Grandiose is the Capital of Veliena Empire. It is the red heart of the Empire. The business's home. Where the fancy boutiques live for all the rich crazy nobles and royals. This month is the yearly celebration of our Goddess Heyanshia. She is the Goddess of Innocence, Purity, Femininity, and Love. Medyo hindi ako qualified sa Femininity, but of course, over qualified ako sa Innocence, Purity, at siguro sa Love din. Hehe.
Agad akong dumungaw sa bintana ng madaanan namin ang mga nagsasayawang mga tao at ang mga nagsisiyahang mga mamamayan. Nilibot ko pa ang aking paningin at namangha sa mga palamuti na gawa sa iba't-ibang klase ng mga bulaklak, mga karaniwang gemstones, at iba't-ibang kulay ng bandila. This Capital never failed to amuse me up until now.
I smiled at the thought of the festival. Ever since I was born, I dreamed of attending The Dusk of Heyanshia where we celebrate the Innocence, Purity, and Femininity of every lady, may it be a commoner, a noble, or a royalty. It usually starts at 6:29 pm up to God knows when will it end. However, I was still young so I cannot go. A lady must be 13 years old to be able to attend. Now, I shouldn't waste my time! I wasted almost 3 years due to my punishment so I should celebrate, right?
14 hours is soooo long. Of course, it is. Kasalukuyang dumadaan ang sinasakyan namin sa may plaza. The bustling crowds are the main suspect of our slow movement. And I really really mind it. A few moments later, our carriage ceased. Dang, traffic. Dahil hindi ko makita ang labas ng maayos ay dumungaw uli ako. I noticed a little commotion ahead of us, which I suspect those carriages with an unfamiliar insignias caused it.
"Aris, try to ask what's happening outside." Ani ko at bagot na hinawi ang ilang hibla ng buhok kong nagulo dahil sa mahabang byahe.
Geez, I'm ultra hungry.
Hindi pa agad nakabalik si Aris kaya mas lalo akong nainip. Shuta. I only sighed and just tried to sleep but a loud knock woke me up. Oh, for heaven's sake. What now? I heard another loud knock again, but this time, repeatedly. Is this Aris? I swear I'm gonna punch her if she won't stop knocking.
"Aris, stop knocking like crazy—"
"Good day, my lady. This humble knight is named Sir Guidon from Craelaus Dukedom. The lady named Arisen, which I believed is your personal maid, is currently being healed near our carriage. Worry not as our best healer is treating her with much care."
I was greeted with a man in a silver armour with an unfamiliar insignia on his left chest. It was a half-face black wolf and half-face red dragon insignia. Lean, a bit bulk, and by the looks of it, he is undeniably strong. Judging by his appearance, he's 22 or 24 years old. A match for Aris. Hoho, what a great matchmaker I am—
I mentally slap my face when I noticed what I was doing. Seriously, Cerisxe? Napatayo agad ako at muntikan ng mauntog. "What?! What happen to her? Who did it?"
"Due to the commotion earlier, the lady is almost stabbed by one of the murderers that had escaped from the dungeon of Kiorinn Empire. Fortunately, one of our knights noticed her and immediately saved her. The lady only experienced a small cut on her left arm and elbow. That's all, my lady."
I can feel the relief rushing through my veins. Oh, thank goodness. I would definitely kill whoever hurt my subjects. I looked at the knight and smiled at him.
"Thank you so much, Sir Guidon. I appreciate your kindness for helping my friend. What should I do to repay your kindness?"
Kita ko kung paano unti-unting namula ang tainga niya. Natawa naman ako na siyang kinahiya niya. Tumikhim siya at hilaw na ngumiti.
"This humble and lowly knight is not worthy to receive anything from you, my lady. Truth to be told, it should be my master that you should thank and not me. I'm only receiving orders. But rest assured, I will extend your gratitude to him." He bowed, a sign that he is about to leave.
What a loyal and honest knight. He should receive a pile of medal, you know.
"Then may I know what is the name of that master of yours, Sir Guidon? I can't sleep knowing that I didn't even know my servant's savior. You do not wish for my sleepless night, do you?" I slowly smiled.
Parang nag-aalinlangan pa itong sabihin kung sino. Shete. Nagdududa ba siya sa akin? Like gee, I would never harm his master. I don't have any choice but to smile sweetly to earn his trust. But I think I made a scary choice. Everyone who knows me know how terrifying my smile is. Now I look like I'm plotting a vicious plan. Ugh, really?!
