THIRD PERSON 

The Empress' palace was in chaos after the Empress and the Crown Prince argued about his engagement plans. She never agreed to his engagement with the saintess. If she chose, she'd like to arrange for him to marriage with a distinguished ducal family from the West. There's no suitable woman for her son aside from Claudia Burnington. 

"He won't marry another woman unless it was her? What's so good with that wench?" Inis nitong wika bago umupo sa harapan ng kanyang salamin upang tanggalin ang mga alahas niya. 

She is Flammara Sergi Rhinedottir. She was the only daughter of the Marquess from the East known as the House of Sergi. Kung ano man ang narating niya ngayon ay bunga iyon ng mahabang taon niyang pagtitiis at paghihirap. It was his birth right to be chosen as an Empress with her beauty and wits. 

"Your Majesty!" Lumitaw mula sa kawalan ang isang lalaking nakasuot ng kulay itim. Balot ang buong katawan nito at tanging mata niya lang ang nakikita. 

Pabagsak itong lumuhod sa harapan ng reyna habang hinahabol ang hininga. Kung titingnan ay halos naghihikahos na ito makalanghap lang ng hangin. Blood was dripping on his chest down the expensive carpeted floor of the Empress. 

"What's the matter?" Walang pakialam na tanong nito sa lalaki. She did not even bother glancing at him and continued removing her jewelry. 

"There was a strong resemblance of that woman's mana near the north eastern part of the forest." Dahil sa sinabi nito ay kaagad na napatayo ang ginang. 

"What do you mean a resemblance of her mana? That's impossible! She died by my hands! She can't be alive!" The Empress blurted out while narrowing her eyes at the man. There's no way she was still alive! She even made sure to destroy her spiritual core to prevent her from being reincarnated again. 

"Y-Your Majesty, there's no doubt that she is dead. But. . . her son was alive." Her fist clenched. Kasabay ng pag-igting ng panga niya ay ang pagsiring ng mga mata niya dahil sa galit. 

No, that bastard shouldn't be alive. His existence will be a bane in Ferocious title as the crown prince. It will threaten her position as the Empress. Dahil aminin niya man sa sarili niya o hindi, kapag malaman ng emperor na buhay ang anak niya sa unang babaeng pinakamamahal niya ay paniguradong papaburan niya ito. 

And she doesn't want that to happen. 

"Have you found him?" Seryoso nitong tanong. Mababanaag sa boses nito ang labis na pagtitimpi. 

The Empress lends her Clouded Umbrella to the guild of assassins under her command. That artifact serves as an excellent shield, and at the same time, it has a unique power to detect the mana of a person who tries to attack it. She used the Clouded Umbrella to end that woman's life so it could identify her mana resemblances. 

"We searched for him as soon as we detected his mana. However, he resides in the Fortress of the Outlaws. There are bandits just as skilled as our guild's assassins." Kapagkuwan ay tumigil ito saglit sa pagsasalita upang dumaing. He was bleeding excessively. 

"As we attacked, we were outnumbered and lost many lives. I almost. . . did not make it out alive, Your Majesty." Pagsasalaysay nito. He was wrong though, Zeev made sure that he will survive to report to the Empress. 

After long years of hiding, they could detect his mana because he transferred the Tearmoon Concealing Artifact to the saintess. Now that his existence is revealed, the Empress will not sit back and do nothing. So he already expected their attack. Hindi niya lang inaasahan na ganoon kabilis, pero nakapaghanda naman siya kahit papaano. 

"Y-Your Majesty, please send healers to tend my wounded guild members. I beg of you." The Empress hissed at him. Walang siremonya niya itong sinampal. 

"How dare you demand something from me when you can't even get your job done!" Bulyaw niya rito. Napayuko na lang ang binata. His lips were pale. Any moment from now, he could die just by losing too much blood. 

The Empress was too furious and anxious to even care about him kaya naman ay mas minabuti niyang huwag na lang ipagpilitan ang gusto niya.

"I understood, Your Majesty. It was our negligence, and we must take responsibility for it." He inhaled a sharp breath as he tried to suppress the pain from the wound in his abdomen. 

"Then I shall take my leave, Your Majesty." Nilikom ng binata ang lahat ng natitira niyang lakas upang mag teleport sa lugar na alam niyang makakatulong sa kanya. The last thing he heard was the Empress throwing an expensive vase on the ground with a livid expression on her face. 

Sa kabilang banda ay mariin na napapikit dahil sa inis si Clea. She just exorcised a shoe that was believed to be possessed by an evil spirit because every time the owner wears it, her feet is smelly. Gusto niya sana ihampas ang sapatos sa may ari nito. Sinapian na kaagad ng masamang espiritu? Hindi ba pwedeng unhygienic lang siya? Parang tinga! 

