The Montelier Bride

Chapter 8: From This Day Forward

PARA akong nabato sa napagtanto ngunit halos manlambot din ang mga binti ko rito. Hindi ako lubos makapaniwala na sa teoryang ito, posibleng mawalan ng saysay ang lahat ng pinaghirapan ko makatakas lamang sa Institusyon. Na ang kalayaang sa wakas ay dinaranas ko ngayon ay pawang sandaling ilusyon na magdadala rin sa 'kin bandang huli pabalik sa impiyerno. Na ang buhay na pilit kong sinasalba ay lalo ko lang pinahahamak sa bawat pagtangka ko na lumayo mula sa kaniya. 

I looked at my feet, contemplating the possibility of him going for Caesar instead of me. What if he's not hunting me because he wants me back? What if he's actually driving me away from Caesar so I won't hinder his plan to attack him in the future? After all, with me neither in the Institution nor on Caesar's side, nothing will stop him from finishing the quest. 

Unblinking, with his breathing turning ragged, he asked for the nth time. "What's wrong? Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" It seemed like he was angry, yet the way he cupped my face with both his palms was nothing but gentle.

"You're really troublesome, Caesar Montelier," I said, whimpering at the hopelessness of our situation. It's almost funny how our fates have been tangled since the day I first met him. "Of all the people who could save me back then, it has to be you... haha..." 

"Huh? I can't hear you. What were you saying?"

Kapag nabura ang mga Montelier sa Central, wala nang matitirang pigura na may sapat na lakas at impluwensya para panatilihin ang balanse. 'Pagkat tanging ang paghinga na lamang ni Caesar ang hadlang para sa mga taong sa dilim nagkukubli. At para matiyak na mananatili sila roon... 

"I'm just disappointed," I smiled cheekily, making him more confused with his already wrinkled forehead and creased brows.

"With what?" He pulled his body back away from me slightly. "What do you mean?"

"You're here proposing, yet don't even have a ring."

Animo'y naplantsa ng mga katagang binitawan ko ang ekspresyon niya at mas pinalaylay naman nito ang bibig niyang nakabuka. "Wait... ang ibig mo bang sabihin..." Akma na sanang sisilay ang tagumpay sa kaniyang mukha pero nang hindi ko dinugtungan ang pangungusap ay nayuyukong hinayaan niya akong magsalita.

"What's the catch?" the young master asked, sensing the ulterior motive behind my response. "There must be since you were so opposed to the idea just a second ago. If there's a condition I must fulfill to make you say 'yes,' tell me and consider it done." 

"Makinig kang mabuti, Caesar Kinette Montelier," tuon ko sa kanya bago pa man mabigyang linaw ang magiging koneksyon naming dalawa. Sa pagkakabanggit ko sa buo niyang pangalan na 'di lantad sa publiko, tiyak kong may bumbilyang muli na lumiwanag sa gilid ng kanyang sentido. 'Pagkat dagdag patunay ito na nabibilang ako sa mundong nakakakilala nito.

Naitanggal niya ang mga palad niya sa mga pisngi ko. "I guess you are different," he commented before compressing his lips in a restrained, polite smile, almost as if holding back something that should instead be left unshown. "Go on. Tell me. What would it take for you to agree to be my wife?"