ito. Walang markang pangalan.
"What is all this?"
"The night thief. Pero di pa namin sila nakilala"-Nakaguhit din ang mapa ng aking palasyo na kasing laki ng espasyo ng kanyang higaan na nasa kaliwa ko.
"None of you seen their faces? You expecting me to believe ya?"-tanong ko.
"It seems impossible but it's true" he said. Wow those people are good. They outrun our soldier and leaves no tracts behind "Not yet. Sa ganitong mapa. Maari kong matukoy ang labas masok nila sa gayon. Mahuhuli na sila agad. Napansin ko rin na may maliit na daanan sa pamilihan at isinara ko ang lagusang ito"-sabay sulat nya sa papel na sealed. Sealed doesn't mean its all done. Habang may butas parin makakapasok parin sila if ganito wala pa ni iisang nakakakita o nakakahuli sa kanila.
"Don't fool me General. Just tell me if you saw one tsaka wala pa talagang nakakahuling isa sa kanila? How is that even possible?"- Pagtataka kong tanong, binuksan nya ang balumbon at bumungad saking paningin ang larawan ng nakatalikod na tao na may mahabang buhok.
"Sya po ay babae"
"Ang magnanakaw ay isang babae? Bat natalo kayo ng babae?!"-galit na bulyaw ko kay heneral Zhyperbliss sa mga taga sunod niya at napatingin ito sa baba at natakot sa kanya "Isang babae lang yan bat di pa nahuhuli? Pano kayo natatalo ng isang babae habang kayo sampu. Its impossible!"
"She's no ordinary we believe that she could be one of them, a luna"-sabi ng isa sa mga taga sunod niya. Luna? No wonder they called her the night thief. A girl have pass the hundred men? What the hell? Woman are not that strong when it comes to men strenght. But just why? I don't believe this mabilis siyang mawala baka di siya nag iisa.
"Ano pa ang alam mong impormasyon tungkol sa kanya?"
"Pagkakaalam ko marami sila marami na kaming napatay sa kanila pero hindi parin sila nauubos"
"Just as I thought, you killed many yet you still failed to see their faces? Are you joking around? Cause I'm not"- Hindi naman kase kayang maitumba ng isang magnanakaw ang karwahe na may lamang ginto at maaring matakasan ang ilan sa mga kawal
"Actually before we killed them they just disappeared"
"And then you think you killed them? General, you know that my father trusted you because he wanted peace in our kingdom don't let this mongrels stained the white canvas, you promised us"
"I'm sorry but I'm still gonna do my best to serve my king. We need to settle a trap to captured them.."-Kinuha ko ang papel na may guhit na larawan ng babae.
She's amazing how can she surpassed those guards strength, single handedly? "We've tried"-napahinto ako at napakunot noo nalang na binaling ng tingin sakanya
"What do you mean by tried? You failed? Natalo kayo ng babae?"- Inunahan ko na ito. Babae ay natalo ng mga lalake? Ano bang klaseng kawal ang meron sa kahariang ito?
"Patawad po mahal na prinsesa pero-"
"No more excuses. Dapat bago pa dumating ang harvest festival ay nahuhuli na ang mga iyan. Hindi natin rin masisiguro na magnanakaw lang pakay nila-- maaari din silang pumatay. Malapit narin ang pagdating nang tagtuyot at maraming maghihirap na mang gagawa saking kaharian. Gusto mo bang mangyari iyon heneral? Just think of your family. Natatakot ako sa kinabukasan ng ating kaharian"
"Gagawin po namin ang aming
makakaya"
"Basta dapat ay mahuli na sila at kailangan ko rin makipag usap kay ama tungkol dito"
Di ako papayag na may mangyaring ganon sa kaharian. Mananagot ka sakin luna! Kapag ako ang nakoronahang reyna walang Ark luna ang makakalapit sa kahariang ito. I'll protect my people at any cost.
Starting now!
But how am I supposed to do it?
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