CLEA

I puckered my lips after putting a small tint lipstick on it. Inayos ko rin ang pagkakalugay ng buhok ko habang nakaharap sa salamin. I've finished all of my temple duties in the morning, and I will be free the whole afternoon. The day after tomorrow will be my trial in court, and I suppose I need fresh air to relax because I'm sure these will be the last peaceful days of my life. 

"Any news about Zeev, Fifteen?" She went towards me and handed me a black envelope. 

"This arrived early this morning, Your Holiness," she replied. Inside the envelope was a small card that contained three words. 

Everything is ready. 

Napangisi ako. I felt a sense of satisfaction and contentment. Everything is set. After this, it will end. I can finally avenge the saintess for all the injustice they did to her.  I hope that everything goes according to plan.

It's almost three months, and that was the duration of the saintess' life until she dies because of the princess. I tried delaying it as much as possible, but things followed the original storyline. I need to play my role and try to keep my head intact. 

"How about the offer I asked Sixto?" I asked before plumping a powder in my face. 

"He was thinking about it." I just nod. He'd be a fool to decline that offer. 

"I also have some news about the prince—" Fifteen couldn't finish her words when the door opened violently. 

Iniluwa roon si Dominique na pawisan habang hingal na hingal na nakakapit sa hamba ng pintuan. His hair was messy, his clothing was full of long cuts and blood. He looks like he just escaped from a life to death situation. 

"It's only proper to knock on a ladies' door before coming in, Your Excellency. I have no memory of the Archpriest being this rude and disrespectful." He gasped upon my words and took a step towards me with his ragged breathing. 

"Goodness, gracious, Your Holiness! Do I look like I can still adhere to proper etiquette?" Nanlalaki mata nitong bulalas habang tinuturo ang sarili. "Look at me! Just look at me!" Hirit niya pa. I can see dark circles in his eyes. He looks a bit worn out and tired. Nevertheless, he still looks effortlessly handsome, no matter how sleep-deprived he is.

"I haven't had any proper sleep these past few days! All thanks to that insane rascal who kept sending assassins to kill me!" He lashed out and started fixing his hair in a frustrated manner. 

"Even if the assassin would slit your throat or cut your limbs, you can still grow one and heal. Stop overreacting." Patutsada ko.

Fifteen offered him a seat and gave him a glass of water to calm him down. He heaved a deep breath, followed by inaudible curses of how his daily life had become fucked up. " Have you thought how much inconvenience it brought me? I couldn't even take a proper bath!" Napatingin ako sa kanya at ngayon ko lang napansin na hindi pala pawis ang dahilan kung bakit parang basa siya. 

 "I was taking a bath when I was attacked by assassins! Ni hindi man lang ako nakapagsabon!" Padabog niyang inilapag ang baso sa malapit na mesa bago hilutin ang sentido niya. 

"I mean, just what the fuck did I do so wrong?" I rolled my eyes at him before standing up to face him. He's been like that for days at naririndi na ako. Minsan gusto ko na lang  salpakan ng medyas ang bibig niya para tumahimik siya.

"If the Gods knew their chosen archpriest is cursing like that, they'd be disappointed." Palatak ko sa kanya. He gave me a side-eye before crossing his legs. 

"If the Gods knew their chosen saintess have sexual tendencies, they'll be ashamed." He countered. I scoffed.

Sexual tendencies, my ass! Of course, he believed that a nymph cursed me! 

"How about you leave and go back to your quarters?" Umiling siya kaya pinagkunutan ko siya ng noo. 

"Are you saying you will stay here and pester me?" He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm afraid every corner of my room is full of assassins trying to kill me. I'm even reluctant to eat any food, thinking it was poisoned." Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. 

He's hopeless. 

"Can you please convince him to stop attempting to kill me? As far as I can remember, I did not do him wrong!" Pagmamaktol pa nito. A few seconds later, his brows furrowed like he suddenly thought of something. 

"Is he damn mad because of that?" He whispered as he gasped. Pinalakpak niya ang kanyang mga kamay habang nakabusangot ang mukha. "But it was just a dream! Nothing happened!" Patuloy niyang paghihimutok. 

"If you want to live comfortably without a knife pointed at your neck, confront him. Stop being a nuisance!" Suhestyon ko bago ayusin ang manipis ne belo sa ulo ko. 

Today, I wore a maroon temple dress and a thin veil embroidered with intricate golden flower patterns. This clothing is comparable to Chinese traditional dramas they call hanfu, but at the same time, it has a touch of Renaissance style. 

A magical transparent veil covered my head. With this, my physical appearance will change into another person. I will activate it to hide my identity when I enter the carriage.

"I will be heading out. You have my permission to stay here for the time being. Fifteen, make sure to cater to his needs." Nakangiting tumango naman sa akin si Fifteen bago isuot sa likuran ko ang makapal na coat. 

"Take care, Your Holiness." I nod before leaving my quarters. 

