"You look stunning, Your Highness..." nagulat ako sa papuri nila lalo na ng makitang naka-awang ang kanilang mga labi.

Iniwas ko ang paningin sa kanila at ibinaling ang mga mata sa salamin, gano'n na lamang ang gulat ko ng makita ang sarili. I looked mature with my too-dark make-up on my face and my wavy hair down, especially with the dress I was wearing.

I picked an outfit that complemented the color of my hair, a dark red gown with gold embroidery; the gown is entirely composed of diamonds. It has long sleeves but a v-neck, so my cleavage is visible. And, compared to the noblewomen's clothing styles, I can state that the dress I'm wearing is distinct.

"You look so breathtaking, that for the moment, my mind seems to have gone blank." Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita sa salamin ang mukha ni Zeferino, bakas sa mukha nito ang pagkamangha habang nakatingin sa 'king mukha mula sa salamin.

"What are you doing here? You didn't even knock." Humarap ako sa kaniya at tumaas ang isang kilay ng mapansing match ang suot niya sa suot ko.

"Sorry for my abruptness, I just wanted to give it to you," inilahad niya ang necklace na gawa sa Imperial mines. "Also, I will be your partner tonight." Pinatalikod niya ako't isinuot sa akin ang necklace na may disenyong Foelemeria flower, the flower that represents the Gwavynette Family and grows only in Gwavynette Territory. This is Zeferino's favorite flower, although it hails from the family of Harmony's mother, the former Empress.

The petals of the Foelemeria flower are like a spiky crown of lilac hue, with a superimposed circle that resembles a pearl in the center.

"That is my favorite flower, and no other flower in Astaria can compete with it. Unfortunately, that flower has been gone for a long time, but in my depths mind, that flower will remain forever." He's right, matagal ng wala ang bulaklak na iyan. Simula ng bumagsak ang Gwavynette's Territory kasabay ng pagkamatay ni Melody Gwavynette ay nabura sa Emperyong ito ang napakagandang bulaklak na sumisimbolo sa pinagmulan ni Harmony.

Tumikhim ako at humarap sa kaniya matapos maisuot ang kwintas. "Thanks." Tipid kong turan sa kaniya. Napabuntonghininga naman siya kaya napatitig ako sa kaniya.

Come to think of it, ngayon ko lang nakita ng maayos ang kaniyang mukha, noong magkasama kasi kami ay nagkukunwari akong tulog kaya wala akong chance upang makita ang mukha niya. Sa totoo lang, kamukhang-kamukha niya ang Emperor, parang batang version siya ng Emperor lalo na kung parehas sila ng ekspresyon.

Crown Prince Zeferino La Evalor, the male lead. Hair that shines like the sun. His eyes were as deep as an infinite ocean. His flawless pale skin glows like snow.

"Shall we go to the Banquet now? The celebration had already begun." umiwas ako ng tingin at tumango. Bahagya naman niyang itinaas ang kaniyang kaliwang braso na parang sinasabi niya ko ang aking kanang braso rito kaya dahan-dahan ko iyong ginawa.

Whatever happens, I will not be riding in the same carriage as the male lead. Never!

Because I will change the scenes, I will do everything to revive this character. I'll do whatever to survive and fulfill Savy's wish for me.

༻༺ ༻✧༺ ༻༺

When arriving at the Banquet Hall located in the north wing of the Palace, two guards were there to open the door.

"Crown Prince Zeferino La Evalor and Princess Harmony Azmin La Evalor have arrived." Pagkarinig n'on ay pumasok na kami at naglakad pababa ng hagdan. Maingat niya akong inaalalayan dahil sa mataas na heels na suot ko at habang pababa ay nakatutok sa aming dalawa ang atensyon ng lahat.

The red carpet on the stairs showed up to me, with etched borders of the crown, and behind it was the sun that symbolizes the Imperial family. The glass chandeliers gracing the arched, ornately painted ceiling captivated me, and the floors were made of polished oak planks with dark red carpet.

Hmm...I think the Empress is the hostess of this banquet.

"This is the first time I've seen the Imperial Princess, and there's no doubt she's our former Empress's daughter since she has her appearance down pat."

"I agree. Except for the eyes, I can't tell the difference between their features. They appear to be the same person since she resembles the late Empress Melody."

"But isn't her make-up over-the-top? I mean, she's definitely aware that wearing heavy makeup represents prostitutes in the capital, right?"

"Perhaps it's simply a coincidence, or she's not aware, especially given her lack of knowledge about what's going on outside the Astaria Palace."

"Marahil ay gano'n nga." Ang narinig kong bulungan nang tuluyan kaming makababa sa hagdan. Lihim naman akong natuwa dahil ang huling bulungang narinig ko ay wala sa libro kaya may chance na mabago ko ang eksena ngayong gabi. Ang totoo ay sinadya ko talagang pakapalan ang aking make-up para may maiba ako sa mangyayari ngayon at nagsisimula pa lamang ako.

