Upon arriving home, I was told that everyone is in the drawing room, and had been waiting for me. Siguro ay kuryoso ang mga ito sa kung anong nangyari sa palasyo at kung ano ang rason kung bakit ako ipinatawag ng Itinakdang Prinsipe.

"Pano ko sasabihin sa kanila na nagkita kami ni Grand Duke Edmund at nakasagutan ko ito?" Urong sulong ako sa harapan ng pinto.

Dapat talaga ay hinayaan ko nalang ang Edmund na yun. But he was so infuriating that I could not hold my temper. Bumuntong hininga muna ako at inayos ang sarili. Isang ngiti ang pilit kong ipininta sa labi ko para hindi sila mag-alala, bago binuksan ang pinto ng drawing room.

This drawing room is twice as big as the one in our previous mansion. In the center of the room is a highly polished mahogany tea table adorned with a porcelain tea set, silver platters full of various pastries, and a vase of freshly cut hydrangeas. Around it are plush-upholstered chairs in amber fabrics, where my family is seated.

"Daneiris, come." The Marchioness was the first to notice my presence. Agad namang napalingon ang ama at nakatatanda kong kapatid, the way their faces lit up when they saw me warms my heart.

Belvedere walked to me and took the books in my hands. Napansin siguro niyang nahihirapan ako sa pagbitbit. Hindi ko kasi ibinigay sa mga maids kanina dahil gusto kong ako mismo ang magdala sa Marquess.

"Did your afternoon turn out great?" Nakangiting tanong ng Marquess nang makalapit kami. "What's wrong?" Agad nitong dugtong nang makita ang pagbagsak ng ngiti ko.

"F-Father, I think I made a mistake." Hindi ako umupo kahit na sumenyas itong umupo ako sa tabi ng inuupuan ni Belvedere kanina.

"Did you hit the Crown Prince?" Inilapag ng kuya ko ang mga libro sa lamesa.

"No!" I rolled my eyes at him. "Hindi pa ako nasisiraan ng bait para gawin yun. At tingin mo ba makakauwi pa ako kung sakali mang ginawa ko iyon sa tagapagmana ng trono?" Parang di nag-iisip to, nakangisi pa at nang-aasar.

"If it's not the Crown Prince, then there is nothing to worry about." Nagkibit balikat ito at muling umupo sa pwesto niya kanina. Only our parents looked concerned.

"What exactly happened?" Tanong ng Marquess.

"Nakasalubong ko kasi ang Grand Duke habang papalabas sa palasyo ng Itinakdang Prinsipe. He accused me of stealing those," Itinuro ko ang mga librong ipinahiram ni Dimitri. Agad namang kinuha ng Marquess ang isa sa mga ito at binuklat. Tumingin sa akin ang ama ko pagkatapos. "The Crown Prince lent me the books, sana daw ay makatulong sa pamamalakad sa Stormwatch, but the Grand Duke wouldn't believe me and made a scene." Pagbibigay impormasyon ko. Kinuha rin ni Belvedere ang isang libro at binuklat buklat iyon, his eyes glisten in amusement while skimming the pages.

"Some lower nobles did warn me about the Grand Duke," Muli akong inalok ng ama ko na umupo, and this time I obliged and sat beside my brother. "He was after all unimpressed during the appointing ceremony." The Marquess let out a sigh.

So the one who expressed opposition that day was the Grand Duke? Sa ingay kasi ng throne hall ay hindi ko masyadong natandaan ang boses nito.

"Was that all?" My father added.

Hindi ko magawang sabihin ang mga pag-iinsultong sinabi ni Grand Duke Edmund. Baka magresulta iyon sa mas malaking gulo. Tumango nalang ako bilang tugon.

Napatingin ako sa lamesa. Bukod sa tsaa at panghimagas ay may ilan pang mga nakalagay rito, tulad ng mga tela at mga papel kung saan mayroong mga iba't ibang nakaguhit rito.

