There was an awkward silence between us after he said that.

Ilang segundo pa bago ako nakapagsalita.

"Why?" Hindi ko naman sinasadya, but my voice sounded pissed.

And I am.

"Hhmm." Pinadaanan niya ng daliri ang pisngi ko. "I almost forgot that you've always been the jealous type." He looks so proud saying those words.

"What? Ako? Selosa?" Tinapik ko ang kamay niya. "That's impossible." Inirapan ko siya.

"Hindi ba? Di ba nga dati may sinabuyan ka pa ng tea dahil lang may lumapit sa akin para bumati? May sinampal ka pa nga, at tinakot." Panunukso ni Luke.

"Please stop!" Agad kong sabi.

"But there's still more." Ayaw pa din niyang tumigil.

Nakakahiya kayang balikan ang mga bagay na ginagawa ko dati.

"The things you did for love." He said smirking.

Bakit niya pinapaalala? Nagagalit nga sya dati na ginawa ko yun.

"I said stop. Iniiba mo ang usapan! And I'm not jealous. Nag-aalala ako." Paglilinaw ko sa kanya.

"It's not like she can do anything to me." Pagyayabang niya.

"Lady Grachell looks harmless too. Pero tingnan mo kung anong nagawa nya sayo sa nauna nating buhay." I reminded him.

Agad na kumunot ang noo ni Luke.

"Stop." He clicked his tongue.

"Eh di sana wala kang Morrigan na minamahal, pinagnanasaan, at kinababaliwan ngayon." I flipped my hair.

"Stop, Wife." Mukhang napipikon siya sa sinasabi ko.

"Sa kanya ka sana kasal ngayon at- ouch!" Napasigaw ako.

"Stop! Stop!" Pagputol niya sa akin at pinisil ang magkabila kong pisngi.

"Masakit ah!" Pag-angal ko.

"Napalakas ata." Tiningnan niya ang magkabila kong pisngi.

"Anong napalakas ata? Eh gigil na gigil yung pagpisil mo!" I hissed at him.

Kita mo tong lalaking to. Gusto nya siya lang yung mang-aasar eh. Pagnaman siya nagantihan pikon!

"Tigilan mo na nga yang pisngi ko at bumalik na tayo tungkol kay Lady Idril. Mamaya mag-away pa tayo." Ibinaba ko ang mga kamay niya, tutal mukha namang nagsisisi siya sa ginawa.

"Haaaah." Mahabang buntong hininga ni Luke. "Fine. Remember the letter I burned the day we're going to the temple?" He asked.

"Yes. The letter from Lady Idril." Nainis pa nga ako ng araw na yun.

"Nagpadala nanaman siya ng panibagong sulat. But it contains the same message." Pag-uumpisa ni Luke magpaliwanag.

"At ano ba ang laman ng sulat at kailangan mo pa iyong sunugin?"

"She knows that the Prince is alive. Hindi ko alam kung pano niya nalaman." Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Luke.

"What? That's weird." Ni ako nga ay walang kaideideya na buhay pa pala ang Prinsipe.

"The Prince and I are thinking that it may be a trap. Kung totoo ang sinasabi niya na alam niyang buhay ang Prinsipe, hindi ba't dapat ay ginamit na nila ang impormasyong iyon to their advantage? But the King and Duke Wesleinster are genuinely worried to my accession to the throne."

"Did the Prince told you to meet with her?"

"No. Ako lang ang gustong makipagkita kay Lady Idril para malaman ang pakay niya." Nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa sinabi ni Luke. "It's because I want to know what she wants!" Agad niyang dugtong ng makita ang reaksyon ko.

"No, I understand." I assured him.

"Wife, the Prince wants to seize the throne."

"What? Like a rebellion?" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig na sinabi ni Luke.

"He plans to usurp his father, The king. And all the Archduke's allies has already declared support." Paliwanag niya.

"Hindi pwede! Hindi kita papayagang sumali sa rebelyong yan!" Pagtutol ko.

He chuckled.

