Chapter 55: Poison and Blood



Author's Note:



If you think you already know everything, then you better think again. ;) - well, this is about the revelations.



It was 2014 when I first wrote Saudade and I was really thankful to all the readers who gave support and encouragement for me to continue this work. I remembered those times when I was struggling to find a cover for this story, and I was glad to have readers who are willing to share their talents. I'll be forever grateful to Hime Zarla Quirao for letting me use her art as the cover for Saudade. You will always have a place in these pirates' heart.And now that it's going to be five years already since I wrote it, I decided to pick a new cover from 2019 talented readers who wanted to share their art. And this time, I'd like to use Jeyne Riego Torrealba's entry as the cover for Saudade. I also want to show my gratitude to the readers who showed their talent and shared their Saudade covers. You have no idea of the difficulty I had been through in choosing the final cover because your works are really great; you guys are really awesome! Please continue nurturing your talent because there's really so much potential in you. You're still young and you have a lot of time ahead of you - so learn more and share your God-given skills.



Well, I think I'm blabbering too much now, so please enjoy this chapter and write me your insights. ;)



- Siel Alstreim







Betray my own blood or embrace my bloodline.



What would you do if you find out that you're the wicked witch in your own fairy tale? Are you going to stay in the castle and pretend that you're a pure, kindhearted princess? Or let the curse run in your veins and unleash evil in the rising kingdom? Whatever path I was going to choose, I still have to put my blood on it; whatever decision I was going to make, it would still come with an understandable reason. It felt like a sick dream at first and I was expecting to be jolted awake in my own room in the East Castle. But when the night came, I realized that it wasn't just a nightmare that resulted from a bad day. It was the painful truth that struck me like a bomb because I had believed in lies for a long time. I had been living in lies throughout my life.



I was deep with my thoughts that I didn't notice Cecilia entering the room. She was holding gowns in her arms and somehow, it gave me the same feeling like when we were still in the Pirate City and she was helping me to get dressed. I wondered what she was thinking that time, serving the woman whose blood had killed her masters.



She laid the dresses on the bed; there were actually two of them: one was an off-shouldered red gown that would show my cleavage and my arms, and the other one was a golden evening dress which neckline had gone lower to the middle of my stomach and would show most part of my breast and the skin of my back - one wrong move and I was afraid it would show my crowns. So, leaving me with no other choice, I picked the red number.



"Not in the mood for gold, my lady?" she asked casually as she helped me wear the dress.



"They're both beautiful. I just don't think that I should be wearing that kind of clothing at this moment." I answered politely. I didn't want her to think that I was too skeptical of the kind of wardrobe she was giving me.



She didn't respond a word. She just remained silent until I couldn't handle it anymore. I decided to speak when she was gently tugging at my messy, wavy hair.



"Do you hate me, Cecilia?"



She stopped amidst combing my hair. I bit my lip as I waited knowing the answer well. Ofcourse, she would hate me. After everything, she was still serving me like I was some kind of a spoiled, rich lady who couldn't even dress herself.



"I know you do." I added when she kept her silence. "It's alright. I understand. If you're going to pull my hair harshly, I'll probably let you."



She continued combing my hair and said, "I do hate you, my lady. After all, you're still a Crimson and it's clearly showing through these beautiful fiery hair of yours. But I saw you choose the right thing many times and everytime you do it, my hatred somehow lessens. You don't know how happy I was when you decided to bring the injured pirates with you to the Mainland. It was like seeing hope for the first time, that maybe, evil doesn't really come from the blood."



I smiled as I looked at her through the mirror. She didn't know how I was washed with relief by just her words. There was no need for me to be worried of being poisoned through the food she was serving me or for my hair to be pulled off from my scalp.



"How did you end up in the Pirate City?" I asked.



She stared at me wondering if she would answer the question or not. "I was sent by Lord Boris to send a message to the Skull. He hid it by proposing to the West Castle to send me as a spy to the Pirate City. In the end, I was able to accomplish what I was told. I delivered the message to Lord Threy Weston and assist the West Land's fleet with the Pirate City's fall."



Memories of her rescuing me with a navy ship flashed on my mind. I could still remember my hatred towards her upon learning that she was the one who betrayed the pirates. But now that I learned more than what I knew back then, I understood why she did those things. She was a loyal servant of the Borgian Kingdom. They planned this retaliation for years and she would do anything not to ruin it - even though she had to see dead pirates and soldiers sank to the depth of the sea.



"Thank you, Cecilia," I murmured "For saving me." She just gave me a small smile as she continued fixing my hair. She just let the red, soft waves fall and put some colors to my face. I sighed as I stared at my reflection.



