CHAPTER 52- THE BANQUET

LUNA CREST

And that day came, the dawn light slowly arising from the east, seizing away the darkness to the other side. I sighed while looking at myself in front of the mirror.  Someone knock on the door "Come in" I responded and  the door creaks open, a fairy maid came in with a gentle bow

" My lord, ladies of the court will be running after you. Thy beauty never age" she threw a lil compliment and I wave her off and she chuckles "The viscount is waiting for you at the lobby"

"I'll be there" I said and heard the faint click of her shoes to the marble floor. After I'm finished I went straight to meet the Viscountess husband.

I saw her in distressed, preparing herself, matching the jewelry to her outfit she wants to make an impact. I look at every jewels place on the table and she couldn't decide what to pick. One stone got my attention and look at her shimmering dress.

"That one is perfect your grace" I pointed the moonstone necklace. It matches the color of her gown.

"My son you have a good taste of fashion!" she excitedly asked the maid to hang it on her neck while looking at the mirror and put some red paint on her lips. It's bloody red. I don't understand why women tried to force themselves wearing something to hid their natural beauty. But maybe in the humans eyes natural beauty is not enough so many of this court ladies are dying to impressed others. Must be insecurities, but who knows.. they had their reason " My, my I fits perfectly! My son you are genius in fashion!"

"That makes him gay" Said the viscount and that made the fairy secretly cackling while preparing their master's outfit. I sighed and the Viscountess glared at him. Furiously.

Someone tugged my clothes and I look back to see who it was and it's their daughter.  Miss lady Wintervona of Chateaux. Purple doe eyes, wavy silver ash grey hair with ribbons and purple flower clips. I scooped her on my arms. And she's poking my cheeks and rub her cheeks to mine. It's so soft.

"My dear your so cruel for calling our son like that!"

I wave her off that I'm not offended  "It's fine, your grace the viscount doesn't really mean it"

"See, he knows his old man. He's not offended. That's the real definition of man .. "

"You just called him gay then now man! Baliw kaba?!"

"Father, my dear brother is charming than anyone else around here, he doesn't have that big belly like you and that goofy mustache of yours" she said directly to his face and he was shocked and turn pale.

"My dear!!" Her father mumbled, his face turn red because his daughter just exposed his insecurities. "How rude!"

"I miss you brother, are you coming with us today...?" She stop and gave me a head bonk "You also didn't come to my birthday and I thought you will not come again because I lost your brooch pin.."

"I'm not angry, miss nga kita e" she giggled and hug me and kisses my cheeks. Short people didn't know how adorable they are. I can smell her sweet scent of candy and soft hand brushing my hair. " I didn't know you're going to banquet with us"

"Banket? What's a banket... Oh you meant bucket, wait are you gonna milk a cow?"

"It's banquet it's more ahmp... It is defined as a formal meal for a large group of people miss Winternova" I explain and she looks at me with awe and a bit confused "Banquets are usually celebratory occasions, often with some sort of recognition ceremony held during the event. They are, for the most part, viewed as a more formal event reserved for things like weddings, large conferences, and other celebrations...."

She tilt her head with full of questions "Oh....." yan lang ang nasabi niya "right, what's that again?"

"You'll know when we get there" I said and the wind blow on her hair and one of her clip flew out. I put her down and pick the clip, I crouch on my spot to level her small body but she's still small. If only I had the chance  to pinch Esthelian face in her youth this close and touch her cheeks that would be wonderful. Yet I never had the chance to be get near her.

I put the clip back to her hair and she blushes and turn her face to her father and pointed her little fingers on my direction "Papa when I grow up can I marry kuya?"

Her parents and the other fairies in the room was left shocked, namutla lang sila sa sinabi ni miss Winternova.

"My dear daughter you can't marry your own brother"

"Mama, his just my fake brother which makes him not your illegitimate child so I can marry him..." I covered her mouth and she keeps talking

"But you're only 8 years old my dear"

"Well maybe when I turn 9" she said proudly. Nahimatay naman sila sa kinatatayuan nila

"Maybe someday" I said and she went over the moon. Binaba ko siya at tumakbo takbo lang siya sa sala na sumisigaw at winawagayway ang kamay sa ere

I darted my eyes back to her parents and the Viscountess became stress and the fairy look pale, they looked traumatized "My dear, our daughter's heart just bloom in such young age"

"Mana sakin" the viscount was proud of himself

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Pumasok na ako sa karwahe at lumukso siya sa harap ko at umupo habang yakap yakap ako.

"Miss Winternova be still" said the maid and she forbade her and buried her face on to my chest. I pat her wavy hair on my finger tips and I  smell her honey shampoo. "Miss lady you'll ruin lord Val's..."

