NANG magising ako kinabukasan ay bumagsak ang mga balikat ko.

“So everything is real, that I actually reincarnated in Harmony's body,” I whispered to myself but I looked at the door when someone knocked. I'm currently in my room or it's more correct to say Harmony's room.

Bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa mula ro’n ang Nanny ni Harmony na si Celia. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, nabasa ko sa pang limang installment ng Astaria Series na pinamagatang ‘Inheritors of the Throne’ ang pangalan ng babaeng ito. Isa siyang commoner at pinsan ni Vitalia—yes, Vitalia is a commoner and comes from a far-off empire, this fact was only discovered in the last chapter. When Vitalia was very young, her family stole a sizable sum of money from a member of the nobility and escaped, eventually arriving in the Astaria Empire.

Hindi isinulat sa libro kung saang imperyo ito nag mula pero ayon sa libro noong tumapak ang mga paa ng mga Orjaros dito sa Astaria Empire, the unknown Viscount Roiburgh's family name was purchased by them. The main reason the Roiburgh family became well-known among the nobility was due to the reputation for deadly weapons they produced, not only in the Astaria Empire but also in other areas of the world.

Nabulgar lamang ang pinakatinatagong lihim na iyon ni Vitalia nang malaman ni Zeferino ang karahasan na dinanas ni Harmony sa kamay ni Vitalia at dahil do’n hinatulan ng habang buhay na pagkakakulong si Vitalia maging ang buong pamilya nito dahil sa mga ilegal na ginagawa maliban kay Zeferino. Marami ang gustong tumutol kay Zeferino sa pagiging tagapagmana nito sa trono ngunit walang nag tagumpay dahil wala ng natitirang maaring maging susunod na tagapamahala dahil patay na si Harmony kaya sa huli ay si Zeferino pa rin ang naging Emperor.

“Your Highness,” natigil ang mga iniisip ko nang makita sa likod ni Celia ang limang servant. Tumaas ang kilay ko’t ibinalik ang tingin kay Celia. “We shall bathe you, Your Highness; your bath is ready.” Pagbibigay alam niya. Alam ko naman na pinaliliguan talaga ng mga servant ang prinsesa pero hindi ko naman sila hahayaang makita at mahawakan ako kahit pa hindi naman ito ang orihinal kong katawan.

That's so awkward!

Bumuntong-hininga ako’t itinaas ang kanang kamay. “Labas,” I said as cold as the breeze.

“Pardon, Your Highness?” napahawak ako sa noo ko at pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili. Aware naman akong hindi uso sa kanila ang direct to the point pero sana man lang hindi na nila pinapa-ulit sa akin ang sinabi ko.

“Please leave me alone for the moment; I want some privacy.” Mahinahon kong saad na mukhang naintindihan na nila kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag pero akmang lalabas na si Celia nang pigilan ko siya. “Stay here.” Kumunot ang noo niya at napangisi ako dahil hindi niya itinago ang pagka-inis niya.

“What do you want? Do you want to strangle me again?” mas lumawak ang ngisi ko dahil inilabas na talaga niya ang tunay niyang kulay. Harmony's childhood has been a living hell ever since Vitalia became the Empress and Celia was appointed as Harmony's Nanny on the night she got hit with a large piece of wood. As I recall, Vitalia was 40 years old, and Celia was 48.

I just don't want to choke you because I want to kill you.

Speaking of age. Ilang taon na nga ba si Harmony? Hmm? I remember she died at the age of 23, according to the book. “What date is today?” sa halip na sagutin ang tanong niya ay iyon ang aking tugon. I need to know kung anong araw ngayon dahil baka magulat na lang ako kinabukasan na pala ang eksena ng kamatayan ng side character na ito.

“It's day thirty in the month of March.” Napayuko ako’t napa-isip.

