Mabilis akong naligo nang makabalik mula sa dining hall, kaunting hapunan lang ang kinain ko dahil hindi naman ako gutom. Pagkatapos maligo ay dumiritso ako sa ma-spasyong closet para maghanap ng isusuot. Malawak ang kwarto ko at maganda ang interior design, modern din halos lahat ng gamit. Kulay krema ang pintura ng pader hanggang kesame at isang malaki't engrandeng chandelier ang umiilaw sa buong kwarto.

Nakasuot ako ng kulay champagne na nighties at nakaharap sa malaking vanity mirror. Madilim ang silid dahil tanging wall lamp lang ang naka-ilaw. Mauupo na sana ako para magsuklay nang may naramdaman akong kakaiba. Ilang saglit akong natigil hanggang sa napagtantong may ibang tao akong kasama sa kwarto.

Who the hell would dare?

Igting ang pangang kinuha ko ang suklay at umaktong hindi ko pa nahahalatang may ibang pumasok sa kwarto ko. I'm sure it's not Wellem, she will immediately announce her arrival if it's her. It's either Nashira or her butler or...hmm, who would dare be?

I sat confidently and crossed my legs as I reached for the bottle of lotion. I chose the one with the strongest scent and applied an enormous amount on my bare shoulders and legs. Whoever you are, I'll lure you out from the dark. I can freaking feel your eyes on me. How long can you endure?

I thought it would be easy to lure the intruder due to boredom but, seemed like he or she has a long patience. I was the one who got bored. I've been applying everything on my skin, even the perfumes, but no one's talking. I wonder who is it? If it's Nashira, I don't think she'll hide for how many minutes and wait patiently 'til I notice her. If it's her butler, she will only hide if she's got dangerous plan against me. But Wellem is outside, she will surely guard me. No one can make her obedient unless...it's me or the...king?

"This is stupid as fuck," I uttered in both annoyance and amusement.

Why didn't I even think of that? Tanging ang hari lang ang papasok dito ng hindi inaawat ni Wellem. Pero bakit ayaw magpakita ng lalaking 'yon? Natatawa akong umiling sa salamin at sinuri ang kabuuan. Ni minsan hindi ko pinuri ang sarili sa gandang taglay ko, dahil ito'y may kaakibat na sumpa. Hindi ko pa nakakalimutan ang nangyari sa'kin labing-anim na taon na ang lumipas. Pero bago 'yon, ilang beses akong sinubukang gahasain sa mismong palasyo na ito.

It's neither my fault nor my mother, nor my father. It's nobody's fault that I was born this beautiful, my body's perfectly perfect that it tempted demonic men. Together with this was power and wealth, I should have known better than trust people who were born greedy for powers and were slaves of lust.

"How long are you gonna watch me, my king?" Smirk vanishing on my lips, I muttered. "Aren't you bored?"

Silence fell upon us, but the intruder didn't respond. I'm not hundred percent sure it's the king, there's always a possibility that it's someone else. I'm just gambling, but if ever I'm wrong then probably, whoever the intruder was, he or she is laughing on my stupid attempt.

Nang akala ko ay nagkamali nga ako, saka naman biglang may nagsalita at basi sa pinanggalingan ng boses, nasa kama ko ito. Kung saan hindi abot ng wall lamp na nasa itaas ng vanity mirror.

"Did you enjoy his company, Mistress seventh?" The king's familiar voice echoed in the four corner of my room.

He sounded sarcastic and is mocking me all at once. And oh, so he saw us? What now? Is that why he's here?

"You have a long patience, my king," instead of answering him, I fired back. "Did you enjoy watching me? It took you fifteen minutes, I wonder if you're hard now or what?"

He didn't answer but I heard him cracked an airy chuckle. Nilingon ko ang kama kung saan ay wala akong makita dahil sa dilim at ngumisi ng malaki.

"Why are you here? Jealous of the Duke? Did you stalk us the whole time?"

