Chapter 2: Game

"I'd like to take that as a challenge, My Queen," he said with a glimpse of amusement on his face.

I took a deep breath and held my head high. If he was expecting that I'd be intimidated by him, then he was wrong about it.

We were just getting started.

Kasalukuyan kaming nagsusukatan ng tingin ni Tobias, nakakrus na ang mga braso ko habang nakataas na ang isa kong kilay. Samantalang siya ay nanatili lang nakangiti sa akin.

Sa totoo lang ay nagsisimula nang uminit ang ulo ko dahil sa ngiti niyang iyon, pero pinipigilan ko lang ang sarili kong huwag ipakita sa kanyang napipikon na ako.

Talo agad ako? Ganoon na lang?

"Aren't we not going to continue this?" He casually pointed to the pile of money on our table.

I blinked and noticed my money. "Of course!"

He chuckled before he touched my money and continued counting it. Nakatungo na si Tobias habang seryosong nagbibilang ng pera bago ako umirap at umismid sa kanya.

I licked my thumb finger before I continued counting my money.

"Why do you like this so much?"

"Of course! Money is everything in the human world. I can buy properties, cars, a lot of foods, dresses, make my own business, and many more!"

"I can give you properties, foods, and dresses. Our family, Le'Vamueivos, has businesses too."

"Oh? Water district nga or do you have firefighter units? May firetruck din kayo rito?"

Natigil si Tobias sa pagbibilang ng pera. He looked at me, and he tilted his head with creased brows. "Sometimes you talk like Naha. You're aware of this world, aren't you? Among the girls from the human world, I think you're the most knowledgeable, but it seems like you still need to learn more."

I nodded. "Yes, I am aware of mates, the vampire world, and you. But not too much, so may water district ka nga?"

"What do you mean by that? Parsua Deltora is an empire rich with bodies of water."

Ngumuso na lang ako bago nagpatuloy sa pagbibilang at pagtali. Hindi na ako muling nagtanong hanggang sa matapos kami ni Tobias magbilang.

"May vault ka ba? Saan ito puwedeng itago?"

"Vault?"

"Baul? Lagayan ng kayamanan?"

"Under the castle, we have a room filled with gold, jewels, and other important relics from the past."

"A treasure room?"

"Maybe you can say it like that."

Muli akong ngumuso. "Hindi ba puwedeng sa kuwarto ko na lang? Sa mundo ng mga tao, nakatago lang iyon sa pader, likuran ng aklatan, at ilalim ng sahig. It's a small metal box with a lock, and then humans can put their money and gold bars in it. Ganoon?"

"Inside our room?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Our room?"

"We're mates. We have the same room," he casually said.

Napatayo na akong muli sa upuan ko at napahampas ako sa lamesa ko. "Aren't we just fiancés? Bakit magkasama na agad tayo sa kuwarto? Kahit nine—ano, kahit naka-withdraw pa ako ng nine million dahil sa 'yo. This is unfair! Do you have any guest rooms?"

"You are my queen. I don't think I can let my queen stay inside a guest room," he calmly said.

Nakakrus na rin ang mga braso ni Tobias at tipid siyang tumanaw sa bintana sa labas. He was still sitting on his seat with his crossed legs.

It was raining already.

Bago ko siya sinagot ipinasok ko muna ang lahat ng pera ko na may tali na sa aking bag at agad ko iyong isinara. Hinila ko na ang upuan ko at mas itinabi ko iyon kay Tobias na nasa bintana na ang atensiyon.

"I might be aware of this world, and even your existence as my mate, but don't you think I need an adjustment period as well? Ikaw na rin ang nagsabi sa akin na we'll take it slow."

Bumaba ang mga mata niya sa leeg ko. "Why are you so against staying inside a room with me? I told you that I'll not force you to do anything against your will. I can grant you every wish, all your wants, but not staying away from me."

He said those words without batting an eye.

Mariin akong napahawak sa upuan ko at pilit kong hindi ngumisi sa huli niyang sinabi. Bakit ganito siya? How could he say those words without having a slight expression?

Dahil ako lang ang nakaharap sa kanya, bigla na lang tumayo si Tobias, inayos niya ang upuan niya para humarap sa akin. Our knees were touching when he faced me, but he casually crossed his legs. He leaned one of his arms on the table, tilted his head, and watched me. "Tell me what you want."

Mariin kong kinipit ang dalawang hita ko, kumuyom ang dalawang kamay kong nakahawak doon at halos hindi na ako makatingin ng deretso sa kanya.

How could he effortlessly move so handsomely and seductively like that?

"Then let's make a contract!"

"A contract for what?"

"Kasunduan ng hindi dapat gawin!"

"Sure. Let's do it. Whatever you want."

Inilahad ko ang isang palad ko sa kanya. Tobias straightened himself, and before I could even utter a word on why I suddenly offered my hand, the king managed to throw his first attack.

