Steffanie was dumbfounded. Hindi niya inaasahan ang mga nangyayari sa kanila. When Gareth said that they will be going on a trip together, she was actually expecting a nice and cozy vacation in the countryside inside a townhouse owned by the royal family. But it seemed that she had underestimated his royal highness once again. Instead of a townhouse or a hotel, they were actually lodging inside a giant castle. Mukhang hindi uso sa pamilya nito ang town houses.
"Like what you see, sweetheart?" Gareth teased.
Namangha siya sa kanyang nakita nanag iginala nito ang paningin sa paligid. First time niyang makarating sa Cianwood. Napakalayo kasi ng lugar na ito, halos sa bandang dulong bahagi nang Camelot.
The place was refreshing. Blue colored skies, vast ocean, humid climate and a whole lot of sunshine. Isa ito sa mga lugar na nakararanas ng tropical climate sa buong kaharian. She would definitely make the best out of her stay there.
"And this is the Asther Manor," turan nito sa palasyong nasa kanyang harapan.
The palace was architecture at its best. Everything breathed of nothing but royalty and elegance.
They were greeted by a group of court ladies.
"Welcome, Your Highness," sabay-sabay na pagbati ng mga ito sa kanyang kasama. They made a ninety-degree bow to him.
Medyo naasiwa siya sa kanyang mga nakikita. She was not accustomed to this kind of things. Normal people do not bow nor greet someone in chorus.
Mabilis namang kinuha ng mga ito ang mga dala nilang gamit. Then, the eldest from among the court ladies approached them.
"Ako po si Lady Sheyla, ang punong tagapangasiwa ng Asther manor. Paano ko po mapaglilingkuran ang inyong kamahalan?"
"Prepare three different rooms. One for me, one for my chevalier and one for this fine lady."
Tumungo ito bilang pagsang-ayon.
"We'll be staying here for five days. So I trust that we are in good hands then?"
"Makakaasa po kayo kamahalan."
He gave the woman an assuring nod.
"Take care of her especially. She is my distinguished guest. She is Esteffania De Farnezza, the Countess of Wincestor."
Nagulat siya sa sinabi nito. Who did he say that she was?
She was confused. What was that all about? She eyed him questioningly. But he just gave her a reassuring smile.
"Masusunod po kamahalan," her thoughts were interrupted by the court lady who just gave her a very calculating look.
"You've heard his highness. Escort Her Ladyship in her room," Lady Sheyla was now giving sets of commands to other court ladies.
Soon after, three court ladies were now assisting her.
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to call us, my lady." Sambit ng isa sa kanya. She just gave them a nod.
Again, she was overwhelmed by all of this. This royal treatment was really not her cup of tea. Hindi siya sanay dito. She found it too much.
Lumapit sa kanya si Gareth. His head began to descend until his mouth was on her ear-level.
"Just play along, sweetheart. Starting today up until our day last here. You will be Countess Estaffania," he whispered.
Steffanie was inside a very large room. Apparently, it was the room assigned to her. Again, for the nth time this day, she found such things to be overly luxurious for her.
She heard a soft knock on her door.
"Lady Esteffania, naririto ang kamahalan upang makausap ka," the court lady announced.
"Please come in, Your Highness," she answered.
She gave the place a quick look around, all too worried of her things that might clutter this beautiful room. Katatapos lang kasi niyang ayusin ang kanyang mga gamit. But none seemed out of place.
Gareth's familiar figure came through the door. Nakapagpalit na ito ng damit. He was looking sleek in his summer clothes. And once again, unbeknownst to him, her heart started to do a series of somersaults.
"You may now leave us," Gareth instructed the court lady.
Nilibot nito ang paningin sa paligid. "Kumusta ka naman dito. Enjoying so far?"
She gave a heavy sigh. "I appreciate everything but this is too much, Gareth. Really too much. I am not used to this."
Lumapit ito sa kanya, a saccharine smile was pasted on his lips. She felt her knees trembled. Grabe talaga ang epekto nito sa kanya. His eyes were now mischievous.
"Don't you like this, sweetheart?" he kissed her forehead.
"Not that I don't like it. It's just too much for me," she said.
"Why is it too much?" He kissed the tip of her nose.