"Blessings and Glory upon the suns of the Astaria Empire," Zeferino and I both spoke at the same time, and I bowed slightly while holding both sides of my dress. "Happy Birthday to His Majesty the Emperor." Zeferino greeted his father as I remained standing until he walked over to the seat next to the Empress.

Tumutok ang mga mata sa akin ng Emperor at Empress. Bahagya naman akong tumingin kay Vitalia at kita ko sa ekspresyon ng mukha nito ang galit, that if it was fatal I would surely be dead now. "Happy birthday to the father of Astaria Empire, and as a good father not only to me but to the entire Astaria Empire I would like to present the gift which came from my heart." Sumenyas ako sa katulong na in-appoint sa akin ng Emperor, tumango ito at lumapit sa akin ng naka-yuko.

Hawak niya ang Baroque Flute na nakalagay sa cushion. Lumuhod ang katulong at inilapit sa akin ang flute na agad kong hinimas at kinuha. Bumaling ako sa likod ko kung na saan ang mga bisita at muli ay ibinalik ang paningin sa Emperor na ngayo'y nakakunot ang noo.

"I, Princess Harmony Azmin La Evalor, shall do my utmost to perform Fantasia in B minor. I hope you enjoy it."

After that, I find the first key on the bottom of my flute's body and lay my thumb on it, palm facing me. I wrap the remainder of my fingers around the flute's opposite side. My index, middle, and ring fingers were placed on the second, fourth, and fifth keys, respectively. I lay my pinky on the paddle-shaped side key and support the weight of the flute with the crook of my hand between my thumb and index finger.

As I lift the flute to my lips, I maintain my arms loose and away from my body. Rather than angling it down, I make the flute horizontal to the ground. Next, holding the flute parallel to the floor, I position the lip plate beneath my bottom lip and balance the flute between my chin and bottom lip for maximum support. To create the finest tone, I also make sure the hole is right in the middle of my lips. Firm up the muscles around my mouth, but not so much that my lips wrinkle or purse. Nagkunwari akong sinasabi ang letrang "M" para makuha ang tamang postura ng labi, o embouchure.

I open my lips slightly as if I'm about to speak the letter "P" to blow air into the instrument. I take a deep breath and expel it in a controlled stream toward the hole where I will play the flute. The air will pass through the flute's body and produce notes. At habang tumutugtog ako, I move my tongue like I'm saying the word "too." This will help differentiate the notes I'm playing so they don't sound like they're gliding together. To transition between a quick sequence of small notes and longer, independent notes, I alternatively move my tongue quicker and slower. Huminga ako ng malalim at huminga nang dahan-dahan sa butas ng aking plauta para maitama ang mga nota sa ibabang rehistro. Then with my next breath, I tighten the corners of my mouth slightly more and exhale quickly to make a higher-pitched note.

Pumikit ako at hinayaan ang sarili na damahin ang ritmo.

Kung tutuusin ay mas gusto ko ang Baroque Flute kaysa sa mga modernong flute sa earth because the sound of the Baroque Flute is incredibly elastic and flexible. It is capable of significant dynamics subtleties and readily switches from one register to another, which makes most baroque flute music simpler to play on the original than on the modern flute at ipinagpapasalamat ko na merong ganitong uri ng flute sa mundong ito.

What I play is Fantasia in B minor (excerpt) by George Philipp Telemann, performed by Barthold Kuijken. The twelve fantasias for transverse flute without bass.

Some 18th-century flutes survive with what are called _corps de rechange_ _ alternative fingerhole joints to enable transposition or the use of different pitch standards. Signs of wear on these suggest a focus on certain pitches, however, and the instruments tend to work best at one or two pitches anyway. Isang miyembro ng pamilyang Hotteterre (le Romain) nagsulat ng isang popular na treatise sa pagtugtog ng plauta at sa kalagitnaan ng ika-18 siglo, Johann Joachim Quantz, isang German virtuoso flute player, nagsulat ng isang malawak na treatise sa instrumento. Like Hotteterre, he also designed instruments and one of his main inventions was the addition of a second key, not as one might think for expanding the range, but rather for enabling nuances of temperament in allowing a D# as well as an Eb above the bottom note.

Kasabay ng pagtatapos ng aking tinutugtog ay ang pag mulat ng aking mga mata. Saktong na salubong ko ang mga mata ng Emperor at napangiti naman ako ng mapansing bahagyang naka-awang ang kaniyang labi. I put my right arm on my stomach and bowed then turned my back to the Emperor to face the people ngunit hindi ko inaasahan ang masigabong palakpakan nila the moment na humarap ako sa kanila.

