"Lady Idril, to what do we owe this pleasure?" Pagbati ko rito ng makapasok kami ng drawing room.

Ilang minuto pa bago ko nakumbinsi si Luke na sumama sa akin para alamin kung anong pakay ni Lady Idril sa pagpunta dito.

I know he had enough of the Wesleinster, pero nakakapagtaka na sinadya pa niya kami rito. Luke was clear the last time they met, that he wants nothing to do with her.

"I know it was sudden, Duchess Morrigan. I apologize." She made a courtesy.

When she lowered her head ay agad kong siniko si Luke upang ayusin niya ang hindi niya maipintang mukha. Yes, he doesn't like her, but it's common etiquette to welcome a guest regardless of how you feel towards them. In short, importante ang pakikipagplastikan.

Ngumiti ako ng iangat na niya ang ulo.

Luke remained cold.

I give up.

"Have a seat, Lady Idril." Paanyaya ko.

We all sat and the maids came in to serve some tea. They all left the room after making sure that we need nothing more.

"Speak. I don't have time for this sh*ts." Agad na sabi ni Luke.

"Your Grace!" Mahinang saway ko.

Could you at least protect our names in the social circle?

Does this man not know how rumors work?

"It's alright, Duchess Morrigan. I don't intend to stay long." She spoke calmly.

"Then please go on." Sagot ko sa kanya.

She's still Sygmund's sister, at baka may binabalak ito, kaya kailangan maging maingat. Luke after all warned me not to get involve with her.

"I'm sure the Duke already told you about our meeting days ago. He was flaunting your closeness after all." Lady Idril crossed her legs.

"Yes, I am aware." I was there and caused a commotion, gusto ko sanang idugtong.

"I'm here to remind the Duke that I am serious about everything that I said." Hindi niya inalis ang tingin kay Luke.

"And I was certain that I told you, I don't f*cking care." Napabuntong hininga nalang ako sa sinagot niya. Bakit ba parating nanghahamon ng away kung magbitiw ng salita ang isang to?

"It seems you wouldn't accept my sincerity, unless I prove it. So, I'm here to tell you that my father plans on slandering the Duchess's name." Inilipat naman ni Idril ang mga tingin sa akin.

"My what?" Gulat kong tanong.

Luke slammed his fist on the table, knocking over everything on it.

"What? You killed my brother, and you think the Duke of Wesleinster would sit still?" She smirked.

"We are well aware, Lady Idril." Iniharang ko ang kamay sa bandang dibdib ni Luke. This man has no patience and would literally throw his fist, even to the King. Who knows what he'll do to her. I should at least prevent a murder happening in my house.

She opened her pouch and pulled out a piece of paper.

"Here. The Duke of Wesleinster plans to do the same thing you did to Sygmund. They will publish an article about the Duchess being infertile and that you killed Count Frederick and my brother to keep it a secret." She explained. "You know how the public opinion works at kung sino ang mauuna, ay sya ang paniniwalaan. The article will be released tomorrow morning, in the newspapers all around the Kingdom."

Luke grabbed the paper in her hand and read it.

Tatlong naglalakihang mga kompanya na gumagawa ng mga dyaryo ang nakasulat rito.

"At kung hindi pa sapat yan para patunayan na seryoso ako sa mga sinabi kong tutulong ako para pabagsakin ang mga Wesleinster, then here-" She took an envelope out of her pouch and hand it to Luke.

Katulad kanina ay kinuha nya rin iyon at binuksan. Dalawang nakatuping papel ang laman nito, at nang basahin namin ay listahan iyon ng mga pangalan ng mga nobles. Nasa ikatlo pa nga ang pangalan ni Count Frederick.

"What are these?" Tanong ko habang patuloy namang binasa ni Luke ang mga dokyumento.

"Yan ang mga pangalan ng mga Nobles na sumumpa ng alyasa sa Hari at sa ama ko. I heard that Duke Luke threatened the King about who killed the Archduke. Since then, His Majesty and my father have been forming allegiance with other powerful households. You know, to weaken your claim to the throne, since hindi naman nila alam na buhay pa ang anak ng Reyna." Luke and I remained calm and expressionless when she mentioned about Cadmus.

But this information is really helpful. Nalilito na tuloy ako. Talaga bang tinutulungan niya kami?

"Well then, hindi na ako magtatagal. I believe you two have lots of things to do." Tumayo si Lady Idril matapos niya iyong sabihin.

I escorted her out, at nang balikan ko si Luke ay naghahanda itong umalis.

"San ka pupunta?" Naaalarma kong tanong.

"I need to talk to Count Francis Reiss." Sagot niya ng maisuot ang cloak.

Count Francis Reiss?

Oh, of course. Francis is now the new head of Reiss.

"Can I come?" My brother and I haven't spoken after what happened to the temple.

"Will you be alright? Your mother and sister would be there too." May pagdadalawang isip sa boses ni Luke.

