CHAPTER 23

E N D E M I O N

I keep pacing back and forth, circling the room, watching from the window. Marvan just being contented, laying on the bed, reading some fictional novel that was brought to him by the maid, there are about 30 books piled on the table. Isa palang ang nababasa niya.

I sighed heavily casting bitterness on my mouth and heard that idiot mocking me. Nauubos na ang pasensya ko.

"Sakit nun ah" padinig pa niya, Abat!

"Shut that crap, I'm not in the mood"

"I senses heartbreak..." Di ko siya pinatapos ng batuhin ko siya. Kanina pa akong pinagtatawanan gago talaga.

The new prince was different from his older brother. His rebel nature didn't last. Mukhang talong talo siya sa bangis nito. Prince Nilfiem, he was the role model and standards, women go crazily on him. He was perfect of how father used to described him.

"Frustrating" as I gazed out the window a whisper escaped my lips, my impatience growing as the sun sank beneath the horizon, surrendering it's brilliance to the encroaching tendrils of twilight. The glow daylight waned overshadowed by the advancing darkness. Conquering the land bringing the world to slumber.

"Strangely, I could not hear a though of not seeing her"

"Mind your mouth Marvan"

"...Someone is jealous"

"Damn it!" I hissed at him and he cross his leg, poker face. A page flipped over, the crisp sound of the paper like a hissed of laughter. My mind keeps repeating those scenarios in my head!! Darn it!

            An attendant announced their arrival and I immediately left the room to met her.

           As I drew near I saw three individuals assisted by the people, supposed to be an archbishops. I stop for a while waiting for them and as the archbishop made their way to the Chapel they turn their faces on my direction. Di ako natutuwa sa paghawak niya sa kamay ni Sakumi.

"Sami?" I called her and she rushed towards some and buried her face on my back. "What's wrong?"

Mukhang takot na takot siya. Wag lang sanang may ginawa siyang masama sa batang ito dahil makakapatay ako ng prinsepe "His coming!! Hid me please!"

"I can't do that..." Napatahimik naman ako ng humarap ito sakin "Oh your highness" before I raised my face, I saw his eyes darted to Sami's direction. Readying my arms to secure her away from him.

"Sam, I told you, it's okay it's was just an accident, and also I thank you for being my saviour"

SAM? Sam?!!

"Saviour.. w-what happen?" I asked

"We have encountered a kurasami on the Oaken side Village, a portal shows up on that place which is a sign that the darkness is coming very soon. Nakapakulit niya at sumunod sakin muntik narin siyang mapahamak pero mukhang nagkamali rin ako at minaliit ko ang kakayahan niya... She surprised me" Naramdaman ko ang pagbitaw ni Sakumi sa damit ko at sumilip ang prinsepe

"Sam it was the best date I had"

"Date?!"

DATE!!!!

Those word stung me, I felt as if a knife stab me out of nowhere. His taking her on a date! She's a child. Not a bloomiette!!

"Endemion?" Sami voice woke me from my senses. She raised the katana on me. Hindi ito yung binigay ko sa kanya mukhang bigay ng taong yun.

"So how's the tour around town?" Tanong ko at mukhang masaya ang pakikitungo sa kanya ng prinsepe. The prince stood in front of me and I bow my head at his presence, with a smile on his face, like he had the best night with her.

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Marvan was sparring with the crown prince in the courtyard. Di naman sila nag iisa andun din ang ibang guardian na nag eensayo. Sakumi is sitting right next to him, a book of history was revealed on a delicate flower. She was indeed curious about everything. It's a good thing she finally open the new chapter of her.

My eyes darted on girl sitting beside Sakumi. Silently nibbling on her dessert, that girls name was Aoi, Princess Lavelle's lady-in-waiting. She master the bow and arrow. She just arrived a moment ago, alone.

As my thoughts swirled. I eyes darted back to the prince. Bukas na bukas tuturuan niya rin si Sakumi na paano gumamit ng bostaff.

Kasama narin ang martial arts para makuha ang balance at bilis ng katawan habang hawak hawak ang sandata. Magagamit niya rin ang bawat technique na ipamamalas sa kanya bago ito aalis ng trono.

The aroma of green tea lingered inside the room. Pouring a cup of tea, he held out a cup to her which she took gratefully.

"Remember" he reiterated to her "You're everyone's guardian, you treated each season's bearer equally, you can also bring Aoi with you is the new bearer of winter didn't wants her, she can be your partner"

The girl clapped in excitement and wrapped her hands on Sakumi's arms. Sakumi made a friend from the other side.

"Nga pala Endemion can I borrow sakumi again. I've heard you were the real guardian of my brother together with that baron, named Marvan and the other platoons recruited by master Shitoru. You're already greater in numbers,  so I've decided to offered a new job for sakumi, I want her to work with me in the palace"

She choked and spat out a mouthful of tea, coughing and spluttering, she only managed to wheeze a word out  "W-what?"

