The Most Hated Character

x

A simp prince?!

10

»» Daphne ««
»» Seravina ««
»» Cedric ««

The queen's forehead furrowed, didn't understand what he meant.

But like a bell that rang inside my head, I, on the other hand, gasped. My eyes widened, looking at him—at Ashe.

He didn't just say that, right?

Muli kong narinig sa isipan ko ang sinabi niya, kasabay ng pagbasa ko sa isang pangalan. Pangalan na hindi ko basta-bastang makalilimutan.

Is he . . .

"A-A prince?!" Sir Bastian couldn't believe it. "Y-Your Majesty . . . " He then worriedly looked at Queen Hera for an order.

The look on Queen Hera's face couldn't be painted by even the most talented artist on the kingdom. She's visibly upset and irritated, not hiding her expression one bit. Still, she swallowed her pride and forced a smile.

"W-Well, it seems like we're interrupting you two."

Namilog ang mga mata ng mga guwardiya, lalo na ang katabi ng reyna. 

"B-But your Majesty," giit ni Sir Bastian.

"What?" Queen Hera gave him a side eye that made him step back. "Do you want to arrest these two young ones who are just enjoying their youth?" mariin niyang dagdag.

She once again looked at us, now with a natural smile but a bitter look. "However, be mindful of your actions. It's not proper behavior for an unmarried man and woman to be seen in a dark hallway alone."

"Especially for a prince . . ." Her eyes went only to me. "And for a noble, who's associated with our crown prince."

Napalunok ako nang malalim. It felt like a threat from her. 

She smiled together with her eyes as she turned back. "Well then, have a wonderful night . . ." Her eyes slightly opened and glanced at me.

The guards followed her while giving us piercing looks, especially Sir Bastian.

It was only when we could no longer see them I managed to take a deep breath. I didn't notice that I wasn't breathing. Bumaba ang ulo ko.

That was close . . . I was almost--

"My Vina, are you alright?"

I felt a warm and gentle touch on my hand. My eyes went up on him. I was still greeted with his hidden face, yet so daring . . .

Tila natauhan ako at pinilit kong ngumiti. "Y-You didn't tell me you're a prince . . ."

Napaangat ang dalawang kilay niya sa sinabi ko, nabigla. "Oh." He chuckled. "I'm not."

Eh?

His chuckle turned into a laugh. I stared at him, comprehending what he said.

Ehh?

His hand on his chest, he slightly bowed. "I never meant to deceive you. Ever, my Vina. It's just that, it's the only excuse I can think of at the moment." His eyes closes every time he smiles.

"Then you're not a prince . . ." I stared at him as he smiles at me.

"You must have an idea of who I am now . . ." He took my hand to kiss the back of it. Despite the dark room, somehow it lightened when he showed me a smile. Even with a mask on, I could see his red face. "It's nice finally meeting you . . . Dear Seravina."

My eyes widened, heart skipped a beat. My feelings were too overwhelming, the questions that were in my mind faded one by one. 

How is he here? Is this possible? How can a reader be inside the novel?

"Are you-"

"Ate Sera!" A familiar voice echoed in the hallway.

Napaangat ang dalawang kilay ko at mabilis na napalingon sa direksyon niya, inaasahan na may mahalaga siyang sasabihin na isusunod. Face serious and with a sharp look, Wren rushed towards me, only for him to stop with a different expression when he saw who I'm with.

"W-What the-"

Ako na ang lumapit sa kaniya. "Wren! How's Daphne?" Bungad ko. 

Natauhan siya at napatingin sa 'kin. "O-Oh, a doctor is already checking on her. She's not critical because of her priestess powers but she's still bleeding . . . Cedric is with her."

Kaunting gumaan ang pakiramdam ko sa narinig, pero hindi nawala ang kaba ko. She must be hurting . . . my Daphne is hurting.

I bit my lower lip.

"Ate Sera . . . who's that?"

Wren's words caught my attention. I looked at the person he's looking at.

"O-Oh . . ."

"Is he?"

I nodded, knowing what he's about to say.

"Yes . . . he's the added character," I said. "And . . . I think we should let the others know who he really is."

He looked at me, confused.

"Huh?"

╭ ─┉─ • ─┉─ ╮

"YOU'RE WHAT?!" 

Both Aeryn and Wren's voices echoed in the room. Aeryn winced, while Wren took it too dramatically and looked like he was about to pass out. On the other hand, Kade who's sitting on a solo sofa was quiet. We're back to the space.

Ashe answered them with a laugh.

"W-What? How?! How is that possible?!" Napakagat si Aeryn sa ibabang labi niya. Hindi ako nakasagot sa tanong niyang hindi ko rin alam ang sagot. "A reader inside the novel?" she added.

"Tsk, Cedric and Daphne aren't here . . . I can't think of anything," she mumbled.

On the other hand, Wren kept walking back and forth. "H-He must be lying! That can't be!"

"He literally commented on a chapter, Wren," I said, slightly shy remembering what he said and knowing what he meant by now.

"Ate Sera! How is that possible?!" Tumalim ang tingin niya sa lalaking katabi ko. "Admit it! You did something to the author!" Kinuwelyuhan niya si Ashe na kaagad kong pinigilan.

Ashe, instead of calming him down, raises his hand and laughs. "Maybe I did." He added fuel to the fire.

"H-Hey!" Pagpigil ko kay Wren sa pag-amba lalo sa kaniya.

Ashe continued laughing. "Kidding. I swear, I don't know why I'm here too. I just woke up, and I'm here."

I looked at him sincerely and concerned. "Don't you remember anything?"

"Other than my routine, before coming here, nothing," he answered.

"Tsk, that's that. He still definitely has something to do with the error." Pagsali ni Aeryn. "We just need to-"

She stopped midway when the door opened. All of our attention went to the door, seeing familiar faces. My face immediately brightened when I saw them both. Just when we needed them . . .

"Daphne! Cedric!"

╭ ─┉─ • ─┉─ ╮

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