7.2: Conference

CHAPTER 7.2

Conference

WHEN Lucas finally trusted his father’s words that the Demelza family are just exploiting Izquierdo kingdom, it was as though he hit his head with facts and even saw them in a different light. His opinion of them abruptly changed that he feared how he realized that they’re people that he couldn’t trust. They ascended the throne for nothing but greed and to satiate their parch for power—influence, even.

And now, he signed up for a marriage with their princess. At first, it never occurred to him how detrimental the situation he dragged himself in.

“Prinsipe Lucas, malapit na ang oras,” pag-iimporma sa kanya ni Jonas na nakatayo hindi kalayuan sa kanya’t nakayuko, “dumating na rin po si Merlin Kreese.”

“Sige,” simpleng aniya at inayos ang gusot sa manggas ng suot niyang suit, “pumunta na tayo sa opisina ng hari, Jonas.”

One last glance at the mirror and Lucas believed that he’s prepared to meet his father and Merlin. Is today a nerve-wrecking situation? It is. After all, the idea of setting out in a journey to find someone who’s lost for the past years without proof that she’s survived... sounds ridiculous but for the sake of Vintress kingdom, then he’ll probably risk it.

Better than nothing.

But wait... what if she never really survived?

“Prinsipe Lucas, para sa’n nga pala ‘tong meeting na ‘to?” tanong ni Jonas habang naglalakad sila sa kahabaan ng pasilyo tungo sa kwartong gagamitin nila ng ama sa pagpupulong.

Bumuntong hininga lamang siya. Naturally, he wouldn’t disclose any information but—it’s better for Jonas to have at least a glimpse of what’s happening since if he’s about to set off in a journey, he’s going to ask his father to have this guy accompany him.

“It’s about Princess Selene,” he muttered, so that only Jonas would be able to hear the agenda for today’s meeting.

Panandaliang natigilan ang binata, hindi inaasahan ang sagot niya. “Ah, tama po ba ‘yon? Tungkol pa rin ba ‘to sa conspiracy theory na niri-research mo, Prinsipe Lucas?”

“Somehow.” It started off as that... his interest with Princess Selene until his father brought up the issues he never thought he’d have to tackle and investigate. “It’s tough to explain, I’ll tell you once the meeting is settled.”

“Ah. Gano’n po ba. Sige po.”

It wasn’t too long when Lucas finally arrived in front of the room where they’ll hold the meeting. As the doors opened wide and revealed the sight of King Alexander, Merlin, and Duke Louwes, Lucas gestured Jonas to wait outside as he discuss the matters with these people.

“Masusunod po,” sagot ni Jonas bago naglakad paatras para bigyan siya ng espasyo.

When Lucas discerned that it’s time to approach the table where everyone was gathered, he began to stride towards them and occupied the seat in front of Merlin and beside his father. Duke Louwes remained standing beside King Alexander but he could see the documents he has on hand and it appears that the Duke will be passing those to them later for reference.

As soon as the doors closed and they were given privacy, King Alexander cleared his throat and composed himself.

“Now that everyone’s here, I suppose that we should start this meeting,” he declared and gestured Duke Louwes to give them the files he had been holding, “as you both know, we’re gathered here to discuss about Lucas’ nearing expedition.”

‘What does father mean by nearing?’ Lucas asked as he took a glimpse at his father from the corner of his eyes. His eyes narrowed a bit even when Duke Louwes placed a folder in front of him, ‘does that mean that I’ll be departing as soon as possible? I haven’t even prepared a damned thing!’

As he panicked internally, he heard Merlin let out a chuckle when the magician seemed to discern his anxiety creeping up.

“Before I publicize Prince Lucas’ expedition, I want us to have a proper conversation in regards to the mission that he’ll have to accomplish,” King Alexander began as he opened the copy of documents he has, “I’ll have you three informed that whatever information mentioned or disclosed in this meeting shall remain between us. Also, this meeting will serve as a background for everyone—a script, rather, of how we shall act in public as words spread about this expedition.”

“So, we’re really keeping our agenda as a secret from the public, huh.” Merlin hummed in satisfaction. “Sounds better.”