Tumikhim ang Emperor kaya muli akong humarap sa kaniya, bagama't walang sinabi ang Emperor ay masaya pa rin ako dahil nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na gumamit muli ng plauta.

Nang makaupo na ako sa tabi ng Emperor ay nag salita siya bagay na hindi ko inaasahan. "I had no idea you could play the flute."

"Oh, that? When I'm bored and locked myself in my room, I secretly study, Your Majesty." Tugon ko at matapos n'on ay wala na siyang sinabi. Kumuyom naman ang mga kamay ko dahil ni simpleng papuri ay hindi niya ginawa.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at itinuon na lamang ang aking atensyon sa mga bisita na nag-e-enjoy sa mga refreshments at wine na nakahanda sa kanilang mga tables.

༻༺ ༻✧༺ ༻༺

Mahigit isang oras na ang lumipas mula ng umupo ako at ang mga mata ko ay malapit ng bumigay kaya umayos ako ng upo. Nang lumingon naman ako sa upuan ng Empress at Crown Prince ay nangunot ang noo ko dahil wala na ang mga ito ro'n. I searched the nobles for the Empress and found her in the midst, cheerfully conversing with noblewomen her age.

"I wish to enjoy this celebration, Your Majesty. That's why-" Naputol ang sasabihin ko nang magsalita siya.

"Go ahead." He sparingly responded coldly. I nodded and stood up then walked near where the Empress was standing.

But I didn't realize I'd been halted at the Royal Family's table. "I, King of Querencia Kingdom, Laurent La Fayette, greet the shining star of the Empire." My gaze was drawn to a purple-haired man with green eyes who greeted me.

I instantly remembered my second name when he mentioned the shining star. The shining star represents me as the Imperial Princess, the Emperor's first child, and nothing else. Because, despite the fact that there are many stars with me in the dark sky, I still feel...alone-no. Hindi ito ang oras para makaramdam ako ng ganito, I still have to avoid my death later.

Muling na agaw ni King La Fayette ang aking atensyon ng muli siyang nagsalita. "Let me introduce my family, Your Imperial Highness." King Laurent gestured his hand to the woman next to him. "My wife, Her Majesty, Fiorena O'Hara-La Fayette." The woman with raven-black hair slightly bowed while holding both sides of her skirt. "Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Libitina." Walang gana itong batiin siya. "The Highnesses..." ngumiti sa 'kin ang King, "Kohole, Jacques and Pierre." Habang binabanggit ang kanilang mga pangalan ay siyang pagyuko ng kanilang mga ulo bilang paggalang.

Magsasalita na sana ako ngunit natigilan ako sa biglaang pagsalita ng Emperor. "Can I have your attention?" Agad akong napatingin sa unahan, nakatayo ang Emperor at may ngiti sa labi. "This day has attained such enthusiasm in my life just because of you all. Your endless heart-melting blessings and wishes make my entire life blossom and prosper in such a unique way that cannot be expressed in words. What makes it really special is the presence of all the guests who are here to show me just how much they are grateful that I am your Emperor. Thank you everyone for making my birthday the most special and making me feel how important my existence is." Kumunot ang noo ko sa kakaibang ngiti sa kaniyang labi. Masyadong itong matamis na kung hindi ko lamang siya kilala ay aakalain kong napakabuti niyang tao.

It was the first time I saw him smile.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko. Kung gano'n ganito siya sa harap ng nakararami?

"And not only that, because I will take this celebration as a good opportunity to formally announce the lucky guy who will be Her Imperial Highness, Princess Harmony Azmin's spouse..." Saglit na huminto ang Emperor at nilibot ang mga mata hanggang mag tama ang aming paningin.

Shit! Here it is, he will announce my fiancé Lord Kalayde Gordon, Duke Gordon's son-

"His Highness, Pierre La Fayette."

Nabato ako sa 'king kinatatayuan at dahan-dahang umawang ang labi dahil sa halip na pangalan ni Kalayde ang aking marinig ay ibang pangalan ang narinig ko.

W-what happened? Why did it change? And why him?! He's too young for me for freaking sake!

"I will not-"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

I was about to say anything more when I was startled by the shout of the woman with waist-length wavy purple hair, a pointed nose, thick and curvaceous eyelashes, heart-shaped lips, and white eyes that looked like a mirror.

She is Crown Princess Labitina La Fayette, and to make matters worse, she is a cruelly malicious Villainess in the second installment of the Astaria Series!

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Author's Note:

Watsup my dear Warriors!
I put an Author's note to let you know that this chapter is Harmony's slight crossover with Libitina.

Also, for my placement of credits where did the info about Harmony playing the flute come from.

Fantasia in B minor (infos) credits to https://caslabs.case.edu

If you want to hear this tune, just click on the video at the beginning of this chapter. You can also search if you really want to hear it, the title is Fantasia in B minor.

That's all, thanks! Hope you enjoy this chapter!