VILLAINESS: Taming The Wolf

CHAPTER 15

Sa anim na araw na pamamalagi nila Querencia sa kastilyo ng Archduke ay sila ang naging laman sa usapan ng mga katulong.

“Sa tingin n'yo, anak kaya iyon ng Archduke?” bulong ng isa at kasalukuyan sila ngayong naglalaba.

“Aba, oo naman! Kamukhang kamukha ng Archduke ang bata at ng Miss. Pero nagtataka lang ako dahil paano nila iyon nabuo kaagad.” kunot noong saad ng isang katulong.

Mahina naman itong hinampas ng isa. “Anong pinagsasabi mong nakabuo agad ha? Ang sabihin mo, baka gagawa sila ulit.” natatawa nitong saad.

Natawa rin ang isang katulong. “Oo nga 'no. Akala ko talaga noong una ay wala silang relasyon, pero noong nakita kong umiika sa paglalakad ang Miss pagkalabas ng hanap kainan, at ang Archduke naman ay inaayos ang damit, doon nako nagtaka. Grabe, literal na sa hapagkainan nakainan! Tapos may dinala naman ang Miss na isang bata na kamukha nilang dalawa. Pustahan. Sila talagang dalawa!” natutuwa nitong sabi.

Pumalakpak ang isa habang mayron paring mga bula sa mga kamay nito. “Pupusta ako sa mayron silang relasyon. Papa kasi ang tawag ng bata sa Archduke at Syriel din ang pangalan, katunog ng sa Archduke. At noong dumating ang Miss at ang bata, walang pag-aalinlangang tinanggap sila ng Archduke. At ngayon naman, inalagaan ng Archduke ang Miss.” pinagsiklop nito ang mga kamay at madamdaming nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita. “Ang ganda isipin ng pag-iibigan nila...ha...” anito at umaktong nahihimatay pa.

Mabilis namang sumang-ayon ang mga kausap nito at nagpatuloy na sila sa pag-uusap habang nagta-trabaho.

The rumor about the Archduke and the Miss are circulating around the Archduchy. Only the servants who knew it, and even though they're spreading it around, the rumors will still stay and won't reach the ears of outsiders.

“IS THE miss alright, My Lord?” salubong na tanong ni Johan kay Castiel pagkarating niya sa kanyang opisina.

Umupo siya sa kanyang upuan saka ito tinignan. “She recovered. But, what are you doing here?” kunot noong tanong niya.

Mahinahong inabot ni Johan ang mga papel na naglalaman ng ulat nito tungkol sa binibini na iniutos niya noong nakaraang mga araw. “I'm here to hand my report about the Miss, Your Grace.” anito.

Tinanggap niya ito saka agad na binasa.

‘Querencia Loretta Lynn, the only Daughter of Baron Tyrone Alfonso Lynn. 25 years old (Born in Imperial year 205, May 1st). She grew up at the small village of Kralte and live with her grandmother named Florrel, a commoner. Her mother disappeared without any traces. His father found her and take her with him to the Lynn' territory. As Miss Lynn got taken by her father, her grandmother d*ed after a month. Miss Lynn lived a good life, but she abused her power. She always had a fight with the other nobles so she got named "Witch of social circles", because she always cursed everyone. She didn't let anyone belittle her. Many Nobles are afraid of her because of her bad behavior and attitude. Because of her bad image, no one dared to court nor proposed a marriage. Nobles think that she's not interested in opposite sex.’

Kumunot ang noo niya dahil sa nabasa.

‘Not interested in opposite s*x’ but why's she clinging to him? Wait— it's not called clinging, because after he rejected her, she didn't chase him anymore. He's the one who—

Napakurap-kurap siya sa biglaang naisip.

He didn't chase her back! He just followed her! He did it because he's curious about something.

‘Many nobles objected the rumors about her engagement about the crown prince.’ basa niya sa huling nakasulat sa papel. Parang hindi lang ito rumors, totoo ito.

Napabuntong-hininga siya. So she really didn't want to get wed to the Crown Prince. It's hassle anyway.

