One Chance For Redemption

Kabanata 18 - Blush

Kabanata 18

Did you just blush, my Duke?

The lessons that I took was different from my real world. Sa totoo kong mundo, ang tanging practice lang na mangyayari ay ang pag-lakad sa simbahan, practice kung paano ang magiging takbo ng ceremony at sa reception.

Dito sa mundo ng novel, it is tea etiquette, dancing, embroidery and proper posture ang kailangang pag-aralan. At first, I panicked because I have never had the opportunity to learn all of that on my real world. Hindi naman ganoon kapansin-pansin ang embroidery doon. Lalo na ang tea etiquette dahil simpleng mamamayan lamang ako na technology ang libangan. But luckily Amaury Clerebold is a fine woman from a noble house and wealthy family. She's a lady who has been taught both culture and etiquette. My body just move on its own. Tila ba sanay na sanay ang katawan ko sa mga lesson na ganito. Wala man akong alaala ni Amaury bago ako mapunta sa katawan na ito, at least napakinabangan ko ang mga skills niya ngayon.

A man came in and explain what we're gonna do. He started to discuss simple math and numbers. Tamad akong nakinig. He is not a very good teacher. After niyang magsalita ng magsalita, he said na he'll test me kung may naintindihan ako. Walang gana kong tiningnan ang papel kung saan ako dapat mag-sagot. I was a college student on my past life! Are they taking me for a fool?

"I know it will be hard for a newcomer...."

I clicked my tongue at him at sinulat ang sagot na tama. Nanlaki ang mata niya. He continues to test me using other numbers. And when he run out of test, doon natapos ang lesson namin. Ang huli kong lesson ngayon ay ang tungkol sa pamilya ni Dale. Kaeden entered the room with a few books on his hand.

"Kaeden, the tutor? Is he here yet?"

Tumikhim si Kaeden at nilapag ang makakapal na libro sa lamesa. "I will be your teacher, Lady Amaury. Let's us do our best together."

Tumango-tango ako at sumandal sa upuan. At least I know Kaeden now. I don't have to act so highly katulad ng ginawa ko sa iba kong teachers kanina. After the lessons, I feel myself exhausted. Not because of studying but because I feel like all of this is worthless. All this lesson is worthless for me. Naglakad ako papalapit sa bintana to have some air. Nagsisimula na muling sumibol ang mga dahon at bulaklak. Indicating na papa-lapit na ang summer. And on that summer magwa-wakas ang buhay ko.

Makaligtas man ako sa kamay ni Beatrice, a black unknown force is trying to kill me naman ngayon. Will I die? After all my efforts, mamamatay pa din ba ako? Does this novel want Amaury to die so much?

Umupo ako sa windowsill at sinandal sa gilid ang likod. The fresh air calms me down. I heard footsteps coming to me. It is my maids? Kaeden? Nang lingunin ko iyon ay isang pamilyar na bulto ang bumungad sakin.

"Duke..." I said as soon as I saw him.

Hindi ko pa din alam kung paano makikitungo sakanya ngayon. Nag-aalinlangan pa din ako dahil baka may gawin na naman ako na hindi niya magustuhan. Last time he got mad at me kaya hindi niya ako kinausap ng matagal na panahon. And hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin alam ang dahilan ng pagkainis niya sakin.

"Here, I brought this for you." He showed me a bouquet of flower.

A flower? What for? May occasion ba ngayon at kailangan niya magbigay ng bulaklak sa akin? Kinuha ko iyon sakanya at inilapag sa lamesa.

"That's my token of apology for my behaviour last time. I won't explain it any further, but I want you to feel comfortable now. I'm sorry."

Napatingin ako sakanya. Well, if he said sorry then okay. Let's forget that incident. Isinara ko ang bintana at sinubukang mag-iba ng topic.

"It's been a while, my Duke. Akala ko ay hindi na kita makikita ngayong araw dahil ang sabi ni Kaeden magiging busy ka ngayon."

"Dale." He corrected me as he walked to the couch and sat there.

"Yeah, Dale. So, what brought you here in my room?"

Ngumisi siya at sumandal sa pagkakaupo, "I was quite busy, yes. Baka lang nabobored ka na dito at gusto mo lumabas. Why don't you accompany me to the dance?"

"A dance ball?"

Tumango siya, "I don't usually attend those kind of parties pero baka gusto mo?"

Tinitigan ko siya at saka tumango, "Alright. Since I have nothing else to do and I'm bored. But I don't have a ball gown right now."

"Don't worry. I brought someone who will make you stand out from everyone else later."

As if a cue, my door room opened, and I saw Sir Elliot excitedly walking towards me.

"Miss Amaury!"He exclaimed.

Napa-ngiti ako ng malaki. Oh, how I miss this one!

"Make her the prettiest of all the ladies later. I entrust her to you." Ani Dale as he went out of the room.

Without too much delay, we proceeded to the preparations. Sir Elliot's team fixed my make-up and hair. Kaya ngayon all that's left is my gown. I am now wearing a white fitted dress but with a mermaid tail. Meron din akong veil sa balikat to make it look sophisticated. When I look at the mirror, I was delighted on how I look.

"Sir Elliot!" I exclaimed.

Kinuha ko ang kamay niya at pinag-duopanpalad ko siya, "Thank you! You have brought me such magnificent dress again!"

Tumawa si Sir Elliot and marahan na tinapik ang kamay ko, "I should be the one thanking you. Because of you, a lot of noble ladies starting to approach me."

When I am done preparing, I went out and told Kaeden na pwede na kaming pumunta kay Dale sa study room nito para makaalis na.

Kaeden knocked on the door and announce my arrival, "Master, Lady Amaury is ready."

"Come in."

Kaeden urge me to went in. Nang pumasok ako ay nakita ko siyang inaasikaso pa rin ang mga papeles na nasa harapan niya.

"Duke." I called out to him.

"Hold on we will leave after I finish th..." Napatigil siya sa pagsasalita when our eyes met.

Matagal niya akong tinitigan. I felt so conscious. Though, I really look good in the mirror earlier. Is this not to his liking?

"Do I look weird?" I asked him.

Hindi niya ako sinagot at dinaanan lamang ako papalabas ng kwarto. Well hindi naman ito ang unang beses na mangyari. He also ignored me on my debutante ball when he first saw me. But I was expecting him to praise me even for a show dahil nandito ang butler niya. Oh well whatever.

"Is the carriage ready?" I heard him speak.

"Yes, my Lord."

Nauna muling maglakad si Dale palabas ng mansion. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako.

Then I heard Kaeden whisper, "He must be too shy to praise your beauty, Milady." Then he wiggles his eyebrows. I chuckled at him and nodded.

When we got to the carriage that's when his praise came in, "You really do look good in any dress. You got me speechless again, Amaury."

I smile sweetly at him, "Thank you, Dale."

He looked away very quickly. Pero hindi nakatakas sakin ang pamumula ng kanyang pisngi. Oh, how cute, my Duke.

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A/N : How to pronounce the character's name.
* Amaury Clerebold= A-mo-ree Kleyr-bold
* Emeline = Eh-mi-lin
* Dale = Deyl
* Gabriel = Gab-ri-yel
* Kaeden = Key-den