Season 1
Chapter 22
Good morning, Your Highness. It is a wonderful day, is it not? Are you busy? Do you want to have fun again?
-Arisia
The smell of the ink lingered through my nose as I finished writing on the parchment. Napangisi ako ng matapos ko itong masuri. I added my seal and a rose scent in it. My eyes squinted.
It has been days since the night I hung out with Rionsky. I was sending him some letters in secret to hang out with him. I mean, my true purpose is to tease him again because I was getting restless more than before. Muntik na rin nga kaming nahuli ng mga kawal na nagbabantay sa pasukan nang papunta kami sa palasyo ngunit gumawa si Hilda ng insidente upang maabala ang kawal at makapasok kami. It is really disdainful if someone saw us alone together.
Tumingin ako kay Hilda na blanko na nakatingin sa akin. I gave her a smile as my eyes squinted. She averted her eyes and let out a grunt.
“Hilda, deliver it to the crown prince. Be sure to secretly do it and you can just leave it in his desk where it can only reach his access.” Pagpapa-alala ko. My index finger went to my lips as a signal of a secret.
“Yes, my lady.” Tumango siya. She took the letter from my hand and vanished in thin air. Napabuntong-hininga ako. I went out to see Heiden’s knights in training. Their ripped muscles and shining abs greeted me.
Geez, they really know how to please people. What a morning, it is.
My gaze landed on the maids obviously drooling at them. Napailing na lang ako. I set out a small picnic on my own away from them. Ang sumisipol na hangin ay binabati ako at itinatangay ang aking buhok.
Today is so sunny that I feel like going out. Wala rin naman akong klase ngayon dahil linggo ngayon. My teachers remarkably praised me and even reduced the lessons I excel at so I do not have anything to do much these days.
I let out a sigh and closed my eyes. Dinamdam ko ang sariwang hangin. I leaned on the tree that is covering me from the sunlight rays. Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog ako ng mahimbing.
Hapon nang magising ako ay nasa tabi ko si Davidron.
So he did not wake me up, I see.
I gave him a nod. He just smiled at me. I did not budge when he kissed the back of my hand when I extended my hand to ask for his help for me to stand up. Bumuntong-hininga ako at umirap.
What is he doing now?
Hindi ko na lamang iyon pinansin. He escorted me up until outside my room. Nang makapasok ako sa aking silid ay naroroon si Hilda na may hawak na sulat. I tilted my head. Kinagat ko ang aking labi at humiga sa aking kama.
“My lady, you have an invitation from---”
“The crown prince?” Pagputol ko. She blinked twice and gave me the letter. Agad ko iyong binuksan. Excitement rushed through me.
Sister, I hope you are doing well. Father and I are still regretting that we sent you over there. Please do send me a letter if you are in need.
Love,
Alluis
Napapikit ako at kinagat ang aking mga labi. I sighed in relief.
I was wrong. It was not from Rionsky. Still, I am glad that Alluis sent me a letter. Alam kong nag-aalala siya sa akin, ganoon din ako sa kanya.
Kaunti akong napangiti at agad kinuha ang tinta upang magsulat pabalik.
“You seem disappointed, my lady. I was going to tell you that it was from the young master.” I clicked my tongue of what she said.
I expected that. I knew she was going to say that.
Suminghal ako.
“What? Why would I be? It is from Alluis, I should be happy.” I admit I was a bit disappointed when I found out it was not from Rionsky. That was just because I was hoping to receive a letter from him, even though I am not sure if he will write back.
“But just now, you seem disappointed because it was not from the crown prince.” Sabat niya.
She really knows how to get on my nerves sometimes, especially when it comes to Rionsky. Bakit niya ba ipinipilit na may amor ako sa prinsipe na iyon?
“You have the wrong idea. Of course I have expected that it was from him since I thought he replied to my taunt.” I shook my head. Kumurap ako.
“May isa pa na sulat mula sa...” Napatigil ako sa pagsusulat at napatingin sa kanya.
Was it from Rionksy this time? “...iyong ama.” I blinked thrice. Lumunok pa ako nang malaman na ina-asar na naman ako ni Hilda. I sighed and rolled my eyes. I ended up clicking my tongue again.
