Note: Two advance chapters are up. I won't be updating tomorrow and Friday for the celebration of holy week. Isa lang ang masasabi ko, didiligan na po 'yong bulaklak next chapter XD HAHAHAHA. Enjoy reading!
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[ C H A P T E R 6 ]
LATISHA VALENTINE
"Are you sure you don't want the help of the Emperor?" I asked him while tending his wound. I'm no longer surprised at how I develop tolerance seeing him bleed. "Paano kung malaman niya ang ginagawa mo? They asked for a summon and you haven't responded since we received that letter."
Hindi niya sinagot ang kahit isa sa mga tanong ko. He was just looking at me with those obscure pairs of amber orbs. Kanina ko pa iniiwasan na tumagal ang tingin ko sa kanya dahil tiyak akong may binabalak ito.
"Your grace, you promised you'd tell me everything after speaking with the Lord," I added.
He took a breath and turned his head away from my direction. "Cyan and I managed to trail a group disguised as bandits traveling from the south. We need the Lord of the State to suppress the turmoil and detach their suspicion towards the ducal couple. They must have been aware why the Duchy shuts its border and is on high alert. This problem is no longer in our hands, wife."
"Paano mo naman nasabi na hindi?" nakakunot ang noo kong tanong. Natapos ko na ang paggamot sa kanya kaya buo ang atensyon akong tumingin sa aking asawa. "Are you saying that they no longer wish to acquire the Duchy?"
"I think after your father failed to execute what he was told, they fear us. Now, they are targeting Edinburgh and using the name of the Duchess to commit crime. The presence of the Lord perfectly fits for my plan to commence," he replied. He was calm, like waves after the storm. His breathing is normal along with his facial expressions.
"What are you up to?" I asked, trying to communicate with his thoughts that seemed baffling to me. I know I don't know him too well, but I have known since that the Duke stored his plans inside his head.
I blinked when he looked at me. "We are no longer their enemy, but the Empire is. Right now, I am the Duke of Riedensteigh, and my duty is to protect the Duchy and the borders. If the Empire wishes for my forces, I must decline not because I don't care, but I need my forces to protect you."
"Protect me? You already said that we are not their enemy," I said as my confusion arose. Naramdaman ko ang mainit niyang palad sa aking pisngi. He gently caressed my cheek with his index finger as if he was reassuring me.
"I will use it to protect you against the Empire, wife."
Napamaang ako. "W-what? You can't do that. Even if you have the authority of the 38 percent Phoenixes, it doesn't mean that you must use them against the Empire. You can't do that!"
"Then, what must I do to protect you once they will target you as a part of the Moore Clan? Once they know who's behind this mutiny, the Duchy will be put into the spotlight and I know that will be the date of another war. Tell me, are there other chances that I can guarantee your safety, aside from fucking divorcing you?"
I felt my breathing sharpens. He is mad again, and everytime we bring that up, he is always mad. He will cater a lot of options but not the option of me leaving him. He will try everything even when he knows that the first choice is always the right answer.
"Talk to him," I said. "The Emperor."
Roshan got the reason for my answer but I didn't know what he was thinking since his other emotions aside from anger and pain were always hidden. Huminga ako ng malalim at hinawakan ang kanyang kamay na nakahawak sa aking pisngi. "Why don't you try to explain to him instead of letting the Imperial Court decide? He will listen to his nephew, will he?"
Napatahimik siya ng ilang segundo bago ko nakita ang paghinga niya ng malalim at marahan na napapikit. "If he knew who you really are, he may understand but he will not tolerate it. I know him well, wife. He is the Emperor not just because he is the first son, but because he is like his father who will only think about the Empire other than its own bloodline."
"But it is better to try," I solemnly said.
"I will think about it," he replied quickly. My mouth gape as my eyes widened when he pulled me against him. Hindi ko naramdaman ang kamay niya na pumalibot sa akin ng ganoon kabilis at halos sumampa na naman ako sa kandungan niya.
"Roshan, may sugat ka sa balikat," saad ko. "I just put the dressing and don't you freaking dare say it doesn't hurt anymore because——"
Naputol ang sasabihin ko ng hagkan niya ang aking mga labi. My eyes automatically closed as I felt my body give in. Pumapalibot ang aking mga braso sa kanyang leeg habang naglalakbay ng kanyang mga kamay ang aking likod. I kissed him in the same intensity he was giving. We are both playing with fire, not minding how it is burning us.
I breathe for air as he releases my lips. Dumaan ang kanyang mga labi sa aking pisngi hanggang umabot ito sa aking leeg. He is leaving wet kisses like marking me as his, and only his. Iniwasan kong gumalaw dahil natatamaan ko ang sugat niya. Halos napaungol ako ng kagatin niya ang aking balat at sinipsip.
"Y-your grace," I whispered before I bit my lower lip to stop myself from moaning again. Naramdaman ko ang pagtaas ng aking bestida at ang paglalakbay ng kanyang mainit na kamay sa aking hita. He is pinching them like always. Bumabaon ang kanyang kamay na siyang sinabi niya sa akin noon na gustong-gusto niyang bumabaon siya sa balat ko.
