"Are the sweets not to your liking?" Bakas ang pag-aalala sa mukha nito ng itanong iyon. "Tell the Pantlers to bring the Lady something else to eat." He signals one of the maids.

"N-No wait!" Pagpigil ko. "I'm enjoying this, Your Highness." Hindi lang talaga ako makapaniwala sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon kaya lumilipad ang isipan ko.

Dimitri has been so nice, and now I'm starting to think that this world is toying with my sanity. May nakakarinig kaya ng mga iniisip ko, kaya sinasabutahe ang mga balak ko? Iiwasan ko nga dapat si Hadeon at Dimitri, pero ito at paulit-ulit na nagkukrus na ang mga landas namin. And this behavior, how is it possible that the Crown Prince who is enjoying his scones and tea right now, is the same villainous Crown Prince I read in the book?

Did his attitude change because he met me in a different way?

No, what if he's a wolf in a sheep's clothing? I can't afford to make a mistake because my life depends on it.

"The Bundt cake is delicious, Your Highness. Ibang iba ang lasa nito kumpara sa mga nabili namin sa bayan." In the book, Dimitri hates small talk like this. Baka sakaling mahubad ang maskara niya kapag nainis ito.

"Right?" He brightened up, like a child. "The palace has the best Pantlers and cooks in the Kingdom." Matapos niyang sabihin iyon ay humarap ulit siya sa mga katulong at nakangiti ito sa kanila. Even the maids who saw it couldn't hide the shock on their faces. "Tell the Pantlers they did an amazing job."

"Y-Yes, Your Highness." They chorused and giggled among themselves. Pati sila ay tuwang tuwa rin sa nakikitang inaasal ng Prinsipe.

RC Astralia would often mention how mean Dimitri is. His traits were described as selfish, arrogant, and overbearing. He wasn't nice with palace workers, and even with the Nobles visiting the court. Nakakainis talaga ang papel nito sa libro; but as most fans said, we have hots for bad fictional men, kaya bulag-bulagan ang peg habang nagbabasa. As much as I like his character, hindi ako pwedeng magbulag bulagan sa pagkakataong ito, dahil buhay ko ang nakataya.

"You must be curious as to why I summoned you here." Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang ito na mismo ang nagbukas sa usaping iyan. Kanina ko pa gustong malaman kung bakit niya ako pinatawag.

Tumango ako bilang sagot.

"It's nothing serious. I just wanted to know how you and your family are adjusting to the new life here in Vrivasea." Muli itong sumubo ng scone.

Seryoso ba siya? All these efforts just to ask me that? Alam ba nya na tarantang taranta ang mga maids kanina na ayusan ako? Dahil hindi pa namin tiyak kung magiging maganda ang pakikitungo ng Hari sa pamilya namin pagkatapos ng pagsakop sa Arexxo ay hindi muna kami namili ng mga magagarang damit at mamahaling gamit. Kaya nagkakagulo ang mga maids kanina kakahanap ng damit na babagay sa tea party ng palasyo. All of my dresses are from Arexxo and I've only made some alterations so it would fit with the South's fashion.

Pero sige na nga, pagbigyan na natin. Baka naman talagang maganda ang hangarin niya.

"We're doing fine, Your Highness. All thanks to the benevolence of His Royal Highness, King Vytta." Nakangiti kong sagot. "And thank you for looking after our House." Dagdag ko.

Ngumiti lang ito at tumango-tango, saka ibinaba ang tasa ng tsaang iniinom. "Also these," kinuha niya ang mga librong kanina ay binabasa niya. Isang maid ang lumapit at kinuha iyon mula sa Prinsipe, sunod ay lumapit ito sa akin at iniabot ang mga libro. "Mga aklat iyan na nakuha ko mula sa Royal Library tungkol sa kasaysayan ng Stormwatch, at ilang libro na rin patungkol sa Vrivasea. Sana ay makatulong ang mga iyan sa pamamahala ng Marquess." Pagkasabi niya nun ay binuksan ko ang isa sa mga libro, at patungkol nga ito sa Stormwatch.

Aurelius Sinclair, the first Lord of Stormwatch, the Commander of the King's guard, and a good friend of His Majesty, Evander Gaubert-Claymore, the Great First King of Vrivasea.

Iyon ang unang kataga na nakasulat sa libro. Noong nag-aaral pa ako ay hindi ako mahilig sa history, pero napakaganda ng pagkakasulat ng bawat salita sa librong ito.

Pinadaanan ko ng palad ang pahina ng libro. Bakit sa akin niya ito ibinibigay? I heard tomorrow will be the first official State meeting my father will be attending. Bakit hindi nalang niya direktang ibigay sa Marquess?

