15: CALL OF MOTHER-IN-LAW
"Why does she suddenly want to see me?" bulong ko kay Aiden na nakasunod sa akin habang papunta kami sa southern palace kung saan nandoon 'yung mga rooms ng concubines.
"I also have no idea, your highness."
Hindi ko alam pero kinakabahan ako. Aside from the empress, the 1st concubine's aura is also intimidating.
Napaisip tuloy ako kung ano ang ginawa ko kaya bigla niya akong pinatawag.
Teka, baka pagalitan niya ako dahil sa pagpunta-punta ko sa town o kaya dahil sa dami kong nagastos. Baka sabihin niya puro gastos ako pero pera naman ng anak niya 'yung gamit ko.
Nang makarating kami sa harap ng malaking pinto ay kinabahan ako lalo. Nag-iisip pa lang ako ng explanation kung sakaling 'yun nga ang dahilan pero biglang kumatok 'yung maid at sinabing nandito na ako.
The maid opened the door and I entered while Aiden was left outside. Napatingin ako sa buong kwarto. As expected, it was still a big room. They are still royal concubines after all.
May dalawang sofa na magkaharapan at nasa gitna ay ang coffee table. Nakaupo siya doon sa isa na nakaharap sa direksyon ko. She's wearing a red gown with her hair tied into a bun, lalo tuloy lumakas ang charisma niya.
"Good day, Dahlia. I'm sorry for calling you on such short notice."
"It's alright, Lady Christina." I tried to smile and started to be conscious of my manners and etiquette.
"Come, sit," sabi niya at tinuro 'yung sofa na nasa harap niya. I walked towards the sofa and sat gracefully.
She signaled the maid something that made her come near us. The maid started to pour tea in the two tea cups that were on the table. "I made sure to have a brewed tea ready for you. I hope you like it."
I pressed my lips into a thin line before letting out a smile. Sakto lang pala 'yung timing na pagbigay sa akin ni Arrius nung spell. Kaysa naman mamoblema ako ngayon kung paano ko tatanggihin 'yung offer niya sa akin.
"The aroma is good." Kinuha ko 'yung tea cup na kakatapos lang lagyan ng maid gamit ang kaliwang kamay ko.
Hinipan-hipan ko muna habang pinakiramdaman kung may energy or kung iilaw 'yung singsing katulad ng sinabi ni Arrius, pero wala naman. I'll trust Arrius' magic dahil kapag biglang hindi gumana nang maayos itong spell niya at may nangyari sa akin, mumultuhin ko talaga siya. But well, I guess hindi naman ako lalasunin ni Lady Christina, I'm still her daughter-in-law after all.
"How is it?" sabi niya habang hawak niya rin 'yung tasa niya.
Napatango ako habang ninanamnam 'yung lasa. I'm not really a fan of tea but it's not like I hate it either. "It tastes nice. Thank you for this."
She nodded with a satisfied look on her face.
No one talked while we both drank our tea. I still don't have any idea why she called for me. I don't think tatawagin niya ako dito para lang ayain akong uminom.
"Dahlia, I heard about what happened in the restaurant. Were you hurt?" She spoke after she placed the teacup on the saucer.
Napakurap ako. So, kakamustahin niya lang pala ako. I was worried for nothing, I guess.
"I'm feeling fine now. Medyo na-shock ako sa nangyari pero okay naman na ako ngayon," sabi ko dahil totoo naman. Naprotektahan naman ako ni Aiden at nakita kong okay na rin si Count Bryson so panatag na ako. Although the thought of the flying dagger aimed at me still gives me shivers.
BINABASA MO ANG
Tale of The Substitute Princess
RomanceDon't you just hate it when someone kidnaps you, and in a blink of an eye, you are already a princess in another world. Haera can relate. Haera suddenly wakes up in a place where there are still emperors, princes, corsets, and magic. One of the prin...