Kung thirty ngayong araw ibig sabihin the day after tomorrow ang kaarawan ng Emperor—wait what?! I-isang araw na lang ang natitira para sa akin?! Because Harmony's death in the book occurs on April 1, 1840, the Emperor's birthday! No way! How funny na sakto pa talagang April Fools Day ang kamatayan niya.

“I didn't expect to be this early...” napatingin ako kay Celia kaya hindi ko na itinuloy ang sinasabi. “You can leave now.” Utos ko ngunit hindi siya kumibo man lang kaya napangiwi ako. Mukhang hindi na siya natatakot sa ’kin, marahil utos ito ng bruhang Empress na iyon.

Okay, fine. Mag stay ka hangga't gusto mo.

Hindi ko na siya pinagtuunan ng pansin dahil natuon na ang atensyon ko sa kabuoan ng kwarto ni Harmony. I can only look at this room more closely now that everything is clear to me. A lacy thin cloth covers the glass door and lets a moderate amount of light in. The wall art is florally designed and has a soothing color, like deep green. The bedroom curtains are thick and are strung in layers to block out drafts. The dressing table, which had two small drawers and a curved-shaped, wood-framed mirror with an open-backed chair, which had a well-padded seat and a matching wood back, was placed on the left side of the bed. A small, wooden table, was placed on the right side of the bed, next to an old lampshade.

A huge wardrobe constructed of dark wood would be placed across from the bed. The nicer pieces had inlaid marquetry, and the front of the wardrobe had a full-length mirror with beveled glass, which is useful and creates the illusion of space and light in an area that may otherwise feel dismal. The bed was small—not the King or Queen size that is so popular in current times—and high, requiring me to almost climb up to it. However, the bedstead was fashioned of dark wood with gold linen carved insignia of the Imperial Family, and had a canopy. Additionally, it includes five layers of cotton bedsheets that match the hue of the walls and substantial foam.

Naglakad ako't nag tungo sa nakasaradong glass door, mula roon kita ko ang malawak na roof terrace. Napabuntonghininga ako’t tumungo sa bathroom. Hindi na ako nag-abala pang tapunan ng kahit katiting na sulyap si Celia.

༻༺ ༻✧༺ ༻༺

I decided to get paper and a quill after taking a bath so that I could write everything about Inheritors of the Throne, including its timeline. However, the Empress abruptly asked me to join her for tea in her chamber, which I couldn't decline.

“My dear Stepdaughter,” walang emosyon kong sinalubong ang mga tingin niya habang sinasalin ni Celia ang mga tsaa sa aming teacup. “I'm happy to be here with you for tea. It has been a while since we last talked, isn't it?” si Celia lang naman ang narito pero bakit pa siya nagkukunwaring mabait sa harap ko?

Pinakatitigan ko siya. Her dark ruby hair is styled with bands at the front and long, thick ringlets at the ends. Her triangular facial shape and unusual brown and green hooded eyes contribute to her evil appearance. Her magnetism stood out even more because of her alluring Nubian nose and cherry red wide lips kahit pa nasa early 40 na siya. “I'm more happy to be with you as much as you are, my lovely Stepmother.” Binigyan ko siya ng inosenteng ngiti at tingin kaya bumakas sa mukha niya ang pagka-gulat dahil ang Harmony na nasa harapan niya’y hindi na katulad ng dati na nanginginig sa takot marinig lamang ang kaniyang boses.

“Tha...that's great,” tumikhim siya’t ininom ang tsaa, “hmm, nakarating sa ’kin ang balita na tinangka mong kitilin ang iyong sariling buhay. Siguro'y hindi talaga naging madali para sa ’yo ang pagkawala ng iyong ina kahit pa labinlimang taon na ang nakalilipas.” I concealed my clenched hands under the table as she looked at me with pity.

“It's not like that, it's—oh! Aren't you the one in this Palace who is aware of my suffering?” ngumiti ako ng napakatamis at tinapik-tapik ang kaniyang balikat. Tumayo ako’t lumapit sa kaniya ’tsaka inilapit sa kaniyang tainga ang aking labi. “I never reported what you did to me. Do you think I will report now that I am an adult?” lumayo ako't naglakad palabas ngunit huminto ako ilang metro mula sa kinauupuan niya.

