CHAPTER 20

S A K U M I ✿

I was assisted by one of the Eunuch to meet someone from the noble court, it is something about the scandalous scene I've made a moment ago.  Prince Niflheim is walking in front of me while Marvan and Endemion silently following behind us.

The people are throwing threats at me already. Lalo na ang isang lalake kanina na nakita anong ginawa ko. When I saw how the people bowed their heads, it was already the evidences that he has the highest position on the court. He maybe a king or much worse a a bearer too.

The prince woke up and when he saw that man, staring back at him, I saw horrors in his eyes.

With a pounding heart. Feeling the hair at the nape on my neck rise. The pressure is killing me, my stomach is twisted in knots.

I know the man I'm about to meet now is someone who will end my entire existence.

Lately, I found out that the old man is not a priest but an Eunuch, he serve the temple when he was in his youth. He's much older than my parents.

He actually spend his life in training. He knows how to wield swords and any weapons. He was the one who taught klaudio. And his right next to him.

Klaudio somehow looks more scared than I am.

Isang milagro nalang sasagagip sakin.

We stood outside one of the rooms attendant announced our arrival

Shortly afterwards a voice came from inside and the attendant pulled the door opened. And a sudden light meet me and that made me squint my eyes to deal with the brightnest. It so Bright!!

Hanggang sa na adjust na ng mata ko ang liwanag. A figure of man rise from the bathtub. I saw a naked man standing assisted by four maids, helping him with his robe. May biglang nagtakip sa mata ko at inalis na niya at di ko Nakita kong sino ang gumawa nun.

I turn my attention back to the pale gorgeous man. There's something in between his legs. What was thing? It's has weird shape. It's that a leech? An albino one? What's that?

Pero binalewala ko nalang ang katanungan sa ulo ko dahil may problema akong haharapin. Siya nga ang lalake kanina.

As they bowed their heads , I mirrored their actions. I kept my eyes on the ground as we told to sat down by the man who happens to be naked. Bat di man lang siya nagsabi na naliligo siya. I sank on the chair comfortably, hands folded on my navel, head dropped in a deep bow. In spite of nervousness I couldn't stop glancing on his appearance out of sheer curiosity.

He was a fine man, broad shoulders, towering figures with long silky raven hair. Maamo ang mukha at kahit anong angulo isa lang masasabi ko pinagpala siya ng langit. Kung ipagtabi kami magmukha lang akong hampas lupa.

His unbound hair was fluttering on the wind, and as he about to sit down a numerous vines ascended from the floor creating a beautiful chair for him. Napatingin naman ako sa tiles na nagcrack dahil sa mga vines na bigla bigla lang tumubo. My eyes shimmered in clear admiration. Awestruck to witnessed a glimpsed of magic coming from the man in front of us.

One of the vines move on its own and grab him a cup of tea. And after he took a slight sip he rest his cheeks on his left arms. Deep Purple straight eyes staring at me. An eyes with thousands of questions.

"So, state your name guardian of Niflheim" said the man

Binalingan ko naman ng tingin sina Endemion at binigyan nila ako ng tingin na ako daw tinanong.

I point at myself "M-me?!" I reassured

"Siguro ako kase ako yung nagtanong e"

The Eunuch whacked my head. For being dumb. He mouth talked me to bow your head before you talk

I stood up with a bow. "Sakumi Wisternvill of northern Fluerishia"

"A bloomian with no petals, uncanny for a flower to be out here, interesting, I had seen florishian woman, but your quite a beauty for a walking stem" he said and finished his tea.

"Brother this woman attacked me.."

