I slightly bend my knee and bowed my head while holding both sides of my skirt. Tila nagulat naman siya sa narinig mula sa akin. He probably surprised that I recognized him. Bahagya pa siyang tumabi upang paunahin akong maglakad.

"I won't take much of your time, Princess. I hope you're having a great time." Iniligay niya ang isang kamay sa kaniyang dibdib at bahagyang yumuko.

He then excused himself. Prince Dimitri is the villain in the first installment of Astaria Series, The Lady Amidst The Beasts. Sa pagkakaalala ko, ang Vrivasea Kingdom has two military forces. Napangiti ako sa kaloob-looban ko. 

I guess I could invite him to attend Querencia Kingdom's annual entrance exam.

"Your Royal Highness, wait a moment!" ang pagtawag ko sa kaniya. And rushed myself towards him.

Nagulat ulit ito sa biglaang pagtawag ko. "Yes, Princess?"

"My name's Libitina La Fayette, the crown princess of Querencia Kingdom," ang aking pagpapakilala. "I've heard that your kingdom has two military forces, quiet similar to mine. And the opening of entrance exams for my people who wanted to join the force is fast approaching. I humbly invite you to be one of the judging panels." Mabilis kong inalis ang malamig na ekspresyon sa aking mukha, at nginitian siya.

"I apologize for not recognizing you, Princess Libitina La Fayette." Muli siyang yumuko tila'y mas mababa pa ito ng kaunti kaysa sa nauna niyang pagbati sa akin. "To be one of the judging panels you say?" Bahagya pa itong nag-isip tila hindi sigurado sa schedules niya. "Please inform me of the schedule and I will clear mine for you, Princess."

"Oh no, you're fine, Your Highness." I hope my father would be so happy if he learns that I invited the Crown Prince of Vrivasea. "The entrance exam would be three days after the Emperor's birthday. And you can bring anyone with you."

Hindi ako makapaniwalang ma-me-meet ko ng personal ang villain ng unang installment. Oh, I will always be fascinated with those kind of characters like him, like Libitina. I am living every readers dream. Meeting those characters I've only read in the books. And even reincarnated as one.

"I am honored, Princess." Inilahad niya ang kamay sa akin. Ngumiti ako at nag-aalinlangang i-abot ang kamay ko. Yumuko ang prinsipe at hinalikan ang likuran ng aking mga palad. "See you soon, Crown Princess Libitina."

This might be the first time Libitina smiled so wide, but I don't care. I couldn't help but fangirl over Prince Dimitri.

"See you soon, Crown Prince Dimitri. And thank you so much for accepting my invitation." He smiled back before we separate ways.

Now here we go again. I can't find the SVVIP if I look for it myself. Kailangan kong magtanong-tanong. Sabi naman ng isang royal guard na nakasalubong ko pangalan daw nito ay Restaurant Regii Sanguinis. At nasa gitna raw ito ng palapag na ito. Then I realized, buong floor pala ang SVVIP. I clicked my tongue at my stupidity.

Is this the effect when you face one of the characters you admire in person?

Naglakad na ako papunta sa pintuan. Ngunit mabilis na pinigilan ako ng royal guard. Tumingin siya sa akin. Panandalian siyang nagulat, pero kaagad niyang binawi ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtaas ng kaniyang noo. He stood firmly like a royal guard should.

"I am sorry, Princess, but you have no permission to enter the room," he politely said.

I snorted in disbelief. Ang kaninang saya na naramdaman ko bigla na lamang naglaho nang parang bula dahil sa sinabi niya. Tila naramdaman niya ang galit ko nang mapansin ko ang paglunok niya ng laway. Pero nanatili pa rin siya sa posisyon niya.

"The Viscount Naia told me to meet him here." I tried to not lose my temper. I cannot afford to make another scene. "Now . . ." Muli ko siyang nakitang napalunok, "open the door. I hate waiting," malamig kong wika.

"But―"

"No buts!" Mabilis kong kinalma ang aking sarili nang tumaas ang boses ko. Buti nalang at walang mga tao sa paligid. The royal guard once again gulp. "Nandito na ba si Viscount Naia?" matiyagang tanong ko sa kaniya.

I saw him bit his lower lip, and shake his head twice as a response. A sigh of disbelief escaped from my lips. Great! So ako ang nauna rito. Nagtagis na naman ang aking mga bagang sa inis.