"You're dreaming, that's a total waste of time if ever."

"Then why come here at this hour? Wanna have fun?" I smirked and give my shoulders a slight massage. "You know, something exciting and hot, your majesty."

Sobrang tahimik na naman niya, nabo-bored ako sa haring ito.

"I told you, I'll pay you a visit sometime. This is it," he replied after a gazillion minutes. "And it occurred to me that, everything seems so easy for you. Let's make it harder, shall we?"

"What do you mean? Harder?" I chuckled at the word. "Does that mean something green?"

"We'll see, come here."

Ilang segundo kong pinag-isipan kung lalapit ba ako o hindi, pero nang muling balingan ang madilim kong kama ay kusa ng gumalaw ang katawan ko. Malakas ang kalabog ng dibdib na naglakad ako palapit sa dilim, nang tuluyan na akong lamunin nito ay mas dumoble ang tindi ng kabog ng puso ko. Huminga akong malalim at huminto nang maramdaman ang malambot na mattress ng kama.

Wala akong makita maliban sa dilim, wala rin akong marinig maliban sa malakas na tibok ng puso ko. Walang humawak sa'kin at hindi ko malaman kung nasaan siya. Akala ko ay maghihintay na naman ako ng matagal pero bigla na lang may tumulak sa'kin dahilan para masubsob ako sa kama. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang may maramdaman akong yumakap sa'kin mula sa likuran, pininid nito ang dalawa kong kamay sa kama at pinigilan akong tumayo.

"How was my brother's kiss, Mistress seventh? Was it sweet? Was it that good that you froze for minutes, mi amor?"

My eyes widened and my teeth locked tightly, I felt the hairs on my body raising due to the king's deep husky voice, full of menace and warning. I gulped hard as I tried to move my body but I ended up closing my eyes when I felt him on my back. His hard chest pressed against my back and his face on my neck just rendered me frozen. His natural scent and mine mixed on the air and I inhaled it all. His fingers intertwined with mine as he grasped the sheet and hovered his lips over my ear.

"I wonder why he's so fond of you, you're my mistress, he knows that." I heaved deeply and clenched my jaw. "Even Duncan didn't try of stealing Avyanna when in fact, he has the reason to. And here comes my brother, Evander Finley. The audacity of that guy to kiss you first——"

"Get off me!" Nang makabawi ay buong lakas kong binawi ang kanang kamay saka siya buong lakas na tinulak. "You bastard, the audacity of you to touch me! You have no right at all, if I resist."

"You're like a boiling water, too dangerous to even touch."

Hindi niya pa rin ako tuluyang nilalayuan pero nagawa ko ng maupo at ayusin ang sarili. Naramdaman ko siyang mas lumapit, gamit ang kanang kamay ay inabot ko ang switch ng ilaw sa gilid ng kama.  Napapikit ako nang lumiwanag ang buong kwarto, saglit kong nakalimutan ang gagong hari na ngayon ay eleganteng nakaupo sa gilid ng aking kama.

Nang makabawi ay masama ko siyang tinignan, hindi niya ako pinansin at pinalibot ang panginin sa kabuuan ng kwarto ko. Wala na namang emosyon ang mukha niya at nakataas ang mga kilay, nakakrus ang dalawang braso at binti.

"Quite spacious, Hunter has given you a nice room."

"Can you just get out? I'm not in the mood to talk to you."

"Really? You're not in the mood?" He shot me a mocking stare and raked my body a sticky look. I realized I'm only wearing a nighties. "You look in the mood more than I, well it's too early to sleep. What do you think?"

Kinumutan ko ang sarili hanggang bewang, kinuha ko ang cellphone sa ilalim ng unan at tinaasan siya ng kilay. Nakaupo siya sa pinakadulo ng kama ko at elegante akong pinapanuod.

"I'm not interested right now, your majesty. Maybe some other time, when you look hotter than the Duke himself," I remarked with a sly smirk.