“Don't worry, I won't report you to the Emperor—doing so is the behavior of cowards and pathetic people, after all. Although I am not like you, don't expect me to do nothing because I won't allow you to lay your filthy hands on me anymore, my beloved Stepmother.”

“You insolent wench!” ngumiti ako at akmang susugod na siya sa akin para sampalin ako pero itinaas ko ang kanang palad ko.

“Oh! Also, iyang teacup na hawak mo ang teacup na may lason na dapat ay para sa akin, right?” nanlaki ang mga mata niya dahilan upang mabitawan ito at lumikha ng nakakabinging tunog dahil sa pagkabasag. Natawa ako dahil pilit niyang isinusuka ang tsaa na ininom niya. “Napakauto-uto mo pala? Of course, we aren't alike, therefore I won't poison you to death because only people who use this method of killing are losers.”

“Urgh! You fucking bitch!” hindi ko na pinakinggan ang mga pagmumura niya at umalis na ako. 

Kumunot ang noo ko’t hinarap ang taong nasa likod ko. “Why are you following me?” tanong ko kay Celia dahil sa halip na nanatili siya sa kaniyang amo ay narito siya sa tabi ko.

Just what is she up to?

“Alam kong wala ako sa lugar upang manghimasok but as your Nanny I have a way para mawala ang init ng iyong ulo,” nangunot ang noo ko habang nakatingin sa kaniya. “Why don't we go to the Carson El Centre now, your Highness?”

“Carson El Centre?” that place is where you may shop, as I seem to recall from what I read in IOTT. Additionally, the festival is held right there and every time there is a celebration, there are shows that people from other kingdoms come to. “Okay, we'll head over there right now.” Matapos ko iyong sabihin ay umalis siya saglit upang ipahanda ang aming sasakyang karwahe. Pumasok ako sa kwarto ko’t agad na namili ng maari kong isuot ngunit bigo ako dahil lahat ng suot ni Harmony ay luma’t medyo may kaliitan na.

“Despite being a princess, Harmony doesn't even experience living a life of luxury. What a pity.” Komento ko ’tsaka napabuntonghininga.

After kong makapili ng isusuot ay nag tungo na ako sa bathroom upang maligo. I was taken aback when I came out of the bathroom to see five maids waiting for me inside this room. “What in the world are you doing in my room? I said I didn't need you, didn't I?” napapitlag sila sa biglaan kong pagsalita at agad na yumuko.

“H-her Majesty the Empress sent us here, your Highness.” Lumapit ang isa sa kanila’t inakay ako patungo sa vanity mirror kaya na-upo ako ro’n ngunit nangunot naman ang noo ko nang makakita ng mga powder at makalumang paraan upang maglagay ng makeup.

“Don't put makeup on me.” Utos ko that's why they just focused on my hair instead. They made my hair simple and symmetrical. My long hair was parted in the center and looped over my ears and sides, pulled back into a bun at the center.

They made me stand up after they fixed my hair. Naningkit naman ang mga mata ko nang makita ko ang damit na sa tingin ko ay bago at hindi kay Harmony. “This dress is a gift from her Majesty,” saad ng kapapasok lang na si Celia. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya’t nakita ang malawak niyang ngiti sa labi.

Bakit naman niya ako reregaluhan ng ganito after ko siyang galitin kani-kanina lang? What is she planning?

I wanted to roll my eyes because of that but I just ignored it. Nang masuot na nila sa akin ang dress ay parang gusto ko na itong hiklasin dahil napaka-uncomfortable, bukod sa makati ay hindi pa ako sanay mag suot ng ganitong uri ng dress. Well, even if it's a modern dress, I've never worn it.

