"Who is that?"
The Emperor asked the Prime Minister habang nakaturo sa isang dalaga na nakablue traditional foreign long dress.
"That, I think, is the niece of General Hans."
Napatingin ang Emperor sa kanya.
"You mean that kidnapped niece of his?"
Tumango ang Prime Minister at tiningnan din ang dalaga. Somehow, she reminded him of his daughter, Samantha.
"No wonder she was kidnapped. Look at that beauty."
When the Second wife heard that ay napasimangot siya. If that girl would be Emperor's wife too, it would be outrageous. However, wala namang reaksyon ang Empress. Ngayon pa ba siya magrereact eh nakaapat na nga na asawa ang Emperor eh.
"Let's go there."
"What are you planning, Your Highness?"
"Masyado ka namang mapagduda, Seigfried. I just want to talk to General Hans and his niece."
Tumayo ang Emperor at sinundan naman siya ng Prime Minister. Hindi masamang tao ang Emperor but he had weakness with beauties.
"Your highness..." Bati sa kanya ni General Hans. The rest of his family gave respect to him too.
"Ease up, Francis."
Saka lang tumayo ng ayos si Francis at hinarap ulit ang Emperor. It surprised him na nilapitan siya nito.
"How are you doing lately, Francis?"
"Never better, Your highness."
"I heard you have finally found your niece."
"Yes, your highness. Utang ng pamilya namin ang pagkakaligtas ng pamangkin ko kay Madam Serafina."
"Serafina?"
Saka naman ikinuwento ni Francis ang nangyari noon.
However, Emy was not feeling good about it.
Tumawa ng malakas ang Emperor. "Serafina has really that kind heart." Then he walked more hanggang sa nasa harapan na siya ni Emy.
Agad namang tumayo ang dalaga at tumungo. "Your highness..."
Ngumiti ang Emperor atsaka sinuri sa malapitan ang dalaga. She was really eyecatching.
Inilahad niya ang palad niya at dahan dahan na inabot ni Emy ang kamay niya dito.
The Emperor caressed her hand.
"What is your name?"
"Your highness, my name is Emerald Hans."
"Your name suited you. Is it true na galing ka ng Royal City?"
Tumango si Emy.
"No wonder you are so regal." Saka tumawa ang Emperor. "Say, Emerald, do you have a boyfriend?"
Umiling ang dalaga.
The Emperor happily tapped her hand. "Good, good... My second son, Vio, is also single. How about you date this son of mine?"
Literal na napanganga lahat ng nakarinig noon.
Then they looked at Diana. Alam ng lahat na nobya siya ni Prince Vio.
But this matchmaking of the Emperor was like a slap for her. And what's more, si Emy pa talaga ang nirereto ng Emperor sa anak niya.
Emy looked at Diana too. As much as she liked to see that look in her face, she couldn’t just let herself be match made with Prince Vio.
"Your highness, I am just a mere commoner. I don't deserve your valiant son."
The Emperor laughed again. He could tell that the girl was intelligent by just her words.
"Give my son a chance, Emerald. He is not bad himself, you know." Saka tinawag nito si Vio na agad namang lumapit sa kanya. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Diana.
"Emerald, this is my son, Vio. Vio, this is Emerald. I like her. Do your best in winning her heart." The Emperor even transferred her hand on Vio's saka sila iniwan sa ganoong awkward na sitwasyon.
Agad namang binawi ni Emy ang kamay niya.
"Forgive my father. He must have too much to drink already." Vio told her.
She just nodded saka naupo. Tch. These royalties were giving her headaches.
***
But that was not just simply an effect of alcohol for the Emperor dahil kinabukasan ay nagpadala ito ng imbitasyon sa kanya para pumunta sa palasyo.
Hindi gusto ni Feng ang nais na mangyari ng Emperor. Para sa kanya ay bata pa ang dalaga para mag-asawa.
"Francis, gawan mo ng paraan ito."
"Sinabi ko na kasi sa inyo eh. Emy should just wear simple clothes." Sabi naman ni Franco.
"Baka naman gusto lang ng Emperor na magkakilala ang dalawa. Malay niyo naman ay compatible pala sila Emy at ang Prinsipe na iyon." Sabi naman ni Shin.
Napailing si Francis. "No, Shin. That place is too difficult to live in. Kahit ako ay hindi ko hahayaang mapunta si Emy sa lugar na iyon."
"Then what should we do?" Tanong ni Shelly na nagpatahimik sa kanila.
Wala silang maisip na solusyon sa problemang ito. Kakatapos lang ng isang problema ni Emy ay may dumating na naman.
Bigla namang pumasok sa great hall si Emy. Nakabihis ito.
