"Ouch!" Nagising ako ng marinig ang mahinang daing na iyon.

I raised my head at pinakiramdaman ang paligid. The smell of the woman I've held the whole night still lingers in my nose. 

No wait, I'm still in her room! I can still feel her heat. 

So the one in pain is my wife?

I tried to reach for her hands, but I couldn't find them. My fingertips brushed over her flesh, and because I'd touched her body all over throughout the night, I knew what I'm touching, but I have no other choice since I'm worried that I might have hurt her.

Are you sore? Mga salitang isinulat ko sa hita niya.

I felt uncomfortable that she didn't respond. Is she mad?

"Prepare a bath." Hindi niya ako sinagot at sa halip ay inutos iyon. I didn't realize that she already called for a maid.

Huli na ng mapagtanto kong tinanghali ako ng gising. I haven't slept so comfortably for months, that I wasn't able to leave her room at dawn.

Damnit, it's our first morning as a married couple and I screw it.

More people came inside the Grand Duchess' room, to prepare what she ordered.

Naramdaman ko ang pagbaba niya sa kama, kaya bumangon na rin ako. I have the blanket covering my lower body. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan na ang robe sa hinubad ko kagabi.

"Your Grace, your robe." I heard her voice coming closer until I felt the soft fabric in my hand.

Isinuot ko iyon at magpapaalam na sana na aalis.

"You should take your bath too, Gustave." Pahabol niya.

Yes, I intend to once I got back into my room.

No, wait. Is she suggesting that we should bathe together? Wouldn't that be a bit too much?

No, if I decline, she might feel bad about it. And I don't want to offend my wife.

"Your Grace, the bath is ready." Ani ng isang maid.

Matapos marinig ang pagsara ng pinto ay muli kong hinubad ang suot na robe at binuhat siya.

"Oh my god, Gustave!" She wrapped her hands around my neck at mahigpit na napayakap rito.

Why does she sound so surprised? Nahihiya na ba siya sa inalok niya sa akin?

Both the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess' chamber have the same structure. Kaya pamilyar sa akin kahit hindi ko nakikita. Dinala ko siya sa direksyon kung san ko naririnig ang tubig kanina. Ang tanging dasal ko lang ay wala sana akong masaging kahit na ano habang naglalakad papunta sa banyo, because that would be embarrassing.

"G-Gustave, w-wait!" She yelps when the water from the tub overflows upon our descend.

I'm not going to do anything weird. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya na nasa ilalim ng tubig at isinulat ang mga iyon sa palad niya. Though her, sitting between my thighs right now is giving me all the memories of last night.

"I-It's not like that." I almost couldn't hear her shy voice. "G-Gustave," She gasped when I lowered my head and kiss her shoulder. 

Let's eat breakfast together after this. Muli kong sulat sa kamay niyang hindi ko pa rin binibitiwan.

"Really? You'll eat with me?" Nagkaroon ng sigla ang boses niya ng itanong iyon, naramdaman ko rin ang pagharap ng katawan niya sa akin.

Yes. Maiksing sagot ko.

Gusto kong bumawi sa mga hindi magandang ginawa ko noong pagdating niya. From now on, I'll eat every meal with her and if I could, I'd like to spend a lot of time with my wife.

For now, let's finish this bath before the weird feeling take over.

I lathered the soap on a cloth and washed her hands, and back with it. She also did the same thing for me, and even washed my hair with a rose scented shampoo.

Something that I had never used before.

"You already had your bath, Your Grace?" Nagtatakang salubong ni Neor ng bumalik ako sa silid ko. "And," He sniffed. "When did you start using rose scented shampoo?" Naramdaman ko ang pagsunod niya sa akin habang tinatanong iyon. "Don't tell me," He gasped.

I took off the robe my wife gave me after our bath and reached for the clothes that are always prepared on my bed every morning.

"Your Grace, what happened to your back?" Natataranta ang boses ng Butler.

Speaking of my back. Masyadong mahapdi ng maligo ako kanina. And it's all thanks to my wife.

"Did the Grand Duchess- oh god!" Hindi natapos ni Neor ang sasabihin niya at napasinghap ulit.