Kasing baho ng imbornal ang sapatos niya! 

Padabog na pinahawak ng dilag ang gohei na hawak nito sa isang batang madre sa altar. Pakiramdam niya ay kumapit sa damit niya ang baho ng sapatos kaya naman naisipan niyang umalis upang maligo at magbihis. She couldn't believe that women in this world is just as those in the modern world. 

They appear to be pretty neat outside, could dress up, do make-up on their faces and look presentable—pero pag dating sa kagamitan nila sa bahay ay mga burara, hindi marunong maglinis. Kung tutuusin ay hindi rin siguro marunong ng gawaing bahay o hindi kaya'y magluto ng ulam. 

Please don't get me started about women saying they don't know how to cook because their mom never taught them. So your mama taught you how to suck dick? Because you know how to do it? You learn on your own!

"Inform the people outside I will be having a lunch break. I will be back." She informed the young nuns. 

Walang sinayang na oras ang dalaga't mabilis na naglakad patungo sa palikuran ng templo. There she could have her private bath to rinse her body of that awful smell. Pagdating niya roon ay kaagad siyang inasikaso ng mga temple maids. They prepared her bath by scattering different flower fragrance on the tub. 

"Do not add vanilla orchid in the water." Pagpipigil niya nang mahagip ng mga mata niya ang isa sa mga bulaklak na hindi niya gusto. 

She dislikes that flower because the villa scent is too sweet and common. In her world, she could smell it everywhere. She thinks women who use that fragrance are too basic. That's why her nose always twitchs in irritation if she smells vanilla. 

"Your bath is ready, Your Holiness. Let us know if you need our assistance." The saintess removed her clothes in front of the maid before dipping her body in the water. 

"Fetch my clothes in my quarters. Inform Fifteen I wanted the cream box on my wardrobe." Pag-uutos niya sa mga ito. The maids nod their heads and close the door for her private bath. 

Clea closed her eyes trying to fulfil herself from the steamy hot bath. Nanuot sa ilong niya ang bango ng mga bulaklak. She can recognize flowers of magnolia, lilac, and orange blossom. It resulted in a complex yet fresh and baby-like scent. 

Napahawak siya sa kanyang dibdib habang pinapakiramdaman ang sarili. The Tearmoon Concealing Artifact is indeed very helpful. The dark energy that flowed in her veins was concealed. It was able to fool everyone around her. Sensing the nature of her mana would be difficult for them. 

Lumusong siya sa tubig upang basain ang buhok niya. She stayed under the water for a few seconds. She wondered how Zeev was doing, knowing that the Empress was already aware of his existence. Zeev is strong, with no caps. Pero ang maaga niyang pagpapakita ay maaaring makapagbago ng takbo ng kwento. In the original novel, he stayed a low profile. That's why the Empress let her guard down, and he was able to conquer them. This time, his existence was revealed earlier because she needed the artifact.

"Your Holiness, here is the box you requested from your maid." She resurfaced from the water. When the maids left, she stood up to dry herself using a towel. Kaagad ito nagtungo sa lamesa kung saan nakapatong ang isang box. 

Pagbukas niya ng kahon ay bumungad sa kanya ang isang damit na personal niyang dinisenyo upang ipagawa sa mananahi.Kaagad niya naman itong sinuot.  It was a simple dress designed like a night gown. It's fabric was made of cream silk with distinguished flower imprints. It had a thin shoulder strap and loose bust which highlights her cleavage when she wears it. Hapit din ito sa bewang niya na nagbibigay atensyon sa hugis ng bewang at balakang niya. Bukod doon ay nasa tatlong pulgada pataas sa kanyang tuhod ang ikli nito. 

She looks smexy! 

Matapos niya magbihis ay pumanhik siya papuntang silid niya upang kumuha ng roba. Babalik pa siya ng Holy Cathedral para ipagpatuloy ang pag exorcise ng kung ano-anong kabaliwan. They can't see her wearing that, baka himatayin pa ang mga madre kung saka-sakali. Wala rin naman sana siyang pake kahit mamatay ang mga ito, sadyang kailangan niya lang mag lie low muna para maisip ng head priest na nagpapakabait na siya. 

Kung bakit niya naman sinuot ang klase ng damit na suot niya ay trip niya lang. Masyado na kasi itong naalibadbaran sa makakapal na kasuotan dito. She can't imagine women in this world wear those tight and thick corseted clothes just for a man to notice them. 

