Chapter 31: A Job Well Done

Serene stared at Levi's eyes that's full of anticipation and sincerity. Maya-maya ay inangat niya ang isang kamay at hinaplos ang pisngi ni Levi. 

I have a feeling that Her Majesty triggered him to ask me to continue the wedding, but I also know that the sincerity he's showing me now is true. 

Serene smiled, "Okay. Let's get married." 

Levi sighed in relief before lowering his head. Maya-maya ay muli niyang inangat ang kaniyang ulo at hinalikan ang likuran ng palad ni Serene na hawak niya. 

"I thought you're gonna say no. I'm relieved, Serene." 

"That's absurd. How could I say no?" 

I've been waiting for this moment all my life. 

"Besides, didn't we already promise to marry each other?" natatawang tanong pa ni Serene. 

Umayos ng upo si Levi at sinalubong ang mga mata ni Serene.

"Who knows? Baka nagbago ang isip mo sa mga panahong wala ako rito," nakasimangot niya pang rason, tila batang nagrereklamo.

Serene giggled, "My, my... It seems like my fiancee is a bit whiny today." 

Napatitig si Levi kay Serene. He tilted his head before getting up from his seat. Lumapit siya kay Serene at tinukod ang kanang kamay sa kama samantalang ang isa naman ay hinawakan ang dulo ng buhok ni Serene. 

Natigilan si Serene dahil sa lapit ng distansiya ng kanilang mga mukha. She could almost feel Levi's warm breath. His manly perfume lingered on her nose. Unti-unti ring lumakas ang tibok ng kaniyang puso. In this position, she could see every detail, every corner of Levirence's face.

"Why? Am I unattractive in your eyes if I whine like this to you?" Levi asked with his low voice. 

"H-Huh? No... You're still attractive in whatever you do." Serene answered, flustered and blushing.

Napasulyap si Levi sa namumulang tainga ni Serene. Ngumisi siya at dinikit ang mga labi sa noo ng dalaga. 

"I'm glad. Because I would like you to whine like this to me as well, Serene," ani Levi habang umuupo sa gilid ng kama, "I would like you to share your worries to me, bear the pain of living with me, and face the upcoming trials of our lives beside me. Please rely to me as much as I want to rely on you, Serene. Because I'm not just your fiancee, or your future husband, or the Crown Prince of this Kingdom... I am also your companion. Is that all right with you?" 

Umawang ang bibig ni Serene habang nakatitig at nakikinig kay Levi. Ilang sandali ay napangiti siya at hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay ni Levi. She rested her head on Levi's strong shoulders. 

"Okay. Let's do that." 

Napangiti rin si Levi at dinikit ang kaniyang pisngi sa ulo ni Serene saka hinaplos ang likuran niya gamit ang isa pang kamay. His gentle touch soothed Serene. Napangiti na lamang ang dalaga at ipinikit ang mga mata. 

Geez. When did he become this sweet and vocal of his feelings?

Morning came and the halted preparations for the wedding was resumed. Kaya mas naging abala ang palasyo. Bukod pa roon ay isinasaayos din nina Levi ang mga naiwan pang mga state affairs. 

After their rest, the siblings held a general meeting regarding the state affairs. Si Serene naman ay nagpahinga na rin upang gumaling agad at makabalik nang maaga sa pagmomodify ng kaniyang mana.

"The tariff exemption was lifted. Though it has benefits in preventing the rapid raise of revenue for the goods and products, Serene saw through the records that the nobles are abusing it. Aside from that, they are asking for a tax hike for the commoners as well. Kaya ang balak niya ay ang hayaan si Kuya Levi na i-handle ang corruption sa Aristocratic Faction bago muling ibalik ang tariff at babaan ang tax ng mga commoners at lagyan ng tax ang mga nobles," paliwanag ni Perry.

"All right. I'll handle this matter myself," Levi answered, dazed in Serene's paperworks. 

"How about the outbreak in the towns around the capital?" tanong ni Lucio.

"I already sent the priests and healers to the said towns to investigate and cure the people who are affected," sagot din ni Perry.

"The plunder case of Count Rosabel was also wrapped up and the main judge of the trial was the Royal Court's Head Judge, but Serene participated in making the final decision and verdict?" tanong ni King Luther habang binabasa ang mga dokumentong hawak. 

"Yeah. Serene investigated about Count Rosabel's asset including his family's, she then found the villa of the Count's family that was registered under his second son's name. She sent a royal vassal there and knights to inspect the villa under the absolute power that Mother has given her. Doon nila nakita ang isang hidden basement na may mga illegally acquired treasures at volt ng mga pera ng Count."

"She handled it smoothly," Vester mumbled.

