I would like to dedicate this chapter to geePostrado4 thank you so much for your unwavering support and encouragement!

To my silent readers, you hold a special place in my heart. I am truly grateful to each one of you. 

And of course, to my dear friend HYIG, thank you for always being there. Mahal ko kayo! Your support inspire me to keep writing and sharing my stories.

──── •✧• ────

I will make sure I would be the first to wake up, determined to avoid any awkwardness this morning. But the moment I opened my eyes, his face was the first thing I saw. A soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips, as though he had been waiting for this exact moment. My eyes widened in shock, and without a second thought, I pulled the blanket over my head in an attempt to hide from his gaze.

Goodness! What kind of morning is this? Embarrassment washed over me instantly. Had he been watching me the whole time I was asleep? How long had he been staring?

Panic flared again, and my eyes widened as I instinctively reached up to touch my face, checking if I had any unsightly eye gunk or dried drool that might have added to my embarrassment. Thankfully, I found none, and I let out a small sigh of relief. At least there’s that.

I lay still for a moment, trying to gather my bearings. Listening carefully, I could hear nothing—no rustle of movement, no sound that indicated he had left. I gulped, hesitating before I slowly began to pull the blanket away from my face. My heart pounded in my chest as I peeked out cautiously.

There he was. Still in the same position, lying beside me, his gaze fixed on me. His eyes were bright, and his expression was one of quiet amusement. He was waiting, watching me with that mischievous glint in his eyes. When our eyes met again, he grinned—teasing, playful, like he was enjoying every second of this.

I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the awkwardness that clung to me. I needed to act like this wasn’t bothering me, "Stop staring," I muttered, trying to sound more composed than I felt. I raised an eyebrow at him, but all it did was make him chuckle. He was clearly enjoying my discomfort, and his amusement only deepened my sense of humiliation.

Damn it. How was I supposed to deal with him now? After what happened last night, how could I even begin to keep my composure around him? The memory of last night flashed in my mind, and I inwardly cursed myself for losing control back then. Now, I was paying the price for it.

"Is that how you greet your husband in the morning?" he teased, his voice smooth and laced with that familiar tone of mischief. He was playing with me, as if daring me to respond.

I frowned, my brow furrowing. Right, I needed to greet him properly. That was the custom, after all. With a forced calm, I composed myself, a sweet smile slowly forming on my lips. "Have a good day ahead, Your Majesty," I said softly, though my voice was tinged with a subtle hint of urgency. I couldn’t stay here any longer. I needed to escape.

Without wasting another moment, I slipped out of bed, moving quickly as I grabbed my robe from the chair. I was pulling it on as I made my way toward the door, hoping to make a swift exit. "Wife? Where are you going?" he called after me, his voice carrying a note of confusion.

"To my mother," I replied curtly, not bothering to turn around. My heart was pounding in my chest as I reached for the door handle. The moment I stepped outside, I let out a shaky breath, my hands flying to my face in mortification.

Damn it. This was beyond embarrassing. I could feel the heat in my cheeks and the frantic beating of my heart. My once calm and demure demeanor had completely crumbled in front of him. What kind of impression had I left now?

This is all my fault. If only I had more control over myself...

I marched briskly toward my parents' chamber, my footsteps echoing off the cold stone floors. My mind was racing, and I needed some solitude, a brief escape from everything. Upon reaching the door, I knocked three times, steady and purposeful, before pushing it open.

My mother’s startled face was the first thing I saw, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Sweetheart?" she greeted me, her voice filled with concern as she approached. Her hands immediately found my shoulders, as if grounding me in place. "What happened?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity, eyes scanning my face for any sign of distress.

I bit my lip, feeling the words threatening to spill out. I wanted to tell her everything, but I took a deep breath instead, forcing myself to remain composed, "Nothing, I'll just wash myself here," I answered, my voice calm and detached. Unti-unting umaliwalas ang kanyang mukha, her initial worry fading as she gave me a soft, understanding smile and nodded a few times.