I was about to thank Dimitri for the books, but his varlet walked and stood beside him.

"Forgive me for interrupting your tea time, Your Highness, but the Grand Duke came." Bahagyang napataas ang kilay ko sa narinig.

Grand Duke Edmund Claymore-Percyval, cousin of the King and the patriarch of the Eastern Duchy. The fandom calls him the shadow villain as he is the one who manipulates the Crown Prince concerning the palace affairs. Most of the malefactions done by Dimitri were orchestrated by the Grand Duke. Also, Edmund Percyval wanted to marry off his daughter to Dimitri, but the Crown Prince refused the moment he fell in love with Daneiris. And that's when the Grand Duke started to harass the Sinclair March. Marami itong gagawin sa ama ko, kaya mas lalong kailangang magawa ko ang plano na hindi maging parte ng kwento. The near demise of Lord Fabian Sinclair in chapter 16 should not happen this time.

"My Lady, I wanted to spend more time with you but something came up that needed my immediate attention." Tumayo ito.

"I had a great time, Your Highness. Thank you so much for inviting me, and for these books." Tumayo rin ako at nagbigay pugay.

"Then see you around." Yumuko ito ng bahagya bago lisanin ang conservatory.

Let's not see each other again, please! Pagkontra ko sa sinabi niya.

The maids escorted me out of the conservatory; at dahil finifeel ko ang pagiging main character, I told them that I could see myself out of the castle and didn't need to be escorted to the carriage. My naive self thought that I could remember my way out since most lead characters have keen memories right?

Boy I was wrong, naliligaw na ako ngayon!

"Sigurado naman akong dito kami dumaan ng varlet kanina, pero bakit naliligaw na ko?" Nilibot ko ng tingin ang paligid, sa pagkakataong ito ay hihingi na ako ng tulong. Pero hindi ko alam kung anong kamalasan ito at walang kahit na isang maid o Knight ang nasa paligid.

"Who are you and what are you doing in the inner palace?" I felt chills on my spine hearing such an ominous voice.

"I-I," I looked back and was greeted by a mean-looking middle-aged man, and behind him are two Knights na tiyak kong hindi Knights ng palasyo dahil sa iba ang uniporme nila.

"This is the Crown Prince's residence and nobles are not allowed to roam here without permission!" Halos sumigaw na ito. Bumaba ang mga tingin niya sa mga librong nakayakap sa dibdib ko. "At bakit may mga dala kang libro mula sa Royal Library? Are you a thief?" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa paratang niya. "Guards!" My jaw dropped when he started calling the palace guards.

"Grandpa chill!" Isinenyas ko ang kabilang kamay na tumigil siya sa pagsigaw, agad namang nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. "The Crown Prince invited me here, and lent me these. I didn't steal anything!" Paliwanag ko sabay turo sa mga libro.

"The Crown Prince?" His eyes narrowed on me, obviously not buying it. "For what reason did the Crown Prince invited you here?" He interrogated.

"That doesn't concern you, My Lord." I answered with the same confidence as his because he was obviously trying to intimidate me with his overbearing physique.

"You called, Your Grace?" Five guards and a few Knights came.

Your Grace? He's a Duke? Sinuri ko ang anyo nito. His shoulder cape has a huge sacramento-colored gem with a gold snake-like lapel pin coiled in it.

Snake insignia. Snake insignia. Pinaulit ulit ko sa isipan habang inaalala ang libro ng The Lady Amidst the Beasts. I gasped when I finally remembered.

He is Grand Duke Edmund Percyval!

"Arrest her!" Itinuro ako ng Grand Duke. Without hesitations, the guards came towards me. One of them is about to grab my arm.

"Stay back!" I countered. "How dare a lowly guard like you lay his hands on a Lady from a Senior Household!" Halatang nagulat ang mga guards sa sinabi ko at agad silang napaatras.

"A Senior Noble you say?" Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Grand Duke Edmund.

"Yes, Your Grace. I am the daughter of Marquess Fabian Sinclair." Hindi ko iniwasan ang matatalim nitong tingin.

I saw him clenched his jaw. Mukhang mas lalo itong nainis ng malamang anak ako ni Marquess Fabian.

Kahit nahihirapan dahil may kabigatan ang tatlong libro na ipinahiram ni Dimitri sa akin ay nagawa kong kunin ang invitation letter na inilagay ko sa dalang pouch.

"Here. The seal of the Crown Prince!" I was so pissed that I wanted to shove the invitation to his face, pero pag ginawa ko iyon magkakaroon na ito ng rason para arestuhin ako.

