Chapter 7 - Cinderella's Secret

Hindi mapalagay ang kanyang kalooban habang nakikipananghalian siya kasama ang pamilya. Her mind was fully occupied with Gareth. Nag-aalala pa rin siya para rito. He was really in a bad shape when she found him last night. It was definitely a good thing that her doctors responded to her distress call quickly, otherwise...

Napailing na lamang siya. She immediately erased her thoughts. Para siyang nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan nang sabihin ni Dr. Flyheight na natanggal na nito ang nakabaong bala sa kaliwang balikat nito. He assured her that he was definitely on the right track for fast recovery. Hindi na mahalaga ang kung ano mang bagay, mas mahalaga na ligtas na ito sa kung anumang kapahamakan.

"Kumusta naman ang iyong pag-aaral Steffanie," isang tinig ang pumutol sa kanyang pag-iisip. It came from his father.

His father gave her a very calculating look.

"Maayos naman po. I am completing my art pieces for my final exhibit," she replied.

"Mabuti naman kung ganoon. So this means that you'll graduate this year, right?"

Isang pagtango na lamang ang kanyang naisagot.

"Then, this calls for a celebration! Congratulations sis," it was her brother, Micheal Angelo.

Napangiti siya. Napakagiliw talaga ng kapatid niya sa kanya. He was always supportive of her endeavors.

"Salamat po," she humbly expressed her gratitude.

From across the large dining table, she could see the sudden shift on the mood of his father's wife. From being nonchalant, her eyes emitted daggering stares directed towards her.

"There is no need to be overjoyed, Michael Angelo. There is nothing new. Natural lang naman na maka-graduate ang babaeng yan ngayong taon," his father's wife said.

Ang babaeng yan. Her voice started to echo in her head. Pansamantalang nakalimutan niya ang kanyang kalulugaran sa pamamahay na ito. It was a good thing that his father's wife put her in her rightful place. That way, hindi na siya aasa. She will never hope

"Mom, please don't call her that. Her name is Steffanie."

Ngunit hindi nito pinansin ang anak. Napatuloy lamang ito sa pagkain.

Gayundin ang kanyang ginawa, sinubukan niyang magpatuloy na lamang sa kanyang pagkain. She felt the brewing tension between them. Alam niyang hindi nagustuhan ng kanyang kuya ang sinabi ng ina nito. That, she was thankful of. Her brother always took care of her. His genuine affection towards her is the only connection she has for a family.

Mariin niyang tinitigan ang pagkain. It was a very sumptuous meal, a grilled turkey glazed with wild honey. This was cooked by one of Camelot's finest chef. Maging ang hawak niyang kubiertos ay sumisigaw ng karangyaan. It was made of the finest silverware from the Pendragon's mining capital, El Dorado.

Hindi nagpahuli ang kanyang kapaligiran. The dining hall was the epitome of the word grandeur, high ceilings embellished with crystal chandeliers, cardinal red draperies, intricately carved dining table. Pawang lahat ng naroroon ay gawa sa materials fuertes. Everything fitted the status of her father. And why wouldn't it? Her father was none other than 'the' Gerard Sutherland, the Duke of Sutherland.

"Nais ko sanang pumunta sa Graduation mo Steff, when would that be?"

Nagulat siya sa sinabi ng ama. Was that true? Did he really say that? May kaunting kiliti ang bumalot sa kanyang puso.

But it was short-lived. Naunahan siya ng asawa nito sa pagsagot.

"There is no need for that Gerard. Why would the Duke of Sutherland be present there? Magtataka lamang ang mga tao," her father's duchess of a wife said.

"But it will be my daughter's special day. I want to be there."

Na-touch siya sa sinabi ng ama. Kahit papaano pala'y may natitira pa itong pakialam sa kanya.

"Napag-usapan na natin yan noon pa man, Gerard. You knew very well that our arrangement does not include you being over fatherly to that woman. Alam mo yan."

Tiningnan niya sa mata ang ama. She could see a shadow of sadness pass through it. She gave him a reassuring smile.

"That is OK, father. Her Grace is right. Kaya ko naman po."

She knew it was the right thing to do. Sabit lamang siya sa pamilyang ito. Isa lamang siyang sampid. She had no right to crave for their love and affection. She was just a bastard spawned by her father to her lowly mother.

