Hi! This chapter is dedicated to @ayamnanabee and @Gf_ng-FL for getting me worked up with the flood comments kaya sinipag ako magsulat. I have also completed the outline of this story, and we only have 15 more chapters to go before the ending. Thank you so much for patiently waiting, enjoy!

CLEA

I patiently raised my arms sideways while the royal tailor tried to take the measurements for the wedding dress on my body. Ipinukol ko ang tingin ko kay Ferocious na abala sa pagbuklat ng catalogue upang pumili ng design ng wedding suit na susuotin niya.

"Are the designs not to your liking, Your Majesty?" Magalang na tanong ng mananahi sa kanya. Ferocious looked up, his left hand on his chin as if he was deeply thinking of something that puzzled him.

"No, the designs were quite good. I just had the trouble of thinking a good color combination." He shot a glance at me and smiled. "Do you have any suggestion, my love?" Gusto ko ngumiwi dahil sa endearment na ginamit niya, pero kinagat ko na lang ang ibabang bahagi ko upang pigilan ang sarili ko.

Come on, Clea. A handsome man is calling you my love. You should feel butterflies in your stomach instead of bats!

"I think gold and black would be fine," I responded. He nodded his head and closed the catalog. "You heard her, gold and black it is." Tumango-tango ang mananahi, bakas sa mukha nito ang saya. It must've been an honor for her to make the clothes for our wedding.

"Oh, look at the time. I still have an appointment to attend to." Tumayo si Ferocious. He walked towards me and kissed my hair. "I will be back soon. Make yourself busy, okay?" I smiled and watched him leave my room.

"His Majesty must've loved you so much, Your Holiness." Komento ng mananahi na kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay Freya ang pangalan. She looks a bit older than me, but is considered the youngest most saught tailor in the empire.

"What made you say so?" Binaba ko ang braso ko nang tapos na niya kunin ang sukat ko. I went to sit on the couch and poured myself a tea.

"I've never seen His Majesty look at someone with so much adoration." Natawa ako sa isipan ko. Maybe she never saw him look like a deranged lunatic adoring his experiments for God knows what reason.

"You seem to observe him from time to time." Mabilis siyang napayuko. Fear crossed her eyes. "N-no, Your Holiness. Please forgive my rudeness. I dare not gaze at His Majesty, even from afar." I crossed my legs and kept my eyes on her, unbothered by her words but curious about her behavior.

"Do you like Ferocious?" Dahil sa naging tanong ko ay napatunghay siya. Nang magtagpo ang paningin naming dalawa ay nakuha ko kaagad ang sagot na gusto ko.

"Y-your Holiness, I—I'm sorry, I dare not covet your spouse!" Tuluyan na itong lumuhod sa harapan ko kaya napasapo na ako ng noo. Isn't she overreacting too much? I may consider myself as the new villainess, but I am in no way a love-driven crazy bitch who is head over heels with her fiancee.

But well, since I orchestrated this stage play, I might as well play that role to avoid people's suspicions. "Believing you have the credentials to grab his attention is laughable. Worrying about it is just a waste of your time." Pabagsak kong nilapag ang teacup na hawak ko, dahilan upang mapapitlag siya mula sa pagkakaupo.

"You see, I dislike people who think highly of themselves." Tumayo ako upang lapitan siya mula sa kinaroroonan niya. I leaned down and lifted her chin. Hindi siya makatingin sa akin nang maayos kaya napangisi ako.

"If I were you, I would stop looking at him before I decide to gouge your eyes out and tear your hands so you could kiss your tailor business goodbye," I whispered. Her lips trembled in horror as if my words were carefully etched on her mind.

"F-forgive me, Your Holiness! I beg of you, please have mercy on me! T-tailoring is my only hobby! It is the only thing I can do to support my family! So, please! Please. . ." Her eyes began to glisten in tears. It wasn't fake tears; it was purely out of fear that her life support would be cut off by me.

Matapos ng walang humpay niyang paghingi ng paumanhin at pagmamakaawa habang naglalandas ang mga luha sa mukha niya ay tumawa lang ako. Bumalik ako mula sa kinauupuan ko at muling sumimsim ng tsaa.

"Well, aren't you lucky I'm feeling generous? Consider yourself off the hook... for now." Matapos ko iyong sabihin ay mabilis niyang niyuko ang ulo niya hanggang dumikit ang noo niya sa sahig. Her shoulders were shaking. "Thank you! Thank you, Your Holiness!" Minuwestra ko ang kamay ko na parang tinataboy siya.

