Chapter 1: The Countess
"Sometimes it's more noble to tell a small lie than to deliver a painful truth"
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"A pleasant morning to you Lord Elric Salazaar" buong galang na bati ko sa lalaking nadatnan kong nakatayo at hinahawakan ang puting rosas sa malawak kong hardin. May hawak itong baston at nakasuot ng mamahaling damit at sombrero.
Lumingon siya sa akin at ngumiti. "It is indeed a pleasant morning seeing you right now Countess Eiffel"
"Please take a sit my lord" paanyaya ko at umupo naman ito as the butlers and maids served us tea and pastries.
"It was such a shame that you didn't made it to the party last night" pagsisimula nito at uminom sa tasa nito.
"Everyone in the party was looking for the darling of the crowd, even the young Marquis of Valquieer was looking for the famous Athena" kwento nito na nagpangiti lamang sa akin.
"Please forgive me Lord Elric, I was experiencing a terrible headache last night though I was really looking forward to that party." Palusot ko. His family was in charge of the party where all the remaining aristocrats all around the Europe gathers yearly.
Lord Elric Salazaar is one of the oldest living aristocrats in Ireland and he served as my guardian after inheriting my family's title as a Countess when I was 14 years old.
"Yes, too bad, I even brought with me my grandson, hoping that you two would have the chance to converse with each other"
"Oh, indeed such a shame, I would have enjoyed talking with Sir Alphonse" pakikisakay ko nalang patungkol sa apo niyang halos kasing edadan ko lang.
"Lady Eiffel, what can you say about Alphonse?" nanunuring tanong niya sa akin.
"Well he's a gentleman, wise and undeniably handsome. I bet every woman have their eyes on him" I honestly answered the good old man.
"Are you one of those women Countess?" diretsyong tanong niya.
Palihim akong napangiti. Alam kong ito ang tinutumpok ng usapang ito.
"Blimey, please don't misunderstand me my Lord but I don't see him the way other women does."
Bumuntong hininga siya "Does he have anything that you don't like? Or is it the other way around?"
"Oh no, Sir Alphonse is somewhat like a perfect prince charming. Nonetheless I believe that he deserves a princess better than me" I humbly answered.
"Nonsense! There's no such a woman better than you Lady Eiffel" Lord Elric burst out.
"Goodness, please Milord. Such an exaggerated compliment" natatawang puna ko.
Bagsak balikat na napainom na lang siya ng tsaa at ngumiti sa akin.
"You really remind me of the late Count. So cunning and yet acts innocently outside"
Malungkot na ngumiti ako "It gives joy to my heart being praised like this my Lord, I give you my humblest thanks"
"Those majestic blue eyes of yours never fails to amaze me how great the Sinclaire bloodline is. All the past heads of your family and now you, were all an excellent aristocrats" si Lord Elric ang matalik na kaibigan ng lolo ko na namayapa noong anim na taong gulang lamang ako at siya din ang ninong ng ama ko kaya napakamalapit niya sa aking pamilya.
"In any case if you don't really have any interest for Alphonse, is there other man in your mind?" nakataas ang kilay na pasubali niya.
Muli akong tumawa ng ubod ng hinihin "I believe it's too early for me to take a partner my lord, I am nothing but a nineteen-year-old woman"
"I thought so, after all that happened in past, it might not really be in your mind yet" makahulugang aniya at bahagya lamang akong tumango.
"But I tell you you're Excellency, there is no greater man than my grandson Alphonse out there. I hope you will change your mind sooner, after all, more men are coming in the country who is after the famous Countess of the house of Campbell" napakadoting lolo talaga niya sa kanyang nagiisang apo at tagapagmana.
After I returned here in Britain nine years ago ay mas napalapit pa ako kay Al at noon pa lang ay pinagtutulakan na ito ng kanyang pamilya sa akin, lalo na ang kanyang Lolo. But the good young Lord was only a friend in my eyes and I know that he already has someone he likes.
