CLEA

I rolled my eyes as I exit the temple's shrine. I was holding a gohei, a wooden wand decorated with two zigzag paper like streamers on its end. It is said that it was a tool for blessing or exorcising objects with negative energy. 

Sa mga nagdaang araw ay wala akong ibang ginawa kun'di ang magbigay ng basbas sa mga binyag at mag-exorcise ng mga taong sinapian daw ng masamang espiritu. Itong hawak kong gohei ang ginagamit kong panghampas sa katawan ng mga sinasapian.

Kung ihampas ko kaya 'to sa shining shimmering splenindid na ulo ni panot lulubayan kaya siya ng kademonyohan?

I scoffed in my mind. Kahit isang sanga pa ata ng dahon ng niyog ihampas sa kanya ay paniguradong hindi naman siya mahihismasan. Kahit si satanas 'di siya tatanggapin sa impyerno sa takot na baka agawan pa siya ng trono.

"Your holiness?" Naibaling ko ang tingin ko kay Adeline na naghihintay upang ibalik ko ang hawak kong gohei sa kanya.

Pairap ko itong inabot sa kanya bago maglakad pababa ng hagdan upang magtungo sa bulwagan ng templo. I lazily walk down the aisle. I am so tired and I badly need a rest.

Na-stress ako sa pag exorcise ng manok na sinasabi nilang sinapian ng masamang elemento dahil tumatahol. I mean what the hell?

I had enough of this crazy world building. What on Earth was the writer even thinking? Next time hindi na ako magugulat kung may makita akong mga hybrid na taong kagaya ni panot na bunga ng hybridization ni Padre Damaso at Padre Salvi.

While I was walking down the carpeted stairs, I saw the temple maidens arranging the pots of marigold and datura flowers on the aisle.

I click my tongue and stopped walking. At kailan pa nagkaroon ng oras ang mga tagapagsilbi ng templo upang mag-ayos ng mga bulaklak ng walang dahilan?

"Adeline, is someone coming?" She bowed her head and nods her head in response to my question.

"You must have forgotten, your holiness. The princess of Khehan Empire will visit today." I crossed my arms and tilt my head.

Princess of Khehan Empire?

That crazy psychotic bitch who pretends to be weak and innocent to become more desirable?

"What was the reason for her visitation?" Tanong ko't muling naglakad habang siya ay nakasunod sa likuran ko.

"Isang beses sa isang buwan ay napaparito siya upang ipagdasal na lumiwanag ang kanyang buhay at kinabukasan." I scoffed.

Gusto niya palang lumiwanag ang buhay niya bakit hindi siya lumunok ng bumbilya?

"And?"

"Ipinagdadasal niya rin ang matagumpay na pagbabalik ng Archduke mula sa digmaan." Napataas naman ang kilay ko.

Paano ko nga ba nagawang kalimutan yun? The female lead of this novel was the Khehan Empire's princess, Felecity Rhinedottir. She was engaged to the Archduke Vladimir Rognvaldur and they were destined to be married once the archduke returned from the war with Vrotia Empire.

"Princess Felecity Rhinedottir of Khehan Empire has arrived!" Rinig kong sigaw ng isang temple knight sa bukana ng tarangkahan.

Mula sa hagdan ay kita ko ang pagtigil ng kulay gintong karuwahe at ang paglatag ng pulang carpet sa daraanan nito. When the carriage door was opened, a beautiful woman with an ash white hair and sapphire eyes gracefully handed her hand to let the knight escort her.

Isang ngiti ang kumawala sa labi ko nang magtagpo ang paningin naming dalawa. I composed myself and positioned both of my hands at the level of my abdomen as I walked down the stairs.

"Greetings to the star of the empire. I am delighted to welcome her highness the princess upon her arrival." I bowed as I tried my best to give her the most genuine smile I could offer.

"Holy Saintess!" Kaagad nitong apila. "You don't need to pay respects for me. I am the daughter of the Emperor, but our status and prestige is quite the same."  She smiled at me warmly.

Her smile, I wanted to rip off her perfect set of teeth. Others may say it was the sweetest smile they've ever seen, but I knew it was fake.

"So please," She humbly reached for my shoulders to raise myself from bowing.

Muntik ko na igulong ang mata ko kung hindi ko pinigilan ang sarili ko. Smiling as Clea is a blessing for people. Mga ngiting kahit madidilim na bahagi ng singit at kilikili mo ay liliwanag dahil sa karikitan niya.

Meanwhile smiling as Dawn Devynn is a curse. No matter how hard I try to smile genuinely, it always ends up being fake and malicious.

Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong mapairap. I guess I just have to get used to my new identity as the demure and kind saintess.

These past few days, I've been thinking what to do. Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan ko kaya magpanggap na mabait sa harap ng maraming tao. A literal wolf in a sheep's clothing. Ikaw ba naman na demonyo biglang nabuhay sa katawan ng santa hindi kaya mawiwindang kaluluwa mo?

