There was a huge difference between Royal City and Grey City.
Royal City was already considered as modernized in terms of their machineries and the likes. Probably because it had long been a democratic country despite its name. Bukod pa doon, they were trading different kind of products and most of the people living there were well-off.
Kagaya na lang nila Emy. Her father owned a toy factory and it was profitting more than the expenses they had. And since student pa rin naman si Emy, Uncle Shin was the one running the business temporarily. May sarili din namang business si Uncle Shin pero from time to time, isinisingit niya ang toy factory nila Emy in his schedule just to make sure that it was still doing well.
On the other hand, Grey City was totally different. Ganun din si Uncle Francis. Grey City still had an imperial government. It was being run by an Emperor. And one of the subordinates of this empire was the family of Uncle Francis.
There were several military families in Grey City. Kaya hindi maisip ni Emy if she had already encoutered Uncle Francis' family before.
Anyway, si Uncle Shin ang kasama niya sa pagbyahe papuntang Grey City. It took them two and a half days just to reach the boundary of Royal City and Grey City. When they passed the boundary, they travelled by horse and carriages since walang ibang mode ng transportation doon kundi ang mga iyon unlike Royal City na may mga ilang energy-operated mode of transportation na.
Uncle Shin rented a carriage for her and her luggage while he rented a horse for himself.
"It's been a while since I ride a horse." Uncle Shin said habang nakangiti.
"I have never thought you can ride one, Uncle Shin."
He laughed out loud.
"I might be weird looking wearing this kind of clothings habang nakasakay ng kabayo. But I am telling you, I am great at this. Hindi nga lang kasing galing ni Francis."
"D-does my father know how to ride one to?"
"Of course. After all, kapag bakasyon namin noon, dito kami ipinadadala ng grandparents mo. We used to have our aunt living here. It is such unfortunate na hindi siya nakapag-asawa at nagkaanak. But I think that's the reason why Francis had chosen to live here instead. He was the closest to Auntie Angeline."
Napatango na lang si Emy. In her old life, she focused herself sa circle of family na kinalakihan na niya. She wasn't that familiar to anyone na sa tingin niya ay hindi mahalaga. Her thinking back then was very narrow. Like a frog inside a well.
If she had taken a trouble to explore, maybe she would know other people. Baka rin hindi siya napahamak gaya ng nangyari sa kanya in her old life.
Uncle Shin noticed na natahimik ang dalaga. Lately, he had been observing his niece. Totoong close na ito sa kanya noon pa man. Emy was just like his other daughter. Mas mahinhin at mahiyain nga lang ito kaysa kanila Shantal at Sabrina. But since she woke up from her coma, it felt like she went into drastic change.
There were times na mukhang malalim lagi ang iniisip nito. Bukod pa doon, around everyone, it felt like she was being calculative towards people. Like she was being careful sa pakikisalamuha sa kanila. Maybe because she had amnesia and couldn't remember anything at all. Kahit siya rin naman siguro would feel the need to be careful kung magigising na lang siyang isang araw na hindi makilala ang mga taong nasa paligid niya.
And lastly, she also changed her style. Simpleng simple lang siya noong manamit. Those dresses in her closet only get worn kapag may mahalagang event silang pinupuntahan nila Jonas. But ever since she woke up, she started to dress up herself. Shin couldn't help but to see Ruby, Emy's mother, on her.
"I think you fit perfectly in here now." Shin suddenly said to the lady. Agad namang napatingin ulit sa kanya ang dalaga.
"It is true that Grey City still not modernized yet compared to Royal City. But I think the youth here are quite mature. Shantal, despite being a bit older than you, is still a bit childish. Maybe because she has to live with her younger siblings. But you... ever since you woke up, you suddenly have an air of maturity. Maybe because you've been through a lot this year."
Emy smiled gently. This family wasn't that bad at all. From Uncle Shin to his family, it was obvious how they loved her. Maaaring minalas siya sa pangalawang pamilya ng Papa niya but she could live easily if she wanted to. Ang hindi niya maintindihan ay kung bakit mas pinili ng dalaga na maging masyadong mabait.
Napangiti na lang ng mapait si Emy. Hindi nga pala siya naiiba dito. She thought she was living wisely all these years. But look what had happened to her. She had no idea that she would be stabbed behind by the people she had trusted the most.
