Ms. Villainess Prince Charming

Kabanata 6

"Spade would love this!" I giggle as I saw a full white mage theme hood.

"You're treating Spade as a child again my lady," Saad ni Issac na siyang kinabusangot ko.

"Why are you here with me ba? Hindi ba't sinabi ko na samahan mo sila Naisha at Spade?" Masungit kong saad at ito'y hinarap.

"Naisha and I got into fight," Pag-amin nito dahilan para umasang ang labi ko.

"Fight? That's new," Saad naman ni Ava habang patuloy pa rin sa paghahanap ng damit na babagay kay Spade.

"Is it a fight like we know? Or a fight like I know?" Tanong ko habang nagtataas baba ng kilay.

Issac heave a sigh, looks away and said. "A fight like you know,"

Issac excuses himself for a while and my instincts says that he's going to Naisha's. Oh well, much better so that they can resolve their problem.

"Ohh..." Tanging nasabi ko.

Bumalik na lamang ako sa pamimili sapagkat wala naman akong alam at kinalaman sa pinag-awayan ng dalawa, and besides they should be the one to fix it. Without me or anyone's help.

As Ava and I goes to the jewelry section a crystal blue cufflinks caught my attention, and just one glance—I feel in love with it.

"I want this one," Mabilis kong saad at itinuro ang cufflinks.

The manager took it with a huge smile on his face. He also said that it's the most expensive cufflinks in his store but I don't care, ni hindi ko nga tiningnan ang presyo niyon.

"Spade will surely like that my lady," May ngiti sa labing komento ni Ava.

"For sure," Pagsang-ayon ko. "Spade likes shinny things. He's like a crow,"

If you're wondering why I am buying things for Spade—the reason is that, he's been staying at my manor for almost fifteen days since we found him. So far, he's been a good and obedient child at dahil hindi naman siya hinahanap no'ng mga merchants ay kinupkop ko na muna ito nag pansamantala.

Mabilis na gumaan ang loob ko kay Spade gayon din sila Issac. Issac often brings Spade with him in the knight quarter at kung na ka'y Naisha naman ito ay madalas silang nakatambay sa library at opisina ko. Spade sometimes do filing and research for me.

Spade is seldom with Ava because, Ava is not really a fan of watching kids though he likes Spade . Binabantayan at inaasikaso rin naman ito ni Ava sa pamamagitan ng paghahanda ng makakain nito, damit at kung ano-ano pang may kinalaman sa personal hygiene.

"Is it all enough my lady?" Tanong ni Ava habang pinagmamasdan ang aming mga pinamili na hawak-hawak ngayon ng dalawang knight na kasama namin.

"I think so," Tugon ko.

Bahagya pa akong nag-inat pagkatapos naming mamili. We got twenty four boxes and fifteen paper bags came from different shoes, clothes, and jewelry shops.

"We should shop again my lady," saad ni Ava.

"Why?" Takang tanong ko.

"We should shop with Spade this time my lady para makapili siya. For sure hindi lang ito ang mga kailangan niya,"

"You got a point," mabilis kong tugon kasabay ng pagtango.

"Praise me my lady," natatawang sabi ni Ava na siyang kinatawa ko na rin.

Ava and I headed to the nearest dessert shop in the city—take note, I choose the most expensive one because I am capable of paying. Hindi naman ako papasok dito kung walang ibubuga ang golden wallet ko.

"Menu please," Ava said as the knight carefully assisted me to my seat.

"Thanks," saad ko. "Take a sit on the other side and order anything you want. It's my treat," dugtong ko na siyang kinaningning ng mga mata nito.

"Thank you for you kind and consideration my lady," Nag-uumapaw sa sayang pasasalamat nito.

"No worries, just take care of our shopping boxes and box okay?" Paalala ko at pinaalis na ito.

My knights are honorable, palagi kasi kaming nananalo sa hunting festival at competitions oh well, my father once became the Kingdom's savior kaya naman talagang hindi na iyon nakapagtataka.

Speaking of hunting festival. Winter is coming soon, at ang ibig sabihin lamang niyon ay may magaganap na namang hunting contest. Kaya siguro panay ang pag-eensayo nila Issac.