He should be grateful I woke up in a great mood. Hindi ko na pinansin ang iba pang mga sinasabi niya. Binilisan ko ang pagbihis dahil ayaw kong paghintayin ang asawa ko sa hapag kainan.

Damnit, hindi ko mapigilang tawagin siyang asawa ko.

After our meal, naglakad lakad muna kami sa pasilyo ng mansyon. Malamig pa rin ang paligid at may paminsan minsang pagbagsak ng nyebe kaya hindi pa mainam na mamasyal sa labas.

Lady Canterbury said she wanted to discuss something with me.

"Gustave, the truth is, may gusto akong hinging pabor." Umpisa niya ng huminto kami sa paglalakad.

Anything. What is it? Sagot ko naman sa notebook na dala dala.

Bumuntong hininga siya.

"Pwede bang bigyan mo ko ng karapatang pamahalaan ng Grand Duchy habang nagpapagaling ka?" Bakas ang kaba sa boses niya ng sabihin iyon. "Pero kung ayaw mo, okay lang naman. Bibigyang pansin ko nalang ang mga trabaho ko bilang Grand Duchess." Pagbawi niya sa malungkot na tono.

Would it be alright? Marami akong napabayaang trabaho nitong nagdaang buwan. I don't want to bother you with my responsibilities, since you're going to have a lot in hand as the Grand Duchess. Majority of what I disregarded are the lands the other Nobles abandoned in our territory.

"I'll do my best, Gustave. Pangako ko yan. The North is my home now, and I'll do everything to be acknowledge by your people." Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay ko.

Hinawakan ko rin ang kamay niya at hinarap ang palad sa akin, saka nagsulat. 

Our people. Pagtatama ko.

"Our people." Ulit niya. "Gustave."  Yumakap siya sa akin na ikinabilis ng pagtibok ng puso ko. "Thank you." I didn't know why she's so happy about it, but I'm glad it did.

Sinuklian ko rin ang yakap niya bago kami pumunta sa opisina ko at ipatawag ang Butler. 

Naisulat at napirmahan ko na ang dokyumentong kailangan ng dumating si Neor. I handed it to him at binasa naman niya.

"I'll gather everyone, Your Grace." Lumabas na ito ng silid pagkatapos.

Makalipas naman ng ilang minuto ay sumunod na kami. All the Knights and servants are gathered at the enclosed courtyard. Binasa ni Neor ang laman ng sulat sa harap nilang lahat.

"From today onwards, I, Gustave Daumschlac, Grand Duke of the North, will give all my authority to Evangeline Canterbury-Daumschlac, my wife and the Grand Duchess of the North, that she may rule the Grand Duchy as she see fit. And anyone that will go against her will, shall face the full wrath of the Daumschlac-Grand Duchy." Nagkaroon kaagad ng iba't ibang reaksyon, at bulong bulungan. Kahit na mas marami ang naririnig kong pagbati ng kasiyahan, ay naririnig pa rin ang ilang pagtutol.

"I hope to work well with everyone."Bahagyang tumahimik ng kaunti ng sabihin iyon ng kanilang Grand Duchess. "And to make the Grand Duchy fall into order, my first decree as the head of House Daumschlac is to dismiss Doc. Perez from his post, along with the maid at the end of this line." Sa gulat sa mga narinig ay bumagsak ang mga kamay kong kanina pa nakahalukipkip. 

Anong nangyayari?

"But Your Grace," Boses iyon ng Doctor na ilang buwan na ring gumagamot sa akin.

"You are a spy sent by the Crown Prince." Napakuyom ako ng kamao ng marinig ang sinabing iyon ng asawa ko. "Those that are a threat to House Daumschlac have no place here. Ikulong nyo sila!" Maotoridad niyang utos.

"Madam, please! This must be a mistake. Have mercy, Madam!" Palayo ng palayo ang boses ng pagmamakaawang iyon ng katulong.

Naguguluhan ako sa mga nangyayari. She never mentioned this. Paano niya nalaman ang tungkol rito? At kung espiya ni Cassius ang doktor na iyon, ibig bang sabihin ay may kinalaman ito sa nangyaring ito sa akin? No, it's too early to conclude that. Kailangan kong makausap ang doktor na iyon.

