CHAPTER 7

S A K U M I ⁠✿

I was on her study and she has an unfinished task and some of the suitcase are lying at the table. She has a map and a lot of red dot on the mountains, routes and rivers too. Her room was all a mess and it looks like she haven't clean for about a year and the place is like abandoned. Wala ba siyang balak na maglinis? The comwebs covered the entire ceiling and the dust is like I'm walking on a deserted land.

I roam around the room to find something interesting and I can't help but to sneeze because of the dust. My nose is itchy. I can't hold it anymore and I open up the window to inhale the fresh air. The white cherry blossom petals go with the winds and one petal landed on my nose but I sneeze it away.

Binalik ko ang tingin sa labas ng tower habang tanaw ang malawakan nilang lupain. It's so beautiful. I leaned on my back as I heard something like a bird chirping close by. Until I saw something on the wall. It's a portrait of a woman, dress like she's been born in a highest position of the royalties. But the dust covers her heavenly appearance.

I heard a step coming and I rush back on my seat but I looses my balance and I tumbled on a floor and the map fall onto my face.

"S-- what are you doing?" She chuckles when we saw me stumbled on the floor and lend me a hand " Okay kalang ba? Anyari sayo kanina bat bigla kan--"

"Ehh kase"

"Sorry about the mess, I'm going back to the palace...and why did you open the window?" her mood suddenly change. She gives me chills

"Because it's dusty... Achooo" I can't just lie about that. Talagang ang dumi ng lugar niya.

"Even I clean this place every single day, minutes, hours. Nothing's gonna happen. It's been abandoned but will be own by her niece so you don't need to rushed to clean this place the maid is coming to prepare this manor for the new owner"

I tilt my head and gave her that why look and she sighed and didn't answer me but put back the map on her desk. My eyes darted on the suitcase "So that's explained those suitcase"

"Yup" She slightly leaned on her left and I saw her frowned "You uncovered the portrait of lady Meriddle"

"I'm sorry po, I was just curious"

"Lady Meriddle died on war together with lord Tharone--" she sighed again with disappointment on her face  "Di bale basta ganon.. And also you need to go be homeschool in order to protect spring from the threats of other royal blood or something..."

"Huh?" Did she just say school? I laugh dryly because I don't know what to do and how to stop her for convincing me. She's encouraging me to learn.

"You seems excited, so let's pack our stuff but let's buy something on the city"

➖➖➖

She rushed me to the nearby market place and the place is bustling with crowds, merchant and elegant women in their magnificent dresses. Their umbrella looks funny in an elegant way it's way too small. It's like it's just used for fashion. She was so excited and now we're standing outside of a tailoring shop and I saw a lot of displayed dresses.

Pumasok na kami at may matandang babae ang lumapit na may measuring tape pa na nasa kanyang balikat. She reminds me of mom. I kinda miss her so bad.

The woman was flabbergasted and I saw her expression like she was amazed or might be criticizing me. She darted her eyes back to Captain Valor'e with a genuine smile " Mata o-ai dekite ureshii desu "

[ it's nice to see you again]

"I was just swamed at work" she replied and sat down on the sofa

Tunganga lang ako sa sinabi nung matanda sila lang dalawa ang nagkaintindihan.  Nabigla naman ako ng mabilis niya akong hinila papunta sa working place niya at sinukat agad ako.

"Above her knees and her cape so Sha can use for upcoming fuyu "

"What's fuyu?" I asked

"Winter my dear" She continued "Don't make any contact with kheimon do you hear?!"

"Ahmp.."

"Good"

Honestly what she's talking about? The doorbell twinkled and three people came inside. A woman in a flower dress caught my attention with her umbrella and she close it and gave it to the girl on her side.  She remove her clothes too. On her right side. They look alike maybe this is her daughter? I can tell we are in the same age.

"Duchess Rowena it's nice to have you here. And you too ma'am Eia" sabay bow ni captain Valor'e Dito at sumabay din ako. So that's explain how she dress herself. She's a noble blood.