Though her eyes lingered on me, clearly doubting my words, she chose not to push further. Thank goodness for that. I wasn’t ready to explain—not yet, at least.

As I walked down the hallway, lost in thought, someone suddenly crossed my mind, "Have you seen the Duke, Sarah?" I asked without turning, already knowing she was following close behind as usual.

"Kasama ni Prince Lucas, Your Majesty," she replied promptly. I frowned slightly. Are they getting along with each other? Well, wala namang masama doon. My brother is known to be friendly, but admittedly, he is also quite picky with whom he chooses to spend his time, ayun ang naalala ko sa kanya.

Now what am I supposed to do? I didn’t feel like eating breakfast, not with the state I was in. I wondered if the Emperor had already eaten. Most likely, he had. But we are not in the Imperial palace, maaaring hindi pa siya kumain. I hope my mother won't forget him.

"Any suggestions on what I should do now, Sarah?" I asked, turning slightly to glance at her. I trusted her judgment, and her input was often helpful.

She paused thoughtfully for a moment before responding, "Maaari po kayong pumunta sa nayon, Your Majesty." Her suggestion made me pause. Going to the village wasn’t such a bad idea, after all.

I let out a long sigh. "Alright, let's go to the village," I declared, my tone leaving no room for debate.

"Would you mind if I come with you, wife?" a familiar voice cut through the air, catching me completely off guard. I spun around, nearly choking on my own breath.

Damn.

He looked even more handsome than usual. His white long-sleeved shirt was unbuttoned just enough to hint at his chest, and his black pants clung perfectly to his form. His hair was disheveled in that effortlessly charming way that only made his presence more intoxicating. Bakit ba ang gwapo niya?

I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure. "I wouldn't mind, Your Majesty," I replied with a sweet smile, despite the fact that I was wavering inside. Of course, I was going to let him come with me, though the idea made me slightly anxious.

He smirked, stepping closer to me. "Then, shall we go?" he offered, extending his arm toward me. I smiled again, more out of politeness than anything else, before slipping my hand through his arm.

I signaled for Sarah to bring us our cloaks, and we waited just outside the gates for her return. She quickly arrived, handing us each a cloak. I threw mine over my shoulders and turned to her. "You can rest now, Sarah. Inform my mother that I’m with His Majesty," I instructed, my tone firm. She bowed deeply.

"Masusunod, Your Majesty," she answered, her voice respectful as always.

I gave her a brief nod of acknowledgment before turning toward the carriage. His Majesty was already waiting by the door, offering his hand. I took it and climbed inside, with him following closely behind.

As the carriage began to move, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that crept up on me. The Emperor’s gaze had been fixed on me for quite some time now, and I could feel the weight of his stare. I raised an eyebrow, trying to appear unfazed. "Is something the matter, Your Majesty?" I asked, my voice steady, though I couldn’t deny the slight tension creeping into my tone.

He licked his lips, as if holding back a laugh. "What if I’m the one who should be asking you that?" he replied, his voice rich with amusement, "You look tense. What’s troubling you, wife?" his tone was low, almost husky, and filled with genuine curiosity.

I nearly choked on my own breath again, quickly turning to stare out the window, my mind racing. Damn it! Talaga bang kailangan niya akong tanungin? Of course I was tense! After what had happened between us, how could I not be? This man!

"Don’t mind me, Your Majesty," I replied, struggling to maintain my composure.

"My wife must be feeling shy," he teased, his voice playful, clearly enjoying my discomfort. I gritted my teeth. "Of course!" I snapped, refusing to meet his gaze. My voice was louder than I intended, betraying the irritation bubbling up inside me. I couldn’t take it anymore—this man was getting under my skin in ways I couldn’t control.

He chuckled softly, clearly amused by my reaction. Thankfully, he didn’t press the issue further, and we soon arrived at the village. I was the first to step out of the carriage, pulling the hood of my cloak over my face to shield myself from prying eyes.

