"Hey there, Mistress Fortneigh! What a coincidence, you're also here."

Malalim akong bumuntong-hininga at napapikit, bakit nandito na naman siya? Wala ba siyang ginagawa na halos araw-araw siyang nandito? What should I do with this golden haired Duke?

"Kailan ka ba mamamatay? Naririndi na ako sa'yo," bungad ko sa kaniya nang makaupo siya sa bench sa tabi ko.

Napanganga siya sa sinabi ko at exaggerated na napasapo sa kaniyang dibdib, sa puso banda na parang nasasaktan. Tamad lang akong umirap sa kaartehan niya.

"Bakit ganyan ka sa'kin? Ako nga inaaraw-araw ka rito tapos ganiyan lang? You want me dead?"

"I didn't tell you to come here everyday, you're just annoying me anyway."

"Ouch, so I'm annoying. You're so mean, my love," he said with a smile on his face, he then inched the gap between us. "I just miss you so I'm here, I can't stand a day without seeing you, Fortneigh."

"Please, stop that disgusting face." I glared at him but he's already grinning. "Nandito ka araw-araw, paanong miss, Duke Evander? Hindi ka ba nauumay makita ako?"

"I will never be," sagot niya at naupo paharap sa'kin. Ipinatong niya ang kamay sa sandalan ng bench at doon ipinahinga ang baba habang nakatitig sa'kin ng taimtim. "I like this, this feels so familiar."

"Lumayo ka sa'kin, please." Masama ko siyang tinignan, sobrang lapit lang ng mukha namin at isang pagkakamali lang mahahalikan na namin ang isa't-isa. "This doesn't feel familiar at all, to me. Baka gawa-gawa lang 'yan ng isip mo."

"Hmm, you think so?"

"H'wag ka ngang malandi, doon ka sa iba mangulit at h'wag sa'kin."

Halos araw-araw na lang nandito siya para guluhin ako, pero dahil din doon ay walang nagagawa si Nashira para sirain ang araw ko. Hindi kagaya noong pagkatapos namin mag-usap ng hari rito rin sa templo, pagbalik ko sa kwarto ay parang dinaanan ng bagyo ang buong silid. Hinding-hindi ko mapapatawad ang babaeng yun. Sinira niya ang mga gamit ko.

"The others are no fun, Mena and Caroline like Sirius, I can't flirt with them. Avyanna's too serious, not my type. Nashira's so clingy, I can't have fun that much. Arpina and Sigrid are busy painting for the king."

"So I'm the last option for today's entertainment. I can curse you the whole day for that."

"Of course not!" He exclaimed as he came closer, iniwas ko ang mukha para hindi tuluyang maglapit ang tungki ng ilong namin pero, naramdaman ko ang mainit niyang hininga sa pisngi ko. "I'm a gentleman, I will not let you feel like you're the last option. Because you're the only choice, lady Fortneigh. For me, you're not the king's Mistress but a strong gorgeous woman."

I admit that his compliment warmed my heart, I felt the sincerity in his voice. And as a response, I slowly glance at him with a serious face. He cracked a soulful smile and tilted his head. His hair fell to his face when he tilted his head. He blinked cutely and chuckled.

"Sa tuwing nakatingin ako sa'yo, pakiramdam ko ang tagal na kitang kilala, Mistress Fortneigh. Parang may ibang init akong nararamdaman, parang pamilyar na sa'kin na kinakausap ka," sabi niya sa maamong mukha at magaang boses saka natawa sa huling sinabi.

Sinilip niya ako na parang batang naglalambing, hindi pa rin nawawala ang matamis niyang ngiti. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at iniwas ang paningin.

"Someday, we'll rule this palace together. Can you wait for me to come back, Leigh?"

Then suddenly, that thing flashed in my mind. Leigh, Leigh. I can't remember the kid who's calling me Leigh when I was still young. Could that be... him? No way.

"What's wrong?" Bigla akong tumayo at humarap sa malinis na ilog, nagre-reflect na naman ang asul na kalangitan. "Hey, Mistress Fortneigh, are you upset? Did I say something wrong?"

Naramdaman ko ang pagtayo ni Evander at ang kaniyang paglapit sa'kin.

"Hey, okay, I'm sorry. I was just sharing my thoughts—"

"Ouch."

Saktong pagharap ko ay ang paglapit niya kaya nagbanggaan kami. Hindi naman masakit nang nauntog ako sa dibdib niya pero muntik na akong matumba dahil sa taas ng heels na suot ko. Pero mabilis niya akong nahila at nayakap kaya mas lalong nagkalapit kami.