His brows slightly creased and his jaw clenched, obviously, he doesn't like my remark. That gave me a satisfied smile on my lips.

"Hotter than the Duke? You must be having some problem with your eyes, Mistress Fortneigh. I can mend them you know, let's find out whose hotter."

"No, thank you. I didn't know you are brothers but, even if I do, I will always find Evander hotter."

Tagumpay akong ngumisi at pinaglaruan ang cellphone. Wala akong magawa para i-distract ang sarili, pabalik-balik ang mata ko sa lalaking elegante pa ring nakaupo sa paanan ko at nakatitig sa'kin. Kung pwede pa lang, tatagos na ang titig niya sa'kin.

"What do you need? Why are you here?" Hindi ko na nakayanan at hinarap ko siya ulit.

Siya naman ngayon ang ngumisi at nagkibit-balikat.

"Nothing important, just a random visit."

"That's great, then you may now leave."

"I have to fulfill something first, as a token that I made my first visit on your chamber."

"And what is that?"

Napakunot ako ng nuo nang sininyasan niya akong lumapit. Little did he know, I will not go near him again. I've learned my lesson.

"You're the one who needs something, you come close," nakangisi kong sabi at pinagkrus din ang braso.

He heaved a heavy sigh as he rose to his feet, no he crawled...damn him, he crawled sexily towards me. And that leaves me speechless, he looks hot as he slowly crawled towards me. When he placed his two palm on my sides, caging me, my heart took a sudden leap. My palm fisted under my blanket as he came closer, until our nose are almost rubbing against each other.

Nahugot ko ang hininga nang nilaro niya ang tungki ng kaniyang ilong sa'kin habang nakatitig sa'kin ng taimtim. Hindi mo siya makikitaan ng kahit anong emosyon sa mukha o kahit maliit na ngisi. Umigting ang panga ko at pinantayan ang talim ng tingin niya.

"What...are you doing?"

"Marking what's mine, of course." His hot breath, smells like a mixture of mint and strawberry brushed against my lips. "You should stay holy and untouched until the day I pick my bride, that's the rule I set for you."

"What? And what are the rules you set for the others?" I mocked. "That's just ridiculous——"

Before I could even finish my sentence, I felt the tip of his nose brushing down on mine and he claimed my lower lip, as gentle and teasing as he could. If what Evander did was gentle and serene, sweet and charming. What the king did is actually unexpected, because after nibbling my lower lip, he parted my lips and pushed his tongue in.

Napapikit ako at akma siyang itutulak nang ako ang tinulak niya, gumapang ang labi niya sa panga ko pababa sa leeg. Marahan lang ang paghalik niya at mabilis pero nang mahinto, sinipsip ang balat sa balikat ko. Akala ko 'yon lang pero marahan niyang sinuklay ang buhok ko mula sa batok at inamoy 'yon, namumungay ang matang tumingin siya sa'kin, mapula pa ang labi. Hindi ko na naman namalayang pinipigilan kong huminga, napagtanto ko lang 'yon nang muli na naman siyang lumapit sa'kin at halikan ako. Hinawakan niya muna ang aking panga at saka ako hinalikan. Mulat na mulat ang mata ko habang siya ay nakapikit, ramdam ko ang panlalamig ng mga kamay ko sa ilalim ng kumot at ang panlalambot ng katawan ko.

Slowly, my eyelids fell, they felt heavy anyway. But I stayed still and waited until the king's done. However, the whole time that his lips were attached to mine felt surreal. He can't be kissing me, not for real. I began to doubt the reality of his kiss and the feeling of his touch. This can't be.

"Mistress Fortneigh, Mistress Fortneigh! Mistress Fortneigh!"

"What?"

Napasubsob ako sa unan nang makita si Wellem na ginigising ako. Agad bumalik sa isipan ko ang panaginip, hindi lang 'yon basta panaginip dahil totoong nangyari yun bago ako natulog.

And why the fuck did I dream of that? Really? Are you for real, Fortneigh? Why dream of Cosmos' kiss and not Evander's? That king has something to do with this.