Should I schedule their hunting practice at Mt. Sariaya? Mt. Sariaya is the most famous and well-known mountain here in Antimacassar Kingdom, because of it's beauty and wild animals that are rare and pricey.

Minsan ng may nahuli sila Issac at Naeton na puting tigre roon, at ang ulo niyon ay naging dekorasyon sa opisina ng aking ama.

"What do you like my lady?" Tanong sa akin ni Ava habang nakatingin sa hawak na menu.

I took mine and stares at it in a second and said, "Strawberry muffin with fresh strawberry juice will be fine."

"I'm going to order now," saad ni Ava at tinawag ang waiter.

Well, I love strawberry. Simula noon at hanggang ngayon, and that's the reason why we have strawberry farm at the back of our manor. The empty and almost dead land turns into strawberry garden because of my father.

I still remember when he asked me if I would like to have an own strawberry farm—and the five years old Quynh answered yes.

While waiting for our order, I feel like someone is watching me again. Ilang araw ko na iyong nararamdaman ngunit kapag iyon ay aking tinitingnan ay wala naman akong nakikita. Sinabi ko na rin ito kay Naeton at Issac, at kagaya ko'y wala rin silang maturong salarin.

"My Lord why are we in here again?" A masculine voice said that caught my attention.

Unconsciously, my eyes drifted in the voice direction. And there I saw three man in the table with strawberry muffin in the middle of their table that makes me smile.

They look so ragged and define but they are eating strawberry muffin.

I can't clearly saw the face of the man in the middle but I can tell that he looks fine base on his back and hair.

"You already know the reason Gaspar, stop asking," Masungit na saad naman ng isa, mayroon itong puting gloves sa kamay and it's giving me a butler vibe.

The man in the middle might be a noble.

"I am not taking to you Uri," wika naman no'ng Gaspar.

Gaspar and Uri are lowkey similar to my Issac and Naisha.

Gaspar looks like a tough man, he got two inches crosswise scar in his right forehead. He got this dark yet friendly aura screaming and the whole time he is smiling even though he is pissed.

On the other hand, Uri looks so clean and dashing. He looks more elegant and graceful than Gaspar, proving that the man in the middle is a noble man.

"You have no choice but to talk to me Uri," Pang-aasar ni Gaspar at inakbayan pa ito.

Wala sa sariling napangiti ako nang dahil doon. They looks cute together, mukhang matagal na silang magkasama base na lamang sa closeness nilang dalawa.

They're wearing casual clothes but I can say that it's expensive base na lamang sa tilang ginamit dito. Gaspar and Uri also have the same cufflinks—with red gem in it.

"Your muffin is here my lady," Pagpukaw ni Ava sa aking diwa.

Mabilis kong binalingan ng tingin ang strawberry muffin na sa aking harapan and I almost droll in the sight of it. My strawberry muffin looks so tasty and savory pero bakit gano'n? Sobra iyon ng tatlo.

"Ava," Pagtawag ko.

"Yes my lady?" Tugon nito.

"Pinasobrahan mo ba order ko?" Kunot noo kong tanong dito.

"No my lady. I ordered your usual order, why?"

"Look at this," Inilipat ko rito ang munting basket na pinaglalagyan ng muffin na inorder ko. "Sobra ng tatlo,"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Ava nang dahil sa sinabi ko, pagkalason ay binilang din niya ang muffin na pinakita ko.

"Oo nga my lady, sobra ng tatlo!"

"Told yah!" I said with accent. "Bakit kaya may pasobra? Iyong iyo ba may sobra?" Pagtukoy ko sa chocolate chip cookie nito.

"Wala my lady," Umiling ito. "Iyong iyo lang yata ang may pasobra,"

"Sa anong dahilan?"

"Maybe because your one of their loyal costumer?" Hindi siguradong saad ni Ava.

"I don't think so..." Saad ko. "But, I am very thankful thou," Ako ay mahinang humagikhik dahil sinuwerte ako.

"It must be a strawberry muffin fairy my lady,"

Nagningning ang mga mata ko nang dahil sa sinabi nito. "You're right Ava! Maybe it's the strawberry muffin fairy."

