Kabanata 9
First name
On the evening, I decided to take a walk on the garden to pass some time. On my real world, I have never seen a garden this beautiful.
I can see Sir Jaime and Joanne a few steps away from me. I told them to give me some space so I can enjoy the night breeze.
The reason I want to cool off was because I am terrified for tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day kung saan magsisimula ang timeline ng story na to. Where the female lead will go to the capital to have her debut too.
In the novel, bukas sila magkikita ni Gabriel. On a famous bakery where Gabriel will buy some sweets for his sister, Amaury. Seeing how conflicted the man was, Emeline would step in and suggest some sweets to him.
That's how they start their relationship. Emeline being an adviser to Gabriel for sweets and dresses for his sister. Not knowing na ang isa't-isa ang hinahanap nila. They're long-lost childhood friends.
Napabuntong hininga ako. Hindi ko maialis sa akin ang kaba at takot sa mangyayari bukas.
Although I have taken a few different steps to avoid my pitiful ending, hindi pa rin ako makampante. Dahil bukas palang mangyayari ang simula. Hindi ko alam if my decisions have taken effect on the story. Kung sapat ba iyon para mabago ko ang takbo ng buhay ni Amaury without misdirecting the original plot.
I was deeply holding on into Duke Crescendo. He is my lifeline. Hindi ko na muna inisip ang magiging epekto nito kay Gabriel and Emeline dahil sila ang bida sa novel. Nothing bad would happen to them. Pero ang side character na katulad ko ay pwede i-disregard kahit anong oras. I was meant to start the flame on my brother's heart. My death would start all of his plan.
Pero paano kung hindi ako namatay? Paano iikot ang kwento? Ano ang magsisindi sa apoy ng Kuya ko for the flow of the story?
"Lady..."
I heard Joanne called me. Ilang minuto na pala akong tulala at nakatayo sa gitna ng hardin. Because of my uneasiness kung anu-ano na ang naiisip ko.
"It's kind of cold isn't?" I said as I walk towards them, "Let's go back."
Sumunod sila saakin sa paglalakad then Joanne spoke.
"His Excellency the Duke has come to visit you, Lady Amaury."
Napahinto ako at niligon si Joanne.
"Huh, at this time? Isn't it late for a visitor?"
"The Duke will join you for dinner, Lady Amaury. A servant told me a while ago."
Tumango ako at saka nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad pabalik sa loob ng mansion.
Entering the study room, a manly scent attacked my senses. A man standing in front of the window while the moonlight shines on him. His silver hair glitters as he tilts his head to look at me.
"Your Excellency..." I bowed to him. Instead of acknowledging my greetings, he kneels and took my hand to kiss the back of it.
"How I've long to see you, Milady."
W-what?!
I was flustered to his greeting's kaya naman napaiwas ako ng tingin. I can feel my cheeks heating up. Joanne quietly giggled. I glared at her pero nagpatuloy lamang siya sa paghagikgik.
Pasimple kong binawi ang kamay ko at saka marahang ngumiti sakanya.
"It's good to see you doing well, my duke. Shall we go inside and have our dinner?"
But when we're about to go to the dining hall, one of his guard rushes to his side and whisper.
"Tsk."
Duke Crescendo clicked his tongue as his guard continues to talk. Wala akong marinig dahil may sapat kaming distansya na dalawa. Nang matapos ay nagpaalam na din ang lalaki at umalis.
Duke Crescendo looks grumpy now. Kaya hula ko ay masamang balita iyong sinabi ng guard niya.
"May problema ba, Duke? Is it an urgent matter?"
Ngumiti ito ng bigo at saka tumango, "I'm afraid it is. I guess, I owe you one dinner, Lady Amaury."
I just smiled at him. I am more comfortable of him leaving than having dinner with him. Maybe hindi pa ako sanay sa presensya niya kaya ang awkward pa para sakin ang makasama siya ng matagal.
"I'll see you next time." I said.
Tumaas ang kanyang kilay, "I'll pick you up tomorrow. And here..." He handed me a small box with their house sigil on it.
When I opened it, inside there's a beautiful corsage? A beautiful blue flower with a golden string on it.
"Oh... my. Thank you, my Duke. It is beautiful."
Ngumit siya at sinuot na ang coat niya. "Of course, you only deserve beautiful things." Aniya na nagpapula sa pisngi ko.
Na-touch ako to be honest. Even though I know that this is only a signed contract between us, I can still feel how sincere he is in taking care of me.
"One more thing... You should start calling me Dale, Amaury. Not my title but my name."
"What? How could I call you like that! You're a Duke." I said almost immediately.
He chuckled then took a step closer to me, "Amaury, my first name isn't that hard."
Nag-iwas ako ng tingin when his grey eyes feel like burning me.
"Even so." Tutol ko pa rin.
"I am your fiancé now." He smirked, "Dapat ay masanay ka na sa pagbigkas ng pangalan ko."
Ngumuso ako bilang tutol but then he has a point. It would be weird for me to address him by his title when I am his wife.
Tiningnan ko siya at saka ngumiti, "See you tomorrow, Dale."
May napansin akong kislap sa kanyang mata but then he titled his head away. Tumikhim siya at tumango.
"I am deeply honoured to escort you tomorrow, Amaury. Enjoy the night."