His Majesty's birthday

06

»» Daphne ««
»» Seravina ««
»» Cedric ««

It's been so long since I watched myself in the mirror, maids helping me dress myself. Usually, the author picks my outfit, now, I have the chance to wear what I wanted to wear.

Well, I'm not picky. But I always wore dark-colored clothes, I guess to fit my character. I wanted to wear something light . . .

Sobrang nanibago ako nang magtama ang mga mata namin ng sarili ko sa salamin.

Wearing an off-shoulder dress with the lightest shade of my hair, light pink. My hair remained down, but the maids curled it a little, making it wavy. And they put white hair accessories. I'm wearing diamond and pearl accessories, shining with my gray eyes. 

"Wahh! You look so pretty, Lady Seravina!" One of the maids squeaked, also looking at the mirror with me. "I bet Prince Cedric will be stunned with your beauty! I'm sure you'll be the most beautiful at the party!"

I was taken aback, surprised by her words. But then I remember, that Seravina is known to be head over heels to the prince. Pilit na ngiti na lang ang sinagot sa kaniya. I feel bad they did their best to make me this beautiful, but I won't meet their expectations.

My Daphne will be the most beautiful.

I had great confidence as I left the duchy, riding the carriage, and even when I was back in front of the palace. For a moment, I forgot the reason why I wasn't inside the palace in the first place.

As soon as I stepped inside, I knew for a fact that the people in my duchy were the only ones happy in my presence. I was greeted by a cold atmosphere, the loud voices and chitchats I heard outside the door vanished the moment I was inside.

A droplet could be heard in the huge ballroom, if I hadn't stepped forward, we could've had a staring contest for the whole day. Dumeretso ako sa paglalakad, pilit na binaliwala ang mga nakakabit sa 'kin na mga mata, nakasunod na tingin. Even though I tried not to mind their mumbles, I could still hear some which they made sure could reach me.

"The audacity to come here."

"I know that she's favored by the royal family, but still!"

"Have you heard what she's done to the priestess?! Unforgivable!"

Their words aren't even close to the comments I've received from the readers. But seeing some of the familiar faces that I had once interacted with, have a different approach to my feelings. Hindi ko matago ang pagkalungkot ng ekspresyon ko.

However, like what they've always done—every time a chapter ends, every time they think I'm down, they will always appear.

"Praise the lights of the kingdom, blessing us with their presence!" an announcer shouted, taking everyone's attention. Everyone's eyes went to the top of the golden crimson stairs where the huge 2 doors were slowly opening. 

Even with the doors not fully opened, I could already see the two shining people entering the hall.

"Our Highness, Prince Cedric Asmodeos, and our holy priestess, Lady Daphne Florence Leona!"

The room immediately literally lightened with their presence. My eyes shone, my lips curved. I automatically joined the simultaneous claps of the people in the room. 

Walking together, Daphne's hands are on Cedric's arm. Both are wearing white clothes with golden embroideries and accessories, worthy to call the main characters of the novel. A pair glowing and showered with love and warm greetings.

Pero sa kabila ng masasayang pagbungad sa kanila ng mga tao, kapansin-pasin, para sa akin, ang parehong seryoso nilang ekspresyon. 

It's not new for Cedric, but Daphne is not even hiding her irritated face. It's really noticeable, but the people are not minding it or maybe they don't see it since it's Daphne, the soft and kind-hearted Daphne. 

Roaming her eyes in the crowd, her furrowed forehead disappeared as her eyes lightened. Her face softened when our eyes met. As they walked down the stairs, she didn't hesitate to aggressively wave her hand at me. Again, it's really noticeable, but I bet the people think that she's waving at them.

Dahil doon ay nakuha na rin niya ang atensyon ni Cedric na nalipat din ang tingin sa 'kin. He was surprised at first, followed by a pleased look, glad to see me. He showed me a warm smile as well. I smiled back at them, secretly waved my hand back.

"Lower yourselves in the presence of our beloved rulers, the pillars of our kingdom!" the announcer followed.

My smile faded. As if a switch had been turned off, my surroundings darkened. 

Nang parehong makababa, nakuha rin ng narinig ang atensyon nina Daphne at Cedric. Kaagad kaming napatutok sa pinanggalingan nila.

Rulers? Don't tell me-

"His and Her Majesty, King Regan Asmodeos and Queen Hera Asmodeos!"

The loudness of the claps disappeared, there was silence as everyone bowed to show respect. There were only a few of us, Daphne and Cedric included, who remained standing, staring at the couple slowly entering.

Frozen in my place, my pupils shrank. It took all I had to maintain my balance as I stared at the woman at the top of the stairs. I know we all have the same reaction, it's our first time meeting her. However, the readers have already heard of her since her name was already mentioned for foreshadowing.

Really, it's a shame that I haven't met you earlier, Queen Hera.

