Fake Wife of the Duke

CHAPTER 29

I stared at my reflection in a tall mirror as I touched my necklace. I still remember how he hugged me from the back after he gave this to me.

I closed my eyes to stop myself from thinking about him. I hid the necklace beneath my dress as I went out from my room.

Pupunta kami sa mansyon nina Baron Nallon. It's Lady Jeanne's coming of age and all of the nobles are invited.

Nang makababa na ako sa hagdan ay nakita ko si Felix na kakapasok lang. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at dumiretso kay papa.

My father and King Cruzeir will stay in palace, again.

"Be good Lav," he warned.

I rolled my eyes. What does he think of me? A child?

"Remember we should give a good impression to other nobles of this kingdom, Lavenna. May ibang hindi sumang-ayon sa pagpunta natin dito," paliwanag ni papa.

Tumango ako. I know that. May takot at galit sa kaharian namin. Although we've never attacked their kingdom, iyon parin ang pakikitungo nila sa amin.

"Oh! Duke Vilchez! Please take care of my daughter," natutuwang sabi ni papa nang makita niya ito sa gilid ko.

Hindi ko napansin na andyan siya! He's so silent!

"Of course your highness," sagot nito at yumuko.

Guni-guni ko lang ba iyon or nakita ko talaga siyang nag-smirk!

Nang makalabas na sa palasyo ay nakita ko sina Duane at Alisha na nauna nang sumakay sa karwahe! Kaya dali-dali na akong naglakad.

Pero pinigilan ako ni Felix.

"Sa akin ka sasama," he said and guided me to his own carriage!

Nagpumiglas ako pero ang higpit ng hawak niya sa kamay ko. Nakita ko na ring umalis na ang karwahe nina Duane.

Bumigay na ako at pumasok nalang sa loob ng karwahe nila. It's so spacious! Parang kakasya ang limang tao dito.

Naramdaman kong umusad na rin ang sinasakyan namin. Malayo pa ang kina Baron Nallon kaya this'll be a long ride!

Lumipat si Felix sa gilid ko kaya pilit kong inilayo ang sarili ko sa kaniya. What's he doing? Dapat dun lang siya sa kabilang upuan!

He pulled me closer by holding my waist. Naramdaman ko pang humigpit ang hawak niya roon!

"What are you doing!" singhal ko sa kaniya.

"You didn't wear the necklace? Why?" nag-alalang tanong nito.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko at pinakita ang necklace na nakatago lang sa dress ko.

"Kung yan lang ang kailangan mo, bitawan mo na ako!" pumiglas ako sa kaniya.

Pero mas humigpit ang hawak niya sa akin. It's no use, he's strong.

"I didn't do it with Vienna kung yan ang ikinagalit mo," paliwanag niya.

"I'm not ang—"

"I went to the beer house that night to just have a drink, that's all. I didn't do it with her," putol niya sa sasabihin ko.

What about that kiss? Argh! He can kiss who ever he wants! We're not together anyway! Ako lang ang desperadang makuha siya at iiyak pag nakikita siyang merong iba!

"Gusto kitang kalimutan, alam mo ba yun?" he sound so hopeless.

It hurts. While I was trying to have him again, he was trying to forget me.

Mapait nalang akong ngumiti. Why are we talking about this anyway?

"Palagi kang pumapasok sa isip ko, I can't sleep thinking that my wife has been lying to me,"

"Asawa lang kita sa papel, Felix! And will you even like me if you knew I'm the northern princess?"

"I don't care! Whatever your status is, I'll accept it!"

Hindi na ako sumagot. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko.

Hanggang sa makarating kami sa mansyon ni Baron Nallon ay nakahawak pa rin siya bewang ko.

Inalalayan niya akong bumaba at rinig ko agad ang bulong-bulungan ng mga tao.

He grabbed my waist again and pulled me closer to him.

I like this. Pero natatakot pa rin ako ayaw ko munang pangunahan ang mga nararamdaman ko.

I let him do what he wants to me.

Pumasok na kami sa mansyon nila at pumunta na sa venue.

Hinanap ng aking mata si Nicholaine pero hindi ko siya nakita sa dami ng tao. Or wala pa sila dito?

The party started earlier than I expected. Papalubog pa nga lang ang araw.

"Your highness! Duke Vilchez! It's nice to meet you t-two again!" Si Baron Nallon.

He's with his wife. This is the first time that I meet the Baroness. Medyo suplada tignan!

Me and Felix just nodded to acknowledge their presence.

"Please welcome, Lady Jeanne Nallon!" the host called.

We watched as the lady slowly walk down the stairs. She's so beautiful with her gown. Her feets can't be seen kasi napaka haba nito.

She stood elegantly at the center waiting for someone. Maybe her first dance?

"Duke Vilchez!" masiglang tawag ng Baroness.

Napalingon kaming dalawa.

"My daughter really wants you to be her first dance!" she bluntly said.

"I'm with Princess Lavenna, Baroness" he warned.

Of course it's disrespectful! The man already has a partner tapos ganun?

I look at Lady Jeanne, patiently waiting for the Duke pero nang makita ako ay kumunot ang noo niya.

Her eyes went to the hands of Felix which is on my waists.

"Puntahan mo na, sasayaw lang naman kayo," I whispered at him.

He looked at me confused.

"What? I'll stay with you today Venna. Bakit mo ko ibibigay sa iba!" he angrily whispered too.

"It's just a dance Felix! Bumalik ka rin!" pilit ko sa kaniya.

Tinitigan pa niya ako, sinusuri kong okay lang ba talaga sa akin. I assured him kaya naglakad na siya papunta kay Lady Jeanne.

Naghiyawan sila at nagpalakpakan as the two started to dance.

Nakita ko pang nakangiti sa akin si Jeanne. Nah! What's wrong with this girl?

"Aren't the Duke and my daughter look good with each other, Princess?" rinig kong sabi ng Baroness.

Sinuway pa ito ng kaniyang asawa pero hindi ito tumigil.

"I know everything Princess, even the contract you made with the Duke." she smiled at me.

My jaw clenched. She's not making any sense! Hindi ako galit dahil alam niya, galit ako kasi ganyan ang asta niya sa akin.

"Are you threatening me Baroness?" I said coldy that only me and her can hear.

I raised an eyebrow at nakita siyang kabadong nakangiti sa akin.

"Your highness!" rinig kong tawag ni Nicholaine mula sa likod.

Tinalikuran ko na ang Baroness at pumunta kay Nicholaine.

He's wearing again an artificial flower hair clip on his head pero iba na naman ang kulay nito.

Sa likod niya ay ang Marquess at Marchioness. Nginitian ko lang sila.

"I guess you're okay now," sabi ko.

Tumango-tango naman si Nicholaine bilang sagot.

Hinintay nalang namin na matapos ang sayaw.

Something's really suspicious around here. Halos mararamdaman ko ang titig ng mga tao sa akin. Like they're waiting for me to do something that can ruin my identity!