CLEA

I smiled as I plucked the stem of a rose in the garden, deliberately pricking my finger. Pinanood ko lang paano tumulo ang dugo ko mula sa sugat na natamo ko sa tinik. It stinged a little, but it was nothing.

"Y-your Holiness!" The maid beside me panicked. Nilingon ko siya at nakita ko ang hindi niya mapakaling mukha. She looks really worried, or was she only worried because she might lose her life once Ferocious found out I hurt myself?

I took the wounded finger in my mouth to suck on my blood. Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa kabuoan ng hardin. They call this the Historical Royal Garden, preserved and maintained for almost a century. It was mainly adorned with trimmed bushes, different colors of roses, and a couple of lilies in the man-made ponds.

Despite the winter tide, when roses are most delicate, they are still taken care of meticulously.

"Why, isn't it the Holy Saintess?" I stopped admiring the beautiful view when I heard a devious voice behind me. How sad such a breathtaking garden walk to be disturbed by an unwelcomed visitor.

Kumubli ang isang ngiti sa labi ko bago lingunin ang pinagmulan ng boses na iyon. I bowed my head lighty to pay my distasteful respect to the most sinister person in this novel. The Empress. She was with her maid and a few guards to accompany her.

"Your Majesty." I greeted. I saw scorn in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared as she faked a laugh. "Are you enjoying the view of the garden?" I nod my head.

Yes, until you ruined it.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Saglit akong tumigil sa pagsasalita upang sumulyap sa kabuoan ng hardin.

"I was surprised how these roses strived despite the heavy snow storms. To whom do we owe the brilliance behind this magnificent landscape design? It is truly unparalleled, a sight the likes of which I have never beheld before." I praised. She looked at me, ever so proud and pleased.

"Keen eye. I diligently nurtured this garden and renovated it for a better landscape. I sought help for the garden fairies for every changing season." She spoke as she walked with me through the aisle of the garden.

I scoffed in my head. She meticulously seeks help from the garden fairies? If I was someone who hadn't known of her character, I would be fooled. But I knew she kidnapped them and forcefully extracted their mana to support the garden's blooms.

This was just one example of why one shouldn't judge a person based on their flowery words, just as how the beauty of this garden didn't reflect the true nature and intentions of its caretaker.

She pretends to be sweet and sophisticated, but in reality, she's just an envious schemer.

"What's your favorite flower, Your Majesty?" I asked, trying to change the topic. She turned her head in my direction before scanning my face.

"The ugly ones are my favorite." Napataas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. "You see, the most beautiful flowers are the deadliest ones." Makahulugan nitong dagdag.

"Though some flowers may possess medicinal properties, many also harbor potent poisons within their petals and leaves." She argued. Wala sa sarili akong napangisi nang makuha ko na kaagad kung ano ang ipinupunto niya.

I plucked a white rose along the way. Sinadya kong muling masugatan ang daliri ko. Napasinghal ako nang maramdaman ang konting hapdi nito. Kaagad na napatigil ang empress sa paglalakad upang lumingon sa akin. My blood fell on the neat petal of the flower.

"A white rose signifies purity and innocence. Though it is a basic flower that helps one with depression and aging, it contains a bit of poison in its thorns that causes swelling when pricked." Inabot ko ang rosas sa maid na nakasunod sa akin bago humakbang papalapit sa empress.

I wanted to point out something that her muddled mind couldn't comprehend.

"Roses are nothing compared to the beautiful chrysanthemums, the daffodils, or tulips, but they have their own poisons for defense, Your Majesty." I smiled at her and opened my left arm to urge her to walk with me again.

"Women are as unique as flowers, Your Majesty. We are to be admired for our individuality, not judged for our appearance. Each of us possesses our own strengths and beauty. Every one of us holds power in our own unique way." I gracefully explained, trying my best not to be sarcastic in front of her.

And God, I wanted to applaud myself for the amount of restraint that I had to avoid strangling her.

"Are you trying to lecture me?" Diretso nitong tanong. Mababanaag ang diin at pagkainsulto sa boses.

See? Just because she was the empress, she refused to take other's opinions. She wants to be always right. Amoy magulang na ayaw magpadaig sa mga anak nila kahit alam nilang mali sila. All because of their pride, they refused to yield.

"I dare not, Your Majesty." Depensa ko sa sarili ko bago muling tumigil sa paglalakad upang yumuko at magbigay paumanhin sa kung ano mang ka-OA-han niya.

"How about you, the Prophet of the Empire? What's your favorite flower?" Sa pagkakataong ito ay hindi ko na naitago ang paglitaw ng ngisi sa labi ko.

"I love a flower named Lily of the Valley, Your Majesty." Natigilan ito sa paglalakad. Kahit ang maid at kawal na nakasunod sa likuran namin ay kapwa rin nagulat sa narinig.

They were aware of what that flower symbolizes. Considering how I boldly claim it as my favorite flower in front of the Empress, it is viewed as an insult. "It signifies defiance against oppression and rebellion against the tyrannical laws." Muli ay kumubli ang isang ngiti sa labi ko.