"Is there a problem?"

"W-well" she snuck a peek on me and the prince wants me to decide. I saw Sakumi eyes, she was anxious and wants me to answer.

But I can't decide that, it's up to her. Whenever the decisions are made it's okay, as long she is far from danger. She's still a child I can't just rushed her to come with me. The world is too big for a flower ".....She should be the one to decide your highness" I said with a slight bow. "It's her decision..not mine"

I saw how shocked she was, and she couldn't even uttered a word. I know she's not that matters to me. Pero hindi naman ako papayag na Basta basta ko siya ibigay sa kung kahit kanino. She's still a bloomian.

As I was dismissed I bowed before I left. Walking silently, my eyes are drawn to the spectacle all around me the wall, adorned with canvases that houses flickering candles, casting a warm and golden glow over the entire hallway. The light danced upon the beautifully embellished walls, where intricate painting come to life telling the tales of stonecore bearer long past.

As I walked further inside. I found myself in the haleart of the grand hall. The wall were canvas if their own, adorned  with breathtaking frescoes that depict the legendary progenitors of the four district sword style, each stroke of the artisan's brush brought to life the valor and grace of these ancient guardians.

There's heaviness in my chest. Maybe it's because a friend was stolen by someone. It must be it.

I sat by balcony, watching the mountains, blankets with fogged. Petals are dancing in the winds and one landed on my lap.

I heard a footsteps coming and saw Sakumi, she was assisted by a maid. I stood up and the maid was the one to noticed my presence and she didn't mind me following from behind. As I drew near, I extended my arms and lightly touch her shoulder. In a swift instance, her body quivered and her gazelzed snapped around to meet mine. However, the initial reactions lm swiftly faded replaced by a fleeting expression of puzzlement, only to quickly transform into one of recognition. In a subtle display of deference, she offered a slight bow, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke "L-lord Endemion"

Di ko man din alam pero gusto ko muna siyang makasama bago pa siya kunin ng prinsepe sa palasyo. Siguro napag desisyonan  na ba niya? Mas mabuti narin yun para hindi siya mapahamak.

"Sami you have forgotten"

"Sensya na na pressured lang siguro kanina" she brush her strands of hair back. Mukhang marami siya gustong sabihin pero parang nahihiya pa siya at nagdadalawang isip pa. Tahimik lang kaming nakasunod sa likuran ng maid.

"So what is your decision?" I broke the awkward silence and she raised her face to see me and was stunned to see her smiling at me, what is that smile supposed to mean?

"I want to stay with you" she said then puff her cheeks.

That word just pushed the doubts away that bothering me a moment ago. "Come again" I want her to repeat it maybe I was just hallucinating

"I said I'm not staying with you" she clarified it. I sighed. Sabi ko na nagkamali lang ako ng pandinig "De joke lang, ano kaba di kita iiwan partner tayo Diba, we had a promised"

Medyo naiilang na ako sa nararamdaman ko. Di ko alam na bat bigla nalang ako naging Masaya. Bat ganito bat parang nag wagi sa patimpalak. My chest was srapidly beating and I felt her small hand held mine.

"Would you mind" she raised her katana. The one that the prince brought to her.

"Ano naman ang gagawin ko dyan" Sabi ko na may halong inis. "Nasan ang binigay ko sayo?"

"Wag ka po magalit, naiwan ko po sa kwarto"

Dun palang napansin ko na para akong nagseselos sa reaksyon ko. I should not be affected and not to let her noticed that I was irritated

"I'm sorry di Naman kita pinagalitan... Tsaka diba binigay yan sayo?"

"Oo"

"Tapos bat mo naman ibibigay sakin?" Pag yan napasakamay ko idudurog ko yan.

"Gusto kong turuan mo ako, sparring tayo" excited na sabi niya at narinig ko ang ngingit, pahiwatig na masyado nang malalim ang gabi.

"Gabi na Sami, kailangan mong magpahinga diba may bostaff lesson kang gagawin bukas"

"Ayy Oo nga pala"

"Mukhang close na close kayo ah"

"Ah oo nga e, nashock nga rin ako na kukunin niya ako sa palasyo pero andun yung doubt ko e. Di kita kayang iwan"

I wish she could she how adorable she was. I tried to deny it but now I can't. Bata pa ito pa pa kaya pag magdadalaga na.

"Ikaw bahala desisyon mo"

I know the reason. You told me that you want to be stronger like me so you won't be a nuisance. Ikaw narin ang nagpapatunay na Hindi mahihina ang kababaihan. I was proud because this is the first time history a girl  will embark on a journey. Such gallant for a small body

"Here we are" said the maid then later leaves us. Binuksan na rin niya ang pinto at balak ko nang umalis. Someone tugged my clothes and it had me stop and I lean back.