"Seryoso ako!" Kahit sabihin pang mali ang ginawa ng Hari, ang buong Royal Army ay nasa panig nila. Idagdag pa ang mga vassals and Knights from the Noble families that are loyal to the King, and to Duke Wesleinster. Walang alam ang karamihan sa mga Nobles sa mga nangyayari, kaya tiyak na nasa Hari ang katapatan ng lahat. Akala ba nila ay laro lang ang rebelyon?

Though if the Prince suddenly shows up, and claim that someone tried to assassinate him, and they cannot show any evidence to support the allege assassination, would also be a problem. Plus he's been proclaimed dead for quite a while.

"It's not the first time in history that someone tried to take the throne by force." Napatigil ako sa pag-iisip ng marinig ang sinabi ni Luke.

"Kahit na! Hindi ibig sabihin ay dadagdag ka sa kanila! Luke kapag nabigo kayo, it will be your heads on the guillotine, or worse you might get killed during the rebellion. Pano naman kami ni Zephy!? Our daughter is too young!" Pagpapaalala ko sa kanya.

"Kaya ko nga kakausapin ang anak ni Duke Wesleinster. Para malaman ko kung anong pakay niya at makapag-isip kami ng plano." He put his hand on top of mine trying to reassure me. "I asked the Prince to give me a month to settle things at the Duchy. Gusto ko kasi sanang tulungan ka muna tungkol sa paghahanap ng lunas. Pero ang gusto ng Prinsipe ay sumugod na kaagad. Kaya nagkaroon kami ng konting sagutan. He's an ungrateful bastard." He added.

"Your Grace!" Agad kong saway sa huli niyang sinabi.

But it looks like he didn't regret saying that at all. He's bad-mouthing the Royal family like it's not a crime.

"And about the cure, I'm still trying to figure it out. Kaya ako pumunta ulit dito ay para kunin ang naiwan kong libro tungkol sa halamang gamot." Maiksing paliwanag ko kay Luke.

"Tell me if you needed anything."

"Yes, Thank you." I must hurry and make a cure soon. "By the way, Your Grace." Pagtawag ko ng attention niya.

"Hm?"

"Do it." Pagpayag ko.

"Do what?" Nagtataka niyang tanong.

"Payag na akong makipagkita ka kay Lady Idril, basta ba isasama mo ko." I told him.

"Wife, she said I have to come alone."

"Pano kung pag-uwi mo ayain mo ako ng diborsyo. Sige ka. Your loss." I crossed my arms.

I saw his brows twitched.

He really doesn't like to hear the word divorce from me.

"Don't worry, I have an idea para makasama ako ng hindi nya nalalaman." I smiled at him, to lighten his souring mood.

Bumalik na kami sa kapitolyo at kinabukasan ay nagpadala si Luke ng liham kay Lady Idril na agad nitong sinagot. She agreed to meet the same day. Mukhang nagmamadali ito. She only agreed to meet kung karwahe mula sa kanya ang gagamitin ni Luke para sa pagkikita nila, para daw masigurong walang ibang kasama si Luke.

I'm a little nervous since it's us, the Ravenstein, that killed his brother. It's true that Duke Wesleinster has been quiet since the incident, but who knows what's he's plotting right now.

"Seryoso ba kayo dito?" Evans asked.

"Yes." Sagot ko.

"I don't even know why I'm here." Sagot naman ni Luke.

Hindi ko kasi sinabi sa kanya ang plano ko, at si Evans lang ang kinausap. Kasalukuyan kaming nasa Wizard tower para ipakita kay Luke ang plano ko.

"Do it." Utos ko kay Evans.

"Fine. Here goes whatever." Sagot niya at ikinumpas ang kamay.

A magic circle appeared, and when Evans snapped his fingers, a light enveloped me and when the light vanished...

Squeaaak!

I expected it, pero nagulat pa rin ako ng tumingala ako para tingnan si Luke ay napakalaki niya.

"What did you do to my wife?" He hissed at Evans.

"H-Her Grace told me to do it." Evans panicked. "Sasama daw sya sa ganyang anyo." Napatingin ako kay Evans ng magpaliwanag siya.

Squeak! Squeak!

Ikinumpas ko ang kamay ko kay Evans para gawin niya ang binilin ko.

"Wife, are you alright?" Umupo si Luke at hindi makapaniwala sa nakikita.