"Why are here is it your shift today?"

Captain Valor'e remain calm and gently spoke to her gracefully "I have already taken a permission to have a day off just for today beside..."

"Whose the girl?" She is so serious. She talks in an elegant way. I couldn't speak I'm so nervous and I don't know what to respond

"She's a bloomix from Rubiana, Fluerishia specifically"

" Sate.. Sate a flower just flew out of a garden" the people in the shop laugh even the girl. "And what are doing here? are you sure your a bloomix?" she raise her upper lip like she was disgust "You don't look like one"

[Well, well]

"Ah haha sorry to interrupt my duchess. We need to hurry" hinablot ako ni Valor'e papunta sa mananahi para balewalain ang duchess at tapusin ang usapan.

"So in what uniform? Sorry for being rude" napalingon ako sa kanya "You see a bloomix can't be a Dame aside from not being born as a noble and not from here. Her good uniform will be Kenin. Atleast it wouldn't ruin her---"

Valor'e pat my head and hold my hand. "She's a senshi" said she with a proud voice. The duchess just laughed in an insulting way.

"I warn you captain. A senshi is must be born blue blood if she was a senshi from the other side of the wall then you'll putting her life in suicide"

"Oh this must be a serious meeting. Madam have some tea. And what dresses would you like" Sabi nung mananahi at tahimik lang akong nakatingin sa malayo.

"Don't listen to her. Your special sakumi" bulong niya sakin. They are speaking an unfamiliar language. I don't really care because I don't even understand.

➖➖➖

Sa kalahating Oras na paghihintay ko. Inabot na sakin ng mananahi Ang uniform at nagandahan ako sa tela at mga desinyo nito. It's black with a design of white raven. The uniform is very unique and I want it to wear now.

"Here yours too Madam Eia"

"It's beautiful" manghang sabi niya at napakaganda nga ng damit niya. May desinyong korona ito Isang titulo ng mataas na posisyon. She held it with pride and a smirk on her lips. And There's a crest too and it's a lion's head.

"In two days time. People in Elysian will admire your beauty my daughter"

"We need to go"

"Ingat po kayo duchess Rowena"

"I'll leave you to my old friend to teach you everything and I'm going back to the palace, okay lang ba sayo?"

"...ah opo walang problema"

Nakatingin lang ako sa labas ng bintana habang tanaw ang tower ng kaharian. A small winged bug was glowing  in the dark I can't help it and I am lost in thoughts mesmerized by its getle wings.

Naglakad na kami papunta dun at maraming nangungumusta kay Capitan. Ang mga Bahay nila kakaiba din at marami silang mga bulaklak na tanim sa bawat espasyo. Marami ring mga kabataan na nakaupo sa labas ang iba nama'y kumanta. "Ang mga tao dito ay royal blood ba?"

"Nope. Iniisip mo talaga ang sinabi nung babaeng yun sayo no?"- napatikom lang ako at medyo naramdaman ko na hindi maayos Ang maging trato sakin sa paaralan Lalo na't hindi ako taga rito. "Alam mo sakumi. The tree needs a root. Even you're at the top part of the tree doesn't mean you are greater than the roots. The roots might be on the dirt but look how it helps the tree to survive"

"What do you mean?"

"You'll find out. All I need now is how to train you for stopping that attitude!!" Nabigla naman ako ng sumigaw siya at humigop ako ng malalim na hininga "Yan Ang sinasabi ko. Di ka mag wawagi kapag lagi kang nagpapaapak sa leeg"

"Ehh kase"

"Sakumi wake up. The world is against you. Gusto mo ba na ginaganon kalang nila?! Use your head before your heart. Tandaan mo walang mabait sa mata ng iba. Ket gaano kapa ka bait, masunurin, it will never be enough sakumi. You must show them what you can do, stop slouching!"