"I know, Gusto ko siyang makausap tungkol sa ginawa niya kanina, forgetting her position as the prince guardian at may kasalanan ka naman Niflheim, you snuck out of the border like a rebel, disrespect and disregard the honor of the temple, that was entrusted by you, you should know the risks and your responsibility as the new Spring prince, and I heard the report of you attacking the Eunuch, it is something that tells me that you are not cut out for this, pero Wala kaming magagawa dahil Ikaw ang bagong pinili ng dyosa. But in my position you are not fit to be the new crown prince, you have brought shame in our family's history"

I snuck a peek in him and his mouth were pressed shut, he looks so scared of this older brother. Didn't know that this naughty one have a decent older brother. He look so calm. His a man of observation, finding solace in the subtleties that often went unnoticed by others.

Prince Niflheim is about to speak yet a vines rose and went straight almost striking deep into his throat, stopping him. Nakita ko rin ang pagpigil hininga niya sa nangyari. The room felt silent.

"You have disappoint me, I've almost looked up to you from the moment you were born, our parents said that you will be the next or will be the greatest of all....yet" his brother was in rage, chuckling in disbelief the vines crawl back "....When will you learn? You're not a kid anymore nif, you know your position, it maybe because we born nobility we are simply born to be killed, it's like a curse hiding in a mask..... And as for you bloomian, let's talk outside, I need to rest my head or else this place will crumpled to the ground"

Dahil sa takot ay napatango nalang ako ng wala sa oras. Everyone leaves and Endemion wave at me before he left the room. Tatlo lang kami naiwan sa loob at nakaupo lang si Prince Niflheim sa sofa.

After a while...

He brought us to the Maple's pavilion by the lake, as we crossed the long bridge. I took my time to gaze at the scenic view. I was still in aww of the architecture of the buildings; sturdy -buily and captivating complemented by the surrounding different kinds of trees and flowers.

His hanfu was gently fluttering on the wind and the birds and butterflies are any cute creatures with wings are flying above him, like he was a living magnet. In his wake he leaves a patch of grass with bountiful of flowers with it but then disappeared in a splitting seconds. Pareho lang sila ng kapatid niyang matigas ang ulo pero mas lamang ang kuya niya. They are a total opposite. His older brother seems well disciplined and mannered he knows what's his doing.

Alam kong mahal siya ng kanyang kuya kaya ganuon ito magbigay ng paalala sa kanya.

They said that the person hurt you with their words cannot hurt you physically.

That's how I see his big brother. But did Niflheim knows that? Or his too dumb to notice it.

"You have many regrets I saw fears in you eyes, but you choose to serve even you know the risk, do you even know what journey your were about to embarked?" He had noticed me, amazing. "I have seen something, who was the person that pushed you to deal with the fear, I'm all ears"

"I want to change my fate, changing what those florishian folks perspective towards me, I have been different and my mom always reminding me that I shouldn't not be affected of what other says about me, because this life is mine not there's, she always said that, if there's an opportunity I should not waste it, it's once in a life time opportunity, and she believes that, the things that scares us will be the right path for us. It maybe scary but we can never what light awaiting for us a head" I said and he solemnly nodded his head  "Let's not be burden of what will be the outcome of our future so when I finally get this job I know this is what's God wants me to be, as the guardian of the prince and it is an honor to be in service with you, patawad din po sa nagawa ko kanina"

"See nif, she had her goals, what will be yours" I heard a growl from the person beside me. "I had a high hope for you to see what will be your goals as a new bearer

As we go further, there's a panoramic view of the lake and gardens awaited us. Petals fluttering from the trees like rain falling from the sky.

My head swelled at the dream like scenery.

Someone yanked me and had me stop. It was Prince Niflheim, sakto namang lumingon ang kuya niya.

If he didn't stop me I would've bump into his older brother. "Thank you" I sighed in relief

"Don't mention it" he said. Medyo napawow ako dahil nagbago bigla ang ugali niya. Dahil siguro sa takot niya sa kanyang kuya.

"Niflheim" his brother called him

"Yes brother?" He replied hastily making sure he spoke clearly without delay. He sure are afraid of his brothers presence.

