Chapter 39 - The Infamous Prince Tristan

Steffanie returned to Sutherland with her brother. May ilang bagay na dapat siyang asikasuhin, especially the changing of her name from Smithson to Sutherland. It was now official, she was the new countess of Sutherland.

Though everything seemed to be in place, her heart was still not at ease. Mas lalong nalilito at nangangamba na siya ngayong nagkakilala na si Kylie and Gareth. After that fateful night, Gareth suddenly stopped coming in their home in Frontera. She was afraid that he may be cooking something up.

She swore to god, hindi siya makakapayag na maukha nito ang anak nila. Kylie was her everything. She'd die if she was taken away from her.

But maybe she was worrying for nothing. Kitang-kita niya kung paano niyakap ni Gareth ang anak. It showed his undeniable love and affection.

Pero paano kung tama siya? That Gareth would want to take his daughter away?

She needed to fight back. She'll do everything in her power huwag lang mangyari iyon. But would she win? Gareth was now the Third Prince of the Kingdom. When it came to money and power, she was nothing compared to him.

Kailangan niya ng tulong. She needed someone who could help her fight Gareth just in case. And she had just the right person in mind.

She quickly scrolled on her phone to find the contact in her phone book. Agad naman niya itong tinawagan.

"Hello, Tristan. I need your help."

"Yes, angel?" he said.

She gave a sigh before she told him everything in her mind.

Steffanie was feeling uneasy. After five years, muli na naman siyang nagbalik sa Arondight Palace. This time, she was not with Gareth. Instead, she was with Tristan.

Nilibot niya ang paligid, the place was still marvellous. It was a picture of pure luxury. They were supposed to have a dinner date with Tristan in one of the restaurants in Camelot. Ngunit may nakalimutan daw ito kaya kailangan nilang sumaglit sa palasyo.

"Let's go to my manor, angel?" he said.

"Let's go." She responded.

He led her through the part of the castle where the royal family resided. It was like a subdivision within the castle. Kay raming mga naglalakihang mga mansion sa loob niyon. But despite that, the whole place was enclosed inside the high and vast walls of the palace.

"These are the manors, each member of the Royal Family has one," pagpapaliwanang nito. But she knew that already.

"And this is mine, the Daisy Manor," turan nito sa isang malaking bahay.

"Would you like to come inside?" yaya nito.

"Nope, I'll just wait for you're here. 'Di ba sabi mo naman, hindi tayo magtatagal ditto?"

"Yup. Just stay here will you?"

"Sure."

He then entered his manor.

Wala na siyang magawa kundi ang tumingin-tingin lang sa paligid. Everything was really exquisitely made. She suddenly remembered of a certain memory from the past. She remembered how Gareth described the palace in the past. Dark. Lonely. Scary. And true to its sense, alam niyang totoo iyon. Nababalutan lang ito ng karangyaan. But deep inside, she knew this was a place of sorrow.

Nahagip ng kanyang paningin si Gareth. He was looking at her from a far.

Tatawagin niya sana ito ngunit pinigilan niya ang kanyang sarili.

He then disappeared from his sight. She wanted to go after him, but she stilled herself.

Enough is enough already, Steff. She reminded herself.

Tapos na silang dalawa. That's it.

"Got it!" her thoughts were disrupted by Tristan.

"Let's go," pagyaya niya dito.

And again, while Tristan was escorting her out of the palace. She once again saw Gareth looking at them from afar.

She heaved up a sigh. Gustong-gusto na niyang habulin ito but she kept herself at bay. Tama na Steff. Tama na.

Tristan brought her in a private restaurant in Camelot. The place was very private in its literal sense. Nirentahan na naman kasi nito ang buong lugar.

It was just the two of them in the whole restaurant.

"Tristan, you shouldn't have done this, it's really too much."

"Shhh… Angel, everything here is for you. Just savor the moment."

The place was very homey. The dim lights in the room provided a peace and tranquil vibe. The ambience was perfect.

"I came to talk to you about one thing…"

"Shh… there is plenty of time to talk later, Angel. I have something to say to you first."

"Ok, what is it?"

Nakita niyang tumaas baba ang adams apple nito.

She never saw him this tenses. He was always the smooth operator. But this time, it was different. Mistulang kinakabahan ito.

Then all of the sudden, the place lit up. Biglang lumabas ang isang grupo mula sa kung saan. It was a quartet. There were two violinists, one in-charge of the viola and one in the cello.

Agad na pumailanlang sa paligid ang malamyos na musikang dulot nito.

They played a romanctic song, each note and melody denoted the love and affection of the composer. She cannot help herself but to smile at this. She was watching a concerto, something that she was not used to see every day.

Tristan was now smiling from ear to ear.

"Care for a meal, angel?" he said.

