You cannot change fate once it's been woven by the gods are the first words from a book I read a long time ago.

And I think right now, that is what this world is trying to tell me. To remind me that I cannot change what is bound to happen.

But this did not happen in the novel! I was certain that RC Astralia mentioned that all three crucial characters involved in the novel met at the victory party!

"Just now, what did you say?" The awe on his face vanished and was now replaced with a scowl.

Send help, minura ko ang kontrabida ng kwento!

"It means, k-kamusta ang araw mo, oh, K-Kamahalan." Halos makagat ko ang dila ko sa pagsisinungaling. I've been in this world for a month, so I know that in Vrivasea, cuss words like that don't exist.

"Lengguwahe ba yan sa kahariang pinagmulan mo?" Tanong niya at hindi pa din nagbabago ang ekspresyon ng mukha.

"Y-Yes, Your Highness." Magalang kong sagot for the etiquette kuno. Thanks to Daneiris' memories, hindi ako nahirapan sa mga basic etiquettes when interacting with people around me, especially with someone with a higher social status. My body would move naturally and gracefully giving them the proper curtsy.

"It seems the Lady Daneiris did not understand the ceremony that happened this afternoon." He lifted an eyebrow.

Sandali akong napaisip sa ibig niyang sabihin. "I don't understand, Your Highness." Sagot ko matapos ng ilang segundong pag-iisip, pero hindi nakuha ang ibig niyang ipahiwatig.

"Your family has renounced Arexxo. That means you have to forget everything about that damned kingdom, and that includes never using their language ever again. Arexxo is a dead county and you are a Vrivasean now, in case the Lady needs to be reminded." Inilagay niya ang mga kamay sa likuran at maayos na tumindig.

I gasped, isang malaking pagkakamali na gamitin iyon bilang palusot. "I-I'm sorry, Your Highness. It will not happen again." I bowed my head. Pano kung isipin nitong hindi bukal sa puso namin ang pagtalikod sa dating kaharian? Mapapahamak pa ang pamilya ko dahil sa akin.

Oo, pamilya ko. Pamilya ko na sila. I may not be the real Daneiris, and I don't know what happened to the real owner of this body, but this is my reality now. I am Daneiris, and I will keep this body safe, including everyone dear to the female lead.

"There's no need to apologize like that. Everyone makes mistakes, just be cautious next time. The other nobles might not let it slide." Ngumiti ito.

What the hell is this? Why is he smiling at me? Napakalumanay din ng boses nito habang sinasabi ang mga katagang iyon.

The novel is still fresh in my memory. The Crown Prince would often boast his status to Daneiris hoping she would flung herself to him, like all the other noble ladies of the Kingdom. He was mean every time he approached her, his voice was loud and proud. Whenever he opens his mouth, he spat out nothing but unkind words. However, I do understand his point of view, it's because he was always jealous of the protagonists. Madalas ang mga eksena ni Dimitri sa kwento ay nakikita na magkasama at masaya si Hadeon at Daneiris, at ang tipikal na reaksyon niya rito ay poot at inggit, and it would often result in him unable to control his temper.

I remembered a scene, it was at the jousting competition. Lady Daneiris wanted to give Duke Hadeon a handmade tassel made of light green pearls that resembled the Duke's eyes, for good luck. Crown Prince Dimitri saw it and confronted Lady Daneiris about it. He ended up smashing the tassel until the pearls broke into a thousand pieces. Lady Daneiris was horrified and ran away from the Prince. The look on her face haunted Dimitri for days, and for the first time, showed a moment of weakness to his villainous character. That he too is human, capable of emotions.

'All I want is to show you how much I love you, but why won't you give me a chance?'

That one scene, a short point of view from the Crown Prince, brought up so much tension between the fandom. Some readers sympathize with him and want Dimitri to have a redemption arc.

But it never happened.

Dimitri sunk deeper into darkness, jealousy had consumed him beyond saving. Chapter by chapter it was stated clearer that he was the villain. That, and nothing more.

"My Lady?"

"Y-Yes, Your Highness?" I panicked. I got lost in my thoughts. Nasa harap ko pa nga pala ang Itinakdang Prinsipe.

"You seemed preoccupied." Sagot nito.

Kalmado ang ekspresyon niya, but I'm not sure if that's it.