"Do you know who I am?" ang tanong ko sa royal guard. He nodded. "Then let me enter. Do you want a Crown Princess waiting outside? Is this how your kingdom treats the other royalties?" sunod-sunod kong tanong sa kaniya. "Unbelievable!"

He bowed his head. "I am sorry, Your Royal Highness. The thing is I am only following orders. And I can't open the door myself because those who only have the access to this room can," he answered my questions.

I immediately clicked my tongue. So Viscount Naia is one of those people who have the access of this room. He's still not here. And I can't just stand in front of this damn restaurant with this outfit. Medyo masakit na rin ang mga paa ko sa suot-suot kong sapatos.

"You!" Dinuro ko ang isang royal guard na dumaan. Nagulat pa ito sa ginawa ko. When he realized of who I am, he compose himself and nodded. "Find someone who have the access of this restaurant," ang aking utos.

Nag-alangan pa ito kung sasagot ba siya o hindi. "E-everyone is busy, Your Royal Highness." Utal-utal pa itong sumagot. Namaywang ako sa harapan niya. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "But I can bring Grand Duke Philip to you," he added.

I nodded. At sinenyasan siyang umalis na. A couple of minutes later, dumating ito. Medyo may katandaan na rin ito. Ngumiti ito sa akin, ngunit binigyan ko lamang siya ng naiinip na tingin. Kahit sa ipinakita kong ugali sa kaniya, bahagya siyang yumuko upang magbigay galang.

"Viscount Naia is quiet busy, and he's our greatest Public Relations Specialist." Ngumiti siya sa akin at may kinuha sa kaniyang bulsa. Isa itong bolang kulay asul na may kraken crest. "I hope you'll cut him some slack, Your Royal Highness."

Itinapat niya ito sa pinto at bumukas nang mag-isa. The Grand Duke gestured his hand, giving me the sign that I could now enter. Bahagya akong yumuko para pasalamatan siya.

He bowed back, "enjoy your day, Princess Libitina. At ako'y aalis na. You can wait for the Viscount in any of those tables." He once again smiled at me and excused himself immediately before the royal guard closed the door.

Tinignan ko ang kabuuan ng restaurant na ito. This spot truly is the SVVIP lounge of luxury and comfort. The dining area merges seamlessly with the outdoors, giving you a mind-blowing view. 

When walking in, it was surrounded by sophistication―dark walls, sleek metallic accents, and neutral tones. The marble floor beneath is like a work of art. At the center, there's a fancy dining table, surrounded by four plush velvet chairs with a touch of modern glamour.

Giant windows on one side offer a majestic view and have smart curtains for light and privacy. Crystal chandeliers and candle sconces set the mood, making it feel like a fancy candlelit dinner. Modern art on the walls adds to the vibe. It got top-notch dinnerware, glassware, and silverware. Lights and music seem controlled with the voice or a tap.

The dining room is more than just a place to eat; it's where the highest of the highest people enjoy the good life and soak into the beauty of the cosmos.

Umupo ako sa isang table na malapit sa curtains. Naghintay ako nang matagal. Panay hikab pa ang bunganga ko. Sunod-sunod ang aking mga mabibigat na buntonghininga. I rolled my eyes in bored. Dahil sa inip at inis sa kahihintay, tumayo ako sa pagkakaupo't napagdesisyunang umalis na lamang. 

Nasayang lang ang oras ko.

Saktong paglapit ko sa pintuan, saka naman iniluwa roon si Viscount Naia. May kasama pa itong babae sa kaniyang likuran. Ito ba ang dahilan kung bakit siya natatagalan? Inikot ko ulit ang aking mata sa inis.

"Oh, there you are," malamig kong saad. Sinundan ko ito nang hindi makapaniwalang buntonghininga. "I thought I am gonna wait forever." I clicked my tongue and crossed my arms.

Napakamaot siya sa kaniya ulo. "My apologies, Your Royal Highness. Anyhow, do you mind if we talk about the matter that I told you a while ago?" tanong niya sa akin.

Binigyan ko siya ng tamad na facial expression at bumuga ng hangin. Nagbulungan naman ang dalawa dahilan para mapailing ako. 

When the three of us finally settled in a one table, Viscount Naia suddenly clapped his hands, causing the huge curtains to automatically slide to its different sides. Tumambad sa akin ang napakalaking bintana kung saan kitang-kita namin ang karagatan.

