- causing alarm/ trouble.

14

If you live long enough in the manor, you will know about the secret doors.

As someone who just got here and doesn't have memories, this is new to me. Since Melissa was here since she was born, she's familiar with the secret doors but not all of them. 

Turns out there are hidden doors located in different places of the manor that will lead you to different rooms. Dito ako dinala ni Melissa ngayon. Isang secret door malapit sa dulo ng hallway ng kwarto ko.

Isang ordinaryong salamin lang 'to tignan pero sa likod pala nito ay isang maliit na pinto na konektado sa kitchen. Doon, makakadaan ako sa backdoor para makalabas at kitain si Homer.

Ilang minuto bago huminto si Melissa na nauuna sa 'kin. Dahan-dahan siyang lumapit sa maliit na pintong hinintuan namin at dahan-dahan din itong binuksan. She took a peep inside before looking back at me.

"There are no one in the kitchen at the moment, Lady Harlotte," she said. "I already told Homer, he's outside the manor riding an old carriage filled with vegetables. Pumasok na lang po kayo sa loob, magbabantay ako rito."

I gently held her hands as I genuinely smiled at her. "Thank you so much, Melissa! I owe you big time!"

She blushingly smiled. "Anything for you, my lady. Please be careful."

I nodded before she opened the small door, letting me go through it. Sumunod siya na nililibot ang tingin sa paligid.

With her guarding the entrance of the kitchen, I went outside through the back door where I saw Homer peeking in front of the carriage.

"Lady Harlotte!" mahina pero mabilis na pagtawag niya sa 'kin. Nagmamadali akong pumasok sa loob ng lumang karwahe na puno ng mga gulay.

"Homer! Can you take me to our old coachman? The one who used to take me and Hilian," ani ko habang sumisilip sa labas, natatabunan ako ng gulay.

"Of course, my lady! Please hide yourself quickly!" he answered as soon as the carriage started moving.

I nodded as if he can see me.

We started to move, the guards took a glance inside of the carriage, but thankfully, I hid well and they didn't open it fully. It's the most uncomfortable ride I've ever had. 

Pero hindi ko masyadong napansin ang sakit ng pwet ko sa pagsakay, dahil ang buong atensyon ko ay nasa impormasyon na nakalap ko.

I have a new lead.

The governor fired all of the coachmen after the accident, except his. Maybe because of their negligence— making sure they will assist us well, me and my twin sister. But he might thought that its all that, because our coachman of the day of the accident was never found.

Hindi nila alam, may ganap pa bago ang aksidente. At 'yon ang aalamin ko ngayon.

It wasn't long before the uncomfortable ride stopped. While being surrounded by vegetables, I heard Homer speak from the outside.

"My apologies, my lady! I needed to drop the vegetables to the market soon! Maari po bang balikan ko na lang kayo pagkatapos ko?" nag-aalalang aniya. Napaayos ako ng upo at pilit na umangat sa mga gulay.

Inabot ko ang pintuan ng kalesa. "No worries, Homer!" I answered. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang mabuksan ko ang pinto at nakawala ako sa mga gulay. 

Homer is sticking out his head of the carriage, trying his best to look at me. "Thank you, Lady Harlotte!" Nalipat ang tingin niya sa likod ko, may tinatanaw. "The young ladies' coachman was Sir Tony. I know that he's living with his wife over there, my lady!" May tinuro siya sa likuran ko na agad kong nilingon.

"That house with a red fence gate, huge windows!" Pagturo niya. 

I nodded, seeing the house.

"I'll be going now, Lady Harlotte. I'll be waiting for you at the end of this street!" He bid his goodbye while waving his hand. I smiled and waved back.

"Be careful! I'll be waiting for you!" I said as I watch him go.

Homer waved as he moved, slowly disappearing from my sight. Napabuntonghininga ako nang tuluyan siyang nawala sa paningin ko bago mapalingon sa bahay na tinuro niya sa 'kin.

I'm suddenly anxious, worried of what might happen. I took the courage to walk to the house and ring on the fence gate. While waiting for someone, I took a great look at the street.

Walang masyadong tao, tahimik ang street nila dahil medyo tago rin 'to mula sa main street.

Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto na nakuha ang atensyon ko. Nagkatinginan kami ng matandang lalaking nagbukas.

I think he's on his early 60s, wearing a checkered shirt and pants. Kita ang mga uban sa itim niya pang buhok, at may suot-suot siyang salamin. He looks soft and kind, with his mouth slightly open and eyes wide.

"L-Lady Harlotte?!" he said, surprised. He immediately opened the door wide, panicking, as he rush towards the small gate. "W-What brings you here alone, my lady?!" He sounds so worried.

I smiled as I try to calm him down. "I'm sorry for the sudden visit, Sir Tony."

Natigilan siya sa pagmamadali sa pagbukas ng gate, at natulala sa akin. "Y-You remember me, Lady Harlotte?" he genuinely asked.

My smile turned into an awkward one. "Oh, I'm sorry, I still haven't. It's just that my coachman told me."

