Second update for today, hooray! Makabawi man lang sa hindi ko pag-update nung Christmas hehe.

Enjoy reading, bbs!

Dedicated to calexxandria!! Thank you for your patience and support!!

**

"Why me?"

Her knees wobbled as she finally surrendered her body. She stumbled to the ground, broken and in pain.

Life hasn't been particularly in favor of her. She was exposed to every negative aspect of all realms at a young age. Her story could almost be written. From her going missing and being silently protected, to her family being the most noble, to her supportive friends, and even to her being her professor's favorite student. 

It was as if everything was set up for her to be the main character in a tragedy or maybe, melodrama.

"I don't want to die." 

Damien was quick enough to support her head before the rest of her body collapsed. His left hand engulfed her body, while his right hand reached for her wet cheek, gently pressing her head against his chest.

"I can't..."

She cried even more as a result of what he did. She was letting go of every shattered piece of herself. She was so messed up that she is no longer trying to put her broken pieces back together.

For what good is completeness if she knows that death will remain her endgame?

"You should breathe." Utos ni Damien sa kanya.

Mahina siyang natawa at pilit nilalabanan ang pagbigat ng talukap ng kanyang mata. Sinubukan niyang huminga ngunit tila may nakabara sa kanyang dibdib.

"I said, breathe." Matigas nitong ulit.

Tears streamed from the corners of her sleepy eyes, causing her vision to blur. Her ears began to malfunction, causing her to hear his muffled voices. And her heart was racing, but she couldn't bring herself to breathe because her lungs were refusing to cooperate.

"Fuck."

Luna felt her body being lifted and then found herself lying on a soft mattress.

"I told you to breathe properly, Amara!"

She expected her to collapse, but she wasn't expecting Damien to grab her hands before gripping her jaw with his free hand and parting her lips while using his mouth to give her air.

Luna stared at him with wide eyes. Lalo ata siyang nawalan nang hininga sa ginagawa ni Damien ngayon sa kanya.

When he parted their lips to check on her, all she could do was close her eyes and welcome the darkness. 

Was it because of the shock? Maybe.

"Should we call Lady Doreena?"

"We definitely should." 

Naalimpungatan si Luna dahil sa halo-halong mga boses na ngayo'y kanyang naririnig. Idagdag na rin ang pagpupunas sa kanyang mga braso ng kung sinoman.

"How was she before she collapsed?"  

Mariin niyang pinikit ang mga mata matapos marinig ang panibagong boses at nang makaramdam ng kakaibang sensasyon sa kanyang katawan, hindi na niya kailangan pang alamin kung sino iyon.

Lady Doreena continued to examine her body, but she pretended to sleep. If that's the first question they ask her, she'll probably pass out again.

"I'm not sure, Lady. She was with Dame earlier, and he is the only one who knows." 

"Pareng Damien lang malakas." Para ata siyang mabibilaukan sa sinabi ni Veton.

"Stop fooling around. Bring him to me." 

Pangalan pa lang ng binata'y halos lumabas na ang kanyang puso sa sobrang kaba, paano pa kaya kung makita niya ulit ito?

He didn't kiss her; he simply gave her some air to breathe, but their lips were pressed against each other, so that's kissing, right?

"Lady, what happened to her?"

Luna's heart skipped a beat when she realized they're probably thinking something happened between them. Knowing Damien, they should have expected it to be unpleasant, so why is she panicking?

"She most likely passed out from shock. Even though she is sleeping, her heart continues to beat rapidly."

Para naman siyang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa narinig. Hindi pa naman siguro napapansin ni Lady Doreena na gising na siya at nakiki-chismis na lang.

"Hindi kaya..." 

Pinigilan ni Luna'ng dumilat nang marinig ang mapang-akusang boses ni Veton. 

Kailan ba mananahimik itong lalaking 'to?

"Inatake siya sa puso?!"

Pasimpleng siyang napahinga ng malalim at nagpasalamat sa katangan ng binata dahil kung hindi, mapaamin siya ng wala sa oras.

"Bobo mo." Rinig niyang lait ni Pream.

"Lady."

If her heart was racing when she awoke, hearing his voice inside her room made her feel as if she was about to die from fear and nervousness.

"What did you do?"

And she jolted awake when she felt a presence sitting on the side of her bed, just to wipe the sweat from her forehead and neck.

Nagpapanic niyang siniksik ang sarili sa dulo ng kanyang kwarto at nagtago sa likod ng kurtina para makaiwas sa kanilang lahat.

"Amara!" Tawag ni Lady Doreena kay Luna na hindi niya pinansin.

"Luna lang!"

Malaki ang mga mata ni Luna'ng nakahawak sa kanyang bibig na tila may naalalang kahihiyan.

Damien stared at her with his tongue pushed on the insides of his cheek, obviously trying to restrain himself from laughing at her reaction.

How dare him?!

"Why are you so tense? You've only just gotten out of bed! Please get back here right away, young lady." Istriktang utos ni Lady Doreena sa kanya.

Dahan dahan namang naglakad pabalik sa kama ang dalaga habang nakahawak pa rin sa kanyang bibig. Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa kanyang dinadaanan at kay Damien bago tuluyang naupo sa kama.

