Live as a Villainess

Chapter 52: The Ball

I could hear the strings playing even from inside the room, so I was sure that the party was now starting. 

"Binibining Ashina, masama po ba ang pakiramdam niyo?" Napatingin ako sa nag iisang babaeng kasama ko sa kwarto, at napailing ako. 

"I am fine, Lady Ophelia. Although I must say, I am not sure about how I feel now that I see you here." I wore neither a smile nor a frown as I said those words, and I saw Ophelia shifting on her seat. 

"Kahit ako rin po, binibini. I knew that I rejected the empress' offer at the tea party, ngunit bigla na lamang may dumating na liham sa pamamahay namin na galing mula sa palasyo." She wore a face of distraught as she stopped her story, at napatingin nalang sa baba. 

So, the empress was basically threatening her. No one can refuse a letter from the palace without valid reason, and for someone at Ophelia's status, mas malaki ang mawawala sa kanya at sa pamilya niya kung tumanggi siya. 

"Everything really is fair in love and war." Binulong ko sa sarili ko habang tinitignan ang sitwasyon namin ni Ophelia, at nakita ko siyang mapatingin sa akin. 

"May sinabi ka po ba, binibini?" Tanong niya sa akin at umiling ako. 

"Never mind me. Mukhang tinatawag na rin tayo." Napatingin ako sa pinto ng kwartong kinalalagyan namin, and there was already an attendant waiting for us. 

At ito akong hindi ko alam kung kinakabahan ako o hindi.

I wonder what face will Lionel make when he sees Ophelia.

Would he immediately fall in love and forget about me?

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako sa mga iniisiip ko at napahawak sa kwintas na ibinigay sa akin ni Alkaia. He gave it to me to control my disturbed mana, and I calmed down when I saw it was still in its pristine, white color. Kaya naman linakasan ko na yung loob ko.

"Please welcome, Lady Ashina Aelis Eusebia and Lady Ophelia Dimacius! As the two czarinas for our second prince!" 

Makakasabay na palakpakan ang narinig namin ni Ophelia at we stood high up the grand staircase to present ourselves as bridal candidates. At Lionel's birthday celebration, no less. Ni hindi nga ako makapaniwalang nandito na ako. 

I'm at the start of my past life's misery. 

Nang makababa kami ni Ophelia sa hagdan. A few people from below greeted us. There was small talk, bits of greeting here and there, hanggang sa may narinig na akong kakaiba. 

"Ang lakas naman ng loob niyang ngumiti dyan, when she's not even of high nobility. Bakit kaya naging czarina pa siya ng ikalawang prinsipe?" The woman who said that didn't even bother telling her words in a whisper, at lahat ng tao ay natahimik sa sinabi niya. 

Pati na rin si Ophelia. 

"May I ask what your name is, my lady?" Tanong ko doon sa nagsalita sa oras na basagin ko yung katahimikan, and I took a glass of wine from an attendant. 

"Huh--? I-- uh-- my name is Felicia. Felicia Montaine."

"Hm.." 

I let out a simple hum as she answered, at saka ako lumapit sa kanya. Maybe it's that mana inside me, or just an irritating feeling that I had, kaya ginagawa ko 'to. But will it be out of character?

After all, I am a villain. 

"Well then, Lady Montaine. I highly suggest that before running your mouth, you should get your facts straight. Lady Ophelia is a valuable summoner. A person that is sought even in other empires. At kung kulang pa 'yon sa'yo, then you should send a letter to the empress who chose her as a czarina."

Hindi ko alam kung takot ba yung nasa mukha nung Felicia, o hindi, but I was enjoying that look on her face. "I- I apologize, Lady Ashina." Naikunot ko yung noo ko sa sagot sa akin nung Felicia.

"And you're even apologizing to the wrong person. What a shame." All sorts of gasps filled the room as I spilled the wine on the lady's dress. 

"This is an absolute shame. For you and your family, Lady Montaine. Much like that red wine on your dress. I do hope you remember this moment the next time you mock someone of their standing." 

Tinago ng babaeng 'yon ang mukha niya, and she quietly excused herself from the party. At saka ako napatingin sa paligid ko, kung saan halos lahat ng tao sa party ay nakatingin na sa akin. 

"What are you looking at? Did I do something wrong?" I asked with a gentle smile on my face, at isa isa silang umiling o kaya naghanap ng iba pang pagkakaabalahan matapos ang nangyari. 

Nakihalubihilo muna ako sa ibang mga taong gusto makipag usap sa akin, at hindi katagalan ay lumabas na nga rin ang dahilan ng pagsasalo na 'to. 

"Prince Lionel Yevan Avelon!" Inanunsyo ng attendant, at napatingala ako sa haganan kung saan ko siya nakita. 

It's been a month. Well, almost a month since I last saw his face. No communications, walang paramdam na kahit ano. Was that normal? After what happened? Ano na ba talagang meron sa amin? 

All sorts of questions popped inside my head when I saw him. 

And I didn't know what kind of face was I wearing when my eyes suddenly met his, kaya naman napaiwas ako kaagad ng tingin. 

I minded my own business, at nakipag usap nalang ulit sa mga kasama ko. Kaso nagtaka ako nung bigla silang napatigil at tila pa nakatingin sa likod ko. 

Kaya naman na gano'n na rin yung nagawa ko. 

At nakita ko siya..

Ako na naman ang una niyang pinuntahan. Nilahad niya yung kamay niya sa harapan ko, and a waltz was played by the ensemble as if they already already expected this to happen.

"May I have this dance?"