Nefeli: The Reincarnated Villainess

Kabanata Diecisiete

"You should visit the Dukedom if you have a spare time father," kuya Ciel told our father, giving him an idea— or somewhat an excuse to lure my father out of his den.

"Kuya Ciel is right father. Visit us sometimes," gatung ko naman.

"You two should guise your intention better," ani lang nito. Kaya natawa ako. Habang napakibit balikat lang ang kuya ko ngunit may mapaglarong ngisi sa labi.

"Si kuya Crius ba hindi sasabay sa amin?" Tanong ko.

"You didn't know?" Nagtatakang tanong pabalik ni kuya Ciel.

"What?"

"Brother's already gone down. The Emperor summon him. Probably because they did won the war. And I think bibigyan nang magarbong piging nito sila Crius," paliwanag ni kuya.

Napatango-tango naman ako.

"Father, we'll be going now. Baka abutan kami ng dilim sa daan," paalam pa nito sa aming ama.

Habang ako ay yumakap dito. Kinatalan naman ni ama ng magaang halik ang aking ulo bago ako nito hinayaang makawala sa mga bisig niya.

"Goodbye father. Take care of yourself always." I gave him another smile and finally enters the carriage with my brother's helping hand.

Kumaway pa akong muli kay ama at sa mga kasamahan nito sa Archduchy nang magsimulang umandar ang karwahe.

Napaayos din ako ng upo nang matabunan na ang imahe ng mga 'to ng mga makapal na hamog.

Dumaan ang hindi pa nangangalahating oras na katahimikan napansin ko ang seryosong mga tingin na ipinupukol sakin ng aking nakatatandang kapatid.

Nang pagtuonan ko ito nang pansin ay nag tama ang aming mga mata. His eyes held seriousness and seems like scanning my face.

"Is there something you want to say brother?" I asked.

It took him awhile before answering.

"I remember something.. this just came in my mind when I realized we're going back to Engklateya," he started.

"What is it?"  I inquired.

"I heard the news about  the princess of Caradine viscountcy was brutally killed.. I'm wondering if we go back now will they make you the subject of her murder case?"

The princess of  Caradine? I recalled in my mind. Who is— wait isn't that the princess I.. I beheaded?

So that news already went on my brother's domain. Is the investigation still ongoing? I wonder if they already found an evidence to find the culprit?

"Nefeli?"

I blinked when I heard my brother's voice.

"What made you think like that?" I questioned out.

"I don't know.. siguro dahil nagkaalitan na kayo noon. And they even tried to behead you too that time. So I.." he didn't finish his sentence and blow out a sigh, "forget I said that. I don't think you can do that," agad na bawi nito.

Hinayaan ko nang matapos ang usapan tungkol doon at nanatili nang tahimik buong byahe.

Pero sa loob ng mga oras nang byahe ay laman parin ng isipan ko ang tungkol sa prinsesa ng Caradine viscountcy. Even now, I don't feel the repentance for taking that princess head. Kung may dapat mang sisihin sa pagkamatay niya, iyon ay ang ama niya, si Edmundo Caradine. Nagkamali siya nang prinsesang gustong dispatyahin. At huwag siyang mag-alala dahil iisa-isahin ko sila.

Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ko na marami sa mga maharlikang taga Avalorn ang nais akong paslangin. Ang rason? Iyon ang hindi ko pa nalalaman. Pero hindi rin malabong dahil gusto nilang gantihan ang Duke ng Daikirim. And I find that reason ridiculous.