The Reincarnated Empress (ReverseHarem) | DISCONTINUED

Chapter 5: The Unraveling Facade

Facade (n.) - an outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant or creditable reality.

Chapter 5: The Unraveling Facade

Verona, Center City

"Your majesty, what would you like to order?" The waitress asked me as soon as umupo kaming dalawa ni Adrian sa isang two seat table. Napilitan umupo si Alice sa isa sa mga table malapit samin with a pout on her face.

"Ah, isang fraisier or strawberry cake with a cup of earl grey tea please." I said while looking at the menu. Tumingin naman ang waitress kay adrian, ready to asked him, but she failed to speak as she starts to stutter and blush around the emperor. She's a mess. Nginitian lang sya ni adrian before giving his order.

"A simple chocolate cake with black coffee would be nice, milady." The waitress nodded her head and immediately walk towards the kitchen, forgetting to address us formally before leaving, not that I mind. Normal naman yun mangyare sa...kondisyon nya. Naiintindihan ko sya, baka mahimatay pako pag hindi ko kilala si adrian personally at nakita sya for the first time.

But I noticed that Adrian didn't take this lightly. Nakasimangot sya habang nanatiling nakatingin sa likod ng waitress. His warm eyes are suddenly cold and void of any emotion.

Oh? He's not the perfect gentleman as it seems.

Nang mapansin nya na nakatingin ako sakanya, he pretend to cough before smiling again. Ngayon ko lang napansin that his smiles never reach his eyes. Simula nung mapansin ko ang slight shift or pagkabago ng ugali nya, I was suddenly uncertain about adrian. There is something off about him.

Hindi gaano sinabi sa novel kung ano ang expresyon ni adrian in every event. Basta sinasabi lang na lagi syang nakangiti, maamo ang kanyang expresyon, welcoming, and friendly which gave me a picture of him being the gentleman type, but once I met him and noticed his odd behaviour, this man screams danger. Ano pa nga ba ang inaasahan ko? He's one of the three emperors in the war. A simple gentleman won't join a rebellion against other kingdoms. I guess the prince charming doesn't exist at all huh?

Napakurap ako ng ilang beses ng maramdaman ko ang isang mainit na palad agaisnt my own hand, pero hindi ang init nakaagaw ng atensyon ko, kundi ang pagkakahigpit nyang hawak sa kamay ko.

Halos mamutla ang buong mukha ko sa sobrang higpit ng pagkahawak nya.

"Your majesty are you okay? I've been calling you for three times now. Perhaps you don't feel very well? Now that won't do, I am afraid na kailangan mo na umuwi ng maaga para magpahinga. I am terribly sorry kung hindi natin maitutuloy ang usapan natin. Too bad, aalis na kami mamaya maya. Why don't you come over to my kingdom instead? I will be delighted to see you there. I hope you recover well, your majesty." He said with concern laced on his voice, but I know better than falling for his facade.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng binatawan nya na ang kamay ko matapos nya ito halikan bago tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo nya. The waitress holding our order jumped a little bit dahil hindi nya inaasahan na tatayo agad ang emperor. Adrian wears his usual smile.

"Ah, sorry pero napagdesisyonan na lang naman na itake out ang order namin. Would you mind?"

"N-n-not at all, y-your majesty." She said in nervousness. The Emperor smiled at this, pleased with her answer.

"Let me escort you back to the kitchen, can't let such a lady yourself do all the work can I?" This took all the humanity left the girl as she nods repeatedly habang pulang pula ang mukha. Nakalimutan nya uli sumagot formally.