"You should pay thanks to the muffin fairy my lady," Nakangiting wika ni Ava.

"You're treating me like a child again," I groaned.

"I'm not my lady,"

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes. "What should I give to the muffin fairy Ava?"

"Hmm, something precious to you my lady, perhaps a kiss?" Mahinang saad ni Ava.

"A kiss?" Pag-ulit ko. "I will gladly kiss the muffin fairy Ava but isn't he fictional?" Bulong ko sapagkat ako'y nahihiya na baka'y mayroong makarinig sa aming dalawa.

Kahit na masama ugali ko ay may inner child pa rin ako. And that inner child of mine is fulfilling her dreams one by one.

"Ayon sa mga sabi-sabi at sa mga matatanda ay minsan na nilang nakita at nasaksihan ang pagdating ng muffin fairy," Kuwento ni Ava.

"Really?!" Napatayo ako nang dahil sa gulat.

"Are you okay?" A sweet yet deep voice asks behind me.

Mabilis ko iyong hinarap at ako'y napasinghap ng sumalubong sa akin ang isang malapad na dibdib at halos maduling ako nang dahil doon.

"My lady!" Ava shouted when I almost collapse in shock.

Mabilis akong nasalo ng isang matigas, matatag at mainit na braso na siyang labis kong pinagpapasalamat.

"Are you okay?" The man asks again, this time it's full of concern and it sounds so sincere.

"I-I'm okay, thank you," Utal kong tugon at marahang itinulak ito.

As our body got separated from each other ay mabilis na tumingala ako upang ito'y tingnan. And god gracious! He's breathtakingly handsome—he's much and more handsome than the King. He got this charisma that can make every noble ladies scream.

He stands proud and tall, he got a beautiful nice pair of lavender eyes which are rare. He also got a messy midnight black hair, thick bushy eyebrows, pointed nose, stubborn jaw and downward-upturned lips that suits him very well.

He got a nice body built, broad shoulders, bulky chest—and as my eyes trails down to his waist, I gasps when I saw how slim and sexy it is.

"Are you sure? You got me worried," Malamyos na saad nito na siyang nagpabalik sa malikot na diwa ko.

"A-ahh...yes!" Singhap ko. "I'm sorry startling you," Paghingi ko ng paumanhin.

"It's nothing," Tugon nito "May I ask why you shouted?" Kuryosong tanong nito.

"My lady shouted because she can't believe that muffin fairy existed," Ava answered.

Wala naman talaga akong balag sumagot kasi personal iyon, ang kaso lang ay naunahan na ako ni Ava na mukhang tuwang-tuwa sa nakikita niya.

"Muffin fairy who?" Kunot noong tanong nito.

He sounded like he's annoyed about something, pero no'ng nagtama ang aming mga mata ay masuyo ako nitong nginitian.

"Tell him my lady, he saves you," saad ni Ava puno ng pang-iinganyo.

Without any other choice, I invited the gentleman to have a drink with me. Ava stands behind me, while Gaspar and Uri—the gentleman's companion stays behind him too.

"I'm sorry for being rude," The man in front me said as he poured strawberry juice at my empty glass.

"It's okay, it's no big deal."

The man stayed silent and stands up, as he get into my side. He smiles and me and gently hold my hands while staring at my eyes daringly.

"Zacchaeus Nicolas Farrington at your service my lady," He said as he kisses the back of my hand, gently.

"I am Countess Quynh of Heist Household," tugon ko at ito'y nginitian.

In my peripheral vision I can see Ava smiling widely on the other hand, I can hear Gaspar and Uri whispering.

Muli ng bumalik si Zacchaeus sa kaniyang kinauupoan at nakangiti akong pinagmamasdan. His eyes are twinkling in delight and admiration too, na siyang hindi ko alam kung bakit.

"What is a muffin fairy my lady?" Pagsingit ni Gaspar sa usapan.

Malawak ang ngiti nito sa labi na siyang nagpagaan ng aking pakiramdam. Looking at his smiling face makes me feel at ease kahit na mukha siyang villain nang dahil sa peklat niya sa noo.