"Right?! Sister is so cool. She even guided me about ancient language when I had a hard time deciphering the readings of the temple," Perry said nonchalantly.

"The written documents were organized neatly. Her wordings can be in par with Kuya Levi's. It seems like she's really fit in handling state affairs. No wonder she was called a genius by the scholars of Sardonia," komento rin ni Ezra habang nililipat-lipat ang mga dokumentong hawak. 

Levi smiled a little while looking at the documents in front of him. Napahawak sa siya sa kaniyang baba habang patuloy na nakangiti.

I always have high expectations in Serene's intelligence, but seeing her work myself, she exceeded those expectations. Her decisions about the cases and how she handled the nobles' restless rants was smooth. I even heard from Lorcan that even the nobles could not dare disrespect her during their meetings because she looked like a different person when in authority and that she's more reasonable than most of them.

What more could she do when she's finally in the position of Crown Princess? No wonder mother granted her an absolute power. 

Napangiti si Luther nang makita kung paano ngumiti ang anak. Bahagya siyang napailing habang binubuksan ang kinuhang scroll.

When we first asked him to choose a fiancee, he even swore that it'll be only a temporary thing. But look at him now. If that's not the face of the man in love, then I don't know what it is.

The meeting went smoothly and it ended without a problem. Pagkatapos ng meeting ay agad na dumiretso si Levi sa kaniyang residence palace kasama ang kambal dahil nais daw nilang makita rin si Serene. 

"Why don't you both go to your own palaces?" kunot-noong tanong ni Levi sa mga kapatid. 

"If you don't like seeing us around, just go straight to your office, brother," pabalang na sagot ni Vester.

"Titignan lang namin kung nasa maayos na lagay na si Ate. Huwag kang madamot, Kuya," usal din ni Klaus.

"Brats..." iling ni Levi sa kambal.

Nang makarating sila sa kwarto ni Serene ay kumatok muna si Levi ng tatlong beses bago buksan ang kaniyang kwarto. Yumuko rin sina Lorcan at Zael na nakabantay sa pintuan bilang pagbati sa tatlo. Nang makapasok sila ay roon nila naabutan si Serene na binibigay kay Nimfa ang baso ng tubig na kaniyang ininuman. 

"You're here?" ngiting salubong ni Serene sabay tingin sa likuran ni Levi, "Ah, the twins are here too. Hi, Vester, Klaus... Come to think of it, I think this is the first time I've seen you two together," ngiti ring bati niya sa dalawa.

"I guess we were both busy to stick together. Anyway, how are you feeling, Ate Serene?" tanong ni Klaus.

"I feel refreshed, thank you, Klaus." 

Hinalikan ni Levi si Serene sa kaniyang noo nang makalapit dito bago umupo sa gilid ng kama. 

"Kayo? Wala ba kayong mga injury galing sa laban?" tanong naman ni Serene. 

"Ah, we're fine. The High Priest visited us last night to cure our small scratches," Vester answered.

"Glad to know," Serene sighed. 

Nang masulyapan ni Serene si Vega na tahimik lamang na nakatayo sa gilid ay agad niyang naalala si Rainielle. 

"Ah, speaking of, Klaus... I have a surprise for you," ngiting sabi pa ni Serene. 

"A surprise for Klaus?" kunot-noong tanong ni Levi. 

Ngunit imbis na sumagot ay ngumiti lamang si Serene. Kahit si Klaus ay nagtataka rin. Nasa ganoon silang sitwasyon nang muli silang nakarinig ng tatlong magkakasunod na katok bago ito bumukas muli. 

"Your Highness, ang sabi po ng head chef ihahatid... na..." hindi na natuloy pa ni Rainielle ang kaniyang sasabihin nang makita ang tatlong bisita. 

Klaus' eyes widened upon seeing the girl who just entered. Ilang sandali pa siyang nanahimik, sinisigurado kung totoo ba ang kaniyang nakikita. 

"G-Greetings, Your Highnesses!" agad na yuko ni Rainielle nang matauhan. 

"R-Rain..." gulat na usal ni Klaus.

"Who is she?" baling ni Levi kay Serene. 

"Ah, she's Klaus' friend from outside the palace. When I first visited her to the bakery, we encountered her nasty uncle, so I decided to take her in and made her my lady-in-waiting. Sorry, hindi na kita nakonsulta sa bagay na ito," ani Serene. 

"No, it's fine. You have all the right to select your own ladies-in-waiting. I'll handle the rumors if I'd have to." marahang sagot naman ni Levi sa kaniya. 

Nginitian ni Serene si Levi bago tinignan si Klaus. Hindi mapigilang humagikgik ni Serene nang makita ang pamumula ng tainga ng binata at ang mga mata nitong hindi maalis ang tingin kay Rainielle. 