Napaigtad na lamang siya sa ginawa nito. Volts of electricity were now seeping through the fiber of her being. Huminga siya nang malalim.
"I am just a simple person, not a royal blood or even a noble lady. This is simply out of my league."
Hindi niya alam kung paano sasabihin rito ang nais niyang ipahayag, not with all of this sensation burning through her. Not with him teasing her while she tried to find her words.
She was about to say something but her words were drowned by his kiss. It was a full mouthed kiss that rendered him immobile. The sensation within her started to brew as his tongue began to dart the insides of her mouth.
She gasped as she felt her foot leave the ground. He was carrying her in his strong arms, her feet hanging in the air as he deposited her on the bed. Kinabubawan siya nito. He was now on top of her.
"Kagaya nga ng sinabi ko. You are not Steffanie. From today onwards, you will be Estaffania, a countess from a long line of nobles. Forget who you are, forget who you were. You are just an artist who was invited here. Paint all day. Enjoy the place. For five days, throw your inhibitions."
She was now looking at his eyes. It was smoldering with care and affection. Then suddenly, isang alaala ang dumaan sa kanyang isipan. It was from the time that she told him her dreams. She could remember how she told him that she wanted to live a life of a completely different person.
Ngunit hindi niya masabi rito kung bakit. She was just simply tired of living her life in sorrow. Isa siyang bastarda ng kanyang ama. She was a child borne out of a series of mistakes. Wala siyang pamilya. To the world she was simply nothing. That was why she wanted to live another life, a life full of happiness, a life of contentment.
And now, this man was offering her to be that. To be forget everything. To be a completely different person. To be someone other than herself. And to live a life completely opposite to hers.
She appreciated what he was doing. Na sa kahit na limang araw lamang ay makakalimutan niya ang mga bagay-bagay sa kanyang buhay.
"Then for five days, I will be the Contessa de Farmezza."
Then she gave him a smile. Her heart was oozing with affection for this man. In the span of time that they spent their time together, he managed to turn her life completely upside down. And this was the reason why she'll never regret falling in love with him.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Before she could utter anything else, his mouth assaulted hers. She kissed him back, equalling his passion. Her tongue was also set out to duel his. For a short amount of time, Steff had learned the art of loving and teasing. She had become intertwined with her newly found sensuality.
"I want you so much, sweetheart. You can't begin to know," he said in between kisses.
"I want you just as the same Gareth."
Those words were all it took to ignite pandemonium. His hands were now slithering through her body, like a serpent assault its prey.
"I want you naked."
Her body was now burning with need and desire for that man. He started to peel off her clothes, removing each garment one at a time until there was nothing left.
He began to touch her portal, stroking her to the point of ecstasy.
"You're so wet, sweetheart. Is that all for me?"
She moaned in pleasure as he made a circling motion on her folds. He then pinched her clit, making a turning motion as he rub her creamy pussy with his other fingers.
"Oh, Gareth! More!"
Gareth felt his dick grew more when he heard Steffanie's moans. Fuck! Her voice made him more aroused. She sounded so passionate, so sensual. She sounded like a siren. And like what the myths had mentioned, this siren in front of him was seducing him.
He immediately discarded all of his clothes. He couldn't take it anymore. He's truly at his wits end with this woman. He felt like a ravenous animal, wanting to maul and eat her whole. Akala niya noong una'y mababawasan ang pagnanasang nadarama niya para sa babae. But how wrong was he. He was addicted to her. There something in her that enticed her, that shoots his libido in skyrocketing heights.
He just looked at her perfect body. She got boobs that a lot of women would die for and a lot of men would kill for. Her breasts were perfectly shaped for his hand. It was as if it was made for his touch. It was well rounded, full, luscious and upthrusting. Her twin peaks were also just like what he had imagined, proud, erect and very lusciously pink.
"I want you now, Gareth," si Steffanie na noo'y nakatitig lang sa kanya.
'Hush, sweetheart. I want to take a good look at you."
His eyes now travelled on the center of her femininity. She looked so delectable, he felt like drooling. Her mound was covered with a neatly trimmed fleece of golden hair. She was definitely blonde althroughout, his consciousness said.