"Are you satisfied with the interior and exterior ambiance, My Lady, Your Royal Highness?" tanong niya sa aming dalawa.

"Yes," puno ng pananabik na saad nitong babaeng dinala niya na hindi ko kilala.

Naramdaman ko naman ang pagtingin nito sa akin, tila hinihintay ang isasagot ko. I snorted uninterestedly. "Perhaps," malamig ko pa ring wika. "I got the chance to somehow lighten up my mood by meeting the Crown Prince of Vrivasea. And now ito na naman?" ang bulong ko sa aking sarili.

"You met the Crown Prince?"

Tinignan ko ang babae sa mata. "So you knew Prince Dimitri? Nakasalubong ko lang siya papunta rito. So I took the chance to invite him to be one of the judging panels in my kingdom's annual entrance exam," walang gana kong sagot. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Who are you again?"

"I am also from Vrivasea, Your Highness. So yes, I know the Crown Prince," sagot niya sa una kong tanong. "And I apologize for the late introduction, my name is Daneiris of House Sinclair. I am a friend of Viscount Naia," pagpapakilala niya sa akin.

Bahagya akong nagulat sa sinabi niya. Pero mabilis ko rin itong binawa para hindi sila magtataka. Lady Daneiris Sinclair, the female lead of the first installment. Now that she introduced herself as Daneiris, tinignan ko siya.

She had obsidian hair, midnight-ocean eyes, and a long hair. She really is the Lady Daneiris. Hindi lang pala si Prince Dimitri ang ma-me-meet ko dito sa ship. Nandito rin kaya si Duke Hadeon?

"The name is Libitina La Fayette, the Crown Princess of Querencia Kingdom."

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Princess." Tumingin siya kay Viscount Naia, tila naghihintay sa sasabihin nito.

Napatingin ako sa labas ng bintana. A profound mark of curiosity and astonishment is currently passing to our eyes right now. Hindi ko alam kung ano ito, pero talagang nakakabighani sa ganda. The amazing ship has a huge hull made from a living coral reef, and its organic surface radiates an amazing variety of hues. As if it were taken from the most inaccessible regions of marine fantasies.

It's so delicate and beautiful notes that are reminiscent of the sea's own harmonic melodies are heard coming from the ship's body, which seems to pulsate with life. The ship's bow is adorned with a magnificent figurehead of someone. 

With water flowing from its spread hands to create a transparent floating fountain that dances with the ship's beautiful movements.

Napansin ko naman ang ibang mga nobles na nandito sa loob. May iilan sa kanilang taimtim na nakapikit ang mga mata. Therefore I concluded that the figurehead is seem like a god who they worshipped here in Sheodica Kingdom.

Or I could be wrong.

Muli kong tinapunan ng tingin ang ship. The marble sculpture exudes a serene aura of tranquility. The deck of the ship changes into an ethereal paradise decorated with alluring kelp and brilliant seashells. The ship is accompanied by schools of brilliant fish that move in rhythm with one another, creating an enthralling aquatic dance.

The ship's ambiance is so magical, thanks to the ethereal lanterns dangling from the masts. Its sails, which are made of the glistening, translucent membranes of enormous jellyfish, billow and ripple as though they were propelled by the tides. 

The crew, made up of people with exotic features like gleaming scales and flowing hair, harmonizes in eerie sea shanties that seem to call the deep-sea creatures.

"This thing really is majestic and unrealistic," Viscount Naia commented. "So ladies, while this unrealistic view is passing to our eyes, let's talk about our real agenda for tonight―the reincarnation of the three of us. Did we all reincarnate to the book of a renowned author with the penname RC Astralia?"

Nakuha ni Viscount Naia ang atensyon ko dahil sa tinanong niya. Napalunok ako ng laway. Kaya ba inimbitahan niya ako sa isang private dinner para rito?

Binuhos naman ng butler na narito ang pinakamahal na wine sa baso naming tatlo. Inikot-ikot ni Naia ang kaniyang baso bago inumin ang laman nito. Naramdaman ko naman ang pagtingin sa akin ni Lady Daneiris.

"Let me introduce myself again, Crown Princess. My real name is Cordelia Rodrigo, and I got reincarnated in the body of Lady Daneiris. If you have read the first book of the Astaria Series, you might be familiar with the story," she reintroduced herself. "By the way, Viscount, I don't know your real name yet."

