Sophia's POV
"Napakaganda mo po talaga, Lady Elizabeth." Pareho kaming nakatitig sa whole body mirror. Para akong buhay na manikang naka-dress up. Bagay naman sa 'kin 'yong suot kong gown, kaso nga lang nahihirapan akong makahinga dahil sa corset. I looked like one of those Disney Princesses. Ang suot ko ay maihahalintulad sa kasuotan nina Snow White, Cinderella, at Belle. My gown is color purple with black laces. I am wearing black gloves, na ang haba ay aabot sa siko ko. My jewelries are black tourmaline, and I wore black high heels.
Should I just call myself a villain princess? Because I looked like one.
Mas lalo ako naging mukhang maldita dahil sa suot ko. Lahat ng damit ni Elizabeth ay puro dark colors. Hindi ko rin gusto ang designs. Siguro dahil galing ako sa modern era kaya iba ang taste ng fashion standards ko.
"May sarili ba akong designer?" walang kabuhay-buhay kong tanong. Nawawalan ako sa mood habang sinusuri ang kabuuan ko.
"Yes, milady. Updated niya po lagi ang mga dress at gown mo," she explained while smiling at me.
I frowned. "Set an appointment with my designer. Tell him we are going to have discussions regarding sa designs na gusto ko."
"Okay, milady," she responded respectfully.
Naglakad kami palabas ng kwarto. Marami ang nahinto sa kanilang mga ginagawa para magbigay paggalang sa 'kin. Hindi nila ako matingnan dahil sa takot. Medyo nakakailang pero wala akong magagawa. Mahihirapan akong masanay sa pagtrato nila sa 'kin. Hindi ko naman sila masisisi, dahil minsan na sila naging biktima ng galit ni Elizabeth.
I guess I needed to fix things everything in here first. Aasikasuhin kong mapagaan ang kalooban nilang lahat sa 'kin, kapag natapos na ang problema ko sa engagement ko.
"Announce my attendance," I said to the head butler standing in front of Duke's office.
"He's expecting for you, milady," tugon nito habang nakayuko bago ako pagbuksan ng pintuan.
"Thank you." Gulat ang kaniyang expression na nakatitig sa 'kin. Hindi siguro siya makapaniwala na naging grateful ako sa assistance niya.
Naiwan sa labas ng pinto si Melrose para maghintay. Bumungad naman sa harap ko ang Duke na busy sa pag-asikaso ng paper works.
"I greet you, milord," I greeted him properly. Buti na lang, I owned the memories of Elizabeth. Kaya lahat ng etiquette lesson na natutunan niya ay naikikilos ko rin ng perpekto.
I still can't get used to his appearance. Kahit nasa mid 30s na siya, mukha lang siyang kuya ko.
He's so damn hot! He has black hair like mine, a sharp look and dark blue eyes, a pointed nose, and sexy lips. He let his hair down and slightly messy. His cold aura makes him more attractive.
Nahinto siya sa ginagawa para pagtuunan ako ng pansin. "What do you wish to discuss with me?" he said, wearing his usual cold expression.
Sa sobrang cold, tipong magdadalawang isip kang magsalita. If I were the real Elizabeth, I already got into cold feet here, like a scared cat. Eh, hindi ako siya. The difference between me and her, I have the confidence to speak my thoughts and opinions, loud and clear.
According to the novel, Duke White neglected his daughter ever since she was born. His wife died because of complications during labor. He never showed love and affection towards his daughter. Kahit na nag-i-effort si Elizabeth para i-acknowledge siya ng papa niya, all he does is to give her the cold shoulders. He only fulfilled his responsibility by giving her money for a living, that's all. No one treated her like family, even her brothers.
Sila ang may kasalanan kaya naging pariwara si Elizabeth. Hindi niya natutunang pahalagahan ang sarili niya, dahil walang nagparamdam nito sa kaniya.
"I am here to suggest the cancellation of my engagement with the Crown Prince," I said straightforwardly.
He silently stares at me. Parang chini-check niya kung determinado ba ako o hindi. Later on, may envelope siyang kinuha sa drawer.
"Here." Nilapag niya 'yon sa ibabaw ng table. Lumapit ako sa direksyon niya para tingnan ang nilalaman nito. As I read its contents, I felt myself smirking because of satisfaction. I thought It would be hard to obtain these papers. Mas mapapadali na ang pag-move forward ko, salamat sa mabilis niyang kooperasyon.