Right after I held my palm in front of him, King Tobias Caesar Le'Vamueivos expertly pulled my hand, and all I did was widen my eyes when I saw how he slowly licked my palm with one of his coral eyes open, watching me as his tongue trailed its path until it reached my pulse.

I gasped, stood up, and pulled away from him.

Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko habang hawak ng isang kamay ko ang aking palapulsuhan kasabay nang mabibigat kong paghinga.

"W-why did you do that?! I thought we'd take it slow—"

He blinked. "You offered your hand, Kezalli."

"I was asking for a paper and pen! Because we're talking about the contract! Why did you suddenly—"

"Forgive me; it's customary in Parsua Deltora that once the queen offers her hand, the king should prove how he's willing to serve his queen."

Umawang ang bibig ko. "T-through licking?"

"I can name you numbers of service, My Queen," he said with a smile.

Mariin ko na siyang itinuro habang sapo na ng isang kamay ko ang aking noo. "Niloloko mo 'ko! Wala iyan sa manual!"

"Manual?"

"I've read books. Wala akong nabasang may ganyan—"

"If you're looking for good sources of information, my love, you can always ask the current king of the empire. So, are you looking for a pen and paper?"

Tumayo na si Tobias at nagtungo siya sa mas malaking lamesa niya, may hinila niya ang drawer sa ilalim at kumuha na siya roon ng papel at panulat.

Naiiling na lang ako habang nakasunod ang tingin sa kanya. Alam ko sa sariling kong pulang-pula na ang pisngi ko, ramdam ko ang tindi ng tibok ng dibdib ko, at ang pangangatal ng tuhod ko, pero itong si Tobias parang walang nangyayari.

He looked so calm, and those smiles? Those were pure evil.

Naupo na muli si Tobias sa harapan ko at ipinatong niya na roon ang papel at panulat. "Why are you still standing? Sit, Kezalli."

"Why do I have this feeling that you're flirting with me?"

He tilted his head with that smile. "Is it working?"

"N-no!"

Naupo na ako at kinuha ko ang papel at ang panulat niya. Hinila ko mula ang upuan at iniharap ko sa lamesa, ganoon din ang ginawa ni Tobias. Pero sa halip na sa papel siya humarap ay nanonood lang siya sa akin habang nagsusulat ako.

He now rests one elbow on the table, his palms nearly covering his amused lips.

"Rule No. 1! No spells and hypnotism!"

"Why would I use spells and hypnotism on you?"

"Basta!"

He chuckled. "Alright."

"Rule No. 2! No physical contact."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes!"

"I'd like to object. You can restrain me from touching you, but I can always allow you. I don't mind."

Lumingon ako sa kanya. "Wow."

"What is wow?"

Umiling na lang ako. "Rule No. 3. No secrets! We can ask each of us questions, and we have to answer them honestly."

"I can agree."

"How about you? May gusto ka bang—" But he cut me off.

"Nothing. You're already here; I couldn't ask for more," he said in a whisper.

Naibagsak ko na ang hawak kong panulat sa lamesa at napailing na lang ako.

"How could you—" nanliit ang mata ko sa kanya at itinuro ko ang mukha niya.

He looked at my forefinger. Agad ko iyong ibinaba nang bumuka ang bibig niya. "Stop being smooth, Tobias!"

Napakalandi niya!

His brows creased. "Madulas ako?"

"Huh? Anong madulas? Smooth! In the human world—how can I explain this one?" I bit my lower lip.

"Soft?" He looked offended. "Is it my features? Do I have soft features? And you hate it?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at ilang beses akong umiling sa kanya. "No! Not that! You're hard and smooth nga!"

Umawang ang bibig ko sa narinig kong mga salita sa sarili ko. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at tinakpan ko na ang bibig ko.

When he saw that I looked conflicted and was trying to struggle with my words, I saw a glimpse of amusement on his face. "I'd like to hear more about that vocabulary, My Queen."

"O-of course, you have hard muscles! And smooth means you have your way with your words! Sweet talker, something like that! Don't ever think that I was trying to describe—" And then he laughed.

Natulala na lang ako dahil hindi ko kayang ipagkaila na talagang magandang lalaki si Tobias. And no woman would ever reject him.

The way he laughs made me think of the value of my nine million, napapaisip na lang ako kung gaano titindig, I mean, tataas ang value ng nine million ko.

Mariin akong umiling.

Bago pa ako tuluyang matunaw sa pagtawa ni Tobias, inilapit ko na ang sarili ko sa kanya at kapwa ko iginalaw ang dalawa kong kamay.

I cupped his face. "Stop laughing at me."

He blinked, he held my hand on his cheeks, and he smiled at me. "I thought there was no physical contact?"

"I thought you didn't mind?"

If he was going to play with me with his smooth words and flirtation, why couldn't I use my card as well? Ang usapan lang naman namin ay ako ang puwedeng humawak. He'd cross the line if I allowed him.

If he tortured me, then I'd do the same.

