The Villainess' Mischief (Fate's Transgression Series, #6)

TVM 01: Woodland

CHAPTER 1:
Woodland

PYRA VERONICA ELDRIDGE

"Hiyah!" In the woodland's emerald fields, I urged my steed forward, its hooves echoing through the tranquil embrace of the forest. Sumasabay sa bugso ng hininga ng kabayo ang aking dibdib na para bang pareho kami ng nararamdaman. Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa tali para hindi mahulog sa bilis ng pagtakbo at sa lakas ng bugso ng kabayo.

Napangisi ako ng mahagilap ng aking mga mata ang kapatid kong asungot. No matter how hard he tries, or how skillful he is in horseback riding, he'll never outsmart me. Pierre, my elder brother, galloped ahead with effortless grace, his silhouette melding seamlessly with the shadows of towering trees.

"Pierre! Wait up!" My voice, a blend of determination and playful rivalry, echoed through the verdant canopy. My fingers tightened around the reins as I urged my horse to match his swift stallion's speed.

Pierre's laughter danced in the air, a melody resonating with the camaraderie of our shared quest. Nang halos sabay na ang galaw ng mga kabayo namin, doon pa lang niya ako tiningnan. "You better practice more, little sister! Your speed might trouble us in catching today's agenda!"

Napaikot ang aking mga mata. "Keep your eyes peeled, because if I see our target first, I'll make sure that you'll do the dishes after supper," I remarked, confidence is evident in my voice.

Pierre released another chuckle. "Then let's see who kills it first," he retorted and ordered his horse to gallop fast, making a distance from me. His echoing laugh made me let out an annoyed curse.

As we navigated labyrinthine trails, old and new trees whispered secrets, their trunks standing as silent sentinels to a sacred competition woven through a sibling rivalry, a game forged in pursuit of the noblest prize: the deer.

The scent of moss and earth hung in the air, blending with the adrenaline of the hunt. This is not the first time that we hunt together, and just like other hunts, Pierre always wins. Siguro na rin dahil siya ang mas nakakatanda sa akin, at may matagal siyang panahon para mag ensayo sa pangangaso. In my case, I just sneaked out when father went to town to sell cattles.

Hindi ako pinapayagan mangaso dahil una, masyado pa akong bata. Pangalawa, isa akong babae at sa Kaharian ng Densia, hindi maaaring sumabak sa trabaho ng mga lalaki ang mga babae. It's not a gender inequality driven Kingdom, they just want the masculine to do the heavy task, and the feminine to work on light duties. Parang unfair pa rin, hindi ba? But whatever, Densia is a unified Kingdom, there is equal rights even in the commoner sector.

Back on the game, I am losing my brother again. Bukod rin kasi sa kabisado niya ang gubat, matagal na rin ginagawa ni Jack, ang kanyang kabayo, ang gawain na ito. My horse, Jack's son, Petro, is a novice, like me. Through shifting sunlight and shadow, my gaze remained fixed on the swift figure of my brother.

"Today, Pierre, I'll outsmart you," I murmured, a quiet vow to the woodland spirits bearing witness to our game. Gustong-gusto ko na talagang matalo ang ugok na ito, dahil kasi tuwing nananalo siya, lumalaki ang hangin sa utak niya.

The forest opened into a sunlit glade where beams of golden light bathed lush undergrowth. The elusive deer grazed, oblivious to the unfolding competition. Pierre, with practiced stealth, drew an arrow from his quiver.

"Patience, Pyra," he teased, his eyes reflecting the mischievous glint of a hunter relishing the dance with prey. Pierre was practically raised in the wild, because my father was the greatest hunter of Woodland. This part of the town's forest is my father's hunting ground, where we are free to explore and hunt.