A Sudden Heiress

Kabanata 22

Season

"Wala pa akong nahahanap na kahit anong impormasyon na pwede natin gamit laban kay Sir Benedict. This man knows how to play the game, huh?"

Tumingin sa aming dalawa ni Rafaelle si Rachim at nagbigay ng isang malungkot na tingin. Bumuntonghininga ako at tinuon ang pansin kay Rafaelle na naghahanda para sa Evento de Lucha de Espadas na magaganap mamaya. Ang akala ko ay mapipigilan ko pa siya sa desisyon niya kung nakahanap ng kahit isang butas si Principe Rachim kay Benedict. Pero ngayong wala man lang kahit anong impormasyong nakuha ang ikapitong prinsipe ay hindi ko na nga talaga kaya pang baguhin ang isip ni Rafaelle.

"Don't worry too much, Lady Audrina. Even though my brother looks weak, he is an expert to that field. Only an expert will defeat him," paalala ni Principe Rachim.

"I am not doubting him and his ability. I am scared of what may happen. Hindi natin masasabi na walang mangyayari dahil sa magaling siya at kaya niyang lumaban. What if Sir Benedict has that kind of skill too? Ano na lang ang mangyayari kay Rafaelle? Pwede siyang masaktan or worst, maging kritikal ang lagay niya. I don't want to risking someone else just for the mistake I made myself." Humarap ako kay Rafaelle. "Stop this habang maaga pa. You don't have to do this. We can figure out another way to solve my problem. Hindi ang ganitong paraan." Yumuko ako at hiniwakan ang kamay niya nang mahigpit. "Ayokong masaktan ka."

Huminga siya nang malalim at tinabi ang espadang hawak. Hinawakan niya ang baba ko at inangat ang tingin sa kanya. Our eyes met. I can tell that there's something change by the way he looks at me. It is more deep than before. Maybe, he really cares for me. "I can do this, Audrina. I want to do this for you and for me. Hindi ako matatahimik hanggang hawak ka sa leeg ng lalakeng iyon. I want your freedom, Audri. Kung may kaya naman akong gawin, bakit hindi ko gagawin? At isa pa, the end of the season is near, you have to decide if you are willing to take over the position of your father. I know you will but you don't have to be with Benedict in that very moment. I want me to be there beside you when you give your first speech as the Duchess of Bien."

I couldn't agree anymore. I want that too. Si Rafaelle lang ang naiisip ko na nandoon habang tinatanggap ko ang posisyon. At hindi iyon mangyayari kung hindi ko matatanggal sa buhay ko. But still, I am still worried. Should listen to my instincts? Para kasing may mangyayaring hindi ko magugustuhan o talagang natatakot lang ako?

"Just be careful. Kapag nasaktan ka, I will stop the match. I badly want to get Benedict out of life but your welfare is the most important to me right now. If a single bruise show up to your body, I'll let Benedict win. I am letting you to this but it doesn't mean that I am willing to get you hurt. You'll stop if you are already, are we clear, Principe Rafaelle?" Seryoso ko siyang tiningnan.

Ngumiti siya at tumango. "I'll try my best to get back to you without losing a finger." Nakuha pa niyang humalakhak.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at kinurot ang braso niya. Damn, that muscle!

"King Richart talked to Sir Benedict a while ago. That man seemed so confident of knocking you off. Remember Rafaelle, we cannot sue Benedict if happened that you get hurt because of him. You challenged him, so, bear with it."

Sa sinabing iyon ni Rachim. So, kung gustong saktan ni Benedict si Rafaelle para lang matalo ito ay gagawin niya talaga.

"The match will be stopped if one of you is severely injured already. Our brothers are very confuse of why you need to do this. If only I can tell." Umiling-iling siya at binalingan ako ng tingin. "Remember to thank my brother after this, Lady Audrina. Kahit pa matalo siya."

Tumango ako. This can't go wrong. Isang pagkakamali lang ay maaaring sa ospital manatili si Rafaelle hanggang sa katapusan ng season. Kung sana ay si Benedict na lang, deserve naman niya iyon.