Inalis niya ang papel at binasa ang kasunod nito.

It's about her likes and dislikes.

‘Miss Querencia's likes: Books, coffee, foods

Dislikes: tea party, gathering, crowded places, arrogant people, thunder, tea.’

Naningkit agad ang kanyang mga mata nang natapos siya sa pagbabasa. Her likings are so simple, even her dislikes.

Bigla siyang natigilan nang mayron siyang naalala tungkol sa tsaa.

If she dislike the tea, then it means, that's the reason why she vomited last time.

Napahawak siya sa kanyang baba.

So, it's the cause...

“Johan.” tawag niya sa kanyang butler na hanggang ngayon ay nakatayo parin at hinihintay ang senyas niya.

“Yes, Your Grace?” tugon nito.

“Don't serve the lady with tea, serve her coffee instead.” aniya na bahagyan nitong ikinapagtataka.

“May I know why, My Lord? I'm just confused because tea is good for a person's health.” nagtataka nitong tanong.

Napabuga siya ng isang malalim na hininga. Kailangan pa ba talaga niya itong sabihin?

Tumikhim siya. “She didn't like tea, she prefer coffee.” saad niya na saglit na ikinatigil ni Johan. Kapagkuwan ay yumukod ito.

“Yes, Your Grace.” anito.

Inilapag na niya ang papel na hawak. Mamaya na niya ito tataposin sa pagbabasa.

“What do you think after you observed her?” tanong niya na ikinatingin ni Johan sa kanya.

Umakto itong nag-iisip. “As I observed, My Lord. The lady is so opposite from the rumors. She's totally different.” buong kompiyansa nitong sabi.

“Did she do something suspicious?” tanong niya ulit.

Mabilis na umiling si Johan. “Nothing, My Lord. She only watched the child and played with him all day.” anito at kapagkuwan ay parang may biglang naalala. “And, My Lord. The Miss was always asking if you have a child, nor a woman.” kunot noong saad nito.

Nagkasalubong ang kanyang mga kilay. “Is that about the child again?” tanong niya na tinanguan ni Johan. Napahilot siya sa kanyang noo. “I don't know whose child is that.” aniya.

Hindi talaga niya alam kung bakit kamukha niya ang batang iyon. Alam niya kung saan ito nanggagaling, pero hindi naman ito sa kanya. He's a virgin for Pete's sake!

“But, My Lord. If my memory serves me right, he's really like the mini version of you.” ani Johan.

Bumuntong hininga siya. “That child is really not mine, and you know that, Johan. We just found him in the village.” At sigurado siyang kakakilala palang ng Miss sa batang iyon. That child resembles them but it's not their son.

Napatigil siya sa pag-iisip nang bigla siyang may naalala. He can't smell his blood on that child...

Mabilis siyang tumayo. “Johan. Observe that child, and find what he is. I can't smell the blood of ordinary human nor blood of wolf on him.” aniya saka kinuha ang kanyang coat at isinuot iyon.

Bakas ang kahulugan sa mukha ni Johan. “I... Understand, Your Grace... But, where are you going?” nababahala nitong tanong.

“I'm curious about something. I need to keep my eyes on it.” aniya.

Pupuntahan niya ang Binibini. Sinasabi nitong hindi ito lumabas sa kastilyo ngunit nakita at naamoy niya ito sa kagubatan.

She fell on him. And even though he didn't saw who is it. He knew that it's her based on her sweet smell... And also her touch...

“You Grace—”

Saglit niyang nilingon si Johan. “What time is it, Johan?” tanong niya.

Biglang na istatwa si Johan nang malaman nito ang oras. “O-one A.M, My Lord...” tumingin ito sa kanya nang hindi makapaniwala. “You didn't transform...”

Tumingin siya sa malaking bintana kung saan makikita niya ang maliwanag na buwan. “That's what I need to find out. I think, the cure come by herself because I can't find it.” bahagyan siyang natawa. “Anyway, serve the Miss well from now on. I need her.” saad niya saka naglakad na patungo sa bintana at tumalon palabas.

He need to visit her again, but without her knowing.