Kabanata 4
Second lead's Fiancée
It's been a week mula ng nakausap ko si Duke Crescendo. Until now, wala pa din akong natatanggap na mensahe mula sakanya.
Napakalumbaba ako sa sa bintana ng kwarto ko. Isang linggo nalang bago magsimula ang timeline ng kwento ng novel na to. Hanggang ngayon wala pa rin akong improvement sa plano. Hay nako.
"May problema ba, Miss?" I heard Joanne spoke as she arranges the tea set sa kwarto.
Napanguso ako at saka humalukipkip sa dibdib. She gasped and marahan na tinanggal ang kamay ko na nasa dibdib.
"Miss! Hindi ka ganyan kumilos! If your father saw you acting that way mapapagalitan ka na naman." She warned me but her voice was full of concern. Maybe she did care about me, this Amaury, after all.
"It's fine." I waved my hand at her, "Tayo lang ang nandito oh? Hindi mo naman ako isusumbong kaya hindi nila malalaman."
My father wasn't very strict to me because I am not the one who will inherit our house. So as long as hindi ko dudumihan ang pangalan namin, I can do whatever I like. Even marrying the duke...
Damn! Naalala ko na naman si Duke Cresendo na hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring mensahe o balita para sakin! Pitong araw na akong naghihintay! When I remembered our agreement on that day... Sa tingin ko naman ay naging maayos ang pag-uusap namin, so bakit ngayon ay wala pa rin akong natatanggap na confirmation sakanya?!
"I need you to marry me."- I said seriously na ikinatawa lang niya.
"That's your proposal? To marry you in exchange for your information about the royal seal?" He said as if mocking me.
Pinagsawalang bahala ko ang tono niya at nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita, "I need you to act as my fiancé for a year. Kapalit ay ang pagtulong ko sa paghahanap ng royal seal. And even other information that you might need. You see, I'm kind of knowledgeable about sa mga tactics and strategies."- na nakuha ko sa novel. Dahil alam ko kung anong mangyayari sa flow ng novel, that makes me a very valuable person to him.
Tumaas ang kilay niya, "Hindi ba tila dehado ako sa usapan na yan? I'll give you my title, much higher than your father's title. What's in it for me kung papayag ako? Just some random information? Yun lang? And where do you get that information anyways? Doon mo rin nakuha ang impormasyon kung nasaan ang crescent wolf hideout at kung sino ang pinuno? Is that it?" Sunod-sunod na tanong niya. Ang malapusa at malamig na tingin niya sakin ay nagpakilabot ng balat ko.
He's trying to corner me!
Umubo ako at umayos ng upo, "Duke Crescendo, I am only asking you to act as my fiancé for a year or less, then after that we will call off the engagement. If it is necessary then we will get married and divorce after, I won't cling to you after that or even ask for compensation for our broken engagement or marriage. Sa parte na iyan hindi ba ako ang mas dehado? Wag kang mag-alala. Kung saan o kanino ko man nakuha ang mga impormasyon na alam ko ay natitiyak kong ako lamang ang nakakaalam ng mga iyon. That person is the least of your concern."
Tumitig siya sakin habang bahagyang nakangiti. Tila ba sinusubukan na basahin ang nasa isip ko. I know that expression so well. That is his defensive smile, his Duke Crescendo's smile. He uses that when he is suspecting something. Well, I don't care kung ano pa ang iniisip mo, Dale. What I need is for you to agree on my terms! On my plan!
Tumikhim akong muli at taas noo na nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita, "My proposal is easy, Duke Crescendo. Be with me for a year, I'll help you find the royal seal and claim your royal title as a prince. We'll divorce after then act as if we never met each other."
His expression changed after kong magsalita, like I've said something wrong.
"How did you know?" He said simply but I can feel his dark aura around the room, "There's only two people who knew about that. Who told you about my plan on the royal seal? Who?!"
Napalunok ako. Damn! Big mouth, Amaury. You have such a big mouth! Ano na ngayon? Ano ang ipapalusot ko? Hindi naman pu-pwede na sabihin kong nalaman ko iyon dahil nabasa ko sa libro.
I looked away. I need to change the topic...
"I have some information that will be helpful to you."- trying to dig a deeper hole huh? Ugh!
