Ms. Villainess Prince Charming

Kabanata 3

I wake up with raging head ache, at ang masasabi ko lang ay hindi ako natutuwa sapagkat ang ibig sabihin lamang no'n ay may mga bagay akong hindi magagawa.

"W-water," I murmur as I ring the golden bell connected to maid quarters.

I stared at my rooms ceiling, and I can't help but to wonder how it will look after I got it renovated. I want to put some designs on it, a clouds, blue roses and fairies will do.

I heard three knocks on the door and that means that the maid I need is already here.

"C-come in," I said in drowsy voice na sinundan naman ng yabag.

"Countess you're awake! Thanks god," a familiar voice said.

Binalingan ko iyon ng tingin at ako'y bahagyang napangiti ng bumungad sa akin si Ava. Halata sa mga mata at mukha nito ang pag-aalala, at kung wala akong nararamdaman ngayon ay naasar ko na siya.

"H-hey Ava," I greeted weakly.

Mabilis naman itong naupo sa gilid ng aking kama at hinawakan ang kanan kong kamay.

Ava stares at my eyes intently and said, "How are you feeling my lady? May ibang masakit pa ba sa 'yo bukod sa ulo mo?"

"W-wala naman," tugon ko, at tinanggap ang isang baso ng tubig na inabot nito.

"You got me worried my lady," wika ni Ava. "Kamuntik na rin akong mabuking nang dahil sa pagmamadali ko,"

"Why are you in such hurry anyway," inabot ko rito ang walang lamang baso na siyang mabilis naman nitong tinanggap. "I can handle my self and besides there are so many people here who can watch over me,"

"I am your lady in waiting my lady. I should be the one watching and taking care of you," sagot nito. "Why don't you just accept their marriage so that you can be at peace—"

"Accept?" Pagputol ko sa sasabihin nito. "Pumuti man ang buhok ko, hinding-hindi ako makakapayag na magiging magkabiyak sila. They humiliated me big time Ava, and you witnessed it."

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at mabilis naman akong dinaluhan ni Ava. She let help me wore my white silk robe and assisted me outside my rooms balcony.

My rooms balcony got a little bookshelf attached on the wall, hanging plants just like I want it, and a light cyan chaise sofa that I brought two days ago. This sofa caught my attention that's why I brought it. Nakita ko lamang ito sa dyaryo at dali-dali ko namang inutosan si Naisha na bilhin ito, mahirap na baka maunahan pa ako no'ng baliw na babae.

Whenever I am stressed or thinking about something ay palagi ako ritong pumupunta. Mula kasi rito ay kitang-kita ko ang buong kaharian. I live in Macassar City na siyang pinamumunoan ko rin, though minsan lang akong maglibot-libon I still got everything in control and besides marami akong mga may at taong sa lungsod.

"Isn't the Kingdom beautiful Ava?" tanong ko habang nakatanaw lungsod.

"It is my lady pero mas gaganda pa iyan kung kakain ka na at uminom ng gamot," saad nito habang nakatayo sa aking tabi.

I groaned, look at Ava and said. "You knew that I hate medicines,"

"I know my lady but you need to drink it para gumaling ka," mahaba nitong wika. "O baka naman gusto mong tumawag pa ako ng doktor my lady?"

Napasapo na lamang ako ng aking noo at napailing nang dahil sa pananakot nito. I do hate doctors, and that's because their bitter medicines. Why can't they create medicines with nice taste? Iyong papatok sa panlasa ko gayon din sa mga kabataan. Bitter medicines is also one of the reasons why people in the Kingdom doesn't want to get checked. Pero mas nangunguna pa rin talaga ang problema sa mahal na paniningil ng mga doktor. In Antimacassar Kingdom, only those people with power can afford doctors.

"You knew that I hate doctors," I glared at Ava.

"I know my lady kaya nga dapat kumain ka na kung ayaw mong lumala ang sakit ng iyong ulo," saad nito.

"Psh, fine." Pagsuko ko, dahil hindi ito titigil kahit na ano pa ang sabihin ko.

Ava excuses her self for a while to prepare my meal and medicines. For sure she already knew the truth behind my sickness, at dahil alam na ni Ava paniguradong alam na rin ito nila Issac at Naisha.

