CLEA

My lips formed thin lines as I closed my eyes for the nth time. Everything inside the ball hall of Caestshire Palace is blinding with gold from its expensive chandeliers and thousand-year-old murals in the ceiling. Even the abstract paintings were hung on the wall with golden frames. 

The ball started an hour ago. Emperor Felix Rhinedottir already gave his speech of valor and victory despite the fact that the Archduke was not around. Natawa na lang ako sa isipan ko. This ball is probably arranged by Felecity para magpapansin fiancee niyang anti-social na mas pipiliin pang makipagusap sa mga insekto kesa sa kanya. 

I saw Felecity talking to some nobles, and I rolled my eyes. How can no one tell how her eyes glimmered with disgust whenever she spoke to people with lower status than her? How can they not hear the lies in every flattery she says? 

It's all fake. She wants herself to be seen as the flawless princess of the empire. The woman who everyone envies because of her elegance and beauty, her intelligence and authority. She wanted herself to appear as the most desirable woman in the empire. 

 Wanting to avoid from talking to her, I grabbed a bottle of wine and proceeded to the balcony. Kailangan ko magpahangin bago pa ako masuka sa kaplastikang nakikita ko. Walang inhibisyon kong binuksan ang wine at nilagok ito habang nakatingin sa malawak na hardin sa malayo. 

That bitch's presence infuriates me. As far as I can remember, she was the sole reason the original saintess had to die a tragic death. She was insecure because everyone revered the saintess, and her beauty could rival hers. She accused her of treason for giving a fake prophecy that made the emperor angry. 

Palibhasa kasi kinulang sa atensyon ng magulang, parang ikaw. 

Umupo ako sa railings ng balcony habang tinutungga ang bote na hawak ko. I hope no one tries to  visit the balcony and disturbs me. Marahas akong napatingala sa kalangitan. 

"Kung nanonood ka man sa akin ngayon, Charm. Mag retire ka na bilang diyosa, tangina ka." Malutong kong mura dito habang naniningkit ang mga mata. 

I still hate that lunatic. She said she gave me the chance to live and redeem myself where in fact pinagti-tripan niya lang talaga ako. Live and redeem myself e nakatakdang mamatay 'tong santa na 'to pagkatapos ng tatlong buwan? 

Trippings ampota. 

Inis kong nilapag ang bote sa railings sabay ayos ng buhok kong nililipad ng hangin. Hindi ako pumunta dito para makipagplastikan sa mga babaeng anak ng mga marquis at konde na walang inatupag kun'di magpapansin sa mga lalaking kahit bare-minimum hindi kayang ibigay. 

Ang ipinunta ko lang naman dito ay ang lalaking 'yon. Vladimir Rognvaldur, the Archduke of Alcanta. He was well-known across the Khehan Empire, but not because of his wealth and bravery as a hero. Instead, he was known for his catastrophic and downright rude behavior toward others and his extraordinary strength. 

Commoners regard him as an arrogant person whose only objective is to carry out the ambitions of his majesty, the Emperor. However, the nobles were aware that the Archduke was not loyal to the Emperor but to the Empire.

Who are they trying to fool? The Archduke is an aloof asshole and hates being told what to do. He refuses to attend into social gatherings unless it was important. Mas pipiliin pa nitong magmukmok sa palasyo niya kesa makipagsalamuha sa mga tao. 

But why did I came here despite knowing that? I was just trying my luck. Pero malas ko lang dahil hindi pa rin siya um-attend. Pinaghandaan pa naman ni Felecity pagbabalik niya pero ni magpakita sa ball hindi niya magawa. 

Why are women's tastes in men a form of self-harm? Mahilig sa red flag. Gustong-gusto nasasaktan. Masokista yarn? 

I clicked my tongue and finished the bottle of wine before admiring the scenery outside the balcony. I can see a wide garden from where I stood. Hindi ko maaninag kung anong klase ng mga bulaklak ang naroon pero nakakasiguro akong mahahalimuyak iyon. 

Then my eyes landed on the lagoon filled with white lotus flowers. At the center of the lagoon was a pavilion—a typical meet-up place in a romantic novel. 