"Klaus? Is it fine with you?" tanong ni Serene. 

"H-Huh?" harap ni Klaus kay Serene, "Ah, yeah... I-It's fine, Ate. Thank you..." nahihiyang usal niya pa.

Ngumiti lang din si Serene sa kaniya at palihim siyang kinindatan. Halos kalahating oras silang nanatili roon bago magpaalam ang dalawa.

"Rainielle, why don't you escort Their Highnesses? You can come back later too," ngiting tanong ni Serene. 

Napaiktad naman si Klaus. Kumunot ang noo ni Levi sa naging reaksyon ng kapatid, samantalang si Vester naman ay napatakip sa kaniyang bibig at umiwas ng tingin, nagpipigil ng tawa. 

"Yes, Your Highness." 

Sabay nang lumabas ang kambal at si Rainielle sa kwarto ni Serene. Napatingin si Vester sa kakambal habang naglalakad sila sa tahimik at malawak na hallway ng Centaurus Palace. 

"So, you're the baker?" pambabasag ni Vester sa katahimikan sabay lingon kay Rainielle.

"H-Huh? Ah... Y-Yes, Your Highness," nahihiyang sagot ni Rainielle na nakasunod lamang sa kanilang likuran.

"Stop intimidating her, brother," saway ni Klaus sa kakambal.

"Dude, I was just asking," untag naman ni Vester. 

"Your poker face is bothersome," irap ni Klaus. 

"Ha? We're twins, little Klaus," 

"We are fraternal... Most of our physical features are not the same. You look more like Kuya Ahren," Klaus answered with a deadpan face.

"Bro, are you saying I'm ugly?" 

"Uh... Yes?" sarkastikong sagot ni Klaus sabay taas ng isang kilay at kumibit-balikat.

"This jerk..." 

Napakagat na lamang sa kaniyang ibabang bibig si Rainielle upang pigilan ang tawa sa pagsasagutan ng kambal. Nang makalabas sila sa Centaurus Palace ay humarap si Vester sa dalawa.

"I'll go first. You two should enjoy your sweet time together," aniya sabay talikod. 

"Y-You...!" tanging naiusal ni Klaus habang namumula ang mga tainga. 

"Take care, Your Highness," ani Rainielle sabay yuko.

Ikinaway lamang ni Vester ang kaniyang kanang kamay habang naglalakad palayo. Ilang sandaling natahimik ang dalawa nang tuluyang makalayo si Vester. Maya-maya ay napasulyap si Rainielle kay Klaus bago tumikhim.

"Uh... Your Highness, ihahatid ko na kayo sa residence palace niyo," prisinta ni Rainielle.

"I-Ihahatid? Stop treating me like a child. I can go there my own," Klaus pouted. 

Ngumiti naman si Rainielle, "Then, should I just go back to Her Highness?" 

"W-Wait...!" napahawak si Klaus sa palapulsuhan ni Rainielle dahil sa gulat.

"Yes, Your Highness?" ngiting sagot ni Rainielle na may halo pang pang-aasar ang boses. 

"L-Let's take a walk at the garden of my palace first. I feel stuffy inside," ani Klaus sabay iwas ng tingin. 

"Yes, Your Highness," Rainielle answered, giggling.

Nang maglakad palayo ang dalawa ay saka namang pagdating ni Ezra sa tapat ng Centaurus Palace kasama Austen. Kunot-noo niyang sinundan ng tingin sina Klaus at Rainielle. Bumaba ang kaniyang tingin sa kamay ni Klaus na nakahawak pa rin sa palapulsuhan ni Rainielle. 

Klaus is with a girl? Who is she?

Inabot ni Serene kay Levi ang isang maliit na baso na ininuman niya ng herbal medicine na hinatid ni Nimfa. 

"Are you sure you don't feel any pain?" tanong pa ni Levi.

"Yes, I'm fine. You don't have to worry anymore," ani Serene. 

Napatitig si Vega sa dalawa. He tilted his head a little.

This is the closest proximity I encountered His Highness the Crown Prince, but I've heard a lot of rumor about him before. Apparently, ayon sa sabi-sabi ay hindi siya masyadong nagpapakita ng emosyon. He looked like a walking robot. The story about him falling in love with a maid was also well-known among the nobles. Nakaririnig pa ako dati ng criticism patungkol sa kaniya dahil doon. May isang pagkakataon din na nakita ko siya kasama ang maid na iyon, though it was in a far distance, he indeed looked like a walking corpse back then. 

