Sorry, it took me a while for this update.

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"Mistress Fortneigh, Viscount
Hunter La Cerda summons you in the king's office."

Napataas ako ng kilay sa sinabi ni Wellem, nakahiga ako habang nagbabasa ng aklat nang pumasok siya sa kwarto ko.

"Bakit daw? Anong kailangan, tungkol na ba 'to sa parusa ko?" Natatawa kong sagot at nilipat ang pahina sa binabasa kong libro.

"You know I don't understand you, right?" Sagot niya sa pormal na boses. "So, what does that mean?"

"Oh, it means nothing important. Go on, wait outside and I'll just fix myself."

Tamad kong tinapon ang libro sa kama at bumaba na para ayusin ang suot na dress at buhok.

Tahimik na lumabas si Wellem, suplada akong umirap sa salamin at nag-spray ng mamahaling pabango. One of the perks of being the king's Mistress is having the best perfume in the world.

Nang lumabas na ay seryuso akong naglakad papunta sa opisina ng hari, nakasunod si Wellem na wala pa ring imik. Malapit na ako sa opisina ng hari na nasa ika-apat na palapag nang sumulpot si Nashira at ang kaniyang butler na may manipis na pangangatwanan.

Malaki ang ngising sumalubong sila sa'min. How I wanted so much to ruin her face but, let's cease fire for an hour.

"You're gonna rot the soonest, Fortneigh. I will make sure you'll live a hellish life," salubong sa'kin ni Nashira.

Nakangisi rin akong huminto eksakto sa tabi niya saka siya supladang tinaasan ng kilay.

"Are you that desperate to kick me out? Fool, hell was once my home and going back there is not that hard anymore."

"Then I'll make you suffer before you go back there."

"Then ready the traps, planning for my sufferings is kinda hard. Please me oh dear Nashira." Pagak akong tumawa at humakbang palapit sa kaniya. "You'll make my life a living hell? Are you sure you can? Or you're just too mad because your first attempt to get rid of me failed big time?"

"You son of a bitch, right after this, your real punishment will start. I'll teach you lessons!"

"Stop threatening me, you whore." Mahigpit ko siyang hinawakan sa braso kaya agad lumapit ang butler niya, pero hinarang ito ni Wellem. "Instead of words, give me blood. That would certainly make me interested of you."

"Quítate de encima, perra escandalosa!" Get off me you scandalous bitch. Bulyaw niya at galit akong tinulak. "Un recién llegado como tu no me hará doblegar!" A new comer like you will not make me bend.

"Pero tu tampoco me puedes doblegar," sagot ko. But you cannot bend me either.

Her jaw clenched and her eyes grew sharper. Nang-aasar kong sinubukan siyang hawakan pero tinabig niya ang kamay ko. Matabang akong tumawa at binangga siya sa balikat bago dumiritso. Agad sumunod sa'kin si Wellem na may sinasabi pa sa isa pang butler.

Nang kami na lang dalawa ang tao ay inis akong nagbuntong-hininga. Hapon na, ilang oras na lang mananaig na ang gabi pero hindi pa rin ako nilulubayan ng mga bwisit.

Nang narating ang labas ng opisina ng hari ay diritso kong binuksan ang pinto at pumasok. Malamig kong tinignan ang likuran ng lalaking nakatayo sa tapat ng magarbong bintana at nakatanaw sa labas.

Mula sa mahahaba niyang binti ay umakyat ang paningin ko sa makurba niyang bewang, malapad at maskuladong likuran at sa malinis ngunit may kahabaang buhok.

There's the king himself, standing elegantly near the window, holding a glass of red wine, left hand behind his back and looking down at the magnificent front yard. While someone's occupying his seat in the table full of papers—that's supposed to be his seat right now.

"Knocking is a basic etiquette, how rude of you Mistress seventh," the king himself said insensitively, not taking his eyes off the nice view. "Indeed, you're the naughtiest one among my Mistresses."

"I'll take that as a compliment," I immediately fired back. Then I turned to the Viscount. "Hello there, you seems really bored in your chair. I didn't know you're the one doing the paper works while the king is having a peaceful sight seeing."

I saw the king scoffed and barely glanced at us over his left shoulder. His brows quirked up but didn't contradict me.

"Just have a seat first, Mistress Fortneigh and I'll be discussing your punishment," the Viscount lazily replied.

"You're too straight to the point, you don't like beating around the bush, huh?"