I once again close my eyes and feel the cold breeze of the air touching my bare face and hands. I shiver a little bit but I can take it, I am used of cold and my favorite weather is winter na malapit ko na ulit maranasan.

Nakapikit man ang mga mata ko, gising na gising naman ang diwa ko. Ramdam kong may nakatitig sa akin kahit na hindi ko narinig ang yabag at paglapit na ginawa nito, and even without looking I can tell who's who.

"Issac stop staring at me," wika ko kasabay ng pagdilat.

There, I saw Issac towering and looking at me seriously. He's using his body to block the sun ray and I can tell by his smell that he just finished doing his daily morning routine which is—running, push-ups, pull-ups and sword wielding. He is a knight after all.

"You're pale," Issac said flatly.

I rolled my eyes, crosses my arms and said. "Of course I am! Matagal na akong maputla Issac,"

"You know what I meant Quynh Xitlaly," Issac said grating.

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo, ito ay nilapitan at hinawakan ang kuwelyo ng suot nitong puting polo. Bahagyang nakabukas ang tatlong botones niyon kaya kitang-kita ko ang malaki't kumikintab nitong dibdib na bahagya pang mabalahibo.

"Listen to me Issac Xylan, don't call me by my full name do you get me?" Salubong kilay kong saad. "And also, fix your clothes. I am spoiling you yet your clothes look so shabby,"

"Hey, take it back! My clothes ain't shabby! It's just that we got different tastes on clothes," atungal nito habang inaayos ang suot na polo. "You're buying limited edition clothes that ain't suiting me, and besides I am a knight. Huwag mong aasahan na susuotin ko ang mga 'yon,"

"What's wrong with the clothes that my lady brought for you?" Ava said out of nowhere, that put a smile on my face.

"Right?" Nilapitan ko si Ava at hinawakan sa braso. "Issac is being ungrateful again," sumbong ko.

"Sadyang wala talaga siyang taste my lady," wika ni Ava at inismiran si Issac.

To my surprise, two maids appear at Ava's back. They are both holding a silver tray and they're also smiling at me.

"Good morning Countess," they greeted in unison.

"Good morning," I greeted back with a smile. "Just leave it there," pagtukoy ko sa tray na hawak nila.

Muli akong pinaupo ni Ava dahil mayroon siyang sasabihin sa mga katulong, samantalang si Issac naman ay nilantakan ang agahang inihanda para sa akin.

"That's mine," I said in monotonous voice.

"Don't bet too greedy my lady," Issac said playfully while eating a strawberry. "By the way, did that bastard made you cry again?" Pagtukoy nito sa Hari.

"Watch your mouth Issac, he's still our King," suway ko rito.

"That jerk didn't even deserve to be a King," Issac, then puffed his chest. "You know what Quynh, let's teach that jerk a lesson—"

"Stop talking nonsense Issac. You're poisoning our lady's innocent mind," suway rito ni Ava kasabay ang paghampas.

Mahina akong natawa nang dahil doon at nagsimula ng kumain, samantalang sila Ava at Issac naman ay parang aso't pusa na nag-aaway. Paano pa kaya kung nandito si Naisha? Paniguradong mas lalong sasakit ang ulo ko sapagkat para silang mga bata pag magkakasama.

I am enjoying my food while watching them quarrel. Issac and Ava looks good together, no lie. But I know better and I will keep it all by my self because I don't want to ruin anything and besides they are all important to me.

"By the way Ava," tawag ko sa pansin nito.

"Yes my lady?" Maagap nitong tanong at ako'y nilapitan.

"What's my schedule today?" Tanong ko habang pinupunasan ang gilid ng aking labi.

"There's a tea party my lady but I already cancelled it because you are not feeling well," tugon ni Ava na siyang naglagay ng ngiti sa aking labi.

"Thank you but may I asks who's the host of the tea party?"

"It's Viscountess Jessica my lady," with that, I almost jumped.

Viscountess Jessica is one of my business competitors and enemy. She hates me to the core without a reason that's why I hate her too. I hate her guts, I hate the she speaks, and I even hate hearing her name.

"That squid?" Nanlalaking mga matang tanong ko.

"Yes my lady," Ava replied.

A sly smile forms in my lips as I stares at Issac who's clueless at the moment.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Taas kilay nitong tanong.

