CLEA

"How is she?" I heard someone asking, it must be the Emperor. 

"I already gave her the sufficient amount of medicine that she needs. She will be fine, father." Ferocious assured him. 

"Isn't she the Holy Saintess everyone is talking about? Why can't she just heal herself? How dramatic." Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong wag mapairap dahil sa sinabi ng Empress. 

Agree naman ako sa sinabi niya na ang dramatic ko dahil nagpanggap ako nahimatay matapos ang announcement ng Emperor na engage ako kay Ferocious. How I wished I don't have to pretend back then. Sana inuntog ko na lang ang ulo ko sa pader para mawalan talaga ako ng malay. But I can't just do that. 

"You should have consulted me first before announcing it, father. She must've been so shocked." Malumanay na wika ni Ferocious sa ama nito. 

So he had no idea about it, too? 

Mukhang nagdesisyon talaga mag-isa ang Emperor. He must've assumed that Ferocious had grown a liking for me since he probably had an idea that his son set my dress. Not to mention niyaya pa ako nito makipagsayaw, making me the first woman he danced in the ball. 

"How about the archduke, Felecity?" Rinig ko namang tanong ng Emperor. 

The archduke? What happened to him? 

"His Grace insisted on returning to his dukedom, but he chose to stay due to the heavy snow and mild fever." I wanted to laugh. A mild fever, eh? Of course, what can he say but an ordinary illness? 

Hindi niya naman pwede sabihin na he was suffering a severe effect from his Venom of Karma. Hindi niya pwedeng sabihin na malubha ang nararamdaman niya dahil hindi pwedeng malaman ng Emperor kung ano ang kahinaan niya. For centuries, the Ducal family of Rognvaldur managed to hide the truth from everyone. That's why even the royal family cannot touch them because they can't find any weaknesses.

"You should stay in your fiancée's chambers to keep him in check instead of being here." The Empress reminded her. Apaka-echosera talaga nitong Empress. Hindi niya na lang hayaan anak niya. Paladesisyon.

"It's okay, I wanted to make sure the Holy Saintess is alright. I cannot let the clumsy maids touch her delicate body." If I didn't know her personality, I would be touched by her sentiments, but no. There's always a reason behind her actions. 

"Then, please take care of her for me, dear sister. I still have an ongoing experiment to observe in the lab. I must take my leave." Narinig ko namang may kung ano itong pinatong sa gilid ng kama. "This is her last medicine. I hope she takes it when she wakes up." I felt him go near me to fix the dangling hair on my face. 

Seconds later I heard footsteps leaving the room. Hindi ko na rin narinig ang boses ng Emperor at Empress kaya baka umalis na rin sila. I can only feel Felecity's presence sitting in a chair beside the bed. Ramdam ko ang bawat titig na binibigay niya sa akin na para bang sinusuri nang mabuti ang mukha ko. 

"He never left his eyes on you the moment you entered the ballroom hall." Wala sa sarili akong napangisi sa kaloob-looban ko. 

"Is it because you're prettier than me?" I felt her stood up and sat beside me on the bed. "If I destroyed your face, would he only look at me?" Naikuyom ko ang kamay ko sa ilalim ng kumot nang hawakan niya ang panga ko. Ramdam ko ang tulis ng kuko niya at ang madiin niyang pagkakahawak. 

Pigilan niyo ako babangon talaga ako para sampalin ang gagang 'to! 

I heard her laughing afterwards. Mahinhin na tawa lang 'yon, tawang madalas niyang gamitin sa harap ng maraming tao upang magmukha siyang kanais-nais. To others, it may sound angelic and lovely, pero para sa akin para lang ito lamok na nakakairita sa tenga. 

"That would be a waste. I don't want to get my hands involved with someone filthy." She removed her hands away from me and stood up. 

"Someone who will soon become every noble kind's sex doll. It would be best if you kept your pretty face to look desirable," she added. I scoffed in my head.

Does that mean she also has something to do with the old saintess being a sex tool to the nobles? I thought the Head Priest was behind it, and Marquess Briargiss was the one who gave him an idea. All this time, it was her?

"Don't even dream of becoming the crown princess. You should know your place."  Matigas nitong sabi na puno ng pagkadisgusto sa boses niya.

See? I wasn't just antagonizing her. She was sick in the head. 