"You can rest, Emy. Gigisingin na lang kita once we arrive the Grey City's gate."
"I am good, Uncle. I have enough rest. I'll just keep looking around."
"Ikaw ang bahala."
After that ay tahimik na silang naglakbay. Uncle Shin was obviously enjoying his horse riding. He would speed up at times. Minsan ay kakausapin niya yung coachman.
Busy naman sa pag-iisip si Emy. Once she stepped within the Grey City, it only meant that the game would start again. She needed to prepare mentally, emotionally and physically.
***
Emy had no idea na nakaidlip na pala siya. Nagising na lang siya when the carriage suddenly stopped and they had already reached the gate of Grey City.
They arrived there almost at sunset. But the place was still bustling.
Uncle Shin was talking with the guards of city gate habang siya ay nasa loob ng carriage. She decided to fix herself. She had to look the best. After all, she was back to her "dearest" city once again.
"Is everything alright, Uncle Shin?" Tanong niya when he approached her.
"Yes. Don't worry. We are just waiting for Francis to pick us here. They already send someone to him."
She frowned at agad namang napuna iyon ni Shin.
"Their security wasn't this tight before. Mukhang may nangyari these past few months kaya naghigpit sila ngayon."
Emy's curiousity was piqued. What could have happened that resulted the tight security of Grey City?
Di rin naman nagtagal ay dumating na din si Uncle Francis lulan ng isang kabayo. Samantha could immediately tell that this horse was not an ordinary one. More likely, it was a war horse.
"Shin!"
"Francis!"
Nagyakap ang magkapatid at nagbatian. They laughed and teased each other. Mukhang matagal nga na hindi sila nagkita.
"Oh, wow... If it isn't little Emerald..." Sabi ni Francis when he saw her.
"Except that she is no longer little." Sabi naman ni Shin. "I am surprised na nakilala mo siyang agad. Ni hindi mo man lang naisip na baka si Shantal siya o Sabrina."
"Come on, Shin. Look at her. She's a carbon copy of Ruby. That old Jonas died too early and left her beautiful daughter alone. Just what is he thinking?"
Emy felt the sadness between two brothers as they remembered their late brother.
"Uncle Francis, it is nice to finally meet you."
Biglang tumawa ng malakas si Shin dahil namulang bigla si Francis.
"You're a tough guy in a war field tapos si Emy lang pala ang magpapablush sayo."
"Shut it, Shin. Masisisi mo ba ako? I only have the brat, Franco, as my kid. Even Lie Feng isn't as feminine as she is."
Tinawanan lang ulit siya ni Shin.
Soon, they were on the way to Uncle Francis' residence. Emy continued looking around.
She was finally back. Anxiousness and excitement engulfed her emotion at the same time.
This time... she would make everything right.
***
Grey City didn't change at all these past few months. They still loved rumors.
As the carriage of Emy stopped in front of Francis' residence, people gathered around to see kung sino ba ang bisita ng mga Hans.
Gracefully as she could, Emy went out of the carriage. Agad siyang sinalubong nila Uncle Shin at Uncle Francis.
Lumabas na din mula sa residence sila Lie Feng at Franco.
"Welcome to our home, Emerald." Sabi ni Uncle Francis na napakamot pa sa ulo niya.
Halatang hindi siya sanay na may bisitang kagaya ng dalaga.
"Kaganda namang dalaga ng bisita nila Francis. Siya na ba ang mapapangasawa ni Franco?"
They all heard the talk of those people around them. Agad namang namula si Franco.
He was a tough guy like his father. He had been joining his parents in few of their wars. But just like Francis, he was not expose that much with ladies.
"You should not spread rumors like that. Pamangkin ko itong si Emerald, nothing more." Depensa ni Francis. Iniisip kasi niyang baka mailang ang pamangkin.
But Emy was used to the Grey people so she didn't mind at all.
"You don't have to explain to them, Francis." Napailing na lang na sabi ni Auntie Feng. Then she looked at Emy.
"Oh my... What a beauty. Kung di ka nga pinsan nitong si Franco, ipapakasal ko siya sa iyo."
"Mama." Mas lalong namula si Franco dahil doon.
Tumawa lang ng malakas si Feng. Then she locked her arms on the lady.
"I am glad to have you in our house, Emy. Finally, may makakasama na rin akong dalaga dito sa amin. I am quite fed up with your Uncle and cousin. Puro labanan na lang ang alam nila. Kulang na lang yung mga blade ang kainin nila."