"I don't have extra time to take care of that matter. Work it on your own, talk to the Crown Prince by yourself and ask for his cooperation."
"I will. Thank you, milord." I bowed my head to give him my respect.
"You may go," he said without taking a glance in my direction.
I silently leave the office then directly return to my room. "Woooh!" I lie down on my bed while looking happily at the documents.
The signature and stamp of the Duke were visible. It was also granted by the Emperor. All that is left for me to do is to sign it. Kailangan nga lang din ng pirma ni Lawrence bago simulan ang proseso ng pagpapawalang bisa ng engagement namin. Kahit na ayaw ko siyang makita, wala akong magagawa kundi puntahan siya't hingin ang kaniyang kooperasyon.
Matatanggal na ang harang sa relasyon nilang dalawa ni Beatrice kaya sure akong good news din 'to sa kaniya. Kailangan ko na lang magpadala ng request for audience sa Crown Prince.
"Melrose, bigyan mo ako ng pinakamagandang papel natin diyan," nakangiti kong utos.
Hindi maalis-alis sa mukha ko ang saya dahil para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib. Kapag naging mabisa ang annulment of agreement, ang poproblemahin ko na lang ay si Killian.
"Yes, Lady Elizabeth."
Pansin ang pagtataka niya kung bakit good mood ako. Hindi ko na lang iyon idineklara para maiwasan na rin ang pag-ulan niya ng tanong.
Binigay niya naman kaagad sa 'kin ang mga kailangan ko. Kinuha ko sa ilalim ng unan ang libro na binabasa ko nitong nakaraang araw, para gawing patungan ng papel.
Tahimik kong sinimulan ang paggawa ng request na ipapadala ko sa palasyo. Ilang minuto lang ay madali ko ring natapos ang pagsulat ng magiging laman nitong liham ko para kay Lawrence.
I handed over the letter to her. "Melrose, please deliver this letter to the Imperial Palace. This is for my dearest fiancé."
She carefully takes it from my grasp before leaving me here alone.
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. If this goes smoothly, then that's a good sign.
Duke White's POV I, Felixander White Sr., the current head in our household. I am the father of Elizabeth White. I love my daughter dearly, hindi lang halata. She speculates I neglected her, but she doesn't know I am always updated on her whereabouts. Even though I can't show her my affection, I will give her everything to make her happy. My daughter, Elizabeth, resembles my wife who died because of childbirth. Noong una, hirap akong tingnan siya dahil naaalala ko 'yong sakit nang mawala sa 'kin ang babaeng mahal ko. Pero nang naabutan ko siyang walang buhay sa loob ng kwarto niya, doon lang ako tuluyang nagising. Nakaramdam ako ng sobrang pagsisisi. Laking pasasalamat ko nang muli siyang nagising mula sa kamatayan. Pakiramdam ko ay binigyan ako ng pagkakataon ng Diyos para itama lahat ng pagkukulang ko. "I am here to give my report," she said. Tumayo ng tuwid si Melrose sa h
Sophia's POV "Milady, the Crown Prince is here. Wake up, milady." Istorbo sa 'kin ng kung sino. I groaned. "I need to sleep, just five more minutes ..." "No more five minutes. The Crown Prince is here!" Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa narinig ko. "What? I thought it would take days before granting my request?" gulat kong tanong sa aking sarili. I just sent the letter yesterday. What is he doing here? At saka madaling araw pa lang! Is he that excited to annul our engagement? According to the memories of Elizabeth, it's hard to keep in touch with him. He often ignores her letters and disregards all of them. That's why she stopped sending letters anymore, and barged in herself, unin
Lawrence's POV "There's a letter for you from Lady Elizabeth of White Dukedom," my aide said while holding the tray that has the letter on top of it. "What is it this time?" Nahinto ako sa pag-review ng reports para paglaanan siya ng pansin. "See it for yourself. Are you that cold-hearted to your fiance?" What is he talking about? I believe that is just like usual. Wala namang bago kay Elizabeth. Pinunit ko ang dulo ng sobre para kunin sa loob ang laman. Sunod kong binuklat ang liham para pasadahan ng tingin ang nilalaman niyon. His Highness, the Crown Prince To: Lawrence William I greet the future sun of Asterin Empire, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Lawrence William. I hope you have a great day today. I, Elizabeth White, daughter of Duke White, request permission to be your a
