CHAPTER 3
Rassia
"Here are the new dresses, my lady."
Maybe being a villainess isn't so bad after all. Ang daming naka-hilerang dresses and gowns, all neatly displayed like they came straight out of a royal collection. Even at a glance, halatang mamahalin.
"We're done preparing your bath, my lady."
Even something as simple as bathing, kailangan pa nila akong tulungan. But I refused. I only let them prepare everything and dismissed them after. Hindi ako comfortable na may tumutulong sa akin sa ganung bagay.
It's been a week since I was reborn as Rassia... and until now, everything still feels unreal.
Now I'm here eating alone, but the table in front of me is completely full of food. Like there's no way I can finish all of this! Ang dami talaga. Different dishes, sides, desserts... parang may handaan or birthday celebration. It doesn't even feel like a normal meal anymore!
"Would you like more, My Lady?" one of the maids asked carefully.
"No," I replied, wiping my mouth with a napkin like I'd seen nobles do.
There were four knights and three maids just standing there, watching me. Ang awkward kumain mag-isa tapos may audience ka pa. Parang bawat galaw ko binabantayan.
"Pwede kayong kumain," I said, letting out a small giggle as I reached for a dessert on the side.
The moment the words left my mouth, I saw their reactions. Nagulat sila like they weren't expecting that from me at all.
I just kept my expression light, like it was nothing.
"What? There's more than enough food. Sayang lang if it goes to waste."
The maids exchanged quick glances, unsure.
One of them stepped forward, bowing her head. "My Lady... we are not allowed to eat alongside you."
I let out a soft hum, tapping my spoon lightly against the plate. "Strict rules... for something so simple."
"It is the household protocol, My Lady. We are to serve, not to dine."
I leaned back slightly in my chair, studying them.
"So you'll just stand there and watch me eat?" I asked.
"...Yes, My Lady."
I almost laughed. This world really is something else.
"Alright then... if you won't eat-" I stopped, then changed my tone completely.
"Leave."
"M-My Lady?" one of them asked, surprised.
"I said leave," I repeated, colder this time. "I don't need an audience while I eat."
"Yes, My Lady." They bowed immediately.
The knights followed, stepping back in sync before exiting the room along with the maids.
The moment the door closed, the room fell silent.
I exhaled softly, finally feeling like I could breathe.
Kailangan ko ayusin yung image ko sa kanila. I can't just be soft all the time, wala akong mapapala doon. But I also can't act like the original Rassia either.
I rested my chin lightly on my hand, staring at the untouched dishes.
I have to balance it.
Be someone they won't dare disrespect...
But also someone who can actually trust the people around her.
Because in a place like this, I won't survive alone.
There's something I need to do na dapat ginawa ko na una palang.
My grip tightened slightly as a name surfaced in my mind.
Caspian Roger Laurent.
The male lead of the novel... and the love interest of Cayena, the female lead. The same man Rassia was foolish enough to fall for in the original story.
I let out a slow breath, leaning back in my chair habang iniisip ko 'yon.
Ayoko maging kontrabida sa love story nila like how it was written in the novel.
Well... hindi pa naman close si Caspian at Cayena sa timeline na 'to. Hindi pa sila nagkakamabutihan. Everything is still early and still changeable.
As early as possible kailangan kong baguhin ang kapalaran ko. Habang maaga pa, ayoko nang ma-involve sakanila.
Ibinaba ko ang tasa na hawak ko.
"I want to break up with you, Caspian," I said coldly.
Nandito ako ngayon sa House Laurent manor para kausapin siya. As expected, extravagant ang estate nila.
Nasa garden kami ngayon, sobrang hangin at ang peaceful ng paligid pero kabaliktaran ng tension sa pagitan namin ngayon.
"What? Are you serious?" Caspian asked, halatang nagulat.
Tiningnan ko siya.
And I get it... I really get it now why Rassia was so down bad for him.
He's ridiculously handsome.
He has dark hair like charcoal, neatly slicked back. His emerald green eyes looked sharp even when he's just standing there. He's wearing his commander uniform. Ang linis niya tignan.
"Seryoso ako," I said, "I want to let you go now." madrama kong sambit.
Marahan siyang natawa, like he couldn't believe what he just heard.