Squeak!

Hindi ko alam kung naiintindihan ba ako ni Luke, but I'm fine.

Umupo rin si Evans at marahan akong inilagay sa palad niya, saka tumayo. Tumayo rin si Luke at nakakunot ang noo. He's obviously not amazed by what he's seeing now.

Katulad ng bilin ko ay inilagay ako ni Evans sa bulsa ng coat ni Luke.

Yes! Everything is going according to plan! Now we're ready.

Squeak!

I told Evans.

"Gusto ko lang naman ng tahimik na buhay." He grumbled.

Evans did the same thing to himself. At nang maging daga na rin siya, he crawled to Luke's coat and made room for himself inside the Duke's pocket. Magkatabi kami sa loob ng bulsa.

"We're ready!" Sabay naming sabi ni Evans. We both gave Luke a thumbs up to signal him that we're ready to go.

Squeak! Squeak!

Pero sa halip na kumilos, Luke stood there still wearing the displeased look on his face.

Problema ng isang to?

Takot ba siya sa daga? Nandidiri ba siya? Hindi naman kami mukhang nakakadiri ni Evans ah! Sama ng Luke na to! Ang cute kaya namin!

When I first heard the story na nag-anyong daga sila Evans, Seven at Drystan para iligtas si Francis, hindi ko mapigilang matawa, at mamangha.

Kaya agad na pumasok sa isip ko ang ideyang ito para makasama kay Luke ng walang nakakapansin. Si Evans naman back up sakali mang may mangyaring hindi maganda.

Nawala ang pag-iisip ko ng makita ang kamay ni Luke na papalapit sa bulsa kung san kami nakalagay ni Evans.

"Aargh!" Evans let out a choking sound when Luke suddenly grabbed him.

Squeaaakkkkk!

"You sound so annoying!" Ani ni Luke at marahas na ipinasok si Evans sa kabila niyang bulsa. "At dito ka sa kabila. You're not allowed to be that close with my wife."

Luh sya!

Daga na nga lang magseselos pa!

"Grabe ka sa akin Duke ah! Nadamay na nga lang ako dito eh!" Agad na sabi ni Evans ng makasilip sa bukana ng bulsa ni Luke.

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!

"Shut up. I don't understand what the hell you're saying." Sagot ni Luke sa protesta ni Evans.

Tumingin si Luke sa gawi ko.

"Are you okay there, Wife?" He asked worried.

At dahil hindi naman niya naiintindihan ang sinasabi namin ni Evans, I gave him a thumbs up. Hindi ko alam kung malinaw ba sa kanya ang ginagawa kong senyas sa kamay dahil ang liit ng mga daliri ko ngayon.

"Wag na wag kang aalis sa loob ng bulsa ko." He warned while walking out of the Wizard tower. Kailangan kong kumapit ng mahigpit dahil umaalog alog ako sa loob ng bulsa habang naglalakad siya.

Soon a carriage arrived at the estate. Obviously all the Commanders are against the idea. Kanina pa pinipigilan ni Sir Marcus si Luke, pero buo ang desisyon nitong makipagkita kay Lady Idril kahit hindi nagbigay ng pahintulot ang mahal na Prinsipe.

Sumakay siya ng karwahe at agad itong umalis.

Tahimik lang kami buong byahe at hindi alam kung san patungo.

Makalipas ng halos isang oras ay huminto na ang karwahe. The coachman opened the door. Kaagad na lumabas si Luke at sumunod sa taong nagdala sa kanya rito. Bahagya akong sumilip at kakahuyan ang nasa paligid namin.

Muli akong nagtago sa loob ng bulsa ng may matanaw na isang kubo. Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto at ang tunog ng yapak ng paa sa isang kahoy na sahig. Sunod kong narinig ang pagsara ng pinto.

"I've been waiting for you, Your Grace." I heard a woman's voice.

Luke didn't answer but gave her a courtesy.

"Have a seat." Muling sabi ng boses.

Luke made a few steps and sat.

Sumilip ako ng konti and I saw a woman with yellow hair, red lips, and wearing a seductive dress.

Lady Idril Freya Wesleinster.

Quite an outfit for someone meeting a man alone.