Ito ang matagal na niyang lihim, the stigma of her life. Her mother was a farmer's daughter. She was always a dreamer. She viewed the world as a beautiful spectrum of colors. Kaya nang makilala nito ang ama, she immediately fell for him. She never knew that her father's a Duke. All she knew was that this handsome adventurer who suddenly appeared in their small village took fancy on her. She was very happy. Her father would promise her the moon and stars. He promised that they would travel the whole kingdom, visiting one Duchy after the other. Then everything came down after three months of blissful moments. Her father left their village. Ang sabi nito'y may kailangan lang itong asikasuhin at muling babalik. Her mother waited and waited but he never came back.

When her mother knew of her pregnancy, she became happy. Inakala nitong mas mapapabilis ang pagbalik ng minamahal kapag nalaman nitong magkakaanak na sila. She kept writing her father letter after letter. Sending it through the address he gave her in the Duchy of Sutherland.

But everything came crawling down when she saw her father inside the pages of a newspaper. Apparently, her father was featured there as one of the youngest philanthropist. She saw the picture of his happy family, a stunning wife with their four year old child. It broke her to pieces, but she remained strong. Pinagpatuloy nito ang pagdadalangtao. Her grandparents supported her mother. Everything went back to its proper place when she was born. Lumaki siya kasama ang mga lolo at lola niya habang naghahanap-buhay ang ina. She always knew of her parent's story. Lagi itong ikinukwento ng kanyang lola. Kahit gaano man kasaklap ang napagdaanan ng ina, she still couldn't find it in her heart to hate her father. Maging ang kanyang ina ay ganoon din. Sinasabi lang nito na ganito lang talaga ang buhay, people come and go. It is your choice to move-on or remain stagnant. And her mother chose to move –on.

Everything was a perfect until that dreadful day. Masaya siyang naglalakad patungo sa kanilang tahanan. She was eleven years old that time. Kagagaling-galing lang niya sa eskwelahan. She knew it was her mother's day off kaya nagmadali siyang umuwi. She was expecting that she'll be there, welcoming her in a tight embrace. But she was wrong, terribly wrong.

Pagpasok pa lang niya sa tahanan ay may naramdaman na siyang mali. Something was off. Then she saw the lifeless body of her grandparents covered in blood, she went nuts. She was scared to death. She did not know what to do. Agad naman siyang tumakbo patungo sa silid ng ina. She found her mother there, lying lifeless on the floor, bathing on her own blood. Agad niyang dinaluhan ito, she could feel her hoarse breathing. She called her many times in between her cries and screams but she did not answer. She just looked at her. Then in her last moments, she said the words, "Go to your father."

The murder of her family became well-known in their village. Many expressed their sympathy and condolences but nothing consoled her. Huling araw na noon ng burol ng kanyang pamilya nang dumating ang isang lalaki. Nagpakilala itong assistant ng ama at naroroon daw ito upang sunduin siya. Naalala niya ang huling habilin ng ina. And with a heavy heart, she went with the man.

Katatapos lamang nila sa kanilang pananghalian nang ipatawag si Steffanie ng asawa ng ama sa opisina nito.

Nasa harapan na siya sa pintuan nito. Kinakabahan siya. She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, then came knocking on the door.

"I am here seeking for your audience, your Grace," she politely said.

"Tumuloy ka," the Duchess said.

Pininid niya ang pinto saka pumasok sa loob ng silid. She was there at the center of the room at the back of a beautifully embellished wooden executive table.

"Have a seat." Itinuro nito ang upuan nasa tapat ng mesa nito.

Tumalima naman siya.

"Anong maipaglilingkod ko po sa inyo?"

She gave her a sharp look. The Duchess of Sutherland, Mary Charlotte Sutherland was regal as always. But beautiful as she always was, this woman's indifference towards her was very obvious. At alam niya kung bakit. Her existence was a mockery to her, an evidence of her father's infidelity.

"You know very well the status of your father to the House of the Lords."

Tumango na lamang siya dito. Pinagpapawisan na ang kanyang mga kamay dahil sa bumabalot na tensyon sa paligid. Actually, in her years of stay in the household of his father, ngayon lang sila nagkausap ng ganito. She was never used to talking with her Grace. She felt uncomfortable. She was more accustomed to her apathy towards her. She always ignored her existence. Para rito, isa lang siyang masamang hangin.

"Isang malaking eskandalo sa pamilya kung malalaman ng ibang tao ang tunay mong pagkatao. Imagine the ridicule that we have to endure should your existence be revealed. You know how nobility is, image is the most important. You are a walking scandal."

Every word she uttered was like a dagger piercing through her heart. Nais niyang sumagot but she kept her mouth shut. Totoo naman ang lahat ng sinabi nito.

