𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝟖 | 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐒

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐀

After an hour, I decided to meet Niccolo because I had heard he was nearby. As far as I remember, nothing like this had ever happened. I wondered when Niccolo had developed an interest in commoners, especially those residing in the Empire's slums.

Niccolo's funny. Akala ko ay makita ko lang ang pagmumukha niya ay natatawa na ako. He literally did what I advise him? Hindi niya ba naisip na pagtatawanan lang siya't mukhang tanga?

I sat under a big umbrella, my forehead held high. I was sitting on a stainless steel chair that was covered by the umbrella. Naningkit ang mga mata kong nakatitig sa kaniya. This isn't the first time I've met him, but it will be the first time Niccolo meets Morgana.

"I've already managed to secure the Gold Knight's proposal budget. The Copper Knight deserved it."

The moment he scoffed, I swear the patience that I had thinner than a strand of hair broke. He never looked at me. Kahit isang segundo ay hindi niya ako tinapunan ng tingin. Sa malayo siya nakatingin at nanggigigil akong tusukin ang mga mata niya sa inis.

"And one more thing, why would a Count like you need the protection of a Gold Knight? Aren't you skilled enough in swordsmanship as you claim?" I added and smirk. Ngumisi siya dahilan para lumabas ang dimple niya sa kaliwang pisngi.

"Who talked? Do I hear a dog barking?"

Niccolo scoffed as he glanced at the Gold Knight beside me. I gritted my teeth. I had been explaining the same things repeatedly for 20 minutes. Kung hindi niya masalpak sa munggo niyang kokote lahat ng sinasabi ko ay hindi ko na kasalanan.

"Oh no, I apologize. I forgot that a man who became a Count by simply killing thousands will never understand anything about politics. I won't change my mind though. I already pulled off the budget to Gold Knights" I laughed sarcastically. This time, he glances at me with an insulting smirk on his lips.

"Oh. You're right! The freedom that the commoners enjoy has nothing to do with the countless lives that I ended." I rolled my eyes at him because it was obvious that he was being sarcastic. He even imitated my tone.

''I understand that the terms I use may not be easy to explain to a count who is skilled in swordsmanship. If you'd like, you can ask Velrod for more information. I'm sure he has the best knowledge to explain it to you.'' I emphasize each word I say and lean back on the chair. Napansin ko ang pangingiwi niya nang sumandal ako sa upuan.

"Do you believe that you can save these commoners by protecting them? The nobles will just increase taxes to compensate for their losses, and the King will keep ignoring them. If you think one person can make a difference, you're being naive. I have defeated men in war who were too arrogant to think like you."

Niccolo looked away and mocked. Hindi ko mapigilang matawa na lang sa sinabi niya. Mahirap talaga kapag gusto mong sakalin pero hindi mo magawa. What he just said is the funniest shit I've heard in my whole life.

Did I hear it right? He just called the Copper Knights commoners. He didn't even have the respect to address them as Knights. Sa hindi niya ba ay tanga ako para hindi maramdaman kung ano'ng pinaparating niya?

Oh, I know why. Is it because the Copper Knights aren't nobles? I scoffed as I tilted my head at him. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa kapal ng ampog ng lalaking ito.

Right as I thought, Niccolo's face is thicker than a dictionary. Maybe he forgot that most of his so-called commoners' families are the reason why he became the count in the first place.

"You claim that you've defeated a lot, yet you needed the protection of the Gold Knight? Aren't you the greatest swordsman in this Empire?" I laughed mockingly while crossing my arms. Niccolo has a future in the circus because he speaks fluent shit.

''Just know that your protection won't do them any good. So why bother? It's much better for them to live as vagabonds than to be tied to you." Niccolo imitated my laugh.

Tinitigan niya ako nang diretso sa mga mata habang naka-dekwatro. Pinagkrus niya rin ang kaniyang mga braso at nakipagtigasan ng tingin sa akin.

''I'm not telling you that the Copper Knights will be tied at me. It seems like you weren't listening. I am pulling off my first proposal budget to Gold Knights. And give them to the Copper Knights because they need more armor and swords. Mukhang lumilipad ang isip mo kapag usapang ganito? Nakakaawa ka naman.'' Natatawa kong sambit.

Niccolo's smirked at me. Lumalim ang dimple sa pisngi niya. "No matter how many supplies you provide, it will never be enough. You claimed to be good in politics yet you didn't think that the Gold Knights would be bombarded by applicants.'' Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sunod niyang sinabi.

"If you truly wish to help them, you should focus on balancing the applications of the Gold Knights. If you want to waste time, then write a petition and force applicants to undergo screening for your Copper Knights. But you are no hero, you are a woman." Nagpalting ang tenga ko sa dinagdag niya.

Kung wala siyang magandang sasabihin ay manahimik na lang siya dahil baka isubsob ko sa ngala-ngala niya 'yang bote sa harap ko.

''Excuse me?'' Hindi makapaniwala kong sambit. ''I'm not just a woman. Hindi kami babae lang. And I am a Princess of this Empire.''