"Now, scram." She hurriedly stood up and picked up her things before bowing and leaving my room teary-eyed. I pursed my lips when I remembered her pitiful face.

Was I too harsh? Maybe I was, but who cares? It's for the better. I need to act in love and be obsessive.

"I finally found you." I stilled when I heard someone's voice inside my room. Inikot ko ang paningin ko at may nakita akong ibon sa higaan ko. It looks like an adult hawk with golden eyes.

Akmang magsasalita na ako nang lumiwanag ang buong katawan nito. Napanganga na lang ako nang bumungad sa akin si Dominique na walang saplot sa katawan. "Wow." was the only word that escaped from my mouth. Mabilis niyang hinablot ang kumot ko sa higaan upang takpan ang ibabang bahagi ng katawan niya.

Birdy ba yun or sawa?

I cleared my throat, "Why are you covering yourself? I already seen it once." I teased. He hissed. Nakita ko ang pamumula ng tenga niya kaya napahalakhak ako.

"You've only seen it in your dreams!" I raised an eyebrow and studied his expression. He turned his head sideways, slightly embarrassed. But more importantly, his eyes weren't covered this time; he seemed extra expressive with those gorgeous eyes.

"Was it a dream?" Umingos lang ito habang tinatali nang maayos ang dulo ng kumot sa bewang niya. He started to walk towards me, brushing his messy hair—flashing his pack of abs. Truly, what a godlike appearance.

"I took all the danger to come here only to end up getting teased?" Hindi makapaniwala nitong atugal na para bang nagsisisi itong ibinuwis niya ang buhay niya para lang mapuntahan ako rito.

"So what do I owe you the pleasure?" His forehead knotted. Nang makalapit siya ay naamoy ko kaagad ang kakaibang amoy niya na mas mabango pa sa natural na halimuyak ng bulaklak.

Umupo siya sa upuan sa tapat ko bago dumekwat ng butter cookies sa maliit na platito. Patay gutom talaga 'to.

"So, how are you?" Napa-poker face ako sa sinabi niya. Our time is only limited. Wala kami sa posisyon para magkamustahan ngayon.

"Did that bastard harm you in any way?" Sunod niyang tanong. Umiling ako.

"I am well. Everything is going according to my plan. Kayo? Anong plano niyo ng Kiffyderasyon?" Napatigil siya sa pagkagat ng cookie na para bang naguluhan sa sinabi ko.

"Kiffyderasyon?" He asked, confused. Napatikhim ako nang ma-realize ko kung ano sinabi ko.

"I mean, what are you guys up to lately?" I clarified. Kinumpas ko ang kamay ko upang maglagay ng soundproof barrier.

He turned his head in my direction."We have been informed that your wedding will take place after Ferocious' Coronation Ceremony. Will you be having a double wedding with the Archduke?" I responded with a nod. They are pretty all-knowing. I guess they have spies around the palace.

"Levine has been gathering information from the nobles in the Gigolo House, while Judex Lamborne is in charge of investigating Zeev and your involvement with the Emperor's death." Mahabang lintaya nito.

"And then?"

"Carnel infiltrated the palace as a knight to learn their tactical plan. Knights and Outlaws under the command of Zeev have been deployed all across the empire. The plan is to stop your wedding and raise awareness in every corner of the empire of Ferocious immoral actions toward the massacre of the temple." I tilt my head in amusement. They are undoubtedly capable of working as a group.

Must I assume they are doing this for justice? Or because of me? How would they react if they knew I was only using them for my grand plan of destroying this empire?

"I have a favor to ask of you, Your Excellency." I caught his eyes rolling upon my statement. "What's with the formalities all of a sudden? You've been speaking too informally since I arrived." I let out a soft chuckle before I stood up from the couch to approach him.

"I need you to do something for me." Nang makarating ako sa harapan niya ay bahagya siyang napatingala. I saw him biting his lower lip as if seeing me looking down on him gave him a different feeling.

"I'm all ears." He replied, a handsome smirk plastered on his lips.

Isinandal ko ang kaliwang palad ko sa sandalan ng upuan niya bago ipatong ang kaliwang tuhod ko sa pagitan ng hita niya. I held the right armrest with my other hand to corner him. Narinig ko kaagad ang paglalim ng hininga niya. I felt him tensed up as our eyes met with only a few inches away from each other.

"D-do you have to do this?" Hindi ako sumagot, bagkus ay tinitigan ko lang siya. Of course, I had to do it this way; it's a Honey Trap for a reason.

"On the auspicious time of the wedding ceremony, I want you to destroy the barrier that protects the empire against the beast of the void." Kurap lang ang naging sagot niya sa akin. Kapagkuwan ay nakita ko ang pagiging seryoso ng ekspresyon ng mukha niya.

"You want me to commit genocide and let unknown monsters of the void destroy and kill the people of the empire?" He grabbed my waist, forcing me to sit on his lap. His dilated eyes bore into mine with a glint of accusations. Well, I know what he's thinking.

In his eyes, I'm an abused saintess, deprived of her own decisions and forced to be the temple's whore. I was accused of treason and was bound to get executed—I was only able to get away by marrying Ferocious.

He must've thought I was only cooperating with them to prove my innocence and free myself from this unsightly situation. That's why when I asked him to destroy the barrier, he thought I was driven by revenge and wanted to involve the innocents—which is true somehow, just for a different reason.

But does it matter? In the original novel, he is driven by jealousy. He does the same thing. He destroyed the barrier, which caused a blood flood during winter tide. It was one of his accomplishments as the second villain.

This time, she wanted to be the one who caused it. "You have your plans. I have mine. I only need a distraction." Pangungumbinsi ko sa kanya. However, he doesn't seem convinced by those words.

"A distraction for what?" He chided. It seemed there was no way to convince him by trying to act dominantly; I did what I did best. To act.

He stilled when he saw desperation in my eyes, a trick that was enough to break his resolve.

You can't say no to those silver eyes, can you? You can't stand a chance watching this desperate and pitiful expression, right?

He gulped, breaking an eye contact with me. "I will take it into consideration." Aniya habang mariin na nakapikit ang mga mata. While his eyes were closed, a triumphant smile crept on my lips. Gotcha.

"Well then, I have to go." Kinuha niya ang kamay kong nakapatong sa armrest ng upuan at dinala ito malapit sa bibig niya upang halikan. "Take care of yourself. We will do our best to prove your innosence and overthrow that mad emperor." He says with barely a few centimiters near my lips.

Napatikhim ako nang may maramdamang matigas na bagay sa hita ko, at saka ko lang naalala na nakaupo pala ako sa kandungan niya at tanging kumot lang ang nakatakip sa lightsaber niya.

Mabilis akong tumayo at tinalikuran siya. Narinig ko naman ang mahina niyang pagtawa. Matapos ng ilang segundo ay naulunigan ko na lang ang tunog ng pagpagaspas ng ibon palabas ng bintana ng kwarto ko.

Pinulot ko na lang ang kumot ko sa sahig. Ititiklop ko na sana ito para ibalik sa kama ko nang nanuot sa ilong ko ang amoy ni Dominique na mukhang kumapit sa kumot ko. I flicked my finger to burn it. I can't let him be suspicious of me, not until our wedding.

Naglakad ako patungo sa higaan ko upang sana ay magpahinga nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto ko at iniluwa roon si Ferocious. He was holding a tray with a bowl of medicine with a smile on his face.

Ngunit biglang naglaho ang ngiti sa labi niya. Maharas niyang binalibag ang tray sa lapag, dahilan upang mapakislot ako sa kinatatayuan ko dahil sa gulat.

Malalaking hakbang ang tinahak niya papalapit sa gawi ko, at napasinghap na lang ako nang hapitin ng kaliwang kamay niya ang leeg ko upang sakalin. I felt my back leaning against the wall with him in front of me choking me under his piercing gaze.

"Your room smells like a man. Who came in here?" Dumagungdong ang malakas na boses niya sa apat na sulok ng kwarto ko. I let out a sharp breath, gasping for air.

Dominique must have left a lingering smell in my room. But hell, how sensitive is his nose? I could barely even smell it!

"I only left you for a few minutes, and you're seeing another man in my palace? Just how daring are you, huh?" Napangisi ako sa kaloob-looban ko. His expression looks like a monstrous beast ready to consume his prey at any moment.

He is finally showing his true colors.

"Y-your Majesty—"His grip on my neck was getting tighter every second, but I couldn't care less. Sa sitwasyong ito ay dapat kumakabog ang dibdib ko sa kaba dahil baka malagutan ako ng hininga sa higpit ng pagkakasakal niya, pero imbis matakot ay nakaramdam pa ako ng saya.

I just found an opening and will take this chance to manipulate him.

"Tell me, who came in here? I will have his head served on the table!" He roared, pressing his finger on my skin.