"Ngayon, I want you to cut your ties with this family."

Nanginig ang kanyang mga kamay sa narinig. Tears were now threatening to fall down. She could not imagine permanently leaving this household. Kahit papaano, in its own little way, this became her home. Kahit na nga ba pilit niyang na itinatago sa mundo ang kanyang pagkatao, she still treated this family as her own. She loved her father despite everything. She was thankful of his silent support towards her endeavors. Nang magpasya siyang kumuha ng kursong Fine Arts, wala siyang narinig mula rito. He provided everything for her, from the money for her place up to her painting tools and materials. Ito rin ang gumagastos for her medical treatment. At kahit na ganito ang asawa ng ama, she loved her in her own little way. She was very thankful dahil kahit papaano ay tinanggap siya nito. Without her approval, she would not have a roof on her head and food for her stomach.

And her big brother, her ever loving big brother. Mula ng mamatay ang tunay niyang ina, ito lamang ang nagpakita sa kanya ng isang tunay na pagmamahal. He was affectionate towards her. Natuwa ito nang malamang may nakababatang kapatid ito sa katauhan niya. He was her first hero. Ito ang nagpapatahan sa kanya kapag naalala niya ang nawalang pamilya. He was the one who encouraged her to dream, to be the best that she can be.

And now, her Grace wanted for her to leave all of that? Her family was her only treasure.

"Do not take this personally, ang kapakanan lamang ng pamilya ko ang aking inaalala. And besides, your father had provided for you for the last years. Ano pa ba ang kailangan mo?"

Hindi na niya napigilan pa ang mga luha. What she was asking is impossible. How can she be this cruel? She just wanted a place to call home. She just wanted a family. She just wanted to be loved. She just wanted to be accepted. Naninikip na ang kanyang dibdib sa lungkot na nadarama.

How can her life be this unfair?

The expression of the Duchess softened.

"Please understand our situation. The Duke of Denimburgh is on the look-out for your father. He is digging dirt and looking for skeletons in the closet. Nababahala lamang ako sa maaaring mahalungkat nito. That duke has been the adversary of your father since then," she said in a as-matter-of-fact tone.

"Napag-alaman ko rin ang tunay mong kondisyon mula kay Dr. Flyheight. She recommended to have your treatment transferred in Asphodel. It would be the best for you. I know that we have not seen things eye-to-eye, but I still want you to have the best possible treatment for your disease."

She was now sobbing, unable to comprehend the inevitability of things.

Hinawakan nito ang kanyang kamay, "I know that I have not been much of a mother to you. But I am the matriarch of this family. Minsan lang ako makikiusap sa iyo. Please heed to my request. I'll arrange everything for you. Build your life there, may allowance pa ring susuporta sa iyo. I just need you to be as far away as possible."

Napatungo na lamang siya. Gusto niyang tumanggi but was she even given a choice to do so? Wala na siyang magagawa pa.

"Sige po, papayag po ako. I'll leave once I've settled everything from the University," sinabi niya sa nagtatalong kalooban.

The Duchess was back again to her usual façade, "Huwag sanang makalabas ang pinag-usapan natin dito."

"Naiintindihan ko po."

Ilang araw na ang nakalipas mula nang mangyari ang insidenteng iyon kay Gareth. Calerence was successful in stashing away all the evidence that might involve him in that incident. But it did not escape the palace's intel. Agad na nalaman ng kanyang Amang Hari ang nangyari.

He was glad that he was still confined in the recovery room inside the Royal Hospital. This way, he still had an excuse to ignore the summons of the King.

After that dreadful incident, a royal decree was issued by the King to increase the Imperial Guards of each member of the royal family. Kung dati'y Chevalier lamang nila ang required na lagi nilang kasa-kasama, ngayon, a whole convoy of guards were now following them. That pissed him off badly. He hated this manipulation from the King. He felt watched and confined. Kahit ang pagpunta niya sa banyo ay may mga nakasunod sa kanya.

Of course his brothers were also pissed. They did not like the move of the King to put a reign on them. Those guards felt as if they were an extension of the King's line of vision. But retaliate as they may, wala pa rin silang magagawa. Walang kahit na sino ang makakabali sa utos ng Hari.

His thoughts was put to halt when someone knock on his door.

"Maaari ka ng pumasok," he said.

Iniluwa ng pinto ang kanyang nakakatandang kapatid. It was Prince Ares Pendragon. The third prince of the kingdom and the third-in-line to the throne of Pendragon.

