The Saintess is the New Villainess

TSNV 12| His Property

CLEA 

"Are you sure about this, Carnel?" Binaba ko ang teacup na hawak ko sabay krus ng binti ko sa ilalim ng mesa. 

He looks at me with a calm expression on his face. His ginger hair was swiftly being drifted by the wind through an open window in Yesterday's Pastry Shop. His amber eyes look gentle but hold no guilt or conscience, only certainty. 

"I am quite sure, master." I nod my head in approval. It was weird to hear someone calling me master, but I am getting a hang of it. 

"Upon giving this evidence, your family will be doomed to eternity. I am not sure whether his majesty would spare your family members and have them as enslaved people or have them all killed. Despite knowing that, you'd still want to go on?" I asked, making sure he would not regret anything. 

I saw how he clenched his left fist while drinking his tea. "I already took my name out of the family registry secretly. As such, it implies that whatever the House or Briargiss is accused of had nothing to do with me." Itinago ko ang pagkagulat sa aking mga mata dahil sa kaniyang isinalaysay.

Did he remove his name from the family registry? Does he despise his family that much? 

"I know what you're thinking," He paused to thank the waitress who bought us two slices of blueberry cheesecake before continuing his words. "I have long been aware of my family's illegal business, but it did not occur to me that they were the prime suspect of the huge loss in the Southern and Northern Border during the war." There was sadness in his eyes. 

"I do not wish to be a part of a family who caused the death of hundreds and thousands of soldiers during the war." I took the small spoon to taste the care, listening to his righteous sentiments. 

I firmly closed my eyes, savoring the sweet taste of the blueberry cheesecake. Indeed, Yesterday's Pastry Shop deserved its name. This is the famous pastry shop in the capital, where nobles often eat and dine with their friends and families. It was named Yesterday's because you will find yourself in this shop one day or another due to its superb taste. 

"What do you want in return?" Tanong ko. 

Bahagyang tumaas ang kilay ko nang bigla niyang hawakan ang kaliwang kamay kong nakapatong sa mesa. 

"I sincerely hope you could assign me as your personal knight to protect you from your future endeavors." I was not able to speak for his request. Kapagkuwan ay marahan niyang hinalikan ang likuran ng palad ko habang nakatingin sa akin. 

"Is that what you—" Napasinghap na lang ako nang maramdamang may kung anong malamig na tubig ang bumuhos sa kulay itim na cloak na suot ko. 

Carnel immediately stood up with a livid expression on his face. "Olivia!" Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata ko habang sinusubukang pakalmahin ang sarili ko. 

Kung ako si Debina hinding-hindi ko papalampasin ang ginawa niya. Baka basagin ko ang teacup sa harap niya at ipakain ang lahat ng bubog sa kanya. Baka hindi pa ako makunteto at bigyan ko siya ng high-five sa mukha. 

"What the hell are you doing here creating a scandal, Olivia!" Rinig kong sigaw ni Carnel dito. 

"A scandal?! Everyone knows that I love you! It is known that the House of Briargiss and Donovan would soon tie the knot together! No lowborn woman is allowed to be near you!" Naramdaman ko ang talim ng tingin nito sa likuran ko habang madiin na binibitawan ang mga salitang yun. 

Napatingin ako sa suot ko. I am wearing a black cloak and a simple white dress at the level of my ankle. It was those type of dresses that young nuns wear in the temple. Wala itong kahit na ano mang kolorete o disenyo. Kung titingnan ay para lang itong simpleng night dress na abot pulsuhan ang sleeve. I wore it to avoid unnecessary attention lalo na't wala namang nakakaalam sa pagkikita namin ni Carnel.