17 : RitesNAGISING si Elizabeth sa pamilyar na amoy at silid. The room was silent, too clean, and too still. That feeling alone is enough for her to say where she is.The scent of lavender lingering through the air. The golden silk sheets she was lying on. A thick and golden embroidered blanket draped over her like a royalty. Nagsalubong ang magkabilang kilay niya. Everything in this room shouts wealth and royalty. The ceiling above her was tall, painted with a dark sigil that she had not seen in years.That symbol… a golden circle with black serpent coiled around a crown, fangs bared. The symbol of their empire. Mahina siyang napamura sa kanyang isipan. Mabilis siyang bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga. Her muscles were still sore but she stood up. Inilibot niya ang paningin sa kabuuan ng silid. She really is in their Empire. The place she never wishes to see again.Hinawi niya ang kulay maroon na kurtina at tumambad sa kanya ang malaking bintana. Kitang-kita nito ang ibaba. The village
16Parang nabingi si Alaister sa sinabi ni Elizabeth. Nilukob ng katahimikan ang buong lugar. The sound of the waves didn’t matter anymore. Tinitigan lang siya ni Alaister, naghihintay na bawiin ang sinabi niya. It seems like she had just spoken a language that he couldn’t understand. And suddenly, everything makes no sense anymore. Not the sea around them, the silence between them, and even the image of his father he had looked up his whole life.He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Elizabeth’s voice, though calm and controlled, felt like a cold blade, piercing through his chest. “Sinubukan ko namang kalimutan yon e, I tried counseling. Meeting different psychiatrists and psychologists. For years, I tried living through those painful memories. I kept convincing myself that it didn’t happen. Na baka bangungot lang ‘yon. Na baka makakalimutan ko rin ‘yon. But I just can’t.” Her voice cracked.“But how do you forget the smell of the burning flesh, Alaister? The screams of your
15“WHERE’S MY DAUGHTER, Leon? I told you to keep an eye to her.” May pag-aalalang mababakas sa boses ni Leonid. Elizabeth has been off grid for days. She was untraceable. The last place she was still on the grid was on her house, and it stopped there. “Sorry, sire. I lost track.” Tipid na sagot ni Leon, looking down.Leonid clicked his tongue. “Any updates on the General?”“He's been hunting and tracing Elizabeth down for days but didn’t succeed.” Leonid turned his swivel chair and faced Leon, one of his empire’s most treasured and skilled people. He grew up in the empire, his parents got killed also by someone in the government. Leonid trained him and equipped him with all he knew. Looking at the man in front of him, it seems like he’s looking at a man with a lot of secrecy. He watched him grow pero parang ibang tao na ang kaharap niya ngayon. He can feel Leon is hiding something.“You’re like a son to me, Leon. Don’t ever disappoint me.” Makahulugang sabi niya dito. Leon didn’
14ELIZABETH was stirred from her sleep when she heard a noise. The sun is already high, rays spilling through the windows and dancing on the floor. Judging by its brightness and hotness, it was already afternoon. Yesterday's talk with Alaister made her mind shut down on its own. Her body finally gave in to exhaustion—mental, emotional, and physical. Ni hindi na niya matandaan kung paano at kailan siya humiga. She blinked and stared at the door, trying to remember her bearings. The slight rocking of the yacht reminded her that she was still at the sea, in the middle of nowhere, with Alaister. Moments later, the sound came again. It's not that loud but her ears are trained to hear even the slightest noise. Dahan dahan siyang bumangon at ininat ang mga braso. Her muscles are slightly sore from her deep sleep and maybe from her awkward posture. She slowly stood up and walked.Naglakad siya palabas ng kwarto ng nakapaa. Sinundan niya kung saan nanggagaling ang tunog. Walang ingay siyan
13DAY ONE of sailing to nowhere with Alaister is quite calming but the worry kept resurfacing in her chest. She stared at the sea for a long time, feeling the breeze of the air hitting gently on her face. So calming. No land. No noise. No signal. Only the waves gently rocking the yacht as if cradling her into a temporary peace.The first day with Alaister was bearable. Quiet. Distant. It's obvious that he's giving her some space after that little talk. Alaister didn’t attempt to ask or pry. He’s been keeping his distance to her, she can tell. It was only them in the yacht. Alaister is the captain himself. No maids or any workers, just them. Hindi niya din tinanong kung saan sila papunta, all she knew is that they’re in the middle of the sea. Thinking about the situation, if Alaister is really being honest of him protecting her against his father, that would be a relief but if not and this was all just a trap, then she really is in danger. But everything is calculated and expected,
Chapter 12 ALAISTER saw how Elizabeth spaced out while staring at the name on his yacht. He saw the shift in her expression, the tightness of her jaw, and the flicker of grief she didn’t mean to show. Hindi niya ito nilapitan. Nanatili siyang tahimik at tinitigan ang babae. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin niya maintindihan kung bakit siya nagawang iwan nito. They already build their future together, slowly. They were happy, contented, and in love. He thought what they had was so deep and intact that no one could ever break it. He turned back and continued walking. It pains him to see the dullness in Elizabeth’s eyes. The way she tried to hold back and hide her emotions. It's so hard to watch that the woman she promised to spend the rest of his life with is like a stranger with a familiar face — distant, guarded, and emotions are contained. As much as he wants to confront her about it, he feels like it's still not the right time to talk about it. Not yet. Nagpatuloy sila sa pag