"First offense," agad na niyang saad at may pinakita sa'king libro, saglit ko lang yun tinignan at hindi na binasa. "Causing misunderstanding and fight within the group of Mistresses, you'll be attending a good moral lesson for a hundred and sixty eight hours."

"What?!" That's so boring! "I'm against that."

"As if you have a choice and the right not to oblige?" Sarkastiko nitong sagot at walang emosyong nilipat ang pahina ng librong nakaharap pa rin sa'kin. "Second punishment, you'll be presenting an apology activity in front of the Mistresses in the hall and you need to get the forgiveness of the first Mistress--"

"Wait stop!" That one doesn't sounds good, that definitely sounds bad! "F-Forgiveness of Nashira? Are you saying that I should please her? What the fuck?"

"You're smart enough to figure that one out, I see."

"Oh my goodness!" I exclaimed in frustration, this is not happening! Paanong ganito ka walang kwenta ang parusa nila? "I will not do that!"

"And what do you wanna do instead?" Biglang sabat ng hari at nanunuya akong tinapunan ng nang-iinsultong tingin. How I hate these two! "Stroll around, play fierce and invincible? Oh, you're breaking your beautiful image."

"At least I'm beautiful."

"Beauty fades, how irrational of your counter attack."

"I don't have to please Nashira, she's just an insignificant person in my life." Malalim akong nagbuntong-hininga. "Do I really have to present an apology activity? Aww, that's just so lame. This isn't politics."

Wrong. This is politics. Napatagis ako ng bagang.

"I will not do that."

"You sure?" Hunter asked me, still emotionless and cold.

"Oo, hinding-hindi ako luluhod sa babaeng yun."

"Pride."

"Hindi pa nagugunaw ang mundo para luhuran ko siya, o kahit ikaw." Binalingan ko ang hari at nginisian. "Hari ka lang, si Fortneigh ako, hindi ako nasisilaw at natatakot sa titulo mo."

Biglang silang natahimik at nagkatinginan, ngumisi ako lalo dahil malamang wala silang naintindihan. Naniningkit ang mata ng hari na lumapit sa magarang sofa hindi kalayuan sa'min at naupo roon.

He elegantly crossed his legs and shot me a mocking stare that I hate the most. Why do he have to look still darkly handsome when in fact, he's already getting into my nerves? This bastard is gifted.

But the mockery and sarcasm mixed in his eyes and smirking face is pissing me off big time. It's like, whatever I say and do makes him entertained and amused, but in an insulting way.

"Silly, we can understand you, mi amor. The guts of you to talk at me that way, if you're just an ordinary tyrant, we could've cut your head off now," the king said with a hint of hostility.

I clenched my teeth in annoyance. They do understand me, of course. Malamang pinag-aralan din nila ang linguwahe ko. Kasama iyon sa tradisyon ng pamilya namin. Bakit ko ba nakalimutan? Matalim ang matang tinignan ko rin si Hunter La Cerda na nakasimangot sa kaniyang kinauupuan.

"So stupid of you, be thankful you're the king's Mistress. You're save but that doesn't garantee your safety," saad nito at tumayo.

Lumapit ito sa malaking estante ng libro na nasa kaniyang kanan at may kinuha na namang libro. Matapos ay binuklat niya yun sa harapan ko na parang gigil na gigil. Napairap ako't tinignan ulit ang hari na nahuli kong nakatingin sa'kin habang umiinom ng wine.

Hindi pa ba siya tapos?

Kumapit na ang pulang kulay ng wine sa labi niya kaya mas naging pula ito, bumagay sa mestizo niyang balat at makakapal na kilay. Ngayon para siyang bampirang kakakagat lang sa babaeng virgin.

But honestly, he looks freaking hot while sitting there in the couch, tuxedo on, very expensive clothings, looking fresh and clean even after a long day, crossed muscled legs, a wine in his arm, clenched jaw, enigmatic eyes and has a large figure.

Namumungay ang matang nilapag niya ang glass ng wine sa side table at sinapo ang labi, tapos ay tinaasan ako ng kilay.

"Do you think this is a joke? It occurs to me that you're not taking this seriously, hence you're acting recklesly," the king said airily. "You're not even frightened of the punishments, you just couldn't accept them. You know the reason why."

"Hmm, pretty sharp, your majesty."

"I find the punishments boring, what do you think, Hunter?" Hunter turned to the king, face still as empty as a sheet of paper. "Should we try harder ones?"

