Fake Wife of the Duke

CHAPTER 36

All I wanted was to see him, to be able to witness him in his hometown.  Noong una ay hindi ko alam kung bakit ganun nalang naging desisyon ko sa buhay.

I even left my kingdom to see him! I was just following my heart. The feeling was a stranger to me but it is what keeping me going.

Noong makita ko siya ulit mas naging hindi ko naintindihan ang sarili ko, I was a strong woman, raised by a great king. But all it takes for me to cry is being away with Duke Vilchez!

Now I am sure. I love him, that's why I came in this kingdom. I love him, that's why I was eager to stay with him.

I left him but I still love him. I would do anything in my power, to give him what he deserves!

I stared at myself in the mirror. I am wearing civilian, so we can blend in the town. Just a floral dress and a brown boots.

Tumalikod ako at tinignan si Felix na inaayos ang long sleeves niya. Tinulungan ko na siya para matapos agad kami.

"Are you feeling better?" tanong niya.

Tumango lang ako at marahan siyang tinitigan.

After several days of staying here, I got used to the way we live now. Umuwi na si papa sa Monalian. Si Duane naman, wala na akong balita basta ang alam ko ay kasama niya si Princess Alisha.

"Ano ang gagawin natin sa bayan?" tanong ko.

His red eyes bored into mine. Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay.

"You know..... We can just stay in here," I suggested.

Agad siyang umiling.

"No. Dapat lumalabas din tayo ng mansyon Venna. It's not healthy, always staying inside,"

I sighed.

And we did what he wanted.

Pumunta kami ng bayan at pumasok sa isang boutique.

Pumili ako ng mga natipuhan kong dress, ganun din si Felix.

We killed time by staying in there. Nung nagutom na ay pumasok sa isang resto.

"Let's go home after this," I suggested.

Umiling lang siya at parang hindi mapakali.

"Why? Is something wrong? May pupuntahan pa ba tayo?"

Pagod na ako at gusto ko nang umuwi!

"Yes," tanging sagot niya.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Which is it? Is there something wrong or may pupuntahan pa?

Hinayaan ko nalang siya at nagpatuloy na sa pagkain. Kanina ko pa siya napansin na parang nababalisa.

I smiled, although there's a chance that there might be danger that's why he's being to cautious,  still I can't help it.

He's always prim and proper at ngayon ko lang siyang nakitang ganito. It's funny that he's kinda losing his cool.

Sumakay ulit kami sa karwahe pero imbes na dumiretso sa mansyon ay lumiko ito papunta sa kakahoyan.

I looked at him worried.

"It's fine, we're going in the right way," he assured.

Tumango naman ako at tinanaw ang labas ng bintana.

Napakunot ang noo ko ng papalapit kami sa isang lake.

The carriage stopped not far away from it. Nauna si Felix bumaba at tinulungan din ako sa pag baba.

Iginiya niya ako sa may picnic blanket at nakangiti ko siyang tinignan.

Napapalibutan kami ng maliliit na bulaklak at ang harap namin ay ang lawa.

"What is this?" I teased him.

He glared at me hindi siguro nagustuhan ang panunukso.

"Just sit and we'll enjoy this afternoon,"

Sinunod ko naman siya. Inayos ko ang aking palda at umupo na roon.

"Did you prepared all of this?" tanong ko habang tinitignan ang mga sweets at tsaa na nakalapag doon.

"Well.... I kinda planned it, manang helped with the arrangements," he said.

Tumango ako at kinuha ang tea pot,  nilagyan ko ng tsaa ang dalawang tea cup.

"Here's your tea, your highness" I teasingly said as I raised the cup.

He smirked.

"Thank you," he said and gently bowed his head.

Tumawa ako at nagsimula na rin uminom ng tsaa.

We silently appreciate the view the gentle whispers of the wind and everything that's going around in this place.

As I noticed the sun was going down napatigil ako at binaba ang aking tea cup.

"The sun's setting Felix!" I exclaimed and pointed at the view in front of us.

He smiled at me, habang nakatitig sa akin at nakatukod ang kanang kamay sa picnic blanket.

"Yes, I can see that,"

Hinampas ko siya. Anong nakikita niya? Nakatitig nga lang siya sa akin!

Nakasimangot akong tumayo at naglakad palapit sa lake.

Parang nilalamon ng lawa ang araw at unti-unti na ring nagpakita ang mga bituin.

How I wished I could erase my memories and look at this scenery again like it's my first time!

"Venna...." tawag niya sa akin.

Nilingon ko siya at bahagyang napaatras sa gulat.

He's kneeling in front of me! The Great Duke Felix Vilchez is kneeling... in front of me!

Napalingon ako sa likod ko at walang ibang tao, tila ako ay nababalisa na ngayon.

"What are you doing?! Tumayo ka nga diyan!" sigaw ko sa kaniya.

Marahan siyang umiling.

"You're worth kneeling for Venna, My queen. My everything, "

I gasped at napatakip ako sa bibig ko.

He gently took a small red box out from his pocket. My hands trembled as he slowly opened it.

There I saw, a gold ring. Carved like vines of roses.

Binalik ko ang tingin sa kaniyang mukha. The sun's light illuminated the right side of his face making his red eyes glimmer.

"We've been carrying these heavy emotions and experiences these past few months. I don't want to go back to where there is no you, " he slightly stopped.

I smiled at him and assuring him.

"Will you marry me, Venna?"

Huminga ako ng malalim at tumango.

Nakita kong nalaglag ang panga niya at natigil sa kaniyang pagluhod at nakalimutan pa yatang tumayo!

"What? Won't you put that ring on my finger?" mangiyak-ngiyak kong sabi.

Natauhan siya at dali-dali tumayo.

"I'm sorry,"  he whispered.

I can't clearly see his face now dahil nakayuko. Although mas mataas siya sa akin ay hindi na klaro kasi dumidilim na.

Marahan niyang kinuha ang aking kamay at tinapat ang singsing sa daliri ko.

Nanginginig pa ang kaniyang kamay habang sinusuot niya iyon sa sakin.

Kaya pala parang nababalisa siya kanina! This is what he was planning to do!

Nang masuot ng tuluyan ay niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit.

"I love you Venna! I'm really in love with you!"

He kissed my forehead then to my lips.

"I love you more than anything Felix,"

He gasped and hugged me again.

I raised my hand and stared at the ring on it. It perfectly fits.

My tears dropped again. I'm really happy and I think this will last.