CHAPTER 17

S A K U M I ✿

I woke up only a few hours later because of my stomach growling loudly; I was so hungry it made me felt sick. My lips felt dry and I silently chapped and tried to give some respite moisturizing them with my tongue.

I stretches my limbs and got out to bed.. BED? Realization took me and I know something is wrong. "BED? What am I doing in bed?" I looked around me and I'm Marvan's room, what am I doing here? I remember that I lied down on the sofa.

And also where are they?

I hurriedly left the room and heard a clattering sound, dishes in the kitchen. And about five steps down the stairs my tummy rumble "Someone is hungry!" I heard Marvan with a merry laugh voice echoed.

Pumunta na ako at nabigla sa pagkalali laking tao ni lord Endemion na nakasandal sa pinto at hinaharang pa ng paa niya. His blocking me from entering the kitchen. My tummy rumbled again  and it was embarrassing.

"You haven't heard anything didn't you"

"Nope" he acted along

By the looks of it. Mukhang medyo maayos na ang kalagayan niya. "Oh, good morning lord Endemion!!" I lively greeted him but he seems not having a good day. His not in a mood today wonder why

He sighed and put down his foot and grab my head with his big palm. Kasing laki lang ng palad niya ang ulo ko "Come again?" His voice became firm again. Oh I forgot he doesn't want to be addressed as lord pero nasanay ako e "What I just told you about calling me..."

"Oh sorry, how about my duke Endemion" I bowed and I raised my head and his facial expressions change into rage. It was terrifying para akong dwende sa mata ng higante. Di ko rin alam anong lumabas sa bibig ko "Sorry, E-endemion pala hehe"

"...Ohhh that was something.. very.. very" I heard Marvan snickered and i peered through the gap in the slightly ajar door, I  saw him turn his shoulder to face us and his whisking something. "If it isn't my dear Sakumi, good morning have you slept well"

"Yup, but I was wondering who put me on the bed?" I asked and both of them at each other, picking who would be the first to talked but then turn their head to me and shrugged their shoulders.

"Sino nga?"

"Malay ko, maybe you sleepwalk"

"I never sleepwalk.."

"Nga pala Marvan, the arrival of the majesties is it today?" He just change the subject and ignore me

"Yeah it's today"

I just rolled my eyes. These two are hopeless. Lumapit naman ako kay Marvan at tiningnan anong hinahalo niya. My lips drew back a snarl with a mixture of disgust

"Ano to?" Turo ko sa itim at ibang kulay na naghahalo sa harina.

"...oppss sorry" he stop and pick the black thing on the flour with his hands!! "it's just cockroach, hehehe sorry, didn't see that coming, I'm bad at cooking but I'm making us breakfast" aniya sabay taas baba ng kanyang kilay

I almost barf. I steamed in anger and snatch the bowl out of his hand "Fine I'll cook!"

I grabbed some ingredients, readying myself, washing my hands, tying my hair and puting some apron. And twirl the pan to the stove, rubbing my hands.

"Yey!!" He clapped cheerfully and sat at the table, sitting comfortably waiting for the food.

The steam on the pan echoed.

May effect effect pa ako na nag aapoy ang pan at para silang mga Bata na nakapanuod cooking show. After that I glide to the table promptly putting the food. And lastly I put some honey on the pancake with butter on the top. I also prepare their coffee

Their eyes shone like a star and grab the spoon and fork and start digging in. Ang dami ng nailuto ko at tuwang tuwa ako dahil in enjoy nila ang pagkain.

After finishing the last bite, Marvan just recoils in front of me with a dramatic kneeling and touch my hand.

"Will you be the honor to become my brid..." Napangiwi lang ako ng batukan siya ni Endemion na kinasungangad niya sa sahig.

"Know your limits"

An Hour later ..

I looked up and the rain just stop. The sun is already invaded the sky. We continued to have our little walked. Siguro may ipapagawa sila sakin. I have no against it, after meeting this people. I finally open the new chapters of my life. Embracing the new world and change my destiny.

I slung the bag with the things that I'll be needing and few medical kits just in case.  I also put the sword back to the scabbard. Endemion gave it to me and I will treasure it for all my life. And also I had no idea how my wounds healed fast leaving no traces of scars.

The forest floor was still slightly muddy from the rain and was littered with pine needles and patches of grass where the sunrl reached it. Bringing color to it were flowers in bloom like safron, primrose, snowdrop which were scattered around in the harmonic mess of the lilac yellow and purple.

Soon, as we emerged from between the trees another breathtaking view awaited us. A waterfall stood before us; furious cascade of water pouring off the cliff. The mixture of the bird chirping sound around us and water are splashing formed a musical peace in my ears.

"Wow"

"Yeah just wow" Marvan just caresses my cheeks and It made me quiver. "Let me welcome you my Dear Sakumi this the land where the four seasons meet to be blessed. Thermizia. The holy land where all spirits of season started to... "

"Come on Sami, I'll explain everything you need to know" sabay hatak sakin ni Endemion at iniwan si Marvan na nagsasalita sa taas.

"Hoyyy I'm still talking!!" He shouted in rage after finding out that there's no one beside him, he hurriedly race down to catch up with us.

We walked down on a field of flower and I almost slipped but thankfully I managed to stop myself before falling to the muddy grounds. I took the opportunity to observe the surrounding, gazing at how the sweet-smelling flower glanced dances along with the velvet, gentle wings. A contented sigh escaped from my lips. There's an uncanny bird flew above us and it was just mesmerizing

Laging binalik ni Endemion ang tingin ko sa harapan "Sami watch where you going"

"Wait lang! WOW!!" tingin ko saan saan at hinawakan niya ang ulo ko at pinatingin diretso.

