Arisia Lives As A Villainess ✔

Season 2: Chapter 4

Season 2

Chapter 4

Three days of traveling in an autumn season. I do not know if our trip is going well or not. Gladly, Heiden’s little whims seemed to have gone down for a bit. It may be a good thing or not. Our trip went well since then. There were no problems, just minor.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped and I heard shouts from outside. Hinawi ko ang kurtina at tumingin sa labas. It seems that I cannot see it in my view. Bumukas ang pinto ng kalesa. Hilda appeared before me.

“My lady.”

“What is happening outside?” Binasa ko ang aking mga labi.

“Bandits.” Sagot niya. Nagpakapawala lamang ako ng buntong-hininga. I crossed my arms.

Hmm... there are still stupid people who does this in the territory of the Ronschwald kingdom. It seems that they do not value their lives as messing with the kingdom of Ronschwald means that they are already screwed.

“How annoying. They can at least take care of them.” Saad ko. The clashing of the metals and iron rung in my ears.

“It seems so, my lady.” Tango niya. Nawala rin kaagad ang mga ingay.

I can tell that the knights already subdued the bandits even without checking the situation. I am not underestimating Heiden and his underlings nor overestimating them but if the war between him and Rionsky ignites, the casualties would be massive. In the end, Heiden will still be the one standing if Rionsky’s plan will not change.

Napangisi ako. I pursed my lips. Ipinatong ko ang aking ulo sa aking kamay.

I wonder if the adorable prince is doing well. I have not heard a reply of his since my leave. It is a bit... upsetting.

Afternoon came. It was time for lunch. Bumaba ako mula sa kalesa at umupo sa isang malaking bato. Napa-dekwatro ako. I saw some knights looked at me but I did not mind them. They did not have the courage to go nor talk to me so I was left alone in a certain perimeter.

It was good for me since I do not like dealing with people. To be more secure of my safety, I even brought my dagger with me. My situation might be difficult since some problem might arise. For example, an ambush by Heiden’s ploy to scare me.

Napasinghal ako.

Well, a little ploy like that will not make me budge.

“Here you go.” Lorves appeared in front of me with a tray of food. Kinuha ko iyon. I put it in my lap. Kumurap ako. Some rice, bread, and soup.

Well, this is enough for my lunch.

“Thank you.” I took a bite. Iniwas ko ang aking tingin nang maramdaman ang kanyang titig sa akin.

This is so uncomfortable. It is hard to eat while being stared at. Why is he even staring at me? “Why are you the one delivering my food? Nasaan si Hilda?”

“Your maid?”

“Yes.” I snorted.

“I already told her that I will deliver the food. Kasama niya ang guwardiya mo nang huli ko siyang makita.” Tumaas ang kilay sa kanyang sinabi. I let out a sigh.

“Those two...” Humigpit ang aking hawak sa kutsara. I tapped my fingers on the large stone.

They will really have their punishment later. “Kumain ka na ba?”

“Later.” He licked his lips.

“Eat now. Join me. Replenish your energy.”

“Are you concerned?” A smirk rose from the side of his lips. Nawala rin ito kaagad.

“I cannot have a knight fainting on me due to famish.”

“I will eat later. The prince and his fiancee goes first.” I blinked twice.

Heiden’s fiancee, huh? I am sick of hearing that.

“If that is what you are comfortable at.”

“Well, how are you feeling?” He asked.

“I am fine. You should stop asking me about unnecessary things.” I let out a sigh.

He is really considerate. From time to time since our leave, he keeps on asking me about my health and how am I doing. Even the things I need and what can he do for me. Such a gentleman.

“It is not unnecessary. I should monitor your health from time to time.” Diin niya.

“Kagaya ng aking sinabi, mabuti ang aking pakiramdam. You do not need to worry.” Umirap ako.

“You are special for me. Of course, I would worry.” He simply said. I bit my upper lip. Tumingin ako sa kanya.

Cliche.

“Stop flirting with me. I turned you down already.” My eyes squinted as I smiled.

“I am flirting?” He snorted. Pinagkrus niya ang kanyang mga braso.

