CHAPTER 50- EARLIER THAT DAY

LUNA CREST

I left Esthelian on Aldanards protection. I left some notes to help him guide her. I wouldn't entrusted my princess with Emion. What am I thinking? I failed to picked him to be her knight. Dapat sana sa lunarian nalang.  But I can rely on his strength. I know he'll protect her in a mean time. Because I already give a hint of warning and that shook his entire nerves. And he had no choice but to nod.

I sneak by the corridor, saw Grand duchess Tonali came out from her room and they went outside, talking with the other ladies of the court.

"How's the report?" I said without looking at them. I felt the familiar  presence behind me.

"They failed to capture the culprit. Their coats and how they move and glide on the night was the same of how lunarian hunts Estheria, they framing them again" said emerald. "My brother told me that when he work with the band he saw few people with a cloak sneaking on the town. Unfamiliar faces and his gut tells him that those people are up to something.

"He settle this with the Marques. This people shows up when Esthelian reported died"- said pearl and Amethyst join the conversation.

Her face is full of curiosity and wants to deal with the situation but she was disappointed because all she can do is watch. "The scouts rather suspiciously disappeared. This people with a cloak somehow manage to sneak in the town without getting into trouble"

"You mean, when Esthelian officially reported died.."

"Her burial was already arranged"

"Arranged you say" Mukhang plinano ito ng maayos. The king didn't show himself to the public after the reports of his false deceased daughter. The Queen shouldering the responsibility to help him and grew an army. But other than that, the scouts disappeared without a trace. Aside from growing their soldiers it just lessen their power. Something is not right.

I have to know the roots of all caused, starting in this palace. Those culprit had the guts to seize the place without being caught. Siguro may mga mata sila dito sa loob ng palasyo. And her highness the Queen let that Grand duchess stayed here. A tyrant one. The scar marked her hatred on her, yet by the looks on her face, she was happy. Maybe she knows something.

"Tell me about that woman" Carnelian sneak behind the curtain, watching my first suspect.

"That Grand duchess Tonali, she live near the capital of Mie clan.

"Mie?" I asked, that surname is close to the lady I serve back to Devuniak.

"Does she live on Devuniak?"

"Yup she is, she is a cousin with Lady Ming mie and cousins of Princess Maridel and alsso she's a widowed woman, he was married to a Grand duke" said pearl. Just as I thought. Debuniak eyy, now that was suspicious. At first eye contact on that Great hall and how they move their hand fan, already suspicious. I know they are  exchanging message through hand fan.

I spend my days on the Empress library to study the basic human movement and specially the fan that they are using it to communicate silently.

"And also when we heard the news the Queen was a bit suspicious she change a lot. Mabilis itong nagalit at lagi na kaming inutusan at minsan kulang narin ang pahinga namin. She's always away and expanded the army to set war on Zendalia...."

"Baka nakakalimutan mo Emerald. The Queen was in rage and the king blame himself for loosing her and the Queen couldn't sleep, she's worried for the future of these kingdom"

"Surely but why blame Zendalia?"

"I will investigate this, just keep your eyes on the unfamiliar faces on the court. Report to me what data you have gathered"

"I need to go back, Princess Quera might be hungry" pamamaalam nina Carnelian at Emerald. "Tsaka Anong nakakapagtaka they always move their fans ang pagkaalam ko dapat pinapaypay iyon Diba?"

"They are using fan movement as communication" I said and they gasped.

"That's new" said pearl

"It's not, hand fan movement were used since the time of Dethen the Great"

"So, that means it's been around 500 years ago?"

"Yes, not all hand fans use to mean in a bad intention, every movement has their different meaning"

I need to teach her highness how to read fan movement so she can detect the culprit. We still have more five days. I need few more days to study the people around here, people who runs the kingdom. Each of the people who helds their title have their different responsibilities, share and motives.

"Can you be my eyes, I can't stay here any longer"

"Her room is upstairs, medyo malapit lang sa kwarto ng mahal na prinsesa"

May narinig akong yapak ng paa at bilis akong nagtago. "Do be careful" I said and they patted my shoulders and came out from their hiding. They silently past that person going on an opposite direction. I watch them until their shadow faded away. My eyes reach the sight of the Grand duchess who is talking with the other aristocrats.