Marahil ay napansin ng Marquess ang pagtitig ko sa mga iyon. "Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay para sabay sabay nating mapag-usapan ang tungkol rito. Biglaan ang pasabi ng Hari at gusto niyang isa sa mga pag-usapan bukas sa State meeting ay ang patungkol sa Sinclair March. He wants to know if we'll have our own insignia and color for House Sinclair, or just use the previous one. Itatanong rin nito bukas kung anong pangkabuhayan ang papasukin natin para matustusan ang teritoryo." Inilapag nito ang librong hawak at kumuha ng ilang pirasong tela na may iba't kulay at nilatag sa harapan ko.

Habang nasa karwahe kanina ay hindi ko mapigilang buklatin ang libro at magbasa. I read that it's been five decades since the Stormwatch was abandoned by the previous Sinclair House head, Marchioness Alessa Sinclair. They married off to some other household and no longer take the name Sinclair, they have completely forsaken their roots and territory. But I can't blame them, bukod sa bagyuhin ito ay hindi rin masagana ang lupain rito. Maraming mga panamim ang hindi nabubuhay kaya para sa mga nobles ay wala itong kwenta, binabali wala lang ang teritoryong ito kahit pa ba inaalok ito ng Hari sa kanila sa mababang buwis. For many years, it has just become a camp for the stationed Knights who guard it against the threat of invasions.

Sa lahat naman ng lupaing pwedeng ibigay ay iyon pang mayroong problema. But I know exactly what to do with it. Sa libro, it took years for Sinclair to discover the wealth that lies within the territory, the female lead was dead by the time and it was only mentioned in the epilogue. This time, I'll make our family one of the richest and untouchable families in the Kingdom. So influential that even the Grand Duke cannot touch us.

"What color do you think would suit the March, my child?" The Marchioness poured me a cup of tea.

"Thank you, mother." Pagkasabi ay tiningnan ko ulit ang mga tela.

"Gold, red, and black are the colors of the Royal Family so we must avoid that hues. We have also separated the colors that represent the other households." Belvedere pointed at the fabrics that were separated in a box.

"The previous Lords of the Stormwatch had a sea serpent insignia, and the House color was green. I wanted your opinions for setting up our manorialism." The Marquess explained.

"We have the land and the people. The only problem now is how do we sustain it?" Belvedere counted on his fingers.

"Pag-isipan natin ang bagay na iyan kapag nabasa na natin ang mga librong ito. I'll ask the King to give us more time to think about that. For now, let's focus on the basic things," He told my brother. "Now, what do think of these colors, Daneiris?" Muling baling ng ama ko sa akin.

The bright and catchy colors have already been chosen by the other households. If we choose green again, we'll be associated with the previous Lords of Stormwatch. I know because in the book, our family didn't change anything, the house color and insignia remains as it is, and it didn't go well. All the scandals and shortcomings of the previous lords were thrown at us.

This has to be addressed, at bago pa man sila magpasya na walang babaguhin sa pagkakakilanlan ng Sinclair March.

Kung ibabase sa pisikal na karakter ng pamilya namin, anong kulay kaya ang babagay? Clearly, my brother and I got our obsidian hair to our mother, Marchioness Margara. And our bewitching midnight-ocean gaze from our father, Marques Fabian. The blue could have been a powerful representation of our family if only it wasn't already taken by someone else.

"How about the graphite, Father?" Itinuro ko ang walang kabuhay buhay na kulay sa halip na ang ilang natitirang makukulay na tela.

They all gave me a confused look, probably because that's the last thing Daneiris would choose. She likes bright colors, which I also do, but I have something else in mind.

"This gray color doesn't stand out, and it's perfect because the nobles won't think of us as a threat." Lalong lalo na ang Grand Duke Edmund na yun. "We'll work hard in silence and surprise them how grandeur the Sinclair would become. In the future, graphite will become the most reputable and feared color in the Kingdom." I picked the small fabric and showed it to them.

Well, I must have said that with too much enthusiasm, lahat kasi sila nakatingin sa akin with their mouth slightly open.