My eyes widened and so his, we're both stunned. His arm on my waist stiffened and his hold on my elbow slightly tightened. His brown eyes grew clearer and brighter due to the sun's rays and I cannot deny how good looking he was. His manly scent embraced my nostrils.

Habang ang mga kamay ko sa maskulado niyang braso ay naging bato na sa tigas. Hindi ko na naman namalayang nagpipigil na akong huminga.

"You look so beautiful in my arms, Fortneigh. You're like an art, you're an art, the aesthetic one." His masculine and baritone voice made me gulp, he just sounds so sexy.

Nang bumaba ang mapupungay niyang mata sa labi ko, mas lalong nag-init ang pisngi ko. Pakiramdam ko nangangatog ang mga tuhod ko sa lapit namin.

"Let go of me," I whispered as I forced myself to let him go first.

Dahan-dahan niya nga akong binitawan pero hindi naman siya lumayo. Pareho kaming magtitinginan tapos ay iiwas at hihinga ng malalim. Parang tanga siya.

"Let's sit under the tree, that's way colder," aya niya at tinuro ang hindi kalayuang puno ng kahoy na nasa mataas na bahagi.

Siguro nga mas maganda ro'n kaysa rito sa bench dahil mainit na. Mas maganda rin mula ro'n ang tanawin. Hindi ako umimik at tumango lang, bumalik ang kaninang matamis niyang ngiti at pinauna akong maglakad. Hindi na ako umangal at nauna na, nakasunod naman siya at wala ring imik. Nang makarating ay nilatag niya ang coat sa damuhan.

Nang tignan ko siya ay tanging ang puting pulo na lang ang suot niya na nakapapaloob pa sa kaniyang slacks. Agaw pansin ang mamahalin niyang black leather belt. Nakataas kilay akong umupo sa kaniyang coat at pinanuod siyang maupo rin sa tabi ko.

He's right, it's way cooler here, and the city looks so beautiful under the sun's yellow heat. The beautiful lake in the temple is a breathe taking view. Bakit ba hindi ako pumunta rito noong una?

"Hmm, this is peaceful, so serene," he whispered.

Bahagya ko siyang sinilip at nakitang nakapikit siya habang nakangiti at dinadama ang preskong hangin. Marahang nililipad ang may kahabaan niyang buhok kaya nagulo ito. Ang amo ng mukha niya, parang hindi lang malandi.

"Are you feeling better now, Fortneigh?" Bigla siyang nagmulat at bumaling sa'kin kaya huling-huli niya akong nakatitig sa kaniya. Agad akong umiwas ng tingin at tumikhim.

"I'm alright, always."

"Hmm, you were watching me."

"Just a coincidence."

"You suck at lying," he remarked then laughed. "Just admit it, I'm handsome and you're hooked."

"Say what? You're not my type." I scowled at him.

"But you're my type, come on, loosen up! Just admit it, I will not brag."

"Anong hindi? Nagyayabang ka ngang wala pa akong inaamin." Nakasimangot ko siyang nilingon.

"Kung ganun, may aaminin ka?"

"Wala rin." Umirap ako.

Tawang-tawa naman siya at lumapit na naman sa'kin. He blew on my hair and on my ear, that's when I abruptly turned to him.

"Stop that!" But that was a mistake because our lips accidentally touched.

My eyes widened but didn't move away immediately, due to shock. While he's unmoving, also shock and amused. I felt his soft lips parted while we're looking deep into each other's eyes. Then, as he gained his composures back, he grabbed the chance to kiss me. I just saw him closing his eyes in a very distracting manner, tilted his head as he kissed me deeper. My eyes grew even bigger when I felt his lips moving and his left hand's already on my nape, pushing me closer to him.

Napapikit ako nang tuluyan na niya akong mahalikan, naitukod ko ang dalawang kamay sa likuran para sa suporta kaya malaya niya akong nahahalikan. Pero hindi tulad ng inaasahan ay sobrang ingat niya humalik, para bang isa akong babasaging bagay na kailangan niyang mag-ingat. Para namang may nagkakarera sa dibdib ko, gusto ko siyang itulak pero ayaw gumalaw ng mga kamay ko para itulak siya.

If it's a sin to rather give in to his heart warming kiss than resist him, then I'm guilty. But the feeling of him, sensible to my touches and as close as a holy spirit is something really delightful. When I tried to open my eyes, I saw him still savoring our kiss. Eyes shut tightly and forehead slightly creased.