"How are you feeling?"

Tumango naman siya habang nagsasalita nang nakatakip pa rin ang bibig. Wala tuloy silang maintindihan kahit isa.

Veton tsked at hinatak ang kamay ni Luna. "Anong meron? Kinagat ka ba?"

What he said caused her to choke on her own saliva. Her brows furrowed as she reached out his hand to pull his hair back in order to get back at him. 

Who or what is he to jump to conclusions?!

"Amara." Natigil sila sa harutan nang marinig ang seryosong tinig ni Lady Doreena.

Binigyan muna ni Luna ng huling sabunot si Veton bago tahimik na umupo ng maayos sa tabi ni Damien. Pasimple pa siyang umusog palayo para lamang makalayo sa binata.

"Is your head aching?" Umiling naman siya.

"Do you feel any pain?" Saglit siyang napaisip bago muling umiling.

She actually didn't know why she passed out, or more particularly, how she was able to collapse just because he kissed her.

Okay, correction, he just gave her some air.

"Why are you hiding your mouth? Anong ginawa mo?" Biglang tanong ni Lady Doreena.

When she felt her blood rising to her face and her cheeks began to heat up, she knew she couldn't lie to them while looking them in the eyes, so she threw her body back on the bed—her face first.

"It hurts." Pagdadahilan niya.

"Really? May kumagat?" Asar ni Damien kaya kusang lumipad ang paa niya rito na nasalo naman ng binata.

"Please, leave me alone. Ang babaho niyo." Nanghihina niyang pakiusap sa mga kaibigan niya.

"Ikaw nga yung mabaho." Veton shot back.

Parang patay na bumangon mula sa hukay na naglakad si Luna papalapit sa kaibigan na nagmamadali namang kumaripas ng takbo papalabas. 

Nahatak, or more like, hinatak pa nga nito si Iraia na biglang nagtititili.

"I love you, Luna bear!" He even threw a flying kiss bago makalayo.

"May nangyari ba?" Tanong ni Enfys.

"Oo nga, may hindi ka ba sinasabi?" Chismosang sagot ni Sefarina na pinaglalaruan ang buhok ni Arrow na hindi naman nagrereklamo.

When she didn't respond, she could feel their gazes on her and, most likely, on the man seated inches away from her—especially from their red-eyed friend.

"May nangyari sa inyong dalawa?" He swiftly asked na ikinabangon ni Luna.

His question sounded so wrong in any aspect!

Tinuro niya ang nakabukas niyang pinto at binigyan sila ng hilaw na ngiti. "Leave."

Pream grinned at her reaction and whispered something to the two lady Pharaohs, who appeared befuddled. Luna witnessed how their expressions changed from having a big question mark to meaningful stares from her, then back at the half-blood.

"Lady, I'm sorry pero evicted na rin po kayo." Yumuko pa siya tanda nang paghingi ng paumanhin at lakas loob na hinatak ito palabas.

Luna was quick enough to close the door and wave her fingers before Lady Doreena could even say anything.

Huminga siya ng malalim at padausdos na umupo sa lapag habang dinadala ang mga kamay sa likod ng kanyang ulo.

She frustratedly messed up her hair while mentally reprimanding herself for not thinking clearly. She's well aware of how her heart burns for the half-blood, but this time is different.

"Why am I even frustrated? CPR lang naman 'yon ah." Pagpapagaan niya sa loob niya na hindi umepekto.

"May mukha pa ba akong maihaharap?" Naaawa niyang bulong sa sarili at padabog na nag-martsa patungo sa kanyang kama.

But she came to a halt when she saw the man she was trying to avoid lying comfortably on her bed, his eyes following every movement she made.

She opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it due to her inability to utter even a single word. She counted from 1 to 3 before pointing to the door she had been at just seconds before.

"Layas!" Singhal niya sa binata pero siya ang tumakbo palabas.

Parang batang nakagawa ng kasalanang nakatayo si Luna sa gitna ng tatlong sadista niyang kaibigan. Sefarina's in front of her, sitting comfortably like a queen while looking at her from head to toe.

Iraia is encircling her, her eyes judging her every move like a detective, whereas Enfys is just staring at them, unbothered and completely sane, unlike their other friends.

"Aamin ka o aamin ka?" Tanong ni Sefarina na tila nanghahamon ng away.

She wasn't sure whether it was a good thing or not when her uncle—her father's brother—came into the picture. When her friends' attention was drawn to her uncle and they greeted their visitor, she was able to breathe normally.

"Don't worry, ladies. I'm just here to visit my only niece."

Nakayukong hinarap ng tatlo si Luna na napaturo sa sarili.

"Ako po?" Tanga niyang tanong na ikinatango ng heneral.

Nakangiwing yumuko si Luna habang tahimik nilang binabaybay ang bridge patungo sa main building. Ngayong kasama niya ang General, ang kapatid ng kanyang papa, mas lalo lang niyang nakuha ang atensyon ng mga tao.

"Amara, hey." Tawag nito sa atensyon ng pamangkin.

