Dahil sa sinabi ni Duke Lorkan ay nagsimula na maghanda ang palasyo ng Kahoma dahil sa nalalapit na pagdating ni Princess Beatrice. Sa katunayan ay sobrang abala ng lahat dahil hindi rin basta-basta ang paghahanda namin para sa kanya.
Isang prinsesa ang bisita namin, magiging kahiya-hiya ang Kahoma sa buong Volterione kung hindi magiging kaaya-aya ang dadatnan ni Princess Beatrice pagdating dito.
At dahil sa wala naman ako masyadong mabibigat na gawain ay nagbulontaryo na akong mangasiwa sa pag-aayos ng buong palasyo.
It was a tiring task but worth it nang mahabol namin na maitapos bago matapos ang huling araw. Everything was already set from the room that Princess Beatrice will have. I decided it would be best if she would just stay at the same side of the castle as me.
The dukedom of Kahoma has interconnected three castles: Jade, Amethyst, and Obsidian. Duke Lorkan lives in the biggest and centre caste; the obsidian. Meanwhile I was given to have the east wing, which was the second largest and the nearest castle to Obsidian, the Amethyst Castle.
"Just a piece of advice, my lady, you're to accommodate a princess from Hounshire. I don't think sharing the same castle as her is alright."
Nagulat nalang ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Gregory mula sa likuran ko. Agad naman ako na paharap upang tignan siya ngunit agad ko rin itong pinagsisihan dahil muntikan pa nga maglapat ang mga labi naming dalawa.
"Goodness, Gregory! What are you doing here?" Agad kong tanong sa kanya matapos dumistansya ng bahagya.
Nakakaba naman kasi na bigla na lamang sumulpot ang isang ito ng di ko man lang namamalayan.
"I was called by my cousin to help with the preparation for Princess Beatrice's arrival. It was a very short notice but knowing I would have to see you was all worth it." Ang bigla naman niyang hirit.
I simply rolled my eyes. "You're seriously still trying to hit on me despite knowing I am already betrothed to your cousin."
"You're just betrothed, you two were not yet married," agad niyang sagot at mas laking gulat ko nang mabilis naman nilapit ni Gregory sa kanang tenga ko ang kanyang mga labi para ibulong ang karugtong ng kanyang sinabi, "which means, still have the chance to take you away and wed you off to the vale. Just say it's fine and I'm ready to use my men to kill every guards that would block our way."
And since I found his statement to be absurd, napilitan akong itulak siya bahagya papalyo sa akin. "You're talking nonsense." I tried to tone down my voice, baka kasi may makarinig sa amin at kung ano pa ang isipin nila.
Pero sa hindi ko inaasahan na pangyayari ay may iba palang makakakita sa amin. And I wish he wouldn't have seen that at all.
"You're already here, cousin. Why didn't you come and meet me first?" Duke Lorkan appeared from the entrance and startled me.
Pinagpapasalamat ko na lamang na malayo na distansya ko kay Gregory nang lumapit na sa amin si Duke Lorkan. Pero sa kabila nito, may pag-aalala pa rin sa akin na baka nakita nga niya ang naganap kanina.
Wala naman talaga malisya kung titignan kami kanina subalit ang mga sinabi ni Gregory ay lantarang pagtataksil kay Duke Lorkan dahil sinusubukan nga ako sulutin ni Gregory mula sa pinsan niya.
Gregory played chill as he turned towards Duke Lorkan and answered him, "forgive me, your grace. I was on the way when I came across some helpers having a hard time pulling in some large cargos. I decided to use my arms to aid them, not knowing I would eventually meet Lady Giezelle along the way." Gregory emphasized his muscular arms, making sure he flaunted it to Duke Lorkan.
Samantala, si Duke Lorkan naman ay nanataling walang paki sa pinagmamayabang ni Gregory na kanyang muscles. Honestly speaking, hindi naman kailangan maintimidate ni Duke Lorkan, he has much muscular frame than of Gregory.
Gregory was just too proud of his own muscles.
From what I know, the house of Sallamanca's were naturally robust. Aside from their distinctive golden eyes, being on one of the oldest houses across Volterione, who came from progenitors that were the last descendants of powerful lycans, the Sallamanca's were of no doubt to become easy valors during wars.
Hindi na nga nakapagtataka na naipanalo ni Duke Lorkan ang rebelyon niya kay King Richard. It was also the main reason why King Richard wanted to keep Lorkan from becoming his enemy.
Unfortunately, King Richard became an enemy for the formidable warrior duke after the king chose to use violence against the family of the Duke's betrothed.
"Well, I don't think your presence is necessary here." Duke Lorkan immediately said, at bigla nalang ako nagulat nang hilain ako papalapit ni Duke Lorkan sa tabi niya at ikulong ang baiwang ko sa kanyang kanang braso.
For some reason, I could really feel Duke Lorkan's possessive instinct sa sobrang higpit ng pagkakaakap niya sa akin.
Even the tone of his voice deepened particularly when he told Gregory, "My dear betrothed here is too busy and doesn't wish to be interrupted, isn't that right, my lady?"
Duke Lorkan instantly looked at me, his face was cleared from the dark and eerie vibe I sensed around him. Para bang bigla umaliwalas ang mukha niya nang natingin siya sa akin.
And as he waited for my answer, I could also notice how Gregory was trying to hold his temper. It was odd how he was smiling but his two fists were clenched while hidden beneath his crossed arms.
Papano ko pa nga ba ako gagalaw sa sitwasyon na ito? Bigla naman akong inipit ng dalawang kalalakihang ito. I knew that I don't respond, Duke Lorkan would definitely become suspicious over me. Like what if this was just his test on me?
Hindi ko rin naman masagot siya ng direkta dahil alam ko in a way ay masasaktan si Gregory. And for sure, Gregory was expecting me to counter Duke Lorkan for him.
To be honest, I am caught in a situation na ang hirap pala solusyonan. But in the end, I knew I have to make a choice since hindi ko naman sila pwede paghintayin ng matagal.
"Uh, I still have some errands to run, so I'll see you both around." Ang palusot ko na lamang, matapos ay bigla ako kumalas sa pagkakahawak sa akin ni Duke Lorkan, at tiyaka na ako kumaripas ng lakad papalyo without looking back to the two of them.
Di ko namalayan na sobra na palang namumula din ang mukha ko sa nangyari. But in a way, I found myself relieved na nakalusot nanaman ako.
Although I shouldn't be feeling fully at ease, because the mere thought that Gregory was around only means that a scenario like this would soon come around again. And I would need to be prepared for it.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
~> sorry if medyo late ang update tonight, may trangkaso ang inyong author. but anyways, kinakaya naman. I hope you all like this chapter.
HETO NA ANG SELOSAAAAN!!!!! >..<
haha...
xoxo
BINABASA MO ANG
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