"Freshen up, wear your knight uniform and ready the carriage because we're going to ruin someone's tea party," I laugh evilly.

Issac just scratches his nape and leave without saying a word.

"You, and your wicked plans again my lady," saad ni Ava habang inaayos ang aking pinagkainan.

"Nasabi ko na ba sa 'yo na may gusto si Viscountess Jessica kay Issac?" Nakangiting wika ko.

"Not yet my lady, ngayon pa lang," saad ni Ava at bahagya pang tumawa. "Now I know what you're planning to do,"

"Isn't I amazing?" I exclaimed excitedly.

"It is my lady," Ava agreed.

"I will make her cry in regret that she invited me," I said in singsong voice. "Ready my bathe and clothes Ava, make sure that I'll be the one shining the most,"

"Your wish is my command my lady," Ava said then kneeled before me. "But you need to drink your medicines first,"

"Ava!" I shouted in top of my lungs making Ava run for her life.

As Ava leave, three maids came after me. They started on brushing my hair and treating my nails while telling me some fruitful gossips that I need. My daily dose of vitamins.

"Alam mo ba my lady, maraming nagsasabi na nagayuma raw ang mahal na Hari," one of my attendants said.

"Where did you hear that?" Tanong ko at tiningnan ito sa salamin.

"Ipagpaumanhin mo, ngunit hindi ko rin alam kung saan nagsimula my lady. Ang mga ito ay ayon lang sa mga sabi-sabi ng mga nakakatanda sa lungsod," paliwanag nito.

"Ngunit maraming naniniwala roon my lady," wika naman ng isa. "Maraming nagsasabi na maaari ngang iyon ang nangyari sapagkat mahal na mahal ka raw ng Hari," dugtong pa nito na kinaubo ko.

"Mahal? Sa panaginip siguro," natatawang wika ko. "Keep on your mind that the King didn't love me. He love someone else and that's the fact,"

"Alam namin my lady. Nasaksihan namin kung paano ka umiyak at nasaktan kahit na wala ka namang ginagawang mali at kasalanan," mahinang wika naman ng isa.

"Enough with gossips," I butt in. "Ready my bath and make sure to out blue petals on it, and oh, bring some wine too. I'm in a mood to drink," utos ko sa mga ito.

"As you wish my lady," they all bowed and excused themselves.

Naiwan akong nakatitig sa harapan ng malaki't antigo kong salamin. Tama nga si Issac, ang putla ko at hindi lang 'yon bahagya ring nangingitim ang ilalim ng mga mata ko na siyang labis kong kinaiinisan.

I am irritated because they might starts on spreading rumors that I cried all day that's why my eyes are like this. I don't want to give the King false hopes at isa pa'y paniguradong matutuwa sila sa kalagayan ko ngayon na siyang ayaw ko.

After one week, I am going to see those mad nobles again. Those nobles that's getting into my nerves.

In the middle of my bathing session, Ava came. She's smiling ear to ear at ang ibig sabihin lamang niyon ay handa na ang damit na susuotin ko.

"Wash our lady's body carefully okay?" Paalala sa mga ito ni Ava.

"Yes Miss," They replied in unison.

As they scrape my hair, arms, and legs. I am just happily sipping my wine while humming a battlefield song. Why? Because I am going to war. I am going to destroy someone's dream after this.

"Ava,"

"Yes my lady?" Tanong nito habang hawak ang bote ng wine.

"Where's Naisha?" Tanong ko ng ito ay maalala.

"Kararating niya lang out of nowhere my lady, should I call him?"

Ako ay umiling at sinabing, "No need. Just make sure that Naisha is ready, he must come with us."

"Why my lady?" Nagugulohang tanong ni Ava. "Naisha has nothing to do with this,"

"Hush Ava, don't forget that Naisha is more cruel than you think," I said and wink.

"We're all cruel and that's because of you my lady," Ava said confidently making me gasps in horror.

"Don't say that!" I exclaimed. "I am the most generous and soft spoken lady in the whole Kingdom Ava,"

"Pigs can fly my lady," tumatawang wika nito inalalayan na ako papatayo.

Ava dries my hair, while the other maids dries my body. They are chatting while getting me ready at imbes na magalit ay hinayaan ko na lamang sila lalo na't hindi naman nila ako naaabala.