"Stunning flower, is it not, Your Majesty?" Nahuli kaagad ng mga mata ko ang pag-igting ng mga mata niya. Again, she forced another smile.

"You seemed to know quite a lot about flowers." May diin nitong sagot.

Our conversation may seem nothing but greetings and pleasantries to others, but we were merely trying to know each other's intentions.

I revealed my motive through my choice of flower, the Lily of the Valley—a way of throwing shade, royal style. Because I know that flower is historically equivalent to rebellion.

And her? She was anxious because once Ferocious married me, I would become the Empress, and she would no longer have the title and power to do anything she pleased.

It simply displeases her to be around someone with a higher position than her.

"The snow is getting heavy. If we don't take shelter soon, we might be caught in a storm that could lead to an untimely end. We don't want that to happen, right?" She smiled at me before raising her hand to signal her knight to guide her out of the Royal Garden.

Huling ngiti mo na yan simula ng araw na 'to, gaga.

I was about to part ways with her when a woman approached me. "Your Holiness, her Highness the Princess wanted an audience with you in the Greenhouse." Iginulong ko ang mga mata ko sa naging turan nito.

Kaka-meet ko lang sa nanay niyang kampon ni satanas tapos ngayon makikipagkita naman ako sa anak niyang isa pang demonyita? Talagang sinusubukan ni Charm ang pasensya ko nitong mga nagdaang araw.

Labag man sa kalooban ko ay sinundan ko ang maid patungo sa Greenhouse na sinasabi niya. At habang naglalakad ako ay hindi ko maiwasang mapahalakhak nang maalala ang nangyari noong huli naming pagkikita.

Oh, the drama! Watching her tears because her brother chose to side with me instead of her? Pure satisfaction. I'd love to see her making that face once again.

"Your Highness, I bought her Holiness with me." Yumuko ito bago lumabas ng Greenhouse. Nabalik ako sa realidad.

Oh, I must've zoned out with my thoughts while I was following her. Hindi ko man lang namalayan na nakarating na pala ako rito.

Tinapunan ko ng tingin si Felecity na prenteng nakaupo habang sumisimsim ng tsaa. Her face looks relaxed and happy. Her royal dress and hair, adorned with different accessories and ornaments, matched her mood today.

Hindi ko hinintay ang kung ano mang kapalstikan niyang pagbati sa akin. Umupo ako sa silya bago ipagkrus ang braso ko. I gave her a smug look, hinting her that whatever the heck she plans to do or say will be a complete waste of my time.

"Does staying out in the temple too long make you lose respect and etiquette?" I grinned at her sudden outburst. She's not hiding her real personality this time.

"Oh?" I hummed, raising my hand to pour tea for myself. "Shouldn't I be the one saying that?" I glanced at her. Nagtagpo ang tingin naming dalawa.

"If your brother married me, I will become the new Empress. My status and prestige will be higher than yours." Pinulot ko ang maliit na kutsara sa mesa at ginamit itong panghalo sa tsaa na nasa tasa.

"We will become a family. You should start calling me sister-in-law." Tumiim ang bagang niya. Pabagsak niyang nilapag ang tsaa na hawak niya at pinanlisikan ako ng mata.

"How dare a filthy woman like you shamelessly claim to deserve my brother's love and revere? You are nothing but a scheming woman who wants power!" She snapped. Her intense sapphire blue eyes bore into me, filled with a silent rage as if she had already sentenced me to death in her thoughts.

"Scheming, you say?" I tilted my head and smirked, observing her reaction as she became increasingly provoked.

"At least I am not desperate for attention and validation. I am not a pitiful princess who was deprived of love and affirmation." Kumuyom ang kamay niyang nakapatong sa ibabaw ng pabilog na mesa.

"How does it feel like? Even on your dear father's deathbed, he never once praised you. Your mother who cared nothing but to increase the House of Sergi's wealth and influence. Let's not forget your brother, so engrossed with his experiments, he probably won't notice if you vanish in thin air." I snickered.Tinigil ko ang paglalaro ng kutsara sa tsaa bago siya sulyapan.

"Aren't you just a princess famous for being useless?" Mabilis niyang dinampot ang dinner knife bago tumingkayad palapit sa direksyon ko upang itutok ito sa panga ko.

Looks like the truth is hard for her to swallow.

"Aren't you afraid I cut your tongue and slit your throat for insulting me?" I gave her the sweetest smile that would irritate her even more. Ang nanlilisik niyang mga mata at namumulang mukha ay nagdudulot ng kakaibang saya sa akin.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niyang may hawak ng dinner knife. I guided her hand and positioned it near my mouth. Inilabas ko ang dila ko upang salubungin ang malamig na blade ng kutsilyo. Inangat ko ang tingin ko sa kanya nang may nakangising mga mata.

She immediately removed her hand from the knife and looked at me like I was a madwoman who had just escaped from a mental ward. "Y-you. . ." Nilaro ko sa pagitan ng daliri ko ang kutsilyong hawak niya kanina.

"You can cut my tongue and slit my throat, but do you think your brother will let you escape?" Panunuya ko bago itarak ang kutsilyo sa mesa. Tumayo ako upang mapantayan ang tangkad niya.

