ANTHALIA IVVANOVICH: The Substitute Bride

Chapter 4

"By the power of the highest empery rank given by the Highness king Arthur of Sicily bestowing upon his son Ezekiel Titus Cuerido and his Wife Princess Equija Ivanovich of Roma the blessing of marriage ,legally and faithfully bonded in witness of two family's people and with the royal thrones I now declare you husband and wife. "

I sighed. Hindi na ako pwedeng umurong pa. I can't. I'm already here. My brother's free and probably in the Philippines with mom now, and it's good. Kaya Kong isakripisyo lahat sa kanila.

Yeah, even my own freedom.

Natigilan ako ng iniangat ng aking asawa ... Asawa.. Damn it.

Iniangat niya ang belo at tuluyan ko ng napagmasdan ang kanyang mukha. He looks like a Playboy , a heartthrob in a university campus who can make women cry in a blink. Prince Ezekiel.

Hindi ko malilimutan ang unang pagkakataon na makita ko siya sa traditional tournament na sinalihan ko para napalaya ang aking INA. He's more handsome in person. And he's  my ..husband now.

"Equija.." He said staring at me. His silver eyes , that's a very rare eye color ,it looks like it could see through my soul.

"I've waited so long to see you again."

No.

Its impossible.

This man is in love with Equija!

Hindi niya ako.. No ,hindi niya pinakasalan ang pinsan ko because of a family deal. I can see it to his eyes, there's a deep emotion in there!

This is harder than I thought
Masasaktan siya sa gagawin ko!
I don't have intention of staying by his side, I just need their family to bond with us. After Maurico receive their family seal as a symbol of partnership till death kahit na magkahiwalay man kami ni Ezekiel that's o part of tradition here, na ang mag asawa hindi man legally bonded , ang mga pamilya ay mananatiling konektado. And I planned to ruin this marriage para makatakas dito.
But heck! The innocent man who's not aware I'm Equija is in love with my cousin!

You don't have a choice

"You know well why this marriage happened right? Its platonic. Let's get over with ."

Nagulat siya, I saw pain and shock in his eyes, then before he could mutter a word ,I kiss him deep in the lips As a seal.

The people cheer , within the ceremony hall and even outside the castle.

Its now legal .

Erine

"What the hell Ezekiel Titus, just what the hell!"

Hindi ko maiwasang murahin siya. I found him in the armory with someone,they're making out!

"Fuck off slave! I'm pissed! Pack your things and leave!"

Biglang natakot at tumakbo palabas ang katulong damn it, she's pretty and with good body but damn ezekiel for scorching her!

"What?" He said. Napatayo siya mula sa silya na kinauupuan kanina .

"So this what I get to see after coming back from Philippines to see you? Wow. Just wow!"

He smiled nonchalantly.

"How's Baxter ?"

Tila nilalayo niya ang usapan.

"Fine. How's your wife?"

I saw unreadable emotions in his face, bago siyang muling nag seryoso

"Probably in garden. Ask her yourself."

Naglakad na siya paalis pero hinabol ko.

"Is it true your marriage failing?"

Nagtuloy lang siya sa paglalakad hanggang tuluyang nakalayo.

Its been a year, I thought.. He'll be the happiest man marrying his first love.

I went to see Equija. Sa garden nga ito naglalagi.

She's planting gold roses in pot, those are genetically modified roses maybe made by my cousin Eros.

"Equija." She turned to look at me.
"Erine! What a surprise! You're back!"

She's genuinely happy to see me. Naging malapit kami ng mga unang buwan pananatili niya bilang asawa ni Ezekiel.

"Masaya akong makita ka."

Matapos niya akong yakapin ay tinignan niya ako ng may pagtataka.
"What? I can't understand you Erine." She laugh.
Nakakalimutan Kong nasa Greece na pala ako at hindi sa pilipinas.
"Oh I'm sorry, I said I'm happy to see you."

She beamed. "Me too! How's Philippines? Tell me!"

She seems so excited , we went to the bench and sat there, kwinento ko ang mga kaganapan sabuhay ko mula ng umuwi sa pilipinas para sundan si Baxter.

"I'm happy for you and Baxter."

"How about you and my brother?"

Bigla siyang natigilan.
"You're not in good terms." It was a statement not a question. I clearly saw it with my two eyes.

"Erine I told you, this marriage in the first place is platonic, its a marriage by responsibility not binding enough."

I stared at her.
"Mahal ka niya. Mahal na mahal. Ang ideya na hindi mo siya mahal ay masakit sa kanya, na kahit ang banggitin lang ang pangalan mo ay may kirot na dumadaan sa mga mata niya na pilit tinatago.. Mahal ka parin niya kahit tinulak mo siya palayo at your first day together."

Equija stared at me emotionless as if digesting  what I said.

But I know she won't . She can not understand me.

"I'm sorry erine. I didn't get that."

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya

"You don't have to. I wish you and my brother health,and for your marriage to bloom. Like these beautiful flowers full of life Equija."