Napahawak ako sa leeg ko nang makaramdam ako ng init ng katawan. Napatingin ako sa bote ng wine na ginawa kong tubig. I thought most of the wines have small amount of alcohol content, I must've drank a hard one. But hell I care anyway. 

I formed my hands into a triangle and muttered a spell to teleport me into the pavilion. I felt my eyes glowed, followed by a mysterious light that appeared within the gaps of my fingers. Pagmulat ko ng mata ko ay nagulat na lang ako nang bumagsak ako sa lagoon. 

I gasped when I felt the coldness of the water. That's when I realized my incantation failed because of the influence of alcohol. Inis kong pinikit ang mata ko dahil sa katangahan ko. Wala ng nangyaring tama sa araw na 'to. Kasalanan 'to ni panot. 

Let us normalize blaming panot for everything.

Inikot ko ang piningin ko't wala namang tao kaya naman napakibit-balikat na lang ako. Maybe I could take my time here to calm the hot sensation the alcohol is giving me. Walang pagaalinlangan kong hinubad ang kulay puting ball gown na suot ko. Gawa sa manipis na tela ang suot kong gown kaya naman napakabilis lang nito tanggalin sa kabila ng pagkalublob ko sa tubig. 

For some unknown reason, the weather was a bit humid which is why it was a bit foggy around the area. Sinandal ko ang likod ko sa isang bato bago kumuha ng isang bulaklak ng lotus upang ilagay ito sa likuran ng kanang tainga ko. 

I stared at my reflection in the water. My prominent collarbone compliments my pale skin and plump lips. My long blonde hair hugged my body as if trying to hide my blessed twin peaks. 

'Di ka maka-relate 'no? Flat ka kasi. 

Naduduling kong inangat ang tingin ko sa kalangitan. The sky is dark and the crescent moon almost look like it was smirking at me. Napasinghal na lang ako sa kawalan. Pati ba naman buwan pinagtatawanan buhay ko.

Despite an ongoing ball in a nearby palace, it was surprisingly serene and calming as I dipped my body in the lagoon. I fully closed my eyes and started to hum a song. I struggled to learn and memorize Indila's Love Story, a French song. 

 "L'âme en peine. Il vit mais parle à peine." As I began to sing the song's first verse, I felt the nearby trees swaying and the garden leaves falling. The chilly wind embraced my nakedness as I continued to sing. 

"Il, il n'est pas fou. Il y croit, c'est tout. Il la voit partout. Il l'attend debout. . . "  Nang makaramdam ako ng mumunting ilaw sa tapat ng mukha ko ay binuksan ko ang mga mata ko. Napangiti ako nang makita ang mga alitaptap na lumilipad-lipad sa paligid ko. 

"Debout une rose à la main. Non, non plus rien ne le retient. . ." The lotus flower released gold dust specs this time, luminating the lagoon's clear water.

Did my voice make these flowers bloom?

"Dans sa love story. . .Dans sa love story. . ." I closed my eyes and clasped my hands between my heart to feel the song. 

"Dans sa-" 

"I thought a siren lost her way in the palace." Hearing that stern voice made me open my eyes and stop singing. 

When I found the owner of that voice, I ended up smirking at the back of my mind—a tall man with deep black hair and piercing crimson-red eyes. My attempt to join the ball to find him wasn't in vain. 

"Your Grace, the Archduke of Alcanta. A pleasure to meet you." I greeted without breaking an eye contact with him. Tulad ko ay mataman lang din itong nakatitig sa akin.

"I didn't expect to see the holy saintess this way." Walang kabuhay-buhay nitong anas habang nakatingin sa akin na kasalukuyang nakasandal sa bato habang nakalublob ang katawan sa tubig. 

Lalong lumawak ang ngisi ko. Does he recognize me? The saintess is famous in the Khehan Empire because of her beauty and benevolence. She was a renowned healer who could cure beyond anyone's imagination. However, she was rarely seen in public. Considering that the Archduke went to lead the war two years ago, it was somewhat surprising for him to recognize me without any introduction. 

"Why? What's wrong with being naked?" I countered casually as if I hadn't asked a bold question from a saint who was supposed to be holy and reserved. 

