CLEA

Time flies so fast, and it's already winter tide. The highlight for today is being invited to the Emperor's 43rd birthday celebration. I wore a thick coat with white fuzzy fox fur as I walked the aisle to the enormous palace doors. Underneath my coat was a dress sent personally by the prince for me to wear.

And because it was from the prince, it wasn't just a simple dress. The royal tailor probably made it. A lightweight dress that hugged my body perfectly, even without wearing a corset. A silver dress with intricate designs of golden sequence and gemstones. He even sent me heels and specific jewelry pieces to pair with the dress. He even thought of pairing the dress with the coat.

Nagulat nga ako. I could say he would be my ideal boyfriend if this were in modern days. The guy who plans the date and gives you clothes to wear. The gentleman who pays for everything even though his girl could afford it. You just need to be there and look pretty, like your presence is enough for him.

Sad, this world was just inside the novel. Apparently, those types of men are only fictional. They're not real at all.

To appreciate his efforts, I wore everything he gave me. I had Fifteen applied light make-up on me and braided my hair into a crown rope twist, exposing my neck and nape.

"Dauin, how do I look?" Napatigil ito sa paglalakad at lumingon sa akin. He stared at me for a few seconds. Kumunot ang noo ko nang halos hindi na ito huminga habang nakatitig sa akin.

"You look breathtaking, Your Holiness." He complimented with his cheeks slightly flushed red.

Tipid ko siyang nginitian. Dauin fetched me from the Temple with a royal carriage. Halos lumuhod ito sa harapan ko noong sinundo niya ako dahil napagaling ko ang malubhang sakit ni Ferocious.

The young nuns who witnessed the scenario thought he was kneeling to confess his affection towards me. I had no plans to clear out the misunderstanding anyway. The Emperor instructed me not to inform anyone about the crown prince's condition. Noble families against the Emperor will take that as an opportunity to question Ferocious' capabilities.

"Please announce her holiness' arrival." Utos ni Dauin sa isang kabalyerong nasa pinto ng palasyo.

The tall knight cleared his throat and opened the huge door. "I hereby announce the arrival of the Khehan Empire's Saintess and Prophet, Her Holiness, Clea Vaisravana!" Kaagad ako nasilaw sa liwanag mula sa loob ng palasyo.

Tulad ng dati ay puro gintong kisame na puno ng murals ang bumungad sa akin. There were also gentle crystal chandeliers hanging down. The pillars inside the ballroom were tied with golden glittery ribbons.

I walked in the middle of the red carpet with my dress being dragged on the floor. My heels were heard clicking, which signifies my grace and confidence. Pinanood ko kung paano magbulungan ang mga babaeng nadadaanan ko. Some of them have their small fans in the level of their faces while they're gossiping. Typical insecure classic bitches.

Hindi ba nila matanggap na may mas maganda sa kanila?

I shift my gaze in different direction and I saw a couple of men looking at me with their mouth gaped open. Kulang na lang ay pasukan ng insekto ang bibig nila dahil sa laki ng ikinanganga ng bunganga nila. Ang ilan naman sa kanila ay kaagad na nakabawi sa pagkabigla at kaagad na umiwas ng tingin.

My sole arrival overshadowed every woman in the room.

"Look, the crown prince and the holy saintess have matching clothes! Is it only a mere coincidence?" Rinig kong bulong ng isang babaeng nakasuot ng color pink na dress.

Napatingin kaagad ako sa harapan kung saan nakita ko si Ferocious na naglalakad patungo sa direksyon ko na may malawak na ngiti sa labi. Hindi pa nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pilit na pagpipigil ng kilig ng mga kababaihang nadadaanan niya.

Hindi ko naman sila masisisi. Hindi ko maitatangging nakakalaglag matres naman talaga ang katangiang meron siya. He looks extremely attractive with his silver and gold prince suit. The golden tassels on his shoulders matched the sheath of his sword.

"Your Holiness, may I have the pleasure of being your first dance?" People gasped upon his offer.

Of course, who wouldn't be? Eligible women in the empire from different noble families sent their marriage proposals for the crown prince these past few years, and he ignored everything. He was never seen with a woman, nor was he involved in having affairs. They thought he was uninterested because no one caught his eye.

The truth was, he was just too busy being a mad scientist. Kung ano-ano pinag e-ekspermentuhan niya kaya wala siyang oras para mag entertain ng mga babae. Looking at him personally asking me to be his escort in front of this crowd, it will be quite an uproar.

"Of course, Your Highness." I handed my right hand. He kissed the back of my palm as a courtesy before guiding me in the middle of the dancing crowd.

Nanuot sa ilong ko ang kakaibang amoy mula sa pabango ng prinsipe. He smells different, an exquisite perfume that I guess he formulated himself. Isinawalang bahala ko na lang iyon nang dinala niya ako sa pinakagitnang bahagi ng ballroom hall. Muli ay nakarinig na naman ako ng bulungan sa paligid at mas lalong dumami ang mga matang nakatingin sa aming dalawa.

The ballroom had an ethereal and lovely atmosphere to it. On the stage, there was an orchestra playing passionate music. When we arrived at the ball's center, the light was directed at both of us, focused on our bodies.

