Duchess From Hell

43

Mariing napapikit si Anna habang nakatayo sa labas ng pinto ng opisina ng kanyang oldpa habang dinig na dinig ang lagabog sa loob.

She could feel how hurt her oldpa at the moment. The pain of a father losing her daughter who died in an inhumane way at that, she could feel his grieve.

After the assembly ended, his oldpa asked her about the Philips.

He's Nivian's father and he deserve to know the truth behind her daughter's death so she decided to tell his oldpa everything.

From the kidnapping to the extent of the Philips locking her memories of the event to bury their secret and slip away from authorities.

She did not let any information of the crime fall through cracks. She told him all the evil deeds of the Marquess and what have her mother experieced under the household like a detailed report.

The Philips' madness and mania was the root of everything.

"Will you be okay here?"

Iginaya ni Zealand si Anna paupo ng sofa ng makarating sila sa sala ng mansyon ng Delways.

Ayaw niyang iwan si Anna dito subalit naghihintay sa palasyo ang kanyang pinsang hari. Nagpaalam din si Anna na magpapaiwan muna upang makasama nito ang kanyang oldpa.

Hinawakan ni Anna ang kamay ni Zealand saka tumingala dito. He was standing in front of her while he's brushing her hair.

"Hmm. Oldpa needs me and his majesty awaits for your attendance in the palace."

Gusto niya munang nasa tabi siya ng kanyang oldpa. Duke Delways may not say it but he needs someone at this darkest point of his life.

Yumukod si Zealand at hinalikan ang kanyang labi bago nito pinatakan ng halik ang kanyang noo.

"Okay. Take care of yourself. I love you."

Napangiti si Anna dahil sa malambing nitong boses. Malayong-malayo sa malamig at walang buhay nitong boses at mukha kapag kaharap ang ibang tao.

She smiled and give him a peck on the lips.

"Ingat din. I love you."

"I'll leave Rosia to attend your needs."

Tumango si Anna at kumaway sa papalayong asawa na palingon-lingon sa kanyang pwesto. Ramdam niya ang pag-aalangan nitong iwan siya kaya mahabang paliwanagan at pagpapa-cute ang ginawa niya upang mapapayag itong pumunta ng palasyo.

Ayaw niya din namang mahiwalay kay Zealand pero may tungkulin itong kailangang gampanan, lalo na ngayon na nahaharap ang buong kaharian sa paparating na madugong labanan.

Qxiad might be a powerful kingdom and on par with the Empire but still, they are against the Emperor and kings under his faction, and they aren't in their high position for nothing.

"Nivia got her mother's face while she got my hair and eye color."

Pagkuwento ni Duke Delways habang nakatingin sa malaking larawan na nakasabit sa hallway ng kanilang mansyon.

"Mom indeed got oldma's face." Pagsang-ayon ni Anna habang nakatayo sa harap ng golden framed picture ng pamilyang Delways.

Nivia-Anna's mom-was like a carbon copy of the deceased wife of Duke Delways. They both look elegant, effortlessly graceful and breathtakingly beautiful.

Anna's oldma's hair and eyes were deep grey while Niviav's hair was black and gemstone green orbs like Duke Delways. Those green eyes were hypnotizing. She's undeniably beautiful.