"Light make-up or dark my lady?" Ava asks while holding a make-up pallette.

"Make me look depressed," taas babang kilay kong wika. "The more depressed I looked, the more I'll enjoy the tea party,"

"But depressed look won't fit on your clothes my lady," Ava said, stressed.

"You can't make it work?" I look at Ava in the mirror.

"I can't my lady," nakakaawang wika nito.

"Fine," I replied in defeat dahil paniguradong wala 'tong patutungohan.

As Ava stared putting her some make-up, she started on thinking an evil plot.

Hindi ko pa rin nakakalimutan ang ginawang pamamahiya sa akin ni Viscountess Jessica, at dahil sa mabait ako. Kailangan ko iyong suklian at mas maigi rin kung pasosobrahan, paano kaya kung sirain ko ang negosyo ng pamilya nito? Paano kaya kung akitin ko ang magiging kabiyak nito? Paano kaya kung palabasin ko na nilason ako nito?Marami akong magandang plano, pero mas maganda kung alam ni Naisha to.

After an half hour ay natapos na rin ako sa pag-aayos. My make-up got fixed, my hair, my clothes and my jewelries. At isa lang ang masasabi ko, Ava and the other maids did a good work, they deserve a raise.

"Nice work," Puri ko ng aking makita ang aking repleksiyon sa salamin.

"Thank you my lady," They replied in unison. "You look wonderful," They praise.

"Am I?" Nakangiting tanong ko at bahagya pang umikot.

"Yes my lady," They replied.

Magsasalita pa sana ako ng bigla na lamang bumukas ang pinto ng aking kuwarto, at kahit hindi ko iyon tingnan ay kilala ko na agad ang pumasok ng walang paalam.

"Issac how many times do I have to tell you that you must knock first before entering our lady's chamber?" Boses iyon ni Naisha, halatang galit.

"What? We've been in the door for almost an hour now. Nakakapagod ding maghintay," tugon ni Issac at ako'y inismiran.

Napailing na lamang ako sapagkat inaatake na naman ng sira sa ulo ang isang 'to. Mainipin talaga si Issac at mainitin ang ulo, kabaliktaran siya ni Naisha na ubod ng haba ang pasensya at maunawain pa. Samantalang si Ava naman ay neutral lang, madalas siya ang referee kapag nag-aaway ang dalawa.

"You're a respectable knight captain yet you got no manner," muling saad ni Naisha na ngayon ay nakapamewang na.

Habang nagtatalo ang dalawa ay pinagmamasdan ko lamang ito, firstly Issac looks so dashing in his blue and white knight uniform with blue rose design—the sign of Heist. Mayroon itong kulay puting kapa, puting sombrero at badges na natanggap nya mula sa mga parangal. He got a sword in his side too, sa pagkakaalala ko ay Jayla ang pangalan nito. Issac's sword is a gift from his dead mother that he loves the most.

Issac's hair is quite a mess even though he's wearing his hat. His jaw I clenching, while his forehead is creased. Issac got a grey color pair of orbs, thick slick eyebrows, curvy eyelashes, pointed nose, pouty lips and a ginger neck length hair like me. Issac got a mole under his lower lashes—right eye, at saka mo lamang iyon makikita kung tititigan niyo siya ng maigi.

On the other hand, Naisha looks so neat and intelligent in his blue and white butler uniform. His coat and slacks are both white with a little touch of blue and of course just like Issac's, his uniform also have a blue roses in it. Even though he looks like an angry mother at the moment, hindi maipagkakailang magandang lalaki ito. Bagay na bagay rin dito ang suot-suot nitong salamin sa mata na mas nagpapalakas ng kaniyang karisma.

Naisha is much taller than Issac. He got a nice pair of jet black eyes, dark black hair, bushy eyebrows, long lashes, dark skin and a full juicy lips—that's what the maids describe him. He is also soft spoken.

"Stop arguing will you?" Suway sa mga ito ni Ava na ngayon ay may pamalo na.

Ava looks so beautiful in her customized pure blue uniform with blue roses design embroidered in the left part of her chest. Ava looks like a lost child while in the middle. Ava is a small woman with a terrible personality, she can curse you face to face without even blinking.