I watch her again for about a few seconds before leaving my eyes off of her. The room was dim and I feel something was off. I was struck by an intangible blow on my consciousness, causing my vision to double.

I let myself to rest before going upstairs. And watch the white door and I open it, it creaks open like a mice trap and let out it's squeaking sound. The air was heavy with intangible weight, a sense of foreboding that seemed to cling to every surface in the room.

As I closed the door behind me.

"This room is protected by miasma" I muttered and look at the display of the furniture, way different from her highness taste of fashion.

The room scent was very feminine but the miasma is spreading and didn't drifted it just stayed here. "that Grand duchess is something"

I took the chances and survey the place from every inch of the corner, finding something not until I heard a voice echoid outside.

"Shit!" I look around to hide quick. But my energy is draining away and feel like my head is crashing. I can't let myself to be seen. My hand touch the edge of the mirror and I feel the air blowing on my palm. And I didn't hesitated.

"Madame the duke has his eyes on you"

"My dear attendant, I can't, there's no sensation and feeling or presence of attraction to that guy, even how many times he tries to seduced me. I have my eyes on Prince Inavie"

"But your age gap"

"Are you against my will?"

"...uh.. no madame"

"Good, and for now address me your highness. That stupid bibliophile princess is already dead, she dead haha"

Nakaupo lang ako habang nakikinig sa kanila sa likod ng salamin. I never thought that it's a secret cabinet with some pictures of Esthelian. This woman is a stalker. I look at every picture and saw a box on the corner I reach it. I pull up the cover and saw a voodoo doll. With pins all over its body.

"Your highness prince Inavie had his eyes on Estheli..."

"I don't care she's already dead. And everything she left behind is mine. I will do anything to steal her position after all I am already a representative to get that crown. Tsaka di na magtatagal Ang hari mamatay na siya. And for that Little brat Quera will never live longer because I ordered to put arsenic on her food, I want her to die slowly to eased the suspicions of the people around her. I won't worry because. Everything is working according to plan"

"Your so genius your highness"

"Of course, the aristocrats already tainted the white canvas in dirt, and the minions are on patrol. The king was so naive.."

"Your grace.. uh your highness, you mustn't speak that out loud the walls have ears"

"Don't worry if anyone tries to blocked and exposed some evidences I won't act as guilty because the court are on my side and that specific incompetent soul whose trying to be a hero, will lost its head"

Minions? Aristocrats maybe her highness knows this people. The picture her shows her obsession, a psychopath. I waited.

Di ko alam kung kailan sila aalis.

I heard a knock on the door and the ladies-in-waiting responded. I heard their voices until it faded and the door shut closed.

I had my chances and got out. I sighed in relief and left the palace and went to the town. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakita ko dahil bukod sa masayang Lugar ay nabalot na ng katahimikan.

What will the princesses react if she seen this.

"You! What are you doing at this hou.." I had no chance of explaining but rushed away. Finding my way out of the situation. Every corner was blocked and the scout is all over the place. The pressure was increasing. I never been so nervous. I heard a loud siren

Alarming the scout to patrol all the possible way. And the people on the town rushed back home in fear.

"Mama!!" I heard a child calling her mother after been lost in the crowds. Muntikan na siyang maapakan ng mga tao at dali dali ko siyang binuhay nasugatan pa ito dahil sa mga nagpapanic na sibilyan.

"Move, get away and go back the criminal is on the loose!" Dinig kong boses ng mga scout at tumakbo na ako para magtago.

"Duon po ang bahay ko" Sabi ng bata at dali dali na akong pumunta ruon.

Papalapit na kami at nakita ko ang Ina nitong natataranta, sinisigaw ang pangalan ng anak "mama!!" Sigaw ng bata at Inabot ko Siya sa kanyang Ina. Aalis na ako pero ang bata hinigpitan Ang hawak sa'king damit.

"Salamat hijo. Lika pasok ka andyan na naman Sila" Ani nito na may bahid ng takot sa mata.