"Kung magsalita ka, Mama, akala mo hindi ka rin ganun ah."
"Wala lang akong choice no. How unfortunate that I never had a daughter. But now that Emy is living with us, para na ring natupad ang pangarap ko di ba?"
Then she winked at her.
Emy smiled back at her. Uncle Francis' family was warm. Ganun din naman sa pamilya nila Uncle Shin. But Emy had a feeling that anything she wanted would be given by this family without hesitation if she asked them to.
Nagkwentuhan muna sila habang naghihintay ng hapunan. Nadala na rin naman sa magiging kwarto niya ang lahat ng mga gamit niya.
"Poor you... It must be terrible to have amnesia." Sabi ni Auntie Feng habang hawak hawak ang dalawang kamay ni Samantha.
Sinabi kasi sa kanila ni Shin ang mga nangyari sa kanya.
"I thought that Ella will take care of her. Kung alam ko lang na mangyayari ito, kinuha ko na si Emy sa kanila noon pa mang mamatay si Jonas."
"Well, no one has expected this to happen. Though I am also disappointed at Ella. I heard Emy was with Ella's children nang maaksidente siya."
"Who knows if they had something to do with that?"
"At least she's with us now. We can take care of her." Sabi ni Auntie Feng.
"Yes. It's a good decision na dito mo piniling mag-aral, Emerald. That way, your Aunt and I can watch over you."
Emy just smiled at them.
"If you want to go around the city tomorrow, just tell me and I'll go with you." Prisinta ni Franco.
"Thank you."
***
"Did you rest well?" Auntie Feng asked Emy as soon as she went out of her courtyard.Oo, hindi lang basta kwarto ang ibinigay sa kanya ng mag-asawang Francis at Feng. Traditional-style residence ang meron ang pamilya nila. Kaya naman bawat isa sa kanila ay may kanya kanyang courtyard.At dahil doon na din naman titira si Emy, ibinigay na nila sa kanya ang isa sa mga courtyard na naroon.Malaki rin ang residence area ng pamilya nila Francis. Bukod sa Great Hall kung saan nila tinatanggap ang mga bisita nila, may limang courtyard ang naroroon. Ang pinakamalaki doon ay ang tinutulugan ng mag-asawang Francis at Feng. Kalapit noon ay ang kay Franco. Sumunod naman ay ang kay Emy. Yung nalalabing dalawa ay ang nagsisilbing guest room nila.Mayroon din silang malaking field kung saan nagpapractice ang army ni Francis ng swordfighting. May apat pang malalaking kwarto doon. Isang martial arts hall, storage room at dalawang sleeping quaters ng army at maidservants.
Kinabukasan ay nagpaalam na si Uncle Shin sa kanila. But he promised to bring everyone sa bakasyon.Emy, on the other hand, was already at home sa Hans residence. Na ikinatuwa ng mag-asawang Francis at Feng nang lubusan. They also started to know her more.Who would have thought the young lady was also interested in military?In fact, nagulat nalang si Franco ng maabutan niyang minsan si Emy sa Dojo at may hawak na wooden sword.She was trying to attack the wooden dummy but she easily got tired."You have surprisingly good posture and position, Emy. But your body needs muscles for strength."He told her while smiling. He found his cousin cute."Can you help me then?"There goes again her doe eyes. Napakamot na lang sa ulo niya si Franco bago naupo sa harapan ni Emy. Seriously, she didn't have to look at him like that. He would do anything for her."Of course. But do you really want to learn this?""Yes. I don't li
"Miss, you shouldn't stay up late tonight. You have important party to attend to tomorrow." Sabi ni Grace kay Emy."That's right. I have already prepared your clothes, Miss. You have nothing to worry about." Sabi naman ni Anika.Emy smiled at them. "I am not worried."Then she continued placing her chess pieces on board.Nagkatinginan na lang ang apat niyang maidservants. Mula pa kaninang magbalik sila sa backyard ni Emy ay naglalaro na ito ng chess mag-isa. Veronica even offered to play with her. But she just shook her head.She told them, "I am not playing. Just memorizing."They had no idea what she meant by that. Hindi rin naman sila nagtanong.But they were worrying that she might stay up late tonight."Come on. You can leave already. Matutulog na lang ako kung inaantok na ako.""Let me get you a tea and some cookies then. In case you feel hungry or thirsty." Sabi ni Lia tapos ay lumabas na silang apat.Emy c