"Shhh. His my husband" she said straight to her face and the maid turn pale white. Hinayaan kolang itong nakayakap sakin. Bumibisita rin ako sa Chateau at dun ko nakilala ang kanilang anak na sumisilio sakin habang nagbabasa ako ng libro. Hindi pa ako nun Erebus ng mahal na prinsesa. I was out to town to buy some gift for her birthday and that's when I met Esthelian. And that changes everything lalo na nung hinalikan niya ako bigla. A scorching heat is slowly rising from my head when I remember how her lips played. She's a good kisser despite not having in a relationship yet.

"Ahh my lord are you sick?" The maid are startling

"No"

"Kuya bat ka namumula?" Di ko sila sinagot at nginitian kolang sila sabay tingin sa labas ng bintana at malapit na kami sa kastilyo. Nakaramdama ako ng kaba habang papalapit na kami.

"Big brother are you nervous?"

"Yes, but I'm excited" she might be small but her brain is larger than her body.

Mayat maya naman dumating na kami at sabay na kaming pumasok sa palasyo kasama ng mga napakaraming bisita. We bump into someone and bow our heads together "My, you looks stunning!" Said the woman with her daughter. 

"Thank you, and so are you and your daughter"

"Whose this young man?"

"My..." I whisper on her and she slap the fan on her forehead. Everyone knows that I died when I was on the voyage with her highness Esthelian. A small hand trying to reach my finger and she jumping to reach it.

She stand in between and her hands on her waist and then pointed at me "His my husband" said she. The duchess laughed and they bought them. I kneel down "You save me today" I said while patting her head.

"Anything for my future husband"

"Husband daw" dinig kong bulungan ng ibang bisita at pinilit ko nalang balewalain. Tumayo na ako at nakita ko ang pamumula Ng pisnge ng anak niya

"Say something don't be shy" she poke me and I take the ladies hand and kiss it and I saw her cheeks blush again. Her eyes sparkles in a second.

"Pardon me, but thine eyes hold a glimmer that doth bewitch me, and I find myself entrance by thee"

The duchess was amused with my compliment. And something pinch my legs and it's miss Wintervona, she scrunch her nose, grumpy. She remind me Esthelian. I take her hand and go inside. The rooms filled with crystalized chandeliers, and the rooms filled with people with heavy jewels and displayed like peacocks with their big gowns.

The music played and waited for the Queens arrivals. And when she did the people was astonished by her unique fashion style. Over shadowing the people inside the large hallm the food was prepared on the table. The Viscountess approached the Queen and I became alarmed and wants to join the crowds but I stop when the Viscountess called me but I pretended not to hear her. From a distance I saw a woman talking with her friends. I approached her and the dance is about to start in a minutes.

I approached her without thinking, I became impulsive when men in the hall began to look for their partner. I want to be the first guy to picked her up so I can studied her but I failed when woman rushed to me. Surrounded me. Pero ang pinili kong isayaw ay anak ng duchess. I glide her to the center and surprised that she actually a good dancer. Whenever the music play her feet glide smoothly. And that create a massive amount of attention to us. My eyes keep on looking at the Duchess.

And finally I found her in the midst of the crowds. And when the music change the partnered couple broke apart, turning to a new dance companion and I take her hands and she her was the same like the duchess daughter. She didn't blink and she accidentally threaded my foot but I didn't react on her flustered apologies. And I ended the dance with a beautiful spin into flashy dips and flourishes. And I bow to her and leave. It's the only way to get her attention after I satisfied her with my dance.

"Mr.." I stop walking and face her. I was shock to see her diamond tears and I wipe it away. Shit my hand move by itself! It maybe because I don't want to see any women cry.

I never seen this eyes to my dear princess. And even I tried to wrapped her with lust, I ended up bleeding my nostrils out of control. "May I know your name? I never been In love with someone who dance beautifully. And I'm sorry for tramping over your foot"

"I assured my dance partner always be satisfied" Thy charm is like a sonnet from a bygone era, and I yearn to be the one to pen verse of affection for thee. May I asked for a second dance"

"Y-yes, yes of course" she answer with excite with a lil bit stuttering. I bow at her once again and waited for the next dance.

As the second dance was finished the people in the room swarm the table to eat. I wander around and she pop out of nowhere. Bigla niya akong sinubuan at manahan ko Naman itong tinikman habang ngininguya. Wala naman akong nalasahan na kakaiba at nilunok ko na ito.

"It's a bit shameful for me to be treated by a princess if you won't mind I'll return the favor" I said and I take the plate. Sinubuan ko siya at nang may dumumi sa tabi ng labi niya ay pinahiran ko naman. She turn red and flattered, startled.