"My power, my duties will be on your hand, if I was given a time and given a chance to talked to the Deities of Season. I would surrender myself so it won't be hard for you, for shouldering the responsibility. You know that I can trust you when it comes into this, but not today, we have our own mission our won goals and you're trying to disobeyed the balance of peace. Our father used to warned me about you, he's afraid, not because he didn't trust you, he's afraid that you're behavior could lead you to your death" he said, it almost like he wants his brother to take the responsibility seriously. Niflheim somehow in his stubborn estate.

Nakikita ko rin na wala siyang choice at Tama rin ang mga binitawang salita ng kanyang kuya. "Malapit na akong bumitaw bilang prinsepe. Hindi man tayo magkasundo sa anumang bagay. But promise me Niflheim, before I gave up my power to you, just please, be the Prince spring everyone's was expecting you to be. You have no choice, kapag iiwan mo Stonecore alam mo Anong mangyayari sa Trezelia. It's not just you and our family, but all of the Species in Trezelia would be erased from existence. You wouldn't want it to happen didn't yah, cause I know that in you. Because I was been there before. It's hard, but when you see it, one day, you'll be grateful. You'll soon regained your freedom when the deities decided to find a new one"

Prince Niflheim deeply sighed "Okay I'll try"

"Try?" His older brother chuckles "I know you're afraid of something, tell me what it is, after all I'm your brother not a stranger"

"Should we leave her somewhere around here, I think it awkward if she knows my reasons" his pushing me away and pointed the nearby Gazebo.

"She's your guardian, you mustn't keep any secrets from her, dapat alam niya lahat anong nagbubulabog sayo o anong problema dahil siya lang ang taong nasa tabi mo sa oras ng panganib"

"Brother she just attacked me, how can you be so sure that this woman can be trusted?!"

"We'll know, kung pinatay ka niya edi wala tayong magagawa"

"Kuya!"

Those words was a bit hilarious for me and I bit my lower lips.

"She's a delicate flower Nif, she won't harm you, she maybe a walking stem, she has no thorn to pricked you"

Those words was like an arrow peirce into my chest. It hurts! Walking stem!!

"Di ko parin siya pagkakatiwalaan"

Tama naman kuya niya tsaka di ako criminal. Pero sabagay pano nga ba niya ako matatrust e inatake ko siya. Pero. Kasalanan din naman niya kaya ko nagawa Yun. Tigas kase ng ulo at bastos pa.

I freeze when he ran his finger gently on my face, brushing my hair away, a smile shine on his face, it made my stomach plummeted to my feet. I cover the bottom half of my face. "Aren't you pretty"

Heat rising above my head. I shook my head rapidly "I-m not y-our highness" I waved my hand, dismissing his word but he just quietly chuckled.

"Miss Sakumi please learn nihongo as soon as possible"

I want to comment but I rather pressed my mouth shut. Meron kase sa kuya niya na ika laglag ng lamang loob ko. Gusto ko sana sabihin kung sino magtuturo sakin. Kay lord Endemion kaya ako magpaturo, Yun kung gusto niya. Try ko nalang. " I will"

"Good" he said shortly and turn back his gaze to his brother and pat his head. I never seen samuch beautiful sight, watching these two reunited. I wish to have an older brother like him, he might have not shown his love on his Young brother but in the way of how he scolded him, is his way of showing his care and ganon siguro ang love language niya.

" Jinsei ni shippai shinaito jinsei ni shippai suru, you understand"

[If you don't make mistake in life, our life will be a mistake]

"Hai "

" Shippai wo osoreruna, Minna wa misu wo suru. You can come to me if you want to lend a hand, don't be afraid to asked for my help""  he patted his brothers head, prince Niflheim was like a little child trying to hold his tears. [ Don't be afraid of failures, everyone makes mistakes]

Naiwan lang ako tunganga sa kanila para bang wala Ako sa paligid. Tama nga Siya kailangan ko nang matuto mag nihongo or else I'll be arrogant or moron in my entire life

"Meiwaku wo kakete gomen ne " he said in a low monotone, head with a deep bow. [I'm sorry for the trouble]

I was in deep awed watching them. Ang sarap siguro na may kapatid na ganito ka understandable. He snapped his finger and just a blink of an eye three man appeared in front of us, kneeling before him. It was them.