"I have a lot on my hands, so let's get this quick." Luke told her the moment he sat.

"Relax, Your Grace." She giggled, twirling a few strands of her hair near her ear.

I squinted my eyes on her.

"Why don't you have some tea first, you came a long way after all. You must be thirsty. I also prepared some desserts." She poured him a cup.

"I didn't come here for a tea party, just go straight to the point and stop with the nonsense." He declined.

I told him not to take anything that she offers and just decline politely. But how is this polite?

But still, good job, Luke!

"Your Grace is too stiff. I was just trying to be hospitable." She took a cup and sipped from it.

"I didn't come here for your hospitality as well." Luke's voice was cold.

"Ppfff!" She giggled again. "You're as cold as they say. Poor Duchess." Napaarko ako ng kilay sa narinig na sinabi niya.

"Keep my Wife's name off your filthy mouth. She is well loved. Unlike someone I knew who lost the favor of some boy." Luke refuted.

I'm touched, but Your Grace we didn't come here to fight! Baka mamaya pagnapikon yan biglang gumamit ng magic na hindi natin alam!

Muli kong tiningnan si Lady Idril. She's completely annoyed. I bet that's a really sensitive topic to her.

Masakit kaya ipagpalit!

"Whatever." She finally said after clearing her throat. "Fine, let's get to the point." Pag-iiba niya sa usapan.

Here we go.

"I can help you if you guys plan to take over the Crown. I bet His Highness, Archduke Cadmus wants to do it after going through an assassination."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Luke answered in his usual cold tone.

"Oh please stop. I know he's alive." Muling pagtawa ni Idril.

Tumingala ako para tingnan ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Luke. He remained still and expressionless.

"You probably mistaken something here, Lady Idril. Didn't the palace mourn for the Prince?" Ganting sagot ni Luke.

"Indeed. But who knows if that's someone else's body. As I'm pretty sure his Highness is alive." She said again and took another sip of her tea.

"What are you going to gain from this bluff?"

"The one's bluffing here is you, Your Grace. Can't you see I'm an ally trying to help?" She countered. "Besides, if I'm an enemy, I should have told my father about this. But I did not." She added looking confident.

"What do you want?" Luke asked.

She smiled.

"To be part of your team. I want
The Wesleinster down." Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig kong iyon.

"Why?" Luke asked.

"Like you mentioned earlier, I lost the favor of Lord Cedric Alberta." Pag-uumpisa nito.

Oh, now she's calling Cedric to his rightful title. Dati kasi ay pinagmamalaki nya ito sa lahat at sinasabing he'll be bestowed a Prince title soon kahit na anak lang ng hari at reyna ang pwedeng magkaroon ng Prince title. She would even force us to call him Prince Cedric during tea parties at the palace.

"And my Father, Duke Wesleinster, sa halip na tulungan niya ako, He's using that girl, my cousin- ugh!" Idril rolled her eyes in disgust. "To gain favor of Lord Cedric. He just abandoned his daughter whom he raised to be the next Queen just like that." Galit nitong dugtong. "I'll help you obtain your goals, as long as Lord Cedric will no longer have a right to the throne."

"He has no right to the throne to begin with." Luke answered, looking bored listening to all of this.

"Kahit na! The King will surely do everything for his son, with Lady Neveah, to ascend the throne. Ipinag-utos na nga niya na ipapatay ang anak sa Reyna, and you're definitely next!" She warned Luke.

"That's not surprising news." Tumayo si Luke.

"Where are you going, Your Grace?" Agad ding napatayo si Lady Idril.

"I had enough of this nonsense." He answered coldly as usual and walked towards the door. "Oh, and you're mistaken about the Archduke. He is dead." Walang gana niyang dugtong at lumingon.

"Stop lying! I said I know the truth!" She yelled.

"Suit yourself." He made a courtesy.

Nagulat ako ng biglang kunin ni Lady Idril ang tasa ng tsaa and she throws it in Luke's direction. Tumama ito sa pader, almost hitting Luke on the face.

"I said stop lying! Don't test my patience, Your Grace! Or else I'll drag you down with them!" She warned.

Aba! Nakakainis na talaga sya!

