It's been a day since I arrived at the palace, I haven't have fun with the other Mistresses yet and that's just so boring.

Kaya naisipan kong pumunta sa hall kung saan madalas nakatambay ang anim na babaeng kasali sa harem ng hari. Sa hall, doon pinagdiriwang ang kaarawan o pagtitipong gustong isagawa ng lahat. Malaki ito at maespasyo, ngunit kadalasan ay doon tumatambay ang amin na babae para suriin ang mga dukumentong iniatas sa kanila.

"I'd like to go to the hall, you may not come and have your free time instead."

Smiling innocently, I turned to my butler. Each Mistresses has her own butler and that butler is all out. They could be your most loyal companion inside the palace, they'll do all your biddings without failing and without spreading your bad smell.

Isang babaeng may asul na mata ang naatas sa'king maging butler, ang kaniyang hanggang balikat na buhok ay bumagay sa kaniyang biluging mukha. Magkasing-tangkad lang kami pero mas matanda siya sa'kin ng dalawang taon.

Her name is Wellem, sounds like a male name but she's not. She's any way beautiful.

"No need for free time, Mistress Fortneigh," she answered confidently. "I have nothing to do, might as well come with you instead. The Mistresses are dangerous, you'll need someone to watch your back."

"No, they watch their backs." I smirked and fixed my beautiful red dress. "We all desire to be the king's bride, but only one of us is capable of. And do you know who that certain mistress is?"

"Mistress Fortneigh?" She answered, unsure.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at naiiling na tumawa. Tanging pagngiti lang ang kaniyang ginawa at iniligpit na mga ginamit para ayusin ang buhok ko. Matapos ay walang emosyon akong lumabas ng kwarto at nagtungong hall, nakasunod siya sa'kin.

Malayo ang hall sa aking silid at madadaanan pa muna ang maliit na sapa kung saan kailangan kong dumaan sa tulay para marating ang hall. Subalit mayroon namang daan para makarating doon ng hindi dumadaan sa tulay. Malayo nga lang at madadaanan ko ang bulawagan ng hari.

Bago ang hari, ang mga hadlang muna.

When I reached the hall, I found the two younger Mistresses painting in a huge canvas, they were on their brown satin dresses with slim curves. While the other women were reading political books in the corner. How did I know they're reading political books? It's because of the book cover and the rest were just discussing.

The first one to notice me was Avyanna, from reading, her eyes slowly darted at me. When our eyes met, I saw the coldness and mystery her dark orbs brought. She could undeniably inject chills to anyone just through her piercing, silent but sharp eyes.

I sighed as I averted my eyes to the woman beside her—Sigrid Isana Frayah, the sixth Mistress. I smiled, she's the most aloof one. She's just so plain and unsociable, according to my study. She came from the powerful clan of Frayah in Japan but she's not a pure blooded Japanese.

"Hi, everyone!" I confidently announced my arrival.

Napabaling sa'kin sina Caroline at Artemis, na nagpipinta sa dalawang malalaking canvas ng magkaharap. Tanging sila lamang ang natuwa nang makita ako, tanging bumati at tumayo para salubungin ako. Samantalang ang iba ay walang pakialam.

Si Caroline ay agad akong inayang sabayan silang mapinta habang ang aking butler ay humanay sa anim pang kababaihan na nasa gilid.

"Mistress Fortneigh, good thing you decided to join us here. We've been anticipating for your arrival when we heard that a seventh mistress is coming," Caroline said with a wide and friendly smile.

I squinted my eyes at her innocent face, too good to be true. But I know she's really glad I'm here, I knew her we'll enough. She's Caroline Blyana Indovic, the fourth Mistress from the house of Indovic in Italy. She's innocent, carefree and a softy. But even after knowing that she has a kind heart, I still can't trust her. The tables may turn.

"The invitation was so sudden," I replied as I take a look of her painting. "I was overwhelmed of the palace's warmth, this place is nice."

"It is, we're family here. So don't be shy to communicate with us."

"Yeah?"

"I am Artemis Philomena by the way," Artemis introduced herself. "In case you forgot, I came from the house of Bevenger in Barcelona. I'm the third mistress."

"Nice meeting you in person, Mistress Artemis," sagot ko at ngumiti.

"Likewise, but just call me Mena. Do you want to paint?"

"Sure."

"Wait, I'll tell Genesis to get you your things."

And she stood up, approached her own butler for a quick talk. While Caroline showed me hers. I was truly amazed, she paints well. She painted a beautiful palace of an old monarchy in Spain while Mena painted a snowdrift. I actually don't like painting but I surely know how. When I was a child, I was forced to learn everything that there is in the palace. Even how to fight, how to ride a horse and how to managed a small business. My family's culture, beliefs and tradition were really strictly followed, but when I was romoured dead, and my father also died, it was like it died with us. Kahit na alam kong hindi pa tuluyang namamatay ang aming tradisyon.