"Yes?" Napatanong naman ako, mukhang may gusto talaga siyang sabihin pero di niya alam pano ito sabihin "Is it about working on the palace?" Inunahan ko na siya, tumango naman ito "Wag ka mag alala mabait ang mga tao dun at mas ligtas ka dun kesa dito

I just heard her growl and knitted her eyebrows at me, mark of disapproval on her facial expression, " You have forgotten something..."

"Ano naman yun Sami" Ikaw talaga konte nalang kukurutin ko na yang pisnge mo.

"I'm going with you"

Those send relief on my nerves. "Because?"

"I hate you aminin mo nalang na ayaw mo akong kasama.. aray aray!!" Di ko na napigilan kinurot ko na ang pisnge niya.

"I never shut you off, never" I patted her head and planting a small peck of kiss on her forehead. "Bilis na kailangan mo nang matulog" I said and lean back, but she was rooted on her spot, her face slowly growing red. Lips quivering, eyes widen in shock.

My realization took me, sino ba naman ang hindi mabibigla kong may taong hahalikan ka ng walang dahilan. Sensya kana Sami nagdala lang ako sa emosyon ko. You don't know how adorable you are. I approached her, but with each step I took, she would only move further away, putting a good distance between us. Until she finally realized thay she was cornered. Her back pressed against the wall. She frantically pushed me out.

Before I could take another step she slammed the door on my face 

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•

I knocked on her door and she didn't reply. "Sami im sorry I was just..."

The door flew opened before I could finish the word I'm saying, and she's pouting "Just what?" She even sounded like mumbling.

I scratch my head, finding a good reason for my bad attempt, but I don't want to lie, she's an angel "I was thankful because you choose to stay"

"Of course, why would I leave you, you were the first person to open his doors for someone like me"

"Someone like you?"

"I'm just a simple flower Endemion, others florishia hates me, but you, born nobility a duke son, yet you treated me equally and you don't know how much impact it gives to my entire being, I can't thank you enough, allow me to trained myself so I can be better used to you someday"

Unsure of how to respond, I placed my hands on her head patted her and she seemed melted away, I didn't speak maybe I am bad with words. But those words slips on her mouth was heartwarming. She just carved something, placing her territory in my heart.

I scratched my cheek, skittishly

"Sige na matulog kana"

She nodded and planted a small peck on my cheek "Good night Endemion" It took about few seconds before I finally woke up from being lost in thoughts. "Endemion?" She poked my cheek

"Good night din Sami, see you tomorrow"

I can feel her soft lips on my cheek. I felt something deep within me, it caused my stomach to twist like knots. Tinamaan ako dun ah.

Shikkari shite Endemion!!

As about she was to close her door, a shock wave of light headedness attacked, causing me to loose my balance and tumbled and knocked over to Sami. Both of us fell on the ground; I'm on top of her.  Her palms is on my chest while my hand were placed on both side of her face so that my weight wasn't completely pressing down on her. I felt some intense hit crawling up to my face and I immediately stood and lend a hand to help her to rise up.

"I'm sorry Sam, it's just...." another wave shook my head again and I fell onto my knees. "Endemion anong nangyayari sayo?!.." I heard her voice, panicking but my head causing me to loose my mind.

Anong nangyayari sakin? I stood up and lend her a hand before I went over the window and looked up to the shaded dark sky and finally realized that it was tonight. I pressed my back against the wall on the corner. Parang dinudurog ang utak ko. My hair slowly turned white and I rushed to go back to my room before someone spotted me.

As I reach the room. I decided to locked myself. I shut the door behind me and sat on the chair and removed my gloves. I reached my hand on the flower, beautiful rose it's leaves reaching mine but then it just withered fast. It's beauty was taken away.

A knocked on the door was heard. Followed by another soft knocked. But I didn't respond.  "Endemion?" The person behind the door is Sakumi, she followed me here. "Endemion are you alright?"

"I'm just tired Sami, go back to sleep"

"Okay sige, but if you needed my assistant just call me okay?"

"I will" I shortly replied and heard her faint click heels on the tiled floor. I sighed in relief and touch the dead flower as my finger touch it's stem it burst into ashes.

In this condition I will hurt Sakumi. The light of the moon lit the dim room and spring open the curtain and saw the crescent moon with a star beside it.

Bukas na bukas babalik lang ako sa dati. I saw my strands of hair, turn white. No one knew about this condition of mine but only the people on the manor except for the maids and butler.

When the night came to hunt me, father locked me into my room. Because of this curse. Death

A petals landed on my hand but it just squeeze dry. Another petals landed and it ended in the same fate.

I needed to know what is the reason why I had this curse. I spend my days on the lab, hoping for a miracle, an antidote to cure me from this condition. I need more time..