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
Sophia's POV "Lady Elizabeth, wake up." Rinig kong boses ni Melrose. I groaned then shift my position. Ano na naman ba ang mayro'n para guluhin niya ang tulog ko? "Please, Lady Elizabeth! You have to," pagmamakaawa niya sa 'kin. Pinilit kong buksan ang mga mata ko. Ilang oras pa lang ba ako nakakatulog? Kumikirot pa ang ulo ko. Nagpuyat ako kagabi kaiisip sa nangyari kahapon kila Beatrice. "What's with the ruckus outside, Melrose?" "The Duke announced the early return of young masters." Hindi na ako nakaramdam ng surpresa, I expected them to be back sooner. Nag-apply silang pareho ng early graduation para magampanan na 'yong pinaghandaan nila ng ilang taon. "How about the kids?" I asked her while she was removing my pajamas. "They are already preparing themselves." "I see."
Sophia's POV "Franco, the recruitment for Imperial Knights will be held on the day after the Crown Prince's birthday celebration," the Duke initiated the conversation. "Yes, Father. I will keep that in mind," Francisco replied. I am sitting between the twin siblings, while the Duke is in front of us. Sina Felixander at Francisco naman ay nasa magkabilang gilid lang ng table. "What are your plans, Felix?" Duke White asked his eldest son, Felixander. "I'm not changing my mind, Father. Please postpone my succession to the duchy," he answered calmly before taking a sip on his cup of tea. Duke White heave a sighed. Makikita sa kaniyang mukha na tutol ito sa sagot ng anak. Felix chuckled. "Why are you in a rush? You're still alive and kicking well, Father," pagbibiro nito. "You brat, I want to live my remaining years for
Sophia's POV Hindi ko expect na mahirap palang mag-mountain climbing. Dagdag pa ang sobrang lamig ng paligid. Bumabaon ang bawat yapak ko sa yelo. Tapos ang lakas pa ng loob kong mag-offer na pumunta kaagad dito. Tinanaw ko ang likuran ni Francisco. Ang layo ng agwat niya sa 'kin, hindi man lang ako hinintay. I was surprised nang sabihin niyang hindi niya raw kailangan ng ilang araw na pahinga bago ako samahan. Hindi siya nagreklamo sa Duke, he just immediately followed the given order. He likes overworking himself, hindi yata uso ang pagod sa kaniya. "Wala ka na bang mas ibabagal pa?" he coldly asked while looking in my direction. Masama ang tingin nito sa 'kin habang kunot ang noo. "Don't compare my legs to yours," I sarcastically replied. Tinalikuran niya lang ako saka sinimulan ulit ang paglalakad. Napansin ko ang pagbagal ng mg
Sophia's POV I woke up not feeling well. Masakit ang buo kong katawan habang kumikirot naman ng matindi ang ulo ko. Naupo ako saka sinandal ang aking likuran sa headboard ng kama. "Lady Elizabeth?" I look at the person who just came in. She's staring at me while covering her mouth. Then, she immediately left my room for no reason. What's with Melrose? Later on, she came back with the Duke. I notice the worry in their eyes. What's going on? "Sister Elizabeth." The twins entered my room. Madali silang umakyat sa aking higaan para yakapin ako. "How are you?" Duke White asked. Melrose excused herself to give us privacy. "I'm fine? What's happening?" "You passed out," Francisco responded habang nakasandal sa entrance ng pinto. Hindi ko napansin ang pagdating niya. Af
Sophia's POV A big portrait of a lady, welcomed us inside the room, with ebony black wavy hair, her eyes are covered with a golden mask, she is wearing a bright gold crown around her head, her gown is like a starry night sky with stars. I think she was the previous Dark Priestess. I look around to check the surroundings. It's a room with a bed and a cabinet. The types of furniture are too old, they can already be considered as antiques. There are books piled up on the table, a quill pen, and an envelope. Lumapit ako roon para tingnan ang laman ng envelope. I realized It was a letter. Dumating man ang panahong mabasa mo ito, isa lamang ang ibig sabihin nito. Ako ay nagbalik muli sa lugar na pinaghirapan kong lisanin. Ngunit batid kong wala akong maaalala sa nakaraan, na siyang pinagpapasalamat ko. Mabasa mo man ang aking talaarawan, hindi mo mararamdaman ang pait at kalungkutan na s