"Pupunta ka, Emy?" Alalang tanong ni Feng sa dalaga.
"This is the wisest thing to do, Aunty. I won't let the family to be compromised ng dahil lang sa akin. Don't worry, I will be back as soon as I can."
Nagpaalam na siya sa mga nakakatanda at saka lumabas na. She rode the carriage that brought her to the palace.
Pagdating doon ay sinalubong siya ng Second wife ng Emperor. Siya ang nanay ni Prince Vio at ng youngest prince.
"Oh, I am glad you came." She even tapped her cheeks gently. "The Emperor is ecstatic to have you. Even Vio prepared to meet you today."
She just smiled at her gently. Inakay siya nito sa isang garden kung nasaan ang buong pamilya ng Emperor.
There were four tables there. The first one was occupied by the Empress and the Emperor. Katabi noon ay ang mesang inookupa ng second family. Yung ikatlo ay kung nasaan ang kambal na prinsipe. At ang huling mesa ay mag-isang inookupa ni Serafina.
When they met each other's gaze, agad siya nitong nginitian. Ginantihan naman niya iyon agad.
Nang makita iyong ng Second wife ay agad niyang kinuha ang atensyon ng dalaga. Kinausap siya nito hanggang sa makarating sila sa mesa ng Emperor.
"Ah, Emerald."
Nagbigay galang naman agad si Emy. Tapos ay inabot ng Emperor ang kamay niya.
"Mabuti at nakapunta ka."
"I won't ignore an invite from your highness."
The Empress was observing her at hindi nito mapigilang mapahanga. The way Emy answered the Emperor was very intelligent. Very careful and yet very intelligent. No wonder the Emperor was fond of her.
"Your highness, please let me give respect to Madam Serafina. I respect all of the Emperor's wife but she has special space in my heart as she saved my life."
"Go on. Serafina must be feeling lonely now, especially that Sebastian is not around."
"Thank you, your highness."
Agad naman niyang nilapitan si Serafina na mukhang nagulat pa. She asked for her hand na agad naman nitong ibinigay sa kanya. She kissed the back of her hand as respect to her.
"Silly girl, you don't have to pay me respect this way. I am feeling old." Then Serafina was laughed. She was happy. Just a simple acknowledgement from Emy woukd be fine for her. Pero nirequest pa talaga nito sa Emperor na kung maaari siyang magbigay galang sa kanya. That touched her heart.
She pulled Emy close for a hug.
"Thank you, dear. Sayang at wala si Sebastian dito."
Nginitian nya ang dalaga bago ito pinakawalan.
***
Emy and Prince Vio were walking at the garden. The royal family were just behind them and watching them quietly.
"Seigfried..." Tawag ng Emperor sa Prime Minister na agad namang lumapit.
"Yes, your highness?"
"What to do, Seigfried? My son is too stiff. How can he get Emerald's heart this way?"
Napangiti ang Empress. The Emperor was being silly again.
"Your highness, Vio is just being gentleman."
"Yes, yes... Too gentlemanly. That won't work for the likes of her."
Napahinga ng malalim si Seigfried. The Emperor was really impossible sometimes.
Hinayaan niya na lang itong mag-isip.
But it was a wrong move. The Emperor's idea was a bit twisted.
His eyes landed on the dog na hawak ng tauhan niya. Agad niya itong tinawag at saka nila pinakawalan ang aso.
It started to run towards the direction of the two. Napansin naman agad yun ni Vio kaya he grabbed Emy by instinct and got her out of the dog's way.
Nagulat naman si Emy dahil doon. How come there was a dog there?
"Are you okay?" Vio asked her.
Tumango siya dito.
Then they heard a dog's whimpered. Pareho silang napatingin sa unahan nila at doon nila nakita si Sebastian na tinaboy palayo ang aso. The royal guard responsible for the dog quickly ran after it.
Agad namang tumibok ang puso ni Emy lalo na ng magtapo ang kanilang mga mata.
Pero agad ding nagbawi ang binata saka tumayo.
Agad na lumayo si Emy kay Vio at umayos ng tayo. Sakto namang sa gilid niya dumaan si Sebastian papunta sa kinaroroonan ng Emperor. Pero ni hindi na siya nito ulit tiningnan.
That made Emy irritated. Wow ha? Galit ba ito?
"Father..." Sabi ni Sebastian saka nagbigay galang sa ama niya.
"You're gone too long. You surely made your mother longed for you."
"My mother knows about my mission, Father."
"Oh well, did you bring me some news?"
"I'll discuss it to you after lunch."
Tumango ang Emperor saka siya umalis at pinuntahan ang Mama niya.