"A princess who loves to meddle in Knight's affairs?" Tumaas ang kilay niya habang nakangisi sa akin. I bit my left cheek as I was already on the edge of flipping the table in front of us.

Niccolo narrowed his eyes at him. Even his body language tells us that he hates Morgana. It's no wonder why he's the one who killed Morgana in the middle of the novel. Huwag siyang mag-alala dahil ayaw ko rin sa kaniya. Our feelings are mutual.

I'm a reader and I despise Niccolo. He has every line, scene, dialogue, and monologue. I hated it. I even skipped most of them because it's so boring.

I can't understand why so many readers are simply over him. He's nothing more than a beautiful empty shell who only knows how to wield a sword. Even Niccolo's fan arts are bombarded with comments too. It makes me puke.

You like Niccolo because he's the main character of this story, right? Nothing else.

Pinutol niya ang pakikipagtigasan ng tingin sa akin at umiwas ng tingin. Humalakhak siya habang nakatingin sa kawalan. I stare at him while I have already killed him 100 times in different ways inside my mind.

"Why are you so full of yourself? Is it because of this?" May kinuha siya sa bulsa niya't tinaas. I didn't react at first until he opened it. I saw the Eisten's seal and realized it was a letter from Velrod. Kleio's seal is red, while Velrod's is always blue.

''Oh, I'm not aware that you know how to read?'' Mapanglait kong sambit sa kaniya. I gave him the sweetest smile.

"How sweet of you to notice every single detail. Yes, I write. Aren't you aware that I wrote the Knight's regulations?" Niccolo imitated my smile.

"I know you wrote that because you have a lot of grammatical errors, honey." I leaned closer to him.

"Oh, you do? Are you proud of this letter? You're proud that Velrod Eisten, the Gold Knights' Commander, is asking for your advice, huh?" His grin became wider as he brushed the edge of the letter against my left cheek.

"Are you jealous that Velrod is asking a woman instead of you, Your Grace?" I chuckled sarcastically. He brushed the letter down to my chin while staring at me.

"You think simply because you're a princess, that's all that matters? Politics is not your domain. You cannot change anything, and you're wasting time by trying." He was towering over me and looking down at me. I narrowed my eyes without breaking our eye contact and grinned wider.

"It's really hard to explain something to a count who only knows how to wield a sword. I am out of here, Your Excellency. I'm afraid one of your Gold Knights is seeking advice regarding his Knight Promotion. Farewell." Lumayo na ako sa kaniya't pinagpag ang aking palda.
He leaned back in his chair, holding Velrod's letter in his hand. Hindi niya ako tinapunan ng tingin pero wala akong paki. Hindi ko ikakamatay.

"A woman like you cannot be reasoned with. Do you truly believe you can change the world with your foolish actions? What a joke. You should be spending your time looking for a husband." He kept his gaze fixed on Velrod's letter. Mukhang pinapasadahan niyo ito ng tingin at nang ilipat niya ang tingin niya sa akin ay ngumisi ako sa kaniya.

''Thank you for wasting my time, Your Grace. And fuck you with respect.'' I flipped off my middle finger and grinned.

Walang sabi ko siyang tinalikuran. I didn't bother to glance back at him. Una sa lahat ay ayaw ko na makita ang mukha niya. Instead of wasting time here, I can experiment with how to use Kleio's power. I was worried about what to do after 24 hours.

I haven't thought of a name for my disguise yet.

In the novel, there is a forest near the capital that is owned by no one. Even Count Niccolo himself hasn't been given the right to claim this forest. Iisa lang ang dahilan kung bakit hindi maaring tumapak dito. They said that you can find the legendary river in this forest.

If I'm not mistaken, the legendary river is a myth of legends. They say that it can be the cure for all diseases, make your dreams come true, or a drop of it can make you rule the world. Unfortunately, until now, no one has found it. Ang sabi ng iba'y baka imbento lang ito.

I pulled the hood of my cloak over my head and swiftly slipped on my ruby ring. No matter which shape-shifting item I use, I always transform into a woman with ginger hair. I wore a pastel green dress that matched my hair. I paired it with a dark brown corset. The skirt is knee-length and I wore gothic boots. Tinaas ko ang hood ko upang takpan ang mukha ko dahil bago ako makarating sa gubat na pupuntahan ko'y kailangan ko munang dumaan sa capital.

I thought I would pass through swiftly. I bought a lot of items, such as tents, wooden plates, and utensils. I also purchased an expensive foam mattress as my temporary bed, and so on. Ang totoo ay ramdam ko nga ang pagtataka sa mukha ng mga naglalako. They probably wonder why a commoner like me has this money.

''Oh, and another pile of rags. This one.'' I grinned at the woman selling items for the kitchen.

Nakangisi lang ako sa kaniya habang pinagmamasdan ang malaki niyang stall. The female population of this story continues to decline, causing some of them to become either maids or commoners who sell goods in the streets. I was ready to respond, but she didn't speak again.