"O-Or not," Maybe I sounded weird? Sa libro kasi, Daneiris doesn't take part in house matters that much. She doesn't have strong opinions, and would often just go with everyone's choices. The answer they probably expected of me is 'whatever you like, father'. Baka bigla silang magduda sa akin. "P-pwede naman itong," Ibinaba ko ulit ang telang hawak at inisa isa kong tingnan ang mga naiwang kulay sa lamesa, pero wala talaga akong mapiling iba.

"No, let's have this! I love it. It's a great choice, right, father?" Napatayo pa si Belvedere sa kinauupuan para lang sabihin iyon.

"You don't have to act like you like it, you know." He probably doesn't want me to feel bad about my poor choice.

"I'm not! I really like it! I'll only wear graphite from now on!" He was so determined to prove it.

"Fine, fine! Naniniwala na ko. Hindi mo naman kailangang magsuot ng iisang kulay lang habang buhay." Tumatawa kong sabi. Hindi naman kasi ibig sabihin ng House color ay iyon lang ang kulay na isusuot mo. It's just a distinction between nobles alongside the insignia.

"Then it's settled. Graphite it is." Sabay kaming napatingin ni Belvedere sa Marquess, itinabi na nito ang telang napili ko.

"It's a pretty color, isn't it, dear?" Hinawakan ng Marchioness ang kamay ng asawa.

I know that they're just being considerate of me, but it really feels like they're happy about it.

"Now the insignia!" Deklara ni Belvedere at tumingin sa akin, I also noticed how our parents shift their gazes back at me. I swear I saw their eyes glisten!

Bakit sila nakatingin ng ganyan sa akin? Don't tell me gusto din nila hingin ang opinyon ko tungkol rito?

"I drew some ideas, but nothing seems to fit. What do you think?" Sunod na ipinakita ni Belvedere ang ilang pirasong papel.

The heir of the Sinclair family has a knack for art. When not in training or studying; he would stay in his room to draw or visit the art gallery, and even if it wasn't mentioned in the book, I knew because Daneiris has innumerable memories of going to the galleries with her brother.

Isa isa kong tiningnan ang mga larawang iginuhit ng kuya ko. As of now, I've only seen three insignias here in Vrivasea. The Royal family has the insignia of a red four-winged dragon, the Grand Duchy has a snake with two horns insignia, and the Dukedom of Averylle Valley has a winged-lion symbol. Previously, in Arexxo, we have goddess Xefion as our insignia. She is the goddess of harvest, which perfectly symbolizes the House Lemereux whose main sustenance are crops and wheat. At dahil wala namang diyos na sinasamba sa Vrivasea ay wala akong mapanghuhugutan ng inspirasyon.

Isa sa mga nakatawag ng pansin ko sa mga iginuhit ni Belvedere ay ang ahas na mayroong tatlong ulo. It was perfectly drawn, at dahil sa mga shades at detalye ay aakalain mong buhay ito.

"I drew that earlier, but I was told that the Grand Duchy had a snake-like symbol. And after knowing what happened this afternoon between you and the Grand Duke, this won't be a good idea." Ihiniwalay ni Belvedere ang drawing na iyon at ginusot. My jaw dropped, ang ganda ganda pa naman at pwedeng idisplay.

"Bakit mo naman ginusot!" Kinuha ko sa kamay niya at muling binuklat sabay paulit ulit na pinadaanan ng palad para mawala ang gusot rito.

"It has no use." Nagkibit balikat ulit ito.

I rolled my eyes again. Sa akin nalang to. Tinitigan ko ulit ang larawan. I think on earth there is also a creature with three heads, ano nga ulit ang tawag dun?

Napasapo ako ng noo habang iniisip ang mga pinag-aralan ko noong highschool. Nasa Greek mythology iyon eh.

Napahampas pa ako sa lamesa ng maalala. "Bel, kaya mo bang iguhit si Cerberus?" Halata ang gulat sa mukha nito sa ginawa ko.

I instantly reprimanded myself for not acting lady-like. Baka mamaya ipabasa nila sa akin yung libro ng etiquette of a noble lady, pagod na pagod na akong basahin yun.