I have to be careful around him.

"It was nothing." Kailangan ko ng umalis dito. "It was nice seeing you, Your Highness. I will take my leave now." Paalam ko sa kanya.

Hindi na ako naghintay pa ng sagot at nagmamadali ng umalis.

"My Lady, wait!" Agad nitong tawag matapos kong makailang hakbang palayo rito.

Bahala ka jan, pre. Gusto ko pang mabuhay! Mas binilisan ko ang paglakad, actually at this point I think I'm already running, so desperate to flee from him.

"Lady Daneiris," Lumingon ako sa kanya at humahabol pa din ito.

What is wrong with him? Hindi makaintindi? Lumalayo nga yung tao eh.

"Oomph!" Napaatras ako at nawalan ng balanse ng bigla nalang may mabunggo.

"Are you alright?" He grabbed my arm to help me with my balance. Napatingin ako sa taong nagsabi nun.

My mouth fell open to the sight of moss-green eyes. Sunod kong napansin ang kulay ng buhok nito. He has coiffed blond hair of medium length. There's only one character in the book described this way. My eyes went down to the brooch he was wearing. It's a winged-lion sigil, and there's only one House in the Kingdom with this kind of insignia.

"Duke Hadeon Darcy," I uttered absentmindedly.

"You know me, My Lady?" Nagtataka ito.

You're the male lead, and I am going to die saving you!

"I-I mean," Umatras ako ng kaunti. "I heard all the ladies at the banquet hall talking about you, Your Grace." Nagbigay pugay ako rito.

"Oh, good you stopped." Napalingon ako sa bagong dating, and it's Crown Prince Dimitri catching his breath.

What kind of sick joke is this?

"Your Highness," Duke Hadeon lowered his head as he greets the Crown Prince.

"Duke Darcy," Dimitri also greeted him.

The male lead and the villain are in one place, with me, in a scenario that was never in the book.

"Were you in trouble, Lady..."

"I-I'm Lady Daneiris Sinclair, Your Grace." Pagpapakilala ko rito. "And I'm not in trouble or anything like that." Dagdag ko.

"Sinclair? Perhaps you're the daughter of Marquess Fabian Sinclair?"

"Y-Yes."

Pero grabe ka makaassume ha! Hinabol lang, trouble na agad agad?

Muli ko siyang sinuri, pero in fairness, ang gwapo mo po.

The book The Lady amidst the Beasts didn't release any official art, kaya kanya kanya kaming imagine sa description ng author sa mga tauhan ng kwento. Well, thanks to all the talented artists who made fanarts, mayroon kaming pinagtitilian sa mga screen ng cellphone namin. Pero ibang iba pa din sa mga larawang nakita ko ang mga tunay nilang itsura.

Sarap nyo sa mata, babe!

Napatingin ako kay Dimitri. His long dark red hair is now disheveled for running after me. He has a pair of onyx black orbs and a beauty mark underneath his right eye. Maganda nga talaga ang tindig at pangangatawan nito tulad sa nakasaad sa libro. Grabe, ang swerte naman ni Daneiris. Pinag-aagawan ng dalawang to.

"Here, My Lady." May inabot sa akin si Dimitri. "You dropped this in the garden." Hawak niya ang panyo ko.

"Hinabol mo ko dahil dito?"

"Yes, but you were running away as if a monster was after you." He frowned.

Pero no offense ha, para ka naman talagang halimaw sa pagtatapos ng kwento sa libro.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Kinuha ko ang panyo ko. "And I apologize for my behavior just now. I thought I offended you, so I ran away." Pagpapalusot ko, pero medyo totoo naman.

"Then, I'll leave now. You two have fun." Pagkasabi niya nun ay agad na itong umalis.

Ha?

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Hadeon. Have fun? Kanino? Dito sa cause of death ko?

"I'll escort you back to the banquet hall, Lady Daneiris." Pagpiprisenta nito.

"T-Thank you, Your Grace." Hindi ko magawang tumanggi kasi doon din naman talaga ang punta ko. Awkward naman tumanggi tas iisang direksyon lang pupuntahan namin.

He offered me his hand, at kahit alangan ay inabot ko ang kamay niya. I put my right hand above his palm, at sabay kaming naglakad papasok sa pinagdadausan ng piging.

