Tam's Note: forced proximity uwu, *sips tea*

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Holy crud! Why did I just figure this out? The most important piece of this novel that has yet to come. Sa pagkaka-alam ko ay walang ka-ide-ideya si Wisteria sa sikreto ng kanyang kapatid. She only found out before the masquerade ball happened when there were intels from the neighboring Kingdoms who grew their suspicions at Maximilien and ambushed the party. Who were they again?! Shit, I need to stay vigilant.

Hindi ko hahayaan iyon, as early as possible, I need to take advantage of the opening scenes.

"Wisteria? What are you doing here?"

I turned around and saw Max who instantly locked the door. I remembered how he forbids me not to enter his personal study, yet here I am evading his privacy. Geez, why didn't Vaeda tell me how it actually feels good?

Maximilian, a King, and my brother. Kung gaano ka-amo ng mukha niya ay ang kabaliktaran naman kung ano ang totoo niyang ugali. Maybe we really are related after all. Our facade begs to differ where our personality lies within wickedness.

Hindi na ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa at sinalubong siya ng aking napakatamis na ngiti. That's where he sensed danger.

"Where are you hiding Aurelia?" I asked sweetly.

As if I dropped a bomb in his system. He could feel the familiar heat creeping up his neck, a sure sign of the anger simmering. Ramdam ko ang pag-igting ng kanyang panga at ang pag-yukom ng kamao. His breathing tensed.

"Hold on, I didn't mean to cause offense, brother. Alpheus did mention how his sister personally wants to meet me! Such a shame. Someones a bit greedy."

He composed himself first before playing it casually. "Aurelia is at Magnolia, Wisteria. What are you talking about?"

I grunted. Fury surged through me. The nerve! How dare he try to play tricks on me. I bit the insides of my cheeks before I could scratch his selfish face.

"Is she?"

He sighed. "If you're bored enough to accuse me, just drop it. May mahalaga pa akong bagay na kailangang gawin. The Magical Council and Royal Guards arranged a schedule for me to attend their meeting. If you don't mind, I'll be going."

I gritted my teeth. "Of course, you might want to tighten the security before the princes would find out."

He pretended not to hear me and walked towards the door, but I couldn't bear it much longer.

"Don't you dare play innocent with me, brother!" I lashed out, my voice echoing off the stone walls.

He finally met my gaze. Mahina siyang naglakad patungo sa direksyon ko. His eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, glinting with a darkness I didn't recognize. I fear one day how I'd look at somebody like that, our crimson eyes battling.

A horrible realization struck on me. There's only one reason why would he mess up with the gem of Magnolia.

"You love her, don't you?"

Max's smile widened, full of evilness. There it is. Finally, he's showing it. "Love? A bothersome emotion, only for fools. This is about control, Wisteria. And with Aurelia by my side, the kingdom will be mine for the taking."

Liar.

He scoffed at my silence with a cruel twist of his lips. "This is about power. And you, my dear sister, are simply a pawn in the game."

For fuck's sake. He's gone mad!

"A pawn? You jeopardized not just Aurelia, but an alliance with a neighboring kingdom for some... 'game'?!"

"The prize this time is far sweeter than any treaty."

"The prize?" I spat. "Is that what Aurelia is to you? A prize?"

Isang mabagal na ngiti ang kumalat sa kanyang mukha. "Let's just say she possesses a certain... power that promises far more than any parchment signed by a trembling king."

"So you kidnap her, drag her into this mess, and then use me as bait to attract suitors for her?" My voice trembled with a mix of anger and disgust.

Tangina naman. Kung hindi sinabi sa 'kin ni Vervain ay baka hindi ko malalaman ang plano niya. He's using me!

"Precisely," he purred, his tone filled a chilling satisfaction. "And if you play your part well, dear sister, perhaps you'll earn yourself a small corner in my glorious new world."

"You know what I'm mistaken." I laughed bitterly.

He continues to stare at me. His smile was gone. Only his peering eyes anticipated for my next actions and reply. "Whatever your reasons are, you're transparent as bullshit, Max. Because you're sickeningly obsessed with Aurelia."

He's not denying it. The weight of his plan pressed down on me. I wasn't in Wisteria's shoes anymore. I was simply a character, utterly lost and filled with a cold dread. Now I'm trapped, a pawn in his cruel game.

"Fine then,"I announced.

Nakuha ko ang atensyon niya. He couldn't believe what he just heard and waited for me to crack the joke. The old Wisteria is wicked but not wicked enough. The only reason why Max didn't tell her his plans was surely she'll oppose. Now that I have cornered him, he did not expect this at all. Not even my agreement with him.

"I'll tell them lies, I'll keep this a secret, I'll lead them on, but there is no fucking way that I'll marry one of them."

----

THE WIND tore at my cloak, it almost seemed like a banshee's wail imitated my own resentment.

Glacial Peak.

This region is a mockery of a name for this desolate wasteland. A pure canvas of skeletal trees howling at the dark sky.

I bit my lip while taking my cloak off. I smiled insanely upon raising my head and arms, embracing the wind and frost cutting my skin like shards. Every breath stung, a perfect reflection of the rage boiling within.

Nanginginig man, hindi pa rin nawala ang init ng aking ulo. Masyadong malayo ang kaharian ni Arthur. I bet their snow their could melt this turmoil inside me. As of now, I'll stick with the northern region of Croidan.

