Maaga akong nagising kinaumagahan upang makapaglibot kaya nandito ako ngayon sa hallway. Sobrang ganda pala talaga dito. Lahat ng mga gamit kung ibebenta ay sobrang mahal. Napatitig ako sa painting kung saan may mag-asawang magkatabi. Marahil ito ang mga magulang niya na pumanaw dahil sa labanan. Sumubo ako ng ubas na dala ko. Kasama ko ngayon si Sarah at may bitbit din siyang maaaring kainin ko, "Edward, where is His Majesty?" Nilingon ko sa likod si Edward.

Tumikhim muna siya bago nagsalita. "Kakaalis niya lamang kaninang madaling araw, Your Majesty." I clenched my fists. That Emperor. Inuubos niya talaga pasensiya ko.

"Then who is managing the state?" Humarap ako sa kaniya. "Ang kanang kamay na si Henry, Your Majesty." Kumunot ang noo ko sa tugon niya. Right, Henry. How can I forgot him. He is a type of a person na talagang mapagkatiwalaan. He is loyal to the Emperor.

"Sarah, prepare my bath." Tumalikod na ako at binaybay ang hallway pabalik sa aking kwarto.

PAGKATAPOS kong naligo, nagpahatid lamang ako kay Sarah ng pagkain sa kwarto dahil sinimulan kong mangalkal ng impormasyon sa mga nangyayari dito sa kanilang mundo. Kahit ako ang may pasimuno sa mga nangyari dito may mga bagay pa rin na hindi saklaw ng kakayahan ko. Malay ko ba sa mga nangyari sa bawat taong nakatira dito, nakapokus lang ako sa mga importanteng tao at hindi ko alam na magkatotoo pala ang sinulat ko o talaga bang totoo ito? Pero nakakainis dahil hindi ko na alam kung ano ang totoo. Kailangan ko din pag-aralan paano makibagay o mas lamangan ang paraan ng pamumuhay ng mga tao dito.

I must learn the things that I needed to learn. I spent three days inside my room, reading and learning. As a former Author, I also fond of reading. Kaya kong tapusin ang isang libro sa isang oras lang, ganoon ako kabilis magbasa, at mabilis ko rin maisaulo ang mga nilalaman sa binabasa ko.

"Your Majesty, maganda ang araw ngayon sa labas, ayaw niyo bang ibaling muna ang atensiyon sa ibang bagay?" Napalingon ako kay Sarah sabay sarado ng libro. Nakayuko lamang siya kaya hindi ko mabasa ang kaniyang emosiyon.

"Alright, samahan mo ako." Tumayo na ako at lumabas nang kwarto.

Habang binaybay namin ang hallway napansin kong abala ang mga tao, "Anong mayron Sarah?" I asked her, "May darating na panauhin, Your Majesty. Ang Duke, at ang Lord," Agad akong napalingon sa kanya. " What's their business here?" Imbes na sumagot ay yumuko lamang siya. I clenched my fists and I made my way to the office of the Emperor.

WALANG katok kong binuksan ang pintuan ng opisina at nadatnan ko ang isang lalaki na may suot na salamin at may kausap na isang knight. Agad din nila akong napansin at mabilis yumuko. "Greetings to the moon of the Empire, your Imperial Majesty the Empress. How can I help you?" magalang na tanong sa akin ng lalaki. I gritted my teeth. "What is the purpose of mentioning my title when you cannot give me a fucking respect!" I yelled out of frustration. Nakakainis na silang lahat.

Mas lalo lamang akong nakaramdam ng inis dahil hindi man lang ito natinag, "I apologize but I don't get you, Your Majesty." I clenched my fists. "Ang mga tao sa palasyo ay abala dahil bibisita ang Duke at ang anak nito ng hindi ko alam. Sa tingin mo respeto pa ang maitatawag mo doon?" mga wala ba silang utak? Mana talaga sila ng Emperor nila, mga walang respeto.

"I apologize again for not informing you, Your Majesty." Kalmado itong yumuko at hindi na ako nakatiis kaya tumalikod na ako. "You must be Henry?" I uttered, "Yes, Your Majesty," tuluyan na akong lumubas at bumalik sa aking kwarto. Kailangan ko yatang matutunong makipaglaban para sa susunod masipa ko na sila.