Bigla siyang tumayo at nabuhusan siya ng wine sa damit at napasighap ang mga tao. Muntik na niyang pagalitan ang waiter pero pinigilan ko siya. At binalot sa kanya ang coat ko upang matabunan ang narumihan niyang puting damit.

Umakyat na kami kasama ang mga ladies-in-waiting niya. Nasa labas lang Ako at nag iisip Ng pwede kong gwapin upang makapasok sa silid na hindi ko pa nasusuri at hanapin ang mahal na hari. I need to kill one of the copy of the  Carnelian to insert her inside and heal the king with her power.

Bumukas na ang pinto at nakasuot Siya ng mas magandang damit at medyo nakilala ko ang desinyo nito. Parang nakita ko na. Teka di naman siguro damit ito ni Princess Esthelian?

"How do I look"

"You got my eyes already" I said and she and her Ladies giggled.

I saw someone coming form a distance and it was the duchess daughter and she was thrilled to meet me. "I was slooking for you" said she "Mom asked m..."

"Looking what are you talking about Amber ?" Princess royal Rozellina glance at me "You didn't tell you had a lady?"

"You are mistaken"

I never understand women but they are already fighting. Women are scary. To settle the nonsense argument. I choose Tonali over amber. I apologized to lady Amber and told her I'm gonna meet her later and leave with the Grand duchess.

"I haven't seen you before despite a son of a Viscountess"

"My apologies your grace but I'm just his cousin  "

"Oh, I thought, but you looked like him. I saw him that day on the training area"

This woman has good at remembering faces.

"He was like his father, A viscount  who always checking on Esther. My aunt gave him a tasked and still we haven't heard any good repost from him. I often see him in the court. I heard that the lunarian impested the town and I felt very sorry for the townsfolk. Natatakot rin ako sa narinig ko na hindi lang sila nagnanakaw kundi pumapatay rin sila ng mga sibilyan" I saw her fake empathy. I'm suspecting her because she hate my princess. If you hates her then I despised your entire existence.

She held my hand and dragged me to the palace halls and shows me the proud history of the past. I keep myself entertained; secretly gathering information. And she even let me see her painting. Magkatabi sila ng larawan ng prinsesa pero di siya nakakalahati sa ganda nito. She covered the half of her face with masked and I want to see it.

"Why are you wearing a mask... Ah if you don't mind me asking" Tanong ko at nabigla siya "Your already beautiful why hide it?"

"I'm a bit insecure" her eyes darted over Princess Esthelian's portrait "She ruined everything"

"Ruin?"

"I never showed this scar to anyone I don't wanna be judge. I don't want to be a laughingstock..." I stop her by slowly caressing her chin up to look at me. Her eyes speaks but her mouth shut close. This eyes was the same like Clarabelle look at me. This girl already showed her affection towards a stranger.

"Never let insecure pushed you away. Embraced that scar it's the thing that will makes you unique"

"I can't just do that, scars are marked of ugliness"

"If you keep doubting that, you'll never know what will happen, maybe someday people will used that insecurities against you" I said and her breath become heavy. She look down and I thought I went to far not until she remove her mask and saw a beautiful scar that creates a slit on her eyebrows. She shifted her gazed away

"See how ugly it is"

"It's not, I told you, you're already astonishing" I said with a whisper. And it didn't feel good to say those words to other woman beside my princess. Darn I miss her so bad. She look up to me with a lustful eyes "so shall we go back?"

"Yes" she said and when we go back we both heard a commotion fand we rushed to the halls and saw men on their knees completely tied up on a rope Infront of the Queen. The prime minister are here to witnessed the people who pretended to be a lunarian. The Queen was furious and raise her hand and I heard the satisfying slap.

"They caught them!!" Masayang sigaw na narinig ko sa tabi ko at si Amber iyon. "They finally caught them"

Naging masaya naman ako at I didn't expect to see the idiot from the crowds disguising themselves a woman. Bat nandito ang mga yan! Bumaba na kami at pumunta Ako sa mga sira ulo at sinbukan pa nilang hindi magpahalata. His trying to giggle and he sounds terrible.  I pick a fork and poke his balls.

"Maniac, how dare you.."he covered it

"Don't poked someone's balls like that!"

I sighed it's a good thing I'm used to it. Juneau rangers are a bit playful in nature.

"Stop messing with me, what are you doing here. I told you to keep your eyes.."

"We already did, the Benzylliette are already on the king's room" sabay appear nila at nilakahan ako ng mata ng isa kong kasamahan parang sinasabi na may tao sa likuran ko.

"Who are this ugly people?" Said the grand duchess with disgust

Medyo natawa ako kase nainsulto sila "Ugly? Excuse me your just jealous because we outshine you today, period!"

"Slay...!" Sabay nilang lahat at nainsulto siya.