Agad ko nang ibinaba ang kamay ko at itinuro ko na ang papel sa kanya. "We should sign this."

Itinulak ko sa kanya ang panulat. "Sign it first, My King."

Tinanggap ni Tobias ang panulat at mabilis siyang pumirma, hindi rin naman ako nagtagal dahil pumirma na rin ako.

Ilang beses akong nag-inat at hinarap ang bintana. "Why is it still raining?"

"It will rain for one week."

"Wow, weather forecaster ka rin?"

"What is that?"

"Alam mo ang magiging panahon sa bawat araw."

"Just the element of water. I know if it will rain."

"Oh, bakit mo alam?"

Tumayo na siya at naglakad na patungo sa may bintana. Sumunod ako sa kanya at kapwa kami tumanaw roon. Dahil sa lakas ng ulan, halos hindi ko makita ang labas. May makapal na usok din sa paligid.

"I can manipulate the water, Kezalli."

"So, you're causing the rain?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"This empire knows that my mate is already with me. Everyone is expecting that we will spend our days together. Heavy rain sometimes made this empire think about my overwhelming emotion."

"Oh . . . "

"We have to stay inside this room for one week, Kezalli."

"To make them believe that—"

Tobias nodded without looking at me. Napatitig na lang ako sa kanya. He was so considerate. He was more powerful than me; it was my duty as his mate, and he had been waiting for years, but he was willing to give my every demand.

"Thank you," nasabi ko na lang.

He smiled. "Now, I have to think of a way to entertain myself in one week inside a room with my silly mate and her money."

I laughed.

"I will tell the servants to put a vault inside this room."

"Thank you."

Dahil napagod ako sa pagbibilang ng pera, nahiga muna ako sa kama ni Tobias. Ilang beses pa akong nagpagulong-gulong doon habang siya ay nagbabasa ng aklat.

I wanted to tell him that I had a mission to help Claret, but as someone who had just arrived in this place, I didn't think it was necessary to ruin his plans for me.

Nilalaro ko ang unan niya at itinatalang sa ere nang bumagsak iyon sa mukha ko. Napagod na ako sa paggulong-gulong sa kama niya at pinagmasdan ko si Tobias na nagbabasa ng libro.

In the human world, maybe we were already considered married. In this world, it was really not necessary. We would just have to make our bond stronger when we taste each other's blood.

But I still couldn't imagine myself sucking his blood or biting his neck. "Do you know that I never looked to any man in the human world? I am willing to give you my firsts, Tobias—to someone I just knew through words and stories."

He stopped reading and he looked at me calmly. "I promise to worship you in a different way possible."

I rolled my eyes. Hinagip ko ang unan niya, niyakap iyon, at kinagat. "Do you know that I am still young and curious?"

"I can always satisfy my young mate's curiosity. Just ask me," he said while flipping the page of his book.

Naupo na ako sa kama habang yakap ang unan. "So, did you really wait for me? Did you have any relationship with other vampire girls?"

Natigil sa pagbuklat ng pahina si Tobias at napatitig sa akin. "I got friends."

"Kissing? Licking?"

"Vampires have—"

"It's just a yes or no, question, My King. So, ako lang pala ang loyal sa atin? Gago ka." Ibinato ko sa kanya ang unan na agad tumama sa mukha niya. Bumaba na ako sa kama.

"I will go outside!"

"I touched someone else's mouth. I did lick some neck because it was part of the process, but the one that touched your cheek has always been yours. The hard and smooth you mentioned. . ."

Marahas akong lumingon sa kanya na may nanlalaking mga mata. "Who told you that it was the hard and smooth?! Hindi ba nagpaliwanag na ako sa 'yo?!"

"But that was what you were trying to ask, right? If I happened to bed a woman? The answer is no. Because I was waiting for you."

"Y-you're lying. . . ang guwapo mong iyan? Ang hot, tapos yummy? Imposible!"

"I'd take that as a compliment."

I could feel my emotion, how heated my face was, and how I breathe heavily with our conversation, but Tobias and his fucking expressionless face are damn annoying.

"Then let me see it again."

He chuckled. "What? That's too random," but he quickly added and patted his lap. "Come here."

Kanina pa akong pinaglalaruan ni Tobias. I should find a damn way to make him feel frustrated as well! This is unfair!

I quickly cradled on his lap, held the weak knot of his robe, and pulled it slowly. "Can I lick it as well, My King?"

I playfully licked the air in front of his face. This time he grinned. He captured my tongue and gently pulled it. "That is something I'd never allow to happen, My Queen. You better restrain yourself more if you're not truly ready for me because once you already said yes to me, I will start with this silly tongue of yours."

Inagaw na niya ang tali na hawak ko. He stood up, and I almost fell down. Tumalikod na siya at pansin ko na mas mariin na ang pagkakatali ng roba niya.

I grinned and rolled over on the floor. "I got you there, my love."

He chuckled. "It's a tie now. But I know that you'll beg first."