"I'm sorry"

"Halika na nga bata ka iyakin ka talaga"

➖➖➖

I helped her pack our things and the butler help us to put them on the carriage. Nakaantay lang ako sa loob at Nakita ko siyang paparating at pumasok habang hawak parin ang letter.  Lately she told me that we will move to the duke mansion. it's her old friend and asked for help for upcoming ceremony. It's a long ride at nakatulog siya habang ako nakatanaw sa bintana.

We went to the left routes and I didn't see any house but trees and bushes. From  afar I saw a pulchritude mansion standing at the middle of the village. As we arrived the Gate slowly raise by those guards and let us passed without any words. Siguro they knew where coming.

Nakatanaw lang ako sa labas at Wala akong masabi talagang napaka ganda niya. I woke her up, halfway dreaming. And she look outside with a slight smile. Bumaba na kami at maraming tao Ang nakaantay sa labas ng pinto. Mga maid sa left at butler Naman sa right. Sila ang nag asikaso sa mga dala namin habang ako sumusumod lang kay ate sa hall. may kasama siyang Isang matandang lalake. Maamo ang itsura nito at nag usap lang sila.

Nahagip sa mga mata ko ang Isang anino na nakatayo sa Isang kwarto napaisip naman ako at di ko masyado na klaro ang mukha niya pero binalewala ko nalang at Sinundan Sina ate ayaw Kong mawala sa napakalalaking mansion.

Nakaantay kame sa labas at pinagbuksan kame ng pinto ng matanda pero umalis naman ito agad.  Umupo lang ako at nilibot ang tingin. Mukhang study place ito may hagdan papunta sa taas at maraming libro duon. Walang tao sa loob pero si ate Panay libot lang sa loob. "It's been a long time.. my friend" napalingon ako sa nagsalita at naaliw lang ako na nakatitig sa kanya. "His beautiful" Yan lang ang nasabi ko habang papalapit na ito samin.

"Spending time in your lab again aren't you tired?"

"Nah. You have received my father's letter I see"

"Yup" she replied short and reach the letter from her pocket before she sat down. Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya wala akong masabi bawat angulo ay perfect talaga. Hazel eyes and long dark hair. He narrowed his eyes to me and Looked away. I think he noticed me that I just staring at him as he entered the room.

"I guess she was the one" He solemnly asked her and she nodded before he turn his eyes to me " Address yourself then" Maamo nitong salita. Napaka amo talaga.

"Ahh.. amph " medyo di pa ako makapagsalita ng maayos kase naiilang ako sa kanya iba siya makatitig sakin " Sakuri po" tumayo ako at nagbow sa kanya.

"Sakuri, this is the son of my old friend. Duke Endemion. Addresses him as your lord. I'll leave you here and be part of the Academy, be sure to behave" she said and turn back her eyes to him and he put his feather pen down "The old blind man have foreseen the future, told us that there is something coming and it's targeting the prince, you must trained yourself here together with him"

"Sakuri? Suki desu " he said and Captain pat his shoulder.

"Huh?"

"I said I like it" pagkaklaro niya sakin.

Medyo nakaramdam ako ng init sa mukha ng bigkasin niya ang pangalan ko.

She stood up and bowed at him " Soro Soro ikanakya and as for you Sakuri Good luck!" She encourage me and left the room. I huffed the air in the awkward silence until someone knocked on the door and an old man came with a bow and gestured me to follow him.

"Madam Arzhelle is not here but she will be your tutor and I warned you before meeting here, she's strict person, it's how other maids in this manor described her, be sure not to fail in her class or else... "

"I'll do my best then"

I gulped when I heard it and he quietly laugh "It's because your only job is to serve our lord as part of your training and stay by his side before both of you meet the prince.  But be aware for his temper"

"Who? The runaway prince?"