Libang na libang kami sa pagpipinta na nakalimutan kong nasa paligid lang ang ibang babae. Nabalik lang ako sa wisyo nang naramdaman ang paglapit ng tatlo pang babae maliban sa pangalawa. Lahat sila ay tumayo sa aking likuran upang tignan ang aking ipininta.

"What's that?" I heard Arpina Mildred Madisen asked, she's the fifth Mistress and she's quite competitive. If you want competition in all activities inside the palace, it's her you should seek. "Your painting is quite unique, it's complicated and a bit dirty to look at."

"It is," sagot ko at ngumisi.

"What does that mean?" Nashira, the first Mistress asked out of confusion. "Your painting surely means something, it's dirty but quite deep and meaningful."

"What's up with the blind fold and sewd mouth?" Arpina asked again.

Habang ang iba ay tahimik at namamangha sa gawa ko, heto ang dalawang babae at pilit inaalam ang katotohanan sa likod ng ipininta ko. Tama sila, magulo ang pagpinta ko dahil sinadya ko yun.

Isang magulo at maduming imahe ng mga tao ang ipininta ko, may patayan, may nakawan ng buwis, pagtatraidor, karahasan at isang lalaking nakapiring at nakatahi ang bibig ang nasa gitna. Kung tutuusin ay simpling pagpinta lang ang ginawa ko, sadyang bulag at bobo lang sila at hindi nila makita ang gusto kong iparating.

"It's a symbolism of tyranny."

And at last, someone got it deeper than they do. Nakangisi kong nilingon ang seryusong si Avyanna na walang emosyong nakatitig sa ipininta ko. Lahat sila ay namamanghang bumaling din sa kaniya, hindi makapaniwalang nagawa niyang makuha ang nais kong iparating.

"You're right, it's a symbolism of tyranny," I added. "The painting may look dirty and unorganized, complex and ugly for some...but the meaning it holds is deeper than the Pacific."

"And I wonder why you thought of painting such." She looked at me and flashed a wicked smirk. "Tyrant, tyranny, betrayal, you just arrived and you painted such masterpiece that the king would like and would hate to see."

"Uhuh?"

"Nice piece, Mistress Fortneigh. You have a talent when it comes to painting."

I smirked confidently, enjoying her compliment but deep inside, her subtle mockery. She smirked as she rose to her feet and mysteriously walked towards me.

I feel like every step she makes, unravel a mystery that is hidden behind her dark orbs and mysterious smile.

"But no one comes close to the king's standard," she added as she stopped mid way to stare at my painting with disgust and hate in her eyes. "A dirty, complex yet deep-meaning painting won't pique the king's interest. You better learn some more from us to be even able to compete."

"Yeah, definitely Avyanna!" Nashira agreed cheerily. "Fortneigh needs to learn a lot, she's still immature when it comes to this kind of stuff. Being a mistress doesn't mean being the king's toy alone."

"For sure the king told you what his standard is," Arpina added with a nod. "He needs a queen that can do all duties well enough, he's the king and he deserves the best Mistress as his queen."

"And as far as I can see it, you're still immature. You need to really learn if you want to be chosen as the king's bride," kahit si Sigrid ay dumagdag.

Napataas ako ng kilay at lalong ngumisi dahil sa sinabi nila. Talaga bang immature pa ako at walang alam para maging reyna ng hari o gusto lang nila akong ilaglag. Wala naman akong pakialam dun at sa sasabihin nila, pero sige, sasakyan ko ang trip nila.

"Noted, I'll try to observe you guys so I could do better next time. I guess you're right, I really need to learn."

"Oh, no it's not like that, Mistress Fortneigh," agad na bawi ni Caroline at ngumuso sa'kin. "You're good, please don't judge her too harsh!"

"We're not being harsh, Caroline," Nashira retorted with a confident smirk. "We care for her reputation, that's why we're being honest. It won't hurt her ego, would it?"

"Of course not," I simply replied and smiled at Nashira.

Her brows tugged up with a visible mockery.

"See? She's good, Caroline. Don't be too affected."

"I'm just worried, she might feel like she's being judged and unwanted here."

"No, it's fine. I'm good," bawi ko.

Lalong ngumisi si Nashira at supladang tumalikod. Sumunod si Sigrid habang si Avyanna ay kanina pa umalis. Si Arpina ay saglit ngumiti bago rin umalis.