"Holy Saintess?" Nabalik ako sa wisyo nang tawagin ni Felecity ang pansin ko. 

I cleared my throat and made way for her. "As much as I would like to guide you to the Holy Cathedral, your highness—I'm afraid I need to go back to my quarters for I am not feeling well." Isang ngiti ang muli niyang isinukli sa akin na tila ba naiintindihan ang kalagayan ko.

I instructed Adeline to take the princess' offerings from her knights and guide her to the Holy Cathedral para masimulan na niya Ang walang kabuluhan niyang pagdadasal.

 Saglit kong nilingon Ang mga ito at napangisi na lang ako nang ibuklat ko ang kaliwanag kamay ko. I am holding Felecity's sapphire brooch I took from her chest when she tried to approach me.

Natawa na lang ako sa isipan ko. Kids in highschool used to call me a smooth criminal because I can steal things without them noticing. Kung hindi ako nagtatago ng mga gamit ng kaklase ko, ako ang tagalagay ng bato at hallowblocks sa bag nila.

Good old days where I wasn't tainted with life. . .

Itinago ko ang brooch sa bulsa ko at dumiretso sa quarters ko para maisagawa ang plano kong patalsikin papuntang planetang Namek si Adeline. I am not in a hurry to get Adeline out of sight since she's still useful for me. Even though she was a spy sent by the High Priest, I could at least feed her false information. But since the perfect chance is here, I might as well just grab it.

Matapos kong maisagawa ang plano ko ay nagtungo ako sa greenhouse ng templo kung saan prente akong nakaupo habang nagtitimpla ng tsaa. I sat down and closed my eyes as the fragrance of the brewed tea entered my nostrils. Nothing calms me but a cup of tea. 

I crossed my legs as I leaned my back on the chair. After a few more minutes, I heard a commotion outside. May kalayuan man ang kinalulugaran ko ay alam na alam ko kung ano ang dahilan ng kaguluhang iyon. 

Felecity probably noticed her brooch went missing and demands the presence of everyone from the temple. She will do whatever it takes to find that brooch because she believes it was personally chosen and gifted by the Archduke himself. 

Poor Felecity. She had no idea the gifts sent to her wasn't chosen by the Archduke but by a man named Errol, the Archduke's butler. 

"Look at her stupid ass cherishing something worthless." I murmured sipping my tea. 

But at least she has something to cherish and I don't have. 

Kumunot ang noo ko at kaagad akong napatigil sa pagsimsim ng tsaa. What was that voice at the back of my mind? Am I seriously trying to contradict myself now? What the fuck? Did that thought even came from me? 

I scoffed. 

"Your holiness, I apologize for disturbing you-" Tinaas ko ang kamay ko at kaagad na tumayo. It was one of Felecity's knight, it was my cue to enter the scene. 

"What seems to be the problem?" He bowed his head before answering me. 

"Her highness seems to have lost of one of her valuables, and it was found in the belongings of your personal maid." My hands automatically flew in my mouth as if I was so shocked with the situation. 

"Oh my, Adeline will never did such a thing!" I blink an eye as I stared at him in disbelief. 

Walang ano-ano'y lumabas ako ng greenhouse at naramdaman ko na lang ang pagsunod ng kabalyero sa aking likuran. I almost clapped my hands when I saw the commotion in front of the Holy Cathedral. 

"Tingnan mo 'tong mga tangang 'to." I whispered under my breath.

Self-proclaimed banal pero nagbabalagbagan sa harap ng simbahan. Para lang mga taong mga ipokritong pupunta lang sa simbahan para magpakitang-tao e mga kampon naman ni satanas. Tawag sa kanila mga holy shit. 

Paakyat pa lang ako ng hagdan patungong bulwagan ng Holy Cathedral ay natatanaw ko na si Adeline na nakaluhod sa harap ni Felecity habang nakasaklob ang magkabilang kamay. She was probably trying to bring justice to herself by begging. 

But who cares about her begging? She's nothing but a lowly servant with no power. 

"Your holiness!" Hiyaw nito nang makita ako. A light of hope appeared in her eyes when she saw me meters away from her. 

Walang oras itong sinayang at paluhod na naglakad papalapit sa akin nang hindi inaalintana ang lamig ng sahig. Naramdaman ko na lang ang pagyapos niya sa magkabilang tuhod ko na may mga matang nagmamakaawang bigyan ko ng hustisya ang pambibintang pinaparatang sa kanya. 

So, who will tell her? 

"May I ask what's happening, your highness?"  When my eyes landed at Felecity, I can see the anger she was trying to hide in front of everyone. 

Gusto kong matawa. How amusing would it be if she lost her composure in front of everyone? That would be so satisfying. 

"I was about to leave when I noticed my brooch was missing," panimula nito.