"Who is Cerberus?" Kahit nagtataka ay kumuha siya ng blankong papel at panulat.

"It's a creature I read a long time ago. It's a gigantic hound with three heads that guards the underworld. Oh, and the underworld is a place where the soul of the dead goes." Maiksing paliwanag ko dahil alam kong wala silang ganoong sistema ng paniniwala rito sa Vrivasea. They don't believe in god or deity, and the highest divinity they consider is their first King, Evander Gaubert-Claymore.

"What kind of books were you reading?" He asked as he started scribbling on the blank paper.

Hindi na ako sumagot at sinisilip silip nalang ang ginagawa niya. Our parents were also patiently waiting for the result.

"Ganito ba?" Pagkaraan ng ilang minuto ay ipinakita niya sa amin ang larawang ginuhit niya.

Simple lang iyon pero kuhang kuha kaagad ni Belvedere ang itsura ni Cerberus, pati na rin ang angas nito kahit pa ba iilan lang ang detalyeng ibinigay ko.

"What do you think, father?" Ipinasa ko sa Marquess ang larawan at sabay nila iyong tiningnang mag-asawa.

"Oh my!" Napatakip ng bibig ang Marchioness, pero hindi dahil hindi niya iyon nagustuhan, kundi dahil sa paghanga.

"But why did you choose this?" Tanong ng Marquess.

"Mayroon kasing kahulugan ang bawat ulo ni Cerberus. Past, present, and future," Isa isa kong tinuro ang mga ulo sa larawan. "The past will symbolize the previous lords of Stormwatch, that we respect and honor all the good things they did for the March. The second head represents the current Head of Stormwatch," Tumingin ako sa mga magulang namin. "And the third head represents the future Head of the House." Tumingin naman ako kay Belvedere dahil siya ang tagapagmana ng Stormwatch.

"I knew it, something went wrong with your head when you fell off the horse!" Hinawakan ni Belvedere ang noo ko at pinakiramdaman ang temperatura.

"Belvedere!" Kaagad na saway ng Marchioness sa panganay.

My brother gasped and covered his mouth with his palm.

"What do you mean I fell off the horse?" Nagtataka kong tanong sa magulang namin.

Ilang segundong nagkaroon ng katahimikan bago tumango ang Marquess sa asawa na para bang nagbibigay ito ng pahintulot.

"You see, a month ago, you fell off your horse while strolling around the manor." Pag-uumpisa ng Marchioness. "When you woke up, you didn't speak for days, and it looked like you were terrified of everyone. So the physician recommended that we don't mention the accident until you fully recover, because it seems you develop trauma from it." Paliwanag ng Marchioness.

Hindi kaagad ako nakapagsalita. Ang totoo ay hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa. Tanging paulit ulit na pagsosorry ni Belvedere lang ang naririnig ko. The meeting ended with that because everyone was worried that it triggered bad memories. Pero ang totoo ay hindi ako nakapagsalita dahil naisip ko na nang araw na iyon ay namatay ang totoong Daneiris dahil sa pagkahulog sa kabayo, at ako, si Cordelia ang pumalit sa katawan niya, because when I woke up to a different body on an unfamiliar environment, I didn't spoke to anyone for days while I was trying to figure things out. I was terrified of the people calling me a different name and introduced themselves as my family. When it sunk into me that I became Daneiris Sinclair after I got hit by a truck and died, was the day I started talking to them.

"Come in." Pagbibigay pahintulot ko sa sino man yung kumakatok.

It was my brother, and he's holding a tray with whatever is on it. I already ate. Dahil nag-aalala silang lahat sa akin kanina, my dinner was served inside my room so it won't tire me up.

"I brought you some snacks." Inilagay niya iyon sa bedside table at umupo naman siya sa gilid ng kama. "I'm sorry about earlier. Dapat ay nag-iingat ako sa mga sinasabi." Mukhang apektadong apektado ito dahil sa nangyari sa drawing room.

"Brother, I think you misunderstood something. I'm fine. I was just shocked because I didn't know I fell off the horse." Umayos ako ng upo.