Meanwhile, Duke Louwes eyed the magician. “As you know, our committee would question our decision to search for Izquierdo kingdom’s lost vampire princess since we don’t have anyane connection with the Griego family. None would ever understand that we’re trying to prevent a catastrophe from befalling upon Vintress kingdom.”

Hindi naman mali si Duke Louwes sa sinabi. Kahit naman siya, itinanong din kung para saan pa’t hahanapin si Prinsesa Selene samantalang nandiyan naman ang mga Demelza. Base na rin sa imaheng binuo ng pamilya sa pamamagitan ng media, hindi na kataka-takang mas gugustuhin ng mga kasapi sa committee na itulak ang pagpapakasal ni Lucas kay Prinsesa Luan.

Mas mabilis, maiiwasan pa ang giyera’t rebolusyon.

Iyon din ang iniisip ni Lucas noon pero magmula nang makita niya ang pagkawasak ng siyudad ng Stratsburg pati na rin ang Nethermoore, nag-iba ang opinyon niya sa mga Demelza.

It was a sudden change of hearts but really, his opinion of them took a one hundred eighty turn!

“That can’t be helped. Their opinions depend on their self-benefit and self-gain.” Bumuntong hininga si Haring Alexander bago sumandal sa kinauupuan. Hinilot din nito ang sentido. “Iilan lang sa kanila ang may pakialam sa Vintress ngunit matagal na ring nabura ang pakialam nila sa mga Griego. Especially that the former royal family was stripped off their titles already.”

Sinang-ayunan ni Merlin ang sinabi ni Haring Alexander. “Kahit pa na sabihin nating nabubuhay pa si Prinsesa Selene, ‘di na rin naman makokonsiderang prinsesa ang dalaga.”

“But you’re not even sure if she’s still alive,” Lucas blurted out as he interjected with the conversation. Of course, his reaction made everyone silent—not even the loudest chirp of birds outside the window could break whatever tension suddenly built up around them.

Nahiya ba siya sa ginawa? Malamang! Hindi niya sinasadyang makialam at sabihing walang kasiguruhan kung buhay pa ba ang Prinsesa Selene na iyan. Interesado siya at kinumpirma ni Merlin na minsan itong namuhay sa Xeofarea pero... nakaligtas ba ito? Paano kung sa kabila ng Hymn of the Moon e may iba pa ring paraan para makitilan ito ng buhay?

It was then when Lucas noticed that the emotion that danced on Merlin’s eyes went from being clueless to amused.

“Sasabihin ko mamaya kung anong alam ko pero ipagpatuloy muna natin ang diskusyon kung ba’t kailangan nating hanapin ang nawawalang prinsesa,” ani Merlin bago humagikhik.

Even King Alexander agreed with him, “let’s start with how the Izquierdo kingdom is barely hanging on a loose thread, shall we? I’ve recently sent mercenaries to investigate the ‘other side’ of the kingdom and they found some things.”

“Bukod ba iyan sa mga isyu tulad ng child at women trafficking, illegal torture, child labor—hm, ano pa ba? Sa rami yata ng isyu sa kaharian ng Izquierdo, parang ‘di ko na maalala ‘yong iba!” ani Merlin.

Bumuntong hininga si Duke Louwes at iminuwestra ang mga dokumentong nasa harap nila. “Nariyan na sa harapan ninyo ang iba pang detalye.”

“Alright... let’s proceed,” King Alexander announced.

Ilan pang sandali, mas naging malalim ang naging diskusyon nila tungkol sa mga nangyayari sa Izquierdo. Alam din ni Lucas na hindi dapat silang mangialam pero ang isiping posible ring mangyari ang mga ito sa Vintress sa oras na matali siya kay Prinsesa Luan—isang malaking kapabayaan niya iyon bilang prinsipe. Paano na lamang ang lupang pinaghirapan ng buong pamilya niya, maging ng mga ninuno nila, kung dadalhin lamang niya sa labak?

“Recently, there’s also a decree about stripping off vampires of their rights to attain nobility, wealth, and even their own homes,” Merlin uttered under his breathe which made the entire room fall silent once more, “I just found out about this recently when I sneaked in Izquierdo kingdom as per... curiosity and research.”

