Life is truly unpredictable, almost impossible to foresee, especially when it comes to understanding a person—their minds are difficult to read because they are ever-changing.
I was about to disembark from the ship when the Emperor stopped me. "You are leaving," he said, his voice low and his expression unreadable, unlike earlier. I stared at him for a moment, tila wala lamang sa kanya ang nangyari kanina sa aming dalawa, o sadyang wala lang talaga siyang naramdaman. I sighed softly. "I must," I replied, my voice steady and calm. I couldn’t stay any longer. The palace requires our presence—at least one of us should be there.
He didn’t say anything further. I glanced around, and my eyes met Gabriel's, who stood at a distance. "Who are they to you, Your Majesty?" I asked, curiosity sparking within me.
The Emperor followed my gaze in Gabriel's direction before turning back to face me. "An old friend," he replied, his eyes locking onto mine. I nodded slightly. A childhood friend, perhaps? I see.
"We'll be taking our leave now, Your Majesty. We shall await your return," I said as I bid him farewell and descended the rope ladder leading down to the boat. He simply watched us as our boat sailed away, his figure growing smaller in the distance.
It took us another three days before we finally arrived back at the palace. Upon our arrival, we were immediately greeted by Henry. "Welcome back, Your Majesty," he said, bowing respectfully. I gave him a curt nod, silently indicating for him to rise. "Did anything happen in my absence?" I inquired, my tone calm but authoritative as we made our way toward my chambers. My entourage followed closely behind.
"Consort Anastasia insisted on managing state affairs while you were away, Your Majesty," Henry informed me. I stopped in my tracks, my brows furrowing in displeasure. She did? The nerve of her! She has no authority to meddle in such matters.
"Continue," I commanded, resuming my stride. "I did not grant her permission, Your Majesty," he added. He should not have. It would have caused chaos if she had been allowed to proceed. "Was she aware of my absence?" I asked, stopping in front of my chamber doors.
"Yes, Your Majesty, but I told her you were visiting your family," he replied. I nodded approvingly. He had done well. Isa siya sa ayaw kong makaalam sa pagpunta ko sa Emperor dahil maaari niya akong gawan ng storya na ikakasama sa akin.
Pumasok na ako kasama si Sarah, naiwan naman sila Edward at Henry sa labas.
Dahil sa pagod nagpahatid na lamang ako ng makakain at pagkatapos agad din akong natulog dahil gabi na rin naman.
KINABUKASAN tanghali na akong nagising. Medyo nakabawi na rin ang katawan ko sa matinding pagod. Habang nakatanaw ako sa labas ng balkonahe, mayroon kumatok sa pintuan, lumingon ako roon. "Come inside," I commanded. Sarah entered cautiously, bowing deeply as she spoke, "Your Majesty, inimbitahan ka ng Consort Anastasia sa inihanda niyang luncheon," her voice was soft and respectful, yet there was something unsettling about it.
My brow furrowed slightly. Anastasia, inviting me? Really? How sweet, I thought sarcastically. I smirked, already suspecting she was up to something, "All right," I agreed smoothly. Let's see what she's planning.
We soon arrived at Anastasia's quarters, and there she was, surrounded by noble ladies seated around a long table filled with a variety of delicacies. They were gathered in one of the palace garden, where the large canopy of a tree provided shelter from the sun. The air was filled with the murmur of cheerful conversation, and yet, as I approached, none of them seemed to notice me—or perhaps, they were deliberately ignoring me.
YOU ARE READING
The Greatest Villainess (Completed)
Historical Fiction𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖎𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖊 𝕯𝖚𝖔𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖞 𝐈𝐈 Adil was a writer whose life came to a tragic end at the hands of one of her reader. She thought that was the final chapter of her existence, that her story had reached an irreversible conclusion. However, fa...