"Well, a muffin fairy is the fairy of all muffins in the Kingdom. Isa itong kuwentong pambata na kinalakihan ni Countess Quynh," Sagot ni Ava dahil ako'y nahihiya.

Sa dinami-rami ng sekreto ko, ang muffin fairy ay isa sa mga ayaw kong mabunyag, pero huli na ang lahat.

"Mahilig din ako sa mga kwentong pambata, maaari ko rin bang malaman?" Tanong ni Gaspar.

Ava looks at me to ask for permission at tanging tango lamang ang naging sagot ko dahil sa labis na kahihiyang nararamdaman ko.

Kahit ang mga mata ko'y nakatingin sa strawberry juice na nasa aking harapan ay ramdam ko pa rin ang mainit na pagtitig ni Zacchaeus. Tila ba'y sinusuri nito ang aking ekspresyon at buong pagkatao.

"Noong unang panahaon, mayroong isang batang babae. Lagi itong nakabusangot at madalas na nasasabihang masama, ngunit lingid sa kanilang kaalaman ang batang iyon ay may matinding pinagdadaanan. Wala itong pangkain, pambili ng magandang damit at kung ano pa man sa kadahilanang wala na ang kaniyang mga magulang," Mahabang saad ni Ava.

"What happened to her parents?" Tanong ni Uri.

"They died in mysterious way,"

"Ohh...scary..." Gaspar commented while hugging himself tightly.

"Continue," Wika ni Zacchaeus habang ang mga mata'y nasa akin.

"Isang gabi, habang ang batang iyon ay umiiyak mayroon siyang nakitang liwanag mula sa labas ng kanilang bahay patungo sa masukal na gubat. Habang tinatahak niya ang liwanag ay may naaamoy siyang masarap—at dahil ilang araw na siyang hindi kumakain ay walang pagdadalawang isip siyang tumakbo upang mas mabilis na makalapit dito," Ininuman ni Ava ang strawberry juice ko na siyang kinamaang ko.

"Ava not my juice," I whined.

"Here," Zacchaeus said then gives me his own strawberry juice.

Shyly, I accept it and smiles. "Thank you, I appreciate it."

"You're always welcome," Zacchaeus replied while stirring his black coffee.

"Plain?" Tanong ko.

"Yes," Tugon nito.

"Isn't it bitter?" Kuryoso kong tanong.

"Not really. You want to try?" Inusog nito ang tasang may lamang kape papalapit sa akin.

Out of curiosity, I lifted the cup and gently tasted the coffee. As it enters my mouth I almost p**e because of it's bitterness, my face also crumple because of it.

"Argh, so bitter!" I hissed as I stuck my tongue out.

I heard Zacchaeus chuckles making me pout, and I almost lost my balance when he suddenly leans towards me and I gasps when his big and calloused fingers traces my chin.

My breathing turns heavy because I can now smell his earthy scent like sandalwood with a little touch of whiskey. His scent was overpowering and I wanted to nuzzle into him forever—Zacchaeus smells like home.

"Are you okay hmm?" Zacchaeus asks softly.

His voice is so soothing idagdag mo pa ang mainit at mabango nitong hiningang bahagyang tumatama sa aking pisngi. Imbes na kumalma ay mas lalong nagwala ang puso ko, ramdam na ramdam ko rin ang pang-iinit ng magkabilaan kong pisngi.

"I...I'm okay—"

"Uncle!"

"Quynh!"

"My lady!"

A familiar voices shouted as everything becomes blurry, and the next thing I knew—Issac already draw his sword while pointing it to Zacchaeus direction.

I blink repeatedly because of the sight in front of me. My eyes widen as I finally realize what's happening in front of me. I saw Spade hugging Zacchaeus tightly while saying 'uncle' repeatedly.

"Who are you? What are you doing to my cousin?" Igting pangang tanong ni Issac habang mahigpit na nakahawak sa kaniyang espada.

"Issac he didn't do something wrong—"

"Hush Quynh! I'm not talking to you." Galit na wika ni Issac na siyang kinatahimik ko.