"Sarah I need something to wear, I must greet the visitors first," no, they must greet me first. Humarap ako sa salamin at sinimulang tanggalin ang suot ko. Tinira ko ang manipis kong dress at lumingon kay Sarah. Nakita kong hirap siyang pumili. Naagaw naman ang atensiyon ko sa isang dress sa sulok.

Tinuro ko ang ito. "Pick that one Sarah and bring here," as I said she immediately obeyed. Inabot niya ito sa akin at ako na mismo ang nagsuot.

This dress is a bit revealing but elegant. It is a strapless dress with mermaid skirt. This is red dress with gold glitters on my waist part, "Sarah find me a Tailor and throw those dresses away," I said referring my dresses inside my wardrobe.

"Masusunod, Your Majesty."

Kinuha ko ang kuwintas na ruby at sinuot. Bagay na bagay ito sa damit ko. Nagsuot din ako ng guwantes na kulay itim at manipis, habang sa paa ko naman ay pulang stiletto. Inayos naman ni Sarah ang buhok at nang natapos ay lumabas na ako.

Nagtungo ako sa silid-trono at doon umupo sa aking trono. Now, let's start to show them how the Empress can do, "Edward," naramdaman ko rin agad ang paglapit ni Edward sa tabi ko. "Your Majesty." Saglit ko siyang nilingon, hindi ko naman napigilan ang sariling suriin ito, "You look good today," I uttered. Para siyang napako sa kinatayuan niya at pansin ko ang pagpula ng tenga niya, "You too, Your Majesty." I smiled at him that made him cough.

"After this, show me the training ground," as I said the door is opened. "Yes, Your Majesty." I nodded and I turned my gaze to the front.

Seryoso kong tinignan ang dalawang panauhin, "Greetings to the moon of the Empire, your Imperial Majesty the Empress." Yumukob sila sa harapan ko at sumenyas din ako na tumayo sila ng tuwid.

"My husband neglected to inform me of the purpose of your visit, so it would be better if you explain it yourself, Duke," I began, keeping my tone steady. I raised an eyebrow as Henry entered the room. His expression was serious as he walked with purpose, stopping beside the Duke. "Your Majesty, it would be best if you took some rest," he advised, his voice firm. I gritted my teeth in frustration. This man had been testing my patience for a while now. If he keeps this up, I might just slap him before he knows what hit him.

"And what do you think of me, Henry? I'm not ill," I retorted sharply, turning my attention back to the Duke. "Speak," I commanded, but Henry dared to interrupt again, "Your Majesty, this matter falls under the Emperor's duties. As his right hand, it is also my responsibility." I shot him a fierce glare. "Henry, do not interrupt me when I am speaking. Have you forgotten your manners? Do you not know whom you are addressing?" My voice was calm, but the seriousness was unmistakable. He immediately bowed his head. "I apologize, Your Majesty," he murmured.

I clenched my fists tightly. His apology was hardly enough, I still wanted to slap him, but I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me. "If state affairs are the Emperor's responsibility, then the palace is mine. Therefore, it is not wrong for me to know the purpose of our guests." I declared before taking a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure.

I caught a glimpse of the Duke smirking just before I started speaking, "Now, speak Duke." Umubo muna siya at ngumiti. "Your Majesty, this concerns His Majesty's command, he wishes to add more knights to the palace," he stopped. Now I get it, talaga palang wala akong maiambag sa usapang iyun ngunit nakapagtataka kung bakit bigla na lang siyang nagpadagdag, "For what?" I asked. Wala naman sigurong gyera, "For your safety, Your Majesty," saglit akong natigilan. For my safety? Really? Safety my ass. Talaga bang nag-alala siya sa kalagayan ko na kung tratuhin niya ako ay parang wala lang.

"Al right, you can now proceed to your business Duke. Henry, assist them." Tumayo na ako at nauna ng lumabas sa kanila.