When they totally vanished, Mena, Caroline and I sat back at the chairs and painted some more. They were fun to be with, they're just so kind and light-hearted. They see things way too wonderful that they couldn't see what's wrong. And honestly, they scare me. I was scared not for myself but for them, soon, the real competition for the crown and throne beside the king will begin.

At ang mga matatatag lang ang matitira, ang mga mauutak at handang lumaban kahit magpatayan man. At hindi sila yun.

Nang mapagod ay napagpasyahan naming lumabas para libutin ang magandang palasyo. Matagal din ang labing-anim na taon, marami ng nagbago sa loob at labas ng palasyo.

"Look at that fountain!" Mena pointed the fountain near the lake, it was surrounded by beautiful flowers and stones. "That fountain was said to be as old as this palace, I think hundreds of years ago."

Huminto kami sa tapat ng fountain, habang nakatunganga sa umuulang tubig ay biglang naalala ko ang aking nakaraan. Noong minsan akong naligaw dito kasama ang reyna, ang totoong Ina ko.

"This fountain is one of the witnesses of this palace's glory and victory. The rise and fall. The wealth and the rulers. So magnificent," namamanghang dugtong ni Caroline.

Hindi ko napigilang lumapit at basahin ang kamay sa tubig na bumubulwak mula sa bibig ng statwang lalaki na nakasuot ng kasuutang pandigma.

My ancestors. I promise I'll take this palace back from the tyrant king and queen. I'll remind them of our legacy.

Nakatingala lamang ako sa itaas habang nakatitig sa mukha ng lalaking ninuno, dahilan para hindi ko agad nakita ang dalawang lalaking palapit sa gawi namin. Sandali akong natulala sa dalawang binatang papalapit at pasekretong namangha sa taglay nilang kakisigan.

"Mistress Mena, Mistress Caroline," bati ng lalaking may mapaglaro at mapanlinlang na ngiti. "My pleasure to see you again, ladies."

"Duke Evander!"

Bumati ang dalawa kaya dahan-dahan din akong humarap sa mga bagong dating, sinuri kong mabuti ang dalawang binata. Hindi sila pamilyar ngunit paniguradong kilala ko sila. Wala nga lang akong alam sa kanila.

"Count Sirius!"

Bumati rin sila sa isa pang lalaki na kanina pang ngumingiti at pasulyap-sulyap sa kung saan. Hanggang sa napatingin ito sa'kin, agad tumikwas ang labi nito at malagkit akong pinasadahan ng tingin.

Perverted Count.

"I came here because I heard the seventh Mistress has arrived." Nabalik ang panginin ko sa naunang lalaking may mahabang buhok na hanggang batok. "Of course I wanna see the seventh Mistress myself, I heard some rumours from the guards that she's really beautiful."

"She is!" Caroline beamed.

"Uhuh?"

Tumagos ang titig nito sa dalawang babae sa aking unahan at tumama sa'kin ang kaniyang mapaglarong tingin. Agad akong kinilabutan nang makita ang kakaiba niyang ngisi at apoy sa mga kayumanggi niyang mata. Ngunit hindi ako nagpahalata at imbis ay suplada ko siyang tinaasan ng kilay at inirapan.

I don't like this guy they called Duke Evander, so he's the Duke?

Nang sa Count naman ako napatingin ay mas lalong kumulo ang dugo ko nang mabasa ang parehong pagnanasa sa kaniyang mata. Mga lalaking suwapang.

"Who are you?" Evander asked, interested. "Are you the seventh Mistress? Are you Mistress Fortneigh Eleanor Jimenez of Jimenez household?"

I scoffed. "Who do you think I am? Do I look like a butler?"

"Fortneigh!"

The two women before me hissed softly, they widened their eyes at me but I didn't care. I looked at my butler meters away from me and nodded my head.

"Fortneigh, are you leaving?" Mena asked when I was about to pass them, horrified.

"So you're Mistress Fortneigh, hindi ko alam na sobrang ganda pala ng ika-pitong Mistress."

Pero natigil ako nang marinig na nagtagalog ang Duke kahit may kaunting accent pa. Hindi ko alam na marunong siya ng lengguwaheng yun.

"Oh, so you understand talagog!" He exclaimed when he saw me halted. "Magagamit ko na rin ang talagog ko. Buti naman at pinaghirapan ko yung pag-aralan."

"Excuse me?" It's not talagog! It's tagalog for Pete's sake! "Are you sure you can speak tagalog? Because as I've seen it, it doesn't suit you."

Suplada akong umirap at naiiling na nilagpasan sila. Hindi na ako napigilan ng dalawang babae pero laking gulat ko nang humabol naman ang Duke at iniharang ang sarili sa daraanan ko. Kung hindi lang ako nakahinto agad, mababangga ko sana siya. Nakita ko agad ang nasisiyahan niyang ngisi, huminga akong malalim para kontrolin ang inis.