"Mistress Fortneigh, you need to get up and clean yourself. The council are coming and the meeting is going to start soon."

"Council? What council? And what meeting are you talking about?"

"Did you forget about it? I told you last night, the Monarch of Dampierre is going to volunteer and send help for Iraq residents who were affected by the calamities. The typhoon and landslides they experienced recently."

Nasapo ko ang ulo, bakit ko ba nakalimutan? Kailangan ko rin palang dumalo sa meeting at magbigay ng insights. Parte rin 'to ng tungkulin naming pito. Bilang Mistress ng hari at may potential na maging reyna balang araw, Kailangan namin dumalo sa mga meeting para mahasa. Sa lahat, sa parteng ito ako naboboryo.

Left with no choice, I went off the bed and fixed myself for only half an hour. That's actually the shortest time of my preparation. It usually takes me an hour or two to make myself presentable enough. Well, I don't really need to dress up elegantly but the provided artists and fashion designers want to dress me up like I'm going to join a fashion show.

Red sexy dresses suit me most, paired with a white high heels embroided with pearls and hair untied. I also need makeups to slightly conceal my real identity. I looked different with make up on!

"Not too much cosmetic, I like it better," Wellem's first words the moment I went out of my room.

I gave her a confident smile as we walked in the corridor, passing the room of the other Mistresses. It was a good parade until we reached the stairs where the six others are also descending. Mena and Caroline approached me with bright smiles on their faces, while the other four were quiet. Avyanna as always, is stern and serious, still sharp and observant. Nashira looks terrible, no joke. Arpina is energetic. And Sigrid is as modest as ever.

"This is your first time attending a royal meeting, right? I bet you're nervous," natatawang sabi ni Mena at inangkla ang braso sa'kin. "But you look pretty confident, also, you're very stunning."

"I can't believe you're this gorgeous, Mistress Fortneigh. You just look like a goddess, always, but today you're more than that. Very stunning indeed," Caroline added cheerily.

Mahina akong natawa, sa totoo lang ay sobrang ganda rin nila tignan sa suot nilang damit. Caroline looks so innocent in her silky white dress, and so does Mena in her pink formal dress. The others are also stunning, and the rest is history.

Sabay kaming pito na nagtungo sa conference room habang nakasunod sa'min ang pito ring butler. Magkasama sina Arpina at Nashira habang sina Avyanna naman at Sigrid. Habang naglalakad ay na kay Sigrid ang mata ko.

Why is she too soft and modest? She's like a very kind feline who transformed into a beautiful and skinny princess. Her movements are limited, even her laughs and the way she smile. She's too good to be true. She's too perfect to be genuine.

"You're not that stunning, really. You just need some sugar coated words for today's meeting, so you won't freeze in the middle of it later." Lumapit sa'kin si Nashira at bumulong sa nanunuyang boses. "You're lucky, the Duke's been around. But I swear, your happy days are numbered."

"Aren't you tired of giving me empty threats?" Tamad ko siyang nilingon at tinaasan ng kilay. "I've been waiting for you to make your first move, but it seems like you need some triggering actions."

"What triggering actions are you talking about?" She spat.

I smirked at her.

"Like this."

In a snap, I halted from walking and kick the back of her knee causing her to almost fall. Her high pitched scream halted the others but I was quick enough to push her on the dirty cement. The others looked at us, her butler rushed in her side and helped her fix herself.

Galit na galit siya nang makatayo at agad akong sinugod ng hindi man lang nag-iisip. Gulat na gulat sina Mena at Caroline na napatili sa bilis ng pangyayari. Sa isang iglap ay hawak ko na ang buhok ni Nashira dahil hindi niya ako nagawang abutin. Umawat ang kaniyang butler ngunit agad itong nahila ni Wellem palayo. Ang ibang butler ay inilayo ang mga Mistress sa'min upang hindi masaktan.