"Can't you hear me? Are your ears just for decoration? I swear—" Napatigil siya sa pagsasalita nang makitang nangingilid ang luha sa mga mata ko.

His fury, like a blade against the highest mountain peaks, suddenly yielded like a torrent of concentrated water. Biglang lumambot ang mga mata nito nang makita ang isa-isang pagpatak ng mga luha sa pisngi ko.

Kaagad niya akong nabitawan, tuliro na para bang kahit siya ay hindi makapaniwala sa kapangahasang nagawa niya. And so, with my body trembling in fear, I knelt in front of him. Yumuko ako hanggang maabot ng ulo ko ang sahig. "Please, forgive me!" I saw droplets of tear fell in my knuckles onto the carpeted floor.

"I made a mistake! Forgive me! I will do better! Please! I will not do it again!" Sigaw ko. My voice was strained as I fought to gather my breath from the grip of his choke a while ago. Hindi ko man nakikita ang reaksyon niya ay alam ko nagulat siya sa inakto ko.

"C-Clea. . ." Lumuhod din ito sa harapan ko. He tried touching my jaw to lift my face, but I intentionally flinched and jerked away from him. Gumapang ako palapit sa sulok ng pader at doon siniksik ang sarili ko habang niyayakap ang magkabilang tuhod ko.

I bit my tongue, and I instantly felt the pain. Nalasan ko ang sariling dugo sa bibig ko. With my eyes glued to the floor, I saw his feet slowly approaching me. He squatted in front of me, trying to reach out for my face once again pero iniwas ko lang ang mukha ko sa kanya na para bang takot na takot ako mahawakan.

"D-don't touch me!" Matapos ko iyong sabihin ay peke akong umubo upang maisuka ang dugo sa bibig ko. "Clea!" I saw horror in his eyes when he saw me vomitting blood.

Ah, ang galing ko talagang artista!

"I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry, sweetheart. I had a problem in the lab. I apologize I took it all out on you." Sunod-sunod nitong paghingi ng paumanhin. Sinubukan niya ulit lumapit sa akin pero tinaboy ko lang siya.

My whole body was shaking in fear. I was sweating, my eyes were unsettled, and my lips shivered at the words trying to escape my mouth.

"I will do everything you want! Just don't touch me! Leave my body alone!" Patuloy kong pagda-drama. After hearing those words, he went silent. Pawang paghikbi ko lang ang naririnig habang nakakuyom ang kamao niya sa harapan ko. His jaw was visciously clenched, teeth gritted so hard that I was surprised he was capable of such expression.

"Who did this to you?" A low yet dangerous noise rumbled in his throat. Sa kabila ng nanlalabo kong mata at gulo-gulong buhok ay napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanya na ngayon ay nakaluhod sa harapan ko.

"Who made you like this?" His hands touched my left face, brushing my tears using his thumb. Bakas ang diin at galit sa bawat salitang binibitawan niya.

Who did this to me? Who made me like this? Ang kapal naman ng mukha niya para itanong yun e halos patayin niya na nga ako sa sakal niya kanina!

"I apologize for my behavior. I... I never intend to hurt you. I was just... jealous." Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong huwag igulong ang mga mata ko. His apology sounded sincere, but I knew better than to believe him.

I can even act like a traumatized victim of abuse. What's so difficult to act like a sincere fool of love?

"Please, speak to me." Pagsusumamo nito, pero hindi ko pa rin siya pinansin.

Manigas ka, tangina mo!

"If you don't forgive me, then so be it. I understand." He sighs in defeat. "But give me names," Aniya nang may nagtitimping boses. "Give me the names of the people who tormented you like this." I felt satisfaction washed over me when I finally heard the words I wanted to hear, the sole cause of this dramatic play.

"I will punish them as I see fit. If they have titles, I will remove them from the registry. I will display their heads in the empire's gates to remind them never to hurt you. And if that's not enough, I will hunt their family relatives to ensure they are the last of their descendants." He declared. Ang mga mata nito ay tila ba nangangausap sa akin.

"Please. . ." His head rested on my feet. Naramdaman ko ang pagtama ng matangos niyang ilong sa paa ko.

"The inability to help you might drive me insane." He whispered in defeat as he kissed my feet. Sa kabila ng mga luha sa mata ko ay hindi ko na napigilan ang pagkubli ng ngisi sa labi ko.

Alas, this dramatic play has achieved its goal. Tears are indeed every man's weakness.

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