Tamago's Note: Information Dump ahead.

--

King Maximilien Cobalt Croidan and Princess Wisteria Carmine Croidan.

That's them. The villain and the villainess of this novel. Kanina ko pa pinipiga ang utak ko kung sino nga ulit iyong female lead dito at kung ano ang dapat gawin para matama ang mali. Wait, I'm the villainess, right? Then I should perhaps create more mischiefs? Kidding. Gabi na, but I'm still at the study. Pinag-aralan ko ang lahat ng bagay sa mundong ito.

Also, pinalayas ko na si Vervain. Baka kung ano pa ang susunod na mangyari kung nandito pa iyon sa tabi ko.

I started flipping the pages and carefully absorbed the words.

The continent of Aselia has four Kingdoms. Croidan, Magnolia, Whispering Willows, and Nightshade.

Well, for some unknown reason, our neighboring Kingdom from the east and west paid a visit. Strange, huh?

Prince Arthur Glazen Romanova is from the Kingdom of Whispering Willows, from the continent's eastern edge. Whispering Willows is filled with an immense, primeval forest covered with snow. The trees, particularly the willows, are said to be sentient. Snow...

The next stop is Prince Alpheus Kester Majestié from the Kingdom of Magnolia, in contrast to the Whispering Willows, Magnolia is in a region surrounded by warm sunshine. Nasisilawan ako sa init kahit binabasa ko pa lang. Oh, may isang note na nakalagay how this Kingdom remains to be on Top for being the most compassionate. All the good traits are pinned in their Kingdom's townspeople. Another cookie point for this place.

Back to my place.

Croidan is a vast and diverse kingdom, containing everything from enchanted forests to wide mountain ranges. The capital city, Grand Crest, is a metropolis that glows with magical energy, it is where the heart of Croidan's power.

It says here how magic in Croidan has different magical elements associated with specific regions within the kingdom. The magic system is governed by a council of ancient sorcerers who maintain balance and order.

I chewed on my lips while reading that part. This is just getting interesting. Magic plus me is such an ideal combination.

Croidan's combination of magic and traditional craftsmanship has created enchanted weapons, transportation, photography, and communication devices. Well for sure I won't suffer anymore that these stuff here exists as well.

Beyond the borders of Croidan lies the Kingdom of Nightshade, a mysterious and dangerous realm where dark creatures and forbidden magic dwell. Legends speak of a border that separates the two worlds but it's just a rumor.

Nightshade?

It is dominated by nightshade plants- especially those with psychoactive or poisonous properties. Deadly mushrooms dot the landscape, and a belladonna flora cast an otherworldly glow. The air may be thick with strange scents and buzzing with nocturnal insects.

Parang kahulugan ng pangalan ko lang... At iyong ibinigay na keychain ni Vaeda. Oh, Vaeda... If only I knew that it would be my last time. For a moment, reading Nightshade's description struck a wave of nostalgia in my system that made me miss being me, being Belladonna.

I traced one page with my finger, my brow furrowed in concentration. Napahikab ako at napag-isipan na sapat na siguro ang impormasyon na ito.

Suddenly, a voice behind me shattered the silence. "Still reading over dusty books at this ungodly hour, Princess Wisteria?"

I yelped, the book almost tumbling from my grasp. With my heart hammering against my ribs, I whipped around to find a man leaning nonchalantly against a nearby bookshelf.

Tangina naman nito! Hindi ako madaling magulat pero takteng katawan! It almost seemed like I'm starting to develop Wisteria's mannerisms as well.

The only ray of the moonlight bathed him. For a fleeting moment, he looked like a prince charming.

Teka, sino nga ulit to?

"Your Highness!" I exclaimed.

Heat flooded my cheeks- both from the surprise and the embarrassment of not knowing who he was. "I, uh, wasn't aware you were..." My voice trailed off, searching for an appropriate explanation for my nocturnal studies.

A hint of amusement flickered in his amber eyes. He ruffled his silver hair while giving me his boyish grin. I quickly observed his perfect tan complexion. This guy is an eleven out of ten. Kulang nalang ay tumunog ang kanta ni Hev Abi na Babaero, swak na swak sa awra niya.

"Got distracted, I see." His tone was playful.

I couldn't help but puff out my chest defensively. "Eh ano naman?"

Patay! Bahagyang lumaki ang mata ko. Naku, huli na para bawiin ko ang sinabi.

A slow smile spread across his face, erasing the teasing glint in his eyes.

"Wala lang," aniya.

Napamulsa ito at dahan-dahan na lumapit sa 'kin. He stopped and I just got the perfect view of his godly features. His brooch pinned on his vest glistened with an initial of double W's.