"Leave me out of it," Hunter sulked. "I'm quite busy, if you wish some more difficult punishment, do it yourself and leave me out of it."

He then slammed the book in the table and sighed heavily. He took out a cigarette from his table's drawer but realized he's got no lighter. He freaking looks so stupid when he caught his forehead.

"My business with Mistress seventh is done, he's the one who will decide for your punishment, my lady." Gumuhit ang malawak na ngisi sa labi ko, agad akong tumayo at mahinhin na bumaling sa hari, this is exciting. "I leave everything that matters with her to your hand, Cosmos. Please leave the room quietly."

The king should have seen the look on his face when his very right hand shove him out. He couldn't believe Hunter let me witness this scene like it's a crime to have witness it.

Pero ngumisi lang siya kalaunan at tumayo, pinagpagan niya ang suot at matikas na tinapunan ako ng tingin.

"Then, after me, my lady."

As he turned around, my eyes rolled in annoyance. I threw a farewell look to Hunter to piss him more. However, he's as hard as rock that couldn't be cracked anytime soon.

Sumunod na lang ako sa hari at walang imik siyang pinagmasdan na naglalakad. Pinong-pinong siya gumalaw at walang pag-aalinlangan. Malalaki ang hakbang ng mahahaba niyang binti habang ang mga kamay ay nakadaop sa kaniyang likuran. Nakataas ang kilay ko buong oras na naglalakad kami papunta sa—kusa akong napahinto nang ma-realized kung saan kami pumunta.

"Ito 'yong templo," mahina kong wika sa sarili.

Dito ako palagi pumunta, 'di ko inaasahang dito kami pupunta. Dahil hapon na ay nananaig ang pinaghalong kahel at violet sa langit at nagre-reflect ito sa tubig. Sobrang ganda ng tanawin na sa kakatingin ay hindi ko na napansin ang haring sinisindihan ang ilaw sa templo.

Malamig ang simoy ng hangin pero kahit manipis ang suot at nakalabas ang likuran at balikat ay hindi ako nakakaramdam ng lamig.

"The place is quite sacred, don't you think, Mistress Fortneigh?" The king's voice echoed. "Yet this place hides so many secret from the past and now one of them is here."

I was stunned for minutes, what does he meant by 'one of the secrets'? Is...it me? Alam ba niya? Naalala ba niya ako? Cosmos, the hell are you?

"What do you mean? Secrets? What secret?" Nagawa kong itago ang gulat sa boses at umaktong normal ang lahat.

Kahit ang totoo, hindi na maipaliwanag ang bilis ng tambol ng puso ko. Lumapit ako sa paanan ng templo kung nasaan siya, naabutan ko siyang nakapikit at payapang nagdadasal. Hindi ko alam na marunong magdasal ang isang 'to.

"The secret of the past, such as myself. Why are you so dumb not to know that?"

"Excuse me?" The audacity of this bastard to call me dumb.

When his head cocked towards me, our eyes met, his were empty and cold. His brown eyes turned dark because of the dominating darkness, yet still ridiculously handsome. His lips straightened as he looked at me intently.

Kumunot ang nuo ko at pinakatitigan din siya. Hanggang balikat lang niya ako kahit hindi naman ako pandak. Maganda lang talaga ang katawan niya na kahit naka-polo halatang-halata ang hubog nito. Sakto lang ang kapal at nipis ng labi na pinaglihi yata sa pana ni kupido. Matangos ang ilong at makapal ang kilay, nang mapatingin ako sa buhok niya, napansin ko ang blonde strands na hindi nakulayan ng itim. Does that mean he's blonde? But...

"How's my face, lady Fortneigh? Do I look like a blue blooded bachelor?"

"Your face sucks," I replied instead. I can't be wrong, the Cosmos I know as the queen's son isn't blonde. Baka nagpakulay siya rati. "What's with your hair color? It's ugly."

"Really?" Tiningala niya ang nuo kahit 'di naman makita talaga. "Should I recolor my hair, then? Tell me, what hair color do you like?"

"Why ask me? I thought you're gonna give me my punishment?"

"Are you that excited? Patience, mi amor." He chuckled and turned to me fully, now we're just inches away and I can smell his manly scent. His scent just won't go away, what the hell? "Do you like blonde, instead? Or red? Tell me what?"

"How would I know what would suit you, your majesty?" I said with a sarcasm in my voice. "Well, why don't you lash out your blonde hair, instead?"

