Revolt of the Villainess: Disenchantment (wlw)

Chapter 3: The Villain and the Pawn

Tam's Note: forced proximity uwu, *sips tea*

--

Holy crud! Why did I just figure this out? The most important piece of this novel that has yet to come. Sa pagkaka-alam ko ay walang ka-ide-ideya si Wisteria sa sikreto ng kanyang kapatid. She only found out before the masquerade ball happened when there were intels from the neighboring Kingdoms who grew their suspicions at Maximilien and ambushed the party. Who were they again?! Shit, I need to stay vigilant.

Hindi ko hahayaan iyon, as early as possible, I need to take advantage of the opening scenes.

"Wisteria? What are you doing here?"

I turned around and saw Max who instantly locked the door. I remembered how he forbids me not to enter his personal study, yet here I am evading his privacy. Geez, why didn't Vaeda tell me how it actually feels good?

Maximilian, a King, and my brother. Kung gaano ka-amo ng mukha niya ay ang kabaliktaran naman kung ano ang totoo niyang ugali. Maybe we really are related after all. Our facade begs to differ where our personality lies within wickedness.

Hindi na ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa at sinalubong siya ng aking napakatamis na ngiti. That's where he sensed danger.

"Where are you hiding Aurelia?" I asked sweetly.

As if I dropped a bomb in his system. He could feel the familiar heat creeping up his neck, a sure sign of the anger simmering. Ramdam ko ang pag-igting ng kanyang panga at ang pag-yukom ng kamao. His breathing tensed.

"Hold on, I didn't mean to cause offense, brother. Alpheus did mention how his sister personally wants to meet me! Such a shame. Someones a bit greedy."

He composed himself first before playing it casually. "Aurelia is at Magnolia, Wisteria. What are you talking about?"

I grunted. Fury surged through me. The nerve! How dare he try to play tricks on me. I bit the insides of my cheeks before I could scratch his selfish face.

"Is she?"

He sighed. "If you're bored enough to accuse me, just drop it. May mahalaga pa akong bagay na kailangang gawin. The Magical Council and Royal Guards arranged a schedule for me to attend their meeting. If you don't mind, I'll be going."

I gritted my teeth. "Of course, you might want to tighten the security before the princes would find out."

He pretended not to hear me and walked towards the door, but I couldn't bear it much longer.

"Don't you dare play innocent with me, brother!" I lashed out, my voice echoing off the stone walls.

He finally met my gaze. Mahina siyang naglakad patungo sa direksyon ko. His eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, glinting with a darkness I didn't recognize. I fear one day how I'd look at somebody like that, our crimson eyes battling.

A horrible realization struck on me. There's only one reason why would he mess up with the gem of Magnolia.

"You love her, don't you?"

Max's smile widened, full of evilness. There it is. Finally, he's showing it. "Love? A bothersome emotion, only for fools. This is about control, Wisteria. And with Aurelia by my side, the kingdom will be mine for the taking."

Liar.

He scoffed at my silence with a cruel twist of his lips. "This is about power. And you, my dear sister, are simply a pawn in the game."

For fuck's sake. He's gone mad!

"A pawn? You jeopardized not just Aurelia, but an alliance with a neighboring kingdom for some... 'game'?!"