This days, I was clicking my tongue more. It was because of her and her simple teases.
Ibinaling ko ang aking atensiyon sa aking isinusulat.
“Ah.” Tanging naisagot ko.
I am not falling for such a simple trick of her again.
“Did you thought it was from the crown prince, my lady?” May panunuya sa kanyang tono.
“No.” Maiksi kong sagot. I snatched the letter from her and opened it.
Be safe. Do well. I will be supporting you.
-Aurelino di Vonce
Napatango pa ako nang matapos na mabasa ang isinulat ni Ama.
As expected from him, brief and clear. His words are very clear and I fully understand him. That is Father, I wound not expect an emotional letter from him. Mawawala muna ang mundo at saka iyon mangyayari.
I massaged my head and gave her the parchments.
Sumasakit ang ulo ko.
“Send them a reply in my stead, Hilda.”
“I understand, my lady.” Marahan siyang tumango at tumingin nang matagal sa akin dahil kanina pa ako nakatingin sa kanya. “What is the problem, my lady?” She tilted her head as she asked.
“Letter.” I handed my hand.
“Yes?”
“Wala na ba?” Wala sa sarili kong naitanong.
“The remaining are insignificant. I just sorted those emergencies and from your family.” I stopped breathing for a bit. I pressed my lips against each other. Tumingin ako sa kabila upang layuan ko ang kanyang mapanuyang tingin.
I thought there will be an expected letter from someone but it seems there is none.
Napapikit ako.
Good grief, I feel like I am being fooled.
“I see.”
“Maybe you should write another letter to His Highness again.” I glared at her. She just nodded at me and went out from my room. Napatingin ako sa kisame nang humiga ulit ako sa kama.
The morrow, nothing big happened. The day after it. And so on.
Marahas akong bumuntong-hininga.
I am so weary. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko.
Hilda sighed and gave me tips to relax myself and do some things. She went out after I soaked myself in the bathtub. I was about to close my eyes when she suddenly barged in my room. Kaunti akong napaigtad sa lakas ng boses ng pagkakabukas niya sa pintuan. The first thing that caught my eye is the letter she is holding.
“My lady, you have a---” Agad akong tumayo at hinablot ang hawak niyang sulat nang makalapit siya sa akin. I opened it.
Stop sending me letters.
-R.H.R.
I blinked twice. Napatabingi ako.
“This is it?” Uninterest was hinted in my tone. Blanko akong napatingin kay Hilda.
“Yes, my lady.” I rolled my eyes and leaned on the chair. I let go of the letter. She caught it mid-air.
“Well, at least, he replied.” I am a bit disappointed of his reply but knowing him, this is what he will really say. Imagining his face while writing this, I assume he has an annoyed expression. Napangisi ako. I continued to bombard him with secret letters after that.
I said stop bombarding me letters! Are you not busy at all? Well, I suppose a woman like you does not take things seriously and wants to goof around.
-R.H.R.
His second reply was longer. And it looks like the reply interval is quite long. Is he busy or he just sees me as a bother?
My index finger went to my lips. I let out a short sigh and think of what I will reply. Kusang gumalaw ang aking kamay upang magsulat sa papel.
It is not like that, Your Highness. I merely want to---
I was interrupted when there was a knock from the door.
“My lady, the second prince is here.” It was Hilda. I gave her an uninterested look and tilted my head. I grunted a bit and rolled my eyes.
“Oh. I do not care.” Maiksi kong sagot.
“He wishes to see you.” Tumaas ang aking kilay sa kanyang sinabi. I smirked.
Really? That was really fast. That crazy prince went to see me, huh? Should I meet him as he wishes?
“Why is it?” I swallowed my saliva. I let out a sigh. Hindi pa ako natapos sa aking sinasabi ay marahas na bumukas ang pintuan at iniluwa nito ang galit na prinsipe. I hid the letter in my back and stood up. I gave him a blank look. He look at me with grimace.
“What brings you here, prince Heiden?” He scoffed. He covered his face as he laughed in madness. Inayos niya ang kanyang buhok at sinaman ako ng tingin na parang kikitilin ako. Sumulyap ako kay Hilda. She nodded at me and went out of my chamber to leave us alone.