I scanned the bustling streets, watching as people hurried about, attending to their daily tasks. There was a lively energy all around us, with vendors calling out to passersby and carts clattering along the cobblestones. I glanced at the Emperor and had to stifle a laugh.

His head was turning from side to side, clearly lost and unsure of what to do next. He looked so out of place, like a child lost in a market, clueless about the world around him. Nakakatawa siyang pagmasdan.

I grimaced as my stomach growled, the sound loud enough to make me feel slightly embarrassed. My eyes immediately scanned the surroundings, searching for any food stalls. A few feet ahead, I spotted a variety of food on display.

I glanced back at the Emperor and grabbed his hand without hesitation. "Come with me," I said firmly, and to my surprise, he didn’t object.

We made our way to the vendors. There were cupcakes, bread, biscuits, fruits, and local delicacies laid out on the stalls. I picked up an apple and took a bite, savoring the sweet, crisp taste. The Emperor, following my lead, grabbed an apple as well and started eating.

As I chewed, I looked around, observing the hustle and bustle of the village. Everyone seemed so full of life, their voices blending into a loud, constant hum. The air was thick with the sounds of chatter and laughter, a stark contrast to the quiet, controlled environment of the palace. It was lively, perhaps too lively.

Suddenly, I felt a tug on my arm. Startled, I turned to see a young girl with bright eyes and an excited expression on her face. "Sali ka po sa laro namin!" she exclaimed eagerly, her smile wide and full of genuine joy. I blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her enthusiasm. Before I could respond, I glanced at the Emperor, unsure of how he would react to such a casual invitation.

To my surprise, I saw him being pulled along by a young boy, the sight of it causing a chuckle to escape my lips. He didn’t seem to protest, letting the child lead him as though he were used to being handled that way. Well, this is unexpected.

The children led us to a group where a few teenagers had already gathered, their energy infectious. The game began, but as I watched, I quickly realized I had no idea what was going on. Their movements were fast, their laughter loud, and I was utterly lost, unable to make sense of the game.

I stood there, frozen, my eyes darting from one player to another. Damn it, I have no clue how this game works. In my first life, I never had the chance to experience childhood games. There was always too much responsibility, too much to learn, too little time for fun.

I glanced over at the Emperor, hoping he might offer some insight or at least share in my confusion. His forehead was furrowed, his brows drawn together in concentration as he tried to follow the children's antics. I stifled a laugh. Of course, he's just as clueless as I am. What else did I expect from him?

He looked out of place, standing there, his serious expression so out of sync with the carefree joy surrounding us. I shook my head, half-amused, half-exasperated. Even in the most ordinary settings, he managed to seem larger than life, yet now, he looked completely lost in this small village game.

I stepped to the side and observed their game for a while. The person they called "taya" stepped forward, holding a ball in his hand. He turned around, facing away from the group, and threw the ball over his shoulder. Immediately, the players sprang into action, trying to catch it, but the ball fell to the ground before anyone could reach it. They all froze instantly, their mouths clamped shut, the tension evident on their faces.

The taya turned back to them with a wide grin, approaching each player one by one, mimicking funny movements as if mocking them. Then, when one of the players finally moved, they became the next taya.

So that's their game? I thought to myself, intrigued.

I walked up to a young boy who was watching the game closely. "Anong tawag sa laro niyo?" I couldn't help but ask. The boy smiled up at me, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Pepsi po!" he said in a cheerful voice. I nodded thoughtfully, glancing over at the Emperor. To my surprise, he was already in the middle of the group, blending in with the players, as if he were one of them. I pressed my lips together, feeling a mix of amusement and disbelief.

He’s actually cute,  I thought, as I observed him. It seems like he really wants to play with them. Even though I didn’t see much reason for me to join, I figured I should give it a try.

I walked over to the Emperor and stood beside him. “My husband seems to want to relive his childhood,” I teased, smirking at him. He didn’t even glance at me, completely focused on the game. Goodness! Unbelievable.