Tinigil ko na lang ang pagngiti dahil baka tuluyan na niyang hindi sabihin sa akin. Grabeng mukha naman 'to. I noticed how he blowed a breath and gulped. Okay, maybe he is going to tell me now.
"My master's name, my lady, is..."
I really am right!
"... Uzziah Quillan Craelaus. The young Duke—"
"Sir Guidon, the master is asking for your presence." Someone butted in.
Nabitin ang sasabihin ni Sir Guidon na sa tingin ko ay nagpa-irita sa kaniya. Nilingon niya ang lalaki at sinamaan ng tingin. "I'm talking to the lady, Bernard. Where's your manners?"
Nagulat naman ang lalaki at nanlalaki ang matang lumingon sa akin. Horror spread on his baby face. Dali-dali siyang yumuko at humingi ng tawad.
"I sincerely apologize for my behaviour, my lady. I didn't mean to butt in without your permission. I'm willing to take any punishment—"
"Oh, young Sir. I do not wish to waste your precious time for a lady like me." I graciously laugh and covered my mouth with a fan I do not even know I have. "I do understand your behaviour. Rest assured I won't bore deep feelings about this matter. Now off you go. I heard your master is calling for you, right?"
The two men looked at each other and bowed at me in unison. "Thank you for your kindness, my lady. Till we meet again."
And by that, they disappeared from my sight and was greeted by a lady I know.
"Aris. Are you okay? Does it still hurt?"
I immediately checked her wounded arm. Goodness, it is big! Naiiyak ko siyang tiningnan. Habang siya naman ay nakangiti lamang sa akin na parang walang nangyaring masama sa kaniya.
"This would never happen if I didn't send you outside—"
"My lady..." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.
"I'm fine... Please don't worry about this lowly servant anymore. Besides, its already noon, you're probably famished as hell, my lady. And the Duke... The Duke is already waiting for your return at the mansion together with your older brother."
Ngumiti naman ako. "Right. We should go now."
The carriage continued moving after the incident. The ride towards the Dukedom was smooth which made me thankful. I'm finally at peace!
At last! We have arrived! Unang lumabas si Aris sa sasakyan at tumayo sa gilid para alalayan ako. Inayos ko muna ang damit ko at kinalma ang sarili. Sometimes, I always have this feeling that something bad will happen to me and that feeling of mine always come true. Walang halong biro. Nagiging totoo talaga. Pero minsan naman hindi. Hehe. Right now, I'm having 'that' feeling. Dang, wala namang mangyayaring masama sa akin diba? Pero what if there is talaga?
Cerisxe, stop feeding your brain negative thoughts.
"My lady, are you ready?" Rinig kong tanong ni Aris sa labas.
"Huh? Ah, yes. I'm ready."
Kinatok ko ang pinto at binuksan naman iyon ni Aris. Inalalayan niya akong bumaba at bumungad sa akin ang mansiyon na kinalakihan ko. Ah, the ambiance, the aura, the feeling... It still feels the same. I miss this. Near the gate, natanaw ko ang mga nakayuko at naglilinyahang mga tauhan ni Dad.
As I walked through the wide open gates, the servants greeted me in unison. They guided me to the back garden, where my baby tulips are placed. When I arrived, I was greeted by a crowd of... nobles? Wait. Is this a welcome party? Well, by the looks of it, it is.
"Announcing the arrival of Lady Cerisxe Vueriyne Solacaeis!"
The familiar faces stopped gossiping and look at me with curiousity in their eyes.
"My, my, is that Lady Cerisxe Vueriyne Solacaeis? She's gorgeous!"
"I didn't know that the little villainess of our empire is a real beauty! Truth to be told, she surpassed all beautiful ladies in this empire."
"If I only knew that Lady Solacaeis would grow up so fine like this, I would beg Father to marry her instantly."
"Her maroon hair is really rare and stunning!"
"Her pink eyes compliments her fair skin and gorgeous face... Oh, how I envy her."
"That didn't erased the fact that she is an evil villainess, Marsha."
"Darling, there are no good villainess. They are all bad! Dumbo."
"Oh, my! Where did she bought that dark blue gown of hers? It's very trendy!"
"I think I should try being exiled from a far place so that I could have the same look like her."
"Well, dear. Whatever you do, you will never be Lady Solacaeis. I know, truth hurts."
"Tch, shut up."
Ugh, I really hate this people. Those annoying look on their faces and the fake smiles. God, this worms didn't even change. I'll deal with them later.