Mukhang nagtataka ito. "You don't remember?" Alangan niyang tanong.

"Yeah." Maging ako ay naiilang din. His sister died that day, and I took over her body.

"It should have stayed that way if it wasn't for my damn mouth. Now I brought back unwanted memories."

"It's okay, you don't have to feel bad about it. I'm glad that I knew." I assured him. "Thank you for the snacks." Binalingan ko nalang iyon at kinain para ipakitang maayos lang naman talaga ang pakiramdam ko.

"By the way, the Marquess was tasked to escort the Crown Prince to the Sheodica Kingdom. I heard there would be trade happening during this trip. Do you want to come? I'll buy you everything you want!" Pang-aalo nito.

Sheodica Kingdom? It sounds familiar. Parang isa iyon sa mga kaharian sa mga libro ni RC Astralia, hindi ko lang alam kung sa aling libro dahil hindi ko naman binasa ang iba nyang gawa. Kung ang unang libro pa nga lang, nakakainis na. Pano pa kaya yung iba?

Pumayag ako sa alok niyang iyon. Para mayroon naman akong pagkakataon para magliwaliw bago mangyari ang pagsisimula ng kwento. I know I should avoid Dimitri, pero sayang naman to. Hindi na nga nakagala nung buhay pa as Cordelia dahil laging busy sa trabaho, pati ba naman dito?

Nagkwentuhan pa kami pagkatapos.

Belvedere left my room after reassuring him numerous times that I'm not sick. Kung hindi ko pa pinaalala sa kanya na kailangan niyang ayusin ang pagkakaguhit kay Cerberus ay hindi pa ito aalis. Nakakastress din pala pagmasyadong mahal ng pamilya. Pero mas gugustuhin ko na to kay sa sa isang pamilyang walang pakialam sayo.

The State meeting went well, and father was able to present smoothly the changes we've decided for the March. The King was supportive of it, and the Nobles weren't given a chance to oppose. Akala ko talaga ay pagdidiskitahan ni Grand Duke Edmund ang ama ko dahil sa nangyari sa palasyo ng Itinakdang Prinsipe.

Sunod naman naming pinaghandaan ang pagpunta sa Sheodica Kingdom. I was told that the trip would last for three days, tapos isang araw lang kami roon at babyahe na ulit pauwi. Even though this is a work related trip, the Marquess was allowed to bring his family. When we arrived at port, isang napakalaking barko ang naghihintay sa amin.

Nagulat ako ng makitang isa rin sa mga escort ng Crown Prince si Duke Hadeon Darcy. At naroon din ang dumagdag sa listahan ng mga ayaw kong makita, si Grand Duke Edmund.

Nang dumating si Crown Prince Dimitri ay hindi maipinta ang mukha nito, lalong lalo na ng may lumapit sa kanya na isang babae at yumakap sa braso nito.

Who the hell? Dahil medyo malayo ako ay hindi ko matukoy kung sino, pero nang makaakyat na kami sa barko ay agad kong natukoy ang pagkakakilanlan nito.

Thick and wavy medium-length umber hair, large golden orbs, low nose bridge, and rosy full-lips. This definition was given to Lady Priscilla Percyval, the only daughter of Grand Duke Edmund Claymore-Percyval. The woman the Grand Duke was trying so hard to put beside Dimitri as the Crown Princess.

Sandaling nagtama ang tingin naming dalawa, pero agad niya akong inirapan, at mas lalo pang niyakap ang braso ni Dimitri.

Girl, iyong iyo na ang isang yan! I'll support, cheer, and pray na nawa ay maakit mo si Dimitri this time!

The moment the Crown Prince retires to his room, ay nagpahinga na rin kami. I really thought I could enjoy the trip, walk on the deck and admire the vast ocean, but a few hours on the voyage, it started raining. The weather wasn't generous the whole trip. Nagpakita lang ang araw nang marating na namin ang Sheodica Kingdom.

Minsan na nga lang gumala, sinabutahe pa ng malakas na ulan.