"My bad, that wasn't meant, Mistress Fortneigh."

"Really, huh?"

"Yeah, and I just want to introduce myself to you formally," sabi niya. "Please spare a minute."

Nakangusong humabol ang dalawang babae at ang Count na nakangisi rin. Bumuntong-hininga ako at ngumisi ng napaka-inosente.

The Duke blinked when he saw how my annoyed face vanished and was replaced by a friendly innocent one.

"I don't accept lame introduction," sabi ko at nagtaas ng kilay.

"Of course, I hate lame introductions, too." Ngumiti siya at umatras ng bahagya, tapos ay bigla na lang niyang kinuha ang kamay ko at dinala iyon sa kaniyang labi. "Duke Evander Finley, milady. It's nice meeting you in person."

And he kissed my pulse. My breathing hitched a little as I gasped in my head. His soft lips left a warmth in my wrist. Then a genuine smile curved his lips as he licked them.

"Soft skin, nice smell, beautiful face and piercing personality. Just exactly my type."

"Sadly, she's the king's mistress," singit ng isa pang lalaking kanina pa nakangisi at nakikipagbulungan kina Mena. "Unless she won't be chosen."

"But that's not impossible, just look at her Sirius, can't you see what I see?"

"Of course I do, that's why I'm gonna make my own intro."

And the Count stepped towards me, malayo pa lang ay nag-abot na siya ng kamay. Nakangiting tumango-tango ang dalawang babae sa likuran nito nang hindi ko agad tinanggap ang pakikipagkamay ng Conde.

"Count Sirius Zuriel Gentraud, Mistress Fortneigh Eleanor Jimenez. My pleasure to meet you."

Ngumisi ako at agad tinanggap ang kamay niya, agad umangal ang Duke'ng nasa likuran niya.

"Agad niyang tinanggap ang pakikipag-kamay mo habang ang akin ay parang napilitan lang. Ano bang kulang sa'kin at parang ayaw niya?"

"Ask yourself dude," ngising sagot ng Count.

Nang makalas ang kamay ay muli niya akong nginitian. Tinitigan kong mabuti ang Count para sauluhin ang mukha niya. Tulad ng Duke ay medyo may kahabaan ang buhok niyang kulay pula. Asul din ang mga mata niya at matangos ang ilong, makapal ang kilay at mestizo. Hindi ko na kailangang sabihin na gwapo dahil kulang ang salitang yun.

Matapos magpakilala ay bumalik siya kina Mena. May sinabi siya rito na dahilan ng biglang pagpaalam ng dalawa. Pinanuod ko silang lumayo at naiwan ako kasama ang butler at si Duke Evander.

The Duke had a triumphant smile on his lips when I glanced at him, that's when I realized he planned it. He used the Count to draw the two women away so we will be alone together! Good thing I have my butler with me.

"You're not mad, are you?" Tanong niya nang makita ang malamig at seryuso kong titig. "Wala akong sinabi, bigla na lang silang umalis."

"Kung makapagsalita akala mo naman nakakabasa ka ng isip, mahusay, maari ka ng maging mangkukulam."

"What's kulam?"

Napaikot ako ng mata, wala sa plano ko ang pakisamahan siya dahil unang-una, hindi sila kasama sa pinag-aralan ko. Kailangan ko silang layuan ng Conde kung'di agad nila akong mabibisto. Baka hindi masunod ang mga plano ko sa hari.

"Akala ko ba nakakaintindi ka ng lengguwahe ng mga pilipino?" I arched my brows and smirked. "Seems like, you just said that to gain attention from the two Mistresses."

"I don't need to lie for that," he fired as he walked beside me. "They adore me themselves. And I don't care if they would or they wouldn't, what matters to me now is that I'm talking to you."

"Bakit mo ba ako kinukulit?" We're not close and we don't know each other that much. He's suspicious. "Are you spying on me? Who sent you?"

"What?" He chuckled as he raked his fingers to his golden hair, his long slim fingers glided smoothly at his hair strands. That move didn't escape my eyes. "You're funny, why would I spy on the king's Mistress? And why would I waste my time spying on a very beautiful woman when in fact, I can spice you up and lure you out."

I chuckled nonchalantly.

"You're funny, you talked like a damn immature and lame. Over self-confidence sometimes fail to impress me, better luck next time, Duke Evander."

"Hey, wait!"

Mabilis akong naglakad paliko sa tulay at ganun din si Wellem. Naiwan ang Duke na nakatunganga at marami pa sanang sasabihin. Nagtagis ang bagang ko. Hindi na dapat bumalik pa ang lalaking yun dito, sisirain niya ang agos ng plano ko.