Gloria Regali

Chapter Three

Anastasiya did not expect to find herself under Maria Contessina's scrutinizing gaze. She had been called late in the afternoon by Maria Contessina's attendant and was led to Casa Byzantina.

"Hindi ko alam kung paano ka pinalaki sa Amerika. Ang iyong kilos at diwa ay hindi nararapat bilang miyembro ng isang maharlikang pamilya lalo na ang pagiging miyembro ng pinakamataas na pamilya sa imperyong ito." Maria Contessina said straightforwardly.

"Te agradezco que me cuides, María Contessina. Ngunit para sa akin ay wala namang mali sa aking pananalita at pamamaraan( I appreciate you looking out for me, Maria Contessina.)" Anastasiya said as she gently sipped her cup of tea.

"¿Te estás cuidando?(Looking out for you?)" Maria Contessina scoffed in disbelief and in a cold tone she continued.

"Hindi ako ganoong tao, me importas menos(I could care less about you.)" she pouted slightly. "Ang tanging iniintindi ko lang ay ang estado at pananaw ng mga tao. Ang pamilyang ito ay kagalang galang at mataas ang tingin ng mga tao..." Maria Contessina trailed off and broke her eagle-eyed gaze at Anastasiya.

Motioning her attendant to come forward. Maria Contessina turned to her.

"Llamar a las damas de la corte que administran el palacio (Call for the court ladies who manage the palace)," Maria Contessina ordered and she reverted her gaze back to Anastasiya who froze once again.

"Mas mainam na sumailalim ka sa pag aaral muli ng etiketa ng isang maharlika. Tuturuan ka muling umupo, magsalita at higit sa lahat ay umasal bilang miyembro ng Unang Pamilya."

Anastasiya remained silent for a while.

"Kung iyan ang ginusto mo, Maria Contessina. Sino ba ako para tumanggi?" Anastasiya said carefully.

Making enemies in this palace would not help her. It was better to succumb to their will, Anastasiya can move freely if she satisfies them.

Obeying them would suffice at the moment.

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The older prince navigated his way inside the Real Audencia towards his younger brother. Alejandro noticed the door open but did not pay attention to it. Carlos sat down on the couch.

Between the two princes of the nation. Alejandro was the one who was more focused on work. He was way too serious than his older brother, Carlos could see that very well/

Mas magiging mabuting emperador ka sa akin. Mapalad ang bansang ito para magkaroon ng tagapagsilbi sa bayan na tulad mo.

"Huwag mong masyadong dalas dalasan ang pagpunta dito." Alejandro softly remarks.

Carlos raised his head from being sprawled on the couch.

"Bakit naman?" Carlos asks cluelessly.

"Baka maniwala na ako sa mga kwento kwento na ayaw mo kay Ate Contessina." Alejandro said while doing his paperwork.

"Ella es simplemente una espía que le dirá al gobernador general mis movimientos.(She is merely a spy who will tell the Governor General my movements.)" Carlos remarks. "She is merely a shell of who Mar-"

Alejandro shushed him as he scanned his surroundings. Then he spoke:

"Mag-ingat ka sa pananalita mo. Mas mabuting huwag na nating ungkatin ang pangyayari limang disyembre na ang nakaraan. Hindi natin alam kung sino ang nakikinig sa mga pader."