THIRD PERSON

It has been three days since that incident in the lagoon, yet the Archduke could still remember it as if it were just yesterday. He could still remember how ethereal she looked under the moonlight, her angelic voice echoing his ears, her soft skin and savory-sweet taste-he could still feel her in his mouth.

He thought of how his hand perfectly fits her breast and how cute she was squirming underneath him. Nabalik na lang siya sa wisyo nang biglang bumalibag ang pinto at iniluwa roon ang butler niyang akala mo may-ari ng Grand Library.

"Your Grace!" A man with ash-white wolf-cut hair greeted him. It was Errol, his butler whom he grew up with.

"What did I say about barging in the doors like an animal, Errol?" Walang ganang paalala sa kanya ng Archduke na tila ba sawang-sawa na ito sa gawain niyang iyon.

"You've been a butler for ten years, yet you always forget about proper decorum." Errol rolled his eyes.

"First of all, I am an animal." Errol flashed a sarcastic smile to his master, reminding him that he is a wolf in man's figure.

"Secondly, you were the one who told me to drop the courtesy and formalities when we're alone together." Nakangiti nitong dagdag.

"So what were you saying again, Your Grace?" This time, it was the Archduke's turn to roll his eyes because of his butler's sassy behavior.

"What's the ruckus about?" Diretso nitong tanong bago muling lukutin ang papel na hawak niya't ihagis ito sa lapag.

Kunot noo namang inikot ni Errol ang paningin niya at bahagyang nagkasalubong ang kilay nang makitang puno ng nilamukos na papel ang sahig sa paligid ng master's table.

"Your delusional fiancée is in your office waiting for you." Walang preno nitong usal habang pinupulot ang mga papel sa lapag.

Napahilot na lang ng sentido ang Archduke. What was she doing here this time? Is it because he did not attend the ball she hosted? Or was it because she planned to host a tea party or invite him to go into the forest to hunt for animals?

How does she plan to annoy me this day?

"In my office? You allowed her to set foot in my office?" Errol raised his head to grimace at him.

"Tingin mo ba may choice ako?" Pabalang nitong palatak.

"She may be the Empire's princess but she's in my land, my dukedom. As long as she is in my territory, she holds no power. What are you so scared of?" Napangiwi naman si Errol habang binubuklat ang mga papel na napulot niya.

"I don't know, maybe she'll try to find my family and relatives that reside in the Empire and massacre them?" Napabuga na lang ng malalim na hininga ang Archduke.

Arguing with Errol is tiring for him and a waste of his brain cells. Lahat na lng ng tanong ay may sagot siya, kalokohan man, katotohanan o pawang sarkasmo.

"I told your family to reside in Alcanta for my protection yet they prefer to stay in the town proper for your family business." Nagkibit balikat na lang si Errol. Hindi niya rin alam kung bakit hindi iyon maiwan-iwan ng pamilya niya.

"Besides, everyone knows she's your fiancée. The soon-to-be duchess, the mistress of the House of Rognvaldur." Errol paused and shook his head.

"Who will dare to stop her?"

Habang abala sa pagkunsumisyon ang Archduke ay siya namang pagbabasa ni Errol kung ano ang nilalamang sulat ng papel na nagkalat sa sahig. It was the Archduke's penmanship written in cursive.

Through enchanted garden, I wandered deep
Drawn to the melody that my heart did keep
Until, by chance, I stumbled upon a sight,
A girl so fair, captivating the moon's soft light

Saglit na napasulyap si Errol sa Archduke na prenteng nakaupo sa silya habang hawak-hawak ang noo nito. His master is feared across the Khehan Empire not just because of his temper but also because of his unrivaled mastery in swordsmanship and unbeatable power. But behind his strong image, he's a person who appreciates art. He loves writing poems and painting.

That's how he expressed himself over the years of being understood by everyone. Only he, his butler, who also became his childhood friend and nanny, truly cares and understands him.

Her golden locks, like sunlight's embrace
Silver eyes reflecting the night's grace
Bathing in the lagoon, adorned with lotus blooms
A scene of wonder, a realm where beauty looms

Umawang ang labi ni Errol dahil sa nabasa. Did he just write a poem about a woman? The Great Archduke of Alcanta, who only wrote poems about nature, finally wrote about someone?

Analyzing the descriptions that he wrote, he started to think about women with golden blonde hair, and there are quite a few daughters of nobles with such hair. But silver eyes? There's only one woman with silver eyes in the Khehan Empire.

As the fireflies flickered and the lotus flowers swayed
I knew destiny had led me to this serenade charade
Under the crescent moon, her voice echoed in tranquil air
A symphony of dreams beyond compare

Tahimik na humiyaw si Errol habang sumusuntok sa ere. Napatingin naman sa kanya ang Archduke. Errol cleared his throat as he picked up the last remaining scumbled paper on the floor.