Sophia's POV "Lady Elizabeth, I was stunned by your talent in swordsmanship. This will be a satisfactory report for Duke White, he must hear about this," sabi nito sa 'kin matapos makita ang stances ko sa paggamit ng espada. Kasalukuyan akong nasa training grounds ng mga knight. Kahit papaano ay naging madali ang pag-a-adjust ko sa katawan ni Elizabeth. I can even learn effortlessly swordsmanship here in this era. I know Fencing from my previous life. Although I am not the best at it, I was still one of the top competitors in the university. Pinunasan ko ang aking pawis gamit ang towel na bitbit ng isa sa mga servant ng mansyon, at saka uminom ng tubig para matanggal ang uhaw ko. "I learned well because you're good at instructing me. No beginner can be better in everything without having an excellent educator," sagot ko. His cheeks turn red. Napapakamot siya sa batok
Sophia's POV Today is the Mask Festival Day, here in the middle-class area. I decided to go tonight to gain experiences of this world. I plan to have fun without thinking of any unnecessary things. Deserve ko rin maging masaya bilang ako mismo 'no! Of course, I brought guards with me since I am not familiar with places here. Hindi naman mahilig maggala si Elizabeth kaya wala akong idea—at saka for security and emergency purposes na rin. Mas okay ang laging handa 'di ba? For me to not feel lonely, sinama ko na rin si Melrose. We both wear normal clothes and masks to easily blend with ordinary people. "Sophia, look at those pieces of jewelry!" She gladly introduces to me the accessories na may magagandang designs. I let her take her time to look and decide. For the first time in this life, I let myself be called by my real name even just for the night.
Sophia's POV Naramdaman ko ang malamig na ihip ng hangin. Napakaganda ng panahon ngayon dito sa labas. Masarap tumambay kapag hindi mainit ang klima. I smiled. "So much peacefulness." I am currently enjoying my cup of tea here in the garden while appreciating the silence of the afternoon. "Lady Elizabeth, this is from Duke White," Melrose said after taking the brown envelope from the male servant. Inangat ko ang palad ko para hingin ang envelope sa kaniya. She carefully put it on my palm. I look into it, to read the contents inside. This is information gathered by Duke White. It is related to the background of Trisha and the siblings. Trisha De Fuerte, the daughter of the late Baron and Baroness De Fuerte. Born on April 26, 980, her current age is twenty-one. Namatay ang mga magulang niya dahil sa sakit na hindi pa matukoy ng doktor sa panahon na 'to
Sophia's POV I am now on my way to the residence of Marquess Philip. These past few days, I have been having second thoughts if I should go or just ditch the occasion. But the problem is, I already sent a response of acceptance—on the same day when I received the invitation. I heavily sighed. Ayoko namang ipahiya ang pangalang dala-dala ko. Naalala ko ring hindi nga pala ako aarteng kontrabida katulad ng nasa kwento. Magpapakabuting nilalang ako at hindi papadala sa emosyon. Nang huminto ang sinasakyan ko sa tapat ng entrance ng Philip Household, agad akong pinapasok ng guard no'ng ma-identify nito ang invitation ko. "Welcome, Lady Elizabeth," salubong sa 'kin ng butler nang makababa ako sa karwahe. "Lead the way," I said. Yumuko ito bilang pagsang-ayon saka siya umuna ng paglakad patungo sa lugar kung saan ang tea party. Huminto kami sa greenhouse,
Sophia's POV The moment na na-open ang topic regarding sa 'min Lawrence, sakto rin ang pagdating niya rito sa garden. Hindi siya napansin ng mga kasama ko, naramdaman ko naman ang presensya niya. Imbes na ipagpatuloy nito ang kaniyang paglapit, huminto muna siya para makinig sa usapan. Ang event na 'to ay part ng plot sa novel. I agreed to attend here hindi lang para linisin ang imahe ko, kundi para masaksihan kung sumusunod pa rin ba sa progreso ang story—kahit na nangielam ako. Ang nagpatibay sa konklusyon ko ay ang pagpunta ng Crown Prince dito. Elizabeth poured a cup of tea into her dress. She pushed Beatrice down then pulled her hair. While Elizabeth was constantly tormenting Beatrice, the Crown Prince appeared to save his lover. He came uninvited after knowing that Elizabeth is present at the tea party... That's how it was presumed to happen but I did not play the simila