-to begin an activity or journey

06

I used to think, 'what's really the purpose of my life?'

Is it to work everyday to feed myself? Is it to read and read, to cast my worries away? Or is it to live with this empty feelings for the rest of life. . .

My parents are gone, and they didn't really left a huge part of me empty, instead it was the opposite. Kaunting gumaan ang pakiramdam ko nang nawala sila sa buhay ko, dahil na rin siguro sa paraan nila ng pagpapalaki sa 'kin.

But still, every day I wake up, I don't have a reason for me to look forward to my day. I don't have to work for a goal, nor a purpose. I just wake up. . . because I'm alive.

I can't find a reason. . . a reason to look forward in life.

"Is that all you remember, Lady Harlotte?" the same man from yesterday asked me.

I nodded. This time, he's not just here to ask me about what happened to the accident that happened four days ago, but also what happened last night at the ball.

After what happened between me and Sherlock, my father came to talk with the authorities. Kinausap niya 'ko at binanggit ko sa kaniya ang pahayag ko sa pangyayari.

And unlike Sherlock, he believed me without a second thought. After that, we went home. Hindi ko pa siya nakikita mula no'n.

"You don't remember the waiter's face," pagbasa ni Detective Hugh sa notes niya.

Detective Hugh, the first person I've encountered since I entered this world—this book.

His name is familiar, I've read it a few times on the internet. I haven't seen an illustration, but he's actually the personal detective of the family Adelaide.

"Yes, detective," sagot ko. "I was looking for Sir Felix and Sir Nilus at that moment."

Nakaayos ako ng upo, tuwid ang likod. "But as far as I can remember, hindi gaano kataas ang pag-abot ko sa wine glass." Nag-isip ako mabuti. "That makes him not that taller than me. . . I think he's about 5'3 or 5'4."

Nagsulat si Detective Hugh sa notes niya. "Anything else?"

Naningkit ang mga mata ko, inaalala ang nangyari. "He. . . he smells like a fruit."

Kumunot ang noo ni detective. "A fruit? What kind of fruit?"

Bumuka ang bibig ko, pero huli ang salita. "A pomegranate fruit."

Napaisip siya sa sinabi ko, bago 'to ilista. "Is that all you can remember?"

I nodded. Tumayo si Detective Hugh na kinatayo ko rin.

"Very well, I'll talk to your father when I meet him, and I'll update you about this case." Muli akong tumango sa sinabi niya. "And to your twin's case, I'm still studying it together with Sherlock, please wait a little more. We will find the whereabouts of Lady Hilian soon."

Kinuha ni detective ang coat at sumbrero niya na nakalagay sa coat rack malapit sa pinto.

"I can't bid my good byes to your parents since they're not here, so I'll get going now, Lady Harlotte."

"We're grateful for your help, Detective Hugh."

"By the way, Lady Harlotte," pagtawag ni detective na nakakuha ng atensyon ko. Nagtama ang mga tingin namin. "I've heard what happened last night between you and Sir Holmes."

Hindi ako nakasagot sa sinabi niya. He must be talking about what I've said last night to Sherlock. There are really eyes and ears every where, someone could've been listening to us last night.

"I'm in no position to tell you this, but your father would say the same. I'm just advising you to watch your words as a young lady, and an Adelaide. Sir Holmes would've taken it seriously in a bad way, but luckily, he's a wise man to know that you're still young and you still lack knowledge."

Tinitigan ko lang siya sa sinabi niya. Hindi ako kumibo. I could answer back, but I won't. I've learned this in a hard way in my world, and at this moment, I think it's better for me to shut my mouth.

Modern day or not, the society still thinks women are inferior. But it's worse in this era.

I blandly smiled. "I'll keep that in mind."

Kaunti niyang inangat ang sumbrero niya bago ito isuot nang tuluyan. "You don't have to see me go, please take a rest," aniya bago buksan ang pinto. "And oh, please see me if you've regained your memories back. Please stay in your manor until we find the culprit behind all of this."

"I will."

Pinanood ko siyang umalis sa harapan ko. All I heard was the door closing, and I'm now alone in the room. Lumapit ako sa bintana para tignan siyang sumakay sa kalesa at umalis.

Napasimangot ako. Panot.-

I was startled when I heard a bump. Agad akong napalingon. Kumunot ang noo ko. What is-

"Lady Harlotte."

Mas lalo akong nabigla nang may kumatok. A man entered the room. Napahinga ako nang maluwag nang makita siya. Oh, it's just him.

Napatingin ako sa lalaking deretso ang tayo at may malamig na ekspresyon. Has a dark gray hair with white mustache, standing elegant in his black suit.