Serafina hugged her son. But she could tell that it wasn't her whom he wanted to see.
The Emperor called out the two saka sila nag-umpisa ng kumain.
"Emerald, you seem to be a talented lady. How about playing us a qin after lunch?" Sabi ng Second wife.
"Ah, actually, I don't know how to play a qin. Wala po kasing ganun sa Royal City."
"Then what are your talents? How about painting? Or poetry?" Tanong naman ng Empress.
Nakangiting umiling si Emy. "Neither of them, your highness. But I am quite good in chess."
Tumawa naman ng malakas ang Emperor.
"What a fortune. We can test your chess skill later with this Emperor."
***
After lunch ay naglaro nga sila ng chess ng Emperor. Alam ni Emy na maalam din magchess ang Empress kaya nanood ito sa kanila.
The Emperor was quite funny. Hindi nga inaasahan ni Emy yun eh. Kundi lang siya nito minamatchmake kay Prince Vio.
The Empress could tell na hindi lang magaling si Emy sa chess. She was very skilled pa doon. One said that when you are skilled in chess then you are also good in war strategies.
However, Emy was just playing for fun right now.
Nang minsang macorner niya ang piece ng Emperor, imbis na itumba niya ang chess piece nito ay minove niya sa ibang lugar ang piece niya.
Parehas na natawa ang Emperor at Empress dahil doon.
"Wise girl..." Puri sa kanya ng Emperor. Dahil doon ay napatawa na rin siya.
Sa dulong mesa naman ay nakabusangot ang mukha ni Sebastian.
"Hay, ang daya. Bakit si Vio lang ang hinanapan ng Emperor ng mapapangasawa? We need wife too." Sabi ni Tirso.
"Kaya nga eh." Sang-ayon naman ng kambal niya na si Zirco. Tapos ay tumingin ito sa kanya. "Say, Sebastian, madami bang babae sa pinanggalingan mo?"
Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang mga ito.
Napailing na lang si Serafin habang nakangiti sabay sabi na, "A jealous heart is the hardest to control."
***
Pag-uwi ni Emy ay sinalubong agad siya ng pamilya niya saka siya pinagkwento sa kung ano ang nangyari. Sinabi naman niya agad iyon sa kanila.Pero kahit na ikinuwento na niya sa kanila ay hindi pa rin naubusan ng tanong ang mga ito.In fact, hindi siya nito tinantanan hanggang sa matapos ang hapunan.She was tired and feeling irritated ng sa wakas ay makapasok na siya sa kwarto niya. Agad siyang naghubad at naghanda na para matulog. Pahiga na sana siya sa kama niya ng biglang bumukas ang bintana niya. Naramdaman niya ang pagpasok doon ng isang tao."And here I thought you're gonna wait for me." Sebastian said."Why would I?" She asked coldly.The window closed saka siya may narinig na lumalakad. Emy couldn’t see anything. She had already turn off the lamp kanina pa.Then she felt him stop in front of her."Why w
Emy's mood drastically changed in the next days. Bumalik na ito sa pagiging makulit at palangiti kaya naman napayapa na ang loob ni Feng.Kunot noo namang pinagmamasdan ni Franco ang pinsan. Naguguluhan na talaga siya dito. Oo, hindi pa rin naman siya nito pinapansin pero hindi na siya nito iniirapan kapag nagkakatinginan sila.Si Anika naman ay nacurious kaya tinanong niya na si Red."Red, nakabalik na ba ang Fifth Prince?" Tanong niya sa binata."Oo. Noong isang araw pa."Napangiti si Anika. Well, she was maybe just thinking things pero lately, nauubos na ulit ng Miss niya ang cookies na iniiwanan sa kanya ni Lia.***"Did you like my gift to you?""Gift?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Emy kay Sebastian. They were playing chess again and talking about things that had happened in Grey City."Yes. Didn't you hear about what had happened to Cherry and Kelly?""I was contained for many days in here so maybe that's why I did
Diana clenched her fist.Her situation now was too hard. Her family was angry at her for giving them shame to the whole Grey City. Ayos lang sana if her father was able to contain the news but it spread so much to point na ultimanong sa bayan ay nakaabot ang balita.People were now talking behind her. Kesyo daw she was a seductress, na sinadya niya ang nangyari dahil hindi niya gusto na minamatchmake ng Emperor sila Prince Vio at Emy.Maaatim pa sana niya ang ibang balita tungkol sa kanya eh. But not those that were attached with Emy's name.Hindi rin siya pinapansin ni Prince Vio. Ang dami dami pa niyang plano. Ni hindi pa nga siya naaannounce as Crown Prince. Paano na lamang kung makaapekto ito sa kanya?And he was trying his best to please their father. But now, it was Sebastian who had the most favor at the moment.Matapos itong ipadala ng Papa niya sa isang mission, madalas na silang nag-uusap ng sila lang. Sebastian, the Emperor, the P
