Her Blade

HB 09

"I didn't know that you'll be here."

Ask me why you didn't know at the first place. After having me leave with Nyx, hindi ka na nagparamdam. You only asked Reina to write you a letter when something bad happens to me. And now, makikita kita na—e ano naman kung may kasama siyang babae?!

"What are the odds that you'll also attend Lady Timber's party," I faked a laugh. Ngayon, sigurado na ako na hindi mahahalata ang pagpapanggap ko. After two weeks of Nyx screaming at me like a terror teacher, hindi ko hahayaang masayang lang ang ikinarindi ng tenga ko. "Who are you with?" tanong ni Gedion sa 'kin.

"Ah! Rumors are circling around the villa that she came with Her Highness," unang sagot naman ni Lady Ellise. "Kasama mo pala ang mahal na prinsesa, I should greet her later," usal nito habang pokus lang ang tingin sa akin. "So how have you been?" pangangamusta nito. "I'm doing really great recently, thanks for asking," tipid kong sagot dito.

"Did you know that she had an argument with Lord Barry just now before you arrived?" Lady Ellise brought it up. Wala na akong planong sabihin 'yon, but here we go. "Really? Who's at fault?" My lips parted upon hearing his question. Is he looking down at me that maybe I'm the one who started it?

"Do you think that I'll be standing here in front of you, if I'm the one who's at fault?" I asked Gedion, it almost sounds like a genuine question pero naiirita na talaga ako sa lalaking 'to. "Yes, you'll be standing here even if you're the one at fault. If I'm not wrong, you're introduced by Her Highness which recognizes you as one of the highest people in this gathering," he shot back.

"Now that I've noticed it. Is she the girl na kinekwento mo sa 'kin, Ryl?" tanong ni Lady Ellise kay Gedion para mapatingin din ako rito. "She is." He looked at me with those piercing eyes as Lady Ellise brightly smiled at me. "She's different from what you described!" she exclaimed as she lightly hit Gedion's arm.

Dapat nilaksan mo na 'yung hampas.

"Let me properly introduce myself to you. I'm Ellise Diane Meior, daughter of Marquess Meior, bethrothed of Sir Elijah and a childhood friend of the Grand Duke, Gedion Ryl Aberra."

So technically, she's a friend of Gedion? Not his lover?

"Hindi ko lang kasama 'yung fiancé ko ngayon kasi he's on duty, kaya hinabilin niya muna ako kay Ryl. Malaki nga pasasalamat nito sa 'kin kasi ayaw niya raw makasama si Lady Yvaine," pagpapaliwanag nito na ikinatawa niya pagkatapos. "I see. But why are you laughing, Lady Ellise?" I asked.

"I just find you both amusing. You know what? You should accompany each other. I want to head home early, anyway." Kinaladkad nito papunta sa 'kin si Gedion and after a blink of an eye, she vanished. Obviously, gumamit si Lady Ellise ng teleportation scroll para mabilis na makaalis.

And that leaves us both with my arm clinging to his that was arranged by Lady Ellise. It is an unpleasant atmosphere if I may say. Some nobles began to saw us together, but I suppose that this is just normal for a social gathering. Lalo na kung ang Grand Duke nila ang kasama ng kaibigan ng prinsesa. It would really cause a ruckus.

"She's right. You're a lot different now," rinig kong bulong ni Gedion sa tenga ko.