"Your Grace, let's go back inside the mansion." She held my hands and rested her head on my arm na para bang walang nangyari. "Neor, dismissed them, then follow us inside. There is something else I want you to do."

Matapos niyang sabihin iyon ay inakay niya ako pabalik sa loob, at sa halip na ipaliwanag ang nangyari sa courtyard ay nag-utos siya ng mga panghimagas ng makapasok kami sa drawing room. 

I definitely don't need a tea right now, but my wife already poured me a cup. Hindi pa siya nakontento ay nag-alok rin siya ng panghimagas.

Neor showed up after a little while.

"This, make sure that this letter will safely reach my Father, the Marquess."

A letter for the Marquess? Why? No, that's not important. The important thing right now is she explains about Perez and that maid.

"Yes, Madam." Sinunod naman kaagad ni Neor ang inutos sa kanya.

Ilang segundo na rin ng umalis si Neor. There are no maids present as well, but why is she not explaining anything about what happened at the courtyard?

"This tea is delicious." Sa halip na tungkol sa nangyari ay mas pinili niyang ang tsaa ang pag-uusapan namin?

Fine. If my wife doesn't want to tell me about it, then I'll look for the answers myself.

Tumango ako bilang tugon.

"Do you like sweets, Gustave?" Umupo siya sa tabi ko at inilahad ang kamay niya sa akin.

Just the egg tarts. I answered honestly.

She kept me occupied for the rest of the afternoon. Talking about almost everything, except for what happened this morning. It's as if she's trying to keep my mind out of it.

But it's not working.

When the night came, and Neor has reported that my wife already retired for the night, lumabas kami at nagtungo sa kulungan.

"I'm sorry, Your Grace, but we cannot do it." Nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa narinig na sinabing iyon ng warden.

Did he just disobey me? Muli akong nagbigay ng signal kay Neor.

"Open the gate, it's the Grand Duke's order! He commanded.

The warden and the Knights stationed at the prison cell didn't move. Hindi pa rin nila binubuksan ang trangkahan papasok sa piitan.

I drew my sword out. They dare disobey me!

"Your Grace, please. The madam told us that you are not allowed to see them. Please understand. We swore an oath to obey her command." One of the Knights explained.

They swore an oath to her, but they swore to me first! Kaya dapat ako ang sundin nila kahit na ano man ang mangyari.

Itinaas ko ang hawak na espada.

"Your Grace, calm down!" Pinigilan ni Neor ang kamay ko.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin bilang pagbabanta na kapag hindi niya ako binitiwan ay pati siya parurusahan ko.

"Your Grace, kapag nalaman ng Grand Duchess ang gagawin mo sa mga Knights, siguradong madidismaya siya at malulungkot. You don't want the Grand Duchess to be sad, right? Or worst, she'll resent you for not respecting her orders after you gave her the position as the head of the House." Humigpit ang hawak ko sa espada ng sabihin iyon ni Neor.

I don't want to make her sad. And I absolutely don't want her to resent me.

Ibinaba ko ang espada.

Damn it! Isang araw palang kaming kasal, pero ang laki na kaagad ng epekto niya sa akin. 

This is bad. Get a hold of yourself, Gustave!

Pero kahit sinabi ko na iyon sa sarili ay hindi ko magawang itaas muli ang espadang hawak. Tumalikod ako at naglakad, pero hindi pa man nakakalayo ay muli akong bumalik sa kanila.

Kinuha ko ang panulat at ipinabasa sa kanila ang sinulat ko.

Never mention to the Grand Duchess that I came here. Or else.

"Yes, Your Grace." Sabay sabay na sagot ng mga ito.

Lumipas pa ang maraming araw at hindi pa rin ipinaliwanag ng asawa ko sa akin ang mga nangyari. I didn't open it up as well dahil hinihintay kong siya ang magsabi sa akin. I don't want to put her in an awkward situation if she's not ready to tell me about it. I've spent most of my time in my office and finished the documents I already started before I got married. 

What do you mean? Tanong ko kay Neor.

"The madam said an aid from the Capital is coming. A report has already arrived from Knights stationed at the border that they have entered the territory. They might be arriving at noon." Paliwanag nito.

Aid? Nagsalubong ang kilay ko.

