I used to remember how boring my days were. Boring yet, it's the only thing that keeps me alive. No dramas and no burdens. As cliche as it sounds, I always start my day with a coffee. I keep my emails and schedules organized as soon as the editor reaches out to me. And importantly, my deadlines. I'm a graduating literature student and I have night classes. I tend to fill my mornings in writing my drafts and I catch up with my requirements in our university by evening.

There's nothing special. I got used to it.

Until this happened...

"Wisteria?"

I frustratingly looked in the door's direction. Hindi pa ako tapos mag-monologue ngunit may ibange-e-eksena na naman. After I threw tantrums last night, that Knight said something that I couldn't comprehend. She ended up going outside and that's how everything still didn't sink into me.

On this vanity table, I reached out. The face in the mirror mimicked my gesture. For a horrifying moment, it felt like I was peering into a warped reflection, the girl in the glass was a stranger wearing someone's stolen features. I slowly caressed my face. My hands were trembling as they ran from my hair down to my shoulders. My hair has a shade of wisteria flowers- Just as how the people in this place calls me. No... this is not me. A pair of wide, crimson eyes stared back, brimming with confusion and a touch of fear.

What the fuck happened?!

"Leave me alone!"

"Kid! You disturbed the guests last night because of how you screamed! Watch your tone!"

"Screw those fucking guests!"

I mufled a scream when the door creaked open revealing a figure that made me stun in my seat. Saglit akong natameme nang makita ang mukha niya.

He's breathtakingly handsome, sculpted by the gods themselves. His midnight blue hair resembles the color of a starless night. His crimson eyes were identical to mine. He was looking at me furiously. Darkness clung around his aura. Coldness, wickedness, and an unsettling feeling engulfed the room when he appeared.

"Wisteria." His low voice was enough to make the whole room get covered in a blizzard.

I found myself rooted to the spot, catching in my throat.

"M-Maximilien," I stammered.

Maximilien? Hindi ko alam kung bakit kusang lumabas iyon sa bibig ko. It came out naturally as if this person was close to me.

"Wisteria! What were you thinking?! And since when did you learn how to cuss?!"

I looked away. Tangina naman. Sinesermonan ako ng lalaking 'to.

"You know very well how the Noble Houses from the Kingdom of Magnolia and Whispering Willows arrived yesterday. I didn't request for you to attend even if your presence was highly anticipated. If it weren't for your Knight-"

Maximilien.

A knight.

Princess.

Hold on for a second.

"Anong kabaklaan na naman iyang sinusulat mo?"

"Gusto mo malaman? Special chapter lang. Ihahabol ko sa next batch. This is the part where the knight and-"

"No spoilers!"

Fate of the Vessel's Soul by Sanguine.

Fuck me. This is Priya's novel! Maximilien is my- No, Wisteria's brother. I'm not only just a princess but a villainess.

"Fate of the vessel's soul... My soul?" I mumbled.

"Wisteria, are you listening?!"

Tulala akong tumango kay Maximilien at walang reklamong pinakinggan ang sermon niyang lumagpas lang sa tainga ko.

I'm doomed.

--

I tried to calm myself but it just feels suffocating. Now I remember everything. I crossed the road and that's how I died, it was a car that dashed right into me. It seemed like my body transmigrated into Priya's novel.

Napaparanoid na ba ako?! Na-over sa ka deluluhan? This is way too impossible! Everything seemed unreal! They all look like literal gods and goddesses here. Oh... I must be dreaming. This is too much.

Wait...

If I remember it correctly. Wisteria is a frail princess. What made Priya's villainess unique was how she kept flaunting her innocent facade to everyone. One bat of her eyelashes and they will believe her. I mean, she's frail and small.

Small?! I took pride in my height when I was still Belladonna and now I just shrunk?! No wonder how I looked like a dwarf next to my brother. Why am I even calling him my brother? Masyadong maaga pa para imaging komportable ako sa mundong 'to.

Biglang kumalam ang aking tiyan at ang pagka-hilo ng aking ulo. Oh no, my routine.

So it means...

"This is ridiculous! Unacceptable! What is this place?! Where's my editor, my deadline, my COFFEE?!"

