TSW #06: Re-Life: The Villainess Deserves A Happy Ending

Chapter 01: The Uncrowned Princess

Esmereeʼs POV

17 years ago

Tumakas ako mula sa higaan nang mapansing umalis si Neleya na siyang tagabantay ko sa silid. Mahigpit niya akong binabantayan sa ilalim na rin ng utos ng aming Amang Hari.

I don't even know why they're keeping me all day long inside the room. I'm bored and I want to play.

Dahan-dahan kong sinara ang malaki at matayog na pintuan ng aking silid at saka tinanggal ang aking suot na sapatos at kumaripas ng takbo ng suot lamang ang aking stockings.

Habang tumatakbo ako hindi ko mapigilang mamangha sa laki ng hallway ng palasyo.

"Wow..." napatigil ako sa harap ng malaking espasyo sa gitna ng pasilyo kung nasaan ang hagdan patungo sa Royal Hall habang pinagmamasdan ang naglalakihang portrait ng Royal Family.

There stood my Father proudly, he was not smiling. He was always like that. Then, my Mom sitting on an intricate chair designed of her own liking. She was not very caring at all to me but I don't mind. Since Neleya told me our family was not ordinary, I guess _that_ part was covered.

And then there was me, sitting an inch away from them. I was holding back that time kahit gusto kong doon banda kay Papa. They told me not to come close too much. Walang kaso sa akin iyon. As long as I know they're my family.

"I'm gonna be a princess someday. " I nodded to that.

Tumakbo na rin ako pagkatapos. Nangalay kasi ang aking leeg kakatunganga sa mataas na portrait na iyon.

I first sneaked in the pantry. Gutom ako kaya hahanap ako ng makakain. They wouldn't give me food unless it's time to eat. And I can't even have a taste of the food they serve because it doesn't look so appetizing. Hindi din naman iyon ang gusto kong tikman.

I cried when I saw a dead animal hanging from the ceiling of the kitchen. Pero ayokong mahuli ako kaya tahimik akong umiyak habang tumuloy sa paghanap ng makakain. I found baked bread and cow milk.

"I could eat this everyday!" I exclaimed and barfed loudly that caused someone to find me underneath the long rectangular table.

"Y-You're Majesty!" Napasinghap ang isa sa tagapaghanda nang makita akong makalat na sinusugapa ang tinapay at gatas habang may uhog sa aking ilong.

Natataranta siyang pinagpag ang nakunot kong victorian dress na ipinasuot pa sa akin ni Neleya na bigay daw ng bruha kong stepmother.

Instinct ko lang. Di naman talaga ako judgmental.

I can see cold sweat form from her neck and the side of her forehead. Hindi ko man maintindihan ang pinapahiwatig ng kaniyang mga mata, ang tanging alam ko ay parehas kaming papagalitan mamaya ng Amang Hari lalo na ng Reyna.

"Princess!" Dumating ang Mayor Doma ng palasyo.

All I know was that I'm screwed. Sa lahat ng tao dito sa palasyo. She was the one I hate the most. Palagi niya kasi akong pinapagalitan kahit maliit na bagay. Ayaw niya akong nagkakamali. Dumi daw ako sa lahi ng Royal Family sa tuwing may nagagawa akong kabalastugan-- katulad na lang ngayon.

"I wouldn't call this stupidity, Egnita!" Palagi niya kasing sinasabing bobo ako. "I'm just starving!" I said in defense. She shushed me.

"It is not indeed stupidity! This is far too much for just being an idiot, Esmeree!" Hinablot niya ang pagkain mula sa aking kamay sanhi ng pagkabasag ng bote ng gatas na hawak ko. It slipped on my hand when I tried taking it back. Parehas pa kaming nagulat pero siya ang agad na naka-recover. Hindi na ito nakapagpigil pa ng emosyon. Na palagi naman pagdating sa akin. "You're being a glutton!" Lumabas ang litid sa kaniyang noo. Tinangay niya ako mula sa kusina at binaybay namin ang hallway patungo sa aking kwarto.