[√]Lady of the White Rose

25: Exhausted

VESPER

"Rewrite this, and this and this one also." Isa-isang binigay ni Alfonso sa akin ang mga papel na sinagutan ko nang nakaraan. Halos mawindang ako sa dami ng binalik nito. "And you haven't memories the books I gave you. It's been like forever, you should have memories it by now. You still have a lot of work you must do." Napasulyap ito sa gilid ng mess ko kung saan gabundok na papel ang naghihintay.

"You must finished that within the day since next week we'll be busy because of the ball. Tomorrow you'll have an inspection blah blah blah..."

Marami pang sinabi si Alfonso ngunit wala na akong naririnig. Suko na ako. Suko na ang mga naghihingalo kong braincells. Hindi na nila kaya. They're already crying blood begging me to stop.

"My Lady, are you listening?" Nagulat ako nang malakas na ipatong ni Alfonso sa mesa ang isang makapal na libro.

"Alfonso, I-i think I'm dying. Mamamatay na ata ako." pagdadrama ko ngunit waepek sa kanya. Grabe, ang tigas ng puso. Hindi na ikaw ang Alfonso na kilala ko!

"Ipagdadasal kita," baliwalang sagot nito.

"Hindi ko na kaya, pagod na pagod na ako!" Sinobsob ko ang mukha sa mesa.

"Dalhin niyo 'yong inumin dito," utos nito sa dalawang maid na agarang sumunod sa kanya. Makaraan ang ilang sandali ay bumalik silang may tulak-tulak na stroller. Kunot noo ko silang pinanood habang may tinitimplang inumin.

"What is that?"

"Special herbal energy drink, it will replenish the energies you've lost. Good for the health and skin. Even boosts your mental capabilities." Sambit nito at ibinigay sa akin ang isang tasa. "Have some, My Lady. It was made especially just for you."

"Are you serious right now?" I stared at him and the cup in front of me with an obvious frown.

"I was born serious."

"Funny,"

"You need that, believe me. Since you won't be sleeping the whole night in order to finished all the work here."

"Patayin mo na lang ako, Alfonso!" Muling pagdadrama ko, kulang na lang ay maglupasay ako sa sahig para lang ipakita sa kanya na ayoko na. Pagod na pagod na ako. Yung pagod ko hindi na madadala pa sa pa-energy drink niya, sampong taong tulog ang kailangan ko.

Ngunit kahit anong drama ko ay tila wala na itong epekto sa kanya. Hindi na siya naaawa sa akin. Ni hindi na nga niya ako tinatapunan ng tingin. Napansin ko ring simula noong bumalik ako mula sa palasyo, naging istrikto na ito sa akin. Lalo na sa pag-aaral.

Kung dati ay hinahayaan pa ako nitong magpahinga, ngayon ay para atang gusto akong gawing makina na magtrabaho ng walang pahinga.

"I don't want to do this anymore," I complain once again, in a more serious tone and face. I'm genuinely exhausted. Kahit anong sabi ko pa sa sarili ko na kaya ko ay nawawalan lang ako ng lakas. Siguro nga tama ang sinabi ng hari, that our family is done for.

Should I have find a husband now?

"Are you tired?" He ask.

I nodded. "Everything happened suddenly. Tho I've been taking breaks to the hills behind the estate, I feel like it wasn't enough. I so tired I could die."

"Do you want to die?"

"It's exhausting. The family, the mansion, the assassins, the palace, my missing family members, my dead brother... I wish I was the one that died and not brother -"

My sentence was cut off when a hand reach my cheek for a slap. My head turn towards the right side as I unconsciously touch my stinging cheek. Tila nabingi ako sa ginawa nito. Tila nawala ng parang bula lahat ng mga hindi magagandang isipin sa utak ko.

Huh?

"My Lady, I know it's hard. You're probably the one in the most hardest situation among us here but I begged you, don't give up. Who will stand for the Dukedom if not you? I'm sorry if we're dumping the responsibilities to you but you're the only one who can do it. Believe in yourself." His voice crack. "Please,"

I lowered my head as I bite the inside of my cheeks. I see. Giving up is a luxury I can't afford.

And so, I grit my teeth even more so. I push myself even in the hardest times that all I want was nothing but to just give everything up. Even if I cough and tear up blood, I grit my teeth and stood up, like nothing happened, and continue fighting.

"The ball is fast approaching yet you still want to attend some tea party?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Abby habang tinutulungan akong magbihis. The ball is within two days time, everyone in the mansion was very busy preparing.

"It's the Queen," tanging sambit ko. Balak ko rin sanang tangihan ang imbetasyon ngunit nang makitang galing ito sa reyna ay wala na akong nagawa.

She's the Kingdom's most powerful woman and I'm just an acting temporary family head. I can't afford to get on the Queen's bad side.

Nang dumating ako sa palasyo ng reyna kung saan gaganapin ang tea party ay marami ng mga bisita. Ngunit nagulat ako nang ang reyna mismo ang sumalubong sa akin papasok.

"Welcome, Lady Vesper. Or is it Duchess Frontera. How are you?" I was taken aback with her greetings. My heart even jump when I heard her say Duchess Frontera. No one ever calls me that yet, she's the first one. Since I'm only a temporary head, everyone still calls me My Lady.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, the moon of the Kingdom. I am fine, thanks to your concern." I raise my dress and bow as a courtesy. "Thank you very much for inviting me to such amazing party."

"Oh my, thank you. I hope you enjoy today's tea party. Please, come inside first since I needed to greet the other guest."

Muli akong yumuko rito bago pumasok sa loob. The Queen's Palace is quite big but it wasn't big enough compared to the king's palace that is twice as big and twice as luxurious.

A maid met me halfway and guided me to my seat. Nang makaupo ako ay sakto namang dumako ang paningin ko sa taong nasa harapan ko. Pakiramdam ko muling tumigil ang oras sa pagtakbo nang magtama ang mga mata namin. Just like the time when Malaya stopped the time.

Speaking of Malaya, Aya has never been back since the day we went to the palace. Tho she's been communicating with me through telepathy, she hasn't returned yet. Sabi niya, wala pa daw siyang nahahanap na kakaiba.

Going back to the present, I still haven't avoided my gaze at the person in front of me. Kahit siya ay hindi niya rin inaalis ang tingin sa akin. Magpapaligsahan pa ata kung sino ang mauunang umiwas. Pwes, mali siya ng hinamon.

Kaya naman ng mauna itong mag-iwas ng tingin ay napangisi ako as I silently clench my fist as if I've won a fight. I saw him frown.

I don't why he's here, but I guess it's true that magicians are still favored within the Kingdom now that their numbers are getting fewer and fewer.

Maayos naman ang naging takbo ng tea party. Everyone invited are all high class women and men in the high society. There were magicians and Knights, as well as priests and nuns. The party started and it was all smooth sailing not until someone scream hysterically from the other table. They were panicking as they all jump to their feet.

It caught everyone's attention. And when I check what was happening my eyes widen and my heart almost jump in fright when I saw Aya on top of a pink cupcake. She wasn't, it makes me even more worried.

Nang makita ng iba ito ay nagpanik din sila. The Queen even call for her knights. Frantically, I stood up from my seat and I don't know what else happened afterwards. The next thing I know is that I'm already inside my carriage going home with Aya in my lap.

"Wait! No! Don't touch her! That's my mother!"

Shit. I think I said something disturbing.