His overprotective side is showing again at wala akong ibang magagawa kundi ang sumunod na lamang sa sasabihin nito sapagkat baka mas lalo pang lumaki ang gulo kapag sumalungat ako.

"Are you okay my lady?" Tanong ni Naisha na ngayon ay nasa tabi ko na.

"I'm fine. Nothing happened," Tugon ko kasabay ng pagbuntong hininga.

"Ava who are they?" Pagtukoy ni Naisha kela Zacchaeus.

"New acquaintances," Simpleng tugon ni Ava.

As I look at Zacchaeus, my heart skips a beat when his lavender eyes meets mine. Sa akin nakabaling ang atensyon niya at hindi sa espada ni Issac na nakatutok sa kaniyang leeg.

Hindi ko nakitaan ng takot ang mga mata ni Zacchaeus, bagkos ay pag-aalala para sa akin ang naroroon. What a weird man, he is the one who's in danger yet he's more concerned to me.

"It's okay Sir Issac," Spade broke the tension while smiling. "He is my uncle and the head of merchant guild that I'm in,"

"Are you sure?" Issac asks firmly.

"Yes!" Masayang sagot naman ni Spade. "Ibaba mo na ang espada mo Sir Issac, you see...my uncle knows how to wield sword too and he is super strong to the point that he defeated a bunch of palace guard in the bor—"

Spade didn't able to finish his words because Gaspar already covered his mouth.

I am very intrigued. Zacchaeus knows how to wield a sword? I think so, base on his calloused hands and fingers that already touches my cheeks.

"Dumadaldal ka na naman Spade," Nakangiting wika ni Gaspar habang marahang tinatapik ang balikat ni Spade.

"I'm sorry for my colleagues rude behavior my lady," Paghingi ng pasensya ni Uri.

"I-it's nothing!" Tugon ko. "Put your sword down Issac," Utos ko na siyang mabilis naman nitong sinunod.

"I'm putting my sword down but it doesn't mean that I trust them, especially this man!" Itinuro nito si Zacchaeus na taimtim pa ring nakatitig sa akin.

"Hey I am talking to you!" Salubong kilay na sigaw ni Issac kaya napasintido ako.

"Issac lower down you voice," Naisha said.

"Boss the knight is talking to you," Tinapik ni Uri ang balikat ni Zacchaeus.

"I heard him Uri. I'm not deaf," Saad ni Zacchaeus at tiningnan si Issac. "I did nothing wrong. The lady and I are just talking about something," Paliwanag nito.

"Talking? That's not what I saw. Your face is so close to my cousin's," Wika ni Issac, galit pa rin.

"It isn't really close," Zacchaeus said, smiling. "But I am hoping that one day in the right time, I can finally caress her in my arm while whispering how much I adore her."

Hindi ko narinig ang mga huling salitang sinabi ni Zacchaeus sa kadahilanang mahina iyon. Basta ang alam ko lang ay nakatitig ito sa mga mata ko habang nakangiti ng malapad, at habang ang mga mata ay nangungusap at nagsusumamo.

"Let's go home now Quynh," Issac said in a bad mood.

"Why?" I replied and sits again.

"This man is clearly flirting at you!" Dinuro nito si Zacchaeus.

"Are you?" Tanong ko.

"No comment," Zacchaeus replied then chuckles.

Napatawa na lang rin ako sa naging sagot nito at muli itong inayang umupo. Samantalang sila Issac, Ava, Naisha, Spade, Uri at Gaspar naman ay nagsama-sama sa iisang mesa.

Mukhang may pagkakaibigang mabubuo sa pagitan nila, which is good because it will be the first time that they got friends aside from me.

"Are you really his uncle?" Pagtukoy ko sa sinabi ni Spade kanina.

"Yes," Tugon ni Zacchaeus at pinaghiwa ako ng strawberry cake na hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha.

"Thank you," I said politely as I gently stir my strawberry juice.

"It's nothing. I can be your slave if you want me too," Saad nito na kinatawa ko.

"You're funny Zacchaeus," tumatawa kong saad.

"I'm not joking though, I'm dead serious here Countess."