I should not tarnish my family name.

"Grand Duke Percyval," Napatingin ako sa boses na nanggaling sa likuran ko.

"Duke Darcy," Pareho silang nagbigay paggalang sa isa't isa.

Yumuko rin ako ng tumingin sa akin si Hadeon. He also gave me a neck bow, before he faced the Grand Duke again.

Ayoko na. I give up! Nakita ko nanaman ang male lead.

"What brings the Duke of Averylle Valley here?" Mayabang talaga ang isang ito. Ni hindi man lang niya itinago ang pagkainis sa boses ng tanungin si Hadeon.

"The Crown Prince has summoned me to his office, Your Grace."

"To his office?" Halatang nagulat ito.

Pati ako ay nagulat din. Why would the villain call the male lead to his office?

Marahan akong umiling to shake the question off my head. Wala na akong pakialam dun. Bahala silang dalawa sa mga buhay nila.

"I'll take my leave now, so you two gentlemen could talk properly." I made my voice as sweet and polite as possible before slowly stepping back.

"I wasn't done with you!" The Grand Duke yelled again.

Huh? Problema ng isang to? Pinakita ko na nga yung invitation ni Dimitri sa akin eh! Kung may problema ka, dun ka umangal sa pamangkin mo!

"What kind of upbringing did that lowly traitor gives you?" Nagpanting ang tainga ko sa sinabi niyang iyon.

"Grand Duke!" Even Duke Hadeon wasn't impressed with his sudden outbursts.

"Please take that back. My father is not a lowly traitor and he had raised his children well, Your Grace." I've never been so pissed in my life that my lips are trembling.

Lord Fabian isn't even my real father, but damn it, no one has the right to insult my family like that!

"Why would I take it back? Does the truth bother you, Young Lady?" He grinned.

"Grand Duke Percyval, I don't know what this is all about, but you've crossed the line. I demand you apologize to Lady Danei," Hindi niya naituloy ang sasabihin dahil pinigilan ko siya.

"I appreciate it, Your Grace. But there is no need to involve yourself in this." I politely told the male lead.

"But, My Lady!"

Huminga ako ng malalim at pinaalala sa sarili na kailangan kong magtimpi para sa pamilya ko. Kakaumpisa palang namin, at kapag pinatulan ko ang pinakamataas na pamilya among the nobles, tiyak na pagtutulungan nila kami.

Pero hindi ko talaga masikmura ang mga sinabi niya.

I raised both my middle fingers to the Grand Duke, at wala na din akong paki nung nahulog sa sahig ang mga dala kong libro, basta kailangan kong ilabas itong inis ko. "Päk you ka!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "Acckkk!" Napasigaw ako ng bigla nalang may marahas na humawak sa mga kamay ko.

"Defend the Grand Duke!" Sigaw ng mga Knights na kasama ni Edmund kanina.

The guards and Knights from the palace unsheathed their swords. Ayon sa libro, tanging sila lang ang maaaring maglabas ng espada sa tahanan ng Itinakdang Prinsipe. All the outsiders are prohibited to bring swords or any kind of weapons, even the use of magic is prohibited inside a Royal residence. That would be considered as treason.

Mayroon nga palang limang palasyo sa loob ng inner palace. The Sun palace is the home of the King, the Moon palace belongs to the Queen, the Ruby palace was given to Crown Prince Dimitri, the Emerald palace was bestowed to Prince Yari, and the pearl palace is reserved for a princess or the future Crown Princess.

"Let go of the Lady!" The next thing I knew is that the Grand Duke's Knight lay writhing in pain on the floor, and Hadeon shielding me from anyone who dares to attack.

"Duke Darcy, what do you think you're doing?" Galit na sigaw ni Edmund rito. "Anong tinitingin tingin ninyo jan? Arrest that woman, now!" Utos niya sa mga Knights ng palasyo.

Muling tumayo ang Knight na kanina ay sinuntok ni Duke Hadeon at mukhang hindi nadala dahil umakto ulit itong lalapit para kunin ako. But he stopped midway when a black metal sword was pointed at his neck.

"Do you want to keep your head, Ser Merkin?"

"Your Highness!" Halos sabay sabay ang lahat sa pag-yuko ng mga ulo nila.

"I-I'm sorry, Crown Prince. I was just taking orders." Lumuhod ang Knight na kanina ay matapang at handang sugurin si Hadeon.

Dimitri gave the Grand Duke a piercing gaze. "What is the meaning of this, Uncle?" He then signaled the others to move away from us.

When the Knights and guards sheathed their swords, Duke Hadeon also lowered his guard.

"That woman," He even pointed at me.