Pagkalabas namin sa deck ay agad na isinoot ni Belvedere sa akin ang coat niya. "In case it suddenly rains again."

"Thank you, brother." The warmth of the sun feels great. Tatlong araw ba naman kaming nasa loob lang ng barko. Even though there are restaurants and indoor entertainment areas, iba pa din talaga ang sariwang hangin.

We lined up and bowed when the heir to the throne arrived, and behind him is Grand Duke Edmund and his daughter. Dimitri is obviously not in a good mood, and I swear I could see a vein about to pop around his forehead.

"Good morning, ladies, lords, and His Royal Highness. I am Viscount Naia Zeneviava Cavendish, your Public Relations Specialist, shall we talk about business now?" A man with pink hair and amber eyes introduced himself.

"I'll leave you alone to talk, I have a business to attend with the Grand Duke." His voice was cold.

Medyo kinabahan ako dahil baka biglang umandar ang pagiging villain ng isang ito. He left after saying that para lumapit roon sa isang nakaunipormeng lalaki pero hindi ko kilala kung sino. Agad na sumunod si Grand Duke Edmund sa kanya, at ganoon na rin si Duke Hadeon. I thought the Marquess would follow since he is also part of the escort team, pero nanatili kaming nakatayo roon.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Viscount Naia Cavendish, I am Marquess Fabian Sinclair." My father greeted back, and bowed his head. "I heard warships can also be purchased during this trade." He added after the formalities.

I almost forgot, the Marquess' duty is to defend the coast of Stormwatch from invaders. So he's here to purchase ships and weaponry.

"Yes, indeed, my lord, what would you like to buy, and we'll bring you that as soon as possible." Sagot noong nagpakilalang Viscount Naia.

"Can you sell me a warship with a labyrinthine interior that would make it impossible for an outsider to locate the command throne of the ship's admiral? Also it must be able to house thousands of squadrons, machinery and weaponry." Unti unti ng bumabagsak ang ngiti ko dahil wala akong maintindihan sa sinasabi ng ama ko. This is not what Belvedere promised me. Gusto ko nang mamasyal.

"We have that, my lord. Also, we have the most advanced version of that. Do you want a ship that can camouflage in its environment and will not be detected by any detector? It is already finished, yet we are just proposing this overpowered ship to our solid allies, like you." Mas lalo akong walang naintindihan sa isinagot nito. Wala naman sigurong nakakapansin kung mawawala ako sandali di ba? Wala kasi talaga akong interes sa mga warships. Gusto ko nang mamasyal, but even my brother is so immersed listening to the Viscount's offer.

Unti unti akong humakbang palayo sa kanila, kaya hindi ko na alam kung ano pa ang mga pinagusapan nila. Ilang araw ko ring hinintay na makalabas sa deck ng barko and I will not spend it listening about warships.

Habang sumisilip sa ibaba ay mas lalo akong nasabik dahil sa mga napakaraming tindahan sa gilid ng port. Sisiguraduhin kong pagsisisihan ni Belvedere ang sinabi niyang bibilhin niya lahat ng gusto ko. Kakalakad ay narating ko ang harapang dulo ng barko, mabilis akong napatingin sa magkabilang direksyon at nang makitang walang tao ay agad akong lumapit roon. Pangarap ko talaga magawa yung eksena sa isa sa mga paborito kong pelikula.

I stood at the forecastle deck and spread my hands. "I'm the King of the world!" I screamed on the top of my lungs.

"Titanic!" Kamuntik na dumulas ang paa ko sa railings nang marinig ko ang malakas na boses na iyon, pano nito nalaman ang tungkol sa Titanic?

A man in uniform came to view, and his pink hair is rustling along the cold wind, his amber orbs are as surprised as I am.

____CHAPTER 3____

This chapter is a cross over between mareng kyubi3 and I.

Viscount Naia is from the 3rd installment of the metempsychosis series called NAVIGATING THE PARALLEL DENOUEMENT 🤍

THANKS FOR READING 🤍

VOTE. COMMENTS. RL
are highly appreciated.