"Thank you for the warning my Lord, I shall take a vacation somewhere away and hide from those beasts" I joked.
He laughed wholeheartedly "believe me my dear, they will gladly turn all the stones upside down just to find you. A perfect woman like you hardly comes around"
"I am no perfect at all my lord, people just love to exaggerate things about me"
"Alright, but always remember Countess Eiffel, Sinclaire needs an heir who will carry your noble blood to the next generation. Those vast lands acquired by your ancestors to maintain the prestige and fame of being one of the richest family here in our country should not be put into waste. Many young and eligible bachelors have their eyes on you not only because you're a beauty but also because of your vast countless fortune. You have to choose carefully my lady" Seryosong bilin niya na ikinangiti ko. Yes, I am well aware of that.
"Of course my lord, I'll keep that in my mind"
"Such a shame Alphonse didn't pique your interest. I would really be happy to have you as my granddaughter-in-law. I have always like you and treated you like my own. Not just a beautiful appearance but also have a good heart. Remember my dear that if you have any problems and need help, a single call will all do and I will assist you no matter how small or big it is."
"It's a pleasure to know that I could rely on you my Lord. Please feel at ease that if ever I encounter such difficulties, I'll remember your words. Ever since my father left me, you were always been there guiding me. Thank you my lord for the wisdom I learned today" buong galang na pasalamat ko
"You are always welcome my lady".
"I think this old man should leave already. I have taken a lot of your precious time" paalam niya at tumayo.
"That is outrageous Lord Elric. You're not too old. I think you still could beat any of those young lords who is only after my wealth. Please bear in mind that you're always welcome to visit my manor anytime." At niyakap ito.
"It's been a while since we last played chess Countess, I'm looking forward for your next visit in our manor and I shall be the one serving you tea in return for your hospitality"
"Certainly, my lord" nakangiting sagot ko at hinatid ko siya sa naghihintay na chauffeur sa kanyang sasakyan. I waved at the old man as they departed.
Pagkaalis ni Lord Elric ay bumalik na ako sa loob ng aking mansyon kasunod ng dalawang maids.
Ang mansyong ito na tila isang maliit na kastilyo ang disenyo ay pinangalanang "The Pride" na pinanatili sa kanyang orihinal na anyo ng aking lolo. Ang mga gamit, antiques at chandelier ay nagmula pa sa mga naunang Konde ng aking pamilya, ngunit kahit anong luma nito ay highly maintained pa rin dahil isa ito sa ipinagmamayabang na kayamanan ng pamilya Sinclaire. Ang sabi ay regalo ang lupaing ito noong 1700 hundreds sa aking ninono ng dating hari ng Britanya. Ito ang nagsisilbing aking kastilyo.
Habang naglalakad ako sa mahaba at malawak na hallway ay madadaanan pa ang hile-hilerang paintings ng aking mga ninuno. Lahat sila ay nagpakita ng kanya-kanyang angking galing mula sa pagiging magaling na hineral ng hari, pagiging tanyag na musikero at pintor pati rin sa pagiging haciendero. Napahinto ako sa huling larawan kung saan nakaukit ang mukha ng aking ama.
Ang panglabing limang Konde lamang ang bukod tanging umibig sa isang dugong banyaga at lumabag sa tradisyon sa napakahabang henerasyon ng pamilya, ang aking nagiisang ama, si Raven Earl Sinclaire. Tinutulan ito ng aking lolo dahilan ng pagtangal ng karapatan niya bilang susunod na tagapagmana.
Mahal niya ang aking ama si lolo ngunit pinili nitong umalis at tumira sa Pilipinas kasama ng aking ina.
Nang makarating ako sa aking kwarto ay umupo ako sa harap ng aking tokador at hinayaan ang isang maid na ayusin ang buhok ko. Noong una ay hindi ako sanay na kahit sa maliit na bagay lamang ay pinagsisilbihan pa ako ng mga ito ngunit pilit kong sinanay ang aking sarili dahil nabibilang ako sa mataas na angkan. Nilapitan ako ng isa pang maid "Is there anything you want for your breakfast my lady?"