"Fifteen?" Pagtawag nito nang mapansing pagpasok niya sa kanyang silid ay hindi niya nahagilap ang dalaga. 

Clea locked the door from the inside when she noticed the secret staircase was open. She created a basement, an underground chamber for her apothecary and private documents. Without further ado,  she went down the staircase to look for Fifteen. Pagdating niya roon ay naabutan niyang aligaga ang dalaga habang may inaasikasong lalaking naghihikahos sa higaan. 

"Fifteen?" Mabilis itong napabalikwas ng upo at napatingin sa kanya. 

"Y-your Holiness!" Nanlalaki mata nitong atugal. She was so shocked that the basin of water she was holding fell on the floor.

"Y-your Holiness, please forgive me for opening the basement without your permission! I will take whatever punishment you'd like! But he needs he—" Clea's expression remained calm despite seeing Fifteen's chaotic face. 

"Who is he?"

"He's my childhood friend! We were together before I was kidnapped and sent to the knight camp!" It was her first time seeing Fifteen out of her character. Ngayon niya lang ito nakitang naluluha sa pag-aalala na para bang naaning kung ano ang gagawin.

"How did he end up that way?" Umiling si Fifteen. Mukhang hindi niya rin alam kung bakit nasa ganoong sitwasyon ito. 

Ibinaling ng santa ang tingin sa matipunong lalaki na nakahiga. She scanned his body. It was full of a long slash of scars he probably got from his harsh training. He was drenched in his blood.  

"Please, Your Holiness! Cure him! I beg of you!" Halos lumuhod na ang dalaga sa pakikiusap maisalba lang ang buhay nito. That would be fine if he's someone so dear to her. Besides, he may be helpful someday. 

"Open the drawer on the left side of the cabinet, and you can see small vials containing a transparent yellow liquid. Make him drink it. It's one of my uhh. . . healing essence." Kaagad na tumango si Fifteen at nagtungo sa cabinet. 

Healing essence? Ulowl. Alangan naman sabihin niyang galing yun sa holy poque niya noong time na nagsarili siya?

As ridiculous as it may sound like pero sinubukan niyang mag solo flight para kunin ang katas niya. She later experimented with it and mixed it with honey, making hundreds of tonics using her divine essence. She will still be able to heal people using those. Mabuti na lang talaga ay napaghandaan niya. 

But imagine drinking someone's cum just to heal? Wtf. 

"Your Holiness? Princess Felecity has arrived from the palace! She brought betrothal gifts from the crown prince!" Rinig niyang sigaw ng kung sino mula sa taas ng silid niya. Clea grimaced. 

Betrothal gifts?! 

Wala itong sinayang na oras at nagtungo sa kanyang silid. Iniwan niya sa basement si Fifteen at ang hindi niya kilalang binata.Minuwestra niya ang kaliwang kamay niya upang isara ang secret chamber bago buksan ang pinto ng quarters niya. She thought she heard it wrong so she asked once again. 

"I did not catch it. What were you saying?" The young nun smiled at her, bowing her head as a courtesy. 

"Princess Felecity has arrived, Your Holiness. She brought the betrothal gifts from the crown prince." Magalang nitong pag-uulit. 

Clea shut the door close. How could she possibly forget that she was still betrothed to the crown prince? Their engagement wasn't nulled! Pero ang kapal naman ata ng apog niya para ipagsigawan sa buong imperyo ang pagpapakasal niya? 

She hurriedly grab on a thick shoal on her rack to cover her shoulders. Kinuha niya rin ang rosaryo na nakalapag sa mesa nito bago lumabas ng silid niya. Malalaking hakbang ang tinahak nito paalis habang nakasunod sa kanya ang batang madre. 

On her way to greet the princess, the young nuns and acolytes she passed were gawking at her clothes. Halos lumuwa na ang mga mata nito dahil sa ikli ng suot niya. Ang pagtambad ng makinis at maputi nitong biyas ay nagdudulot ng iba't ibang imahenasyon sa mga binatang akolytes na nakakakita sa kanya. 

"Greetings to the star of the empire. I am delighted to welcome Her Highness the Princess upon her arrival." She greeted. Felecity gave her a sweet yet fake smile. 

Batak talaga makipagplastikan ang inggratang 'to. 

"Greetings, Your Holiness." Bati nito pabalik. Napasulyap ang santa sa mahigit limang karuwahe na nakapasada sa labas ng gate ng templo. 

