I thought it would be a hell to pay. I can't help but scoff at Nashira when our eyes met. She behaves like a slutty innocent puppy under the king's keen eyes.

Tinago ko ang ngisi sa pamamagitan ng pag-inom ng wine at pagbaba ng tingin sa pagkain ko. Nararamdaman ko pa rin ang talas ng paningin ng hari at kanang kamay nito. Seryuso at tahimik ang anim, kung kumilos pa ang iba aakalain mong santa sa hinhin.

"I'm glad you're all getting along with each other," the king said sarcastically. "No one's being bullied here, right? All fine?"

He's so good at mocking the silence. Hindi nakahirit si Nashira para ilaglag ako gaya ng plano niya. Nagtataka rin ako bakit imbis konprontahin ako ay ito ang pinagsasabi ng hari.

Well, if this is his way of polishing the trouble within us, then it's my advantage. I can make Nashira hate me more and she'll drag herself down.

"It's been days since Mistress Fortneigh came." The king turned to me, smirking as he's always been. "So how's the palace and the people, Mistress Fortneigh? Have you had fun with your friends?"

His thick sarcasm is annoying but funny. Hindi man lang nagbago ang ekspresyon niya. Binaba ko ang baso at nakangisi rin siyang hinarap. Nang magtagpo ang mata namin ay napakuyom ako para labanan ang intensidad ng titig niya.

"Everything's fine, if that's what you want to hear." I smiled more. "My friends are fun and friendly, especially the two over here."

Ngumiti sina Caroline at Mena nang lingunin ko at ng hari, hagip naman ng mata ko ang pagngiwi ni Arpina. Seryuso pa rin si Avyanna, si Sigrid ay mahinhin at tahimik na kumakain habang si Nashira ay nagtatagis ang bagang.

"Good news then," anang hari. "So there's nothing I should be worried about, huh? Seems like you're all behaving peacefully, as usual."

Napataas ako ng kilay.

"As usual, huh? You seems bored now, your majesty." I shot him a suggestive look. "Want some fun? Give me a word and I'll give you some entertainment."

"You're not going to give me headaches, Mistress Fortneigh," nakangisi niyang sagot at binalingan ang babaeng kaharap ko. "I have a different definition of fun."

"Then I'll give you your kind of fun, my king. Behaving like a saint is not my thing."

"What are you implying?" Arpina butted in, forehead creased.

"Wala naman."

"Talk in English, Mistress Fortneigh," may diin niyang sabi.

Pero hindi na ako sumagot dahilan para sumama ang templa ng mukha niya. Marahang tumawa ang hari at sa isang pitik ng kamay, yumuko ang naka-asul na lalaki sa tabi niya, sakto lang para makabulong siya rito ng walang kahirap-hirap.

The man nodded and left. Wala pa rin emosyon ang mukha nito at pasan yata ang mundo.

"Let's go back here, so what's up with you?" The king faced Nashira, who was clenching her jaw tightly. "How have you been, Mistress Nashira?"

"Your majesty, you said we shouldn't make trouble that will disturb you."

"Yeah?"

"Then this woman here should be kicked out." Nashira pointed her finger at me, enraged. "She's just so unbelievable! She just arrived but she'd already shown her real color."

"Ayaw mo nun? Walang plastikan?" Sabat ko bigla at ngumisi lalo.

"What did you say? Speak in English, Fortneigh."

"Mag-adjust ka kung gusto mo 'kong maintindihan, Nashira."

"You bitch——"

Natigil siya planong pagmura sa'kin nang maalalang kasama namin ang hari at kailangan niyang itago ang tunay na ugali. Napairap na lang ako nang para siyang maiiyak na humarap sa hari.

"Forgive my rudeness, your majesty. I was just hurt," she said in her trembling voice.

Apaka-arte. At dahil kaharap ko siya at pareho naming katabi ang haring nasa kabisera, walang hirap na inabot ng hari ang kamay niya at marahan yung hinaplos. I wanted to scoff, so much. But I had to reign myself because the king is undoubtedly toying with her!

"It's okay, my sweet Nashira. You should not cry, I don't like it when my women are crying." His voice is even unbelievably sweet and soft! I can't believe him! "You're a good girl, you always obey my orders and never contradict them."

"All for you, my king. I'll be the best for you," nasisiyahang sagot ni Nashira at tinignan ako.

"Yeah, that's why I'm here."

"Are you gonna kick that woman out?"

Kung siguro hindi ako kalmado, kanina ko pa sinugod ang bwisit na si Nashira. Maikli lang talaga ang pasensiya ko at 'yang kaartehan niya nakakasuka. Ang hari naman ay halatang nagsasaya, lakas mambola. Mukha bang sweet at masunurin talaga si Nashira? If only he knows.