"No, lord Endemion you must work with him, he spend his life to serve the prince and he expect something on you since you brought back the prince to the palace"

A runway prince and a tyrant duke. I don't know If I can last long. Pero napaka amo naman ng boses niya kanina. Pero tingnan nalang natin. His my partner anyway so I must work harder. Nasa kusina kami at napalingon naman sakin ang mga Taga luto at nagbubulungan naman ang iba.

May lumapit sakin at inabot sakin Ang tray na may lamang pagkain.

"Careful not to spill any on the tray. Handle it with care or else he'll skin you alive. His sensitive to dirt" he warns me and my hands are shaking, causing the juice to shake.

Langya naman tong lalake nato. Imbes na kalmado ako e mas Lalo lang ako natatakot sa anak ng duke nayon.

Sinamaan niya ako palabas ng mansion at naglalakad kami sa garden at di sa kalayuan andun ang Isang napalaking Glass garden at nandun siya nakaupo kasama Ang Isang matandang lalake.

They just open the door and I walked slowly like what they said. His sensitive to dirt!  natataranta ako pero sinubukan ko parin lumapit at dahan dahang binaba ang tray at naamoy kong masarap ito. Binuksan ko na ang takip at napalunok ako sa ganda ng pagkain. I poured him a tea and put down the teapot and clenched my fist because it's shaking.

I narrowed my eyes on him and I was freaked out his actually looking at me. Shit!! Ibinalik niya ang tingin sa binabasa niyang libro. The old man put something on a basket, may lamang iba't ibang halaman. Tumabi ako ng magsimula na siyang kumain at sinara ang libro. May title na botanical bible dun. He's studying botany? So that's explains this plants over here.

"Your a bloomix aren't yah?"

Bumalik ako sa realidad ng magsalita siya bigla at tumango ako. "Flowerless bloomix.." the old man was confused and that made his son looked at me and close the book.

"I'm just a late bloomer" I said and he rose on his seat and took out a pen and looked at the leaves and someone came with a new type of plants and they place them on a vacant spot. I'm just puffing my cheeks and look at the Glass garden.

Isang akong bulaklak at ngayon nakatingin naman ako sa bulaklak

May napansin akong kakaibang pulang bulaklak at balak kong hawakan at pinigilan niya ako. Nabigla talaga ako sa kanya.

"It's highly toxic, avoid that flower"

He reminded me. " That's one is a spider lily. Mostly this one are planted near the grave as a protection of the deceased as everybody says.."

"Oh"

"You're a flower yourself and yet doesn't have any knowledge of your existence, ironic"

It sounds an insult but he has a point. He release my hand and I just notice that he's wearing gloves. May Isang hiwa ng cake sa lamesa yun yung kanina ko pang tinitigan bat di niya kinain?

"Ahpm you didn't.."

"Take that one. And follow me to the lab" aniya

➖➖➖

We both stop on the wooden double door with an old design doorknob. The door creeks open  and a middle- age woman was inside standing beside a study desk, like waiting for his arrival. Her smile faded into scowled as her eyes turns to me.

"My lord is it okay bringing someone in your lab.."

"Don't worry Madam Arzhelle she's with Valor'e..." they engaged a conversation.

My heart was in race as I witnessed her presence. There is something on her presence that made me crumpled like a paper. He sat down on his desk and she step aside and It was awkward to move because her eyes is looking at me. She doesn't look strict because of her eyes and there's no sign of any wrinkles on her forehead and even her voice is calm. She's like a mother to him. "She'll be here as my partner please teach her everything, hopefully you'll get along after the work is done" he said and she bowed and later approached me.

I'm shivering as we began an eye to eye contact but seeing her face now makes me calm. She grabbed a book and later on we left the lab.

An hour passed and she put down her stick. I love how she deliver her words it's just I want to listen more. We stop at the Gallery and painting of his family. "His father is a king and soon gave up the throne to the prince and my lord is part of the candidate of the crown but he doesn't want to compete but rather serve the monarchy. But as his partner you must also protect both of them, I expected something big from you be sure not to disappoint me"