"I want you, I badly want you," he huskily said in my right ear. "Say yes, wife. I'm begging."
"No," saad ko at agad akong napaigtad ng sirain na naman niya ang tabas ng damit ko. "Potangina mo talaga, Roshan! Parang lahat nalang ng damit ko sinisira mo!"
I heard a low chuckle. "I hate them, wife. They are hiding my food from me, it's too unfair."
Hinawakan ko ang kanyang mga braso ng akma na naman niyang pupunitin ang damit ko. Natigil kami at nagkatinginan lamang sa isa't isa. He is burning with desire while I'm freaking getting pissed at what he is doing. Dalawang beses na niyang siniraan ako ng damit sa isang araw lamang.
"You have to wait," I said.
His thick brows raised as he showered his confusion looking at me. Hindi siya nagsalita subalit bakas ang paghihingi ng sagot sa kanyang mga mata.
"I am on my ovulation period," I continued.
A corner of his lips raised. "Isn't that the best chance of conception, wife?"
"Yes, but I'm not risking it," I firmly said.
Biglang dumilim ang tingin niya sa akin, at halos takasan na naman ako ng aking hininga dahil parang lalabas ata ang galit niya. I felt guilty when his face became sullen after his anguish.
"You don't want to have a child with me?"
Mabilis akong umiling. "Hindi ngayon, at sana maintindihan mo 'yon, your grace."
Isang malalim na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan niya bago ako niyakap ng mahigpit. He buried his face on my neck as I felt his breathing made contact with my skin. Sinuklay ko na lamang ang kanyang buhok para pakalmahin siya.
~~~***•••***~~~
My ears were welcomed by a series of men screaming or grunting as I entered the training ground. Kasama ko ang ilan sa mga maids at may dala silang tray ng pagkain. Balak ko kasing mangialam sa trabaho ni Wince sa araw na ito dahil wala akong trip. Tapos na rin kasi ang pagpupulong namin ni Erwan tungkol sa bahay, at nasabihan ko na rin siya tungkol sa winter coats ng mga katulong at mga knights.
I remembered before that after the famine, the winter season was so intense that it almost wiped some parts of the Empire from the map because of how thick the snow and blizzards were. I am concerned about the Knights protecting the borders because for sure they'll freeze to death.
The house renovation is almost finished since the Duke ordered it to be finished before winter comes. Hindi pa naman malamig ang panahon, subalit naghahanda na ang lahat. The construction of the pipes were already completed before, and thanks to that, famine passed like a drizzle of rain in a sunny afternoon.
"Sir Hasan!" sigaw ko ng makita ko siyang dumaan sa pathway. Kumaway ako para kunin ang atensyon niya at agad naman niyang tinungo ang direksyon ko saka nagbigay pugay. "I brought snacks, why don't you eat first before you run an errand?"
"If the Duchess insists, then there is no reason for me to oppose," he said. Napangiti ako bago ko sininyasan ang isang katulong na lumapit. I gestured for him to pick whatever he likes but when he saw what was on the tray, he went reluctant.
"May I know what these are, your grace?"
"It's cupcakes, Sir Hasan. Don't tell me hindi ka pa nakakakita o nakakakain n'yan?" sagot ko.
"W-well, they don't look like...uhm, I apologize, your grace, but this errand is important, I must deliver it to the State immediately." Nagbigay siya ng pugay bago nag-atubili na umalis. Napasimangot ako sa inasal ni Sir Hasan pero kalaunan ay napangiti ako.
"Ang panget ka-bonding ng Vice-Commander," napapailing na saad ko bago ako naglakad muli. Sumisipol ako habang patungo sa posisyon ni Wince na abala kakatingin sa mga nag-eensayo na mga Knights. Nang makarating ako ay ginawaran niya ako ng tingin.
"May ginagawa ako," bigla niyang sabi. "Inisin mo si Laphel, balita ko kakarating niya lang kanina."
"Grabe ka naman, pwede bang namamasyal lang ako dahil nakakabagot manatili sa loob?" agad na depensa ko at hinarap ang mga nag-eensayo. "Dati nga natutuwa ka pa kapag nakalabas ako, bakit ngayon parang pinagtutulakan mo na ako palayo?"
Bigla siyang sumimangot at pinagkrus ang kanyang mga braso. Lumihis ang tingin niya pabalik sa harap. "Gusto mong malaman kung bakit?"
"Siyempre, ano naman kasi ang pinuputok ng butsi mong hinayupak ka?" nang-aasar na sabi ko.
"Bakit akong close mo kay Laphel nitong mga nakaraan? Akala ko ba ako lang ang best friend mo, Madame?" bigla niyang sabi na siyang nagpagulat sa akin. Hinarap ko siya na may nagtatakang mga mata at agad din naman siyang humarap.
"Kailan ba kita naging best friend?" tanong ko sa kanya. Tumataas pa ang kilay ko dahil hindi ko maalala kung kailan kami naging close.
He frowned. "Ang sakit n'on ah, so hindi mo talaga ako naging kaibigan? Ano tingin mo sa akin? Tao na kailangan mo lang kapag bored ka?"