I mentally rolled my eyes and walked faster to where Dad is standing. Beside him is Yvflynn, wearing the most annoying smile. Nakatayo sila malayo sa mga nagkukumpulang mga nobles. The two of them never changed. Though Yvflynn matured a lot and he is much taller. Dad is now a bulk scary old man minus the warm smile on his face.
"Hello, Dad How are you? You look old than ever. Hi to you too, ugly Yvflynn." I greeted them with a very warm smile. Kindly notice the sarcasm please.
"How are you my little lovely daughter? You're a grown up now. A gorgeous lady... just like your mother." He hugged me and chuckled.
I hugged Dad back and glared at my annoying brother who is smirking at me. "Hello, marroon fly." And he chuckled.
I annoyingly rolled my eyes and swear at him silently. He only laughed and shook his head like crazy.
"You never changed."
Our family never had any maroon-haired offspring. I'm the only one who have this kind of hair throughout the Empire. Maroon is considered as the rarest color of hair. And don't forget dark purple too. Yvflynn has a bright brown hair and so is Dad. Mom has an orange hair with black eyes. I only inherited my family's eyes, which is pink.
Dad pulled out the hug and patted my head. "Sweetheart, greet his Royal Highness, the Emperor."
Agad kong sinunod ang direksyon ng kamay niya at unti-unting tinaas ang ulo. A tall lean man with a strong honorable figure sprung out of nowhere and greeted my view. He is still handsome despite his old age. I bowed down to greet the Emperor even though I was creeped out of his suspicious smile.
"I greet the sun of Veliena Empire, the Father of this nation, your Royal Highness, Emperor Gareth Bale Vogel Mavri."
I heard him laugh. "Rise, my child."
Agad ko namang inayos ang tindig at sinalubong ang tingin niya. My Dad and this human infront of me are kind of best friends. Thankfully, this lunatic duo didn't ate anything ugly to think and plan a marriage between our family to stay strong and connected.
"I won't beat around the bush, young lady. I have come here to tell you something. I once have a gamble event with the Emperor of Kiorinn. Unfortunately, he was not able to attend for he is bedridden like hell before the event. To save his face, he send me the young Duke of his Empire in behalf of him. It was Duke Uzziah Quillan Craelaus..."
Duke Uzziah Quillan Craelaus? Where did I heard that name again?
"He is a terrifying lunatic gambler. And he ended me in the worst way. I can't accept the defeat so I gambled with him again. He agreed. But this time, he want a valuable reward for whoever the winner is. A reward that could benefit the conqueror. The loser will give something that could benefit the winner. So I agreed. The ending was tragic since I lose, big time. I already told you he is a terrifying lunatic gambler, right? Now, the time has come so I offered him my riches but he declined. My vast lands, a title, but he still declined! I have come to the point to give him the Empire but he still declined! I mean, how could he declined that big offer?" Tumawa siya at napa-iling-iling.
"Without even thinking, I offered him a marriage between a noble lady from my Empire and he seems quite interested. But I... just realize that almost all the lady of my Empire is engaged, married, still young, and still not born. I cannot disgrace our Empire's name for giving a commoner to an allied country, right? I lose hope and was about to give up... But then, my advisor told me that there is an exiled noble lady 8 years ago. I realized that, Duke Solacaeis had a daughter that I almost forgot."
He dramatically held his chest and look at me. Okay, this is not good. Oh, boy. Aris held my arms, like she was preparing for a fierce battle between me and the Emperor.
"In short, I offerred you to him. Even though you're away for 8 years, your name is still famous as a well-known villainess of this Empire. I don't know what is running inside his mind that he immediately agreed without questions. And boom, you're married!"
Kalma siyang umupo sa katabing upuan at ininom ang wine niya. Tumingin naman sa akin si Yvflynn at natatawang umiiling. "Calm down before you shout."
Hindi ko alam kung paano o ano ang gagawin ko. What??!!! I'm married??!! But wait... he said he offered me to him, so how come I'm a married woman now?!
"How come I'm married—"
"You signed the marriage certificate, dear sister." Sagot ni Yvflynn.
Naguguluhan ko naman siyang tiningnan. "Huh? How—"
"Remember the letter I gave you last time where I told you to sign something? It was all an illusion that you saw my beautiful handwriting. It was actually the marriage certificate."
Tumikhim si Dad.
"You are now Lady Cerisxe Vueriyne Solacaeis-Craelaus, the wife of Duke Uzziah Quillan Craelaus and the future Duchess of Craelaus Dukedom."
*
Lady Cerisxe Vueriyne Solacaeis-Craelaus with a bored look on her face, while sitting inside the carriage °••
Note: The photo is mine. Stealing is a crime, Love!