How dare you threaten my husband like that! You almost hurt his handsome face too!

Stay here, Your Grace! Akong bahala!

I slid down Luke's coat and ran towards Lady Idril.

"Your Grace!" Narinig kong pagtawag ni Evans sa akin.

Squeaaakkk!

Hindi ko siya pinansin at tuloy tuloy lang sa pagtakbo papunta kay Lady Idril. I climbed on her dress papunta sa may balikat niya.

"Ang kapal ng mukha mong saktan ang asawa ko!" I yelled.

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!

I know that she cannot understand me, pero dahil sa ingay na ginawa ko, napatingin siya sa balikat niya. Her eyes widened when she saw me.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!" She screamed in panic at agad na tinapik ang balikat niya habang nagtatatalon. Dali dali akong gumapang sa bandang likuran niya. "Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!" She continued screaming and trying to reach her back while jumping.

Gumapang ako papuntang harapan niya.

"Don't mess with the Ravenstein!" Sigaw ko.

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!

"Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" She yelled again, her face has completely turned pale.

"My Lady!" The door suddenly opened and three men, including the coachman, entered the room. They all hurriedly came to Lady Idril's side.

I jump off her dress at tumakbo pabalik kay Luke.

"What the heck! Why is there a rat here? I told you to look for a clean place!" Sermon niya sa mga ito.

Luke immediately gave me a glare when I crawled back into his pocket.

"What? I did it for you!" Bulong ko.

Squeak! Squeak!

After all that commotion, Luke was determined to leave, even though Lady Idril tried to stop him and threatened him that she would not allow him to use the carriage.

At ang sira ulo sa halip na kausapin ulit si Lady Idril ay nag-umpisang maglakad palayo.

He walked for fifteen minutes straight while his brows furrowed. When he finally stopped, Evans jumped off his pocket.

"Undo the spell, now!" Nakakatakot ang boses ni Luke.

He took me out of his pocket, at agad na nagkaroon ng nakakasilaw na liwanag.

When I opened my eyes again, I was greeted with an agitated pair of blue eyes. Luke is carrying me, while my legs are wrapped around his waist.

"Your Grace!" Sinubukan kong bumaba, but he remained still and didn't budge.

Ayaw niya akong bitawan.

"I-I made you upset, didn't I?" Kinakabahan kong sabi.

"You're doing so damn good at it." Humigpit ang hawak niya sa akin.

"B-But you almost got hurt! Pano kung tumama sa mukha mo ang baso kanina?!" I countered.

"And what if she hit you and you fell on the floor?! Pano kung naapakan ka nya?!" He was furious.

"W-Well-" Good god, that could have happened. "But I did good. And I'm fine." Ngumiti ako.

"One of these days, I'm going to lock you up in a tower, Wife." He warned, still mad.

"Kasama ba kita sa loob ng tower?" I wrapped my legs around him tighter, and kissed the tip of his nose.

"F*ck." He groaned.

"Stop it! Stop! Just in case you forgot, I'm also here!" Bigla nalang may nagsalita.

Napalingon ako rito, and Evans was standing behind us, with a flustered face.

"Oh my god!" Dali dali akong bumaba mula kay Luke.

Hindi ko alam na bumalik na rin pala siya sa totoong anyo.

"Tsk." Luke clicked his tongue, staring sharply at Evans.

Inayos ko kaagad ang damit ko.

"We need a horse." Nag-aalala kong sabi.

Pano kami uuwi kung iniwan ni Luke ang karwaheng nagdala sa kanya rito kanina.

"We have a horse." He said.

"Huh? Where? Did you have someone tailed us?" Tanong ko.

"No." Walang gana niyang sagot.

"Then san tayo kukuha ng kabayo?" Nagtataka kong tanong.

Nagulat ako ng ituro niya si Evans.

"Turn into a horse. Now." He commanded.

"Excuse me, what?!" Halos lumuwa sa gulat ang mga mata ni Evans sa sinabi ni Luke.

_________CHAPTER 3_________

From daga to kabayo, real quick. Hanap ka nalang ibang amo Evans. Walang may normal sa mag-asawa eh.

VOTES. COMMENTS. RL
are highly appreciated.