‘But why would they go as far as that?!’ Lucas almost gaped at the information he heard but it appears like King Alexander was even more horrified of what Merlin said. ‘Why would they do that for?!’

“It seems like the royal family sees vampires as a menace to their power.” Merlin snorted at his own remark. “Mukhang takot din pala sila sa sarili nilang anino.”

Hinawakan ni Haring Alexander ang sariling baba. “Sa totoo lang, kung kalakasan lang naman, mas lamang talaga ang mga bampira kung ikukumpara sa mga tao. Not to mention that we have the ability to cast spells and we’re adapting to science. Pero ‘di ko palalagpasin ang diskriminasyon na nararanasan ng mga bampira sa kahariang iyon.”

“It seems so. Wala akong ibang maisip na dahilan para alisan nila ng karapatan ang nalalabing mga bampira sa Izquierdo. Kung tutuusin, parte ng orihinal na mamamayan ang mga bampira,” madramang sabi ni Merlin bago hinilot ang sentido.

Pinasadahan ng hari si Lucas ng tingin, dahilan para mag-iwas siya ng tingin at ituon na lamang ang atensyon sa mga dokumentong nasa harap niya. Hindi nagsasalita ang hari pero alam ni Lucas kung anong tumatakbo sa isipan nito. Bagamat hindi iniinsulto ni Haring Alexander ang desisyon niya noong magpakasal kay Prinsesa Luan, hindi rin talaga nito maiiwasang tanungin si Lucas tungkol sa mga naging desisyon niya.

“Let’s move on to how you should find Princess Selene, shall we?” pag-iiba ng usapan ni Haring Alexander, “Merlin, pa’no ba mahahanap ni Lucas ang prinsesa?”

‘Oh. So it’s really now or never...’ Lucas internally heaved a sigh as he dragged his eyes on the documents.

Samantala, tumikhim si Merlin. “Bago ang lahat, gusto ko lamang kumpirmahin na nakaligtas si Prinsesa Selene kahit matapos isagawa ni Reyna Erina ang Hymn of the Moon.”

Nang marinig ang panimula nito, dinala ni Lucas ang mga mata sa mahiko na ikinukumpas ang mga kamay at may naglalarong ngisi sa mga labi. Tila ba tiwala sa mga nakalap na impormasyon at handang-handa na ibunyag ang kung anumang katotohanang bumabalot sa misteryosong prinsesa.

Huh. Naalala tuloy ni Lucas iyong araw na pinuntahan niya ito sa Lullin village para siguruhing Hymn of the Moon nga ang dahilan ng pagkawala ni Prinsesa Selene. Ganitong-ganito ang kumpyansa sa sarili na ipinamalas ng mahiko noong araw na iyon, e.

“Kababanggit ko lamang kanina na palihim akong pumasok sa kaharian ng Izquierdo at sa pananatili ko roon, bukod sa nakumpirma ko ang presensya ng Nethermoore at narinig ang tungkol sa ipinasang decree, nakakuha rin ako ng impormasyon tungkol kay Prinsesa Selene,” paliwanag ni Merlin.

Nagulantang si Lucas nang marinig ang lugar na siyang madalas siyang gambalain hanggang pagtulog. Pinuntahan pala ni Merlin ang Nethermoore?

“Ah. Quick note, Nethermoore wasn’t really Nethermoore during the reign of Griego family.” Mahinang humalakhak si Merlin bago nabura ang ngiti sa mga labi nito. “It was the once most flourishing village within Izquierdo kingdom—Rutchill village. Mukhang ginawa iyong tapunan ng mga preso nang umakyat ang mga Demelza sa posisyon.”

Kalaunan, nagkibit balikat ang mahiko. Nais lamang talaga nitong ipabatid na ibang-iba ang Nethermoore noon mula sa nakita ni Lucas kamakailan lamang.

“Going back...” Merlin took a deep breathe before he sought to meet Lucas’ gaze, which of course, took him aback. “I’m sorry Prince Lucas but may I know if you’ll be able to handle combat?”

‘What?’ Kunot noo at napapantastikuhan niyang tinitigan ang mahiko—halos hindi na rin maipinga ang mukha niya nang angatan niya pa ito ng isang kilay.

“... what does combat have to do with searching Princess Selene, Merlin?”