Umupo lang ako sa sala at pinaghandaan ako ng tinapay at mukhang tinitipid pa nila ito at may walo siyang anak at may sakit pa ang kanyang asawa. Sumilip lang ako sa bintana. Nakita ko ang mga scout na pinaglilibutan na ang Lugar.

"Anong nangyari sa Esther?" Tanong ko at naging malungkot ang mukha nito at may kumatok at dali dali akong tumabi at nagtago.

Pinagbuksan naman niya ng pinto Ang mga ito  "The schedule is today"

"Pwede po bang mga dalawang araw, kulang pa po.."

"Wala akong pake! Where is it or you and your family will crawl away and starve to death!"

Dinig kong kumapa ito sa bulsa at tumunog ang pera nito at Inabot iyon "Ito lang po pero pambili kolang ito ng big..." Nabigla ako ng sipain siya at inagaw sa kanya ang pera.

"Mama!!!" I tried to avenge her but later do I know. A blood drop on the floor. I walked back and touch my cheeks and felt the warm sticky blood on my hand

"And you little brat, as long as your mother can't pay the tax. She'll face the council and be tortured" times lang ito ng umalis na sabay bagsak ng pinto.

Inalalayan ko siyang tumayo at Nakita ko ang dumi, bakas na duon siya sinipa. Umiiyak ang mga anak niya at nakita ko rin ang pag iyak ng kanyang asawa na Wala man lang nagawa upang ipagtangol ito sa mga taong iyon.

"What happen, tell me why those men was asking for taxes"

"Your face.."

"I'm fine tell what happen to the town?"

Hinabol lang niya ang kanyang hininga at mukhang malakas Ang pagkasipa sa kanya at binigyan siya ng kape ng kanyang anak at Inalalayan naman siya ng iba "When the great Queen Edellfien died, the aristocrats began to swarmed the town and asked for taxes because the king ordered it. Sinabi duon na dahil sa paghingi namin ng tulong sa Reyna ang dahilan na bat magkasakit ito. At lahat ng kayamanan niya ay ibinigay niya sa mga mahihirap imbes na pagamutin ang sarili. Pero dati okay lang naman Hanggang sa nagtagal hindi na, masyado na silang nanakal at Nung dumating ang araw na nabalitaan namin ang pagkamatay ng prinsesa mas naging magulo na ang kaharian...."

Patuloy lang siya sa pagsasalita at nakaramdam ako ng pananakip ng dibdib.

"Nga pala hindi kita nakita dito galing kaba sa ibang probinsya?" Tanong nito sakin at tumango nalang ako

I must not spill the beans, I'm aware of any circumstances. I gave her a pouch of gold coins, and take a sip on the coffee. Someone knock and she hid the money I gave her. Binuksan naman niya ang pinto at sumilip sa labas.

"May nakita kabang lalake na dumaan dito?"

" ....ah wala po, bakit ano pong Meron?" Di na nagtanong ulit Ang tao sa labas at umalis na at sinara naman niya agad ang pinto

I sighed in relief I thought she'll gonna tell em. She face me with no doubts on her face "Ikaw siguro ang hinahanap ng scouts kanina kaya nagkagulo sa labas. Ano ang iyong pakay?" Manahan nitong tanong

"Don't tell anyone, promise me her life depends on you"

"Her?"

"Someone will change Estheria"

"Don't tell me.." I hussed her and I saw how her tears burst in surprised and joy. My mouth slips yet I know I can trust that woman before I left her hut.

Be careful and please took care of her highness, she and her mother will bring back the light that was ruined by evil

A light of hope, that will embraced back the golden era.

That's her last word. And I went back to see my princess. This kingdom's is dying. She will be their key. I look up, the moon was full tonight, casting a silver glow over everything it touched. I can see from the distance universe, the image of her highness was smiling and waving back at me. I can't wait till the day you will be everyone's voice. A leader that leads them back to a new era that was once protected by the your mother. She was legend and her history mark her great sacrifices. I Thought that after she died her reign finally ended. But you came and her reign continues.

My princess thy fullfil your mother's wish