Ava got a beautiful pair of chocolate brown eyes, curly shoulder length hair, pointed nose, bow shaped lips, thin eyebrows, and freckles, both her cheeks.

"Not in front of my wine," wika ko dahilan para matigil ang mga ito.

Both Issac and Naisha eyed me from head to toe. Even though I'm confident, I can't help but to feel conscious because of the way they stares at me. And in addition they got foul mouth.

"Why are you wearing a curtain my lady?" Maang na sagot ni Naisha na siyang kinasinghap ko.

"How dare you?!" I snapped. "I am wearing an ice pink chiffon sheath gown with guipure lace on it,"

"You're revealing too much skin," masungit na saad ni Issac.

"What wrong with it? It's the new trend," pagsingit ni Ava. "And besides, it suits our lady very well," dugtong pa nito.

"Whatever," Issac rolled his eyes and looks away.

He is acting like my oldest brother again. He's being overprotective.

I glance at my reflection once again in the mirror, a satisfied smile formed into my lips when I saw how beautiful I am.

My ice pink chiffon sheath gown with guipure lace suits me very well. It complements my pale skin and hair—speaking of hair—my ginger hair is in a milkmaid bun and I like it very much. I also got light yet elegant make-up with juicy red lipstick on, a pair of teardrop earrings with rose quartz stone in it. An ice pink lace arm gloves, cocktail ring with rose quartz stones, and a festoon necklace with diamonds and rose quartz stone. And I almost forgot, I am also wearing a pink ankle strap heels. Ava also said that she'll bring me some cover up incase I get cold.

"Can't we just move now?" Ungot ni Issac kaya naman napaayos na ako ng tayo.

"Fine," I conceive defeat.

"The carriage is now ready my lady," Panimula ni Naisha. "Though I didn't know why you need me in this cheap tea party, shall we?" He asks while offering his hand na siyang mabilis ko namang tinanggap.

See? Didn't I tell you all that Naisha is a soft spoken man? Napailing na lamang ako dahil kahit saang anggulo, matalas ang tabas ng dila nito.

I kept on laughing while walking because Issac and Naisha is still arguing about something that happened in the past. Their eyes are both sparkling while arguing with each other, and this is what I am talking about.

"I get it now my lady," Ava whispered, who's beside me.

"This is going to be fun Ava. So much fun,"

Ava, Naisha and I stayed inside the carriage, while Issac on the other hand stays outside with the coachman. Magtataka pa sana ako kung bakit ito hindi naka-kabayo, pero naalala ko na may pagkatamad din ang isang 'to.

"Our carriage is more slow than usual," Pansin ko.

"You want it fast my lady?" Tanong ni Naisha habang inaayos ang kaniyang salamin sa mata.

I smiles at him and said, "No need. I like it slow and besides we're the main guest of the tea party,"

"You sounds so wicked right now my lady," Puna ni Ava.

I rolled my eyes at her and stares at Naisha's back na ngayon ay pinapagalitan na naman si Issac. They look so cute together, they're like cat and dog. Issac is the dog—a golden retriever one, while Naisha is a maine coon cat—full of sassiness.

"Stop arguing will you?" Nakabusangot na saad ni Ava.

"Hindi ka pa nasanay," saad ko.

Ava and I talks about the work I assigned her, at tama nga ang hinala ko. Inaakit ng babaeng iyon ang mga investors ko, thou her products isn't following the trend nakakagulat na mas mataas pa ang income nito kaysa sa akin. Perks of being the King's lover.

Kailangan ko ng gumawa ng bagong plano kung paano ito pababagsakin kasama ang pipitsugin niyang negosyo. Kung kailangan kong gumamit ng dahas, puwes gagawin ko.

"By the way my lady," Naisha said while staring at me seriously.

"Yes?"

"Kailan mo balak nagpakasal? Marami na akong naipon na marriage propo—"

Labis akong nagpapasalamat nang tuloyan ng huminto ang karwaheng sinasakyan namin, tanda na hindi na muling magsasalita pa si Naisha tungkol sa walang kwentang marriage proposal na iniiwasan ko. Marriage for convenience is just for those people in need. Para lamang iyon sa mga maharlikang takot mawalan ng pera't kapangyarihan, at hindi ako kasali ro'n.