-to receive an affront without open resentment.
04
This book's timeline was in Victorian Era. It's not like in my world where it's modern. This era is ruled by Queen Victoria.
In this world, the aristocrats are at the top—or the rich ones, it's a class-based society. Those who have connections to the government, or those who rules today's society have the power.
And these people here, are those people.
I answer every smile with a smile. Pansin ko ang pagbulong ng iba nang makita ako, siguro ay hindi inaasahan ang pagdating ko lalo na't sa balitang kumakalat ngayon.
I've already expected this treatment, and another thing that I also expected is that. . .
I glanced at his direction.
Sherlock is getting the spotlight.
Well, it's only natural since he's a well known detective, and of course, he's the main character. Still, I'm pissed. Just how-
"Lottie!"
Natigil ako sa pag-iisip nang makarinig ako ng pagtawag sa isang pamilyar na pangalan. Kumunot ang noo ko. Lottie?
"Lottie!" he called again. Umikot na ang tingin ko para hanapin ang tumatawag.
Lottie. . . I've read that name before. As far as I can remember, that is Harlotte's nickname.
Nang inikot ko ang tingin ko ay napako rin kaagad ang tingin ko sa isang lalaking nakatingin sa 'kin. Nakakurba ang labi niya sa isang ngiti at naglalakad papalapit sa 'kin.
This guy. . . hindi ko siya naabutan sa story no'ng hininto ko na 'to. Pero katulad ni Nilus, kilalalang-kilala ko siya.
Hair white as the snow, eyes gray like the moon. Skin ivory, charming and warm face. Another supporting character, but has a significant role. Wearing a white suit, hair slicked back with some in front.
Felix Ale Byron, a friend of the twins, and also, Hilian's fiancé.
A young Lord that will soon be a member of our family. He's one of the holy trinity of this book, together with Sherlock and Nilus.
May Hilian forgive me for having such thoughts. I'm not thinking as Harlotte right now, but as a lone reader who has a thing with characters with white hair.
I can see myself losing consciousness, face red with smoke coming out of my head. But in reality, I maintained my expression as I showed a smile.
"Lottie." Tuluyang nakalapit sa 'kin si Felix. Umangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya, magkasing tangkad sila ni Sherlock. Sumalubong kaagad sa 'kin ang amoy niyang woody, maypagka-fresh.
Oh God, help me. I will pass out.
"Is it okay for you to go out?" he asked. He looks so worried.
Come on Felix, don't show me that face.
Inalis ko ang iniisip ko sa utak ko.
"Yes, kaya ko naman gumalaw-galaw," sagot ko.
He walked closer to me. "You remember me, right?"
I chuckled. I don't know if Harlotte does, but I do. "Of course, Felix."
His expression lightened. This guy is so easy to read, maybe it's also the reason why he's charming.
Felix' family and the Adelaide are close from the beginning. It's also a reason why the twins and he were childhood friends, and also, he became Hilian's fiancé. I haven't read their backstory tho, hindi na 'ko umabot doon, sa spoilers ko lang nakita.
Parang hindi siya masaya kani-kanina lang, muling nagbago ang ekspresyon ni Felix. Nagbago rin ang ekspresyon ko nang mapansin ko 'to.
"There's still no news?" There's a hint of sadness in his voice.
Doon ako natauhan. This guy in front of me just lost his fiancée and he still has no news about her. Hindi niya lang mapapangasawa si Hilian, kung hindi isang matalik na kaibigan.
Kumalma ang puso ko. Marahan ko siyang hinawakan sa braso. "We will find Hilian, no matter what. . ."
"Lottie. . ."
I showed Felix a reassuring look. Kasama na sa plano ko ang paghanap kay Hilian. Hindi ko alam ang magiging takbo ng storyang 'to, ang alam ko lang ay nakapalibot 'to kay Sherlock. But if I want to find answers, I'll need to act my role—as Hilian's sister.
And as her sister, I have the responsibility to find her and to know the reason of her disappearance. . .
𓉞✎🕊
I blended well in the party. I have no troubles acting like a lady, para saan pa ang pagbabasa ko ng ilang daang nobela sa mundo ko. And since Harlotte has lost some of her memories, the people here in the party didn't give much attention to the things I don't remember.