"Your beauty is glowing as ever. However, you don't seem to be happy with the way you look. Perhaps, you should change into the golden one?" Cecilia commented.



I winced as I glanced at the evening dress on my bed. "I think I'll be alright with this."



She nodded and opened the door for me. Lord Boris told me that I should prepare for a gathering during dinner. I didn't know who I would be meeting this time. Would it be another young lord or lady from another land? Perhaps, a member of a council? The possibilities were endless; anything could happen in this era. I wouldn't be surprise if witches and warlocks would appear and side with the lost Kingdom.



The hallways of the old castle were like a maze that without Cecilia's help, I would surely get lost. The only places I knew so far were the balcony where I confronted the Skull and the library where I learned the truth. I was getting anxious now about knowing the other parts of this castle for it might come with another ridiculous situation.



I felt like I was brought into a new world when we finally reached the dining hall. Apparently, the old castle's dining hall was the largest one I had seen and also the most unusual one. For in this area, pirates and villagers were both drinking and laughing while having their meals. It was like there was no sort of conflict between them and they were just standing equal in the society. There were actually those who were singing with their guitars and cheering as some of them played their games. It brought me back to the times when I was having dinner with the pirates in the Obsidian, or that one time in that trading Island, or even the most painful performance I had in the Pirate City. I was getting more excited as I searched the area for familiar faces. If the Skull made it out alive, surely they did, too. They were the most badass and coolest people I've ever met.



However, I was stopped on my track when the crowd went silent and all attention was pointed at my direction. That was when I noticed that most of them were wearing gold - like their armor, or even the women's gowns. The dining hall was also decorated with gold, wood, and black colors that my red gown and hair stood out like an evil fire ready to destroy the golden light. I felt my cheeks became hotter as I stared back at them. Cecilia stayed by my side impassively like none of this matter. Maybe, she hated me after all.



"Why didn't you tell me about the gold motif of this dinner?" I whispered to her.



She shrugged and without a glance she asked, "Would you like to wear the golden gown instead?"



I frowned as I faced her. I couldn't help the annoyance I was feeling at the moment. "Well, that golden gown was showing most of my chest and one wrong move, I would be standing naked!" I whispered back frustratingly. That would be an outstanding show, wouldn't it?



She turned to me and I was a little bit appalled at how she was looking at me directly in the eyes like she was talking to my soul instead of my physical body standing before her. "Perhaps, you're not yet ready to show your heart. You probably don't have the ability yet to show who you really are. So, what you have to do right now is be a Crimson because that's the only thing you have at the moment. After all, you said you're going to be alright."



I clenched my fist as she attacked me with her every words, stabbing my heart with little sharp knives. I was angry and that was because there was truth to what she said. My indecisiveness was getting me nowhere and I was stuck with between being a Crimson lady and the woman who would stand for what she think is right.



"Nevertheless, I believe in you, Lady Primrose. You are beautiful in whatever dress you wear." It was never about the dress I wear but that was enough assurance for me to face the people my bloodline had wronged.



I was about to turn my head to them when a body slammed against me and hugged me tightly. I almost tripped if not for the huge hand that supported my back. I stared at the face of my attacker and I couldn't help the smile that stretched to my face when I realized who it was. That was also the moment when the crowd continued what they were doing like my presence didn't bother them at all.



"Erasmus!" I gasped and hugged him back.



He was laughing. And I knew I would give anything just to hear this boy laugh again. I turned my head to see that it was Alon who stopped me from falling. I smiled at him and he gave me a curt nod. Upon seeing that I would be having a good company, Cecilia left us to approach the other guests.



"I knew it! You're more than a Jonah of the Obsidian! You're a princess! You're lovely, Primrose." And I laughed as Erasmus' cheeks burned into pink tinges.



"She's still a Jonah, though." I turned to that familiar voice and saw Owain looking at us with his arms crossed. A smirk was evidently tugging at the corner of his lips.



"I'm glad to see you again, too, Owain!" I replied to him.



Captain Drakon appeared from the crowd and when he saw us, he strode towards our direction and enveloped Owain, Erasmus, and I into a bear hug. We were all laughing while Owain stiffened as he was pushed against my body. He probably wasn't used to this kind of affection. Something soft and furry scratched on my leg and I looked down to see Roger on my feet. I felt a tear from the corner of my eyes as I couldn't help the happiness that burst within me. It was like this emotion was caged for a long time that when it had the chance to come out, it spurted into rainbows and butterflies. I was just so glad to see them again.



"Are you crying, young one?" Captain Drakon asked when he finally let us go.



I shook my head and wiped my tears. "I was just so happy. I thought I would never see all of you again after the battle in the Pirate City."