Lucy's heart palpitated when she saw Franco getting down his horse. Of course, she knew the guy. They were in the same year of Level Three. But both of them had different sets of friends kaya naman imposibleng magkadaupang palad silang dalawa.Except for these kinds of events.Kung anong tamlay niya kanina, siya namang sigla niya ngayon.She watched as Franco waited for his mother. Lucy always admired Lie Feng. She was one of the few who accepted foreigner like her whole-heartedly.Besides, she couldn't find any reason to hate Lie Feng. She was kind to everyone and very down to earth. She was patriotic and of course, mother of Franco.She stood straight and waited for Franco to walk towards them. But she was surprised when the two maidservants waited in front of the carriage again until a lady went out of it.The lady was wearing a turquoise dress with flower embroideries. Just like Lie Feng, it was a traditional dress. Her hair was tied in
Emy got awakened again by her nightmares. She grasped her chest and caught her breath.She also felt hot tears on her face as she recalled the explosion that killed her loved ones.Agad niya iyong pinunasan. There was no room for her weakness. Not specially now.She stood from bed and lit up the lamp on her table.After grabbing some water to drink, her eyes fell on her chess board.That's right. She couldn't let weakness now. Everything was already in place. All she had to do was wait for the pieces to act willingly on their roles.***"Miss, you're up early." Bungad sa kanya ni Anika. Kasunod niya si Grace na may dalang tray ng pagkain."Or maybe, our Miss didn't sleep again." Grace said disapprovingly.Naabutan na naman kasi siya ng dalawa sa harapan ng mesa at nagchchess.She just smiled at them."Those two are out already?" Emy asked pertaining to Lia and Veronica."Yes, Miss." They answered per
It was a normal day for the people inside the Purple Boutique. It was neither hectic nor boring.Sakto lang. After all, sa mahal ng mga damit na gawa nila, iilan lang ang mga customers nila.But it didn't mean wala silang pera.They had several staffs na pinapasweldo but it was not like they were limited to the work within the Boutique.Ganun ang inabutan nila Emy when they entered the boutique.Agad naman silang sinalubong ng isang babae."Welcome! Anong maipaglilingkod ko sa iyo, Young Miss?"Iniikot muna ni Emy ang kanyang paningin bago tumingin sa sumalubong sa kanya na babae."I'd like to speak to your manager."Nabigla ang babae maging sila Grace at Anika."Err...""I specifically come here today for your manager. Please call him."Him. The woman noticed the pronoun she used. Could it be that she knew Mr. Bao personally?"Please have a seat, Young Miss. I'll be back."Emy nodded a
Emy's remaining vacation days were spent in practicing and reading.Medyo disappointed nga sila Grace at Anika eh. Their Miss was only able to befriend one person during her vacation.Pero di bale, they would not fail once class started, which was going to happen two days from now.Today, napilitang lumabas si Emy para mag-enroll. Dahil nagmula siya sa ibang lugar, kinailangan niyang magpakita personally para itala ang kamyang pangalan para sa pasukan.Okay lang naman dahil makakapaglakad lakad din siya sa loob ng Academy. She heard marami na ang nagbago sa academy every since the explosion happened.She would definitely check them out today.***Grey Academy was a bit busy kapag ganitong araw na lang ang nalalabi before the start of classes.May mga hahabol kasi sa enrollment lalo na yung mga transferee at mga freshm
Emy was silently castigating herself. Sa dinami rami ng pagkakataon na maaari siyang magkapanic attack, kung kelan pa naroroon ang Fifth Prince. As much as possible, she didn't want to get involved with any royal family in this lifetime.After all, she was planning against one of the Princes that's why she needed to be more careful.She looked at the back of the guy in front of her. She knew quite a lot about these princes. It was one of the advantages kapag naging malapit ka sa kahit na kanino na nasa Royal Palace. But truth be told, she was not just a simple acquaintance of Marco. They were almost lovers. Almost because as much as she liked Marco, her father, the Prime Minister, was totally against it.Her father knew how suffocating the game of the imperial harem and he didn't want them to be part of that. Only to get disappointed in the end since both of his daughters died because one of them was already caught up in that game.Anyway, she knew that t