"Ha? Why are you breaking up with me when there's no 'us' in the first place?"
Right.
There was never really an "us."
But in the eyes of the nobles... there was. Because of me. Because of Rassia.
Rassia was so obsessed with him. She even harassed other ladies who tried to get close to Caspian, spreading rumors that they were together. Caspian denied it many times, but by then, it was already too late. There was nothing he could do to undo what she had already started.
He was Rassia's childhood friend.
There was even a time when she was bullied for having no abilities. In a world where children are expected to awaken magic or some kind of power at a young age, She had nothing. And because of that, she was treated differently.
Si Caspian lang ang nag-iisang nagtanggol sakanya.
That's probably why she ended up liking him in the first place.
I looked at him again and forced a small smile.
"Napagod lang ako."
"Tired of what? chasing me? you've been doing that for years."
"Exactly," I said. "And I'm stopping now."
"Oh I can tell," he said. "You came all the way here to break up with a relationship that doesn't exist. Very committed behavior."
"I'm ending the rumors," I said. "From now on, wala ng namamagitan satin."
He nodded slowly, tapping his chin. "So basically... you're breaking up with public opinion."
"Yes."
He hummed. "That's kind of sad. I was starting to enjoy being an unofficially taken man. It had perks."
Gago. Siraulo ba 'to? Magpasalamat nga dapat siya kasi titigil na 'ko sa mga kahibangan na pinaggagawa ko.
I frowned. "What perks?"
"Less annoying nobles trying to match me with their daughters," he said immediately. Then he glanced at me. "Also, you get blamed for everything I don't want to attend. Very convenient setup, actually."
I stared at him.
"...You're unbelievable." I said.
Seeing Caspian like this, with his usual teasing face, feels... nice. For once, everything is normal between us.
It's good to see him like this. We're on good terms right now.
Kasi sa novel, everything goes downhill when Rassia finds out that Caspian and Cayena like each other.
Rassia starts bullying Cayena during tea parties and banquets.
When Caspian finds out about it, doon nag-iba ang trato niya kay Rassia.
"So ano na ngayon?" he asked. "You're officially erasing me from your life? No more stalking, no more rumors, no more dramatic appearances in my garden?"
"I never stalked you," I said defensively.
"You literally declared war on every lady who looked at me," he laughed.
"That was-"
"Possessive behavior. Yes, I'm aware."
Namula ako sa kahihiyan.
"Seriously though... what changed?" he suspiciously smirked. "Siguro may bago kang crush, 'no?"
"Sira!" binato ko sakanya yung kutsara at mabilis niyang nailagan.
Ofcourse, I can't let him know the real reason.
"I just stopped being stupid." I continued.
That earned another laugh from him.
"Wow.." he said. "I should report this to the Imperial Palace."
"Caspian."
"Alright, alright," he chuckled.
Then, after a beat, he added casually, "But you know people are still going to assume I broke your heart, right?"
I looked at him.
"... Ofcourse."
He smiled. "Good. At least my reputation stays interesting."
Kahit papaano, gumaan na rin ang pakiramdam ko. I let out a slow breath and stood up, smoothing out my dress. I should go back to the Quentior Palace and get some rest.
I let out a slow breath, as if the weight on my chest had finally eased. I stood up and smoothed the creases of my dress.
"Seriously... Caspian's words are such a headache," I rolled my eyes.
Andito ako sa karwahe, dumungaw ako sa labas, at natatanaw ko na yung palace. Malapit na kaming makarating.
Even from a distance, the Quentior Palace glowed against the night, its presence impossible to ignore.
The golden roofs caught what little light remained, casting a soft, regal shimmer that perfectly complemented the pristine white walls beneath.
Every brick along the exterior was laid with precise alignment, forming a structure that spoke of both strength and refinement.
At the highest point, the Quentin family's sigil, a proud lion, stood unfurled upon the flagpole, swaying gently with the night wind, a silent declaration of power that watched over the entire estate.
Napangiti ako. How lucky I am... to be born into such privilege?
This time, I won't take any of it for granted. I won't waste this life chasing things that were never meant for me.
As our carriage drew closer, napansin ko agad ang mga knights na nakahelera sa main entrance. Para silang mga estatwa sa sobrang disiplina. Their armor caught the light, giving off that intimidating, untouchable presence.