"That woman has a name." Pagputol ni Dimitri sa tiyuhin.

"She was trying to cast a spell." Parang wala itong narinig sa sinabi ng Itinakdang Prinsipe at nagpatuloy lang sa pagsasalita.

Cast a spell? Who? Me? Wala nga akong alam sa mga bagay na yan!

"My Lady, casting a spell is prohibited in my palace." Baling ni Dimitri sa akin, as he sheath his sword back in the scabbard.

"I wasn't! I swear I wasn't casting anything, Your Highness!" Depensa ko sa sarili.

Tigilan nyo ko, ayoko pang mamatay!

"She raised her hands in the air, and chanted a spell!" Pangdidiin sa akin ni Edmund.

Nababaliw na ba sya? Minumura kita, hindi sinusumpa or anything.

"Duke Hadeon, is the Grand Duke telling the truth?" Baling ni Dimitri kay Hadeon.

"The Lady did raised her hands, and chanted something I'm not familiar with, Your Highness." Pag-amin nito.

My jaw dropped as I looked at him. I am the love of your life, Duke! Tas ipapahamak mo lang?

"What did you do exactly?" Baling ulit sa akin ng Prinsipe.

"What she did is treason, Your Highness." Lumapit sa amin si Grand Duke Edmund at parang demonyong bumubulong kay Dimitri.

"I raised my hands like this," Sa pagkakataong ito ay nahihiya na ako, pero itinaas ko ulit ang middle fingers ko para makita ni Dimitri. "And I said pak you ka which means goodbye. Ang sasakit na kasi ng mga sinasabi ni Grand Duke Edmund sa akin kanina, pero sa halip na magalit, nagpaalam ako sa kanya ng maayos, pero bigla nalang niya akong gustong ipahuli!" Pagsisinungaling ko nanaman.

Bumuntong hininga si Dimitri. "What did I tell you about using the Arrexan language, Lady Daneiris?" He crossed his arms.

"T-That I should never use it again." Nakayuko kong sagot.

I felt bad for breaking my promise and for lying for the second time, but I can't think of anything else to escape this. Kamatayan ang parusa sa treason, and I don't wanna be called Cordelia- the double dead!

Nakakabwiset naman kasi tong Grand Duke Edmund na to! Pahamak!

"The Lady wasn't using any spell. She hasn't fully adapted to the Vrivasean language yet and would still accidentally use the language she grew up with. This matter is settled. You are all dismissed." He ordered the Knights and guards.

Agad namang yumuko ang mga ito at pagkatapos ay umalis. Bumalik naman sa likuran ni Grand Duke Edmund ang mga Knights niya.

"This isn't over yet!" Pagmamatigas pa din ni Edmund.

"I said, this matter is settled, Uncle. Do not embarrassed me in front of my guest." Biglang tumalim ang mga tingin ni Dimitri sa tiyuhin, maging ang boses nito ay may pagbabanta na.

"I apologize, Your Highness." Pagsuko nito ng makitang galit na si Dimitri, pero bakas sa mukha ng Grand Duke ang pagkainis.

"I will listen to your side some other time, My Lady." Sandali siyang humarap sa akin. "To my office now, you two." Bilin niya sa dalawa bago umalis.

His attendants and the Grand Duke followed him.

"You should avoid the Grand Duke next time, My Lady." Nang tingnan ko si Hadeon ay pinupulot niya ang mga librong nahulog ko kanina.

"Oh my gosh!" Napaupo din ako para pulutin ang mga iyon. Nahulog din pala ang pouch at invitation letter na hawak ko kanina.

Hawak ni Duke Hadeon ang mga libro, at nang mailagay ko naman ulit ang invitation sa pouch ay saka niya ibinigay ang mga iyon sa akin. "He is mean to everyone he considers as a threat to his daughter." Paalala nito.

"I will put that in mind, Duke Hadeon." Huli na ng mamalayan ko na tinawag ko siya sa pangalan niya. And when I looked at him, he was smiling.

"I wanted to escort you out, but the Crown Prince is waiting for me."

"I-It's okay. You should go now."

Ibinigay niya sa akin ang direksyon palabas ng palasyo ng Crown Prince. Ilang pasikot sikot pa at nakarating na ulit ako sa pinagparadahan ng karwahe.

Bago pumasok sa loob ay muli akong napatingin sa pinanggalingan ko kanina.

Hindi pa nga nag-uumpisa ang kwento nasa radar na kaagad ako ng mga kaaway.

____CHAPTER 2____

THANKS FOR READING AND SUPPORTING THE METEMPSYCHOSIS SERIES 🤍

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