✓ | REBIRTH OF THE REBEL [Book One]

CHAPTER 2

[ C H A P T E R  2 ]

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LATISHA VALENTINE

Annika Marbella Riedensteigh. Her existence almost severed the ties between the Duke and the Emperor, but seeing his nephew lose his mind over the death of the mistress, he let the child live.

The Emperor ordered Rosalinda, the oldest maid of the Dukedom to take the child away from the sight of the Duke, to help him move on from his mistress' death.

Annika grew up in one of the owned properties of Roshan in the countryside. He sent supplies and money every month, but that was it. There are a series of photos taken of Annika as she grows, but it didn't help Roshan.

Lumaki ang bata na hindi kapiling ang kanyang ama, at hindi nagpapaka-ama si Roshan sa kanya. The child has a growing curiosity, and if that is left alone, she'll eventually grow hating her father.

Last time, I knew Roshan had a child. Laman lagi si Annabelle sa mga away namin. I was his wife but his mind is dwelling on a dead person. Instead of hating the dead alone, I hated his daughter.

Magkamukha kasi, kuhang-kuha ni Annika ang hulma ng kanyang ina. Simula sa buhok, mga mapungay na mga mata nito, at ang kanyang manipis na labi. I've seen the pictures of the child, and even by how it was taken, I knew Annika's life was overbearing. Her eyes were lonely.

Back then, I never liked her. There was once that Rosalinda brought Annika to the main mansion because the child was suffering from a plague that struck their town. I let the child die without remorse which led Roshan to hate me more.

Kaya, nagdesisyon ako na ibalik sa main mansion ang bata para maiwasan ang sakuna na 'yon, at magpaka-ina para sa kanya.

Annika is a Riedensteigh. Time will come she will be given a title of this household, and she can use that to earn a status in the society. But this world sure doesn't know how to disguise their mockery.

She's a child from the mistress and not from the Duchess. Hindi ko hahayaan na lalaking pagtawanan si Annika dahil lang sa ganyang bagay. Hindi niya kasalanan kung bakit hindi naging Dukesa ang kanyang ina.

Isa pa, I know the truth about what happened. Time will come that Annika's life will be compromised, and I need to avoid that for her safety.

I'm not really into kids, but I need Annika right now. I need her to eradicate the invisible barrier we had with her father. I said that I won't be competing with the dead, but I'll be using their offspring.

If I will take the same path, I must use a shield that will protect me for what is coming. Kasama ang batang 'yon sa plano ko.

"Your grace..." Hana whispered in my right ear and I simply nodded.

Binaba ko ang hawak na libro at pinagmasdan ang papalapit na bata kasama ang mga sumundo sa kanya. Her eyes spark curiosity and enthusiasm. Her head was spinning around the hall. Her little steps were weak enough that she almost stumbled.

May humila sa kanya ng marahan at pinatingin sa akin. Agad nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata, at nanginginig na hinawakan ang kanyang damit at nagbibigay pugay.

"I-I g-greet y-your g-grace, D-duchess Luthisa Vhalenten of Reydenstey..."

Her little voice was flashed with cuteness. Despite her trembling, she did well on her salutation. Pinagmamasdan ko lamang ang kanyang kabuuan.

She's small and that is given for a four year old child. Her speech is not delayed which is good, and the choice of style of her clothes is not childish nor dull.