Wearing a maroon fitted gown, paired with the king's maroon coat. Sharp dark blue eyes that immediately went to me. There's no hint that she's over 40, even though she's younger than the King as his second wife, she still looks much younger than him! And to add the cherry on top, she has long straight red hair!

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Hera (Bleiz) Asmodeos
Supporting Character
✧ +1, 000 charisma
⋆ + 500 favors

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Kusa akong napayuko bigla nang magtama ang mga mata namin. Bumigat ang paghinga ko, hindi makapaniwala nang masilayan siya.

It's not a coincidence! My family's trademark is red hair! The queen is a part of my family! She's a long relative of mine! No wonder why Seravina was supposed to get closer to her!

I bit my lower lip. What a plot twist, author!

Dahil sa malalim na iniisip ko, hindi ko napansin na tuluyan na silang nakababa. Napagtanto ko na lang 'yon nang marinig ko ang boses ng ama ni Cedric. He gave a speech, happy to celebrate his birthday. The people of the kingdom listened to him with smiles on their faces, but I couldn't take my eyes off the queen.

She's not looking at me anymore, she's smiling at the people. Mabigat ang pakiramdam ko hanggang matapos sa pagsasalita ang hari. Nagsimula ang kasiyahan, sunod-sunod na naglapitan ang mga kilalang pangalan sa mga bida.

Nobles greeted the king and queen, their children went to the prince and the priestess. I watched them, but no one dared to walk toward me. They're not even hiding it, they're intentionally trying to leave me out.

I can see Daphne's irritated face, not trying to fake a smile to the people reaching out to her and Cedric. She's eager to go to me.

But she can't. She couldn't. With these many people looking, she can't approach Seravina. The main lead shouldn't be seen with the most hated character.

I stepped back, showed an assuring smile before looking back, and walked to the opposite side of the ballroom. However, before I could completely move, a call took everyone's notice.

"Everyone! I'm delighted you're here to celebrate His Majesty's birthday." Her voice is sharp yet alluring. My eyes went to her, to the woman with sharp features and fox-like eyes. She stole tonight's show with her beauty which is the opposite of the light-innocent face of the female lead. Her Majesty, Queen Hera, made a speech.

"I cannot express my appreciation for your love and support for the royal family." She's smiling, holding a glass of wine with the same shade of her hair. "It is a tradition for the birthday celebrant to do the first dance, but unfortunately, his majesty hurt his leg earlier today."

"It was because I enjoyed Her Majesty's gift too much," His Majesty commented. Everyone let out a chuckle. At the corner of my eye, I could see Daphne and Cedric wincing.

Her Majesty chuckled before continuing. "But still, we would love to see his highness, Prince Cedric do the first dance . . . " Her eyes went to the main leads, I saw Cedric gasp. Everyone looked at them. "With his partner, the priestess, Lady Daphne."

Sunod-sunod ang pagsinghap, namilog din ang mga mata ko. Hindi tumagal ng ilang segundo bago mapalingon sa posisyon ko ang mga tao. Again, the murmuring started.

The royal family was very transparent with their support of the prince's love interests. Specially the king and queen who openly rooted for the Bleiz Duchy's heiress, Seravina. Bluntly telling that in front of everyone in an event like this, it's like spitting in my face that I no longer have connections to the royal family! 

Again, the attention is all on me.

I can see Daphne turning red in anger, Cedric has a cold expression on his face. Kahit sa pagitan namin, kita ko ang pamamasa ng mga mata ni Daphne. Dahilan kung bakit kaagad ko itong hinabol.

It felt like we were the only ones here in this big ballroom. As if we're not too far apart, like we're in front of each other. I showed a forced smile, making it not too obvious as I nodded.

Don't worry, Daphne. You should follow the flow.

I know that Daphne wouldn't be contented with my forced smile and nod, so I was grateful when Cedric did. Marahan niyang sapilitan na hinila si Daphne sa gitna ng malaking silid. Nagsimulang tumugtog ang orkestra. Lahat ay pinanood sila, puno ng ngiti sa mga labi.

"They really look good together."

"Seravina deserves it. The royal family won't back her up anymore."

"No one cares for her in this room. She should just leave."

Napalunok ako nang malalim, may sakit sa lalamunan. Nagsimulang sumabay ang iba sa pagsayaw. Every noble in my age have a partner, even the ladies who entered alone was asked for a dance.

No one dared to take my hand, not after what happened. I totally understand, it doesn't-

"My lady, can I have this dance?"

I stood there for a second, wasn't sure if I was the one being asked. Until I glanced at my side, seeing a hand in front of me.

Napakurap-kurap ako, kaunting nakaawang ang bibig. Umangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya, sa isang karakter na ngayon ko lang nakita. To my 23 years of existence, I never once saw this person.

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⋆ 0

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