"I-I want to extend my condolences to Countess Selles and Lady Celestine." Napayuko ako.

Alam kong hindi nila gustong makita ako, lalo pa at ako ang puno't dulo kung bakit namatay si Count Frederick. Pero kahit na ganun ay gusto ko pa ring kamustahin ang lagay nila. 

Why am I acting like this? Galit dapat ako sa kanila dahil sa lahat ng mga ginawa nila sa akin simula pa pagkabata, pero bakit hindi ko maiwasang mag-alala para sa kanila? They've been in my thoughts in the past few days, at agad akong naluluha kapag nangyayari yun.

Napaangat ako ng tingin ng isuot ni Luke sa akin ang cloak niya. He then cupped my face and proceeds to wipe my tears with his thumbs.

"If it becomes uncomfortable, tell me immediately so we can leave." Iyon lang ang sinabi niya bago niya hawakan ang kamay ko at isinama sa labas.

His horse is already prepared, at naghihintay si Sir Marcus at Sir Ross who already mounted theirs.

Inalalayan niya akong sumakay, and he sat behind me.

Kahit bihira lang akong makapunta sa mansion ng mga Reiss dito sa kapitolyo ay agad na naging pamilyar sa akin ang lugar na tinatahak namin. After informing our arrival, the guards opened the gates. Maids and servants lined up to greet us. Kapansin pansin ang bagong istraktura ng mansyon. Agad kong naalala ang sinabi ng mga Knights dati ng ihatid nila si Celestine, na nasusunog ang mansyon at kagagawan iyon ng lalaking tumutulong sa akin ngayon na bumaba sa kabayo. 

"My daughter!" Namilog ang mga mata ko ng marinig ang pamilyar na boses na iyon.

"C-Countess-" Hindi ko natuloy ang sasabihin ng bigla niya akong niyakap.

The Countess never showed me any affection even for publicity reasons, kaya laking gulat ko sa ginawa niyang pagyakap.

"Sister!" Sunod naman akong napatingin sa may entrada ng mansion nang si Celestine naman ang sunod na tumawag sa akin.

Like what the Countess did, she also ran towards me for a hug.

Nagpalipat lipat ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa ng matapos nila akong yakapin ay nakangiti sila sa akin na para bang masayang masaya na makita ako.

"What took you so long to visit us?" Ani ni Countess Selles at hinaplos ang mukha ko na animoy isa akong anak na sabik na sabik siyang makita.

It's a gesture I've imagined countless times in my head. Parati kong iniisip noon kung ano ang pakiramdam na haplusin ng isang ina habang tinitingnan ng mga matang punong puno ng pagmamahal.

Hindi ako makasagot. Her hand on face is so warm.

Bumalik lang ata ako sa katinuan ng pisilin ni Luke ang kamay ko.

"I-I, ummm-" Nagpalipat lipat ang tingin ko kay Luke at kay Countess Selles. "Countess, w-we, ummm-" Hindi pa rin ako nakakabawi sa pagkagulat.

"Call me mother, child." My jaw dropped hearing those.

What on Vehallard is happening?

"Sister, come on in. It's cold here." Celestine hugged my arm and led me inside the mansion.

Kahit naguguluhan ay hinayaan ako ni Luke na sumama rito. I heard the Countess offering him to get inside, and he followed us.

We were told that Francis isn't at the estate right now, so we ended up drinking tea with them.

Mas lalo akong naguluhan, at tingin ko ay ganun din si Luke, nang halos magtatatlumpong minuto na ang nakakalipas pero kahit na minsan ay hindi naging bukambibig ng dalawa ang nangyari kay Count Frederick.

Coming here, I've already expected that they will curse at me, blame me, and probably hurt me.

"Here, child. Eat some more." Muling naglagay ng panibagong hiwa ng cake si Countess Selles sa platito ko.

"Mother, stop it! You're embarrassing the Duchess!" Saway ni Celestine sa ina. "Right sister?" Baling niya sa akin sa malambing na tono.

"I'm sorry, it's just I was so happy to see my beloved daughter after such a long time." Muli nanaman akong tiningnan ng Kondesa, mga tingin na puno ng pagmamahal. Mga tingin na sa dalawang anak lang niya ibinibigay noon.

"E-Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom." Tumayo ako at gave my courtesy.

"I'll go with you, child." Ani ng Kondesa.

"No, it's okay. Please accompany the Duke while I'm gone." Alangan akong ngumiti kay Luke na mukhang nagulat sa sinabi ko. He's even preparing to get up as well na para bang gustong sumama sa akin at ayaw maiwan mag-isa kasama ang Kondesa at si Celestine.

He sat back again, and smiled at the hosts.

A fake smile obviously.

Nang makalabas ay agad akong napahawak sa sikmura. It feels like I want to throw up. It was really uncomfortable that all I wanted to do was run away from this place. Alam kong sinabi ni Luke na ang kailangan ko lang gawin ay sabihin sa kanya, at aalis kami. But I don't want to do it dahil alam kong importante ang pakay niya kay Francis, and this is the best I can do to help him. To endure this.