This is him. Prince Arthur Glazen Romanova.

"You should rest. Perhaps we can resume this discussion over breakfast in the morning?"

Nilalandi ba ako nito? Pwes, 'di nahuhulog sa kamandag niya. Oh baka assuming lang ako. Nakakamatay pa naman ang pagiging assuming, ma-double dead pa ako.

I shrugged. "Maybe." And walked away.

--

THE NEXT morning, I dragged my Knight away from the castle.

"Wala ba kayong kape rito?" I asked my annoying Knight.

I looked up when she didn't answer. For a few seconds, she jumped and landed right in front of me with a pears in her hand. Yay.

Eh bakit ba? Inutusan ko lang naman na umakyat at kunin iyong prutas. Mind you, this is my breakfast. I avoided Arthur's invitation and I don't even feel bad.

"Kape? Ano 'yan?" She took a bite at the pear before handing it to me.

I glared at her.

Which made me think. Gaano sila ka-close ni Wisteria? Hindi ko masyadong maalala kung ano ang papel ni Vervain sa buhay niya. Is she just a Knight? Do they get along well? I've been treating her with banters and I'm quite concerned if the old Wisteria does the same.

"Brewed coffee beans that- Nevermind."

She has that stoic expression on her face again. "Someone's coming."

"Who?"

My pear fell when I heard a horse galloping. I spotted a golden brown horse and the person riding it was... Prince Alpheus.

Para akong nakakita ng multo nang papalapit na ito. Please, not this again! I felt Vervain getting up but I grabbed her hand.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Her forehead creased. "Giving you time with your suitor?"

I almost gagged. "Excuse me?! What suitor?!"

She crouched on the ground and studied my face. She reached out then, her calloused hand surprisingly gentle as it cupped my cheek. The warmth of her touch sent a shiver through me, and I found myself leaning into her palm, craving the contact more than I realized. Her thumb brushed softly against my skin, tracing a line from my cheekbone to my jaw.

W-what is she doing...

"Just go and meet him. I'll be at the other side, Princess."

Tumayo si Vervain at naglakad palayo. Somehow just by looking at her back and walking away, something throbbed inside my chest.

"Princess Wisteria!"

I faked a smile and pretended to be surprised when Alpheus arrived. He got down and tamed his cranky horse first before walking towards me.

Echoserang kabayo. Ayaw na lumapit dito sa 'kin at pinakalma pa ni Alpheus.

"My apologies about that. Crystal is usually friendly."

Kung si Prince Arthur may version ng Babaero ni Hev Abi na tumutunog sa background, si Alpheus naman ang lyrics na 'Sumasagi ka palagi sa utak.' Iba eh.

When I'd say that this guy is sparkling, he really is! Pinaglihi ba ito sa ginto? It feels like there are golds shining around him. Mayroon siyang bagsak at mala-gintong buhok na bumagay sa kanyang asul na mata. He looks flawless.

"Greetings, Prince Alpheus," bati ko habang nananatiling naka-upo at kain pa rin sa prutas.

My nose scrunched for a bit when he gave me the same expression as Prince Arthur did. That funny look on their faces. Amusement, perhaps? Mukhang clown na ba ang role ko rito?

"Your brother was looking for you at the dining area. You didn't join us for breakfast." Mahina siyang tumawa bago tumabi sa 'kin.

Pakshet. Did the Prince just sit on the dirty ground beside me?

"Oh, about that. I was craving pears," palusot ko.

Tumaas ang kilay niya kaya inunahan ko na. "Hindi ako naglilihi ha, gusto ko lang."

Humalakhak ito bago humarap sa 'kin. Tawa siya nang tawa oh. Ano ba 'yan, kapag may sasabihin akong walang kwentang bagay at tatawa ito, talagang iisipin ko na ako ang kaligayan niya.

"I haven't formally introduced myself. I'm Prince Alpheus Kester Majestié from the Kingdom of Magnolia on the east side. Supposedly, my sister wants to tag along, however, due to her health restrictions, it was best for her to stay there."

Ang daldal eh 'di ko naman tinanong. Uubusin ko na sana ang natitirang prutas nang bigla akong naalarma sa sinabi niya.

"Sister? You have a sister?" I need to confirm this.

He smiled. "Yes! Her name is Aurelia. Siguro ay magkakasundo kayo. It's a shame, she told me that she was looking forward to meeting the Princess with purple hair."

I gulped. "What does she look like?"

"Most people would say that we look like twins. We're a carbon copy of each other."

Prince Alpheus... It seemed like you had taken the bait of my brother.

Aurelia is no longer in Magnolia. My brother just took her away.

Because Aurelia Majestié is the female lead of this novel.

--

BlueDisorder

thoughts?