Feint (Royal Society #3) COMPLETED

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

Wounded Being

Carrine knew. That's the one thing I'm sure about. She knew the reason why Papa was looking for her mother. The truth that she knows... I am afraid to unveil it. It terrifies me that I just want to keep it sealed.

But a part of me wants to know it as well. Kahit masakit, kahit kaguluhan lang dala nito. Because it's the truth and it's bound to be discovered anyway.

Ate Hena pulled Carrine for a hug while the latter just remained standing. But she didn't push her. She just let Ate Hena embrace her.

When Ate Hena finally broke the hug, her hands remained on Carrine's arm. "I still don't know why Papa is looking for your moth-"

"I know exactly why," Carrine said coldly.

Then she looked at me. "I just discovered it weeks ago. Remember, Amara?"

"My mother is not my birth mother. She is actually my aunt and she just took care of me like her own because it was her sister's dying wish," Carrine sighed and stared at the open field below us.

"Do you know what it feels like to be betrayed? That feeling when you thought you knew everything but the reality is you were just living in pure lie? That's what it feels right now. The pain is suffocating me. Because I thought they were family, my real family."

"Carrine, they are your family. Being a family doesn't have to be direct related. I can even be your family!" I just really want to erase that sad look on her face.

She transferred her gaze on me. "My father died years ago, that's what my aunt told me. He didn't even know that mama died while waiting for him."

"Do you know who he is?"

She nodded. "Yes. I even have step-siblings."

My eyes widened in excitement. "Then you should meet them! I'm sure they are excited to meet you."

She looked at me straight in the eyes. It made me a bit comfortable but she eventually removed her gaze.

"Not yet."

I unconsciously took a step back. I felt like my head is about to explode. This can't be happening. I refuse to believe this coincidence.

My vision is getting blurry as the realization slowly clarifies in my mind.

Carrine is targeting me not because I am weak. She is targeting me because of her hatred towards me, towards our family. Because we didn't know about her existence. She was forgotten... like she didn't exist.

"W-what? A-are you s-saying that y-you are P-papa's child? Our s-sibling?" Ate Hena stuttered as she remain frozen by the door.

"Yes, Queen Athena. My mother, Carmina, the person you were looking for, already passed away. I am her only descendant. The illegitimate child of the head of the famous clan of the Imperial Family, Ventilacion - Carrine Ysabelle."

"How did it happen?" Ate Hena asked. She looked like she already gathered her thoughts.

"How would I know? I was just born without knowing my father's identity. I bet he doesn't even know I exist."

Nanghihinang napaupo si Ate Hena sa pinakamalapit na upuan sa kaniya. "Then why is Papa looking for your mother if he doesn't know you exist?"

Hurt painted Carrine's face. It was evident and it's not like she was trying to hide it.

"Because he was sorry for mama."

I looked at her when she said that. Why is Papa sorry for her? The reason behind it must be huge because Papa was desperately looking for Carmina.

"I was a mistake. Your father was desperate for his wife that he mistook my mother for her. And my mother gave in to him because she wanted to leave her status and live comfortably. It turned the opposite, though, because she had me and your father disappeared and never came back."

The pain in her face disappeared and it was replaces by hatred once again. "Now tell me, Amara. Don't I deserve to atleast get the revenge that I wanted? I was deprived of a family. I was deprived of the truth. I was deprived of wealth and power. While you... you had it all. You even had Vince!"

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang marinig ang pangalan niya. So all this time... she was lying? About her thoughts with Vince? I clearly asked her then if she likes him, she denied it. She even helped me. Bakit pati iyon ay kasalanan ko?

I get that she is furious because of her forgotten identity. I understand that and blame our father for his mistake. But he's gone now, it's not like I can call him in the afterlife just to provide us some answers.

But even when she is wrong for blaming me, I felt a pang of sadness towards her. Carrine is just a victim.

"I... I was already okay with my life. Because I thought he can level with me. He can understand my pain. He can see for who I am. He knows where I am coming from. But all those thought disappeared when I saw him with you. And I was once again, deprived of love."

Ate Hena tried to reach her out by holding her wrist. But Carrine just coldly stared at her. "Please don't tell me that you understand me, Queen Athena. Because no one can."

"No, no. I just want to tell you that we are here for you. We... can start anew. We can create new memories together like a family," Ate Hena said softly.

"I don't want to be your family though. My knowledge about your family is enough for me to be disgusted by it. Do you want to hear what I know about your perfect family, Queen? Because I know a lot of secrets," Carrine said and whispered the last line but enough for me to hear.

I saw Ate Hena stiffened and looked at Carrine with terrified eyes.

"First, Izaac wasn't yours," she stated with her hand gesture. When she was about to say another, Ate Hena begged. "Stop, please."

"What do you want us to do?" I finally had the courage to ask.

She turned to me and smiled. "That," she said and the phone in front of rang. I looked at her and she nodded, confirming my hunch.

"W-what is that?" Ate Hena nervously asked.

I stared at the phone. "You said you'll do everything to protect your clan? To protect your Queen? To protect your family?" Carrine said.

With my trembling hands, I took the phone and answered it.

"You sent the pictures claiming that the Princess of the East Clan and the brother of the Crowned Prince is having an affair?"

I clenched my fist before answering. "The pictures say it all."

"This is the Custody and we would like to invite you for formal investigation. Please state your name and location so we could escort you."

I looked at Carrine and she was waiting for me. Is this a test, Carrine? Do you really want to see kung hanggang saan ang kaya kong gawin para sa kanila?

"Amara Luelle Nastia Ventilation from the East Clan. I'll... be waiting in the Eastern establishment in an hour."

"We'll send you our people in an hour." And the call ended. I dropped the phone mindlessly.

Carrine looked shocked of what I did. Now she knows what I am capable of. Did I answer your question, Carrine? Did I satisfy your curiosity? Did I meet your expectation?

With the phone in my hand, I stood up from my seat. I already protected my family and my clan. There's still one person that should not be involved in this mess.

I have to protect that person too. No matter what it takes. No matter what method I use. No matter what happens, he shall remain safe.

"I'm in the garden of the establishment. I want to see you now... Vini."

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