The dress given by the Empress was soft shades of yellow with slimmed down, a boned, tight-fitting bodice was added underneath garments to emphasize my waistline and cartridge pleats were added at the waist to create volume in the skirt without adding bulk.

Matapos ng pag-aayos ay inalalayan nila ako palabas ng kwarto hanggang sa makalabas sa palasyo. Hinihingal naman na tumigil ako sa paglalakad. Simple man ang suot ko’t walang kahit na anong accessories ay hindi ko pa rin mapigilang makaramdam ng pagod lalo na masyadong mahina ang katawang ito at hindi pa ako comfortable sa suot ko. “Our carriage is here, your Highness.” Nabaling ang atensyon ko sa nakahintong karwahe sa ’king harapan na hindi ko agad napansin.

“Hah. Is this some kind of joke?” tanong ko matapos makita ang karwahe. It is a horse-drawn carriage with a roof, four wheels, and an open driver's seat in front.

A public carriage!

“This is for your safety, your Highness.” Napabuntonghininga na lang ako’t sumakay na sa karwahe.

Come to think of it, sa loob ng labinlimang taon na nagdaan ay hindi pa lumabas si Harmony sa palasyo. Palagi siyang nasa kwarto maging sa mga pagdiriwang sa bawat kaharian ng Astaria ay kailanman hindi siya naka-dalo dahil sa tuwing iniimbitahan siya ay palagi itong hinaharang ng kaniyang Stepmother, hindi siya nito binigyan ng chance na makipagsocialize, makilala at magkaroon ng magandang image sa publiko.

Sumandal ako sa gilid ng karwahe at pumikit nang dumampi sa balat ko ang sariwang simoy ng hangin at nire-recall sa ’king isipan ang bumubuo sa Astaria Empire habang kasalukuyan kaming palabas sa borders.
Of all the Empires here in Verden Dum Astra, the Astaria Empire is one of the wealthiest empires at may pinakamaraming lugar, other than that it's filled with undiscovered lands all over the Empire.

Under the Astaria Empire, there are eight Kingdoms: Vrivasea in the south, Querencia in the west, Sheodica in the east, Guggenheim in the southwest, Creris in the north, Limerence in the southeast, Yaentis in the northwest, and Arbezelias in the northeast.

And, Astaria Palace is located in the middle of all the Kingdoms. It is encircled by a high wall, and there are dragons at each of its five corners, enhancing the palace's defense. The knights' quarters were located underneath the palace. Additionally, the area where Astaria Palace is located contains five locations, such as Carson El Centre, Molongue, Zacraise, Rystria Village, and Quewarnds. The first is a shopping base, the second and third are places where some nobility resides, the fourth is where commoners live, and Quewarnds forest is where the hunting festival/contest are held, dito rin ang lugar kung saan na roon ang mababangis na hayop.

Nagmulat ako ng mga mata para lang mangunot ang noo dahil malinaw kong nakikita na lumampas na kami sa apat na lugar.

Hah. Kung gano'n ito ang plano nila?

I cannot be mistaken because the route we are traveling on goes to Quewarnds forest, and it is not hidden from my knowledge that there are various wild animals in that place, animals that crave human flesh.

Kung gano'n, this coachman kidnapped us and accidentally ended up in the Quewarnds forest where we will be trapped and attacked by wild animals which will be the cause of our death. Then Celia miraculously survives and makes a false statement to the Imperial Family, when the Crown Prince gets suspicious, the Empress will support Celia's false statement—is that what they want in the eyes of the public?

“Pfft!” napatingin sa akin si Celia dahil sa biglaan kong pagpipigil ng tawa. Napatakip naman ako sa labi dahil hindi ko napigilang kumawala iyon.

“Your Highness?” sinalubong ko ang mga tingin ni Celia.

Do they think I'm an idiot? Do they expect I don't know this place? Fuck! Between the three of us, I am the one who knows this place the best!

What a ridiculous scheme, yet because of this idiotic plan, I now have an opportunity to get rid of this stupid woman.

To be Continued...