"Rascal?" Napaangat ako ng tingin ng may tumawag sa akin.

Francis came running towards me after giving his coat to the maids.

"What happened?" Puno ng pag-aalala niyang sinuri ang kabuoan ko.

I sniffed a few times.

"The Countess-" Iyak ko sa kanya na parang batang nagsusumbong. "S-She-" Gusto kong sabihin na kakaiba ang kinikilos ng Kondesa at ni Celestine, but all I could do is point at the drawing room door.

"Did she hurt you?" Mayroong pagtataka sa boses nito.

Umiling ako.

"Oh good god." Bumuntong hininga siya. "Come on, don't cry." Kinuha niya ang panyo at pinunasan ang mga luha ko.

I didn't intend to cry. But this sudden and new emotions are making me bawled my eyes out.

Sino ba naman ang ayaw makaranas na mahalin at arugain ng isang ina?

Though I know this might be a dream, or maybe something happened and now they are pretending to like me.

Kaya nagtatalo ang isipan ko kung matutuwa ba ako o magdududa. In the end all I got is my stomach churning.

"Come." He placed my hand on his arm, and we went inside the drawing room.

"There he is." Tumayo ang Kondesa ng makita si Francis.

"Brother, what took you so long? They've been waiting for you." Si Celestine naman ang sunod na tumayo.

"Leave us, Mother. There is something important I'd like to talk about with the Duke and Duchess of Ravenstein." He politely asked the former Countess. "You too." Baling niya kay Celestine.

"Awww. But I want to stay with sister a little longer." She pouted.

"Now." Francis voice is calm, but lordly.

After saying a few more words, they both exit the drawing room.

Sinundan ko lang sila ng tingin.

"Prepare a peppermint tea for the Duchess. She has an upset stomach." Francis instructed the maids.

"Brother, my lord, What was that?" Hindi ko mapigilan na agad tanungin si Francis kung ano ba ang nangyayari.

"Calm down. I know you were surprised." Kalmado niyang sabi at umupo.

The peppermint tea was served minutes later, at nang makaalis na ang katulong ay saka lang nag-umpisang magpaliwanag si Francis.

"I hired a magician from House Fergus to alter their memories." I'm about to drink the newly served tea, but my hand stopped midway because of what I heard.

"Y-You what?" Muli kong ibinaba ang tasa.

"They were devastated about Frederick's death. Especially mother. I had no choice. They were blaming you so much, even though I said I was the one who killed the late Count." May panlulumo sa boses niya.

"You should have told me-"

"Then what are you going to do? Apologize to mother? It's like you don't know the Countess at all." Pagputol ni Francis sa akin.

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa suot na damit. Sobrang higpit na sumasakit na ang mga kuko ko sa sobrang pagkabaon sa tela. He's right. Knowing Countess Selles, she would never forgive me kahit magmakaawa pa ako sa paanan niya. Because if she has forgiveness and pity in her heart for me, dapat ay noon pa.

Naputol ang pag-iisip ko ng maramdaman ang mainit na kamay na nakapatong ngayon sa mga kamay ko. My grip to my dress loosened up.

"I heard those kinds of magic required a lot of fortune. How is House Reiss doing?" Pagsali ni Luke sa usapan.

"It indeed cost a lot." Nagkaroon ng pagkabalisa sa boses niya. "I'm sorry!" Bigla siyang yumuko sa amin na ikinagulat ko.

"What's wrong?" Agad kong tanong.

"The truth is, I was planning to give back everything Frederick took from the Duchy, yung nga hindi pa niya nagagastos, but because I needed money for that kind of magic service, nagamit ko ang ilan sa mga iyon." Hinarap niya si Luke. "I apologize, Your Grace!" Muli siyang yumuko.

Tumingin ako kay Luke at agad na nagpaawa ng mukha sa kanya.

"I don't mind. Use it as you please." Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya.

"I will pay it back as soon as we recover." Sagot naman ni Francis ng muling tumingin sa amin.

"There is a payment that you can give me right now." Seryosong sabi ni Luke.

Oh yeah, the reason why we went here.

"What is it?" Mukhang sandaling napaisip si Francis. "Is this the reason why you two came all the way here?" Tanong niya.

"Yes, something came up." Sagot ko.

"Tell me." He leans on a little to listen.

"But first let me ask you-" Inilabas ni Luke ang mga papel na ibinigay ni Lady Idril kanina, at itinuro ang pangalan ni Count Frederick sa mahabang listahan ng mga Nobles. "Whose side are you on?" Seryoso niyang tanong rito.

  _______CHAPTER 05________

Wow ang tagal ko atang di naka update. Sinagad ni writer's block pagbisita nya sa akin.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR SA INYONG LAHAT! 🤍

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