"Maya na Sami madulas ang daanan baka mahulog kapa sa bangin.."

"Then let me take the princess!" Nabigla naman ako ng buhatin ako ni Marvan at tumakbo siya ng mabilis

"Marvan you stupid....!!!!"his voice was screeching. Marvan speed was too fast and the air blasted on my face. And without a warning he just jumped us down on a cliff and all I did was scream and tightly gripped my hood on him.

As we landed he out me down I choked him. "Don't do that!!!!"

"Oh don't tell me you hate heights"

"Wasn't obvious?"

"..... Sorry, you should have told me before I jumped off the cliff" I choked him again and he just pinch my cheeks. "Cutie, cutie cutie"

"Back off" Endemion just retorted and slap his hand and yanked me to his side.

"Jealous arent we?"

Endemion just scoff and arrange his neck tie "Your delusional, I just don't want anyone to touch sakumi like that... Especially in front of the torii!"

"Oh yeah I forgot, just can't help but to adore miss Sakumi" he's about to pinch my cheeks but my partner slap his hand off of me

"We're here to serve"

They're just arguing, I look around and saw a stepping rock leading to the other side and something is standing on the edge of the river. Lastly the mountains hid on the clouds.

"That's a torii Sami, the gateway to the temple"

I leaned on him and he step on the stepping stone "Let's go you'll be missing the arrival of the prince's"

I hurriedly step on the stepping stone, following him. Until we crossed it and look up. It's so beautiful. I saw marvan somersault and went to the torii then. Disappeared. "Where did he go?" Tanong ko at di ko na siya nakita.

"You'll know, this torii is also a barrier, follow my lead and we'll be there on time. Kung hindi maglalakad tao sa hagdan pataas" turo niya sa hagdan. Hindi ko iyon napansin kung di niya tinuro at napatulala lang ako sabay angat ng ulo ko pataas ng bundok

"That'll take forever" I muttered

"Hindi lang yun marami tayong daraanan, a storm is in between those clouds I'll be lucky for you to survive those lightning strike and not to be blown by the hurricane.. so let's go"

"Hmm" I nodded. He put his hand together and so I did. He enchant something and walked forward and he held my hand and enter the torii. May naramdaman akong force nang papasok na kami at nasilaw ako sa liwanag. I block the light with my arms, squinting my eyes to deal with the brightness. As we go further I heard a melodic sound. I haven't heard one before it was something very beautiful and I could even fall into a deep sleep.

"Behold the sacred temple of thermizia "

"WOW!!!" I was left stunned, astonished at the same time, no words form on my mouth. I found myself to a paradise. There's a beautiful temple.  I have seen one back on the kingdom of bloomix. A temple were many of the couples praying for their blessing. I tilted my head sideways and repeated the motion in every possible direction and lastly upwards.

My attention was settled on  the Humongous statue of stone standing beside the temple. An animal statue reaching the clouds. It was so tall, I couldn't even look away and wondered how it was build and what it's purposed.

"What are those if you don't mind me asking?"

"Those my Lady Sakumi was the stonecore" a figure approached us and little by little. I had recognize him, Marvan, but other than that he looks different.

"How did you managed to change clothes in a matter of seconds?" I asked suspiciously

And both of them chuckles, I just tilt my head, Wondering if I say something funny that made them laugh. "You have not notice yourself"

Tiningnan ko naman ang sarili ko at tama nga'ng iba ang na ang damit ko. I was dressed in unfeminine clothes, short black coat and trousers, with my hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. In this appearance, anyone would think that I was a man, after all, it was uncommon for women to wield sword. But my bust betrayed my manly figure.

"You look amazing Marvan" I couldn't help but to voice it out. And he just wriggle, touching his face. I chuckles on his embarrassed state with his cheek growing red.

I heard Endemion sighed and held my hand and heard the birds chirping on the branches, it was so beautiful like I wanted to see it again.

I raised my head on the big temple. And from behind of it a Chateau is standing. The entrance featured an expansive gate, flanked by the two unfamiliar animal statues. A length path of smooth, stone paving stretched from the gate to the front door. A fountain adorned the center of this path, adding a visual spectacle, and an intricately shape green lawn completed the picturesque scene.

As we walked through it, we were interrupted by the loud bangs of drums and we looked behind us and saw the bustling of elegant people walking towards us.

Tumabi lang kaming tatlo at pinadaan ang sila. They were accompanied by four carriages with them.

The sound of the hooves against the path beneath became a rhythmic melody and it stop in front of the temple.

The group of individuals began making their way towards it around twenty individual were rapidly approaching in a coordinated manner. The maid formed two neat rows along the edge of the path leading the front porch.

The coachmen rolled a red carpet.

A small beam of light flying above us and they are throwing petals. The people was wearing a beautiful, different types of robe and I noticed how expensive it is from the details and embroidery. I know fabrics when I see one.

The drums stop and the carriage door flew open and the people executed a deep bow, a synchronized movements. "Bow my love" I heard marvan and they are already bowing. Nag bow nadin ako habang nakatingin sa karwahe.

The carriage itself was a work of art, it's exterior adorned with intricate carvings that depicted scenes of myth and adventure. It's polished woods gleamed in the light from heaven, four powerful white horse stood at the ready. Their muscular forms a testament to their strength and vitality.