I look at myself. He could only see my shoulders as the blooming lotus flowers started to flock toward me. I smiled at him. 

"It appears you find social gatherings boring." He stated, purposely avoiding answering my question. 

"You seem to not like it as well, your grace." Malumanay kong wika rito habang pinaglalaruan ang bulaklak sa tubig. "Or else you wouldn't be here if you do." I added. 

I didn't get any reaction from him which made me pissed. There was not even a glint of amusement in his eyes after seeing me in this situation. It was as if seeing a naked woman was normal to him. 

"I just want a change of scenery." He replied shortly. I scanned him from head to toe. 

Now I know why he's the main character of the novel. Aside from his tall figure and slightly messy hair, his thick brows and long lashes complement his symmetrical lips and distinguished jawline. Hindi rin nakatakas sa paningin ko ang mahaba nitong daliri at maugat na kamay. His appearance is just too perfect.

I guess it's just main character things.

"I heard you had a rough battle in the Eastern border, Your Grace." I tilted my head and gave him a small smile. 

"Why don't you join me in the lagoon to relieve yourself?" I bit my lower lip as I waited for his reaction.

I was a little embarrassed by his lack of response. I understand how difficult it might be for him to agree with me. But what's there to lose? I must do my best to seduce and make him fall in love with me.

Instead of answering me, he walked away. I crossed my arms and grimaced. Yun na yun? Siya na nga niyayaya maligo ng isang magandang kagaya ko aayaw pa siya? Ang kapal ng mukha! 

I was about to dip out of the water when I heard someone clearing his throat. Saglit na umawang ang bibig ko nang makita siyang nakahubad-baro sa harap ko. Kaagad ko rin naman sinara ang bibig ko bago pa ito pasukan ng alitaptap.

Gusto ko na lang mainis sa sobrang foggy ng paligid dahil hindi ko makita ang ibabang bahagi ng katawan niya. Wala tuloy ako makitang light saber.

All I can see was his mouth-watering deep toned body with packs of abs. Not to mention those perfect biceps you'd want to get locked in. I must say, he has a body than any woman would fall into their knees and worship him.

Good God, is he heaven-sent? 

We both dipped our heads in the cold water, letting the tranquility and wordless tension sweep us. Napaamang na lang ako dahil sa hindi niya inaasahang paglusong sa tubig. Akala ko nilayasan niya na ako. 

I cleared my throat and glanced at his outstanding features as he closed his eyes and relaxed—his porcelain skin, aristocratic nose, and soaked hair. I was astounded by the way the water cascaded down his face. How could somebody be that effortlessly stunning? 

Patagal nang patagal ang pagtitig ko sa kanya ay para bang nanunuyo ang lalamunan ko sa napakagandang tanawin na nakikita ko. I pinched myself and shake my head with the attempt to get on my senses not to swoon over him. 

Nyare 'te? Kala ko ba siya ise-seduce mo? Bakit ikaw naaakit? Gaga!

I anxiously started to bite my fingernails. For the first time, I'm finding it hard to start a conversation with someone. What should I tell him? Tanungin ko ba if kumain na ang honeybunch sugar plum pumpy-umpy-umkin sweety pie ko? 

Gusto ko na lang batukan ang sarili ko sa mga pinag-iisip ko. Compose yourself Clea, you are Dawn Devvyn! Sila ang dapat naglalaway sayo Debina hindi ikaw! 

I decided to divert my attention to him. Prente lang itong naksandal sa isang bato habang nakapikit ang mga mata. The fireflies fly in circles around him amidst the blooming of the lotus flowers that set up the steamy ambiance. 

Looking at him like that, he looks so peaceful and kind. You will never have in mind that this man possesses the most dangerous power of all time. The Venom of Karma, a dark mana he inherited in the family. He was immune to all types of poison but not to his power. Sometimes, he lost control and would go berserk and go on a killing spree. 

The house of Rognvaldur thought there were no ways of healing him in his venom, but I know better because I've read the novel. The only way he can recover from the karmic poison is to transfer it to a body that can suppress it. And the perfect vessel for his venom is my body. As the saintess born with pure, holy mana, my body can neutralize it. 