This is the first time I've seen him face to face since I came here, but he's familiar. The Adelaide's one and only butler, Sir Druce Lediel.

"Detective Hugh has left, Lady Harlotte," aniya.

"Thank you, Druce."

"Do you need anything, young Lady?"

I smiled and shook my head. "No, you can go now."

Nilagay niya ang kanan niyang kamay sa dibdib bago yumuko. "Please call me if you need anything," sagot niya bago umalis sa harapan ko.

I watched him go. Sir Druce has been in the family since my father was just a young Lord. Even though Lord Howard is a governor, he didn't took other butlers since he trusted everyone in his house.

He thought that his children is safe and can handle their own, he trust us too much. Which is a huge mistake—since one of his daughter disappeared.

I sighed. I went upstairs to my room. Hinanap ko kaagad ang bagay na tinago ko sa kama, at agad ko rin itong nakita.

My journal.

Naupo ako sa harap ng lamesa at binuklat ko 'to.

Last night, I made a decision. And it's about me, living here in the world, as Harlotte. I already accepted the fact that I'm already a part of this world, and I'll live as her.

And also. . . I'll find my sister—Hilian.

Nagsulat ako sa journal ko, dito ko ilalagay at pagtatagpi-tagpiin ang mga pangyayari.

'Four days ago (Wednesday), Hilian and Harlotte, got in an accident. The horses lost control, there is no coachman.'

'Harlotte lost some of her memories, and Hilian disappeared.'

Inilagay ko ang lahat ng mga naalala ko. I heard that people only saw me when they got there to help, only me. Sinunod ko ang mga tanong.

'Where is the coachman?'

'Where are we going that time?'

'Where did we came from?'

'How did Hilian disappear without no one seeing her?'

'If she got kidnapped, who took her? And why?'

Nilinyahan ko ang pinakahuling tanong na nilagay ko.

'Where is Hilian Eliza Adelaide now?'

I tapped my pen, then poke it on my cheeks. The detectives have already investigated the coachman, but they haven't found him yet. And it turns out, even the carriage was not ours.

Ang ibig sabihin, iba ang sinakyan namin ni Hilian.

Pero bakit?

Napaismid ako, sinundan ito ng pagsabunot ko sa buhok. There are many questions with so few clues!

Just where are you, Hilian?

"Lady Harlotte?" I heard a knock. Napalingon ako sa pintuan. "It's time for you to take your medicine."

Umangat ang dalawa kong kilay. It's a maid!

That's it, if I don't remember anything, I'll just have to ask!

Mabilis kong pinagbuksan ng pinto ang babaeng nasa labas, may hawak-hawak na maliit na tray na may baso at tabletang gamot. She flinched in surprised.

"L-Lady Harlotte-"

"You! What's your name?" I asked with a high tone.

She looks so surprised and confused.

"U-Uhm, I'm Melissa, Lady-"

"Melissa, how long have you been here in the Adelaides'?"

"I-I was here since I was born, my lady. I'm a daughter's maid."

I'm slightly touched with her answer. "Then, you know a few things about me and my sister right?"

Melissa slowly nodded.

"Good. Now, tell me, the day of the accident, where did me and Hilian went?" Naningkit ang mga mata ko.

Napaisip nang malalim ang babaeng kasama ko. Napaiwas siya ng tingin.

"L-Lady Hilian always go outside, hindi ko po alam kung saan siya madalas pumunta. Pero noong nakaraang mga ilang araw, napadadalas ang pag-alis niya."

"And when was that?"

"A-Around four weeks ago. . ." Naningkit ang mga mata ko. Four weeks ago. . .

Umangat ang tingin ni Melissa sa akin. "You, Lady Harlotte, always go out on a Wednesday. You always go to our local library early in the morning, and you'll go home around 6 in the evening."

Lumiwanag ang ekspresyon ko sa sinabi niya. Finally, a lead!

I let out a sound of excitement as I hug Melissa. "I love you! OMG!" I hugged her tight. Muntik niya pang mabitawan ang tray na dala-dala niya. Mabuti na lang at nalipat niya 'to sa kabilang kamay.

Nabalisa siya sa ginawa ko. "I-I-I'm sorry my lady, I-I like you but not in that way-"

Nawala ang masiglang ekspresyon ko at bumitaw ang pagkakayakap sa kaniya. I looked at her blushing face with a blank expression.

"Not in that way," ani ko. Kinuha ko ang tabletang nasa tray at deretso itong ininom.

"Prepare a carriage," utos ko bago tumalikod para mag-ayos.

"B-But lady, you're not allowed to leave without the Lord's permission. It's dangerous-"

I looked at her with my pointed finger at the top of my lips. I have a smug look on my face.

"But father is not here, isn't he?"

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