"Who told you about my plans!?" He stood up and started to walk towards me, "What do you want from me?"
I am starting to panic. I was so intimidated by his grey eyes. It was like sucking me into a wormhole.
"No one told me anything! I did my investigation alone. And like I said, I need a powerful ally who can protect me!"
Tumawa siya ng malakas tila ba may natuklasang kakaiba, "Investigated? I thought may ibang tao kang kinukuhanan ng impormasyon? What's the truth?"
Ack! Get your story straight, Amaury! Even if you tell him everything, he wouldn't believe it.
Kapani-paniwala ba na galing ako sa ibang mundo at namatay, nang imulat ko ang mata ko ay nasa loob na ako ng isang libro? Hindi! I'll be sent to asylum for saying that! Iisipin pa niyang baliw ako dahil sa sinabi ko. Might as well make another alibi.
Bumuntong hininga ako ng malalim, using my acting face, "Yes. You heard me right. Ako ang source ng information ko. Nag research ako about families who can be my ally. And even classified information para makatulong sa kung sino man ang papayag sa proposal ko, that is to marry me."
He looked at me seriously still cautious, "Investigating a powerful ally huh? Look her, Miss Clerebold... If you want me to cooperate with you must be transparent. I needed to know if your information is trustworthy."
Napalunok ako sa kaba, he's giving me a chance to explain. I need to make up a believable excuse to make him agree. Dahil doon, I said the information about the other family that will happen in the future novel. That way, I can earn his trust.
"You aren't the only one I investigated, Duke Crescendo. I have information about Duke Childe, Duke Herondale and Duke Riviera too. Every house who has an of age Lord that I can offer marriage proposal. Even Marquis Salvatore and Count Zahall have been investigated by me."
Nakita kong nakakunot ang noo niya. He was confused and amused sa mga sinasabi ko kaya nagpatuloy ako..
"I can give you an advice about Count Zahall as an ally."
He smirked like I just said something nonsense. "The Zahall house is worthless now. They're starting to lose their political power. I am not interested in them."
Tumango ako bilang sagot sa sinabi niya... Dahil iyon ang nangyayari ngayon but in the future, makakabangon ito sa pamamalakad ng bunsong anak ng Count. Wow. My knowledge inside the novel is very handy.
"Zahall house is weak for now, because the successor of the house is Payton Zahall. But Count Rich Zahall isn't a fool. He'll soon give the title of their House to his youngest son, Mil Zahall."
Tumaas ang kilay niya, he's smiling. Someone's enjoying the talk huh? Right, my duke?
"How do you think so?" He asked.
Sumimsim ako ng tsaa ko na ngayon ay malamig na bago nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita.
"Payton is supporting the revolutionary faction. Count Zahall knew this, so he won't risk his house for a ticking time bomb like Payton. Instead, he will give it to his youngest son, Mil. His youngest son is a bright and trustworthy man. He is loyal and brave. He'll make a powerful ally in the future for you, don't you think so? Besides in two or three years, their military power would double in numbers, making them climb the social ladder again. Help Mil build the House Zahall reputation na tatanawin nila bilang utang na loob. With that you'll have a hold on their military power."
He smirked at sumandal sa upuan niya. He moves his knight forward on the board.
"What you're saying isn't exactly true, but you are quite right about Mil. Zahall is indeed introducing his youngest son to every meeting he attended. It seems like Zahall is starting to build Mil's social status. And the military power seems promising."
Palihim akong napangiti when I saw him thinking hard. He was holding the queen now and looking at the board.
"I also need a very powerful queen. Do you think you will fit in that category?"
Napasinghap ako pero hindi ko iyon ipinahalata sakanya. Did I manage to make a deal with him?
"I am overqualified. So, you better be grateful for a Queen like me as a piece."
"You consider yourself as an important piece. Hmm." Ngumisi siya.
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag when he smiled at me. His second smile na ginagamit lamang niya sa tinuturing niya na kakampi. I guess I'm one of it now huh.
"I'll accept your proposal but in one condition."
Ngumisi ako at tumango, "Say it."
Inilapag niya ang queen sa harap ng board, "You'll know it when it's time."
His grey eyes turn on me, "Two can play the game, Lady Clerebold. Would you join me then?"
I guess that's it. We finally have a deal.