The Wicked Princess

Prologue

The bright lights almost blinded me. The anticipation of the people as they see me walking down the spiral staircase with full admiration formed a smile on my lips.

The beautiful Selene...

The ravishing Valdemar-Montebello...

No, she's a Romualdez' property now...

Ngumiti ako sa mga nagbibigay ng papuri. Napawi lang ito nang lumipat ang aking tingin sa isang lalaki. Napakapit ako sa laylayan ng pula kong gown nang magtama ang mga mata namin. Binalot agad ako ng kaba at sumulyap sa mababang neckline ng gown ko. I designed this and I made sure that I will be well covered. Kung kaya sadyang may takip na skin tone na stockings ang neckline. It is just an illusion that it is bare, but I am properly dressed. Balot pa rin ang mga braso ko at natatakpan ang mga binti.

"Selene, where's your mom?" Sinalubong ako ni Ninang Blair.

I kissed her on the cheek and she carefully pressed my arms. Hindi ako gumawa ng kahit anong reaksiyon, pero ininda ko ang sakit na gawa no'n. Natamaan niya ang aking preskong sugat na nakakubli lang sa mahabang manggas ng gown.

"Nasa Africa po sila ni Daddy. Mabuti po at nakarating kayo sa birthday ni Zeus." I smiled sweetly. I've managed this skill ever since I was a kid. I was taught how to be well-mannered by Abuela Amara because she used to hate my mother's guts. Good thing they were able to settle their differences before Abuela died. May she rest in peace.

"Of course, kaibigan siya ni Gaelan. At isa pa, gusto kitang makita. Simula nag-asawa ka, hindi ka na madalas dumalaw kay Brandy," Ninang said, mentioning one of my closest friends, Brandy, her daughter.

I just smiled. I am sure they won't like it if they see me with bruises or battle wounds.

An arm snaked on my waist just before I walked around again. Kinilabutan ako. The scent of the woods in his chest like near the forest reminded me of whom I belonged to.

To him. My husband.

Nakuha kong nainip na siya sa paglapit ko sa kanya. Kanina pa niya ako inutusang bumaba pero hindi ko iyon nagawa agad dahil naghanap pa ako ng gown na hindi makikita ang mga pasa ko na nakuha ko mula sa aming madalas na pagtatalo.

"Enjoying the party, tita?" he asked in a cold voice.

Ninang Blair smiled and greeted him, pero wala roon ang atensiyon ko. I was distracted with his warm palm on my bare back. He made circles with it and pinched my skin lightly. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin no'n, pero para sa akin, isa iyong parusa dahil hindi niya nagugustuhan ang nangyayari sa paligid niya.

Nabigla siya sa party, sorpresa ko sa kanya. Obviously, he didn't like it pero wala na siyang magawa. His friends brought him here and he was cornered. Hindi niya inakalang magkakaroon siya ng party the day before his birthday. But I made it possible. Naisip ko kasing hindi siya uuwi bukas para makasama ako; and I just wanted to make a change in our typical day where we usually argue, or he would be drunk, or I would shield myself from his anger.

Slowly, the people left. Natapos ang party around eleven in the evening. I was so tired but I have to face someone's wrath. Inantay ko ang huling supplier na lumabas ng aming mansiyon—this mansion that was gifted by my father, Alec Xerxes Montebello.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago ko inihakbang ang mga paa ko papalapit sa main door. Tinitigan ko pa muna ang kabuuan ng bahay namin bilang mag-asawa. Ang bilis ng mga pangyayari. Three months of getting married is still bizarre.

Pumasok ako sa loob ng mansiyon. I am expecting yells from him pero napahawak ako sa dibdib ko nang makita ko siya sa sofa, holding a glass of wine and flirting with one of the guests. Hindi ko alam kung sino siya. Marahil, isa sa mga babae ng kaibigan niya na nakuha niya ang atensiyon. Ngumisi sa akin ang babae na may panunuya habang hinahaplos niya ang dibdib ng asawa ko.