“Ano pa nga ba ang matatawag mo diyan?” He heaved a sigh and shook his head. Tumaas muli ang sulok ng kanyang labi.

”I just can’t win against you.”

“You should find a woman for you. Baka may mahanap ka sa ibang kaharian.” I snorted and grinned.

“I will try to keep that in mind.” Tumango siya. I finished eating my meal with delays since I was talking to Lorves. Nang makapagpahinga na ako ay ang balik ni Hilda at Davidron sa aking tabi. My eyes observed them well.

May kaunting gulo ang kanilang mga buhok. Hilda’s lips are smudged. Hindi halata ngunit makikita sa malapit. Even her buttons are in disarray.

I cleared my throat. I unbelievably gave her a look.

Akala niya siguro ay hindi kapansin-pansin. How brave they are to act ignorant of what happened between them. Do they take me for a fool? These punks...

“Hilda.” Ngiti ko.

“My lady.” She tilted her head. Kumurap siya ng ilang beses.

“Saan ka nanggaling?” I put my leg on top of the other. I rested my face on my chin.

“Just somewhere.” She answered in monotone.

“Well, are you done flirting with Davidron?” Hinawi ko ang aking buhok. Her lips formed a grim line. Napaubo siya.

“You, too, Davidron. You two ate already, right?” I glanced at Davidron. He looked away in guilt and embarrassment. His cheeks reddened,

These two, how can they left me in the middle of their duty? Wala pa ngang gabi ay may milagro na silang ginagawa. I mean, they should really be guilty that they went on their own without their master’s permission. From what Lorves told me, they did not ate yet. I can punish them through it.

“Not yet, Mi---”

“Oh, really? It seems like you need no food until tonight. You two ate already.” Tango ko. Sumingkit ang aking mga mata nang makahulugan akong ngumisi. They was about to say something when I stood up and left them. Hindi ko sila tinignan nang tawagin nila ako. Tumigil pa ako sa mga kumakain sa isang banda na huwag bigyan ng makakain ang dalawa hanggang gabi. Napangisi ako.

That should be enough punishment for them. I guess they will not be stubborn in doing things the way they do.

A soft wind suddenly passed by. Ipinatong sa akin ni Hilda ang dala niyang kapa. They escorted me to the carriage. Komportable akong huminga nang makaupo ako.

“My lady.”

“I heard we will reach a village by night. Do your work well.” A hint of sarcasm. Inihawi ko na ang bintana. I closed my eyes. Nakatulog ako ng kaunti ngunit gising pa rin ang aking diwa.

When I opened my eyes, the carriage is still moving. I cannot sleep well since here is not comfortable at all. Napahawak ako sa aking ulo. It is slightly feverish.

I might be having a migraine.

Malapit na ang gabi nang sumilip ako sa labas. I saw a bright village down the hill.

Akala ko ay paparoon pa kami nang hindi tumigil ang karwahe.

I pursed my lips. Tumingin ako kay Heiden. He is still in his position since days ago. Nakapikit ang kanyang mga mata.

“Why did you not stopped by the village?” Mahina kong tanong. Hawak ko pa rin ang aking noo. My voice is a bit hoarse so I cleared my throat. Idinilat niya ang kanyang mga mata.

“Why?” Tumaas ang kanyang kilay. He licked his lips. “I need to hasten this stupid trip. Do you think I have to care about your well-being?” Tumaas ang kanyang boses.

“Stop!” Sigaw ko sa nagmamaneho ng karwahe. Hindi ko mapigilan ang maiksi kong buntong-hininga. Hindi pa tumigil ang karwahe.

I am not in such a mood to argue with him. Sasakit lamang ang aking ulo.

“Don’t be stubborn. I lead this trip. Ang kailangan mo lang ay makinig sa mga sasabihin ko.”

“Do you think I will follow every command of yours? You are so shameless.” Napairap ako at umiling.

“You are the unreasonable one.” He scoffed.

“Stop!” Muli kong sigaw. The carriage stopped. Binuksan ko ang pinto at lumabas na.