But of course, the main reason why I want to covet his power is to destroy the Empire that did the saintess dirty.

Dahil sa pagtitig ko sa kanya ay napanasin ko ang saglit na pagkunot ng noo niya. I saw how his jaw started clenching as if he was trying to subdue himself from something. Out of curiosity, I swam near with the attempt to check if he was okay. 

Did he perhaps fall asleep and is currently having a bad dream? 

"Your Grace? Are you—" Sharp jolts of electricity pierced through my skin when his firm hand gripped my neck. I immediately gasped for air. 

This is not the choke me, Daddy, that I am prepared for! 

"Y-your Grace!" I wanted to scream at his face, but doing so would agitate him even more. I gritted my teeth and moved my right leg to kick his balls when I saw a bulking black vein in his neck. 

His Venom of Karma is acting up.

Sinalubong ko ang mapangahas nitong mga mata. Hindi ko inalintana ang nagdidilim nitong paningin habang nakatingin sa akin na tila ba sabik akong lagutan ng hininga. Kung sinuswerte ka nga naman. It looks like my plan would be put into action. 

Sa kabila ng nanlilisik nitong mga mata ay inangat ko ang kaliwang kamay ko upang hawakan ang pulsuhan ng kamay niyang gamit niya sa pagsakal sa akin. The warmth of my touch made him flinch. 

"Your grace, is your illness acting up?" Dahil sa naging tanong ko ay saglit na lumuwag ang hawak niya sa leeg ko. Kapagkuwan ay muli niya itong hinigpitan at diniinan. 

"How did you know?" Of course, he would be suspicious. Only a few people know about his condition. Even the Emperor doesn't know it. 

"What do you know?" I wanted to laugh because I knew everything about him, but because he was choking me to death, I could only part my lips to gasp for air and hold on to my dear life. 

"I. . ." I breathed sharply as I tried to talk as calmly as I could without trying to sound like I was threatening him. 

"I—can cure you, Your Grace." Namumungay mata nitong nilapit ang mukha niya sa akin na halos ikaduling ko. I'm almost out of breath.

"Are you asking for a death wish, your holiness?" I froze when his hot breath started fanning on my neck. It was enough to send shivers on every fiber of my being. 

"None of those who possessed holy magic wanted to get tainted by the likes of me unless you seek your demise." He whispered. 

"Taint me, Your Grace," I whispered back, making him look into my eyes with a particular emotion.

"Release me, and I can cure you." He looks hesitant, but those red eyes glint with hope.

"If you can't?" Taimtim ko siyang tinitigan. 

"If I can't, then kill me," I said with finality. 

As soon as he released me on his grasp, I coughed. Huminga ako nang malalim habang pinipigilan ang sarili kong huwag siyang bugbugin sa inis. Paghinga na nga lang ambag ko sa mundo tatanggalan niya pa ako ng karapatan. 

"How will you—"

Hindi ko na siya pinatapos magsalita. I closed the distance between us to grab his nape and pull him closer. When our lips crashed against each other, I felt him stiffen. I circled my arms around his neck and nibbled his lower lip, parting his lips. I took the chance to explore my tongue in his mouth, and I smiled when he permitted me. 

After seconds of shock he received from my atrocities, his left hand reached for my waist while the other one held my neck as he kissed me with the same ferocity. Sa pagitan ng mainit na halikang aming pinagsaluhan ay naramdaman ko ang enerhiyang dumadaloy sa katawan ko patungo sa kanya. I can also feel a strange feeling in my body, it was probably because I am slowly consuming his venom.

I am healing him and poisoning myself at the same time.

When I felt the energy I gave him was enough, I pulled away from the kiss. Nagtama ang tingin naming dalawa habang kapwa hinihingal. I can see from his skin complexion and bodily language that his condition had improved and wouldn't be triggered within a few days. 

"I thought you could heal me fully?" He asked, discontented. I smirked. 

"Then I guess you need to taste my divine essence, Your Grace." He looked at me, astounded and confused. 

Because we both know this shit is about to get real.

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