"We lost crew members. But we're pirates. The sea is our home and if that is where our end will be, then we'll happily rest in its depth." The captain assured me with his kind smile. He was like a father during the times when I was sailing with the Obsidian pirates. I couldn't imagine how Imara would feel if one of her family wouldn't make it back home anymore.



They led me to a table in which I met the other crews of the Obsidian. They greeted me cheerfully and offered me some wine. I gladly accepted it but reminded myself to drink responsibly this time. They were sharing amusing stories that happened in the Obsidian during the times that I was gone: about how they kept a slab of meat for me during dinner and ended up fighting who was going to eat it instead because I wasn't there, how Roger would stop in front of my cabin and stared at it like he was waiting for me to come out, and how in the middle of the night they would see the Skull walking the hallways, entering my room and stay there for a few hours. My heart was swelling with happiness because I knew for a fact that I was always welcome with this crowd and that I was genuinely and terribly missed when I was gone. It was clearly different from the time when I just got back to the Mainland and having dinner in the East Castle with the rulers. I would surely pick this moment anytime.



Our attention was caught by the loud cheering from the crowd and we saw that it was towards the entrance. Several people were entering the dining hall and I immediately regret looking at it for I saw Lord Boris, Captain Rowaen, and the Skull with the mermaid holding on to his arm walking through the isle to the center of the room. The group was full of power and authority like the spotlight had been focused on them the moment they step into the dining hall.



"To the Skull!"



"Yeah!"



"To the King of the Borgian Kingdom!"



"Hell, yeah!"



The cheering was going wilder and I decided to sit quietly and sip on my wine. I felt Owain dropped beside me, stole my glass and drank its content leaving me with an empty one. I frowned at him, not appreciating his actions.



"You're not in the sea anymore. You don't have to steal wine since there's plenty of it on the table," I scolded him.



He just shrugged his shoulders. "Whether it's the sea or the land, nothing will change. I'm still a pirate."



Not wanting to argue with him, I decided to pour myself another glass of wine and drink from it. The bitterness and sweetness of the liquid refreshed my dry throat. It somehow lessened my anguish and I started wondering how come this thing could cure a lot of pain.



"You're jealous. It's pretty obvious," he commented nonchalantly while drinking in his own glass.



Owain never really liked me the first time I boarded the Obsidian ship. He actually wished he could throw me out to the sea and wanted me dead. Though there times when I knew he was on my side particularly that night when he stayed with me while I was crying my heart out on the deck of the Obsidian, he never really showed that he cared about how I was feeling. So when he asked me about jealousy, I was caught off-guard.



"So, what happened to coming back for me during the fall of the Pirate City?" I asked instead, dodging his question.



He finished his drink and poured himself another glass. The pirates would surely dry the Mainland. "The only canoe we had was destroyed. More pirate ships were sinking as the time passed and it gave us no choice but to sail away. But do you know what's really funny during time?" he asked.



I just stared at him, waiting for him to continue. "I'm a pirate and definitely not the good kind. I can play dirty and kill without batting an eye. I can break promises. But that time, I was determined to fulfill the promise of coming back for you and it was frustrating because there was clearly no way for me to do that. We had to escape the battlefield right away."



I could feel his sincerity and it was warming my heart to know that if he was given a chance, he would not let me die in the Pirate City. And that was enough for me. I didn't know what has gotten into me but before I knew it, I was already hugging him. Maybe it was the wine, or the happiness of knowing that he didn't hate me after all.



"Primrose -" I could feel him become rigid and he was clearly uncomfortable with my act of appreciation. I laughed as I let him go.



"Oh! Did I just make the big, bad pirate of the Obsidian blush?" I teased in which he answered with a scowl. "You must have had women from the islands you've visited. You should have been used to it by now."



"You know that you're different from those women. And if you don't want to be fed to the sharks, then you better not do it again," he threatened. "Damn, I'm convinced now that you're a witch!" And that intensified my laughing. If only he knew the history of my bloodline. Oh, maybe he already had an idea considering that they were all in the castle.



We both became silent as we drank from our glasses. This time, I looked at him intently and asked, "Did the Skull really leave me to die in the grand vessel? Did he never try to come back for me?" I could almost feel the sadness in my voice as I asked those questions. I was a little bit scared of the answer that would somehow confirm my accusations. But I had been through hell and had my heart torn and ripped apart. I could handle any kinds of pain by now.



Owain laughed humourlessly as if I shouldn't have asked the questions. "The Skull? You should have known better than to trust someone like him with your life. He's a nightmare to all the pirates; arriving as a death to take someone's life. He was able to sink a whole ship by just himself. He was cunning and could betray anyone to achieve his goals. That's how evil and powerful he is."



