The Duke's Obsession

Chapter 29

"Felix! You're home!"

Inayos ko ang aking buhok at pinagapang ang kamay sa suot na damit at palihim na inayos. Nagpalit-palit ang tingin ko kay Felix at sa balisang si Ida na kagat-kagat ang daliri. Napasapo ito sa ulo at nakahinga ng malalim nang makita niya kaming dalawa ni Alaric.

Lumingon ako kay Alaric, nakalayo na ito mula sa akin at nakatayo malayo sa hapag.

"What's with the face? Aren't you happy to see your brother?" salubong ni Felix sa akin with his arms wide open.

I smiled hesitantly and wrapped my hands around him. "Of course not. I-I just didn't expect you to be home quite early."

"What do you mean early? Your birthday is in two weeks. We have so much to prepare for. It's your coming of age, Victoria." He patted my back.  "Everything needs to be perfect. And for sure, plenty of gentlemen will now have an eye for you."

A chuckle erupted on my lips. "You exaggerate."

I heard a pair of boots clashing on my back.

"I-I'm just an ordinary girl."

Felix grinned. "That's what you thought. There's a lot of talk about you in the capital. Marami na ang nagpapakita ng interes sayo." Inakbayan niya ako. "But don't worry, ako muna ang haharapin nila bago sila makalapit sayo. I'll pick the best one fo-- what the fuck?!"

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Felix sa soup na natapon sa lamesa at nabuhos sa kaniyang likod. The back of his coat was now wet down to his pants. Agad akong lumayo kay Felix para hindi madamay.

"Oh my God! Lord Felix! Let me help you." Ida rushed towards Felix and removed his coat.

Kinagat ko ang aking labi at tumingin kay Alaric. He simply put back up the upside-down bowl. The expression on his face was blank.

"I'm sorry, I wanted to rearrange the dishes, and my hand slipped, Sir."

Felix glared towards Alaric.  "Sir? Really?" His tone sarcastic.

Sabay kaming nagkatinginan ni Ida. Oh no. One thing about Felix, he doesn't like it when someone doesn't know about how great he is. He is prideful, this guy.

Kinuha niya mula kay Ida ang coat. Nanliliit ang mga matang he examined it. "I just bought this."

Pinagpag ni Felix ang hawak na coat at muling tumingin kay Alaric. "Do tell, you don't know who is standing in front of you?"

"No, Sir. Do I have to?" Alaric cocked his head, as though taunting, pinasadahan niya ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa si Felix.

I inhaled sharply. This liar! Of course he knew who Felix was! Nababanggit ko sa kaniya ang mga kapatid ko. Tumikhim ako at pumagitna sa kanila. "You see, Felix, he's new he--"

"Shh, step aside, Victoria," putol niya.

"But--"

"Now."

"Okay, sorry," maliit ang boses kong sabi at tumabi kay Ida na agad kinuha ang braso ko. Felix could be scary when he wanted to.

"You look familiar. Have we met before?" Felix said and inspected Alaric from head to toe, just like Alaric did. And when his eyes landed on the bruises on his face, he grimaced.

My heartbeat began to beat loudly. Does he know? Ida said Felix was the one who brought him here.

"Like Lady Victoria said, I'm new, Sir." He emphasized the last word and looked straight into Felix's eyes.

Muling nanliit ang mata ni Felix. God Alaric! Hindi pa ba sapat ang nangyari sa kaniya kaninang umaga? He is really looking for trouble!

"And who employed you? We already have enough servants. You may leave now if you did not do your task to know who your lords are." He gave Alaric a taunting smile back.