Behind The Books

CHAPTER 3

chapter 3: banquet

I cough and raise my eyebrows at him para hindi matanggal ang angas ko "I went shopping." Sagot ko nang walang takot.

"Without any maids and guards with you?" Sagot niya naman nang nakakunot noo. "You didn't even bother telling your maid Aiah that you'll leave the palace. Is that a proper action for a princess?" Dagdag pa niya gamit ang mababa at malamig na boses.

"I can handle myself, I'm not weak, your grace." I said firmly after walking past him, preventing myself from rolling my eyes.

"Carina." Matigas na sambit nito. I was stunned from what he just called me.

'carina? What's with the nickname, and what does that even mean?'

"I'm sorry ok? I won't do it again" naasar na sagot ko at nagpatuloy nang maglakad. 'ano pa ba'ng gusto niya'ng marinig? Tss'

Nang nakarating ako sa kwarto ko ay agad akong sinalubong ni Aiah. "Lady Cassandra, here's the newspapers that you asked me to take." Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay na siya'ng nagpaiwas ng kaniyang tingin.

"Just put it at the table, I'm too tired to even bother reading it right now." Sagot ko. Agad iyong nagpaalam at lumabas na ng kwarto para makapagpahinga ako.

'about the banquet, do I need to ask Arius to be my partner?.. of course he will decline.'

Nahiga nalamang ako sa kama at umidlip. After some time I finally woked up and decided to read the newspapers.

Sa halos isang oras kong pagbabasa, isa lamang ang aking napansin.. there are cases that nobles and ducches/duke, princess/prince and even earl/countessthat have been killed.

To be specific there's this killer that targeted royalties.. paano ako nakasigurong iisa lamang ang pumapatay?

Well.. I'm not 100% sure but there's this thing na lahat ng mga namatay na royalties ay pinagmukhang suicide, and clearly wala namang rason para magpakamatay sila, kung maaari nga'ng may ilan sakanilang nagpakamatay talaga, hindi naman katanggap-tanggap na ganoon karami'ng royalties ang totoong kumitil sa sarili nilang buhay...

Saglit ko'ng tinitigan ang ang ilang sa mga diyaryo.. 'there's only one way to be sure that this is not all about suicide..'

'I need to wait till they kill the next royalty.'

Sana ngalang ay hindi ako ang susunod na malalagutan ng hininga.. Napapikit ako nang kumirot ang aking ulo, I'm stressing myself out.

Napalingon ako sa pinto nang bumukas ito. "Lady, The Grand Duke wants to see you." Mahinhing sambit ni Aiah.

Wala sa sarili akong napabuntong hininga at tumayo na. Naglakad ako papunta sa opisina ni Arius at muli nanaman akong dinalaw ng kaba tulad nang unang beses akong pumasok rito.

"What do you need?" Walang prenong ani'ko. He raised a brows at me after what I just said. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako.

"Aren't you going to invite me to accompany you to the banquet, like you used to do?" I was stunned. Saglit akong napa-ubo bago magsalita.

"Did I really do that before?" Medyo inosenteng tanong ko. Mas lalong lamang siyang tumitig saakin.

'if I think of it.. I really need to get close to him after all..'

"Of course. I was about to invite you, but I think perhaps you're busy?" I have the coldness in my voice.

"Was about to.. really, carina?" I rolled my eyes at him. Napalunok ako bigla nang dumilim ang titig nito saakin. "Those pretty evil eyes of yours.." saglit pa siyang pumikit matapos sabihin 'yon at sumandal sa kanyang upuan.

"What's with my eyes?" I irritatedly spoke.

He sighed. "Stop rolling your eyes at me." Matiim niyang sagot "By the way, you need to rest. I'll accompany you on that banquet"

Tumayo na ako at lumabas ng opisina niya. As of now, hindi ko alam kung siya ba talaga 'yung papatay saakin. Muntik ko nadin makalimutan, malapit na'ng dumating si Unice. The main character of this story...

Night finally came, kaya naman I started preparing for the banquet. I wore the dress I bought and paired it with white heels and blue necklace. Inayusan din ako ni Aiah ng buhok, she fixed it into bun it's almost identical to a messy bun but it looks more elegant.

I came out of the palace after some time. Medyo napabagal pa ang paglalakad ko nang makitan naghihintay roon si Arius. "Akala ko ba ay nauna na Siya?" Bulong ko.

He coughs after looking at me. Tumaas ang kilay ko dahil doon, he avoided my gaze before walking to the carriage.

I rolled my eyes bago siya sundan. Tahimik ang byahe namin. Magkaharap kami habang nakaupo sa magkabilang upuan ng karwahe.

Pagkarating ay nauna itong bumaba. I also went out of the carriage, then looking at the large castle in front of us. Natigilan lang ako sa paglilibot ng aking paningin nang maglakad ito ng braso.

"Let's go" it was not a question, it's a demand. He looked at me then to his arm. I easily understand his gesture. Ipinulipot ko ang aking kamay sa braso niya bago kami maglakad.

Bumungad saamin ang malawak na bulwagan, I can here the voices of people elegantly talking to each other, the sound of plates, utensils, mixed with a classical music playing..

Hindi pa kami tuluyang nakakalakad patungong aming upuan ay may' sumalubong na saamin.

"Nice to see you, your grace. I supposed it's been years since you last go to a banquet?" I looked at the guy with a baritone voice. Some of his hair is white, yet he still looks young.

'been years? So Ngayon nanaman ulit Siya pumunta sa ganitong event, how unusual..'

Medyo lumayo ako sa tabi niya upang mas makapag-usap sila. I looked around, and my eyes landed to some of the girls whispering and giggling while looking at me. I supposed pangit din ang image ni Cassandra tulad ko?

Napabuntong hininga ako bago maglakad, as I was walking I was stunned.. my eyes are fixed to the guy who's wearing a dark blue coat. His hair was white with a little highlight of blue. Hindi napigilang gumalaw ng dila ko nang lumingon ito saakin, at unti-unting naglakad patungo rito, iniwan niya ang mga lalaking kausap niya kanina.

"You have meet another character. Prince Christopher Darius Arkin Schaeffer, from the Kingdom of Nirvana, the kingdom who holds the best medicines and researches. He was known for his kindness and talent. He laso shines in everything, playing instruments, dancing, sports, and even horse riding. Isa Siya sa mga magiging manliligaw ni Unice.

"You're?.." Tanong nito sa akin. Banayad ang boses nito ngunit hindi mapagkakatiwalaan.

"Princess Cassandra, from the kingdom of Vernail." Sagot ko nang walang emosyon, sangayon ay Hindi ko dapat siya nilalapitan.

He smiled, looking amused. "You're grand duke Arius's fiance. The famous Cassandra." Nakangiting ani nito.
"I'm prince Christopher Darius Arkin Schaeffer, I'm the son of the duke of this kingdom."

"It's nice meeting you" I replied without smiling. He chuckled.

"Cassandra." Natigilan ako nang marinig ang mababang boses na iyon. I looked at the person behind me feeling at ease. Tumingin siya sa taong katabi ko dahilan ng pagkunot ng kaniyang noo. "You shouldn't left my side without informing me." Madiin ang pagkakasabi nito saakin.

"Your grace" salubong sakanya ni prince Christopher. Malamig niya lang itong tinignan bago muling bumaling saakin.

Arius approached me before holding my hand. He came close then whispered "Let's go home"