"Sure."

They both shared the most sumptuous meal. She went for a seafood salad while he ate a full grown steak. Napakalakas pala talaga nitong kumain. He devoured the whole thing in about a span of minutes.

"I see that you have an appetite," she teased.

"Nah, angel. Ganito lang ako kapag kinakabahan ako." Pinaligpit na nila ang kanilang kinaiinan sa waiter.

Napakunot ang noo niya.

"Bakit ka naman kakabahan? We're best friends? Ikaw pa nga ang nagsabi niyan. And also, we shared a meal na from time to time."

"But today was different, angel."

"How so?"

She saw him hesitate for a moment.

"Can we dance? Naalala ko kasi noong Winter Solstice Festival, noong Winter's Ball, hindi natapos ang sayaw natin. Maybe this time, maipagpapatuloy na natin."

Tumayo ito. He bowed in front of her and laid his hand out. "May I have this dance for this lady?"

"Sure, his highness."

They proceed to the dance floor. Isang musika ang pumailanlang sa buong paligid. She knew the song. It's called a thousand years. A singer suddenly emerged beside the quartet. The voice of the man was angelic. Binuhay nito ang kanta.

Heart beats fast. Colors and promises. How to be brave? How can I love when I am afraid to fall?

They started to dance, each of their feet flowing in the harmony of this wonderful song. Tristan tightly held her. They swayed in the dance floor like seasoned dancers. She was having fun.

But watching you stand alone, all of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow. One step closer.

He gave her a hard turn. She twisted and spin in to his arms.

She could feel his ragged breathing. They were now too close for comfort. She wanted to pull away, but this was Tristan. He was her friend. Her guy best friend.

She felt his heart beating so fast. Then, the singer stopped. She could only hear the music playing in the background.

He flicked his fingers. Then immediately, the room was filled with flying petals. Red and white rose petals were everywhere. Bigla ring nagbago ang tiyempo ng tugtog. It became more subtle, more relaxing, more laid-back.

Her heart was beating wild. What was happening?

Binitiwan siya nito. They were now both standing face to face to each other. She could see the fear and hesitations in his eyes.

"Angel…"

"Tristan…" mukhang alam na niya ang sasabihin nito.

"From the first time I saw you five years ago, immediately, my heart fell for you. You were the embodiment of the woman that I want. And from that moment, I know that you are the woman for me…"

May kung anong bara sa kanyang lalamunan.

"Please Tristan, stop—"

"Let me just do this, angel. Please."

He knelt down in front of her. "Angel, I know that you still love my brother. But I am willing to wait, even for eternity for you to love me. Just give me a chance. I'll cherish you. I'll value you…"

Nagsimula nang tumulo ang kanyang mga luha. She didn't expect any of this.

Then the singer sang the chorus.

I have died every day waiting for you. Darling, don't be afraid I loved you for a thousand years. I'll love you a thousand more.

"Angel, you are the love of my life."

"But… I thought you just wanted to be my best friend."

"I look at you as a woman, not a best friend. Would you look at me the same way, angel?"

May hinugot ito mula sa bulsa nito. It was a red velvet box.

"Please, angel. Be mine, I'll accept everything of you. We'll be a family. You, me and Kylie."

She was sobbing non-stop now. How she wished she could say yes. How she wish she could chose Tristan. But she can't. Her heart only beats for one person and that man was Gareth.

"I am sorry—" sinamahan niya ito sa pagluhod. She hugged him tightly. "I am sorry Tristan. I am sorry."

"Shh… I understand, angel. At least I tried. At least there wouldn't be any regrets on my part." His voice was now shaky. Nagpipigil na rin ito ng kanyang mga luha.

They both stood up.

"I have just one favor, angel. One last favor."

Tumango-tango siya. "Anything for you…"

"Can we finish this dance together? Pagpasensyahan mo na ako if I cry during this? Hindi ko na kasi kaya."

Napalunok ito. She could feel his pain pero wala siyang magawa.

"Let this be our last dance together, after this, I'll smile for you again. After this, I'll be your best friend once more."

"I am sorry… I am sorry…"

"Shh… Let's just dance my love, my angel."

Then the music continued.

I have died every day waiting for you. Darling, don't be afraid I loved you for a thousand years. I'll love you a thousand more.

Beauty in all she is. I will be brave. I will not let anything take away what's standing in front of me. Every breath. Every hour has come to this. One step closer.

She couldn't stop her tears from flowing. She knew how he felt. It was the same searing pain that she felt when Gareth rejected her. But still, hindi niya kayang paasahin ito.

So with everything that she had, she made this a memorable dance for him.

I have died every day waiting for you. Darling, don't be afraid I loved you for a thousand years. I'll love you a thousand more.