I just put on a smile while talking to aristocrats. Kaunting kumustahan lang. And so far, no one is mentioning the disappearance of my sister. Kinuha ko ang chansa nang may dumaan na waiter sa harap ko na may dala-dalang tray at glass of wine.
Kinuha ko 'to habang nililibot ang tingin. Nagkahiwa-hiwalay kami ng mga kasama ko dahil sa pakikipag-usap ko sa kung sino-sino, hindi ko na sila makita. Napakunot ang noo ko, I smell something. Napalingon ako sa likod ko, hinahanap ang waiter.
He smells like pomegranate.
"Oh!" Muntikan na 'kong may masanggang babae, mabuti na lang at mabilis siyang nakaiwas.
"The young Lady of Adelaide!" she greeted.
"I apologize, madam," kaagad kong paghingi ng tawad.
She laughed it off. "No worries, Lady Adelaide."
"Oh please, just call me Harlotte, madam." I smiled.
"Ah yes, I forgot. There are 2 young Adelaide Ladies." She faked a chuckle.
My lips are still curved, but my eyes stopped smiling.
"Nawala sa isip ko, hindi ko kasi nakikita ang kapatid mo," dagdag niya.
"Ops!" Tinakpan niya ang bibig niya. "I forgot, your sister is missing."
Hindi ako nakasagot kaagad, pero nanatili akong nakangiti. Pinagmasdan ko siya mabuti.
A plus size woman with a ginger hair, wearing a yellow polonaise dress. Face full of heavy make ups, neck with golden necklace. She's also holding a white fan with gold patterns.
Sabi ko na nga ba. . . a character I'm not familiar with. I haven't seen her illustrations or heard about character before—which means, she's just an extra.
"I appreciate your thought," sagot ko. Hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngiti. "We're still looking for my sister, we have the help of Sir Sherlock Holmes, I'm sure we'll find her soon."
"Hmp, she should know better. This is not just for you but your family too," sagot niya habang nagpapaypay. "It's not good if rumors start to spread. . . maybe she ran off with another man?"
Hindi ako sumagot sa sinabi niya. Tinaasan niya 'ko ng kilay.
"Well then, see you around, Lady Adelaide." Bago ako daanan ay kinuha niya ang glass na hawak-hawak ko. "I'll take this. It's not good for someone who's still recovering to drink." Tuluyan niya 'kong dinaanan.
Hindi ako nakakibo kaagad sa pwesto ko. Nang matauhan ako ay mababa ang tingin ko at sinilip ko ang mga taong nakapalibot sa amin.
It's a good thing they didn't see what happened.
Humigpit ang pagkakasara ng kamao ko. Kahit pilit kong pinapakalma ang sarili ko ay hindi ko pa rin mapigilang mainis.
Hilian disappeared, and rather than getting kidnapped, the first thing they think is that she ran away with another man?!
These kinds of people are disgusting me.
I really should've stayed-
"Lady Harlotte." Someone called me from behind.
Umangat ang tingin ko at napalingon ako. Sumalubong sa akin ang lalaking mababa ang tingin sa akin.
"Sir Holmes."
He's holding a wine glass. "Are you tired? Maybe you're pushing yourself too much."
I tried to smile. "I-I'm fine. It's a good thing that I attended the ball. Nakausap ko ang ibang malapit sa pamilya namin."
He stared at me for seconds. "Madam Elen is always like that, don't be bothered too much."
I was taken aback by what he said. Madam Elen? Is he talking about that woman earlier?
"I saw her walked from this direction. Seeing your expression, I think I'm right that you two talked," muling ani Sherlcok. "She loves gossiping. Hindi kayo ligtas ng kapatid mo mula sa kaniya."
"Oh. . ." I faked a laugh. "But she still took it far though. We're worried about my sister, and she's talking about rumors like that."
Sherlock didn't answer. He stared at me again. It's like he's observing me every time I talk.
"You should-"
"AHHHH!"
Naagaw ng sigaw ang atensyon naming dalawa. Nahinto ang lahat sa ginagawa nila at lahat kami ay napalingon sa direksyon kung saan nanggaling ang sigaw.
"M-MADAM ELEN! MADAM ELEN IS VOMITING BLOOD!"
𓉞✎🕊