My roar echoed through the chambers of the castle, but it came out as a small squeak. I flung my arm out to gesture wildly, only to wince as a pang of pain ran through the unfamiliar delicate body I was in. I could only grip my unruly purple hair. Frustration was plastered on my face, then turned into a sigh- feeling hopeless. "What on earth is wrong with this body?"

I went back to my bed and covered myself with a blanket. The mattress is oddly fluffy, it could swallow me whole. Hindi ko alam kung swerte ba itong natahak ko o malas.

"Princess, I'll come in."

Holy crap. I hid under the blanket and pretended that I didn't hear that person. Their footsteps sounded unusual until I felt their shadow right in front of me.

"Princess?"

I slowly took the blanket away and faced her.

The Knight...

She's wearing a dress shirt tucked in her black slacks and a pair of combat boots. She has a short brunette hair with star freckles around her face. I could imagine myself tracing kisses around it. And those gorgeous tantalizing sea green eyes. Matangkad siya. Siguro magkasingtangkad lang kami noong ako pa si Belladonna. She's oozing with so much sex appeal even if she's merely standing and covered with those simple clothes. Maganda ang porma at tanginang mukhang 'yan. Sarap upuan.

Smash...

"Take a picture. It'll last longer." She grinned at me.

Naglaho ang mga imahinasyon ko nang magsalita ito. Ang kapal! I rolled my eyes and frowned at her. Hindi ko ito pinansin at tumayo papalabas ngunit bigla niya hinawakan ang kamay ko. I shivered as if there were bolts coming from her body around me.

Oo na, jojowain.

I looked at her and pretended to be annoyed. "Remind me again why do you keep tailing me?"

She looks at me flatly while inspecting me. "King Maximilien, your brother, tasked me to guard you, your highness."

Oh... Being the weak and sensitive Princess Wisteria is, her brother assigned her a knight. Shiloah Vervain. The Captain and one of a hella drop-dead knight.

"You're not from the Royal Guards, are you?" She remained staring at me for a second and I just realized what I had blurted out.

"Never mind. Accompany me to the study. Lead the way."

Everything is falling into pieces. I need to know everything first beforeI met more characters. Sa ngayon si Maximilien at Vervain palang ang nakita ko. I'd be in trouble if I'd encounter those two royals while roaming around the castle.

--

The Royal Study. Dusty shelves were stretched towards the high ceiling, filled with ancient scrolls.

"You are dismissed," I told my Knight.

"I'd rather stay here."

I rolled my eyes at her. "Whatever."

I perched on a stepladder and slid it at section category of ROYAL FAMILY HISTORY. Vervain stands beside me, arms crossed, an expression of disapproval on her face. Anong problema na naman nito. Does she really think that I'm that weak?

"Would you mind holding this?"

Hindi maipinta ang mukha niya. "You could've just ask for me to climb there."

Come on, hindi naman ako bata. "And this is the part where you'll hold this book. Hurry." I demanded. Ang bigat kasi saka kailangan ko pang kunin iyong nasa itaas.

Aba, hindi pa rin ito kumikilos sa utos ko. She remained staring at me until she spoke, "My assistance lies in preventing you from further injuring yourself."

Unbelievable! I am so done.

I snickered. "Oh, relax, Captain Buzzkill."

I reached for the final book and disregarded the first book I got. Ibinalik ko ito sa shelf. Walang silbi naman itong kasama ko.

I jumped down from the ladder- Fuck. The moment I clutched the book, I just realized how heavy this old thing can be. But it's not the problem, my toe tripped when the ladder slid slightly which caught me by surprise.

"Watch out!"

Nakatalikod si Vervain kaya nang humarap siya ay huli na ang lahat. The book fell down on the floor first whilst I felt like I took a slow motion moment to gradually fall and hit Vervain.

What a mess. It created a loud thud and both of us could only groan in pain. Parang nagka-deja vu lang kami pero ako ang nakapatong sa kanya ngayon. I gulped. Idinilat ko ang aking mata at inayos ang posisyon para hindi siya maipit. Oh gods, her hand slipped at my back that made my body tensed.

I stopped myself from caressing her freckles. Her pupils dilated as I stared at her sea green eyes. Just by looking at it, I feel like I'm drowning at the depths of the abyss.

Drowning yet I don't want to be saved.

Just a few inch closer... and...

"Princess, I told you, it'll last longer if you'll take a picture."

--

BlueDisorder

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