"I'm not hungry Rose. I'll stay at my private room and if anyone comes and ask for me, tell them to seek an appointment at my office. I'll inform my secretary to fix my schedule today. " utos ko. Kumatok at pumasok ang mayordoma ng aking mansyon at binati ako.
"My lady, Lord Liviatus is on the phone" pagbibigay alam niya at nakangiting ibinigay sa akin ang wireless phone na hawak niya.
I smiled and took it then raised my hand telling them to get out for a little bit.
"Bon Matin" (Good morning) bati ko at umupo sa king sized na kama ko.
"Bonjour Maman!" (Hello mommy!) excited na bati sa French ng kausap ko sa kabilang linya.
"Comment allez vous mon fils?" (How are you my son?)
"Ca va pas" (Not good) may himig na lungkot sa boses nito at napakunot noo ako.
"And why is that my Livi?"
"Tu me manques" (I miss you)
I smiled and took the picture frame on my side table "Moi aussi" (Me too)
"When will I see you Maman?"
"Je ne sais pas" (I don't know) I honestly answered and looked at the picture of me holding the three year old child alongside of a man with silver eyes.
"I wish to see my Maman and Papa soon. Can't you come here in the Philippines instead Maman?"
Napatigil ako sa sinabi niya at umiling "I'm sorry but I can't at the moment Livi, don't worry, I'll talk to your grandma about fixing a vacation for you here, everyone misses you badly" pangako ko.
"Really Maman? Wah! Livi is so happy! I love you Maman!"
I chuckled noddingly "I love you too, you should sleep now, I believe it's two in the morning there" bilin ko.
"Oiu Maman!" paalam nito at pintay na ang telepono. I really miss that boy badly, I can't wait to fix his papers and have him stay here for good.
Pagkalabas ko ng kuwarto ko ay inabot ko ang telepono sa maid at nagtungo sa pinakadulong parte ng third floor ng mansyon kasunod ng mga maids. Napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang mapatingin ako sa aking repleksyon sa salamin ng bintana ng hallway. Malayang tinangay ng hangin ang mahabang itim at kulot na buhok kong namana ko sa aking ina at ang mga asul kong mga mata na nakuha ko sa aking ama at nagsisilbing tanda ng pagiging isang aristokrata ko.
Due to an illness my father died leaving his title to me, his only heiress who is only a nineteen year old Lady. At the early age, I became a world renowned business woman due to my intellect which the society bearded me the title Athena in the business world. I also became a popular writers who writes about certain articles regarding business and woman empowerment.
With my beauty, intelligence, fame, wealth and nice character, everyone says that I am perfect.
But every person has their skeletons inside their closet and I am one of them...
Tumigil ako sa harap ng malaki at magarbong pintuang nadedesenyuhan ng ginto at mga bulaklak.
Hindi na sumama sa akin sa loob ang mga maids at nantili lamang sa labas ng kuwarto.
Pagpasok ko ay tumambad agad sa akin ang ibat ibang sizes ng mga sketches at paintings.
This is my art room. Dito ako madalas nagkukulong at nagtatago. When I'm in here, I feel that I am able to escape from reality. I can be who I am without any care in the outside world. But this place is also where I hide an important secret.
Lumapit ako sa painting na buong gabi ko nang ginagawa.
Napatulala ako sa dito at wala sa sariling hinawakan ito.
An unfinished painting of a drenched guy standing in the middle of rain.
Every inch is exactly like the real him.
Hinaplos ko ang sing sing na nakalagay sa kwintas na lagi kong suot.
This ring was given to me by him...
The man who became my everything.
The man whom I loved.
And the man who I married nine years ago...
And this is where my story begun...
In a raining day where I shouted at him..."Marry me Kuya!"
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This story was created way back in 2015 so please bear with the grammars and I repeat this is not an incestuous story, hope you enjoy reading this silly story of mine.