Chapter 07

Lady Victoria's 18th Birthday

[Snow White]

"Greetings Princess Snow White." Para akong nanghina dahil sa tagal nang biyahe kung pwede nga lang akong kumuha nang kwarto rito ay hindi ako mag-aalangang matulog.

"Princess Snow White, you came." Sabay angat ni Lady Xiu nang baso. "You're just right in time." Dagdag pa ni Scarce.

"Princess Victoria is really anxious about her gown since Lady Rebel is waiting for her." Nakarating pala dito si Lady Rebel nang mas maaga kaysa sakin. Kung hindi lang maarte si Ina ay malamang kanina pa ako nakakain.

"You mean, Lady Rebel is wearing a gown?" Tanong ko na ikinatawa nilang apat. "No. Rebel wears something that is out of this world. She really looks hot in menswear."

"Mind your mouth Lady Scarce. You hate her at the start remember?" Pang-aasar ni Lady Xiu kay Lady Scarce. Although she's right, but I guess tapos na ang mga pangungutya dahil sa mabait na ugali ni Lady Rebel.

"A Knight and a future Empress." Napatingin kami sa bumaba. My eyes are stuck in Lady Rebel as she looks like a different person because of wearing a prince suit.

I guess gown and dresses will fit her more but I'm wrong. Prince outfits suits her better...

"I, Princess Victoria Nylvania Schultz, welcome you all for this wonderful day. I'm finally at my legal age. I hope you treat me nicely in the future." I can't deny that Victoria is really fitted for Lady Rebel.

Their chemistry is just too sparkling.

"Is she really Princess Victoria's future knight?"

"If Lady Rebel were just a guy. She fitted to be the Emperor."

"Is it possible that Lady Victoria already have that chemistry with Lady Rebel?"

Nang magtagpo ang mata namin ay nginitian ako ni Lady Rebel. Marahan ko siyang kinawayan at tumango naman siya.

Sa pag-uumpisa nang kanta ay nagsimula naring magsayaw ang lahat habang ako ay mas piniling tignan ang mga nagsasayawan.

I'm a princess who doesn't have an escort. That's what I think...

"Can I have this dance?" Hindi ko aasahang lalapit sakin si Lady Rebel para ayain akong magsayaw.

"What about Lady Victoria?" Tanging kami ang naging sentro nang atensyon dahil nag-iisa nalang kaming sumasayaw sa gitna.

"It must be her night." And looking at Princess Victoria's face... She looks so gentle while she's smiling yet it seems so deadly.

"She's thinking about her friend's happiness too." Kung marunong kalang kumilala nang pag-uugali nang isang tao... Mahahalata mong iba ang ibig sabihin ni Prinsesa Victoria sa mga sinabi niya sayo.

But I don't want to disappoint her kaya napag-isipan ko nalang na magsaya. "I'll pick you up later on Snow. Please be patient." Tumango naman ako. She ended up kissing my forehand.

Pagkatapos nang tugtugan ay bumalik si Lady Rebel sa kamay ni Prinsesa Victoria. She looks at me as if she wins in a competition.

Ayoko nang patulan ang gano'ng pag-uugali dahil wala naman itong patutunguhan. Nagpaalam ako kay ama na sasabay ako kay Lady Rebel kaya hindi na ako nagpahintay nang karwahe.

"Hindi ka pa pala nagiging bato sa tingin ni Prinsesa Victoria." She sees me as her rival. Wala naman siyang dapat ipag-alala dahil magkaibigan lang kami ni Lady Rebel.

"You steal her spotlight Princess Snow."

"You seem to enjoy your dance with Lady Rebel." Pang-aasar sakin ni Morris. "Greetings Princess Snow. I'm Lady Eunacia. Lord Trevelyan's wife." Another gentle and innocent lady.

Lady Rebel is the only one with a fierce and strong attitude.

"Greetings Lady Eunacia." Nagsimula ang kasiyahan. Pinalibutan kami nang iba't-ibang taong may iba't-ibang interes.

Wala naman talaga akong balak pumunta kung hindi lang ako kasama sa pangkat ni Prinsesa Victoria.

"You're not enjoying the party?" Nabigla ako sa pagsulpot ni Prinsesa Victoria sa gilid ko.

"What makes you think that way Princess?" Tanong ko sa kanya na ikinatingin niya sa mga taong masayang nag-uusap-usap.

"You're not interacting. That's why I'm wondering if my party doesn't fit to your taste." I'm just being me.

Hindi naman talaga ako sanay makipag-usap lalo na't politika at kasal ang madalas na pinag-uusapan.

"Your party is a big shot Princess Victoria." It pissed me off. She's like a doll with a fake smile.

"Please come in my future parties Princess Snow." I sweetly nods. If you want to play with me then I won't stop you.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit mabait parin ang pakikitungo niya sakin pero alam kong may rason sa bawat aksyon.

"Oh my, are you leaving?" Tumingin naman ako nang pumunta sa pwesto namin si Lady Rebel.

"Your party is a success. Congratulations Princess Victoria."

"Thanks to you Lady Rebel for helping me to pick some entrepreneurs to invite. Our EMPIRE will be successful in the future because of your connections."

"Rebel, you'll accompany me home isn't it right?" Inosente kong tanong habang marahang hinihigit-higit ang suot niya.

Napatingin sakin si Prinsesa Victoria na halata mo ang gulat sa mukha. "It's not good to disrespect the Lady of Ainsworth manor–" Pinigilan naman siya ni Rebel.

"Snow is my friend, Princess Victoria. I promised to accompany her home. It's almost time of my duty. We shall take our leave."

Lady Rebel lays her hand kaya naman masaya kong tinanggap ito. I don't want to play with Princess Victoria but I guess it's quite fun to tease her.

"Happiest birthday Princess Victoria." Sambit ni Lady Rebel bago kami tuluyang lumabas nang palasyo.

"You're so confident on calling me Rebel." Napabitaw naman ako sa kamay niya dahil sa kahihiyan. "You're so good at teasing Princess Victoria." Tila umakyat na ata ang init papunta sa mukha ko.

"I'm sorry Lady Rebel–"

"What's with the formality?" Natawa siya at sumakay sa kabayo. Hindi ba siya sumasakay sa karwahe?

"Take my hand Snow."

"I never ride a horse before."

"Do you trust me?" Kasabay nang paghangin ay ang pagsakay ko sa kabayo.

"Hold my waist tightly Snow. You might get hurt if you're stubborn." Hindi ako nagpasaway at kumapit ako nang mahigpit sa bewang niya.

"Hiya!" Kasabay nito ang pagtakbo nang kabayo. "Look at the sky Snow. Don't be afraid to open your eyes. The world is still offering beautiful things." Pagtingin ko sa taas ay bumungad sakin ang kumikislap na mga bituin.

Kahit malakas ang simoy nang hangin... mararamdaman mo ang alaga sa bawat pagdampi nito sa balat ko.

"Are you comfortable?"

"Thank you Rebel."

"I'll stick to your side Princess Snow. If you want my assistance, make sure to talk to me. Pero hangga't wala kang gusto mula sakin. Please refrain yourself from talking to me." This is her line again and it's making me confuse.

Pero kahit na gano'n ay mas pinili kong sariwain ang inihahandog nang mundo sakin para ngayong gabi.

I don't want this night to end. But I'm thankful that I met such a wonderful woman named Lady Rebel Ainsworth.