"Stop looking..." she weakly said.
Her face became red like ripe tomatoes. He knew she was embarrassed, but he did not stop. He wanted to tease her more.
His lips began to descend, to the part where she ached the most. He was now in between her legs, enjoying the magnificent view in front of him. He licked her inner thigh. He felt her tense.
"Gareth, please..."
He ignored her pleadings. He spread her legs wider, exposing every contours of her body to him. Napalunok siya sa nakita. She was very wet now. His throat had gone dry. He wanted to have a taste of this delectable confection.
On a fast but power motion, his lips were now on her most sensitive part, loving it with his mouth, lips and tongue. He let out a groan. She tasted like no other, like a caramel mixed with cinnamon. She was marvellous.
"Oh, Gareth!..."
His tongue started to play with her clit, biting and licking all at the same time.
"Come on, Steff. Come for me, sweetheart."
He felt her shudder at his words. He knew she was nearing her climax.
"Look at me, sweetheart."
But her head remained rested on the pillow.
"Look at me," this time it was a command.
She leaned towards him, her eyes looking at him. He loved the looks in her eyes. The beautiful pair of ice blue sapphire was smoking with desire. It was dilated and unfocused.
He chose that moment to thrust one finger in. "Oh..." But he didn't stop. He gave his clit a gentle bite, twisting it using his teeth. He felt her stiffened. This was it.
He increased the rhythm of his thrusts, driving his fingers into her hard. Then on a split second, her climax came and he was at the perfect place at the right time. He tasted her essence. She was beyond delectable. She was beyond awesome. She was simply excellent. He licked her dry.
"Gareth, I want you..."
Then he stood in front of her. His cock was harder than ever, seeking for its own glorious release. "Do you want this sweetheart?" He asked while he rubbed the tip of his manhood to the portal of her femininity.
She groaned. "Yes..."
"I can't hear you. Tell me what you want."
She was incoherent now. He knew she ached for him because he was feeling the same way for this woman. She was ready now for him.
"I want you inside of me. I want you Gareth!"
"Your wish is my command, sweetheart." Then he sank into her, pushing his cock inside her feminine folds. She cried out of pleasure. He angled his penetration, seeking that spot that would make her loose her mind in bliss and ecstasy. He pushed harder, sliding his rod deeper and deeper until he was balls deep.
He rose up then thrust back in, this time he's a little bit harder. He's faster. And he embedded himself deeper. He growled as pleasure started to fully engulf his whole being.
Her body spasmed at his assault. He felt her contract with him, squeezing his cock, milking him, shooting him to oblivion. He slowed his rhythm. This time, he pumped into her a little bit slower. He wanted her to be familiar with his size. He wanted to prolong their agony. He wanted to feel more of her.
"I want you to shatter all around me, sweetheart. Can you that one?"
Hindi na niya hinintay pang sumagot ito. He ripped into her, pulled back, then imbedded himself once more. He was pumping her hard and fast.
"Give it me, sweetheart. Explode for me!"
He felt unbelievable wonderful inside her. She was so fucking tight, he wanted to drown in her forever.
Then Steffanie came with a scream. He felt her portal tightened in contraction, milking him with his own release. He kissed her hard and wet while he kept thrusting in and out her. He was incoherent because of the overwhelming pleasure that he's experiencing. And in a once swift thrust, he exploded. Jets of his seeds came out, completely filling her womb. His climax was like no other. He just simply lost all of his inhibitions. It was tumultuous. It was superb. No amount of words could describe it.
It was the third day of their stay there at the Asther Mansion and Gareth loved every bit of it. Steffanie had properly adjusted to the life of a Contessa. He lavished her with gifts and he always indulge he – which was a very easy task considering that she could be easily contended.
This was what he liked about her. She was very candid. She was very transparent. No amount of pretentions could ever mask her.
Kagaya na lamang ngayon. They were both enjoying each other's company under the beautiful afternoon sun. Dala-dala nito ang mga painting tools nito habang iginuguhit siya.
He gave her a smile.
"Hey! I said don't move." She said at him.
"I didn't move, sweetheart."
She gave her a smile, a smile that could always brighten up his day. Then she pouted her lips.