Ang yelong hawak ng lugar na ito ay salamin ng pagkamuhi at poot sa aking puso. Dahil sa nasaksihan at narinig ko kanina, wala sa sarili kong tinahak ang landas sa gubat na puno ng niyebe.

Perfect timing.

"SCREW YOU!!!"

I ripped branches from trees, sending snow showers into the air. Each fallen limb of the dead trees fractures out of my control. When my hands bled, I didn't care. The pain was a mere cut compared to the revolted stench in my soul. Finally, I collapsed against a massive pine.

Fuck.

Marahan kong hinawakan ang aking pisngi. Tears, frozen before they could fall, traced icy tracks down my cheeks.

How weak. My hands wants to get bloody, yet I could only lash out at this dead pathetica tree. Wisteria, you're the worst. Simply, the worst.

I tried getting up when the snow kept crawling. Shit, a blizzard? But that's the least of my concern. Lumingon ako sa kahoy na nasa kanan at tumingala. "You need to work on how to conceal your presence."

Vervain jumped right off in front of me again. "Did I just witness a brat's tantrums?"

Ayan na naman, nakikita ko na naman ang mukha niya. Alexa, can you play Sandali by mrld?

"Funny."

I thought she was going to keep teasing and ask me some questions but instead she offered me her hand. I only stared at it and stood up on my own. Hindi ko alam. Her presence confuses me. One minute she's annoying as hell and yet she's acting like a caring person or whatever.

"Tigas ng ulo."

Napaawang ang bibig ko nang hinubad niya ang kanyang sariling cloak at walang hirap na inilagay sa aking likod at hinigpitan ang kapit sa harap.

"I saw a cabin. Let's hit if off before going back. This is going to be a heck of a blizzard."

--

Wala sa sarili akong napakapit sa braso ni Vervain nang sobrang hapdi ng aking katawan at manhid ng aking paa. When we finally reached the cabin, I sighed in relief because of the warmth of the flickering fire.  I was relieved to the point of dizziness. But my relief curdled into horror when the flustered receptionist informed us the blizzard had filled every room.

"Excuse me?! Do you know who I am?!"

Nagitla ito at nauutal na sumagot. She must have noticed my purple hair and the my royal brooch. Shit, my cover is going to get blown. Who cares. Tama na ang plastikan, Wisteria, hindi ko na kaya ang bait-baitan mo.

They'll get what they'll get.

"There's only one option left, Your Highness," the receptionist muttered, her eyes darting between Vervain and me. "The silver suite."

The words were like a slap. Ginagago ba ako nito? "Only one suite?" I choked out, my voice hinted with disbelief.

I wanted to scream.

Tumikhim si Vervain bago tumingin sa 'kin. Marahan niyang kinuha ang kapa sa 'king balikat dahil may namumuong niyebe rito. "Perhaps, Your Highness," she began, her voice barely a murmur. "It wouldn't be so terrible. Isang gabi lang naman."

"Isang gabi? Sharing a bed with you? A knight? The scandal alone would—"

Vervain held up a hand, her sea-green eyes holding a strange intensity that made me realize something. She faked a cough. "There would be no scandal, Your Highness. We would simply be... resting. Just resting."

I glared at her, my cheeks burning. My eyes twitched before looking away. The tension in the room was thicker than the snow outside. Finally, with a sigh that rattled my ribs, I surrendered.

Ang advance ko naman na mag-isip. Oo nga at matutulog lang naman kami. Oh god, Wisteria! Sobrang halata mo!

"Fine," I spat. "But if I wake up to find even a single stray finger—" She cutted me again.

This is not me! Why did I have to bring it up again?!

Vervain's lips quirked up in the faintest of smiles. "As you wish, Your Highness."

Marahas kong kinuha ang susi at unang umakyat sa itaas. Pero bago pa iyon ay narinig ko ang salitang binitiwan ni Vervain. "A healing potion and a first aid will do. Thank you."

The door creaked shut behind us, sealing us in this prison suite. I glanced at the fireplace and the fire was already fading out. Ang ginaw naman dito! May fb ba sila? Talagang one star lang ito! I'm definitely writing a leltter to tear down this place.

I crossed my arms. "This is ridiculous."

"Isang kama lang?! They couldn't even provide separate rooms?"

Vervain shrugged when she arrived behind me. "Apparently not, Your Highness." She hung the cloak on a nearby stand.

I just noticed her broad shoulders in a way that sent a traitorous heat flickering through me.

Shit. Likod palang ay ulam na.

Teka, walang apoy iyong apuyan pero bakit parang biglang uminit naman yata rito? Kakasabi ko lang na ang ginaw.

"Don't call me that," I snapped at the way she addressed me.

Parang tanga naman 'to. She's been calling me that title and it irks me of because it reminded me of Maximilien rather than myself being a royalty.

Vervain raised a brow as I gritted my teeth. She always knew exactly how to get under my skin.

I glared. "It's just Wisteria."

Her gaze softened. "Wisteria?"

For a moment, she looked lost while looking down at the wooden floor. Nakayuko lamang siya habang nalulunod sa sariling isip. Come to think of it, she never called me by my name. She addresses me a 'Princess' or 'Your Highness'.

Until she sighed. "I'm going to stick with Carmine."

The sound of my name rolling off her tongue feels like a smooth caress around me.

"Princess Carmine...

--

BlueDisorder

thoughts? next chapter would be *sips tea*