"Oh, my bad! I forgot to tell you about that. My real name was Andrei Alvarez, and I was a Marine Lieutenant before a supernatural incident happened. My marine corps and I died because of the surprise attacks of a Kraken. That's really unusual, right?" litanya ng Viscount. "How about you, Crown Princess Libitina?"

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang pagkagulat sa aking mukha. I can't believe I am not the only who got reincarnated into this world.

"My name's Mara Mezzasalma," pagpapakilala ko gamit ang aking totoong pangalan. Tinignan ko si Lady Daneiris. "To be reincarnated with the character that dies for the male lead? Damn." I commented. And she just smiled at me awkwardly.

"Rest assured nothing like that will happen again, Mara Mezzasalma." Ngumiti na lamang siya. "So, how did you die?" she asked.

Tumawa ako. "Darling, do you really want to know?" mapanghamon kong tanong. "In my previous life, I am as wicked as Libitina, but bloody."

"So you're a criminal, something like that?" ganti niyang sagot sa akin. "Ako kasi hater lang ni RC Astralia," ang kaniyang dugtong.

"I am a mafia underboss to be exact," I responded. "And hate ba kamo kay RC Astralia? Honestly, I am on the verge of hating her because of what she did to my favorite character." I clicked my tongue after uttering those words.

Naputol ang pag-uusap namin nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. Iniluwa nito si Grand Duke Philip.

"Mea Culpa, My Lady and Your Royal Highness, but Viscount Naia and I must take our leave now as the king summons us to the palace for a private matter," sabi ni Grand Duke Philip.

Kaya naman tumayo ang Viscount at nag-bow sa aming dalawa ni Daneiris. "My apologies, Lady, Your Royal Highness, I must take my leave now. Until we meet again." Binalingan niya ng tingin si Daneiris. "Please, Lady Daneiris, tells me if you find someone who have the same fate as ours. Thank you and farewell." At saka na ito naglakad palabas ng pinto.

Naiwan kaming dalawa sa loob dahil nagmamadaling umalis si Viscount Naia kasama ang Grand Duke.

Humarap sa akin si Lady Daneiris. "By the way, Princess Libitina, napag-usapan namin ni Viscount Naia na ipapaalam sa isa't isa kapag mayroon kaming nakilalang katulad natin na na-reincarnate rin sa librong ginawa ni RC Astralia. Can you do the same?" Tumango kaagad ako sa pabor niya. "Anyway, ano'ng libro nga pala ang napuntahan mo, if you don't mind?"

"The second installment of Astaria Series, The Throne of Glass and Gold," ang aking sagot sa tanong niya.

"Ah, sa second book pala," pabulong niyang wika pero rinig ko naman. An awkward silence took over. Habang si Lady Daneiris naman ay tila malalim ang iniisip. "Are you busy, Princess?"

"Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na buntonghininga. "I am kinda tired because of everything that happened today." Tumayo ako sa pagkakaupo dahilan para mapatayo rin siya. "I'll take my leave now, Lady Daneiris. Those brats sucked all my fucking energy like a leeches."

I am referring to Kohole and Jacques. Wala namang naiambag sa lakad na 'to kundi ang ipahiya ako sa harap ng maraming tao. They didn't even think straight that we weren't just carrying ourselves, but the entire kingdom's name in our shoulders.

"Well then, Princess." Lumapit ito sa kaniya. "It was nice meeting you today, Mara. Sana magkita pa tayo ulit." Bigla niya akong niyakap nang mahigpit.

I was taken aback because of what she did. I know hugging isn't my thing, but Lady Daneiris seem a sweet and kind person which is so far from who I am, therefore, she deserves my respect. Panandalian ko siyang niyakap pabalik dahilan para magulat siya't mapasinghap.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kaniya. Habang naglalakad sa pasilyo, hindi ko mapigilan ang sariling mapangiti. 

It's nice to know that there's someone like me who reincarnated into the world of Verden Dum Astra.

⁕ ⁕ ✠ ⁕ ⁕

Our crossover part 2. The dialogues was written by kyubi3, rerushi_watabe, and I to maintain the authenticity of our own characters. The description of the restaurant and the ship that passed the Galleon Ship are owned by kyubi3. I only made a little editing. Thank you for reading <3