"Let go of my hair, Fortneigh! You bitch!"

Nagsusumigaw si Nashira habang kinakalmot ako pero iningudngod ko na siya sa sahig. Bayad 'to sa pagsira niya sa mga gamit ko noong nakaraan. Nakalmot niya man ako pero hindi yun sapat para bitawan ko siya. Gumawa ng ingay at kumusyon ang away namin dahilan para rumespunde ang mga guwardiyang nakakalat sa mga kanto.

"Fortneigh, that's enough. Let her go now, please!" I heard Caroline's soft voice.

"The Duke's coming, let it go. Stop the fight now, you two," Mena added.

Arpina and Sigrid gasped harshly when they saw how strong I was. They even moved back to not get hurt. Nashira tried to pull my hair but I turned her around forcefully and slam her down, not too strong thou. Her butler was hellishly good in combat, I was a little bit distracted when I saw her disarm Wellem in just four or more strike.

"Suelta a mi ama!" Release my mistress.

The moment I let go of Nashira's hair, the Duke and the Count reached us. That was so uncool and really not elegant. I know that wasn't but, my very purpose of doing that is to lure the other Mistresses' real personality out. I guess I succeeded a little.

"What the hell is this ruckos? What's this, ladies?"

"That girl is a bitch! I will not accept this humiliation! She ruined my face and hurt me! She should be thrown away!"

Kahit ang Duke ay walang magawa nang sinubukan akong sugurin ulit ni Nashira. Pumagitna ang dalawang royal guards na dumating, sininyasan ito ni Evander na ilayo si Nashira sa'kin. Agad din siyang pumagitna at pinukol ako ng masamang tingin. Oh-oh? Looks like I made him mad early in the morning.

"Let go of me! Why are you restraining me instead of that bitch?! I'm the injured one!" Nashira yelled, her timid butler stole her away from the guards and threw us a deadly glare.

"This would be the last time you'll humiliate my Mistress, this is unacceptable," the butler said as she took off her coat and put it around her master. That was a cool move. "Duke Evander, Count Sirius, we are sorry for the trouble. Excuse us."

Nang maglakad sila palayo ay namayani ang katahimikan sa aming lahat. Pinaalis na ni Evander ang dalawang royal guards at hinarap ang iba. Ang count ay nilapitan halos lahat maliban sa'kin, si Wellem lang ang unang lumapit sa'kin.

"You okay, Mistress Fortneigh? That one was an aggressive move, still mad?" She shook her head, smirking.

"She's got nothing but her face. Did you see the other's reaction? Some were not even shock, Avyanna wasn't even blinking," I whispered.

Wellem nodded and whispered back.

"She's not threatened of you, Mistresses Fortneigh. Mistress Arpina was amazed of you, your friends were shocked to the core, Mistress Sigrid was also shock."

And she glanced at me with wide eyes, I saw the glint of defensive fire on her eyes.

Tinapik ako ni Wellem sa balikat at ngumuso sa likuran ko, paglingon ay sumalubong sa'kin ang seryusong mukha ni Evander. Sinubukan kong silipin ang mga nasa likuran niya pero ang tanging nakita ko lang ay ang tipid na pagngisi ni Avyanna at ang kaniyang pag-iling. Si Arpina ay nakataas nga ang kilay, parang hindi rin apektado. Nagpaalam sa'kin sina Mena at Caroline bago nauna.

Kumakaway pa ako sa kanila nang humarang si Evander na may seryuso at matalim na tingin, igting ang panga at hindi mo masasabing natutuwa sa nangyari. Galit pa nga ang itsura, sa bagay, sino ba ang hindi?

"You're such an attention seeker, Mistress Fortneigh. That wasn't funny, not at all."

"Of course, it wasn't. I didn't mean it as an entertainment but an experiment. Something you wouldn't understand—"

"Let's talk somewhere private."

Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to just anywhere he likes. I tried to protest but to no avail. In the end, I gave him a wide smile as we walk to he knows where.