Nakapikit man ang mga mata ko'y paniguradong nakangisi ito sa akin. Her eyes probably look so satisfied seeing me lying unconscious. Panigurado'y nagdidiwang ang buong pagkatao niya dahil ini-expect niyang magtatagumpay siya sa plano niya. 

"Your Highness?" Tatlong sunod-sunod na katok ang narinig ko sa pinto. 

"You may enter." 

"The supplement soup you asked for was ready, Your Highness. I already delivered it to his grace's chamber." 

"Good. I shall take a bath first. Once I entered his room later, make sure to lock it from the outside." Hindi ako nakarinig ng kahit na ano mang tugon mula sa kausap ni Felecity. I think she was talking to a maid servant? 

"Y-your Highness, are you sure about this? The aphrodisiac—" Nakarinig ako ng tunog na para bang sinampal ito. 

I slightly opened my left eye to see what's going on. Nakita kong nakayuko ang isang maid hawak-hawak ang pisngi niyang sinampal ni Felecity. The horror in her eyes was visible and her fingers were even trembling. 

"You have no rights to question my orders. Know your place, insignificant rat!" Singhal niya rito bago lumabas ng kuwarto. 

Naiwan doong nanginginig at umiiyak ang katulong niya. Pagkatapos din ng ilang minuto ay kumalma na rin ito at lumabas ng silid. Mabilis kong minulat ang mga mata ko at tumingin sa kisame. 

If I assessed the situation right, the supplement soup that was supposed to be the medicine of the archduke had an aphrodisiac mixed with it. And when I say aphrodisiac, it might be a powder mixed with different types of herbs to improve someone's sex drive. In short, ang sino mang makakain or inom ng kahit na anong pagkaing may aphrodisiac ay makakaramdam ng libog nang walang dahilan. 

Kawawa naman si Felecity, mukhang nawawalan na siya ng pag-asang akitin si Dimir. 

It looks like she's so desperate to have him all by herself. Kaya naman gusto niyang may mangyari sa kanila para mabuntis siya at wala ng kawala si Dimir. For sure she was threated because of me. I mean who wouldn't be? Sa ganda ko ba namang 'to? 

Anyway, I don't really care. Kaya mas minabuti ko na lang mahiga habang pinapanood ang pagulan ng makapal na nyebe sa labas ng bintana. Saktong-sakto, paniguradong gaganahan ang mga tao magpainit kapag ganito ang panahon. 

Kahit na nakasara ang mga bintana ay nanuot pa rin sa katawan ko ang lamig kaya naman tumayo ako upang lumapit sa fireplace na nasa tapat lang ng higaan ko. When I stood up from the bed, that's when I noticed my clothes were different from earlier. I was wearing a robe, and underneath it was a nightdress.

If I remember correctly, the headmaid changed my dress into nightwear. It was made of thin fabric reaching the level of my ankle. Hindi ito gaano kabukadkad pero hapit na hapit ito sa katawan ko. It showcases the perfect view of my chest, which wobbles whenever I walk. Bukod doon ay nagustuhan ko rin ang disenyo nitong parang lace na pinag ekis-ekis sa bandang dibdib. The only lock that kept it together was the ribbon. Parang design lang ng shoe lace. 

I went to the fireplace and squatted myself. I lift my hands near the heat to warm myself. I nearly forgot the reason why I pretended to faint earlier. Naniningkit mata akong napatingin sa apoy na para bang nakikita ko si Charm doon at buhay na iniihaw. 

Ang walang hiyang Diyosa na yun! 

Everything that's happening in this world is done by her. Ano na naman ang trip niya sa buhay? Bakit pinagdidiskitahan niya ako ritong ginagawa ang lahat para lang mapigilan ang pagkamatay ko. Imbis tulungan ako siya mismo ang naglalagay sa akin sa bingit ng kamatayan. 

"Mabigyan lang talaga ako ng pagkakataon na makita ka sasabunutan kita kaagad!" Inis kong atugal habang nakatapat pa rin sa lumalagablab na apoy. 

Habang nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagmumura kay Charm ay nakaramdam ako ng tawag ng kalikasan kaya naman napatayo ako. Inikot ko ang paningin ko sa loob ng silid at napabuntong-hinga na lang ako nang maalalang hindi pala uso rito ang banyo sa loob ng kwarto. In that case, I need to go out. 

Tinali ko ang robe na suot ko pero nainis na lang ako dahil kahit anong gawin ko ay lumuluwa pa rin ang dibdib ko. Bwiset ka, Clea. Masyado kang biniyayaan. Kinuha ko na lang ang cloak ko na nakasabit sa rack upang suotin. I wore the hood of the cloak and fixed my hair.