"Edward, lead the way," I commanded, and Edward swiftly obeyed. We walked through the long hallway leading to the back, where a vast training ground unfolded before my eyes. Several men were still engaged in intense training there.

"Are you good at combat, Edward?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "Yes, Your Majesty," he replied with unwavering confidence. "And what about sparring?" I glanced at him, testing his certainty. "Yes, Your Majesty," he answered again, just as assured as before. I nodded thoughtfully several times, considering my next move. "Then you could teach me," I decided, turning to face him fully.

The shock on his face was unmistakable, and just as quickly, Sarah, who had been silently standing by, interjected, "Your Majesty, delikado ang iniisip mo!" Her voice was filled with concern, contrasting with the calm determination I felt. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nanataling naghintay sa sasabihin ni Edward and as expected, "Hindi maganda sa isang babae ang ganoong bagay, Your Majesty. Mahihirapan ka lang." I looked away, I was offended by his remark.

"That's an order Edward, you cannot disobey me," I uttered seriously, "How about sparring today, Your Majesty?" Agad naman akong napalingon sa likod at napataas ang kilay ko. "The son of Duke," I murmured, "Sebastian, Your Majesty. My name is Sebastian," he introduced. He took my hand and he then kissed it. I gritted my teeth. He is arrogant.

Inagaw ko ang kamay ko at tinignan siya ng seryoso, "Sebastian, what is your business here?" Nagtungo ako sa parte kung saan may mga nakalagay na espada. Kumuha ako ng isa doon. Napangiwi ako, medyo mabigat ito para sa akin, "This one is good for you as beginner." Napaigtad ako nang naramdaman ko ang paghinga niya sa tenga ko. Bago pa man ako nakalayo sa kanya ay tinutukan na siya ng espada ni Edward mula sa likod, "You are talking to Her Majesty, Lord Sebastian, restrain yourself," may dalang pagbabantang sabi ni Edward. Sebastian just chuckled. "Of course!"

What a naughty guy, I said inwardly.

"Let's begin the sparring." I made my way to the training ground, feeling the weight of anticipation. As I stepped onto the flat terrain, every knight who had been training paused and turned their gaze toward me. I attempted to swing my sword, but it felt awkward and heavy in my hand. "That's alright, Your Majesty. It's completely normal," Sebastian began, his tone steady and reassuring. "For now, let me teach you the basic moves." I was grateful, seeing the seriousness in his expression, as he genuinely seemed committed to guiding me through this training.

He pointed his sword forward with determination, then swiftly swung it to the left, creating a sharp arc through the air. Without pausing, he followed with a powerful downward swing to the lower right side, in perfect sync with a quick step back with his right foot, his movements fluid and precise.

May iba pa siyang pinakita sa akin at sinaulo ko iyun kaagad sa isipan, "Now, after me , Your Majesty," as he said, we began. I quickly grasped everything he taught, a skill that has always comes naturally to me, "You are fast learner, Your Majesty," he praised, he voice carrying a note of genuine admiration, "Is that so?" I responded, a subtle smirk playing on my lips. Withour warning, I swiftly pointed my sword to his neck, the blade barely an inch from his throat. "Then, does that mean I can now slash your neck off, Lord Sebastian?" I continued, my tone cool and calculated as I met his gaze, testing both his composure and his skill.

He smirked. "Do you have idea how attractive you are right now, Your Majesty?" I raised my eyebrow to him. "And?" I asked, "And it could be a reason to like you more." My eyes widened and I immediately pushed him away. "You are such an arrogant, red-headed Lord Sebastian," I spat out, my voice dripping with irritation. Alright, let's be honest here. He is undeniably handsome, with that striking red hair and those piercing eyes that seem to hold a world of secrets. But that doesn't mean I am swayed by his foolish words or let his charm get the better of me. No, I won't be easily influenced by his arrogance, no matter how captivating his appearance might be.

"You, stop with the nonsense you're spouting," I warned, my tone sharp and unwavering. "In case you've forgotten, I have a husband, and that is the Emperor," I reminded him firmly, making sure my words left no room for doubt. Without waiting for a response, I turned my back on him, dismissing him and his foolishness as I walked away.