" I can afford to lose everything of my belongings, but not that brooch. It was given to me by someone I treasured the most." Muntik na ako ngumiwi, buti na lang ay napigilan ko ang sarili kong labi. 

"So I ordered my knights to bring everyone in the hall as they search for their respective closet," she continued. 

"And I found what I'm looking for in your personal maid's belongings." She then showed me her silver brooch embedded with sapphire stones designed like a peacock's feather.

"Your highness, I was with you all along! Umalis lang ako noong naghanap ako ng kandila upang masindihan sa altar!" apila ni Adeline rito. 

"That's what makes it more suspicious. You were the only one who was with her highness along along!" pangangatuwiran ng isa sa mga kabalyero ni Felecity. 

"Hindi 'yan totoo! Ilang taon na akong naninilbihan sa templo at ilang beses na ako nakakita ng higit na mas makinang at mamahaling hiyas ngunit kahit kailan ay hindi pumasok sa isip kong magnakaw!" I saw a sudden change in Felecity's facial expression. 

"Are you saying this brooch is cheap?" When Adeline realized what she said, she shakes her head. Mula sa pagkakayapos sa aking tuhod ay nagtungo naman ito sa direskyon ng prinsesa. 

"Get your filthy hands on the princess, you lowly bitch!" The knight scrawled at her. Itinulak siya nito palayo dahilan upang mapasubsob ito sa sahig. 

Mangiyak-ngiyak na bumalik mula sa pagkakaluhod si Adeline habang ang magkabilang palad nito ay nakalapat sa sahig. Naririnig ko ang hagulgol nito at ang pagmamakaawa niyang huwag siyang parusahan sa kabila ng ebidensyang nagpapatunay na siya ang nagnakaw ng brotse ni Felecity. 

As much as I want to see her suffer for more, as the kind saintess, I can't just stand in the corner watching my servant getting slandered. 

"Your highness, Adeline is my servant. It was my fault for not educating her properly. If you want to punish her, punish me instead." Nakarinig kaagad ako ng singhapan sa paligid. They started gossiping of how kind and upright I am despite of the fact that a servant's mistake is never a master's fault. 

"I appreciate how kind you are, saintess. But whether you have educated her or not, she had her mind to discern what's right from wrong. It is not your fault, so don't take the fall for her." Felecity went towards me to hold my right hand giving me her deceiving innocent pure eyes. 

"Don't let a lowborn servant tarnish your name as the saintess." With what she said, I pretended to feel sad as my eyes landed on poor Adeline on the floor. 

"Didn't I told you I will shoulder your sick brother's expenses? You don't have to steal." Nakita ko kaagad ang pagnganga niya dahil sa mga binitawan kong salita. 

"You-" Naputol ang pagsasalita niya nang damputin siya ng mga kabalyero sa magkabilang braso. 

I faked a tear just to let everyone see that I am sympathizing with her, and that I have no choice but to tell the truth because as the saintess, I am not allowed to lie and let trickery prevail.

"Wala akong kasalanan! Maniwala kayo sa akin! I didn't steal anything!" Sigaw pa nito habang kinakaladkad na siya palayo. 

"The Holy Priest can vouch for me! I am innocent!" Pinunasan ko ang pekeng luha na lumabas sa mga mata ko habang tinatapik naman ni Felecity ang balikat ko upang pakalmahin ako. 

Too bad, the Holy Priest isn't here. He was visiting the temple in the mountains to administer its renovation. Sana lapain siya ng tigre at hindi na makabalik dito. 

"Wait!" Napahinto naman ang mga ito dahil sa pagsigaw ko. "Can I at least hug her for the last time?" Tumingin naman ang mga kabalyero kay Felecity na animo'y hinihingi ang permisyon nito. 

When the princess nods her head, I immediately rushed towards Adeline and hugged her. Naramdaman ko ang paninigas niya at ang pagpumilit niyang kumalas sa yakap ko kung hindi lang nakaposas ang magkabilang pulsuhan niya. 

I raised my left hand to caress her hair as I leaned my head on her left ear to whisper the words I've been wanting to tell her. 

"Enjoy your trip to hell, Adeline." Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap sa kanya at matamis siyang nginitian habang pinupunasan ang mga luhang pineke ko.

"Don't be lonely, okay?" I tapped her shoulders and beamed at her, "Don't worry susunod din ang High Priest sayo." She gritted her teeth, and I just gave her a triumphant smile. 

Tinalikuran ko siyang may malaking ngisi sa labi. I deserve an Oscar's award at ipupokpok ko yun sa ulo ni panot. 

"I'm sorry for the scene I've caused, holy saintess. To make up for it, I'll be sure to give you the front seat in my wedding with the archduke." I unconsciously grinned. 

At sinong may sabing matutuloy ang kasal niyong dalawa? 

G O L U C K Y C H A R M