It was done.Diana was already defeated.After the Black Council members were all caught, agad agad silang pinatawan ng execution. Even their families weren't saved.Prince Vio was like swallowing a bitter pill. When these people saw them before the execution, they started to call out to him, asking for him to have mercy.The people were looking at him kaya mas pinabilisan niya ang execution ng mga ito.But it was still not the end of his misfortune.Diana was found in a corridor of Grey Academy na umiiyak. She kept on saying, "That woman... That bitch..." and then she would sob unstoppingly.Her image was no longer the same as before. And the worst part was Prince Vio still had to marry her.Walang magawa ang Emperor dahil sa isang Minister ang Papa ni Diana at nakapagbitaw na rin ng salita ang Emperor noong mismong araw na nakita silang magkasama na pananagutan niya ang nangyari.Kaya naman pinagpipiyestahan siya ng bu
"Samantha..."I looked at Marco as he called me. We were at the Palace Garden where different species of flowers started to bloom. It was amazing.Hindi ako mahilig sa mga bulaklak but watching them alive like this was just wonderful..."Samantha..." He called me again.I rolled my eyes. Nangungulit lang na naman ang isang ito. And as proof of that, I saw him smiling when I looked at him."Stop calling me, Your Highness..."Nangunot ang noo niya. He hated it. The people closest to him were forced by him to call him Marco instead of 'Your Highness'. And I think that made him unique."Don't call me that, Sammy.""And don't call me that too."I stood up at nagsalin ng tsaa sa mga tasa namin. I gave him the other one."Say, Samantha...""Uhm?""What do
The Hans family had to spend a night at the campsite dahil medyo malayo pa ang Ming Province at delikado na rin na basta basta bumyahe kapag ganito kadilim ang paligid at maraming bagahe. Kaya naman, they set up tents and campfire para sa lahat.Luckily, they had a peaceful night except for Emy na dinadaluhong ng mga alaala ang isipan sa kanyang paniginip.***"Miss, you look awful." Sabi ni Anika pagkakita sa kanya."I had dreams... a lot of it." Then Emy shivered.Agad namang nilapitan siya ni Anika at kinipa ang kanyang leeg at noo para malaman kung may sakit ba siya."Your sweats are cold. Ikukuha kita ng makapal na isusuot."News of her not feeling well immediately reached her family. Ayaw niya sanang magpabigat kaya hindi na niya sinabi pero nalaman ni Feng na ikinuha siya ng makapal na damit ni Anika kaya naman pinuntahan agad siya
The next day, maayos na ang pakiramdam ni Emy. They told her that the rest of their travel ay natulog lang siya habang pinagpapawisan ng marami and muttering incoherently. And when they arrived at night, hindi siya magising kaya naman they decided to just bring her in the room. Feng almost put an all-nighter though. She was extremely worried about her at kung hindi pa umayos ang lagay niya around midnight ay baka nagpatawag na ito ng manggagamot. Emy was grateful. Anyway, she also found out na ang bahay na tinutuluyan nila ngayon ay ang ancestray residence nila Lie Feng. Malaki ito at malawak pero sa normal na araw ay tanging si General Lie Zhang, papa ni Lie Feng, at ang isa pang apo nito na si Lie Chen lamang ang naroroon. Kaya madalas ay mas pinipili na lamang nila na sa barracks tumuloy. Gaya na lang ngayon. "We have to visit the house of the Chief bilang pagbigay galang. Kaya mo bang makasama, Emy?" Tanong ni Francis. "Yes, Uncle.
After lunch, pinayagan na sila na maglakad lakad sa kung saan nila gustuhin.Dahil malapit lang naman ang market doon, Shantal, Sabrina and Sammy, along with Franco and friends, decided to go there.Pinaiwanan naman ni Feng si Emy dahil baka mapagod ito ng husto at sumama na naman ang pakiramdam. Hindi na naman siya nagreklamo at doon na lang sa training ground naglakad lakad.Walang masyadong tao pero yung mangilan ngilan na naroroon ay kanya kanyang pagsasanay ang ginagawa.The training ground was too big that they divided it into three. At the left most part of it was for those who were practicing archery. The one in the middle were for those into martial arts. And the last side was for sword fighters."Do you mind if I accompany you?" Someone asked her suddenly. She was busy looking at the archers na hindi na niya namalayan na may nakalapit na pala sa kanya.