"You did. Ngumiti ka. This was supposedly a lonely painting. Don't smile."
Napakamot na lamang siya sa narinig. Never in his entire life had he done this for someone. Naninibago siya. But somehow, he felt happy doing these things with her, doing these things for her.
"So what are your plans?" she asked.
"Plans for what?"
"Well, I just heard that you changed majors. Optalmology? Isn't that right?"
He smiled once again. It seemed that this woman knew quite a lot about him. Sabagay, hindi naman talaga lihim iyon sa kanya.
"Yep. Totoo ang narinig mo," he confirmed.
"Why?"
It was purely an act of impulse on his part. Noong malaman niya ang kalagayan ni Steff, how her retinitis pigmentosa was making her suffer, there seemed to be a protective feeling that rose inside of him. He suddenly wanted to find something that might help her. To find something that might even cure her,
"It's a secret, sweetheart," he teased.
She just smiled at him, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. Napadako ang tingin niya sa leeg nito. Suot nito ang bigay niyang kwintas. The Sirius gem looked good on her. It was actually an heirloom of the royal family. Nakita niya iyon sa silid ng Inang Reyna. The Mother Queen said that it was given to her by the previous queen. He immediately thought of Steff. Hindi na siya nag-atubili pang hingin ito sa kanyang lola. He thought that he had to exert so much effort just to have it. But to his surprise, agad naman itong ibinigay sa kanya.
Naalala pa niya ang mga sinabi nito, "Take care of this one. It's a very unique gem. Pangalagaan mo ito ng husto. Pakisabi iyan mahal na prinsipe sa taong pagbibigyan mo niyan."
Dumako naman ang paningin niya sa dibdimb nito. She was wearing a dress that exposed a subtle portion of her chest. He imagined how he licked and tasted that chest. It was lovely.
He felt his manhood stir in excitement. Fuck! Down boy!
Hindi na nagbago ang reaction ng kanyang katawan pagdating kay Steff. He always long for her touch. He always wanted to be with her. Kung siya nga ang tatanungin, mas gugustuhin pa niyang magkulong na lamang sila sa isang silid. He would rather make to her all day. But he didn't want to be selfish. He wanted her to enjoy this place.
Isa rin iyon sa mga napansin niya sa kanyang sarili. He became selfless for this woman. Dati rati'y wala siyang pakialam sa nararamdaman o sa gusto ng mga nakakaniig niya. As long as they could satisfy him, then that's it. But with Steff, it was different. What he felt was far more than satisfaction. It was some more, something greater. Every sexual encounter that they had was better that the other.
He first thought that having a sex marathon with her would sate his hunger for her. But he was wrong. This unknown force that tied them together became greater and greater. He wanted to be with her almost every minute, every moment. He craved for her more and more. This posed another question in his mind. What if something grew out of this? Hindi siya naging maingat. Every sex that they had was unprotected. This was also a first time for him. His dick had never overruled his head. But with her, he always loses his mind. He wanted her so much. So much that he didn't even want a barrier surrounding them, even if it is a thin rubber.
"I'm finished, Gareth!" she exclaimed.
Doon naputol ang kanyang pag-iisip. Bahala na. He'll cross the bridge when he's there.
Lumapit ito sa kanya upang ipakita ang dalang sketchpad. It was a charcoal painting of him. Maigi niya itong pinagmasdan. She's beyond good. Kuha-kuha niya ang kanyang imahe, even the doubts and wonders in his eyes were caught by her talented hands.
He kissed her hand. "It's great. I really love your talented hands sweetheart."
"Thank you."
His cellphone rang. Tiningnan niya ang screen nito. It was Arthur. Nagdadalawang isip siya kung sasagutin niya ito. Wala kasing nakakaalam kung nasaan siya. He wanted to be with Steff with no other reservations.
"Go ahead. Answer it. Baka importante," Steffanie said that in her usual energetic tone.
Wala na siyang nagawa. He answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Where the fuck are you?" he could sense the distress in his voice. Napatayo siya.
"What happened?" he asked, still incensed at the tone of his eldest brother.
"Si Lancelot, may isang grupong tumambang sa kanya kanina. Kritikal siya ngayon sa Royal Hospital."