Since they are the only people I tasked to go with me in this trip, I do not need to feel responsible of the others. “Since you will not stop at the village. I will go there with my people. Do not even try to stop me.” Hindi na ako lumingon pa sa pangalawang prinsipe. I heard his big scoff before widening our distance. Lumapit ako sa itim kabayo na nasa likod ni Davidron.

It seems that I made the right choice to bring another horse.

“Hilda, Davidron.” I signaled them to come closer to me. They hurried to me. Nakasakay sila sa kani-kanilang mga kabayo. Bumwelo ako at sumakay sa kabayo na nasa aking harapan. I wore the hood of my cloak and held the reigns tight. “Let us go.” I pulled the reigns. The horse neighed and started to run. I lead the way. Sumabay sa akin ang dalawa. Hindi pa kami nakalalayo ay nakarinig ako ng ilang mga yapak ng kabayo.

Someone is tailing us.

I glanced at my back. Lorves is riding with a horse coming to my direction. Hinila ko ng kaunti ang hawakan. The horse slowed its running for a bit. Nakasabay si Lorves sa amin.

“I will come with you.”

“Thank you.” Napangisi ako.

I forgot. He will not actually leave me alone in a dangerous place by myself and just my people.

Just like that, we arrived at the foot of the hill. The lively and bright village fascinated my eyes. Naunang bumaba si Davidron at pumunta sa nayon. He was swept along the villagers. Nawala siya sa aking paningin ngunit bumalik agad kasama ang isang matandang may baston.

He must be a leader of this village or an official.

Bumaba na ako. Tumabi sa akin si Hilda at Lorves.

“Milady, this man is the village chief.” Ani Davidron. Tumango ako sa kanya. I glanced at the chief.

“We need a place to stay for tonight. I will pay how much it is needed.” Ani ko. Hindi ko tinanggal ang talukbong ng aking kapa.

Guessing on what Davidron explained to the chief, he must have said I am a lady of a normal noble’s house and that we are in the middle of a trip.

Sumingkit ang aking mga mata. Binasa ko ang aking mga labi.

“Ah, there is no need for that, my lady.” Tango nito. “You can stay here for free.” Marahan nitong sabi.

“Ano ang kapalit?”

“What do you think it is?” I blinked.

He is knowledgeable of the empire’s language. Pati ba ang mga iba?

“Just name it. Nothing is free in this world, anyway.” Sabat ko at ngumisi. Natahimik ito ng kaunti bago sumagot.

“Just a few errands. We need manpower.”

“Okay.” I quickly agreed. They guided me to a large cabin, enough to satisfy me. Doon ko itinuloy ang aking paghinga.

Hindi ko na kinailangan pa na mag-alala dahil nagbabantay ang mga kasama ko sa labas. Though they also have their own rooms, I heard that they agreed to switch shifts until morning. If anything goes wrong, I always have my sword with me. 

Maaga akong nagising kinabukasan. Continuous noise echoed as I observe my surroundings. Inayos ko kaagad ang aking sarili at lumabas. May kumpol ng mga taga-nayon sa isang banda.

It seems that they are surrounding something. I wonder what the fuss is about. I hope it is not regarding us.

“What is the fuss about?” Tanong ko ng lumapit ako kay Hilda na nasa gitna rin ng mga taga-nayon.

“My lady...” Aniya. She glanced at the opposite direction. Napatingin rin ako roon. Umawang ang aking mga labi sa aking nakita. I am witnessing a strange sight. The second prince himself is chopping woods, half-naked. Ilang beses pa akong kumurap bago malaman na totoo ang aking nakikita.

I cannot believe this. First, he came here and now, he is doing errands for the villagers.

Sumingkit ang aking mga mata.

He must have had an ulterior motive. If not, why is he doing this?

Pinagkrus ko ang aking mga braso. Nang matapos siya sa kanyang ginagawa ay lumapit ako.

“Why are you here?” Napasinghal ako.

“What else? I was tasked to be with you in this trip so I have to stay with you until our kingdom.” I clenched my jaw of what he retorted.

He is unbelievable. Good grief.