Nagkibit balikat na lang ako habang buhat ang lahat ng binili ko. In total, I bought a tent, apples, pies, and some wooden utensils. Hindi ako nahirapan sa pagbubuhat dahil sanay naman na ako.

I was walking peacefully when I saw Niccolo in the streets. Napapikit ako nang mariin ngunit agad na dumako sa akin ang mga mata niya. I ran as fast as I could, but I could feel his presence behind me.

Oh, no. Not again. Fuck off. Go away, Niccolo.

''Hey!'' He called for me. I scoffed. Lalo kong binilisan ang paglakad ko ngunit hanggang sa mapadpad ako sa pinakadulo ng capital ay hindi niya ako tinantanan.

I gritted my teeth because I was already brisk walking. No matter where I turn around or how fast my steps are, he's always eager to follow me.

''Wait!'' He shouted from afar. Huminto na lang ako sa sulok para manahimik siya. I leaned against the wall and waited for him. He approached me and led me to a secluded wall where no one was watching. My eyes widened as he leaned closer to catch a glimpse of my face.

''It's you,'' he whispered. Muntik ko na siyang sampalin dahil sa lapit ng mukha niya sa akin.

Niccolo was already sweating as he caught his breath yet he didn't glance away from me. Napangiwi na lang ako habang nakatitig sa kaniya dahil ang totoo ay gusto kong matawa.

He despises me when I'm Morgana, but he follows me like a dog when I'm in disguise. How funny.

"Yes, Your Grace?" I bowed to him. His eyes sparkled as he stared at my ginger hair.

''I didn't see you in the capital. Where do you live?'' Napataas ang kilay ko dahil kung magtanong lang siya ay parang tropa lang kami. I gave him my most sarcastic laugh. After the way he acted when I was Morgana?

"I live alone in a forest, Your Grace, a forest where you can find the legendary river." Sinadya kong maging malungkot ang boses ko.

"You live alone?" His tone sounded sad. Gusto kong matawa sa mukha niya. Why does he even care if I live alone though?

''Yes, Your Grace. I feel so sad.'' Tipid akong ngumiti sa kaniya. His gaze shifted down to the things that I hold. Puno kasi ng paperbags ang mga bisig ko. 

My arms were full of paper bags. I admitted that they were heavy, but I didn't mind. I wanted to get out of there. I can't describe how different his gaze is when I'm Morgana compared to when I'm in this disguise. Hinintay ko ang sagot niya sa huli kong sinabi ngunit nakatulala lang siya sa akin.

''It's my first kiss.'' My eyebrows furrowed at what he said. I nearly scoffed.

''I'm sorry? What did you just say, Your Grace?''

I bit my bottom lip. Mukha na siguro akong natatae dahil natatawa ako kanina pa. I was his first kiss? And so what? Does he expect me to follow him around too?

''I need to go, Your Grace. See you again next time." I smiled at him widely.

"Can I know your name?" Niccolo's eyes sparkled as he waited for my answer. Lalong lumawak ang ngisi ko habang nakatingin sa akin. I swear his eyes are different when I'm in my disguise. I stared at the mirrored windows in front of me and saw the reflection of my ginger hair.

''My name is Ginger. I need to go, Your Grace. Isn't it a woman's responsibility to look for a husband and learn how to cook?'' I winked at him.

Natulala siya sa sinabi ko na para bang gusto niyang magsalita. He suppressed his lips because he could have remembered what he told me when I was Morgana.

A woman's role is just to be a good wife and look for a husband, you say? Fuck off.

Iniwan ko siyang hindi makapagsalita sa puwesto niya. He stood there like a statue and when he realized he had acted like a fool, he followed me. Hindi ako lumingon sa kaniya kahit panay na ang sigaw niya sa akin. Naglibot ako sa pinakaliblib na parte ng public market ang bumili ng mga basic essentials. I stayed here for 2 hours and when I was satisfied, I decided that I need to go.

I used the teleportation ring that was inside my pocket. Pagkasuot ko rito'y natagpuan ko ang sarili ko sa gubat kung saan ko balak magtayo ng tent. Pinatong ko sa damuhan ang mga bitbit ko't nag-unat.

Everything was heavy and I was feeling lazy. Nilapag ko ang nabili kong foam sa damuhan ngunit na-alarma ako nang may narinig akong kuskos sa gilid.

My eyes widened as I stared around me. Napasabanunot na lang ng buhok dahil kahit saan ako tumingin ay iisang klase lang ng mga lalaki ang nakikita ko.

"You're Ginger, right? Your Grace will follow us later as we accompany you to build your temporary in this forest." My eyes widened as Kleio approached me. He was now wearing the armor of the Gold Knight. I wonder if he can approach me like this when I'm Morgana right now.

Napamura na lang ako sa loob ng utak ko't hindi makapaniwalang natawa. Niccolo is insane. He took it seriously when I said that I'm alone. You got to be kidding hindi. Sanay ay nananaginip lang ako. Sana'y bangungot na lang lahat ng 'to.

I said I was alone and he brought the entire Gold Knights team to my house. You got to be kidding me.

𝙏𝙊 𝘽𝙀 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝙀𝘿...