Chilly Nights

I dislike traveling, especially if I don't get enough rest. The three-day trip we took around Biringan was evidence of that. We returned to the castle swiftly after stopping in Dimayan, Kaseran, and Quisilo. Sirilo warned us that leaving after sunset would be a problem, so I made sure we quickly finish our trip to Qusilo.

I became sick the day after we returned. Very sick. My head hurt, my nose was clogged and running, I was coughing and sneezing, and my body temperature went up.

They summoned a manggagamot and an albularyo too just in case. The manggagamot remarked that I was homesick, which was understandable given my sudden relocation to Biringan. Mama would take care of me while I was unwell, accompanied by the dwendes, to make me feel better.

The Albularyo only offered me some herbal tea. She claims it will make me feel better, and she has also included some special components to fend off any curses that may have been placed on me during our trip.

Serapina would pay me frequent visits, to ask about my health, and bring me books from the library to keep me entertained. She would teach me how to read the books because they were written in Baybayin, which I really appreciate.

Sirilo would pay visits as well, but not as frequently as Serapina. He'd also check in on me and give me political and other news. I just told him to write it down because my mind was too busy restoring my sick body, and I'll read it when I'm feeling better.

He did write them down, which shocked me because I only said it to be sarcastic and to keep him from bothering me with politics while I'm trying to rest. Nonetheless, I thought it was sweet. I've never had a kuya before, but I've always desired one since I was a kid; a kuya who would fight my bullies and console me when I'm sad. And I now have one. Another check on my dreams-that-came-true list.

I actually had no idea he was older than me; all I knew was that he was older than Serapina. So when I confronted Serapina about it, she revealed that he's two years older than me, making him my kuya.

I was feeling a little better after a week of rest. A ball to celebrate my return was meant to be held last night, but because I was unwell, it was postponed until next week or the week following if I'm still sick.

The castle featured a large balcony in the back that overlooked the entire garden. So, after being sick for a week, I went there to get some fresh air. There were chairs and tables there, so it was ideal for me to sit and observe the garden for a while. I was dressed in a white neck-length nightgown with a white shawl wrapped around my shoulders.

No matter which way you look at it, the garden is lovely. The Saron flowers flash gold, purple, pink, red, and blue at night. It was lively and

wonderful, and they danced with the breeze. They looked like different colored fireflies flying around the gardens.

"Do you fancy the gardens, hija?" I turned around to see who was speaking. It was Papa. He was still dressed up in his extravagant barong and sash.

I've only seen Papa four times in the two weeks I've been here. One was when I came and he spoke to me in the drawing room, the second was when he personally greeted us back from our trip, and the third and fourth were when I was unwell and he would visit me and see how I was doing. He was always busy, even for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Even with his physical absence, he would make himself known by buying me gifts, sending me letters, and occasionally sending an engkantada or engkanto to serve me unexpected treats every day.

That's why I was startled to see him at this hour.

It was now one in the morning, and I had to sneak past a passed-out Diyia on my couch who had been assigned with looking after me on the orders of the man himself—papa.

"What are you doing here, Papa?" I asked before rising from my seat and giving him a mano.

"Ay hija, no need for that," he waved his hand after I let go of it. I sat back down, and he took the seat across from me.

We sat there calmly, the wind and the rustling of leaves from the trees filling our ears. I continued my sightseeing towards the garden, where the Saron Flowers are putting on a tiny light show.

"I'm glad you like the garden, especially the flowers," Papa added, catching my attention. I smiled at him before returning my gaze to the view of the garden.

"Well, it's not every day you get to see glowing flowers," I said as I turned back to him, "Serapina said you made them yourself."

"I made them for your Mama," Papa says, smiling at the beautiful view. My smile falters slightly before returning to the garden, a little confused although I'm not a little surprised also; 'Saron' and 'Sharon' sound extremely similar.

"Your mother liked flowers. So I gathered all of my power to create one just for her. I traveled all the way to the overworld to find Bighari and to Kaluwalhatian to speak with Bathala just so they could bless my creation," he says, "And your mama was overjoyed when I showed her the flowers; she adored them. She adored them so much that she would harvest the purple Sarons' petals and sew them together to make small outfits for you when you were a baby."

Mama stitching flower petals to make garments makes me smile.

According to Papa's description, mama and he clearly loved each other and lived a happy and quiet life. Mama, on the other hand, stated that she was afraid of what he was. It made no sense. If she was afraid of engkantos, as she told me, why would he be pleased that Papa fashioned her a flower? Plus, sewing flower petals isn't exactly a common activity, except...

"Papa" I called out to him, "Where did you and Mama meet?" I didn't wanna tell him what Mama told me. I'm afraid that they might argue if I ever mention what she told me to him due to the fact that his perspective contradicts hers.

"APAL, hija. While your mother was studying black and white magic, I was studying politics," he replied. The only university in Biringan is APAL, or Ang Pamantasan ni Abraella Linsunagan (The University of Abraella Linsunagan), which was founded by the woman herself, Abraella Linsunagan. Unlike the overworld's universities, APAL places a greater emphasis on arts, literature, politics, and magic—specifically, black and white magic.

Mama was studying black and white magic at APAL, which meant she aspired to be a mangkukulam, albularyo, or possibly a manghuhula. That suggests she lived and studied in Biringan.

Mama was, indeed, hiding something from me. But what would she hide? And why would she hide something?

Everything doesn't make sense. Mama claims to be afraid of mythical creatures, but Papa says she goes to APAL, where many various kinds of creatures—including aswangs—go to. Papa, too, could be lying, but why would he? Even thirteen years ago, he had been completely truthful with me.

〖 I just wanted to protect you, Nita. 〗

Mama's voice echoed in my mind. Mama, exactly what are you protecting me from? The aswangs? I'm very sure the castle has enough agimats for me to utilize, so there's no need to worry about that. About the higantes? They're definitely the friendliest creatures I've ever encountered. About the dwendes? I'm alright as long as I don't bother them. About the engkantos?—

〖 Engkantos can be tricksters. 〗

〖 Don't be fooled by them. 〗

— But am I not also an Engkanto? For the love of Christ, I'm half Engkantada. But because Mama has lived here longer than I have, she is likely to know more about them than I do. I'll be cautious, exactly as she said. Mama must have a reason for keeping the truth from me, and as much as I want to tell Father about it, I don't want to be the root of their relationship getting worse.

Perhaps there is no deeper truth about—and that I am simply the problem. If you think about it, they lived a happy life together here in Biringan before, and everything just went wrong before I was born. Was it truly my fault—

"You should sleep, hija," Papa said, making me jump a little since I was too absorbed in my thoughts, "it's very late, and you just got over your fever." He moved from his chair.

"I'll be off soon, Papa," I said with a pursed smile. "Don't worry."

He bid me good night before kissing the top of my head and leaving the balcony.

I took one last look around the garden, taking in everything. I was going to get up and leave when I noticed a shadow moving around the gardens. I leaned in close to the stone railings and narrowed my eyes to get a closer look; it was a hooded figure strolling through the royal gardens.

I was perplexed as to who would be walking around the garden so late at night. I took a close look at the hooded individual, observing every move he makes. The hooded figure peered around his surroundings as if realizing that he was being watched, before turning to face me.

My eyes widened. There's no way he's here. I'm not sure whether it was him because I couldn't see fully, but by the hair, I'm certain it was.

I decided to go down to the gardens, armed with a large stick. I looked around for the hooded figure, but he wasn't where he had been. I looked around the gardens but couldn't find him, I even looked at the nipa huts just to make sure. I paused my hunt for the mysterious hooded man after what seemed like an eternity. Maybe he left when he noticed me on the balcony.

That's when I felt someone grab my waist. Acting instinctively, I whirled around and smacked whoever had touched me on the head as hard as I could with the large stick I was wielding.

The hooded figure groaned in pain as he backed away, grasping his head where I smacked him. "You hit hard, Prinsesa," he chuckled.

Golden hair and crimson eyes. Demantro.

He smirked at me. He laughed, his shoulders shaking as he rubbed his head, "I'm so sorry, I didn't—" I apologized as I carefully drew his hood off and checked his head for any bleeding.

"I'm okay, Prinsesa. "I should be the one apologizing for scaring you." He softly grabbed my hand and placed it on my side. "What brings you here late at night to the gardens?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" I folded my arms, "You are on royal grounds, after all," I add, and he chuckles again.

"Let's just say I have a habit of breaking in." Demantro then turned behind him, and I followed his eyes to a large shrub that appeared to conceal a hole in the wall. Did he do that?

"You are aware that trespassing on royal property is a heinous crime, right?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"I was never a child of the law," he says with a sly grin.

Given that Demantro has yet to be caught for his games, I believe Sirilo is working hard to keep his record clean. Poor him.

Given that Demantro hasn't been caught yet, I assume that Sirilo is working hard to maintain the golden-haired engkanto's reputation. Poor guy.

"I heard the princess is ill," he says. "Shouldn't you be resting?"

"Shouldn't you leave before Sirilo discovers you and lectures you for three hours?" I flashed him a sly grin. His smile broadened as he took a few steps ahead of me. He was so close that my breath caught in my throat. Just a few more inches and our chests would be touching, and the thought of it makes my head want to explode. It's cold outside, yet I feel hot.

He picks up a Saron flower with a yellow center and sets it on my hair, muttering, "You should really go back, I wouldn't want you to be sick again." I freeze in place. "I am forward to seeing you the following week. Would you let me be your first dance partner at the ball?" He took my hand and gently kissed my knuckles; the sensation giving shivers down my spine.

I can't breathe.

"I can't exactly promise you that, but a dance with you sounds great nonetheless." I tried to be calm, but I couldn't. My heart was thumping so loudly in my ears that I could feel it. Thank Bathala it's dark because I'm pretty sure my face is turning bright red.

A throat clearing broke up our brief exchange. When I turned, Sirilo was standing quite a distance away from us, looking at Demantro and me as well as down at where the engkanto with the golden hair was still tenderly holding my hand. I swiftly withdrew my hand from him.

"What brings you here, Sirilo?" I asked stupidly, attempting to disguise my embarrassment

"Shouldn't I ask you that?" He looked at me before turning to Demantro with a disappointing glare, "Especially you."

The golden-haired engkanto shrugged his shoulders, causing the multi-colored-haired engkanto to roll his eyes. "Nita, go back to your room. You just got over your fever and you need rest," Sirilo observed as he turned to face me. "It's already quarter to four."

"Okay.." I said as I walked by him, but before I did, I looked back to Demnatro and waved him farewell, and he waved back.

I could feel myself touching the flower placed on my ear as I walked back inside the castle, replaying the past events in my brain. As I return to my room, my cheeks warm up as a smile spreads across my face. I can't wait until next week.