The Queen Is Bewitched Again (MATURE)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Y-You...” I pursed my lips. I cannot help but to blink a few times after seeing this man.

What is he doing here?

I scoffed, leaving a sarcastic smile in my face.

Of course, he would everywhere where I am. No, it is actually the other way around. After all, I was cursed to not leave him by my side. I cannot escape this fate at all. I can never escape him.

My eyes stared at his, drawn only to his brown eyes.

It is brown this time, huh? His face and physique is still the same as ever but his eyes are different. Any color totally fits him.

His eyes remained glaring at me. Sumingkit ang mga mata ko nang gumalaw ang kanyang panga. I went serious when I realized what he is about to do. Marahas kong isinuksok ang aking mga daliri sa kanyang bibig at kinapa ang kapsula mula rito. I removed it from his mouth. My other hand went to hold his jaw. “Killing yourself, huh? Unfortunately, I am faster than you.” Malamig ko siyang tinignan. I can still feel his warm saliva from my fingers. Kumuyom ang aking mga kamao.

He was attempting to kill himself by eating that capsule that can kill anyone in just a blink of an eye. Just how loyal of a dog is he?

“Your Majesty!” The door opened. Tumambad si Nivaea at namilog ang kanyang mga mata nang makita ang aking sitwasyon. Her gaze went to him then to me. She grabbed my bathrobe and hurriedly went and wore it to my naked body. She sighed, looking at him. “Assassin? Were you hurt, Your Majesty?”

“Hurt? Who do you think you are talking to?” I gave her a glare. She pursed her lips and gritted her teeth. She went to him and checked him, unarmed him.

“I will take him to the prison, Your Majesty.” Hinawakan niya ang posas nito at itinayo. I did not leave the magic I casted on him to restrain him.

“No.” She furrowed her brows of my retort.

“Pardon?”

“The dungeon.” I slightly nodded. “Take him there.”

“Why the dungeon, Your Majesty? That is---”

“No more questions. Just take him there.” I cut her off.

“I understand, Your Majesty.” She bowed before leaving with him. Saka ako nakahinga ng maluwag. I realized my breathing was a little uneven and I was a bit shaking. I bit my lip. I threw myself in the mattress.

I am screwed again. Hindi ba maaaring pagbigyan ako ng diyosa kahit sa buhay ko lang naman na ito?

“What am I going to do with him?” In this life, he is one of the people of the enemy kingdom. Moreover, he is within the snake guild who were ordered to kill me.

Should I avoid him? Kill him? Return him back to his kingdom?

Napamulat ako.

But then, why would I do that? The gods and goddesses must have given this to me a chance, a chance to reverse a situation I have ever wanted from my past lives. Even up to now.

I smirked of the thought that crossed my devilish mind.

Ayokong aminin ngunit sa mga nakaraan kong buhay ay ako lamang ang umiibig sa kanya. In this life, I am now a queen and a ruler of this kingdom. It is not a queen’s duty to chase a man. Also, now thinking about it, my pride hurts very much of the things I did just to make him love me back in my past lives.

I do not want to think about it anymore but I cannot help but to grit my teeth as it unconsciously crossed my mind. Kumuyom ang aking mga kamao.

Now that I found a way to regain my pride of the things I did from my past lives, I will make sure that I will not chase him. I will not love him again. Definitely.

Knocks from the door, it was Nivaea. She has a frown plastered in her face.

“Your Majesty.” Inilapag niya sa lamesa ang isang baso. “I brought you refreshment. You must have been stressed because of what happened a while ago.”

“No doubt.” I got up from the mattress. Kinuha ko ang malamig na katas na kanyang tinimpla at uminom roon.

That is it. My head is cooling down after what happened earlier. No doubt my mind was boiling in heat because of the thoughts that has been stressing me. And it is all because of him. That damn man.

“Dodoblehin ko ang seguridad ng palasyo.” So she said. Sumisimsim lang ako sa baso.

“Nevermind that, how did he even get in here?”

“I am sure we found all the rats. That assassin might be powerful enough to escape from the security or he may have gotten help from someone powerful.” I tapped my fingers on the mattress as I put my leg on top of the other.

“Troublesome.” I licked my lips. “This tastes weird.”

“But iced lemon is what you usually drink, Your Majesty. Are you sure you’re okay?” Pinantayan niya ang aking mga mata. “That assassin might have done something to you.” Kumunot ang kanyang noo.

“That is not possible. He barely scratched me.” I retorted as I remember the fight between me and him.

I felt a lump in my throat. I can barely taste what I like to drink because of him. I knew it. I expected to have a hard time moving on from him but just a sight of him is even hard for me. Pitiful.