Kaagad kaming pinagkatinginan ng lahat. Rinig mula sa kinatatayuan namin ang bulong bulungan ng mga kababaihan.

Mukhang mali pa ata ako ng desisyon na ginawa.

Good start, Daneiris! Now you're every noble woman's enemy!

"Thank you for escorting me back, Duke Darcy."

"You can call me Hadeon, Lady Daneiris."

"I beg your pardon?" Luh teka lang anong nangyayari dito? Nakikipagmalapitan ba siya sa akin?

"It would be an honor to House Darcy of Averylle Valley to be friends with House Sinclair of Stormwatch."

"T-The honor is ours, Y-Your Grace!" Ngumiti ako rito para hindi ipahalata ang pagpapanic ng isipan ko

This is not part of the book! Duke, hindi ka po sumusunod sa script!

"Would you like to dance, My Lady?" Nagulat ako sa bigla niyang paanyaya.

Oi ikaw ha, smooth mo!

"I'm sorry, Your Grace." Binawi ko na ang kamay ko sa kanya. "But I haven't taken any formal lessons about the dances here in Vrivasea yet. The Duke might not know it, but our family just moved here from Arexxo a month ago, and was only given citizenship today by the King." Pagbibigay impormasyon ko.

"My apologies, Lady Daneiris." Bahagya itong yumuko. "Ang totoo ay kakabalik ko lang din mula sa Arexxo kaninang umaga. My sister attended the ceremony this afternoon on my behalf."

Wala akong impormasyon tungkol rito dahil wala namang nabanggit na ganito sa libro ni RC Astralia. Pero siguro isa siya sa mga naiwan doon upang siguraduhing tuluyang napuksa ang kaharian ng Arexxo. After all, the Duke of Averylle Valley was the second-in-command during the war and also the one who caught King Theon Arexxo after he tried to flee the battlefield.

That's the male lead y'all!

"Then, see you around, Your Grace." Paalam ko sa kanya.

Actually, this might be the last time our paths will ever cross. I will definitely avoid any interactions in the future. What happened tonight was never in the book. What if these small interactions with the male lead and the villain spiral into something complicated?

"See you around, Lady Daneiris." He beamed, and his eyes glinted.

What a sight to behold, but my heart hammered restlessly. I may have not experienced it as Cordelia, but it was described in the book countless times, that is the look he gave the female lead the day he fell in love with her. And that is supposed to happen at the victory party.

I never left our table after that. Buti nalang talaga at maayos ang relasyon ni Daneiris sa pamilya niya, hindi tulad sa madalas kong nababasa na inaapi ng magulang o kapatid ang mga female lead. My brother stayed close to me, making sure I was alright. Narinig kasi niya ang mga sinasabi ng mga kababaihan tungkol sa akin. I told my family that I accidentally met the Duke on the way here, and he escorted me back out of goodwill. Hindi na sila nagtanong pa ng kahit ano patungkol sa Duke, at ang inaalala lang nila ay ako.

After I saw their worried faces, I promised myself na talagang hinding hindi ko na ulit sila pag-aalalahin pang muli.

Pero talagang sinusubok ata ako ng mundong to. Dalawang araw palang mula ng ganapin ang pagtitipon para sa bagong Marques ng Stormwatch ay nakatanggap ako ng paanyaya galing sa palasyo.

The invitation letter the maid delivered in my room has a dragon imprinted on the black wax seal, which means a member of the Royal family has sent it.

"No wait, calm down. Baka hindi naman ito invitation." Kinuha ko ang sobre at sinuri.

Pero ang ganda ng pagkakadisenyo nito. May ribbon at dried flowers din. Sa mga nababasa ko, ang mga ganitong uri ng invitations ay tiyak na para sa tea party. Pero sino naman ang magyayaya sa akin ng tea party sa palasyo?

Hindi kaya ito na yung invitation para sa victory party? Nagkamali lang siguro ang Butler at sa mga maids ko ito naibigay. Pero agad na nawala sa isipan ko ang ideyang iyon ng sa halip na pangalan ng pamilya namin ang nakasulat sa likod ay pangalan ko ang nakasulat sa sobre.

"Bahala na nga!" Binuksan ko na iyon para matapos na itong kaba sa dibdib ko.