Suddenly, the taya threw the ball, and immediately, my eyes followed its trajectory. I sprinted toward it, but before I could reach it, I collided with someone—a shameless fool. Our hands both reached for the ball, but it was too late. The ball had already touched the ground.

I froze in place, annoyance bubbling up inside me. Damn it! I’m definitely going to kick his ass for this.

I struggled to maintain my pose, my right knee bent, arms suspended mid-air, and my jaw clenched tight.This is exhausting.  I caught sight of the taya jumping in front of me, trying to distract me because I was taller than him. I fixed my face into a more serious expression. There’s no way I’m losing. No fucking way.

When the taya finally moved on, I exhaled in relief, but the moment was short-lived. He started counting, and in the corner of my eye, I saw one of the players move. I couldn’t contain my irritation any longer, and I let out an exasperated sigh.

I whipped my head to the side, only to find the Emperor standing next to me with a cold, unreadable expression on his face. His jaw was clenched tightly. "It was your fault," I muttered, glaring at him.

He matched my intensity, his own jaw tightening. "It was yours," he shot back. I raised my eyebrows, surprised by his childish retort. Is he really arguing with me like a child?

I placed my hands on my hips, not backing down. "If you hadn’t gotten in my way, I would’ve caught the ball by now," I snapped, my voice sharp and unwavering, my eyes narrowing at him.

He crossed his arms over his chest. "I was closer to the ball. You’re the one who interfered," he retorted, his voice equally firm, his thick eyebrows furrowing into a scowl.

Goodness! This man is really testing my patience.

I turned away from him, deciding it wasn’t worth arguing any further. Walang saysay makipagtalo pa. I returned to my position, bracing myself for the next round.

When the taya threw the ball again, I sprinted after it, bending my knees as I reached for the ball that was now descending. Just as I was about to catch it, I felt something hard slam into my forehead.

“Damn,” I cursed under my breath, holding my forehead as the pain radiated through my skull. I glared up at the person who had collided with me, and to my frustration, I found the Emperor already in his pose. We mirrored each other’s positions, both of us glaring fiercely, eyes practically burning with anger.

He’s really pushing me to my limits. I clenched my fists, barely able to contain my frustration. I swear, I’m going to punch him!

The taya approached us, attempting to distract us again, but to no avail. It seemed he was intimidated by our glares.

After the counting was done, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I grabbed the Emperor by his collar and forcefully pulled him up. "You’ve been annoying me the whole time! Kanina ka pa!" I growled, my eyes flashing with anger. The fierce look on his face softened instantly, like a wolf turning into a sheep.

“W-wife, I’m sorry, okay? It was just an accident,” he said, his voice suddenly calm, as if trying to diffuse the situation.

I gritted my teeth, releasing him roughly. “Accident my ass,” I muttered, my expression now a full-blown scowl. The children who were watching the game burst into laughter at our exchange.

I huffed, turning on my heel and marching away. Sira na ang araw ko. The day was ruined; I might as well just go home.

“Wife!” I heard the Emperor call after me, but I ignored him and continued walking. When I reached the carriage, I climbed in immediately and threw myself onto the seat, crossing my arms in frustration.

Moments later, the Emperor climbed in after me, sitting directly across from me. He chuckled softly, clearly amused by my reaction. I glared at him, still fuming as the carriage began to move.

He cleared his throat and looked at me earnestly. “All right. It was my fault. Now, can you forgive me?” he asked, his voice gentle, as though he were trying to soothe me.

I sighed heavily. I have my faults too. I let my irritation get the better of me. I had gotten carried away.

Now, it was time to regain my composure, “Forget it. It’s fine now, Your Majesty,” I said, my voice calm and firm, signaling the end of the argument.

I turned to look out the window, watching the scenery pass by. Somehow, despite the chaos, I had felt truly alive earlier. It was a moment I wouldn’t forget anytime soon.