✓ | REBIRTH OF THE REBEL [Book Two]

CHAPTER 2

"Everything will be easy if the Duchess is with us. Sadyang napaka-seloso at matindi ang pagkahumaling ng Duke sa asawa niya," napapailing na sabi ni Wince. Bigla siyang napatawa ng mahina. "Na-mi-miss ko ng asarin ang Duke, kasi ngayon parang tapos na ang trabaho ko."

"Hindi pa," agad na salungat ni Erwan. Nagkatinginan silang dalawa. "The Duchess is asking for divorce everyday, and that's what is causing the Duke's distress. Pinilit na nga siya ni Cyan na pumunta sa Benura para makahinga, dahil kung hindi, lulubog lang 'yan sa opisina at sa kwarto niya."

"Akala ko ba bati na ang dalawa?" hindi makapaniwala na sabi ni Wince. Nagpakawala na naman siya ng isang malalim na buntong hininga. "Ewan ko na kung sino ang may mali sa dalawa. Bakit 'di nalang kaya sila magsiping para magkaroon ng kaliwanagan 'yang mga pagdududa."

"Bakit, may sinabi ba ang dukesa sa 'yo?" tanong ni Erwan. Hindi ko alam kung tanga ba ang dalawa dahil kanina pa ako nakatayo dito subalit ni isa sa kanila ay wala pa rin nakapansin. Erwan seems confused and curious about what Wince said, but I really felt like punching this Clover Knight.

"She's conflicted, and he's not good at expressing his intent. Ganyang ang nangyayari, Erwan. Naghahabulan ang dalawa pero hindi nila alam kung sino ang taya," sagot ni Wince. "The Duchess only wants one thing, and the Duke can't give it to her."

"What is it?" takang tanong ni Erwan.

Biglang ngumisi si Wince. "Hindi ko sasabihin dahil alam kong sasabihin mo 'yan sa kanya. There is no way I am siding with the Duke, that's why if you want to help, iuntog mo ulo niya."

"You don't know his side, Wince." Erwan's voice went depressed. Napako tuloy ang tingin ko sa kanya dahil sa pagtaas-baba ng kanyang balikat. "He doesn't want to be alone, but at the same time he knows that keeping her will be the death of him. He lost too many loved ones, Wince. Do you think just because he is seeing the Duchess, he finally has moved on?"

Erwan's words pierced like a dagger in me. Sumikip ang dibdib ko dahil sa sakit at dahil umasa na naman ako. Of course, when people love too much, the pain will be as far on the same level of how they loved. Roshan hasn't moved on from his dead mistress and we all know that. But, Wince was right. I am conflicted with my husband's actions.

Ayaw kong maniwala dahil alam kong hindi ako ang tinatangi ng puso niya. He needs me because I am alive, and my burning fire keeps him warm. Annabelle can never do that, and I am living on her stead.

Tumalikod ako para sana umalis, subalit napatigil ako dahil sa aking narinig. "If you think leaving is the best option, your grace, then this will be the first time I will say you are wrong." I looked back and my eyes met Wince's black orbs. Pareho na silang nakatingin sa akin dalawa, subalit kay Wince napako ang aking mga mata.

"He loves you, hindi niya lang masabi-sabi dahil natatakot siya na baka iba ang dating sa 'yo," saad ni Erwan kaya't napako ang tingin ko sa kanya. "Give him a chance, Madame. I've known Roshan since we're little and he is never an expressive person with regards to his inner emotions."

"Hindi madali tanggapin ang sinabi mo, Erwan. I settled for three years accepting his lack of interest because he's mourning for her. And just because he can finally see me as who I am now, doesn't mean I must give in. He lost his chances already, and I am tired of bearing the thought that I came second," mahabang salaysay ko. Bakas sa aking boses ang sakit habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"The Duchess needs affirmation that he cannot give," Wince said seriously. "Labas na tayo sa problema ng dalawa, Erwan. Hayaan mo na lang na sila ang mag-usap n'yan. The best thing we can do is to support our own side, but..." Wince stood up and went to my position as he put his arms on my shoulder as if we were close. "...if he can't keep her, I will do the honor of abducting her and threaten the Duke to confess."