Paglaan ng ilang segundo ay may mga katulong at mga kawal na nagdala ng malalaking kahon. It looks like an expensive treasure chest tied with a bright red ribbon. Kumurap ang dalaga nang makitang lampas na sa bilang ng kamay ang dami nito. 

"I present to her holiness the dowry of my brother, his highness, the Crown Prince." She opened both arms as if she were presenting everything to her. "Should there be something that displeases the saintess, let me know so I can tell his highness to change it." Clea kept her mouth shut. 

Displeases me? Everything displeases me! I don't want to marry him! 

"This is also the sample invitation and the tentative date of your wedding in an auspicious time. It was also followed by the list of visitors attending the event. Kindly check if you have anything to change."  The princess's maid handed her a red envelope tied by a red satin bow. 

Nawindang ang utak ng santa dahil sa narinig. Lahat 'ata ng murang alam niya ay nabanggit niya na sa isipan niya. 

The Emperor did not even consulted her about their engagement and now Ferocious has prepared everything from his dowry to the invitation cards and even the list of visitors?! Ni hindi pa nga nila nakakausap ang Head Priest tungkol sa pagpapakasal ng banal nilang santa tapos nakapagdesisyon na sila?!

She inhaled a sharp breath before trying to control herself from losing her shit together. She had enough stress for the day. 

"I appreciate the crown prince's love and dedication towards the saintess, but I'm afraid the engagement has to be cancelled." Mabilis na napatingin ang mga ito sa pinanggalingan ng kalmado ngunit malalim na boses na iyon. 

A man with silver-white hair and a black blindfold on his eyes appeared out of nowhere. Everyone who saw him immediately bowed their heads. "Greetings to the benevolent one, Your Excellency!" The nuns and acolytes turned at him with their palms on the floor. 

"Y-Your Excellency?" Gulat na pagkumpira ni Felecity sa prisensya nito. The archpriest was behind her, and his height was enough to intimidate the princess. 

Imbis pansinin ay nilagpasan niya lang ang prinsesa at dumiretso sa gawi ng santa. He took his fur coat off him and placed it on the saintess' shoulder. He then faced Felecity with a smug look on his face. 

"The Emperor must have been forgetting something since he's getting old," Dominique paused and let out a soft chuckle. "Well, let this message remind him." He took a step closer to face the princess. 

"The temple is the home of people committed to serving God. As a servant of God, we must offer our body and soul to the almighty. We are not allowed to tie a knot with anyone, and we can never bend our rules even if it was a request from the Emperor." Felecity hid her clenched fist. She did not expect the archpriest to appear. He's ruining her plan. 

"Your Excellency, this matter was already settled by the Head Priest. His approval sent the betrothal gifts." Felecity replied as she tried her best to keep her voice firm and respectful. 

"Is that so?" Dominique hummed. Sumilay ang kakaibang ngisi sa labi nito na ikinataka ng prinsesa. 

"The Head Priest is but an elder in the temple. I am only lending my authority to him." He tilted his head and leaned in to look down at the princess. 

"Since I am back, the Head Priest's words are considered invalid." He clapped his hands merrily and looked back at the silent saintess. 

"Therefore, I announce that the temple declines the crown prince and the holy saintess wedding." He instructed the nuns and acolytes to stand up. Samantalang napakagat labi na lang ang prinsesa dahil wala itong mailaban sa binatang kaharap. 

Why does she have powerful men behind her at crucial times?!

"Now, please help the princess to carry the dowries back to their carriages and escort them out of the temple. May you have a blessed day ahead, Your Highness." Pagpapalayas niya sa mga ito. 

"Please go ahead and escort the saintess back to her quarters. It looks like she's not feeling well." Sunod na utos ng binata. 

Clea who had no idea what's going on just let the nun guide her back to her quarters. Wala sa wisyo itong nagpatianod habang nalulunod sa sarili niyang pag-iisip. 

Hinipan pa ng masamang hangin ang animal na yun?

Tumalikod na ang binata at akmang susunod sa santa nang may makalimutan itong sabihin. "Oh, by the way. I also have a message to the crown prince." Lumingon ito kay Felecity na halatang nawala sa mood dahil sa nangyari. 

"Tell him that the saintess belongs to the temple. She belongs to God. She belongs to me." Hindi niya na hinintay pa ang sagot ng prinsesa at muli itong tinalikuran. A triumphant smile crept on his face while brushing his hair as he walked. 

It looks like coming back will not be as boring as I thought.

G O L U C K Y C H A R M
Sorry for a few days late update. I've been really down lately. I almost didn't have the energy to write, but as I read your comments I managed to finish a chapter. Thank you for being an inspiration at times that I feel the world has given up on me. I love you all.