"Your brother will always choose me, Felecity, and you know why?" I taunted, looking at her straight in the eye. "Because cum is always thicker than blood." Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong huwag matawa dahil sa naging hitsura niya matapos marinig ang rebat ko sa kanya.

"Well then, if you have no interesting things to say, I shall leave." Ginawaran ko siya ng isang mapanuksong ngiti bago maglakad paalis, subalit hindi pa man ako tuluyang nakakalayo ay bigla akong napahinto dahil sa sunod na sinabi niya.

"His Grace, Vladimir Rognvaldur, has sent me his betrothal gifts. He has agreed to marry me to honor the late Archduke's request and to clear the House of Rognvaldur's name." She sneered. Kumunot kaagad ang noo ko.

The heck is he planning?

"We will be married the same day with you and my brother, double celebration! Isn't that great news?" I licked my lips as I tried to process my thoughts.

Was she expecting me to get jealous? Might as well give her something to overthink about. Ginusto niya yan e.

"Then I wish you the best. I just hoped his grace would adore and worship you as he did to me as a saint." I stormed out of the Greenhouse. Hindi ko na narinig ang kung ano mang sinabi niya dahil napuno na ng katanungan ang isipan ko.

He's marrying her? He tried hard to break away from his engagement with her, and now he wants it back? What bullshit is he cooking?

Natagpuan ko na lang ang sarili kong nakahiga sa aking silid habang hinihintay na lumipas ang oras. I didn't even notice it was already dark. Nalaman ko lang na gabi na noong dinalhan ako ng maid ng pagkain.

Ah, don't tell me I'm actually thinking about what lies behind the continuation of their marriage? Ano ba pakialam ko? Ano ba karapatan ko?

Wala akong contact sa kahit na sinong myembro ng Kiffyderasyon dahil bantay sarado ako ni Ferocious dito sa palasyo. I have my own plans, but I still need to know their situations for some alterations. Hindi ako pwede magpadalos-dalos sa gagawin ko.

"You should never open your windows, especially at night." Nahigit ko ang hininga ko. Mabilis na hinanap ng mga mata ko ang pinanggalingan ng boses na iyon. The baritone voice that used to whisper deep moans in my ears.

Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata ko dahil iyon kaagad ang pumasok sa isip ko sa oras nang marinig ko ang boses niya. Really? Ganyan ka na ka El niño, Clea? Tuyong-tuyo na talaga ante?

Nagtagpo ang paningin naming dalawa. My eyes landed on his almost disrobed nightwear. Medyo maluwag ang ribbon sa bewang niya at lumuluwa ang matipuno niyang dibdib mula sa kwelyo ng kulay puting roba na suot niya.

His messy jet-black hair complimented his sharp red eyes, which stared down at my body as he adjusted to sit on the window frame. Napatingin ako sa sarili ko. I was only wearing a thin nightgown underneath my thick robe.

I cleared my throat, shifting my gaze somewhere else. I should not act as if his presence affects me. "What brings you here?" I asked, turning my back on him, and proceeded to sit on my bed.

"I am absolutely fine. How about you?" He answered sarcastically. Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko. Hinila ko ang kumot ko upang takpan ang ibabang bahagi ng katawan ko dahil nararamdaman ko ang panunuot ng lamig sa katawan ko dulot ng nakabukas na bintana.

"You shouldn't be here." Animo'y walang pake kong wika habang inaayos ang pagkakalugay ng buhok ko. "You have a fiance." Dugtong ko.

He nonchalantly shut the windows, drawing the thick curtains to cover them completely. "You think I care?" He mused, walking towards my direction with his eyes glued on me.

"I am also betrothed to the Crown Prince, Your Grace." Taimtim ko lang siyang tinitigan hanggang sa umupo siya dulo ng higaan ko. His intoxicating scent lingered in my nose.

"Like I said, I don't care." Our gazes locked, and at the spur of the moment, I felt the urge to push him into the bed and kiss him—aggressively. But no, we're not in the right time and place for that.

I wanted to talk to him to ask about their situation and discuss my plans, but now that he was in front of me, my mind went completely blank. All the questions I pondered for days disappeared.

"I—" Napakurap ako nang makaramdam ng pananakit ng ulo ko.

I exhaled a sharp breath. Mahigpit akong napahawak sa kumot. My body was engulfed in searing heat as if my organs were being consumed by flames from within. This agony was all too familiar to me.

Don't tell me. . . Charm! Inamoka talaga!

"How long have you been suppressing yourself?" I shut my eyes closed. Ang paraan ng pagtanong nito sa akin ay madiin, subalit mahihimigan ang panunuyo sa boses. It was firm, but gentle and kind.

"Do you need my help?" Napasinghal ako. Why does he sound like that? More importantly, what the heck is this sudden turn of events?

Minulat ko ang mga mata ko. I can hear him mumbling something, but I have turned deaf. My mind was already escaping from reality, getting lost in the delirium of fantasies.

I was having an apodyopsis. The act of mentally undressing him without even realizing it.

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