✓ | REBIRTH OF THE REBEL [Book One]

CHAPTER 45

Note: Epilogue will be posted tomorrow. Thank you very much for tuning in this journey!

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[ C H A P T E R 45 ]

LATISHA VALENTINE

Nakatulala akong nakatingin sa binigay ni Ama sa akin. It was my mother's necklace, an heirloom she wished to give to Veronica but she's gone. Palagi ko itong nakikita na suot niya, at isa lamang ang pinapahiwatig kung bakit nasa akin na ito ngayon. She'll be gone soon.

It's a heart shaped blue stone necklace with diamonds around it. The color is deep, like secrets lie within, wanting to be explored but drawing into the abyss is a risky journey. I believe this has magic, but I don't know why Father gave this to me when I can't even wield magic myself.

"Wife..." rinig kong tawag ng Duke sa akin.

I took a deep breath before I looked in his direction. He has a bandage on his forehead, and a dressing on his right shoulder. Despite his wounds and bruises, his physical appearance still shouts royalty. His lips tucked into a thin line as he looked at me with his dead amber orbs.

"Let's divorce," I uttered nonchalantly.

It was only his eyes that moved from what I said. Nakaupo ako kaya't kailangan umangat ng aking ulo para magtama ang aming tingin. I didn't let my trembling vein interrupt what I ought to do.

"No," he replied with an imperious voice.

"We must," I opposed. "They forced my father to attack the Duchy to confirm where my allegiance lies. Now, the Duchy is at stake when the Duke killed my father. They'll be monitoring your movement and waiting for the right time to attack, and this is all because of me."

"You are my wife and the Duchess of this Dukedom, it is my responsibility to protect you," he said, leveling his tone with my seriousness.

"Madadawit ka lang sa gulo ng angkan ko, Roshan. It is better if we are not affiliated so that they won't attack you, nor Annika. Remember, Annika is a child and you need to protect her——"

"Why can't her mother protect her, while I'm protecting her mother?" he cut me off with a question that parted my lips as I processed it.

"I am not her mother——"

"The moment you bring her here, is the moment you own her as yours," he cut me off, again.

I let out an exasperated sigh as my eyes turned away from looking at him. Hindi ako pwedeng gumalaw dahil kakatapos lamang tahiin ang sugat ko. My chest is heavy because it's still mourning over the death of my own family.

"This is my war," I uttered, looking back at the necklace in my hand. "I do not wish to bring anyone in the same pit with me. I must do this myself to protect those I want to protect. You lost three percent of the Royal Knights, and the Emperor will oversee this matter. They'll know what happened, and the Imperial Court will get rid of me. Kailangan kong maunahan sila, kailangan kong umalis."

I felt he was drawing near. He knelt with one knee as his hands reached for mine. I tried not to look but I'm burning with his stares, and finally his pain flashed like lightning the moment I looked again at those amber orbs. A lone tear escaped my left eye and he wiped it off the back of his palm.

"We must do this for Annika. I cannot protect her from me and my clan, but you can," I said, looking at him with overflowing emotions I don't want to hold. I want to be transparent and vulnerable for him to understand my side. "My father said this is only just the beginning. I know he meant the rebellion. Time will come that they'll take down the Empire, and I must stop it."