I want to see his hair's true color, I can't be wrong, Cosmos is not blonde. O nakalimutan ko na talaga ang kulay ng buhok niya dahil bata pa ako noong nagkita kami?

"Blonde hair? Are you serious? Do I look like a blonde to you?" He mocked as he chuckled. "You must see through deception, if it's a trick or not. Or just plain truth."

"What do you mean? I don't get it."

Marahan siyang humalakhak at wala sa sariling napatingala sa langit. Imbis panuurin siyang tumawa ay tumuon ang panginin ko sa lalamunan niya.

He's got a damn attractive and sexy Adam's apple. And the fact that he's laughing confused me more. Trust issue is it but I'm in the middle of analysing, if he's really laughing or this is just an act.

"You're dumber than I thought you are, Fortneigh. Sometimes, you're so sharp and sometimes, you're just funny."

"Excuse me? What the hell is funny here!"

"You're not excused." In a snap, his carefree facade vanished.

Stunned I was for I cannot believe he swapped expression in split second that I wonder if he really laughed earlier? Or that was just my eyes, tricking me.

"Let's get down to your punishment, dear. What do you think is harder," he told me without any trace of humor and emotion visible on his face, eyes cold and pierce. "Pleasing the Mistresses? Or kicking them out?"

"W-What?" Anong klaseng tanong 'yan? Pagsubok ba 'yan o trick? Damn this guy, what is his plan this time? "What are you saying?"

Tinalikuran niya ako at tinanaw ang malinawag na syudad sa ibaba. Pero kahit gaano kaganda ang tanawin sa ibaba ay sa kaniyang likuran lang ako nakatingin. Mas lalo kong napagmasdan ang ugat ng blonde'ng buhok niya na hindi naabot ng hair dye.

"I will challenge you, Fortneigh."

"Challenge? What challenge?"

"I don't have much time left, I need to have successors right away. So," he whispered and looked back at me over his left shoulder, the side view of his face gave away how handsome he is in half view. "Would you like to be my queen...my lady? Would you like to be my children's mother?"

My eyes grew bigger and my lips parted, is this...real? He's really asking me that? Is this some sort of a trick again? This guy's a trickster, he knew this could shake me! How I loathe him.

"Who wouldn't want to be your queen?" My fists balled. "That's why we're here, that's why we're doing our best to please you." I can't stop mixing the sarcasm and mockery in my words and tone, this freaking tyrant. "That's why we're risking our lives and the lives we could have had if you didn't summon us here. Some of us should have had better lives outside, there. Ang iba, siguro masaya na kasama ang taong mahal nila, pero lahat yun isinakripisyo nila para lang sa'yo. Ilang taon na sila rito pero ni minsan ba inalok mo silang maging reyna mo?"

Nakakainis na pinaglalaruan niya ako dahil gusto kong maging reyna, pero hindi dahil sa kaniya, kundi dahil gusto kong bigyan ng hustisya ang sinapit namin ni ama. Gusto kong mabawi ang kinuha nila sa'min. This wicked king deserves no loyalty at all.

"So, what are you implying?" He gazed down at me. "It's you whom I'm asking, would you like to be my queen? You have the potential, Fortneigh."

"And if I say yes, will you stop this now? Will you let the others go home and marry me?"

Ang kaninang walang emosyon niyang mukha ay napalitan ng isang ngiti, hindi ko nga alam bakit. Para saan 'yon?

"I don't need anyone's loyalty, I don't need anyone, I don't need the crown and the throne. If I will abandon all of it, would you like to be my queen still?" Tuluyan na siyang humarap sa'kin, ngayon seryuso na at diritsong nakatingin sa mga mata ko. "Tell me, what do you really want? The throne or me?"

Hindi ako agad nakasagot at napatitig lang sa kaniya, masyadong mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko, apektado yata sa mga pinagsasabi niya. Kahit ang paghinga ko, hindi ko namalayang pinipigilan ko na.

"Seems like, you're doubting me. How can you come here and face me with doubt?" He sounded so disappointed. "Go back to your room and think, let me know when you've decided to be my queen."

"A-Are you serious?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" He arched his brows. "As for your punishment, you have to get rid of the obstacles in your way. Do you understand me?"

"I don't get you."

"Your head is pretty clouded, just go back to your room now and we'll talk some other time. Also, I'll pay you a visit some time."

"A visit?"

"Fortneigh, are you just gonna repeat me?" He bursted a chuckle. "Or do you prefer me sleeping in your room tonight? Let's chase your doubt away, shall we?"

What the—hell?