"She'll be punished for hurting you, honey." Nahugot ko ang hininga nang marinig ang hari, gusto kong tumawa at sumabat pero pilit kong pinigilan ang sarili. "But it's too early for her to leave, don't you think? She can stay for a while and be obedient. She's just like that because she didn't know the rules yet."

Sa ilalim ng mesa, gusto kong tadyakan si Nashira nang mauwi sa ngiti ang kaninang naiiyak niyang mata. Kahit hindi gaanong satisfied, masaya siyang mapaparusahan ako. Sa inis nakainom ulit ako ng isang baso ng wine bago nakataas kilay na sinalubong ang tingin ng hari.

The king's amused eyes and mocking grin when he turned to me was really annoying. It's as if, he's enjoying seeing us silently killing each other on our heads. He must have known that we're really not good but he's trying to manipulate us. If he can manipulate Nashira and the rest, then he can't manipulate me! I'll never let him.

"Maybe she is, it's fine now, your majesty. Maybe a punishment will do," nangingiting saad ni Nashira at hinawakan ng mahigpit ang kamay ng hari.

"Lame, masaya ka na diyan? Pero mas masaya yung kahapon, Nashira," singit ko ulit sa ibang lengguwahe.

"What did you say?"

"I said, I thought we're just having fun yesterday. I didn't know you're that weak to get hurt by a single push. Pity, I should've been careful with you."

"Fortneigh."

Kahit papano nagdulot sa'kin ng ngiti ang may diin niyang pagbanggit sa pangalan ko habang pinipigilang maasar. Humingang malalim ang hari at si Sigrid naman ang kinausap.

"How are you my dear Sigrid?" The king asked in an even charming tone. "You look so calm, having no stress at all?"

Mula sa pagkakayuko ay mabagal na nag-angat ng tingin si Sigrid at nahihiyang ngumiti sa hari. Agad namula ang mukha niya kahit wala naman dahilan. Hindi ko napigilang ngumiwi nang sumagot siya sa nauutal na boses at agad yumuko. Buong agahan yata ang dami kong naipon na kaartehan mula sa kanila maliban sa dalawang katabi ko.

Sigrid Isana Frayah is just so modest and shy, she seems harmless but she's the most dangerous opponent if Avyanna is out of the choices.

"Mistress Fortneigh will be summoned in the king's throne room in an uncertain time. Hope everyone would soon get along, let's create a friendly vibes here."

When the king said that, my soft curses flew out. Pagkaalis nila ay tinatamad din akong tumayo para sana umalis na nang harangan ako ni Nashira at Arpina.

"Hey there bitch," nakangising bati sa'kin ni Nashira at nagmamalaking humarap sa'kin. "The king may had given you a chance but that doesn't mean you're safe. I'll kick you out myself if he can't."

Caroline and Mena go for my back up but didn't have the chance to butt in. I smiled mockingly at the woman before me. While Avyanna and Sigrid already left without giving us a single care.

"It's fine, Nashira. You can drag me down, do whatever way there is to kick me out, make me suffer. But I'm telling you, I play differently than you. I'm good at making people who hate me hate me more, but I'm better at making people go out of their shells and lose their cools. So good luck and be brave."

"I will not give you a chance to counter me, Fortneigh. You made a wrong move when you go against me. I'll make your life a living hell."

"Threats don't do good at me, try harder, slut." Agad nasira ang pustura niya sa sinabi ko. "Better do worse than threatening me, words won't scare me."

"Just you wait, Fortneigh. I'll make you kneel before me!"

"Kung ganun uunahan kita, kaya 'wag kang tatanga-tanga."

"What are you saying?!" She yelled.

Ngumisi lang ako lalo at nilagpasan siya. Mabilis niyang hinuli ang kamay ko pero may sinabi si Wellem kaya bumitaw din siya agad. Nginitian ko rin sina Caroline at Mena bago tuluyang lumabas ng dining area.

Naglibot na naman ako sa garden kasama si Wellem dahil maliban dun, wala na akong gagawin. Ilang araw pa lang pero nabo-bored na ako sa palasyo, siguro dahil dati na akong namalagi rito at wala talaga rito ang nagpapasaya sa'kin. Gusto kong lumabas at maglibot kahit saglit.

Then suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

"Wellem?"

"Mistress Fortneigh?"

Nakangiti akong humarap sa butler at tamad na naupo sa bench na nakaharap sa fountain. Matataas ang halaman na nagsisilbing bakod para sa daan patungong palasyo.

Sa kabila ng bakod na yun ay ang magagandang bulaklak at fountain na napaliligiran ng proper treamed na bulaklak. Habang sa malayo, ilang metro sa mataas na gate ng palasyo, nakatayo ang matatayog na pine trees at sa ilalim nun ay mga upuang gawa sa metal.