“Right. That assassin...” She trailed off. “...how will we deal with him?”

“I will take care of him myself.” She nodded.

Kinabukasan nang ilang mga minuto akong magising ay nasa harapan ko ulit si Nivaea upang maghayag ng kanyang ulat.

“Your Majesty, it seems that he is different from the other spies and assassins. Totally a high-ranking one.”

“I know.” I crossed my arms. Dumekwatro ako. She gave me an eyeful.

“You should’ve had informed me, Your Majesty.” I can hear her silent sigh.

“Make sure to let him cough some information. Do not give him any food.” Ngisi ko.

Let me see if that man lasts.

“If he did, Your Majesty?” She tilted her head.

“Inform me first. Also, find me every little inch of information regarding him.”

“Understood.” Tango niya.

“And gave me a load of work.” I demanded.

“Yes?” Aniya na parang gulat na gulat sa aking sinabi. It is not that surprising. Well, it may not for her. I seldomly do my work sometimes and she always does it for me. It might be strange for her but I am just finding a way to waste my time to get him off my mind.

“Did you not hear me?” Her lips formed a straight line. Tumango-tango siya.

“Strange...” I heard her mutter before leaving my chamber. I heaved a sigh and wore glasses when a pile of work came into my office.

Nivaea came back everyday with her report. I expected that he will not give up but I am still pissed off.

Thinking about it, be it in the past lives, he is still persistent not to like me back then. That pisses me off.

“He still did not cough up words?” Pinigilan kong huwag mairita ngunit kusang lumabas iyon sa aking tono. She pretended not to notice.

“Unfortunately, Your Majesty.”

“What a tough one.” I licked my lips. I pursed them and continued on my work.

“Your Majesty.” Tawag niya sa akin. “Duke Rogan is here again.” She hesitatingly reported. Hindi muna ako kumibo. I turned to her.

“Turn him away.” Mababang ani ko.

“You know very well that he is persistent. He will not leave until he sees you.”

“Ignore him. Just ignore him.” I blinked and take off my glasses. Hinilot ko ang aking sentido.  “How come he is able to freely come and go here, anyway? This is my palace.”

“Duke Rogan is an official, Your Majesty. Of course, he can.” Buntong-hininga niya. I gave her a glare.

“Why not just fire him?” Tumaas ang aking kilay.

“Duke Rogan is competent despite how he looks. And it will take a long time before we find a replacement for him. I plead you not to get angry with him and not get swayed by your emotions.” She said with pleading eyes. I sighed.

“Go.” I gestured and turned her away.

There will be a meeting with the Council today. Another tiring meeting.

Nang makalabas ako ay ang bumungad sa akin ang isang pulang rosas. My brows creased because of it.

Here it goes again.

“Just like how gloomy the weather is, myself feels the same as it is hard to see you. Good day, queen.” The man in my way handed the rose with a melancholic look in his face.

He is duke Rogan, a persistent man who wants my attention. His theatrical acting is good but I am not a fan of it. Isa pa, hindi rin siya nagtatanghal sa mga teatro. He has good looks and his fashion depicts him as a sexy noble but he is an eyesore in my eyes. He has been following me for months, getting my attention, but I cannot seem to be attracted to him at all.

“You are still dumb as ever. There is no good at a day like this.” Ani ko. Saktong kumulimlim ang panahon at kumidlat. His smile froze.

Well, I admit he really is good-looking. Ladies would easily fall for his nice features. Silver hair, green eyes, and reddish lips, and a good physique. Add that glib tongue that sways the ladies. Not to mention, men also chases after him. Wherever he goes, his charisma just does not fade and easily attracts people’s attention.

“I get it. I get it, queen. You must have been mad since I didn’t visit you for a couple of days. Don’t worry, I am now here.” His voice quivered a bit in embarrassment, covering his mistake a while ago regarding the weather. Ginalaw niya ang kanyang mahabang buhok at ipinakita ang ngiting labas ang ngipin.

He really has the thickness of face to act normal and say that.

“You have seen me now. Stop getting in my way.” Tinagilid ko ang aking ulo at ginamit ko ang hangin upang ilayo siya mula sa akin. He was pushed by the wind apart from me.

“Queen!” Hindi ko na pinansin ang kanyang sigaw nang palayo na siya nang palayo sa akin. I shove him away to the meeting room since he is also a part of the Council.

Thankfully, he becomes serious when it comes to serious meetings and conversations so I have nothing to worry about.