I heard Dominique yapping about something, but I ignored him. He sounds like an annoying mosquito I wanted to swat. Gwapong lamok lang siguro. Baka willing ka pa magpakagat at magpasipsip sa kanya. 

"Good afternoon, Your Holiness. You look breathtaking." Carnel praised as he guided me inside the carriage. Binigyan ko siya ng tipid na ngiti. 

Yeah, Carnel is officially my knight, just as he requested. I just don't summon him for duty too often because of the matters I must do in secret. 

When we left the temple gates, I motioned my hands to incorporate my mana into the magic veil, activating it to change my appearance. 

"Have you found the background of the child I asked you to investigate?" Tanong ko kay Carnel na kasalukuyang nasa harap hawak ang tali ng kabayo. 

"I pulled some strings in the Public Registration Office, but a name Cai doesn't exist in any noble households in the empire," he answered. "I also asked some guilds to look for him based on his physical characteristics and still, no one was able to know who or where he is," dagdag niya pa. 

Napahalumbaba na lang ako sa binatana habang nakatingin sa tanawin sa labas. How can that be? The way he dressed says that he came from a noble family. Even the way he eats shows that he has taken etiquette classes. His words were formal and articulate. He can't lie about his hobby being a disappointment to his parents because his eyes clearly show pain. 

"Where do you want to go, Your Holiness?" I tilt my head, looking at the nearby shops across the street. Nahagip ng mata ko ang mga batang may marungis na mukha at damit. They were looking at the freshly made tanghulu candy stall. Mukhang gutom na ang mga ito at takam na takam ng kumain. 

"You can stop here." Tumigil ang karuwahe. Maya-maya ay bumukas ang pinto at inalalayan akong bumaba ni Carnel. 

"Your Holiness—your face. . ." I handed him my bracelet. He gave me a puzzled look. 

"Pawn it in the nearby shop and give every street children you'll find a food to eat. Buy an abandoned house for them to sleep in. They can't be sleeping on the cold floor in this winter weather." Utos ko. 

"And if they asked where it came from, tell them it's from the archduke." Hindi ko na hinintay pa ang magiging sagot niya dahil alam kong magtatanong siya. 

I left the carriage and took a stroll around. It baffles me how rich people are getting richer and the poor ones are getting poorer. Those who claim that the Khehan Empire is prosperous have never set foot outside the capital, where the slums are located. 

The Emperor is righteous. There's no doubt about it. But his officials are corrupt, and even the Empress is an opportunistic bitch who only aims to bring glory to her former Household. The nobilities are even worse. They only establish feeding or housing programs during election months and ignore them after they get what they want. 

Lumiko ako sa kabilang kanto kung saan ko matatagpuan ang lugar na pakay ko. When I entered the establishment, I was greeted by a lady dressed in a pink lolita waitress dress. She smiled at me warmheartedly. "Welcome to Yesterday's Pastry Shop, My lady!" Tumango na lang ako bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob. 

Inikot ko ang mata ko at napataas ang kilay ko nang makitang nakaupo sa dulo si Levine habang may kausap na babae. Hindi ko makita ang mukha ng kausap niya dahil nakatalikod ito sa akin, pero sa seryoso ng mukha ni Levine habang kausap ito'y sa tingin ko nasa kalagitnaan sila ng isang importanteng diskusyon. 

I sat in the chair and waited for the waiter to take my order. Pagdaan ng ilang segundo ay may lumapit sa aking lalaki. "May I have the honor to take my lady's orders?" Magalang nitong tanong. 

"Le venin cupcake." Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko. Nang makabawi sa gulat ay muli niya akong nginitian. 

"I'm sorry, but we don't have that cupcake on the menu, My lady." Rumolyo kagaad ang mata ko. 

Playing innocent, eh? 

"I'd like to have Le venin cupcake paired with a foxglove juice." Sa pagkakataong ito ay biglang sumeryoso ang mukha niya. 

"Then please come with me, my lady." Tumayo ako at sinundan siya paakyat sa ikalawang palapag ng pastry shop. 

Yesterday's Pastry Shop is spacious; it never ran out of space for its customers. Many noble men tried to rent the second floor for exclusive parties and events. However, the second floor is restricted. It is said that the second floor is where the owner resides, so people who are allowed to go there are only the workers and business partners. Those who would be forced even to take a look would be banned until they die. 

The waiter stood in front of the enormous door and knocked three times. "Madame, someone wanted to see you." After saying those words, he opened the door for me. So I came in. 

Pagpasok ko ay bumungad sa akin ang nakikislapang ilaw mula sa repleskyon ng mga dyamanteng nakabitin sa chandelier. It blinded me for a second, dahilan upang maipikit ko ang mga mata ko. 

"It's been a while since a lady has come to have a transaction with me." Naimulat  ko ang mga mata ko. When my eyes adjusted to the room's lighting, I gazed at the woman sitting on a royal blue couch. She was sipping a cup of brewed coffee. 