Inilugay ko na lang ang buhok ko sa harapan ko upang matabunan ito. Baka kasi may mga kawal na nagbabantay sa labas nakakahiya namang rumampa na ganto suot akala mo makikipag-honeymoon ampota. 

Bago ako lumabas ay napatingin ako sa bowl ng gamot na bigay ni Ferocious kanina. Iinumin ko sana bago lumabas kaso mamaya na lang pala. 

I opened the door. Inilas ko muna ang ulo ko sa pinto. I was relieved to see na walang tao sa labas. Nakapaa akong naglakad sa malinis na pasilyo ng palasyo. Hindi ko maiwasang mamangha sa disenyo ng corridor. May red carpet sa gitna at puno ng mga paintings na may golden frame ang pader. Bawat pinto rin ng kwarto ay may pare-parehong disenyo ng borders. It was shaped like a talons of a dragon. 

Sa layo ng nilakad ko ay napahawak na lang ako sa bewang ko. Putangina, nasaan ba ang banyo rito? Hindi ba uso signage sa kanila? 

Matapos ng ilang minutong pag-iikot ikot ay nahanap ko rin ang CR sa pinakadulo ng pasilyo. Lahat ng sama ng loob ko kay Dimir, pati kay Felecity at Charm ay nilabas ko ng ilang ire. Nag mekus-mekus lang ako at lumabas na rin. 

While walking in the corridor, I couldn't help but question why no knights were outside. Dapat mas mahigpit ang security nila dahil nandito ako at si Dimir. Both of us are influential personalities in the Empire, so someone must always be on the lookout in case someone tries to threaten their lives. 

Nagkibit balikat na lang ako at pumasok sa kwarto ko. I paid not so much attention to the surrounding and just went back straight to the bed. Sa pag-upo ko roon ay napansin ko ang bowl ng gamot na galing kay Ferocious kanina. Kinuha ko ang ceramic bowl at tinitigan ang laman nitong parang tubig lang kung tingnan. 

Has it always been in this quantity? Bakit feeling ko parang nabawasan nang konti? 

I just rolled my eyes and drank the whole liquid. Wala namang kahit na anong lasa. Akala ko ba lahat ng gamot mapait? Akmang hihiga na ako sa kama nang may makita akong anino sa likuran ko. 

"Didn't I told you to fucking leave?" Napasinghap ako nang marinig ang boses ni Dimir sa likuran ko. 

What the pakening shet! 

"What will everyone say if the princess of the empire stripped herself naked in front of a man shamelessly? Don't you have an honor to protect?" Napakagat ako ng labi ko. Nagsisigaw ang kaloob-looban ko dahil hindi ko alam kung paano ako napunta sa sitwasyong 'to. 

How the hell did I end up in Dimir's room? I was sure this was my room! 

Mariin kong naipikit ang mga mata ko nang rumihistro sa utak ko na pare-pareho pala ng disenyo ang pinto ng mga kuwarto rito. I was too preoccupied pinasok ko ang kwarto without checking if the furniture inside were the same as mine. Hindi na rin ako nag-abala pa dahil kahit disenyo ng ceramic bowl ay parehas! 

Lalo akong natigilan nang may maalala ako. The liquid I drank earlier was not the medicine Ferocious gave me. Kung kwarto 'to ni Dimir ibig sabihin I drank the supplement soup with aphrodisiac on it! 

"Are you that desperate?" Hinawakan niya ang pulsuhan ko kaya mahina akong napasinghap. Ininda ko ang sakit na nararamdaman ko  mula sa pagkakahawak niya. 

I dare not to speak. I just need to get away from him. Hindi maaring malaman niya na ako 'to. Mas lalong hindi rin pwede na magtagal ako rito sa loob kasama siya dahil unti-unti na akong nakakaramdam ng pag-usbong ng kakaibang init sa katawan ko. 

Bumilis ang paghinga ko nang makaramdam ng kung anong kiliti dahil sa pagdampi ng balat niya sa akin. I braced myself and pulled my wrist from him in full force. Hindi siya pumalag at kusa ako binitawan kaya naman nasobrahan ang pwersa na binigay ko upang hilahin ang kamay ko. Sa pagtayo ko patalikod ay nahulog ang hood ng cloak ko kaya tumambad sa kanya ang kulay ng buhok ko. 