"Sorry po. Hindi lang po kasi ako sanay na pinagtitinginan ng mga tao." Paga-amin niya na ikinangiti naman nito.

"Your uncle won't be a General for nothing, right? Sabihin mo lang kung sinong sira ulong nagbalak pag-usapan ka, I'll definitely let them dig their own graves." Maangas nitong ani na ikinangiwi niya lalo.

Alanganin siyang natawa at hindi malaman ang sasabihin. Hindi naman siya aware na ganito pala ka-brutal magsalita ang uncle niya.

"Papatayin niyo sila, uncle?" Mahina niyang tanong na ikinatawa nito ng malakas.

Beau messed her hair before wrapping his arm on her shoulder. "You silly lady. I won't do that even if I want to. We are a family and families are supposed to not hurt each other."

"Always remember that."

She nodded slowly, but silently disagreed with what her uncle Beau said. Why is their grandfather treating them this way if what he said was true?

Pasimple siyang napailing at tahimik na sinundan ang kanyang uncle na walang tigil sa pagdaldal na hindi kalaunan ay sinabayan na rin niya dahil para namang kaya niyang manahimik.

"Before I forget." Tumigil si Beau sa paglalakad at hinarap siya.

"Do you know the reason why I am here?" Nakangiti nitong tanong na ikinatango naman niya.

"Kasi babantayan mo ang academy?" Patanong niyang sagot na ikinataas ng kilay ni Beau.

"Partly yes but the main reason is to train you, kid."

Lumuwa ang mata niya at tinuro ang kanyang uncle. 

Is she hearing things or is it really one of the greatest generals in their realm's about to train her?!

"No." She unbelievably uttered at napaatras pa.

Napahalakhak naman si Beau sa naging reaksyon ng pamangkin. Masaya nitong pinanood kung paano mawalan ng kulay ang kanyang mukha at kung paano siya napahawak sa balikat nito.

Hinawakan naman ni Luna ang kanyang kamay para pigilan itong gumalaw dahil baka masakal niya ang kanyang uncle.

"Uncle, I'm sorry. Parang may buhay kasi 'tong katawan ko na nananakit ng taong nagpapakulo ng dugo ko." Alanganin niyang tawa at mahigpit na hinawakan ang kanang kamay.

Tumaas naman ang kilay ni Beau at pinagkrus ang braso nito.

"Anong ginawa ko sayo, bata?"

Napamura si Luna sa tonong ginamit sa kanya ng kanyang uncle. Kulang na lang ay maihi siya sa kanyang kinatatayuan dahil sa takot na dinulot ng inasta sa kanya ni Beau.

Sa lolo niyang gusto na ata siyang balatan ng buhay ay hindi siya kinikilabutan pero sa uncle niya, parang gusto na lang niyang lumuhod at manghingi ng kapatawaran sa kanyang ginawang hindi kaaya-aya kahit wala naman.

"Isusumbong kita kay papa, uncle." Banta naman niya na ikinatawa lang nito.

"I'm kidding, Amara. Tara nga, papakainin muna kita." Anito at hinatak ang pamangkin papunta sa Ensiv.

Masaya namang umupo si Luna habang sineserve ng mga Hana ang mga pagkain sa lamesa nila. Her uncle obviously knew about how big her appetite is. Sa bagay, wala namang hindi nakakaalam.

"Carry on, my favorite niece. Alam kong gutom ka na." Asar sa kanya ni Beau at kinindatan pa siya.

"Ako lang naman pamangkin mo." She counter-attacked before pushing a spoonful of beef in her mouth.

From her peripheral vision, she noticed her uncle signaling his people, whom she couldn't see, before bending forward near her.

"You're aware of the situation we're in, am I correct?" Maingat nitong tanong sa kanya.

Sunod sunod namang tumango si Luna habang ngumunguya at panay ang subo ng mga pagkain.

She is not naive. She knows that her papa didn't send his brother to protect the academy or train her for nothing more than that.

Her uncle has come to see her. To keep her safe. Like he's been doing ever since.

"And you know how dangerous for you to be alone during this time, right?" Tumango ulit si Luna bago humigop sa kanyang juice.

"Will you be in favor of having some people who'll look after you?"

Natigil sa pag-inom si Luna at ilang beses napakurap. 

She looked at him before nodding slowly. She was well aware that her grandfather would continue to trouble her even after her death, not unless he died.

And she needs as much help as she can get to stay alive and win the battle within them.

"It'll be bothersome but this is the only way so we can guarantee your safety, my little niece." Malambot na sabi ni Beau sa kanya.

They lost her once and all hell will break loose before they can successfully take her again away.

"I'll be good, uncle. Hindi ako tatakas." Bungisngis na pangako ni Luna na ikinaliit ng mata ni Beau.

"Siguraduhin mo lang, Amara." Ngising anito na tila may ibig sabihin.

Although her memories are still being restored, her uncle's protectiveness was never hidden from her.

She is her family's sole princess, and she is well aware of the lengths to which they will go to protect her from danger and death.

It makes no difference if her uncle has to face death himself; as long as his niece is safe, he'll gladly accept death.

All for his favorite niece.

**