Kung hindi pa kami mauubusan ng hininga ay hindi pa kami matitigil. Hindi naman ako humalik pabalik pero hinayaan ko siya. That fact alone pisses me off but at the same time, I can't get it off my head. It keeps on playing and playing inside my head. Last minute ko na napagtanto na dapat ay hindi ako bumigay sa charm niya. I should've pushed him away instead, this isn't in my plan.

"Why did you do that?" Nang makabawi ay sumbat ko at matalim ang tinging tinignan siya. "Hindi mo dapat ginawa 'yon, hindi basta-basta, Evander."

"I'm...sorry." It seems like he's still drowned in our kiss and haven't move on yet.

He's baffled wether to turn his back or look down, his face's flushed, even his ears were red. He clenched his jaw as he stared deep into my eyes, not guilty at all.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko sa kaniya, halatang hindi siya nagsisisi sa ginawa. Sa bagay, kung sinadya niya bakit siya magsisisi? Not even sorry, not really sorry. Wala sa sarili niyang dinilaan ang labi at napatingin sa labi ko, doon na umigting ang panga ko at mas masama siyang tinignan. Napabuga siya ng hangin at nangingiting umiwas ng tingin.

"Apology not accepted, that was rude. How dare you kiss me just like that, Duke Evander?" Inayos ko ang damit at akmang tatayo nang hawakan niya ako sa braso. "Let go."

"Wait, Fortneigh, I can explain why did I do that," awat niya sa'kin sa seryusong boses. "There's no need to explain it actually, isn't it obvious? The reason, isn't it transparent like a crystal to you?"

"What?"

"Please sit down, let's talk."

Suddenly and without further ado, he pulled me back to where I was sitting minutes ago. I landed at his broad chest and smelled his natural scent. I can feel how fast and strong my heartbeats are.

Pero agad kong binawi ang braso, tinulak siya palayo at pinagkrus ang mga 'yon saka siya sinamaan ng tingin.

"Nakakarami ka na yata, Evander. Masyado ka ng komportable sa'kin."

"My bad, forgive me, Mistress Fortneigh," he apologized, suppressing his smile. "I was under no illusion but my heart's desire, if I haven't told you I like you then, maybe you can see it through my actions. That's how simple it was."

"W-What?"

"I said I—"

"No, that's not it."

When I say what, I didn't want him to repeat what he just said, rather I want him to change what he just said! How could this man confess without blinking? With a straight face? With a smile?! And the fact that we've just known each other for several days, two weeks. And he's saying he likes me? Is he serious?

If this is just one of his games then I'm warning him, I don't just get even, I get revenge beyond his debt.

"You must be kidding me, Duke Evander." My face turned cold and eyes went sharper. I saw his lips parted as if, he's gonna say something but I spoke first. "You're saying you like me without knowing the cost."

"Fortneigh."

"Yes, there's a cost. I don't believe in love, really. My purpose for coming here is for the throne, I want to be the king's bride. That's not new to you, isn't it? The rest of the girls had the same goal as I, I bet you knew about that."

My lips stretched for a sly smirk, I squinted my eyes at his stunned face that, in any manner, was innocently handsome. Of course, let's not forget how ideal this guy is.

"Forgive me as well for I can't take your admiration seriously, the king is all I want so, you can back down now."

Ilang minuto siyang tahimik at nakatitig lang sa'kin, hindi ako nagpatalo at tinaasan siya ng kilay. Alam kong wala siyang mababakas sa mukha ko ngayon. Being emotionless is my second skin, so seeing him grasping for my true feelings is something really funny right at this moment.

Akala ko hindi na siya magsasalita pero narinig ko siyang marahang tumawa. Agad ko siyang pinukol ng masamang tingin, pero hindi nagbago ang ekspresyon niya. Mas lalo lang lumawak ang kaniyang ngisi, ginulo niya ang buhok at nang sobrang magulo na ito ay sinuklay niya gamit ang kaniyang mga daliri. Sa isang iglap, ang kaninang magulo niyang buhok ay nabalik sa ayos.

That was cool, I admit. How can his hair be that smooth? I can't believe that it was all settled elegantly in one rake of his hand.

"Who told you I'm playing, Mistress Fortneigh?" Then he asked huskily, he met my eyes and smiled genuinely. "If you want to be the king's bride, then can I be...your Duke first? Can you be my duchess for a while? Until your majesty take you as his wife?"

My eyes slowly widened and my lips parted, how can he ask for this? Is he serious? Wait, the king has asked me the same thing the last time we talked. The sincerity of his face and the way he spoke stunned me for minutes, I'm thinking if he's serious?

I gulped when he inched our gap again, he's now towering over me because he's way too tall even we're only sitting across. I slowly moved back but to my great surprise, he gently grabbed my waist and pushed me to his chest. I landed at his broad chest, my palm landed exactly at where his wild beating organ was located. I felt it beating real fast that the word shock is an understatement.

Gulat akong tumingala sa kaniya at nagpigil ng hininga, habang siya ay seryusong nakadungaw sa'kin, walang ngiti sa labi at halos sampok ang makakapal na kilay. Hinawakan niya ang kamay kong nasa kaniyang dibdib nang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa'kin.

"Can you feel it, Fortneigh? I'm dead serious, I can gamble...for a short time just to have a hold of you. I know you're here for the throne, but as long as you're free for myself, I'd like to spend time with you."

"That's not possible."

"Why wouldn't it be? The king's not yet picking for a bride, I will not take you away from the him, just please...let me spend time with you. It's okay if you don't like me, I have time to make you do like me. And if lucky enough, make you fall in love with me, too."

"That's ridiculous, I've met handsomer man than you but I didn't fall in love. You're too confident."

"You didn't fall for them because they're not me, wait until you see." He smiled, at last. "And it's okay if loving you has a cost, I believe I'm rich enough to pay it."

"It's not about money or wealth, you know." Tinulak ko siya at inayos ang damit, narinig ko siyang humalakhak.

"And what is it about?"

I shoot him a warning glance.

"You'll know once you start to gamble, you said." I smirked at him.

But instead of feeling curious, he flashed a genuine wide smile and nodded. He looks very excited and...happy. I can't believe this guy, I think he's just as unreadable as the king. I thought his carefree personality would give him away but, it's the other way around. He's got me curious.

"Then it's settled, let's date everyday—"

"What the? Are you serious?!" Muntik na akong mabilaukan sa sariling laway dahil sa sinabi niya.

Nang tignan ay nakangisi lamang siya sa'kin, marahan niyang hinaplos ang may kahabaan kong buhok saka wala sa sariling napapikit. Umayos siya ng upo patalikod sa'kin.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm sleepy, can I sleep in your lap, Mistress Fortneigh?" His genuine smile leave me in wonder. "I haven't had a good sleep, I wanna doze off."

Hindi ako sumagot at bumuntong-hininga lang, umayos ako ng upo at sumandal sa puno ng kahoy. Inayos ko rin ang mga hita saka umirap. Tuwang-tuwa naman siyang humiga sa kaniyang coat at ginamit ang hita kong unan.

I took a deep sigh when I felt his head land on my leg, his hair scattered in my dress and I got a full show of his handsome and elegant face. His forehead's so clear, his eyebrows are thick and attractive, his curly lashes look so adorable, his narrow pointed nose is something other men should really be envious of, and his cupid bow-like lips are just too red, looking soft and of course, feels soft.

Nasapo ko ang mukha nang maramdaman ang pag-init nito, anakng-dapat mabawasan ang gwapo sa mundo, masyado na silang marami. Bakit ko ba hinahayaang lumapit sa'kin ang lalaking 'to?

"Fortneigh, can you...touch my hair?"

Napamulat ako nang magsalita siya, nakapikit siya noong sinabi 'yon pero dahan-dahan na nagmulat kaya nagkatinginan kami. Ilang minuto kaming walang imik at magkatinginan lang, namumungay na ang mga mata, malapit na yatang makatulog.

"Yeah sure."

Huminga akong malalim at lumunok bago dahan-dahang sinuklay ang buhok niya. Hindi ako nagkamali dahil sobrang lambot no'n, sumabog ang bango nito at kumalat sa hangin na nalalanghap ko. Hindi na lang ako kumibo at pinagpatuloy ang pagsuklay sa buhok niya.

He fell deeply asleep for almost two hours and woke up when I made a move. My leg felt numb, but I didn't complain. However, I was shocked when he started massaging my legs, I almost give him a punch. Yet he chuckled and winked.

"Thank you, my love. I had a very peaceful sleep."

I replied with a grimace. Not too long I returned to my room and readied for dinner. Then after, I returned to my room to sleep early. I just came out from the bathroom when I felt another presence. It's too late to search for the invader, he's got me by surprise when he spoke in a baritone voice.

"So, how was the kiss with my brother...Mistress seventh?"