I already knew the answer as I listened to his response. But as I raised my glass to drink more wine, he continued, "But that time, he was determined to swim back to the grand vessel and come back for you. The sea was filled of dead bodies and canon explosions. No matter how indomitable he thinks he is, there was absolutely no way for him to make it out alive. So, with Captain Drakon and Alon, we incapacitated and tied him up. We put him to his sleep as we sailed away from the Pirate City. You don't know the hell he gave us the moment he finally woke up."



I didn't know what to say to that. If I knew by then what was happening, I was pretty sure that I would wish for him to stay alive in the Obsidian. My heart would probably not endure the knowledge of him being dead just to save me. He had planned this for a very long time and I couldn't imagine him ruining it just to be able to make his promise to me. I was wrong this whole time. I thought he didn't care about me, but knowing all of this was making my heart create commotion in my chest. But then, I also realized that there was really no chance for the both of us now. I should be ashamed for wishing for his heart. And so with that realization, I finished my drink.



"This night is for the rise of the dead people from the grave." I glanced at the center of the dining hall when I heard the Skull's voice booming loudly and addressing everyone. We all became silent as we listened to him. "We've all conquered death so nothing can defeat us now. This night is for the rise of the Borgian Kingdom. The table is full and the castle is alive to welcome us back home. Drink until you're wasted. Eat until your stomach is full; sing and dance until your body lies happily on the floor - for a war is brewing at the distance and we will put our lives into it once again knowing that the victory will be ours. This time, we will take our vengeance!"



And the crowd erupted into loud cheers and yells that probably rattled the whole castle ground. They rose to their feet and danced as musicians filled the hall with their music. I was left on the table watching them, knowing that I was in the middle of the war they were talking about. I was about to stand and have a walk around the castle when a familiar voice of a woman stopped me.



"So what does a rat like you doing in this castle? Are you a spy this time? Are you going to ride on your horse in the morning and tell the rulers about us and the kingdom?"



She was wearing a revealing gold evening gown and her golden brown hair was tied in a beautiful knot at the top of her head. She stood taller and her topaz eyes were glaring down at me.



"Just let me go, Janeia." I didn't want to have any conversation with her. She would just mock and threaten me just like what she always did. She would show me why it was her who should be with the Skull and I was so tired of it because I understood everything now.



"From the look on your face, I'm sure you already know that you have no place here or even in the king's heart. You should have stayed in your bloody castle and wait silently like a pretty little thing. Because that's exactly what you are."



I clenched my fists as I stopped myself from slapping her and ruin that face. I knew better than to lose my temper and have these people watch me hurt one of their own. They would look at me through my name and judge me based on my bloodline. I had to be careful with my actions.



"You have no right to look down at me. You don't know what I've been through!" I said through gritted teeth.



She just laughed at me and fixed me with her venomous glare. I could clearly see hatred in her eyes; it was so deep that I flinched when she focused them on me. "You're selfish as expected from your bloodline. You only think of yourself."



I turned my gaze away from her when self-doubt started to wash over me. "Just who do you think you are? You're the so-called 'mermaid'. You should be at the sea." I knew it was a weak argument. But what was I supposed to do if from the start of this conversation, I knew that I would never win against her. I was the accused in this case. I shouldn't go around attacking people when I still had blood in my hands.



"I wouldn't be the mermaid if you traitors did not wipe away my family." She retorted which led me into confusion. I thought the only bloodline that existed from the lost kingdom was the Borgia. I thought the rest didn't survive.



"What -What do you mean?" I stuttered, afraid of the answer.



"Oh, didn't they tell you about me, yet? I am Janeia Borgia Raya. I belong to the Borgian bloodline and that's the reason why the Skull is searching for me. You see, I'm the most important person in his life right now. I am essential in the rise of this kingdom. There's no way that he would choose a murderer and traitor like you over his beloved cousin, right?" She was smirking. She was insulting me and all I could do was stand there and receive all the blows. It was like being the representative of all the sinners in the world and I was the only one to receive the punishment.



She was about to throw more insults when I saw the Skull walking towards us. I met his eyes and I recoiled at the coldness in those silver orbs. Before he could ask what was happening, Janeia was already on his side and clinging to him like a golden snake to her master. What really appalled me was when she suddenly brought her lips to his and kissed him in front of me. I wanted to scream at her. I wanted to tear her away from him. But what right did I have to do that? I was a Crimson, and they are Borgia. And even though the Skull kept his eyes on me while the mermaid was kissing him, he still didn't do anything to stop it. So, not wanting to stay until the kiss finished, I decided to leave the dining hall and ran away from them. By the rate of pain I was feeling at that moment, I wished I was thrown into the dungeon instead. Because if this was some kind of torture to pay for my bloodline's crime, then I guess I had enough for the day.