"Please be seated." Umupo ako sa harapan niya. I scanned her from head to foot. She was a woman in her mid-30s. Kahit may ka-edaran na siya ay wala kang makikitang ni isang blackheads or wrinkles sa mukha niya. She was gorgeous for her age.

"I believe you're not here just to check me out, do you?" I chuckled upon her question. Kinuha ko ang mainit-init na kapeng nasa harapan ko at sinimsim ito habang nakatingin sa kanya. 

"I wanted to sell an information." Nahuli ko ang pagtaas ng kaliwang kilay niya. Nilapag niya ang tasa sa mesa. She looked at me sheepishly, as if my statement raised a suspicion. 

"People who usually come here wanted some valuable information, and you, on the other hand, wanted to sell information?" Nginisihan ko siya. 

Yesterday's Pastry Shop is known for its superb pastries and delicacies. Their food was sought by the nobles in the empire. This is where most of the social elites gather and dine. But behind their image was an organization that collects information. But of course, only a few people knew about this. 

"So, are you willing to listen or not?" I raised my pinky finger while holding the cup. 

"May I ask who is the person involved with this information?" She asked. 

"The saintess." Kumurap ito bago umayos ng upo. Her body language tells me that she is interested. 

Why wouldn't she? They barely have any information about me. "The saintess had an oracle. The forbidden fruit had ripened and would rise as a new tree that would withstand the winds and storms. The chosen one will uproot the rotten trees in the forest and restore balance in the ecosystem." Mahaba kong lintaya. 

"What does that mean?" Taka nitong tanong sa sarili. 

"In simple terms, the illegitimate son of the emperor was alive. The oracle means his reign will dismiss the monarchy's corruption and restore peace between neighboring empires." She fell into deep thought. Pinanood ko lang ang reaksyon sa mukha niya. By the looks of it, the information I gave piqued her interest, but she was doubtful. 

"How will I confirm that this oracle was truly from the saintess when the temple didn't announce it?" I flick my fingers, removing my mana infused with the magical veil. Nahulog ang belo sa ulo ko at nakita niya ang totoong hitsura ko. 

"You—" Nilapag ko ang tasa ng kape sa mesa bago itukod ang kamay ko upang dumukwang papalapit sa kanya. 

"I am the saintess herself. Why would I put my name in harm's way if it wasn't true?" This time, she looks convinced. 

"However, this information will raise a rebellion. This will threaten the present crown prince's position and might gain the attention of the households against the reign of the Emperor." Komento niya—which is precisely what I want to happen. 

"Then so be it." Buong pasya kong wika. Kumunot ang noo niya na para bang hindi makapaniwala sa naging tugon ko.

"But if this oracle is proven fake, your life will be in danger." Tumango-tango ako. I've expected it to happen. I know what to do if ever. 

"That's alright. I am but a messenger of God. There's no way I would make things up. What would it benefit me anyway?" Walang gana kong wika rito. 

"However, don't you think it's rude of you?" Pag-aagaw ko ng pansin niya. "What do you mean?" She answered. Tumayo ako mula sa kinauupuan ko upang lumapit sa kanya. I stood in front of her, leaned my right hand on the backrest of the couch, and raised my left leg in between her thighs. 

"I have revealed my true identity, don't you think you have to reveal yours too?" Pangungutya ko rito habang diretsong nakatingin sa mga mata niya. Ang kanang kamay ko ay nakasandal pa rin malapit sa leeg niya. "Or do you want me to tell everyone who you are?" She pursed her lips, unsure what to say—but bewildered at some point. 

"Must I say that the owner of Yesterday's Pastry Shop is not a woman but a man who plays a significant role in the court?" I taunted. She gulped, but the vigor in her eyes intensified. 

"Am I right, Your Honor?" I leaned in closer to whisper on his ears. "Or should I say, Judex Caelus Lamborne?" I felt his body stiffened. Napansin ko rin ang pagbabago ng kasuotan niya at ang panunuot ng panibagong amoy sa ilong ko. Sa tingin ko'y binalik na rin niya ang totoong anyo niya. 

My mouth parted open when I removed my face from his neck to stare back at him. Ang unang napansin ko ay ang kulay ng buhok niya. He has dark hair with two to three streaks of white. His eyes had the same misty grey eyes as Cai and wore the same specs! And when I looked at his left chest, my eyes widened. The snowflake brooch! 

"Y-you—" Wala akong maapuhap na salita. 

How can I forget an important detail about him? His power involves changing his gender and age. He can quickly morph into an old man or a child! That's why even Carnel couldn't find him! 

Napasinghap ako nang hapitin niya ang bewang ko, dahilan upang mapaupo ako sa kandungan niya. Nagtagpo ang aming mga mata at halos maliyo ako dahil sa lapit ng mukha namin sa isa't isa. 

"So, shall we get married?" I bit my lower lip. 

I came here to sell information! Not to have another marriage proposal!

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