"Look at this," Winagayway niya ang hawak niyang papel habang sarkastikong nakangiti rito sabay turo ng basurahan sa kalayuan.

"Ayon lang ang basurahan, Your Grace! Even a kid knows where to throw a garbage! Sanggol ka ba?" Sunod-sunod nitong talak.

"Errol, it's literally your job to clean my mess." Tumayo ito mula sa pagkakaupo habang inaayos ang manggas nito.

"You could at least try to lessen my job if only you could do the basics." Bugnot nitong sagot habang magkakrus ang braso nito.

"Whatever." Muntik na maibato ni Errol ang papel na hawak niya sa Archduke kung hindi ito nakapagpigil.

Walang imik na lumabas ng Grand Library ang binata samantalang naiwan naman si Errol na nagtatapon ng sandamakmak na papel ng walang modo niyang amo. Why the hell does he need a lot of scratch paper to write a poem anyway? Kailan pa siya hindi naging sigurado sa mga isinusulat niyang mga tula?

"Magre-resign na talaga ako sa trabahong 'to, tanginang 'yan!" Reklamo niya.

Eroll clicked his tongue as he cleaned up the inked pen on the table. While arranging the book of affairs and financial statements, he stumbled upon the small piece of paper between one of the Archduke's sketchbooks.

When he opened the particular sketchbook page, he found a beautiful painting of a pavilion in the middle of the lagoon. The white lotuses were blooming, and there were tiny specs of light. But what caught his attention was the back of a blonde-haired woman. Attach to the painting was another poem.

Isang ngisi ang kumawala sa labi ni Errol bago punitin ang pahinang 'yon sa sketch book. He took a red ribbon under the Archduke's drawer and tied the paper into a scroll. Pumunta ito sa nakabukas na bintana bago magtawag ng uwak. He instructed the raven to deliver the message to a certain woman.

The only woman with a blonde hair and silver eyes. Since mukhang aabutin pa ng ilang siglo bago mag first move ang amo niya, siya na mismo ang gagawa para kumulay naman ang lanta niyang buhay.

PAGPASOK ng Archduke sa opisina niya ay kaagad na tumayo si Felecity. She has the most beautiful and graceful bow fitting as a member of the royal family but the Archduke didn't even bother to take a glance at her.

"Greetings, Archduke of Alcanta. I hope you had a wonderful morning, Your Grace." Tango lang ang naging sagot ng binata na siyang ikinangiti ni Felecity.

For the Archduke, her presence alone in the morning is enough to spoil his day. He has had enough stress from the Saintess, who hasn't replied to his request for a healing session with her. He heard she had a Prayer Seclusion for a week and didn't allow anyone to disturb her, but for him, it was just a cover to prevent him from meeting her.

"Your Grace, nobles from different families bought and presented gifts for you at the ball." She formally started the conversation by speaking in a very distinguished manner.

"The reason why I'm here is to deliver the gifts, for it would be a waste to-"

"I have no need for it." Diretso nitong pahayag habang magkasiklob ang mga kamay nito.

"What are those? Jewelry? Swords and artifacts?" He gave her a ridiculed expression on his face.

"Have it pawned and give it to the poor citizens of the empire. It's funny how they can give the most expensive gifts to gain someone else's favor but can't even give a spare change to those who need them the most." He said as if he was genuinely disgusted by a play they're trying to do.

Isang ngiti ang kumawala sa labi ni Felecity. Her admiration for him ignited even more. Indeed, the Archduke is very different from other people, so he caught her eye. Other people see him as a potential danger to the empire, knowing that he had a hazardous type of power, yet on the contrary, he had so much compassion for people.

"I will do as what you ordered, Your Grace." Magalang nitong sagot.

Although she is the empire's princess, the duke holds more power than her. Regarding hierarchy, the Archduke is higher than the prince and princesses and below the emperor. That is why she needs to be formal and respectful even if she were to become his wife soon.

Ilang segundong katahimikan ang namayani sa apat na sulok ng opisina ng Archduke. He was expecting her to leave since her concern was addressed, kaya naman nagkasalubong ang kilay ng binata nang makitang naroon pa rin prenteng nakaupo si Felecity habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"Is there anything you need?" Kaagad niyang tanong dito.

"Your Grace, about the wedding. . . " Pakiramdam ng Archduke ay sumakit lalo ang ulo niya nang marinig niyang banggitin ni Felecity ang tungkol sa kasal.

"I just wanted you to know that I may not be the ideal woman you want, but I will try my best to meet your expectations. I will not fail you, Your Grace." He was about to say something when she already told her courtesy as she left his office.

She will try her best to live up to his expectations. How can a woman, by far, change herself for a man who isn't even interested in her?

Delusional.

He was arranged to be married to the Empire's princess just as the former Archduke promised to the Emperor. This is because of the red beryl gem on the Emperor's hunting grounds.