"Yes. It seems the Grand Duchess has asked for more workers and Knights for the mansion to the Marquess."

Hindi ko na nagawang magsulat ng isasagot at napabuntong hininga nalang.

And when the afternoon came, dumating na rin ang inaasahang  tulong mula kay Marquess Canterbury. My wife sounds so excited when she went into my office and told me we should go and welcome them.

"Randal!" She let go of my arm and run off. "Oh my gosh, it's been a while." Napakasaya ng boses niya.

"Oh no." Kahit mahina ay narinig ko ang sinabing iyon ni Neor.

Why? What happened?

"How have you been, Eve?" The muscles on my jaw clenched hearing that voice, and how casually he called her.

Who the hell is he to call my wife with just her name? No, a nickname?

"I'm fine," Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang tono ng boses niya. "Oh, by the way," She hugged my arm again the moment I stood beside her. "Randal, meet my husband. Gustave Daumschlac, the Grand Duke of the North." She introduced.

I'm irritated for some reason, but I don't want to offend my wife, kaya hindi ako nagpakita ng kahit na ano mang pagkainis.

"It's an honor meeting you, and be in your service, Your Grace. I am Randal from House Falcon and will work as your family doctor." Pagpapakilala nito.

"He'll be treating you from now on, Gustave." Nang sabihin niya iyon ay hindi ko na napigilan ang inis.

I don't want him to be my doctor. I don't need any doctor!

She let go of my arm and held my hand.

"He is a good person, and most importantly someone that could be trusted. So you don't have to worry about something like Doctor Perez happening again." Pangungumbinsi niya sa nag-aalalang tono.

At dahil ayaw kong nag-aalala siya, I forced my expressions to calm a little, kahit ang totoo ay naiinis na ako.

Una, I haven't even had the chance to ask my wife to call her by her name. And now some I-want-him-to-be-gone-piece-of-, no I should not talk ill of my wife's friend, but yes, I want him gone. He should at least address her properly, she's the Grand Duchess now. Kahit gaano pa sila kalapit sa isa't isa, it's not right to call her by her name.

I'm against it!

"Let's go inside. I want you to check on him."

And that's the second. I don't need a doctor. Pero wala naman akong magagawa dahil iyon ang gusto niyang gawin.

"I know you'd say that the moment I arrived." 

Pinalampas ko na ang sinabi niyang iyon, na para bang ayaw niyang sundin ang sinabi sa kanya ng asawa ko.

Katulad ng sinabi sa kanya, sinuri niya ako. He checked my eyes, mouth, temperature and other procedures Perez would also do to me all the time.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero pagkatapos ng pagsusuri ay umalis na rin kami kaagad. She said it's just a random checkup so that his friend would have a heads up about my current condition.

"If you need me, I'll be in my room." Paalam niya sa akin.

She let go of my hand, but I grabbed it back again.

"Gustave?" She called in a worry.

Sinagot ko ng pagyakap ang pagtawag niya.

I don't want her to leave. Pero ayoko ring masakal siya sa akin.

Nothing. Agad na pagsulat ko sa palad niya ng kumawala sa pagyakap. I just want to say thank you, for all of this. Dagdag ko.

 "Anything for you, Gustave. For us." Hinaplos niya ang mukha ko, at umalis na siya pagkatapos.

Kahit pa sinabi niya iyon ay hindi pa rin nawawala ang kung anong inis na nararamdaman ko. Hindi mawala sa isip ko ang masayang pagtawag ng Randal na yun sa pangalan ng asawa ko.

"Your Grace, it's me." Matapos kumatok ng tatlong beses ay pumasok sa loob si Neor.

Heh. Right on time. May paglalabasan na din ako ng inis.

"The new Knights and servants have already settled in their new quarters. I had their identifications as well and," Natigilan siya sa pag-uulat. "Good god, I don't like it when you smile like that. Am I in trouble? Kasi babalik nalang ulit ako sa ibang araw." Pag-iiba niya ng sabi.

______

Guys, what do you prefer sa stories? 3rd person or 1st person p.o.v? Asking for future reference. Charot. (⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)

Thanks for reading and for waiting for an update. (⁠ㆁ⁠ω⁠ㆁ⁠)

VOTES. COMMENTS. RL
are highly appreciated.