His face softened, slightly disappointed. "I see." Tuluyan niyang nabuksan ang gate at sinalubong ako ng malumanay na ngiti at pagyuko. 

"Welcome to my humble home, Lady Harlotte. I will make sure you'll have a comfortable stay."

It made my heart warm. It feels like it's Harlotte's emotions I'm feeling right now. Pumasok ako nang pinatuloy niya 'ko, pinauna akong maglakad ni Sir Tony at nauna lang siya sa 'kin sa bandang pintuan na para ibukas lalo ang pinto.

I was greeted by a warm atmosphere, it smells like pie inside. A common Victorian interior with a cream, brown, and red combination of colors. Their home is cozy and light, it's really refreshing inside.

"Who was it?-" A woman coming from my right side, which I assume was the kitchen, asked.

She stopped midway, eyes also widened like her husband's reaction when she saw me. "A-Ah oh, Lady Harlotte!" Napayuko siya kaagad. "I apologize for my rude behavior! Please, come inside!"

Dinala nila 'kong dalawa sa salas na natatanaw ko lang din pagpasok ko. It's on the opposite direction of the kitchen. The moment I sat on the couch, Sir Tony's wife immediately excused herself.

"I would bring you snacks and tea, please, make yourself at home." She smiled at me that I answered back with a smile too.

Sir Tony sat on the opposite sofa where I'm at. He formally took a sit.

"It's been a while, my lady. How are you?" He started the conversation.

"I'm doing fine, Sir Tony. I'm-"

I stopped when he sobbed, wiping his eyes with his fingers. Nahinto ako at nag-aalalang napatingin sa kaniya, nag-aalangan kung lalapit ba 'ko o hindi.

"I-I'm glad. I'm really glad." I was taken aback when he went to the ground on his knees.

"S-Sir Tony!-" Mabilis ko siyang nilapitan at inalalayan. "'Wag po, please. Tumayo po kayo."

"I really apologize Lady Harlotte for my negligence. I really apologize. I've been with the Adelaide's for 4 decades and was entrusted to you and Lady Hilian. B-But I-"

"Please, it's not your fault." Maigi ko siyang tinayo at binalik sa sofa na inuupuan niya. "It's not your fault, you weren't the one who caused the accident."

"But I should be the one who took you and Lady Hilian that day to ensure your safety." He's still sobbing. "The Lord was too merciful, I should've been put in prison. But he insisted that I should take a rest first, and come back when everything is okay."

Hindi ako nakasagot sa sinabi niya. Father didn't fire him. . .

"I really apologize, Lady Harlotte."

"Everything will be normal soon, don't worry." Desidido ko siyang tinignan. "So please, tell me what you know. Why didn't you drive us that day?"

Our eyes met, the atmosphere changed. There's suddenly a tension in the room. Sir Tony took a deep breath, calming himself. Bumalik ako sa couch at umayos ng pagkakaupo.

"That day. . . you told me to not drive you, Lady Harlotte."

May kung anong matinis na tunog ang dumaan sa tenga ko, bumigat ang magkabila kong balikat at napaangat ang dalawa kong kilay. I looked at him, confused.

"A-Ako?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

He nodded. "I used to drive you every wednesday and take you to the library. But that day, you told me that you'll go by yourself."

"I was hesitant at first, but you told me that I shouldn't worry because you'll meet someone and you can go by yourself."

Parang pinipigilan ko ang paghinga ko sa pagkinig ng kwento niya.

"I didn't know that it was Lady Hilian that you're meeting," pagtuloy niya ng kwento.

Natauhan ako sa kwento niya. "W-Wait, you didn't know? Why? Hindi rin ba ikaw ang nagdala kay Hilian?"

Umiling siya. "I stopped driving Lady Hilian, my lady. She asked me to."

Mas lalong namilog ang mga mata ko. Pakiramdam ko ay nandilim ang paligid at puro katanungan lang ang nakapalibot sa 'kin.

"W-What? Why?"

Sir Tony looks confused too. "Unlike you, Lady Hilian used to go out every now and then and I used to drive her. But suddenly, she told me that she doesn't need a coachman anymore, I don't know why."

Napuno ng mga letra at salita ang isipan ko. Napahawak ako sa baba ko.

There was a sudden changes on Hilian's actions. Napadalas ang paglabas niya, tumigil na rin siya sa pag-alis ng nakakarwahe. 

It seems like. . . she's hiding something. She doesn't want anyone to know where she's going.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko, naalala ko ang pinuntahan kong bar sa ruby street. Hilian used to go there too. . . with Felix in secret.

Why? Is she hiding her meeting with Felix? Or there's something else?

Why did me— Harlotte, left without a coachman too? And met with Hilian?

Why did we have to meet in secret? Was it just us?

"Uhm, Lady Harlotte." 

Umangat ang tingin ko bigla sa kaharap ko at nawala ang malalim na iniisip ko nang magsalita siya.

"Y-Yes?"