"Clea?" Mula sa likuran ko ay naramdaman ko ang mga yapak niyang papalapit sa akin. Maya-maya ay nakaharap na siya sa akin na walang damit pang-itaas. 

A topless sight of him with his pack of abs and healthy biceps made my throat went dry. Tinanggal ko ang cloak na suot ko. Now I'm left with a see-through robe and a sexy nightdress that shows every lethal shape of my body. Wala sa sarili akong naglakad palapit sa kanya habang pinaglalandas ang mga daliri ko sa makisig niyang pangangatawan. I found myself tracing his chest down to his abs using my finger. 

Narinig ko ang mahina niyang pagdaing dahil sa ginawa ko. Tila ba nasiyahan ako nang marinig yun sa kanya kaya idinikit ko ang katawan ko sa kanya. He groaned in respose. 

"Clea. . ." Mahina niyang bulong na para bang nahihirapan itong pigilan ang kung ano mang nararamdaman niya. 

Droplets of sweat from the tip of his messy hair dripped down my chest. Sinundan ng mga mata niya ang patak ng tubig at nanatili itong nakatitig sa malusog kong dibdib na nakabalandara sa harapan niya. 

I lift my gaze as I look at him bobbing his Adam's apple up and down. Inangat ko ang kanang kamay ko upang hawakan ang batok niya. Amidst the cold winter storm, I can feel the scorching heat of his body. 

It was no doubt that he only took a small amount of aphrodisiac. That's why he could hold back a little when Felecity was here. However, the longer you hold yourself back, the effect is more severe.

He tilted his head to look at the ceramic bowl on the side table. Nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata niya bago muling ibaling ang tingin sa akin. "You drank the rest of the aphrodisiac?" Hindi makapaniwala nitong bulalas. 

"That explains why you're—" Dinampi ko ang daliri ko sa labi niya upang patahimikin siya. 

I had no idea why I was doing this, but it was like my body was getting ahead of my thoughts. It's like I'm moving based on my desire. I wanted to satisfy my needs. I wanted him. I'm lusting for him. That's just it.

"Dimir, look at me." Masuyo kong wika nang mapansing hindi niya magawang tumitig sa mga mata ko. 

"You should leave while I can still hold myself back." He whispered with his ragged breath. The veins in his neck were visible. 

"Hold back?" Narinig ko ang pagmura niya nang idiin ko ang kesalan ko sa kanya. I can feel him throbbing hard against me, and for sure he could also feel me soaking wet for him. 

"Your Venom of Karma is corrupting your body, right? This is your chance to cure yourself. Aren't you glad that I came here?" He swiftly turned around and gently pushed me on the bed with him on top of me. Nakakulong ang katawan ko sa pagitan ng hita niya at napapagitnaan ng dalawang braso niya ang ulo ko. 

"I'm glad you came here, but not because you are in that state." Bumuntong-hininga ito. His deep red eyes penetrated my soul as if he was trying to connect with me. 

"I am glad you came so I could formally apologize for what I said." Kumunot ang noo ko. 

Does he have time to apologize in this situation? 

"I'm sorry," he paused and reached for my face, fixing my hair at the back of my left ear. "I never should've told those things while I was angry." His eyes were full of sincerity. He looks even more sexier.

"I should have kept my mouth shut when I knew nothing of what you've been through." Malambot lang ang ekspresyon nito sa kanyang mga mata na para bang nagsusumamo itong patawarin ko na sa kung ano mang nasabi niya sa akin noon. 

"From now on, I will be careful with my words. I'm sorry, Clea. I will never do it again." Napanganga na lang ako nang halikan niya ang noo ko ng ilang segundo. 

"I have my chance to cure myself right at this very moment but I will not take advantage of your situation." Iniluhod niya ang kaliwang tuhod niya upang ayusin sa pagkakatali ang robe na suot ko. He tied it carefully without brushing his skin against mine.

"I will try to suppress myself by being corrupted by my venom. As for the cure, I will wait until you have forgiven me. I won't ever touch you without your permission." I saw his lips slightly twitching into a small yet genuine smile. It was the first time I saw him smiling this close. 

"So, please. Sleep." Ang huling nakita ko na lang ay ang pagpitik niya ng kanyang daliri sa hangin bago maging malabo ang paningin ko. 

What. . . the hell happened. . .to the great Archduke of Alcanta?

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