One Chance For Redemption

Kabanata 10- Femme Fatale

Kabanata 10

Femme fatale

One thing I hate in life is waking up from a beautiful sleep.

Joanne and my maids woke me up early in the morning para makapagsimula na ang pag-aayos para sa ball mamaya.

I took a total of three baths! First is with a rose water and salt. Pagkatapos ay bath with almond milk. And panghuli ay with scented water. It took me 2 hours to finish those 3 processes. Wearing my robe, lumabas na kami sa banyo. Pinaupo nila ako sa tea table ko at naglagay sila doon ng bread with butter and orange juice.

"You may eat your breakfast first Miss before we proceed on your clothes, hair and make-up." Ani Joanne ng tapos na maglagay ng pagkain sa lamesa.

I grunted while listening to her. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ganito katagal gumayak. In my modern world, maliligo ka lang, magbibihis at maglalagay ng powder pwede ng umalis. Pero dito, 3 separate baths? Gaano pa ako katagal mag-pe-prepare? An entire day?!

Nang matapos ako sa pagkain ay agad dinala nila Joanne ang dress ko na susuotin para sa debutant ball. I can see from their eyes how amaze they were.

"Is this really made by Sir Elliot?" ani ng isang maid.

Ngumisi ako. I'm kind of proud that I was the first one na nagawan ng gown ni Sir Elliot. And I still have more to come from him. 20 dresses to be exact. For my hair, Joanne parts my hair down the middle and grabs two strands to twist on both sides. The rest of my hair cascades in waves down my shoulder. After that they put light make up on just to enhance my facial feature.

"You look so beautiful, Miss!"- I heard all of them cheered ng matapos na akong mag-ayos.

Napangiti ako when I saw my reflection on the mirror. I am indeed beautiful. Kapatid ako ng bida, I should be pretty as well.

"Now shall we go downstairs? Duke Crescendo has been waiting for you." Wika ni Joanne habang sinusuot sakin ang corsage na bigay ni Dale.

"Nandito na siya?" Gulat kong tanong. Walang nagsabi sakin. Kung alam ko lamang na nandito na siya ay minadali ko ang pag-aayos.

Nabasa ni Joanne ang nasa isip ko kaya timikhim siya, "Common courtesy lamang iyon, Lady Amaury. Don't worry about it."

Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako at saka tumango. Habang pababa ako sa hagdan, I can see all eyes on me. Para akong nasa fairy-tale kung saan bumababa ang prinsesa. My eyes lingered on a man with silver hair. He was wearing a white suit with a light blue tie. He looks so dazzling on his attire. Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit siya ang pinaka sikat na aristocrat sa empire. The novel didn't give him any justice at all!

Lumapit siya sa hagdan at iniabot ang kanyang kanang kamay to escort me. Sa harap namin ay sila Papa at Mama na umiinom ng tsaa. While Aunt Mildred was with Viscount Eleanor.

"Angelina will go with you so don't worry about anything, okay? Enjoy your debutante ball." ani Papa.

I gave them a bow at saka kami sumakay ni Dale sa carriage niya. He hasn't said a single word simula ng makita niya ako. Pati ngayon ay hindi niya ako matitigan ng diretso. Masyado ba sakin nagandahan ang Duke na ito? Natawa ako sa naisip. How could that be! A little girl like me will never get the duke's attention. Tumikhim ako para basagin ang katahimikan. Napasulyap siya sakin pero agad ding nag-iwas ng tingin ng magtama ang mata namin. Anong problema nito?

Sighing, I raised my hand kung saan nakatali ang corsage na bigay niya sakin, "Thank you again dito, Dale."

This time, he looked at me and nodded. Nagstay ang mata niya sa gown ko.

"You look great by the way." aniya pero nakita ko ang pagtangis ng panga niya, "But isn't that dress revealing too much skin?"

Umayos ako ng upo at ngumisi, "No. I don't think so. I feel nice and comfortable. Is there something wrong with my dress?"

Tumikhim siya at nag-iwas ng tingnan, "No. In contrary it looks good on you. Too good na tiyak makukuha mo ang atensyon ng mga tao doon, lalo na ang mga kalalakihan."

Pahina ang boses niya ng sinabi niya yun. Good thing malinaw ang pandinig ko kaya kahit pabulong ay narinig ko pa rin.

"Oh? Is that jealousy I can hear from your lips?" I grinned at him.

Sinuklian niya iyon ng isang ngisi, "I shouldn't be the one be jealous though? This girl in front of me is the most gorgeous lady on the ball. I should be honoured to escort her, don't you think so?"

A smile instantly rose from my lips dahil sa papuri niya, "Thank you, Dale. You look so fine in your suit too."

He smirks and nods, "I know. I wanted to look well for you. I did an excellent job huh?"

I chuckled, "Yes, My Duke. It seems like you captivated this maiden." I joked.

We laughed all throughout the ride to the castle. Mabilis lamang ang oras ng byahe. Nang makarating doon ay naunang bumaba ng karwahe si Dale. I heard one of the castle knights announced Dale's arrival.

"Dale Crescendo dela Fleur, Duke of Brixton." Nang akmang aalis na ang kawal I heard Dale spoke.

"My lady hasn't come out yet, you haven't announced her arrival. Are you trying to disrespect her?"

I can hear footsteps again right by our carriage, then the door opened.

"Please grab into my hand and slowly come down."

Inabot ni Dale sakin ang kamay niya. I took it and went out of the carriage. I can hear everyone's gasp as I went down. Dale was smiling at me so I smiled back. Even though everyone knew the rumour of our engagement and him escorting me, ngayon lamang sila naniwala. To see is to believe, sabi nga sa kasabihan.

"Lady Amaury Blaive of House Clerebold."

Kitang kita sa mga mata ng mga kababaihan ang inggit at poot nila sakin habang katabi ko si Dale. They have always been praying that one day mapapansin sila ng Duke of Brixton. But here he is, escorting a lady from a province with a low title. Napangisi ako na lalong ikinainis nila. Nawala ako sa pag-iisip when I heard a name that I was waiting for...

"Lady Emeline Kate of House Herondale."

Nilingon ko kung nasaan ang karwahe nila. Just like in the novel she was wearing a red and white dress that suits her very much.

Pero may isang hindi tumutugma sa novel. A man with a crimson hair was holding out his hand kay Emeline. His stoic face is so familiar... Then reality hits me. That's Gabriel!

"Lord Gabriel of House Clerebold."

Why is my brother escorting Emeline when it was supposed to be the Crown Prince? Why did the start of the original novel change?!