"May the heavens forgive me for this blasphemy, but you look like a divine goddess, Your Holiness." I watch him, his eyes on my dress back to my face as if I were a piece of art in a gallery.

"You flatter me too much, Your Highness." I replied bago ko ipatong ang kanang kamay ko sa balikat niya. He then held the right side of my hip and pulled my body a bit closer to him.

"Please, drop the formalities. You can call me by my first name," he said, sounding soft and convincing while clutching my other hand with his. He had a tight grip on me, but it was delicate and caring.

"I don't think that would be appropriate with many ears around us, Your Highness." The both of us started to move following the orchestrated melody.

"I insist." I tilt my head at his response.

He spun me around, and my clothes followed the wave of his movements. When my body shifted in a different direction, I caught someone looking at me with a firm expression in his eyes. His jet-black hair was messy in a good way, and his piercing red eyes stared dead and cold. He was leaning against the pillar with his left hand in his pocket and the other holding a glass of wine.

Compared to the last time we met-a couple of weeks ago, he looks rather tired. His Venom of Karma is probably taking a toll on his health. Without me, he won't be able to heal. He can suppress it for God knows how long and go on a killing spree. I want him to suffer for more after all the things he said. Ang masasabi ko lang ay deserve!

Napangisi na lang ako sa kaloob-looban ko sabay baling ng tingin sa prinsipe. "Then if you insist. I shall call you Ferocious from now on. In exchange, you have my permission to call me by my name too." Nakitaan ko kaagad ng siya ang mga mata niya dahil sa naging turan ko.

"Clea," he whispered. I just smiled at him in return.

We had a wonderful dance. Our movements were in sync and coordinated as if we had our steps practiced. The smooth yet unaltered rhythm of the orchestrated accompaniment followed every sways and footwork. Everyone was in awe, watching us dancing like a perfect match made in heaven. I turned around for the last time as the music stopped and the noises of applause faded.

"It's a pleasure dancing with you, Clea." He removed his hand on my hip and kissed my hand for the last time.

"Likewise, Ferocious." He bowed, and then we parted ways.

Ferocious is definitely a ten. He's a ten because he has a big 010.

Napangiwi na lang ako. I shook off the ridiculous thoughts in my head and went to the buffet of desserts. I tried to find a blueberry cheesecake and was glad I found one. I took a single slice on my plate and tried to find a table to sit at. As I was roaming my eyes in search of a not-so-crowded place, Felecity waved her hand at me.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. I wanted to avoid her as much as possible, pero para siyang peste na kung saan-saan nakikita.

"Holy Saintess! In here! The ladies would like to converse with you!" Malayo pa lang ako ay isa-isa ko nang sinuri ang tatlong babaeng kasama niya sa table.

Ang isa sa kanila ay over-blushed, meron ding mukhang christmas tree dahil sa sobrang mismatched ng suot niyang alahas sa kulay ng buhok at damit niya. Pagtingin ko naman sa isa pang babae ay parang nasobrahan naman sa contour ang mukha. The other one looks normal to me. Sa kanilang apat na kasama ni Felecity ay siya lang ang mukhang mahiyain at mahinhin.

Napipilitan akong naglakad papunta sa gawi nila dala-dala ang maliit na platitong hawak ko. Habang palapit nang palapit ako sa kinaroroonan ni Felecity ay may sa kung anong demonyong bumubulong sa akin na ihampas tong plalito sa mukha niya.

Pero dahil nga santa-santita ang peg ko ngayon mas pinanatili ko na lang na maging mabait. Nakangiti kong nilapitan ang mga ito as if I was really happy to have them in my presence.

"Your Holiness, these are my friends." Panimula niya habang ginagayak akong umupo sa upuan.

"She's the daughter of Count Frediricko from the East. Liliana Ailfi." Pagpapakilala niya sa babaeng akala mo sinampal sa kapal ng blush on sa mukha.

"Greetings, Your Holiness. I am delighted to meet you." I just nod my head kahit gusto kong sabihin na hindi ako natutuwang makilala siya.

"Siya naman si Barbeloth Kudasai. She's the daughter of the Viscount Bael from the West." Bahagyang napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa pangalan niya.

Ano daw? Barbilat kudasai?

"Your name. . . is interesting." Gusto ko bawiin ang sinabi ko. Sa katunayan ay ang bantot ng pangalan niya. Akala ko yung uncoordinated niyang fashion ang kakaiba, pati rin pala pangalan niya hindi mo alam kung pinagtripan ng magulang o ano.

"To be praised by the Saintess! The God must've blessed me!" Hindi ko napigilan ang pag-asim ng mukha ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Blessed? E presensya niya pa lang malas na.

"And she is famous among the social circle, Claudia Burnington. She's the only daughter of Duke Clemente from the West." The woman named Claudia closed her fan and raised an eyebrow at me. Siya yung babaeng nasobrahan sa contour.