“It was you, wasn’t it?” May sarkasmo sa kanyang tono.
“I do not understand your intention.” Sagot ko sa mababang tono.
Frankly, I am not in the mood to argue with him. Seeing his face right now annoys me.
“You were the one behind those incidents..” Sumingkit ang aking mga mata. Sikreto akong ngumisi.
Surprisingly, he is not that dumb. Akala ko ay hindi niya malalaman ng mas matagal ang aking mga ginagawa sa likod ng mga eksena. Well, let us just deny it.
“What exactly is happening to you?” I pointed out.
“Don’t play dumb. I knew it was you, or you should have some connection with those.” Ah, those things, huh? For example, paying someone to risk Snow’s life? Petty, huh?
Kumurap ako.
That was all his fault, all along. If he did not try to mess with me and even call me insignificant, this would not have had happened.
“If you came here to spout nonsense, then I am sorry to disappoint you, Heiden. I am not going to play with your ploy.” I shrugged and grunted.
“You vixen!” Asik niya. In a snap, he is holding my neck. It stung a bit and I felt a little blood came out from it. Napahawak ako sa kanyang kamay at ngumisi.
“If you kill me, I will have my servants expose my murder.” Napatawa ako nang matapos na sabihin iyon. His eyes gave out more hatred.
So he hates me this much, huh?
“You really are a vixen. How dare you when you are just insignificant.” He gritted his teeth. Namilog ang kanyang mga mata.
He is going at it as if he really intends to kill me.
I mentally grunted.
Alam niya ba kung ano ang mangyayari sa oras na kitilin niya ang aking buhay? Hell. I have many countermeasures for it to ensure his downfall. It should be he that dares to do this to me.
Humigpit ang kanyang hawak sa aking leeg.
“Yes, I am insignificant, Heiden. Know that you are the same for me.” Nabitawan ko ang aking hawak na sulat. His eyes followed it. Binitawan niya ako na parang wala lang at bumaba siya upang pulutin ang sulat.
“What’s this?” He arrogantly chuckled and shook his head.
It seems like he fits the title of the villain more than his brother. Well, it is not like I have seen the dark side of Rionsky. “You like that son of a bitch, huh? You suit each other.” Komento niya pa. My brow rose. I coughed to clear my throat. Tumayo ako at hindi na inabalang pigilan ang pagdaloy ng aking dugo mula sa aking leeg.
Nangangati ako na kunin ang aking espada. If it would not just so much risky, I would have pointed my sword at him.
My eyes went to the black-colored sword. My hand went to my right to leash my right hand from grabbing it and stabbing the prince. I pursed my lips as I try to calm down.
“Please refrain from degrading the dignity of the royal family.”
“Why? What I said was true.” An ounce of danger.
“I do not care if it is true or not. Also, I do not like His Highness the crown prince.”
“Lying, aren’t you? Fine, I will take him down with you.” He crazily answered. He gave a devilish smile.
He really is crazy but that is his charm.
“Prince Heiden.” Ma-awtoridad na tono mula sa akin. “Do what you want with the crown prince. It is not my business anymore but if you dare do something to my people, then be prepared to face the consequences.” Lumapit ako sa kanya at makahulugang ngumiti. My tone was filled with threat. “House di Vonce is ready to turn its back anytime once you have wronged me.” Hinawi ko ang aking buhok.
“What...” Tumaas ang kanyang kilay.
“You do realize that house di Vonce is powerful. If we turn our back, some will follow us. It will surely be a disadvantage for you.” I chuckled. My smile did not disappear as my eyes squinted until it was closed.
“You are aware that you are threatening a prince.” He smirked an evil one.
“Of course, I know my actions. Unlike you, Your Highness.” I pointed at him. Tumalikod na ako para kumuha ng panyo mula sa aking kabineta. “A warning, Heiden, do not anger me.” I stopped my neck from further loss of blood.
“You will regret this.” I shrugged. I turned at him and licked my lips. His brown eyes still looked at me with hatred and disgust. My look went cold.
“Leave my chamber.” Malamig kong sinabi.