I was wowed by the beautiful handwriting, but my smile faded upon reading it's content.

By command of the Crown Prince, the Lady Daneiris Sinclair of Stormwatch is summoned to the Rose Garden Conservatory today at 2 in the afternoon.

Summoned? For what? What did I do?

Dimitri Claymore, isa ka sa mga favorite characters ko sa book, pero iniistress mo ko now!

"Why is the Crown Prince summoning you?" Belvedere Sinclair, my brother, heard about the invitation and went to my room with a worried expression.

"I'm not sure either." Sagot ko habang nakatingin sa kanya sa may salamin. Kasalukuyan kasi akong inaayusan ng mga maids, at halatang maging sila ay kinakabahan na rin dahil sa biglaang paanyaya.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Nakapangalumbaba ito sa kama ko.

Sandali akong nag-isip. Ako lang ang binanggit ng Prinsipe sa paanyaya. Paano kung magalit ito dahil hindi ko sinunod ang laman ng sulat? Dimitri has a terrible temper, I should not test it. As someone who read the novel, ako dapat ang higit na nakakaalam sa ugali nito.

"No, I'm good." Tumayo ako matapos ayusan. "And get your shoes off my bed, you filthy bloke!" Pagtataboy ko rito.

"I'm not filthy!" Tiningnan niya ang talampakan ng sapatos, at nang makitang malinis naman ay inamoy niya ang kilikili ng suot na tunic.

"That's disgusting brother." I rolled my eyes.

"Who is disgusting?" Bumaba ito sa kama at lumapit sa akin na nakataas pa din ang kamay. Pinapaamoy pa ang kilikili niya.

"You'll ruin my hair!" Sigaw ko. "Disgusting! Eeiiww!" What kind of nobleman is this guy? Parang hindi tagapagmana ng Baron. I mean ng isang Marquess.

Pareho kaming tumawa. Umakbay ito sa akin at sabay kaming lumabas ng silid. Sa mundong pinanggalingan ko ay wala akong kapatid, kaya pangarap ko talaga ang ganitong may kaasaran. The relationship between this siblings are one of the best element in the book.

"Sinasadya mo bang guluhin ang buhok ko para hindi ako makaalis, ha?" Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin.

Kapag talaga pinarusahan ako ng kamatayan ni Dimitri dahil nalate ako sa sinabi nitong oras, I will haunt this man for eternity! It took the maids almost an hour to brush and braid my long black hair, tapos sisirain lang ng isang to.

"Here, take this with you." He hands me his sword. "If you must die, die with a good fight." Seryoso nitong sabi.

"I'm not taking that!" Napahilot ako ng sentido. Stress na nga ako sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon, dinadagdagan pa nitong kapatid ko.

"But,"

"No buts!" Pagputol ko kaagad rito. "No one's going to die. Let's not panic okay? Babalik din naman ako mamaya." I assure him.

Belvedere is overly protective of his sister because of her weak demeanor. Mula pagkabata ay pinoprotektahan nya ito. Kaya ng mamatay si Daneiris sa kwento, isa siya sa mga naapektuhan ng husto. I will save this small family from the pain of losing the female lead.

I just have to endure whatever the reason Dimitri summoned me for. Then the victory party would be the last time I'll ever see him again.

Just endure for a little bit more.

My brother escorted me to the carriage and after a twenty-minute ride, we arrived at the palace. The Crown Prince's varlet was waiting for me, and he escorted me to the Rose Garden.

There in the middle of the conservatory, a long table full of cakes and confectioneries was prepared, and the Crown Prince sitting with a book in his hand.

He noticed our presence and looked my way.

"Lady Daneiris," He beamed as he walked towards me.

Awtomatikong gusto kong tumakbo pabalik sa karwahe at umuwi para habang buhay na magkulong sa mansion.

Why is he giving me the same look Duke Hadeon gave me at the party the other day?

Why did the timeline change?

"I'm glad you made it." Inilahad niya ang kamay sa akin.

"I am honored to be invited today, Your Highness." I put my hand to his.

Dimitri lowered his head and kissed the back of my palm.

"No, the honor is mine." Ngumiti ito.

Isang ngiti na hindi ko mawari kung ano ang ibig sabihin.

____CHAPTER 01____

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