"I feel like drinking soda, meron ba rito?"

Ilang minuto siyang tumitig sa'kin, doon ko na-realized na hindi niya naman ako naintindihan. Bumuga ako ng hangin at ngumisi.

"I should tutor you so you could understand Tagalog, what do you think?"

"I'll try to study about your language, Mistress Fortneigh," she replied, smiling a bit.

Tumango-tango ako. "Good girl, then get me some soda if there is."

"Soda? Of course there is, you want me to get you one?"

"Apparently."

"But...you'll be alone."

"It's alright, as if I'll die if you leave me here."

Ilang minuto niya akong tinitigan na para bang may gagawin akong masama kapag umalis siya. Inosente akong ngumiti at tumango sa kaniya.

"Come on, what are you looking for?"

"Nothing...you're just so beautiful...I can't take my eyes off you, milady."

Nahihiya siyang nag-iwas ng tingin at kita ko ang pamumula ng tenga niya. Agad akong natawa kaya mas lalo siyang nahiya at napayuko na lang.

"Milady."

"Beautiful huh, like how beautiful, Wellem?"

"So...so... beautiful...like a princess."

"Keen eyes!" I snapped my fingers. "Now go and get me my soda."

"Sí, milady."

Naiiling akong tumawa nang mabilis siyang tumalima. Agad akong tumayo at pinagpagan ang suot na dress. Hanggang tuhod ito, tanging manipis na strap lang ang kumakabit sa aking balikat at halos ilabas na ang aking likuran. Bagay sa puting-puti kong balat ang pula kaya ito ang napili ko.

Bumalik muna ako ng palasyo para magpalit pero nang paliko na ako sa kantong patungo sa kwarto ko nang bigla akong matigilan. Agad akong nagtago sa pader kahit malayo pa naman ako sa kanila. Muntik ko ng makalimutan na katabi ng kwarto ko ang kwarto ni Avyanna.

Pero madalas 'pag ganitong oras ay nasa labas siya, maliban ngayon. Yun ay dahil may kasama pala siya. Lumunok ako at nakangising sumilip ulit pero ang pagyakap at pagtagpo na lang ng mga labi nila ng hari ang naabutan ko.

Naniningkit ang mga matang napangisi ako bago marahang naglakad at tumigil sa labas ng kwarto ni Avyanna. Kaya pala tahimik kanina, may balak pa lang gawing dessert ang hari. Tatahi-tahimik lang siya pero mabilis rin pala kumagat.

I thought it would be Nashira who would seduce the king for today's fun, didn't thought it could be Avyanna, too.

Sinubukan kong hawakan ang doorknob pero tumigil din bago ko pa maikot yun. Ayukong makita silang gumagawa ng himala, iipunin ko na lang ang alam ko para pang-asar sa seryusong babaeng yun.

"You're a whore, my king. I wonder how many times you'd do it? For sure this isn't the first time."

Nakangisi akong bumalik na lang at bumaba. Nakasalubong ko si Wellem sa baba at nakasimangot na siya. Nakangiti kong tinanggap ang soda at tinungga yun ng walang pasabi.

"I suggest you drink that privately, milady. Where in no high ranking officials can see you."

"Why? What's wrong in drinking soda outside my room?"

"Nothing...but they expect you to behave properly and drinking soda just anywhere...without even hesitating..."

"What?"

Naiiling lang kasi siya.

"Nothing, you looked so cool though."

Mahina akong tumawa at tinalikuran na lang siya. Balak ko naman ngayon puntahan ang malawak na front yard ng palasyo, nakasunod lang siya sa'kin at walang imik. Habang naglalakad palabas sa malaking gusali ay nakasalubong namin ang lalaking hinatid ng dalawang taga-silbi.

"It's alright, I'll take it from here. I can go alone, ladies," rinig kong sabi nito sa dalawang butler na babae.

Napatigil ako at pinakatitigan ang lalaki na sa tantiya ko, kaedad lang yata ni Duke Evander at kasing tangkad din.

He has nice built, he look even better than the Count for goodness' sake. He's dead gorgeous and his tidy hair is an asset. I could ruin that for him. But his serious eyes are a sucker of soul, when he looked my way and our eyes met, I felt suffocated. I could admire him for being seriously attractive. I always like charming and funny guys but he's an exception.

"Buenos días, mi dama," bati niya sa'kin kahit malayo pa lang. "You're not familiar, may I know who you might be?"

His deep baritone voice made me smile genuinely, he may look like a serious type of guy but he's quite charming. I suddenly remembered the Duke, they have same vibes except that, he somehow look decent. Unlike the Duke, that one is a flirt.

"Mistress Fortneigh, if you'd heard about my arrival?"

"Oh..." He was stunned to know, his eyes slightly widened before he flashed a wide smile. "So you're the seventh Mistress, my pleasure to finally meet you, Mistress Fortneigh."