“I am surprised you actually thought of that.” Sarkasmo ko. “Worry not. We will continue to depart once the errands given is finished.” Napairap ako bago siya tinalikuran. I went to a quiet area. Hilda gave me my breakfast and stood beside me.

“Are you all right, my lady?” Pag-aalala niya. She gave me water when I cleared my throat. Uminom ako ako at bumuntong-hininga.

“When did he arrived?”

“A few minutes after we came, my lady. Nakatulog ka na noon.” Tumaas ang aking kilay.

“Did anything happen?” I asked in suspicion.

“There was none, my lady. But it also seemed like he is acquainted to the villagers.” Pumunta ang aking kamay sa aking mga labi. I bit the inside of my cheeks.

“Investigate about it. I do not want any troublesome things.” I raised my hand as a dismissal. Nawala siya bago kinuha ang aking pinagkainan. I just waited there and rested. Napadekwatro ako sa pag-iisip. I played with my fingers. Half and hour later when she came back. She has a relaxed expression. Tinignan ko lamang siya.

“I have gathered information that Snow had passed by here during her trip. They said she helped them through many ways. She is treated as an important person here. The second prince had known of that and is supporting the village.” She explained. I crossed my arms. Napapasinghal lamang ako habang ibinibigay niya pa ang ibang mga detalye.

“Unbelievable.” Napangisi ako at umiling. She just agreed with me by a nod.

Some hours, my people finished the errands given by the village. Tumulong rin ang ibang mga kawal. Lumapit na ako kay Heiden nang mukhang tapos na siya sa pakikipag-usap sa pinuno ng mga taga-nayon. He comfortably sat in an area. Tulala rin siya at mukhang may iniisip. Napangisi ako.

He was just finished working his shares and I am sure that he is tired. Well, it is not that I am concerned, not that I will. It will be fun if I drove him to exhaustion. But well, I am not really in the mood for that so I will just pass on it.

I crossed my arms. Napairap na lang ako nang hindi niya pa ako napansin.

Perhaps she is thinking about his beloved, Snow, again.

“Akala ko ay hindi ka nagsasayang ng oras. Let us go.” I cleared my throat. Tumingin siya sa akin. Nagkrus ang kanyang mga kilay. Tinalikuran ko na lamang siya at naunang lumoob sa karwahe. He did not waste any time and also went in after.

Hours of travel again. Dumalas ang aming pagtigil dahil sa aking reklamo at dahil nais ko rin na inisin si Heiden.

Annoying him was fun but it became boring later. Strange. If only he were Rionsky...

I was about to close the curtains when a familiar scent passed by my smell. Napatigil ako. Hindi ko napigilan ang kaunting pagmilog ng aking mga mata. Napangisi ako. Heiden’s judgmental look pierced me. I scoffed and averted my gaze. Kinagat ko ang ibaba ng aking labi.

He must be thinking I am going mad. Other than that, he is thinking that I am planning something wrong.

“What is wrong?”

“Nothing.” I shrugged my shoulders.

“Make sure of that. I don’t want to deal unnecessary things later.” Aniya. Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin pa. Nang huminto ulit ang karwahe upang magpahinga ka saglit ay dali-dali akong lumabas. My people was about to follow me, including Lorves, but I stopped with them with a hand. I assured them with a smile. Nang medyo pumailalim na ako sa gubat ay tumigil na ako. I looked around, holding my breath. Maiksi akong nagpakawala ng mga hininga.

“Come out now.” Ani ko. I tilted my head. “I know you are here.” Sumingkit ang aking mga mata. The wind passed by again in a hush. The familiar scent became stronger. I was a bit taken aback because I was overwhelmed of the scent.

It seems like I suffer from dizziness whenever I smell his scent. Why is that?

He straightened and crossed his arms. Namula siya at umiwas ng tingin. Nakita ko ang kaunting pagkagat niya sa kanyang ibabang labi. I snorted a bit. He cleared his throat. Tinanggal niya ang uluhan ng kanyang kapa. “Why are you following me, Rionsky? You seemed like a dog following its owner.” Napunta ang aking kamay sa aking labi.

Really. This man is so adorable.

It was then that I realize... I might have missed him much more than I thought.