Nefeli: The Reincarnated Villainess

Kabanata Veintitrés

Nefeli's Pov

"Lady-in-waiting?" I ask my brother. Nabingi yata ako sa sinabi nito. At hindi masyadong maproseso ng isip ko.

"The Empress sent a letter of recommendation for you to be her lady-in-waiting. You heard me loud and clear, Nefeli." Inulit pa nga ito ng Duke. Dahilan upang ako'y mapangiwi.

"Why so sudden? And why does she think I would like to be her companion?"

"I think she found out about your relationship with the third prince. And knowing that she aims to make her son the next Emperor— she must keep you to her side so the third prince could lose his chances to have our family as his support to the throne," paliwag ni kuya.

Doon ay nagsalubong ang kilay ko. Tumayo ako at inagaw sa aking nakatatandang kapatid ang sulat na may marka ng emperatris, at walang habas ko itong pinagpupunit.

Nakatanga sa akin si kuya gulat sa aking ginawa.

"What?" Asik ko. Umiling siya.

"I am surprised how pissed you are," turan nito.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at pinag-isang linya ang mga labi ko.

"Hindi ko nagugustuhan na pinapakialaman ng mga maharlikang 'yon ang pamilya natin. Maraming posibilidad ang pumapasok sa isipan ko na maaari nilang gawin na ikapapahamak niyo. Ang masaktan kayo nang dahil lang sa kapangyarihan ng trono sa emperyo ay hindi ko matatanggap. Nanggagalaiti ako sa inis," mahabang pahayag ko. Salubong ang mga kilay ko at nandidilim ang paningin na nakatitig sa pirapirasong papel sa carpered floor.

If only I could burn down the empire with my power— but I don't have it now. It would took me a lot of time to prepare before I could successfully overthrow the current Emperor.

And I just can't do that now. That would cause an uproar to all the people of Engklateya. And more blood of innocent people will shed with just a wrong move.

So I need to think twice in every decision and action I will make. I can't act recklessly like I always does. I need to change my way of thinking and the way I act to everything that comes to me.

After that day, not long enough, the day came when a carriage with the insignia of the empire came to our domain. The Empress's personal maid came out from it and demanded an audience with me.

Even a lowly maid have the guts to enter our domain and demand for a nobles presence without a proper introduction of herself and her agenda for coming here. They didn't even give us an information ahead of time for this woman's arrival.

And now here I am with this maid inside the drawing room. Coldly gazing at her while she's nonchalantly sipping on her cup of tea that prepared by my personal maid.

I forgot to order Marsha to put poison on it.

"The Empress sent me here to accompany you on your way to the palace," Merlinda put out.

"I am not informed that I have scheduled to go to the palace today," I told her. Eyeing every move she makes.

Pino at may tamang galaw na inilapag nito ang tasa sa kanyang harap. Saka niya ako tinignan.

Basang-basa ko sa mga mata nito ang tingin niya sa akin. Tingin niya ay madadala niya ako sa mga salitang bibitawan niya.

Iyon ba nakalap nilang impormasyon ukol sa katauhan ko? Gusto ko na lamang matawa sa mga taong ganito ang pag-iisip.

Minamaliit nila ang mga babae sa pamilya ng Daikirim. Ganito rin ang ginawa nila noon sa ina ni Anteros. Dahil mababa ang loob ay napagpasyahan na lamang ng aming ama na itago ito sa lugar na hindi siya mapeperwisyo ng emperatris. At ngayon ako naman ang pinepiste nila.