Kabanata 5
Wedding
On the day kung saan nag-pa-plano na ako ng pangalawang gagawin kung paano pasasang-ayunin ang Duke, saka naman dumating ang mensahe para sakin mula sakanya.
It was a letter saying he'll visit our mansion in the evening to give a dowry to my parents! It is sort of like a pamamanhikan kung saan nagbibigay ng mga pera, alahas, ginto or gamit na may pakinabang sa pamilya ng babae. It is a gift para sa magulang ng babae for taking care of the soon-to-be-wedded girl simula ng isilang ito. This is so sudden! I haven't told my parents yet about our plans, about the said wedding! Dahil ang akala ko ay mag-uusap pa muli kami tungkol sa kasunduan namin. Kaya naman buong maghapon akong taranta hanggang sa makarating na siya sa mansyon.
He's still the same Duke Crescendo that I met last week. Silky and very beautiful silver hair, and those grey eyes!
"I'll be announcing our engagement the day after tomorrow."
That news broke into the house. My parents were shocked. Even me! He was smiling cheekily at me while I was dumbfounded by the news.
"What are you saying, Your Excellency? Do you want to ask my daughter's hand in marriage?" My father was the first one to come to his senses.
Dale smiles and simply nods sa tanong ni Papa, "I know it was a little too fast, but I want to marry the woman I love as soon as possible."
Nanlaki ang mata ko. That one was a total lie. That Crescendo's smile number 1, right there! Duh.
"But... Why? What about the d..."
Bago pa man matapos ng Papa ang pagsasalita, Duke Crescendo showed us a paper. Titulo iyon ng lupa. It was twice our land!
"Kung kulang pa ito, sabihin niyo lang sakin. Besides, ang anak niyo ay walang kasing halaga ng kahit anong materyal na bagay." Ani Duke sabay halik sa kamay ko. " I am willing to give everything, para lang makuha ang kamay ng anak niyo Count Clerebold."
Ngising hilaw lamang ang naisukli ko. Hindi na dapat pa ako kumontra dahil ito ang unang hakbang sa mga plano ko. Ang makaalis sa puder ng pamilyag Clerebold.
Not that I don't want to be in here. But the cause of my death was by Beatrice Childe. A much more powerful family than ours. Kung gusto ko makaligtas, kailangan kong kumampi sa mas mataas o kaya ay kasing taas ng katungkulan ng pamilya ni Beatrice. That way, hindi niya ako basta basta masasaktan na lamang. The title of Grand Duchess will do it like magic.
"Grand duke...!" Halata ang gulat at galak sa mukha ni Papa habang hawak hawak ang papel. Mukhang pumapayag na si Papa.
Nakita ko ang pagtikom ng kamao ng Mama ko. Her eyes were sad and worried by the sudden news.
"Mama?" I whispered.
She looked up to me and spoke, "Honey, hindi mo manlang ba tatanungin ang desisyon ng anak mo?"
Kumunot ang noo ni Papa sa sinabi na iyon ni Mama. This is the first time na nagsalita si Mama sa isang bagay. She was always quiet and obedient kay Papa noon pa man. But this time, she chooses to speak.
"May problema ba? Labag ba ito sa loob mo, anak?" Seryoso pero marahan na salita ni Papa. "Since you're not speaking, I thought you like the idea of being engaged with the Grand Duke. Mali ba ako ng pag intindi, Amaury?"
Nanginginig si Mama pero bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay naunahan ako ni Mama.
"I love my daughter so much. At ayoko siya mapunta sa kasal na hindi naman niya gusto. Kaya tutol ako kung alam ko na hindi gusto ni Amaury ang makasal. Pero kung sarili mo itong desisyon anak, ayos lang saakin."
Ngayon ko lang napansin... My mom was always watching me and guiding me. She was always quiet and never opposed my father's decision for me, but now, knowing that I don't love this man, she'll try to voice out her concern to protect me. Unti-unti nanggilid ang luha ko. I bit my lower lip as I felt Duke Crescendo's hand tapping my shoulder to calm me down.
"Mama..."
She smiled at me, "Don't be afraid, Amaury. Mother's going to help you. Sabihin mo sakin kung labag sa loob mo ito."
"Amaury?"
Even my father is waiting for my decision. For the first time, I saw his worried face.
Ibinaba niya ang papel na hawak at saka humarap ng maayos samin ni Duke Crescendo.
"Amaury, you've never voiced what you want and hate. Kaya naman ang mga desisyon na sa tingin kong makakabuti sayo ang ginagawa ko. Even your mother was concerned about you. Kaya ngayon, anak..." He stops and smiles at me encouragingly, "Sabihin mo sa Papa kung ano ang gusto mo."
His fatherly love was consuming my heart. From the novel's information, my father is a strict and power-hungry man. He never cares for her daughter. Even my mother was given that kind of description. But that's not true, they love Amaury, me, they just didn't know how to express it.
Pinunasan ko ang luha na tumakas sa aking mga mata, "Papa, Mama, you've been a very good parent to me." I held Duke Crescendo's hand andsaids, "...and I love this man so much. Please give us blessing for our marriage."
That all happened 2 days ago. Tonight is my engagement night. Before I even debut on society, here I am, having an engagement with the most powerful Duke in the empire.
Nasa labas kami ngayon ng veranda, nagpapahangin. Hindi naman gaano kadami ang umattend sa engagement namin. It is so sudden kaya naman a few noble families from our province lang ang nakapunta.
Duke Crescendo doesn't want unwanted attention to me bago pa ako makapag debut sa society kaya mas mabuti na ang ganitong maliit na celebration.
The one that will be extravagant is our wedding na ngayon ay kalahati na yata ang preparation. Well, I guess instead of a fake engagement, our contract will be a fake marriage.
"The wedding is a month after the debutant ball. Be prepared."
My plan is starting... I'm starting to accomplish the first step!
The goal for my new life!
BINABASA MO ANG
One Chance For Redemption
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