I waved my hands with a smile but Endemion looks pissed of me, his aura is scary. May nagawa ba akong masama para magalit siya?

"Make sure everything is settled, the Stonecore should be guarded upon leaving the temple. You know the possibilities that the Stonecore is the main target of the Kurasami"

"Yes your majesty" they said and rose on to their feet.

"You bloomian girl can I have a moment with you?"

"P-po?" I was trying to find a words but there's nothing coming out from my lips. Ganito ba epekto ng sobrang kaba

A wind blew beneath the wooden archway that covered the pathway. I chanced to glance to see the place. Beyond the red columns of the arches, an endless stretch of mountain range.

He walked us on a cliff watching the the mountains standing proudly. Di ko rin pansin na Meron din palang mga Bahay sa di kalayuan , I saw a lively town and lanterns are hanging above them.

"Let's grab a drink"

"Wala Po akong pera"

"My treat don't worry"

"Amhp is it safe for a prince to go without bringing any guards with him?"

He just chuckles and a vines just stretch from his arms and just pinch my cheeks "I don't need a dozen guards miss Sakumi or should I call you Sam"

"Wala pong problema"

"Alam mo na ba ang iyong tungkulin kapag bababa na ako sa trono ng Stonecore"

"I should ties myself to serve and protect the prince"

"And...?"

So what else is there? Ano ba, ano pang gagawin ko. Andun na ang serve at protect...

"Die" he continued

"....?"

"Kidding no one is dying" he just chuckles and  without even a warning he yanked me and he just jumped of the cliff. My voice screeching longer as I watch the clift stretching high above while my body is pulled down by the gravity.

"Hang on" his warm voice just ring into my ear and late I found out that I want falling anymore the he catch me. And I look down where a half meters above the ground. His feet's are stepping on the foliage.

Then as he walked towards it, the branches moves, leaning, making bridge for us to crossed.

"Wow" Yan lang ang tanging naisabi ko.

"Step on" aniya pero may trust issue ako at di ako bumitaw at umiling ako, takot din ako sa heights. "You don't have to worry as long as you don't let go"

I heave a deep sighed and slowly step on the leaves and give all my weight.

"I-m not falling! This is amazing" I chuckles in disbelief

I felt his warm hands, but something is scaring me. It's not about falling on the ground it's an aura that is cursing me. Like someone is watching me from a distance.

"Is something wrong?" He asked and I just shook my head. I ignored it and keep walking until finally we reached the town. I snuck peek behind me with gasped of astonishment. Ang layo pala ng dinaanan namin.

"Shall we go?" He held my hand and squeezed ourselves from the crowds.

Awestruck by the advance infrastructure and numerous shop house la that lined up the lively street. The mass of people bustling about the place was astounding. Shop owners were shouting the prices of their products loudly. The children were chasing one another down the lanes.

I heard a gentle strumming of kute, the haunting melodies of the flute and the rhythmic beats of the drums and beautiful ladies dancing, entertaining the crowds and tossing coins on the ground, some are going in the beat and clapping their hands.

"Wanna see?"

"Di na, nga pala san tayo pupunta"

"I'm taking you for a date"

"Dates?" I look around the stall and saw one and pointed my index finger to it "You mean that?"

He look at were I was pointing and saw Dates place on the Tupperware. And the owner called us and encouraged us to buy with his skillful marketing. May binili siya Isang Tupperware his slouching his shoulder with boredom on his eyes. His swaying like a leaf. Sabi niya kase dates e nung binili niya ayaw niya rin kumain.