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25: Letter of Invite

25: Letter of Invite

Mabilis lang ang paglipas ng araw sa Norte. While I was busy handling my duties as the Madame of Jade Castle and the wife of the Young Master, sinusulit ko naman ang mga ito. It feels like a huge stone has been lifted from my shoulder everytime the day passes like a normal moment but the memory is remarkable.

I can't even believe that I've been married for a year now, and my marriage life has been so good na tuwing inaalala ko ang nakaraan, hindi na ako nasasaktan. Just a look on his face, every problem I have washed off like he's a wave and I'm the shore. He takes away the heavy burden and puts it out of our grasp.

In the past months, everything is okay. Hendrix was one of the noble judges of the horseback riding competition overseeing any methods of cheating and a noble from a well known clan won the event. He only reaches the 7th round while the rest barely make it out to five. This year's competition is a bit gloomy since the aspirant of surpassing the 10th round didn't attend as a participant, while the other competitor died.

After the event, there was a banquet. Masaya naman at maraming nangyari. Most of my time is maintaining my duty as Hendrix's wife, while sometimes I went to the Ducal Couple's mansion for leisures and updates. Nagpapadala na rin ako ng mga mensahe sa pamilya ko kada-buwan at lagi rin naman nila akong ina-update sa mga nangyayari sa Kapital.

“Madame,” Joaquin suddenly called me. I allowed him to enter my reading place and he carefully handed me the post for this month. “There's a letter that came from the Palace.”

I stopped scanning the envelopes when he spoke. May napansin akong itim na sobre na siyang agad kong kinuha at nilapag sa mesa ang iba. It has the Kingdom's seal and the letters are very Palace-like.

“This is addressed to Hendrix,” I said. Nilapag ko ang sobre at pinagmasdan si Joaquin. “The King will celebrate his birthday in two months, maybe this is an invitation letter.”

“I am informed, Madame. Would you like me to tell the young master about the invitation?” he said. “The ducal couple also received the same letter of invite, and maybe this could be a great advantage to rekindle the families, but I believe that the North will not be pleased with such offerings.”

I put my forefinger under my chin. If I think like Hendrix, he will use this opportunity to infiltrate the Palace and expose whoever killed his mother, but as a son of the King, he doesn't want to ruin the celebration. He needs a factor to decide which one he will choose, and I guess I'm that kind of factor.

“Let me tell him,” I said to Joaquin. I looked at him and wondered a bit off when I noticed how his mood lit up. “Did your mother like the house we built for her?”

Nagulat siya sa tanong ko, at kalaunan ay agad itong yumuko. “Thank you for the offer, Madame. Tatanawin ko 'tong utang na loob habang buhay.”

Napangiti lang ako. “I thought you were an enemy before, that's why I was eager to put you on my side without knowing your alliance has been with my husband ever since. Consider it as a gift, and send my regards to your mother. Gusto ko siyang dalawin dahil masama ang pakiramdam ko nitong nakaraang mga araw.”

“I will inform her of your visit, Madame.”

Manghihilot kasi ang Nanay ni Joaquin. I told Isla to take her away from the Capital and let her live in the Northern Land. Matagal ko ng alam kung sino ang kalaban sa kwentong 'to kaya maingat akong gumagalaw para hindi makatunog si Hendrix sa ginagawa ko.

I pulled another envelope from my drawer and handed it to him. “Thank you for hiding me, Joaquin. Binabayaran ka ng asawa ko at binabayaran din kita. Isali pa na hanggang ngayon ay binabayaran ka din ng babaeng 'yon, grabe na 'yan, Joaquin. Baka isang araw wala na kaming pera kaya pautang ha?”

Joaquin just let out a smile before he shook his head as if what I said made him think twice about my mental health. He eventually left and I was then alone in my reading room.

Lumabas rin ako kalaunan para mag-inat ng katawan dahil kanina pa ako umaga nakaupo sa silid. Dumaan ako sa hardin at kinawayan lamang si Sir Recto na nagti-trim na naman ng mga sanga. He just smiled at me as I walked towards the hallway and met most of the maids.

I saw Isla helping with them and she smiled at me. Gusto niya sana akong daluhan subalit umiling na ako agad. I want to walk around na monitor the maids doing their tasks. It's just a one fine sunny and I could never be this happy.

“Hubby!” sigaw ko ng makita ko si Hendrix na may kausap na trabahante sa konstruksyon. 'Yong tinitingnan niyang documents dati ay para sa Kastilyo pala 'yon. He wanted to renovate some parts, replace the old bricks and build another house next to it. Tinanong ko naman siya kung para saan 'yon, pero sinabi nila lang na may gagawin siya.

“You look happy, what's the agenda?” saad niya bago ako siniil ng yakap at marahan na inilapat ang kanyang mga labi sa noo ko. “Have you noticed anything different in our lawn lately?”

“Yes, I did!” I pointed the tree house habang nakatingin sa kanya na may magaan na ngiti sa aking mga labi.  “It's nearly finished! I can't wait to sleep there with you!”

“Shhhhh, you're too loud,” he whispered. “Don't worry, I'll fuck you there all night.”

I slapped his arm because of what he said. Mabilis akong namula at pinandilatan siya ng mata. “Malinaw ang intensyon ko tapos sasagutin mo lang ng malaswa? Ikaw ha, ang green-minded mo.”

“Sa 'yo lang,” nakangisi niyang sabi.

I smiled when his fingers slid into mine, and we walked around the lawn right after. Ang saya ko lang talaga ngayon pero agad rin naman akong napatahimik.

“Hendrix,” tawag ko sa kanya. He let out a hmmm before he looked at me. He must have noticed I was bothered, and he immediately asked what was wrong. I heave a sigh and seriously stare my eyes at him. “Your father will celebrate his birthday in two months. He sent a letter of invitation.” Hendrix parted his lips but no words escaped his mouth. I tighten my grasp around his.

“Do you miss your family?” he suddenly asked.

“I do, do you too?” I replied.

“I don't, but I'd like to address something else if we happen to go there. Instead of giving him a blessing, I will give him his nightmare. I'm that kind of son, Bella.”

“Are you going to expose her now?” I asked.

Hendrix looked at me with his gentle eyes. His other hand trailed itself on my cheek, and I immediately felt the warmth it was giving me.

“Did you reach the margin?” I added another question. He slowly nodded that made my lips into a flat smile. “Then, would you hate me if I disapproved of your mutiny?”

Napakunot ang kanyang noo. “Bella…”

I dryly smiled. “Don't fight. Let's do this by talking with them, would you do that?”

“Is that what you want?” he asked softly and I nod as a response. Then, Hendrix planted another forehead kiss and genuinely smiled at me. “Okay, I'll listen to what my wife will say. We will visit the Capital for his birthday, that is all.”

Thank you, Hendrix. Let me handle this fight.

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