"Likewise."

"How lucky of me, I'm the Prince by the way," pakilala niya at naglahad ng kamay. "Duncan Humprey."

Nang tanggapin ko ang kamay niya ay nakangiti niyang inangat ang kamay ko para halikan ang likuran ng aking mga daliri. Napalabi ako nang may ma-realized, siya pala ang prinsipe? Hindi ko man lang siya kilala, mukhang hindi tulad ng dalawang lalaki ay mas magalang siya at hindi marunong maglandi.

Tumagal ng ilang minuto ang pag-uusap namin at napag-alaman kong dumadalaw din siya rito minsan gaya ng Duke at Count. Marami akong tinanong na sinagot niya lahat. The fact that I'm one of the Mistresses and a very innocent woman, have him a relief to answer me.

"I'm sorry but I have to go, Mistress Fortneigh. I'm actually here for someone..."

"Who? The king?"

Marahan siyang umiling at ngumiti sa'kin, hindi ko napigilang ngumiti rin pabalik. Siya ang tipong mapapangiti ka rin. Sabay kaming naglalakad pabalik sa palasyo habang kasunod namin si Wellem na walang imik.

"Not the king, someone I know..."

"A friend, maybe?" I asked with a chuckle, I saw his amused eyes roamed around my face before he shrugged.

"Kinda, but I guess more than that. You know her, honestly."

"Really? Sino naman?"

"I'm sorry?" Napakunot siya ng nuo kaya nasapo ko ang sentido.

"I mean, who is it?"

"It's Avyanna, are you two already friends? She's quite cold and blunt thou, but you could undoubtedly get along."

Agad akong napahinto kaya huminto rin siya, saktong nasa paanan na kami ng hagdan paakyat sa mga kwarto kung saan ako nanggaling kanina. Nangingiti kong nilingon si Wellem at sinenyasang iwan kami. At first, she didn't move but after a glare, she obliged.

"Why did you stop? Something wrong, Mistress Fortneigh?" The Prince asked.

Smiling widely, I turned to him with excitement oozing out of me. I can't hold my excitement longer but I managed to divert my attention by chuckling.

"Naah, I just heard Avyanna's name."

"Yeah? She's the friend I'm talking about. I'm here for her."

"Really? So you wanna see her?"

"Yeah, can you take me to her? She didn't know I'm coming for this is a surprise visit."

Surprise visit, huh?

"You seems really close with her, are you two lovers?"

"M-Mistress Fortneigh," gulat niyang sabi at humingang malalim.

Hindi man niya sabihin halata naman sa mata niya, kanina nasabi niyang may na-miss siyang tao rito kaya siya dumalaw. Ngayon kilala ko na sino.

"Kidding, if you want I'll take you to her. She'll be really surprised when she sees you."

Agad akong tumalikod nang hindi na nakayanang itago ang ngisi, narinig ko siyang humingang malalim kaya nakangiti ko siyang nilingon.

"What now? Come on, follow me. I think she's upstairs!"

"Mistress Fortneigh, please don't run."

Hindi ko siya pinansin at mabilis na akong tumakbo paakyat. Narinig ko siyang suminghap at agad ding sumunod sa'kin. Ilang talampakan din bago marating ang palapag kung nasaan ang kwarto naming anim kaya nang makarating ay hingal na hingal ako.

"I told you, we could climb the stairs without sweats. I'm really not in rush," natatawa niyang sabi.

Ni hindi man lang siya hiningal sa pag-akyat na ikinamangha ko. Dinilaan ko ang labi bago ngumisi sa kaniya at sininyasan siyang sumunod sa'kin.

"Baka kasi hindi natin maabutan yung surpresa ko."

"What?"

"Nothing, I said let's hurry up. I will read books after I send you to your lovely Avyanna."

He cleared his throat and didn't say anything. Smiling, I walked faster than him. He had no choice but to walk faster as well.

The moment we turned to the hallway where Avyanna's room is located, was the moment the king went out of the room and seconds later, Avyanna followed with a small smile on her lips. I felt Duncan halted and so do I. I smirked when Avyanna even clung her hand in the king's veiny arm. They seemed had a great fuck.

But you're dead.

At hinding-hindi ko makakalimutin ang mukha ni Avyanna nang makita ang kasama ko. Agad siyang natigil at tinanggal ang kamay na nakapulupot sa braso ng hari. Pinaghalong gulat, kaba, lungkot at pagsisisi ang bumalandra sa mukha niya. Literal siyang natigil at nastatwa sa kinatatayuan habang gulat na nakatitig sa kasama ko.

"Duncan..."

***

Credits to the photos I used above.

Greetings to my dear Elite AeriCath again, thank you for the unending support.