A Sudden Heiress

Kabanata 10

Surprised

"You made a mistake because she is not yet officially the Duchess of the Great Duchy of Bien. She is maybe the strongest candidate, but she's still not yet the Duchess."

Pagpasok ko pa lang ay ayan na ang bumungad sa akin kaya napangiwi ako. Kahit ba saan ako magpunta ay may susulpot na kontrabida sa buhay ko?

"It is nice to see you here, Lord Maxwell," I faked my smile. Etiquette 101, yeah!

"Well, it is not nice to see you here, Lady Audrina. You ruining the party and the night." Tingnan niya pa ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "At least, you are trying your best to fit but still you are not belong."

Nawala ang ngiti ko at kumuyom ang kamay ko na nakahawak sa braso ni Rafaelle.

"Lord Maxwell, I am not liking your words to my lady. May I remind you that the King's favor is belong to her. And she is invited here to represent the Monarch's presence. I believe that you should respect that or perhaps, you should leave if you can't," matigas na sabi ni Rafaelle. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang sinabi niya iyon kay Lord Maxwell.

Ang akala ko ay hahayaan na naman niya akong magwala dito. Akala ko ay hahayaan na naman niya akong mainsulto. Mabuti at pinagtanggol niya ako.

"I excuse my self," nag-iigting ang pangang sabi ni Lord Maxwell saka kami tinalikuran.

"I am very sorry for my mistake, You Royal Highness, Lady Audrina."

Naagaw naman ng lalakeng nag-announce kanina sa amin ang aming atensyon. Ngumiti ako. "It's fine. You don't have to worry about. Mistakes are happening all the time." I nodded. "I hope you will be right someday."

Tinuwid ko ang aking tindig at tumingin muli kay Rafaelle. Ngumiti siya. "Are you ready? This will be a long and tiring night."

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "I was born ready."

Mabagal kaming naglakad patungo sa gitna. Ang mga tao ay binigyan kami ng daan. Hindi lahat sila ay nakangiti, pero karamihan ay masaya ang mga mukha at nagku-curtsy pa tuwing daraan kami sa harapan nila. Sa gitna ay nandoon ang may-ari ng mansyon. Hindi ko nga alam kung totoo ba ang kanilang ngiti dahil naiisip ko na baka disappointed sila dahil ang hari at reyna ang inaasahan nilang dadalo pero ako pa ang nandito.

"Bienvenido, Su Alteza Real y Lady Audrina Reese De Bien," magalang na sabi ng babaeng kasing edad yata ni mama at nag-curtsy sa harapan namin.

"Muchas Gracias, Lady Daphne Thompson and Lord Colin Thompson," sabi ni Rafaelle.

Nilingon ko ang lalakeng nasa tabi ni Lady Daphne. Sa tingin ko ang lalake ay kasing edad lang ni Rafaelle. Nginitian ko siya nang lumapit siya sa akin at kinuha ang kamay ko para mahalikan ang likod.

"I can't believe that I am finally meeting our future duchess. It is lovely to see you, Lady Audrina," he said.

Uh! Anong dapat kong sabihin? I was not born for this formal conversation. I was born to kiss a guy after he talked to me.

"Ahm, thank you. It is lovely to meet you too, Lord Colin. You are so handsome, by the way." Humagikgik ako.

Marahan akong hinigit ni Rafaelle senyales na mali ang ginawa ko. Oo na! Hindi ko mapigilan, eh!

"Thank you for the compliment, my lady." He offered his hand. "Can I have your first dance tonight? I will be delighted if you let me." He smiled.

Yes, he is handsome but not as handsome and charismatic as the prince beside me. Kahit nakasimangot lang yata si Rafaelle ay luluhuran na siya ng mga babae. Masyado nga lang yatang gwapo ang mga kapatid niya kaya hindi siya pansinin noon. He is standing out when he is alone.