I caught their attention when I opened the door. They bowed and waited for me to sit before they did. We talked about the status of the enemy kingdom and some concerning ours. Along as proposals to relieve the East from the heavy drought.

“Last night, Your Majesty, we heard that there was an intruder in your chambers. Were you hurt?” One opened a conversation.

“Do not concern yourselves. I was not hurt.”

“That’s a relief. If anything were to happen to you---”

“What?” I raised my brow.

If anything were to happen to me, what?

The side of my lips sarcastically curved.

“N-Nothing, Your Majesty.” Utal nito. Isa-isa ko silang tinignan at umiwas sila ng tingin, puwera kay Rogan. Hindi ko siya pinansin.

“The meeting is dismissed.” I slightly slammed the table as I stood up and get away from the room. As I walked down the hallway, I stopped when I passed the passageway through the dungeon. My lips parted.

“Your Majesty.” Two knights are guarding the entrance of the dungeon. They halted when they saw me and bowed.

“I will go inside. Do not let anyone go in other than me, unless with my permission.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” They nodded.

“Good.” Mahina kong sambit. They opened the heavy metal door for me. Nivaea followed me inside as she guide me where he is. Malakas ang pintig ng aking puso habang papalapit ako sa kanyang kulungan. I pursed my lips.

No. It cannot be. I cannot feel the same way all over again. I might just be anticipating.

Lumunok ako. I hurriedly went in front of him. My lips parted a bit of his condition. Both of his hands were restrained using special cuffs from both sides. His neck also has a collar restraining his mana. Malnutrition is visible in him, he have totally sunken. Halatang nanghihina siya.

“Ugly.” Was what came out from my mouth.

“Your Majesty, you ordered not to feed him. As such, we did not even give him any water.” Nivaea said. Napakunot ako at tumingin sa kanya.

Well, that is a surprise. Since he is a fire wielder, he should have almost died by now. But it must be an advantage to have an element with him since people with mana are a lot stronger than people without it.

“Did I?” I doubted.

“Your Majesty...” She sighed.

If she says that, then I might have had.

Tumikhim ako.

It was his fault in the first place. If he betrayed his kingdom, then he would not suffer this bad. If he was not of Soveria kingdom...

“What are you waiting for? Feed him. Give him water.” I raised my voice. Water and food went in a few seconds. She fed him water. Matapos niya itong painumin ay umuubo siya ng malakas. He gave us a glare. Nivaea was about to feed him water again when he roughly scoffed and turned his head away from us.

He still has the guts to shot a glare. Feisty. “Nivaea, get out.” I motioned. “What is your deal? You really are eager to die? You want to die for that lowly kingdom?” He did not answer. I gripped his jaw and forced him to gulp the water I snatched from Nivaea.

I am mad. I am mad at him for not doing what I say but I am more mad at myself for being mad at him not thinking of survival. Why am I even doing this? I can kill him in a snap but my pride will not allow it. I still have not my naughty revenge on him. “What a disappointment.” Yumuko ako at kumuha ng pagkain. I stuffed food in his mouth. As much as he wants to throw it up and refuse, I closed his mouth, leaving him no choice but to chew and swallow it. Hindi natanggal ang kanyang masamang tingin sa akin. “Eat while you can. I will not let you die until you see your kingdom in ruins.” I stood up straight and and cut off the restraints from his hands. Ang natitira lamang ay ang nasa kanyang leeg.

Hindi ko kailangang mag-alala dahil hindi rin siya makakatakas mula sa akin. He is in a weakened state. Maaalerto agad ang mga guwardiya kapag nakita siya. He will be captured in a snap. I am sure he will not be able to escape my grasp until I give him back what he deserves from the past lives.

“Why...” He faintly groaned. I turned to him.

This is the first time he spoke. He has a gentle but deep voice. It is enticing but I will not let it deceive me. “Why won’t you let me die?” His voice is hoarse and croaking because his throat were still dry. Tinignan ko lamang siya at napangisi.

“If you change your mind to come under me, I will spare you. Use me to live.” I tilted my head. His brows furrowed a bit, leaving him in confusion.

“Why are you doing this?” Mataman niyang tanong. Hostile is still visible.

You will know soon. More yet, you might never.  

Tinalikuran ko siya.

I do not blame him for being confused when killing him when he will not cough up words will be more convenient. He must be pretty mad since he does not even know why I am doing this to him when he is just a Soverian. Moreover, I know he knows that I do not do things like this. He must have done a background check on me before deciding to take up the order of assassinating me from their greedy and foolish king.

“I will come back tomorrow.” I retorted.

This is the price of refusing me over times from our past lives, you fool. I am just starting.