"It is my first time to meet the saintess in public. Is there any reason why you suddenly show off in a social event? Is being in the temple too boring for you? Do you want attention that bad?" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

I took another bite of the cake I was eating. I remember why she's famous. This red-haired woman is Duke Clemente's nonchalant daughter, one who doesn't sugarcoat anything and just simply asks what she's curious about. Because she was the daughter of the Duke, she was in a higher position than the rest of the social elites, not unless the princess was there.

"Uhm. . . Claudi-" I raised my hand to stop Felecity from interfering.

"I was invited by the Emperor, Lady Claudia." I crossed my legs and gave her a taunting look in the eye.

"To answer your question, yes, the temple's been boring these past few days. And what do you mean I want attention? Are you feeling bad that I get attention without even trying?" Saglit na natahimik ang lahat dahil sa naging rebat ko sa kanya.

Felecity awkwardly laughs together with Liliana and-ano nga ulit pangalan non? Barbilath?

"And this is. . . Aeronia Blane, the daughter of the newly appointed baron from the East. This is her first social debut. As the princess, I must guide and teach her: "My eyes landed on the pretty yet simple woman who sat far away from them.

She had slightly pink straight hair and amethyst eyes. Her clothing is not as dazzling as the others, but its simplicity adds to her class and elegance. Considering that her father was a newly titled baron, maybe she doesn't know much about the nobility's lavish life, so she doesn't know what clothes to wear.

"Lady Aeronia, you look beautiful." Napahigit ito ng hininga nang marinig ang pagpupuri ko sa kanya't kapagkuwan ay namumulang tumayo upang yumuko sa harapan ko.

"I. . . I don't deserve such praise from her holiness!" Mahina akong natawa nang maulunigan ko ang labis na kaba sa boses niya.

"You deserved to be praised, Lady Aeronia. I appreciate the beauty behind your simplicity." I saw Liliana and Barbi-Barbeloth frowning at her in my peripheral vision.

If my hunch was right, they are not making her a part of their group to introduce in the social society. They wanted to bully her and teach her own place as a mere daughter of the baron. Iyon ay dahil baron ang may pinakamababang ranggo sa lahat. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay gagawin nila itong utusan.

"Tell me if someone tried to bother or bully you. I will be on your side no matter what happens." They all look taken aback by what I said, making me smirk.

Now, they won't be able to touch her.

"T-thank you, Your Holiness." She slightly bowed her head while playing with her fingers. Hindi ito makatingin sa akin ng maayos at halatang hindi komportable sa mga titig na ibinibigay sa kanya ng apat pa naming kasama.

"Your Highness, the Emperor called for you." Aniya ng isang lalaki kay Felecity.

"Oh, right! The special announcement!" She excitedly stood up on her seat and went to heck knows where. Sana pumunta na siya sa impyerno at ginawa ng barbeque ni satanas.

I clicked my tongue and just continued eating my cake while listening to Liliana yapping about how her rosy cheeks were natural. Napaismid ako habang pinaglalaruan ang maliit na tinidor sa kamay ko. Her blush can only be natural if I slapped her left and right.

"How about you, Lady Aeronia? Where did you buy your uhh. . . ball dress?" Liliana asked as if Aeronia's clothes disgusted her.

"Why are you asking her? She probably got that in ready-made clothes in the capital. Her family couldn't afford an expert tailor for their household." Walang prenong anas ni Claudia na siyang ikinayuko lang ni Aeronia.

Hindi naman ako umimik. Maldita rin naman ako aaminin ko. But sometimes, you must consider people's feelings, especially when they are soft-hearted and fragile. Claudia's words were the truth, but it was a pretty harsh thing to say.

"To my dear people!" Napatigil sa ginagawa ang lahat nang marinig ang matinis na tunog na dulot ng kutsara na binabatingting sa wine glass. The noise came from the Emperor himself who was standing at the center of the stage.

"I would like to offer this toast for officially announcing the marriage of the princess to the archduke of Alcanta, Vladimir Rognvaldur!" By the Emperor's announcement, every woman in the crowd looked disappointed and in awe, but they all clapped otherwise.

Malamang nagluluksa ang mga kipay nila kasi malabong mapapasakanila si Dimir. Most women are probably here not because of the Emperor's birthday but because of the Archduke's appearance. Hindi maitatangging gusto lang nila pumunta rito upang masilayan ang mukha niya.

"I also wanted to announce some extraordinary news regarding my son, the crown prince." He raised his wine glass with a broad smile on his face.

What extraordinary news? That his son is a crazy doctor with an experimental obsession?

"For the first time, he has finally laid eyes on a lady. I, at this moment, announce the crown prince's engagement to none other than the Holy Saintess of the Khehan Empire, Clea Vaisravana!" Mabilis akong nabulunan sa narinig ko.

Inabutan ako ni Aeronia ng baso ng tubig na agad ko naman tinanggap upang inumin. Napansin ko rin ang mga matang taimtim na nakatitig sa akin dahil sa inanunsa ng Emperor. Sa pagkakataong ito ay gusto ko na lang pasabugin ang buong Ballroom Hall dahil sa narinig. Akala ko ang Head Priest lang ang madesisyon, pati rin pala ang Emperor!

An engagement with the crown prince?! Anong klaseng plot twist to Charm?! Tangina, masisiraan na ata ako ng bait!

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