But seeing him like this with Her Highness Serene, I know for sure that a lot have changed about him. Malayong-malayo sa Crown Prince na sinasabi ng mga chismis. The Crown Prince I am seeing now is a gentle fiancee with so much care to Her Highness. 

Natigilan sila nang makarinig ng katok bago bumukas ang pintuan. Bumungad sa kanila si Lorcan na agad yumuko sa dalawa bilang pagbati. 

"Your Highnesses, Prince Ezra and Vice-Captain Austen is here to see you both."

"Let them in," Serene answered.

Tumayo si Levi mula sa pagkakaupo at nanatili sa tabi ng kama ni Serene bago humalukipkip. Umayos din ng upo si Serene. 

"I apologize for disturbing your rest, Princess," bungad agad ni Ezra.

"Greetings, Your Highnesses," bati rin ni Austen habang nakaluhod ang isang tuhod. 

"Prince Ezra, it's fine. I'm just a bit surprise that you visited me directly," ngiting sagot ni Serene. 

"I am grateful for a job well done, Princess. This is the least I could do. Also... I was curious about what you ordered to Sir Austen," ani Ezra. 

"Ah..." tanging naiusal nis Serene sabay tingin kay Austen. 

I guess he found out through asking the Vice-Captain when he felt something is weird. Ezra is quite sharp. That eyes full of maturity and curiosity is telling me that he already have an idea on what is going on in my mind. 

"All right. Let's discuss this matter," tumango si Serene at tinignan si Nimfa, "Nimfa, please prepare us a tea and some refreshments. Vega, you can excuse yourself." 

"Yes, Your Highness," sabay na sagot nina Vega at Nimfa bago tuluyang lumabas ng kwarto. 

Tumayo si Serene mula sa pagkakaupo sa kama. Agad naman siyang hinawakan ni Levi sa likuran ng kaniyang baywang bilang pag-alalay. Samantalang ang kanang kamay niya naman ay nakahawak din sa kanang kamay ni Serene. 

"Serene, you don't need to-"

"It's fine, Levi. Let's go to the sofa," Serene smiled at him before squeezing his hand. 

Levi sighed in defeat, "Fine."

Umupo silang tatlo sa sofa set na nasa kwarto rin ni Serene. Samantalang si Austen naman ay tumayo lamang sa gilid ng single sofa na inuupuan ni Ezra. 

"Your Highness, here is the report that you ordered us to do. All of the activities of the said nobles in the lists are there, including their transactions and secret gatherings were recorded as well," ani Austen sabay lapag ng makapal na papeles sa coffee table na nasa harapan nila. 

"You investigated the nobles?" tanong ni Levi. 

"Yeah. This is just a feeling, but Her Majesty started having symptoms after she attended a meeting with the royal council. I don't want to doubt their loyalty towards the Lockridges, but we can't ignore every possibility. One of the best course we could take right now is to find the caster of the black mana to Her Majesty. If we can capture that person, we might find a cure to Her Majesty's sickness as well. Wala ito kasiguraduhan, ang alam lang natin ay may pinagmulan ang Luekos disease and that is black mana and black man should have a caster. It's a gamble, but we have to take in consideration every aspect that we could think of," Serene explained.

"I agree. This is a confidential investigation, so I see no problem about this. If this could help in curing mother's disease, then, we could just take responsibility for the consequences, brother," ani Ezra sabay baling kay Levi. 

"I agree," tumango rin si Levi. 

Napangiti naman si Serene at hinayaan na si Sir Austen na sabihin sa kanila ang summary ng report. Dumating din si Nimfa kasama ang ibang maid dala ang mga tea at refreshements. They arranged those on the coffee table before taking their leave. 

"We planted a spy to their recent gathering. According to the spy, the main agenda of their meeting is the auction house in the black market. They also had a brief topic about how Princess Serene is handling the palace and state affairs. Saying that you are taking advantage of Their Highnesses' absence upon lifting the tariff exemption and halting the reconstruction of the theatre due to your own greed."

"Hah..." napangisi na lamang si Serene. 

Well, that's life. You can't satisfy every person. Especially these nobles whom I just nipped their buds.

"What bullshit are they spouting?" galit na usal ni Levi. 

"I suppose they are even against the union of Princess Serene and brother," komento rin ni Ezra. 

"That to, Your Highness... And we also learned an unexpected rumor during the gathering," ani Austen. 

"What rumor?" kunot-noong tanong ni Serene. 

"Grand Duke Fraser... It is said that he was planning to adopt another daughter." 

Napaiktad si Serene nang marinig ang pamilyar na apelyido. 

The Frasers are planning to adopt a child? And another daughter at that? But, why...?

--

Author's Note:

Today is October 25th, so I decided to update.

Happy birthday, Your Highness Levirence! <3