"Are you okay?" umupo ito sa kanyang tabi.

"Nothing I can't handle," he replied.

"You sure?"

"Positive. Give me a few days more and I'll be good as new."

"Good to hear that from you."

He studied the expression on his brother's face. Puno ito ng pag-aalala. "So what brought you here?"

"I came here to check on you. At the same time, I wanted to ask you some questions regarding the incident." Ares showed him his badge. Right then and there. Alam na niya kung anong uri ng mga bagay ang itatanong nito sa kanyan.

Nabalitaan niya noong nasa labas pa siya ng palasyo na pumasok sa pulisya si Ares. That news hit the headlines immediately. After quite a while, his brother immediately rose up to the ranks. He was now the Deputy Director of the Interpol, a branch in the Imperial Armed Forces that is tasked to keep the internal peace within the kingdom.

"OK, so what do you have for me, bro?" he obliged.

"Do you know any of these men?" ipinakita nito ang larawan ng mga bumugbog sa kanya.

"Nope. I have no Idea," he returned the pictures to Ares.

"Kung ganoon, bakit ka nila tinambangan? What happened to you was no accident, it was an ambush."

"I very well know that, bro. Tingnan mo na lang itong inabot ko. They nearly put me out of commission. They were all well prepared."

Napailing na lamang ito. "Something just didn't add up. Paano nila nalaman na paaalis ka? Paano nila nalaman kung saan ka dadaan at kung anong gamit mong sasakyan?"

He looked him in the eye. "I think, brother. You already know the answer. It doesn't take a genius to solve this simple logic."

Tumango ito sa kanya, waring nabasa ang kanyang iniisip, "May ahas sa loob ng palasyo."

"It was a clear inside job. Everything was executed in the perfect timing. We have a mole under our noses."

"But who? Ano ang kailangan ng mga ito? You have any idea?" pagtatanong nito.

"I don't know also but it is your job to find out."

"Siya nga pala, the men that you gunned down were all now in the custody of the Interpol. Hawak na naming sila. They are all in a hospital arrest."

"Good thing then. Ang mahalaga ay hindi madawit ang pangalan ko dyan." That incident itself made a big commotion. Ibinalita ng mga press na isang enkwentro sa pagitan ng dalawang magkaaway na grupo ang naganap. But he knew better. They successfully covered up everything. Maging ang mga pulis ay bulag sa totoong naganap. Tanging ang Interpol lamang at ang Executive Militia ang tunay na may alam sa mga bagay-bagay.

He could not let himself be entangled into this mess. The less people who knew, the better. He did not want to cause a public uproar. The public and the press would somehow develop a way to put all the blame on him. The people will definitely publicly convict him. Should that happen, not even the Royal Family could help him.

Tumayo na si Ares. "I'll come check on you later. Magpagaling ka. You need to get out, bro. You look like a hell. You need to get laid."

Nagpakawala muna ito ng isang nakakalokong tawa bago tuluyang lumabas ng silid.

Damn it! Ares didn't need to remind him. It was already five days since he got admitted. Five fucking days of nothing but boredom. He needed to be laid! He needed a gorgeous woman to quench his intense lust.

And he had just one person in his mind. Steffanie. He wanted to see her right away. One, because he wanted to thank her. Kung hindi dahil dito ay baka isa na siyang malamig na bangkay ngayon. And two, he wanted to taste those succulent and delectable lips of hers. He wanted her like hell. He could still remember their first meeting. The kiss they shared was absofuckinglutely amazing. It drove him insane and it gave him a lot of sleepless nights.

The mere memory of that night made his body react. He was sporting a massive hard-on inside his hospital robe. Damn! He felt like a teen-age horn dog. Soon he will have her. He will sate himself with her beautiful body. She will be his.

But the thought of Steffanie came also with a backlash. Naalala niya ang mga sinabi sa kanya ni Dr. Flyheight bago siya umalis sa ospital ng mga ito. Steffanie was suffering in a rare eye ailment. Her beautiful eyes became both a blessing and curse. She was blessed with gorgeous eyes that became the window of her soul. It was like an intricately polished sapphire. One look and your will be enticed to enter the endless abyss of her soul. Ngunit magkaganoon man, ito pa rin ang sanhi ng kanyang paghihirap. She was legally blind. Limitado lamang ang kapasidad ng mga mata nitong makakita. She was also night blind. Ang sabi pa nito, kung hindi agad maagapan, mataas ang posibilidad na mabulag ito. This was indeed very ironic.

He swore to himself that he will help her just as she had helped him.