Ways To Escape Death

Chapter 26: Killian's POV (Part II)

Killian's POV

I arranged a meeting with Marquess Philip in his household. He gladly accepted my request without being suspicious. 

Knowing his greed, he will do everything to remain on my good side. 

We will discuss certain materials that are needed in the upcoming war. But my real purpose here is to meet his adopted daughter named Beatrice. Curious ako sa taong dahilan ng pagbabago ni Elizabeth. Check ko lang kung worth it nga ba siyang inuman ng lason.

Lately, napag-alaman kong may inuwing ampon ang laruan ko. All of a sudden, my plaything becomes a good samaritan after experiencing death. She even learned to ignore my requests. I feel agitated by her recent actions.

Who says she can meddle with my fun? I am not yet done with her.

Sinalubong ako ni Marquess Philip sa front gate. "It's my pleasure to have you here in my humble household, Duke Adir." He slightly bowed his head to pay his respect.

Sa hindi kalayuan, natanaw ko ang mga nakahilirang karwahe na nagmula sa iba't ibang pamilya ng noble. Mas nangibabaw naman ang karwahe na nagmula sa palasyo.

"Who visited from the Imperial Family?"

"It was the Crown Prince. He is already inside the mansion."

"I see."

Pinauna niya ako ng hakbang bago siya tumabi sa 'kin. Tahimik naming binabaybay ang daan nang mahagip ng mga mata ko ang karwahe na may crest ng White Dukedom.

"What's with these carriages?" Iniba ko ang klase ng pagtatanong ko. Para maiwasan ang misunderstanding na maaaring mabuo. Baka gawin niyang issue kapag napansin niya ang pagiging interesado ko sa mga bagay na related kay Elizabeth.

"My daughter hosted a tea party in our garden."

"A tea party? Hmm ... ." I clenched my fist because of irritation. She has time to socialize but not for me? Now that I am here, I can't wait to see her reaction.

"How about we visit your daughter's tea party? I wish to catch a glimpse of her beauty."

Agad nagningning ang mga mata niya dahil sa narinig. No need to speak his mind, I can see right through him. "I shall guide you there."

Hindi rin nagtagal ay narating namin ang pinag ganapan ng okasyon. Naabutan kong nasa gitna ng drama si Elizabeth. Nakahawak sa baba niya ang Crown Prince habang inis na nakatitig sa kanila ang isang babae, na sa palagay ko ay si Beatrice.

"Your Highness!" Marquess Philip interrupted their moment. I guess he did it to ease his daughter's anger. Tagumpay naman niyang naagaw ang atensyon ng Crown Prince.

Hindi ko binigyang pansin ang mga bisitang narito, nakatuon lang ang atensyon ko kay Elizabeth. She still has no idea that I am here. Her back is facing in my direction.

"Hm, Marquess," Lawrence responded.

"Duke Adir has just arrived. Let's head inside."

Nasaksihan ko ang panandaliang pag-angat ng balikat ni Elizabeth. Kunot ang noo ko habang pinagmamasdan siya. Halata ang mahinang panginginig ng katawan niya. Nararamdaman ko ang matinding takot mula sa kaniya. Para kanino? Sa 'kin?

"So you were here, Lady White," I playfully said while walking towards her location. The moment I stopped behind her back, I saw her flinching. 

The Crown Prince glared at me."You knew each other?"

Mas lumawak ang ngisi sa labi ko saka ko siya binalingan ng tingin. "Yes, I do. If she knew me? Ask her."

Humarap sa 'kin ng biglaan si Elizabeth dahilan para maistatwa ako sa aking kinatatayuan. Masyado siyang malapit sa 'kin. I can smell the perfume she's wearing. Hindi iyon masakit sa ilong, amoy siyang nakakaakit na rosas. It tempts me to devour her, right here and now.

I guess she realizes immediately our current position, without further ado she steps backward to keep her distance. Napayukom ako ng kamao para pigilan ang sarili na hawakan ang braso niya't mahila siya palapit sa 'kin. 

This is strange. Kahit kailan ay hindi pa ako nakaramdam ng ganitong pakiramdam sa kahit na sino. Parang gusto ko siyang ikulong para lang maitago siya sa mata ng iba.

"Everyone knows the Duke of Adir. How could I not?" she said while paying her respect in an awkward posture.

Look at this brat. She is being obvious that she's forcing herself to greet me in proper manners.

Tinago ko ang namumuong inis sa hilaw kong ngiti. "That's reasonable. I wish I could visit you at the White Dukedom," sarkastiko kong tugon.

"How could I decline a request from the great Duke of Adir?"

"Heh ..." Marunong na talaga siyang sagarin ang pasensya ko.

Humarang sa pagitan namin si Lawrence saka tinapunan ako ng tinging nakamamatay. "Let's go straight ahead to the business. Marquess, lead the way," he said.

Tinanguan ko naman si Marquess para sumang-ayon. Sinundan ko ito habang 'yong isa ay nagpaalam pa sa ex niya. Bago tuluyang makaalis ay nakasalubong ko pa si Beatrice na nakatitig sa 'kin. I give her my sweetest smile before taking my leave.

... I do not know how their tea party ended. Nakita ko na lang ang sarili ko na kasama sa isang silid si Beatrice. She prepares our refreshments while we wait for the others to come. Sinubaybayan ko ang bawat kilos niya. Her etiquette is perfectly polished. It's hard to believe she grew up as a commoner in the countryside.

"May I know your name, milady?" I asked her. 

Sandali siyang natigilan bago madaling yumuko dahil sa hiya. "I am Beatrice Philip ..."

I came to understand why Lawrence chose her instead of his fiance. Beatrice is a real beauty. Her voice is gentle. Her movement is a bit clumsy but elegant. She acts like a pure and innocent kitten. Her wavy blonde hair suits her, she has fair and smooth skin like a real noble lady, her plum eyes are attractive yet unusual, she has thick eyelashes, and pinkish lips.

"Uhm ..." Namumula ang magkabilang pisngi niya habang hindi makatingin ng diretso sa 'kin. Mukhang napatagal yata ang pagtitig ko sa kaniya.

"Does my presence make you uncomfortable?"

She bit her lower lip to suppress herself, before looking intimately into my eyes. "No ... ."

Umangat ang sulok ng labi ko. She is no different from others, who can easily fall for my looks and my title.

This girl isn't worth dying for.

Hindi ko na siya nakausap pa dahil nagsidatingan na sila Marquess at Lawrence kasama ang isang negotiator. Beatrice excuse herself out, but the lover paid her no mind. Naupo sa harap ko ang Crown Prince habang nasa magkabilang upuan 'yong dalawa. He initiated the discussion, then the conversation flows.