This rare gem is only found in the Emperor's private mountain and is said to have the ability to store the poison in his body-that way, his life will be prolonged, and he won't die at a young age. To make the story short, he arranged the marriage to save his son's life.

But now, he doesn't need to get tangled in that goddamn marriage when he got another option. Wala sa sarili itong napahawak ng labi nang maalala kung ano ang nangyari sa lagoon tatlong araw na ang nakakalipas.

The Holy Saintess of Khehan Empire, the Prophet.

He never expected to meet her in such a way. Not to mention the last thing he heard about her, she was but a role model, the epitome of innocence and sanctity.

Did she change drastically after two years?

But he doesn't care about that. What's more important for him is that she can cure his karmic poison. That way, she can get away with the engagement, and he will not heed the Emperor's command. The Emperor was the one who instructed him to go to war on behalf of his meeting with the princess.

He's willing to fight for the Empire but he hates being used. Gusto niyang makawala sa mga tanikalang gumagapos sa kanya dahil sa kasunduang pagpapakasal nila ng prinsesa. And now he had the chance, to break free. However, the saintess is not a simpleton either. She's coated by mystery.

Nabalik na lang sa realidad ang Archduke nang makarinig ng katok mula sa pinto. He cleared his throat, and he was expecting to see Errol's pissed face when he saw Felecity instead.

"Your Grace, forgive me for disturbing your peace, but I suddenly forgot to tell you something." The Archduke pretended to read a book as he listened to her.

"The Head Priest has invited us to the Temple for the Annual Blessing Purification a day after tomorrow. You hate temple gatherings so I declined-" Kaagad na pumintig ang tenga ng binata sa narinig.

"Who are you to decide for me?" Walang gana nitong tanong gamit nag baritono niyang boses. The princess was taken aback.

"I will go with you to the temple." Maikli nitong sagot. Kaagad na nagbago ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Felecity.

Ito ang unang pagkakataon na pinaunlakan ng Archduke ang pagaaya niya. He never said yes to her when joining parties or strolling in the palace gardens. She suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach, thinking that maybe the Archduke was now paying more attention to her since she would be his wife.

SA KABILANG banda ay hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Clea nang mabuksan ang rolyo ng papel na nakasabit sa paa ng may kalakihang uwak. Inside the scroll was a painting of her bathing in the lagoon. Kahit na likod niya lang ang nakikita rito ay alam niyang siya iyon dahil sa kulay ng buhok at sa napakadetalyado nitong pag-paint ng mga alitaptap at lotus bloom. Beside the painting was a poem that got her mind blown.

In a moonlit lagoon, our bond would bloom
Beneath the stars, where calm and blue waters loom
Our lips intertwined, a passionate flare
A tender touch, a moment so rare

She scoffed in her mind. Just what the heck does that bastard want?

Guided by desire, I carried her strong
To a rocky ledge where secrets belong
Embraced in my strength, she offered her trust
A dance of pleasure, our bodies robust

Kaagad na nakaramdam ng pag-iinit ng mukha ang dalagang ngayon ay nahihiya dahil sa sarili niyang kabalbalan. Mabilis na rumagasa sa isipan niya ang mga memoryang alam niyang inspirasyon sa tulang nababasa niya.

She whispered softly, in sweet surrender
And gracefully moved her hips tender
Motion that fueled our fervid flame
As I explored her, our passion untamed

She gasped in disbelief. How can he write something like this? What the heck is he thinking?

Sa kabila ng kagustuhan niyang punitin ang hawak niyang papel ay pinagpatuloy niya pa rin ang pagbabasa ng natitirang taludtod ng tula.

In this moment of connection, let judgment be waived
For bonds know no bounds, nor should they be enslaved
These cherished moments, pure and profound
A testament to the beauty that can be found

So let our embrace in the lagoon waters cold
Guide us to the realm of pleasure untold
For this cherished moment, our spirits take flight
A passion so intense, an endless delight

Mariin na pinikit ni Clea ang kanyang mga mata. She declared a Prayer Seclusion to avoid him. She wanted him to crave her more than he could imagine, but what is this? It seems like he's just trying to get on her nerves.

Pikon na pikon itong nagmulat ng mata habang nakatingin sa ibon na lumilipad-lipad sa harap niya na para bang isang mensahero na nag-aantay ng liham na isusulat niya upang maipadala.

Inis niyang inangat ang kamay niya upang sakalin ang kawawang uwak na wala namang kasalanan. Kaagad na narinig ang namimiyok na boses ng uwak dahil sa ginawa niya. Pinasok niya ito sa loob ng hawla habang pinanlilisikan ng mata.

"Ang manyak ng amo!" Asik niya rito.

That poetic rascal! Makita ko lang talaga siya sasampalin ko siya 12 times a day! Bwiset!

G O L U C K Y C H A R M
Credits to Azi for helping me with the poems :>