Sir Tony looks troubled, he looks like he's not sure if he's supposed to say it or not.

"I've been with you since you were young. . . and I can say that I've known you twins quite well. . ." He paused for a moment, my eyes squinted. "You're two peas in a pod, you two always agrees on the same thing, almost as if you only have one mind." He tried to chuckle.

"You're both loveable but you have different personalities. You, Lady Harlotte, is free and wild, you're almost too easy to read. On the other hand, Lady Hilian is reticent, calm, and serene."

"She's great at hiding, but one time. . . I saw her expression faltered."

Napaabante ako sa pagkakaupo sa narinig, ilang beses na napapikit at nag-abang sa sasabihin niya.

"W-When was that?"

"She looked troubled, but she still tried to hide it. It was the day she told me she doesn't need a coachman anymore." Masinsin akong tinignan ni Sir Tony. "It was four weeks ago, as I remember."

The realization hit me. 

Four weeks ago.

It was the time she changed.

"Why? What happened before that?" seryoso kong tanong.

Ilang segundo siyang napaisip.

"I'm not sure if that was the reason, since we used to go there frequently. . ."

My forehead furrowed. "Where?"

"To the Byron's Manor."

My body stopped in shock. The way my eyes lost it's light, my expression darkened, and my pupils shrank, I can imagine and see myself at this very moment.

Byron. . . Felix' house?

"It's just that after she got back the manor, there's something wrong with her. But I chose not to say anything since I thought it was something personal. . ." He breathed heavily. "But I might be mistaken, I could've just seen it wrong."

Hindi ako makasagot. Yes. . . he might have seen it wrong.

But the fact that Felix and Hilian was seeing each other in secret before the accident. . . it can't just be a coincidence. 

"D-Do you know why she went there?" Inipon ko ang lakas ko para makapagsalita.

"I apologize, but I don't. We go there most of the time."

"But still, I-"

Wala sa sarili akong napatayo na kinahinto ni Sir Tony. Nabigla siyang napatingin sa 'kin.

"I-I'm sorry, I need to go now."

"O-Oh, of course." Sinabayan niya 'ko sa paglalakad. "Are you alright, my lady?"

I tried to smile as I nod. "Y-Yes, I forgot that I needed to do something."

Malapit na kami sa pinto nang maabutan namin ang asawa ni Sir Tony na may dala-dalang tray na may slice ng pie at tsaa.

"Oh! You're already leaving?" she asked, slightly disappointed.

"Yes, I'm sorry for taking too much of your time."

"Please, you can visit us anytime, Lady Harlotte." She smiled.

"Should I take you to your carriage, Lady Harlotte?" Sir Tony asked.

Umiling akong sumagot. "No, thank you. I'll be meeting with my coachman."

I tried acting calm and happy as I leave their house, but my thoughts are coming all at once. I can't focus, but I tried my best to walk straight the street, on my way to meet Homer. The sky is getting dark, it's already a quarter past noon.

Hilian. . . went to the Byrons' before she acted strange, before everything else. What happened in the manor? Why did she go there? Who did she meet?

Sunod-sunod ang mga katanungan sa isipan ko at hindi ko napansin na may tao na pala sa harapan ko.

"Lady Harlotte?" Homer looked at me, confused.

"O-Oh, you're here!" ani ko.

"Yes, tinatawag po kita."

Pilit akong ngumiti. "Haha, hindi ko napansin. Nasaan na nga pala ang karwahe?" Iniba ko ang usapan.

Ngumiti si Homer. "Sa kabilang eskenita ko po nilagay dahil bawal ang may nakaharang sa street dito," sagot niya bago ituro ang hindi kalayuang eskenita. "Tara po?"

Tumango ako at sumunod sa kaniya. I was quiet while walking in alley, still thinking. Unti-unting dumilim ang paligid ko dahil sa pagtakip ng mga matataas na bahay sa loob ng eskenita.

Naramdaman ko ang paghampas ng hangin, tumama ito sa balat ko. Mababa ang tingin ko bago ako dahan-dahang napahinto sa paglalakad. My gaze went up, to the guy I'm following.

"H-Homer. . ." I called out his name. I glanced at him, from his shoes to his head. "You're not muddy today," I said with a teasing tone.

Nahinto rin siya at napalingon sa 'kin. Napakamot siya sa ulo niya. "Oh, you noticed! Hehe, I had enough time to wash, Lady Harlotte." He chuckled.

I tried to smile, but my lips are failing me. My heartbeat is getting faster, and I'm having trouble breathing. 

"Yes. . . you're always dirty when we meet. . ."

"Yeah! I really apologize for that!"

"Yeah. . . this is the first time you're clean and not stinky so I didn't notice. . ." My tone changed, Homer stopped laughing too when he notice my expression changed.

Napalunok ako nang malalim. Napaatras ako nang kaunti. Kung hindi humampas ang hangin, hindi ko pa mapapansin— hindi ko pa maamoy.

"You really smells like pomegranate." 

𓉞✎🕊