Napamaang ako. "Ginagago mo ba ako, Wince? Anong nakain mo at parang nagseselos ka o kung ano man 'yang kadramahan na hindi ko maintindihan!"
"Eh, kasi lagi mo na kasama si Laphel nitong mga nakaraan. Lagi mo siyang hinahanap na parang mamamatay ka kapag hindi mo siya nakausap. Iniwan mo na ako sa ere, Madame—— aray! Para saan 'yon?!"
"Para tumino ang utak mo, gago," sagot ko. "Tigil-tigilan mo ako Wince sa mga kalokohan mo. Kailangan ko lang si Laphel dahil siya ang laging pumupunta sa border camp, at hinihingi ko ang mga sizes ng mga Knights para sa winter coats. Gago mo, para kang tanga!"
He pouted as his eyes began to look like a lost puppy. Napaikot tuloy ang mga mata ko dahil sa inis at binagsak ang aking mga balikat. Malala na ang utak ng lalaking 'to, parang kailangan niya ng tulong.
"Totoo ba 'yan?" saad niya.
"Ewan ko sa 'yo," inis na sabi ko.
"Okay lang naman kung kausapin mo si Erwan o si Logan, pero 'wag si Laphel. Nababanas ako sa gagong 'yon, nakuha na nga niya si Lady Lila, kukunin ka pa niya sa akin!"
Napamaang ako sa sinabi niya. "Akala ko ba trip mo lang asarin si Laphel para umanin siya kay Lady Lila?"
"That was true, Madame. But, Lady Lila and I have been friends for a while. Simula ng magkita ang dalawa, halos araw-araw akong binabantaan ni Laphel kahit wala naman akong ginawa. Binabakuran niya na kahit hindi pa naman sila, ang gago hindi ba?"
Napataas ang isa kong kilay. "Gago ka rin."
Bigla siyang tumawa at sinang-ayunan ang sinabi ko. His eyes shrink like that phrase overjoyed him. Napilitan akong ngumiti dahil mukha siyang baliw, o baka baliw na talaga ang lalaking ito, nagpapanggap lang.
"Gago din ang Duke, hindi ba?" tanong niya.
"Malamang, magkasama kayong lahat at lahat kayo gago, sa tingin ko nga si Sir Hasan lang ang matino sa inyo," sagot ko. I looked at one of the maids and gestured for her to come. "Wince, may ginawa akong cake——"
"Busog ako, Madame."
Sinipa ko ang kanyang paa dahil sa bilis ng pagtutol niya. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin kahit halos mapahiyaw siya sa sakit ng ginawa ko. I took the tray from the maid's hand and flashed it to him.
"This is a taste test," litanya ko.
Bigla siyang napangiwi nang tingnan niya ang laman ng tray at halos mamutla siya agad na parang nakakalason ang pagkain na hinanda ko.
"Bakit hindi nalang natin i-asa sa kitchen staff ang paggawa ng cake para sa ikalimang kaarawan ni Annika, Madame? Tiyak ako na 'yon rin ang gustong mangyari ng Duke," saad niya.
Napasimangot ako. "I want to bake Annika's cake myself. Kaya nga nagpapatulong ako sa Head Chef para do'n at kayo ang taste tester."
Bigla siyang umiling. "Madame, busog——"
"Wince," banda ko sa kanya. "Nasunog lang 'yan dahil nakalimutan kong kunin agad. Hindi ka naman mamamatay, kaya huwag kang maarte!"
Nanginginig ang kanyang kamay ng hawakan niya ang tinidor at kukuha sana ng maliit na piraso, subalit malakas akong tumikhim kaya't malaki ang kinuha niya. Annika's birthday will be after winter, and even if it would be months away, I need to prepare.
He closed his eyes as he ate the cake. Hindi pa siya ngumuya at hinayaan na mabasa sa loob ang pagkain. Bigla siyang dumilat at napantingin sa akin. He started chewing as he gave me that weird look.
Napangisi ako. "Don't judge the book by its cover, Wince Harold Melavin!"
"Why does this cake look burned?" he asked as he scooped another spoon and ate it. "But, it tastes like sweet chocolate and honey."
"It's the design. I recently mastered the art of making realistic food, and this is my first output. Ano ang tingin mo sa akin, hindi mabilis matuto? Alam ko naman na ilang beses akong gumawa ng cake na hindi sakto ang timpla, subalit nag-i-improve naman ako!"
"Congrats, Madame! This is by far the best recipe you made!" he happily said. Bigla niyang pinatigil ang mga knights at pinapunta sa gawi namin para tikman ang ginawa ko. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako ng marinig ko ang kanilang kumento.
"Wife."
Napatahimik ang lahat ng marinig namin ang boses ng Duke. Lahat ay napako ang tingin sa kanyang direksyon at sinalubong kami ng matalim at nakakamatay niyang titig. Hindi lang ata ako ang biglang natakot.
"I reserved one for you," saad ko bago ako ngumiti at lumapit. I tiptoed to reach his ears but I ended up reaching only his neck. "The ovulation period has passed."
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