Taming the Villain

"Ladies, I'm just disheartened the way you said that I was a bitch... Is that a right term to greet someone you just saw for the first time?" Nag kunware pa akong nagpupunas ng luha habang sinasabi ang mga katagang iyon. I slightly took a glance around us and just like how I like it to happen.

Humans are indeed easy to fool.  Nature ba kumbaga. Pakitaan mo lang ng isang arte maniniwala na agad. Just like how this lowly nobles. Easy to fool, easy to manipulate.

But I like how the table turn.  But I'm not satisfied yet. I want more...

"And the fact that you dare to insult the one and only daughter of the duke and duchess of the East. The Fyndel family. Insulting the family of the duke. Isn't that a crime that need to be punished? Should I ask my father to investigate it? Oh, no, I think I just heard you mentioning the crown prince earlier.  Let me just give you a hint. Are you perhaps insulting the emperor for agreeing to the marriage contract that our family offered?"

"Who dared to insult the emperor?"

Halos manigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang marinig ang boses ng taong gusto kong iwasan. It was the crown prince. Lindel Markari... the one who stabbed me on the chest. The one who killed me.

Damn, I'm caught of guard just hearing his emotionless cold voice. How can I forgot how his voice sounded like. His last words on me will always be imprinted on my mind.

"Die Linea. There's no place for you here."

I bite my lower lips before facing the crown prince.

Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang laylayan ng suot kong dress. I cross my legs backwars as i slightly bowed myself on him to show respect. Ofcourse, kahit hindi siya karespe-respeto. He's still the emperor son. He is still the crown prince.

"Greetings, your highness. May the blessing and prosperity be in your hand."

Blessing my ass. Tsk.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin and to my surprise he's eyes was on me. He looked curious on something and that when I remember. Damn why do I act like an insulent brat in my past life.

"It seems that even the crown prince noticed the sudden chages of Lady Linea."

"May I have all your attentions, everyone." Lahat kami ay napatingin sa may parang stage ng banquet hall ng marinig ang boses ng emperor.

"Upon celebrating the 20th birthday of the next succesor of the throne we would also like to formally announce his engagement with the only daughter of the duke family Linea—"

"Forgive me, your highness for interupting your speech. But, I the only daughter of duke Fidel, Linea Amari Fyndel breaking my engagement with his highness the crown prince." Naglakad ako papalapit sa kinaroroonan niya kasabay non ang pagsulpot sa tabi ko ni Lindel.

Biglang tumahimik ang lahat. Why? You did not expect that? I slightly turn my body to face the crown prince.

I slightly bowed my head, "I apologise for causing you trouble this past years. Please do expect that my presence won't no longer be presistent to you."

"Linea, what are you saying—" I quickly turned to my mother and father who was like about to collapse because of how worried they are to me right now.  I just gave them a smile before facing the emperor again.

Sinong hindi kakabahan. No matter how wealthy and powerful our family. The imperial family will always be the most powerful and I am here standing infront of them bravely breaking off my engagement with the crown prince. The next succesor that will ascending the throne.

"Lady Linea, your father and I agreed with this you can't just break it off."

"Your majesty, the sun of the empire.  I'm the one who forced my father to propose an engagement to the imperial family. Maybe because of my insulent behaviour I got to far. And as a descant woman and the only daughter of our family I can't no longer bear to bring disgrace in our family."

Kumunot ang noo ng emperor dahil sa sinabi ko, " are you saying that it's a disgrace to be married to our family?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.

"I apologise if it's sounded like that, your majesty. But, that's not what i meant. As you see..." huminto ako panandalian at nagkunwareng nagpupunas ng luha bago tumingin kay Lindel. Na halos hindi rin makapaniwala sa mga sinasabi ko. Why? Siya lang ba may karapatang manakit sa pride ko? It will make me happy if i break his ego right now.

"As you see, your majesty. I and your son does not get along well. I will respectfully accept any punishment you will give me after turning down the engagement that I and our family proposed to your family."

"No, not like that. You and your family is not that distant to us. May pinagsamahan ang mga pamilya natin kaya kung iyong mamarapatin ano ang rason bakit bigla mo nalang kina-cancel ang engagement niyo."

I was about to answer but nothing came out from my mouth. Damn... Anong sasabihin ko.

"I heard that you quite fancy and liked my son. So, why, whats with the sudden change of heart?"

Isip-isip, Linea... oh! HAHAHA just a little bit push kaya mo 'yan. Huminga ako ng malalim bago tumingin ng seryoso sa emperor.

"I will tell you my reason, your majesty. If only, you promised me that you yourself will terminate the engagement. "

"What!" Kumunot ang noo ko nang marinig ang pag-alma ni Lindel. What's with this jerk?

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay but he just greeted his teeth at umiwas ng tingin sa akin.

What's with you? I thought you hated my presence.

"Fine, if that's what you wish. Now, tell us your reason, princess Linea."

It's show time...

"Your majesty, you've heard a lot about me right? Specially the rumours going around Specially my relationship with your son. But, I-I, I'm interested in someone else now." Pagkasabi ko non pati ang mga magulang ko ay hindi makapaniwala.

Pls, just buy it. I'm not really interested in anyone nor will be interested. Wala sa plano ko iyon.  My only goal right now is to survive. So first, I must break my engagement with the crown prince.

"What? Interested to whom?" Lindel asked. Paki mo ba?.

"That's none of your concern, your highness."
Pinampag ko ang suot kong dress at muling tiningnan ang emperor na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa nangyari.

"Your majesty,  I hoped you understand my reasons. And I do expect that you will keep your promise."

I bowed on them and started to turn around and walk on the carpet as if nothing happened. I expected all of it to be on the morning news paper tommorow.  How was it Lindel? It will be more fun if you brought your lady with you.

Then, it was success. The first step to survival is successful.

"What an interesting woman..."