I saw a luxurious carriage already stationed at the front.
There's only one person important enough for that.
"The Duke has arrived!"
Rinig ko ang malakas na sigaw mula sa 'di kalayuan, echoing across the entire entrance.
In an instant, sabay-sabay nag bigay pugay ang mga knights, their movements are sharp and precise.
Sa gilid naman, naka-line up ang mga maids, heads bowed, hands neatly clasped, not daring to move out of place.
A minute later, my carriage finally came to a halt.
Before I could even move, a knight stepped forward and opened the door for me, lowering his head in respect.
"Our Lady Rassia has arrived."
Sunod-sunod na yumuko ang lahat, the same way they did earlier.
I stepped down gracefully.
Napansin ko ang aking ama na nakatayo sa harap. His sharped eyes landed on me. Malamig at walang bakas ng emosyon. Parang kaya niyang basahin ang pagkatao mo sa isang tingin lang.
There was something about him that made the air feel heavier. Hindi naman siya sumisigaw, hindi rin siya gumagalaw nang sobra, pero sapat na ang presensya niya para manahimik ang lahat.
Pero may kakaiba ngayon, there was something in his eyes. A hint of expectation like he was waiting for something.
Ah. Right. Rassia's memories flashed back.
In situations like this, I was supposed to rush to him immediately and greet him first, maybe even try to earn a little of his attention. Just like I used to. Just like the foolish version of me who kept chasing after something that was never freely given.
But not anymore.
Hindi ko na hahabulin ang atensyon na kailangan ko pang ipagpilitan. I won't waste my time begging for something that should've been given without question.
Instead, I'll focus on the people who actually cares for me. Those who see me, who value me, who don't make me feel like I have to earn their affection.
But still, I should greet him. Out of respect. After all... he's still my father.
I stepped forward with calm, steady steps, lifting my chin just enough to match the etiquette drilled into every noble lady.
"Welcome home, Father," I said, my voice composed as I bowed gracefully.
It felt natural now. Almost effortless. Thanks to this body, these noble manners no longer felt forced.
"Please get some rest, I'll be taking my leave."
Without waiting for a response, I straightened and walked past him.
The maids assigned to me immediately followed, their footsteps quiet and synchronized behind me.
Pero out of the corner of my eye, I caught it. A flicker of surprise in his expression.
For a moment... Father looked genuinely taken aback.
He was expecting something else. But that's not what he saw today.
Since I was a child, I would always throw little tantrums whenever he came home from his duties.
I would run up to him, full of questions and stubborn hope, always asking about the silver tiara with the maroon gem.
It wasn't just any accessory to me, it was something that shimmered in my mind like proof that I could finally be seen.
But he never gave me the answer I wanted. Instead, he would ignore me or scold me, calling me a spoiled brat, and a disgrace to the Quentin family.
It was a rare tiara. Something even the Princess didn't possess. A treasure only obtainable by defeating a powerful creature. Mga high-ranking Lords lang ang allowed na mag-acquire nito.
And if a noble lady ever wore it, everything would change. It symbolized admiration, respect, and status. It was said that when a Lord gave it to a woman, it meant she was someone deeply cherished.
And I wanted that... I always liked pretty, shining things, pero higit doon, I wanted the attention and respect na lagi kong hinahanap.
Alam kong kaya niyang makuha 'yon anytime. With his status alone, it's already easy but more than that, he's one of the most powerful mages in the entire empire, someone na kinatatakutan at iginagalang ng lahat.
On top of that, isa rin siyang swordmaster, meaning hindi lang magic ang kaya niya, pati espada kaya niyang kontrolin nang walang kahirap-hirap. Someone like him could get anything he wants.
Pero kahit ganun, he never did. Hindi niya kailanman pinag-aksayahan ng oras, parang kahit gaano ko pa kagustong makuha 'yon, hindi ako sapat na dahilan para gawin niya.
"May nakakuha na ba ng silver tiara?" I asked out of curiosity while sitting in front of the vanity mirror.
Behind me, Elena was gently brushing my hair, her movements are slow and careful as always.
"I heard maraming Lords ang lumalaban sa creature na 'yon para ibigay kay sa prinsesa Cayena... pero ni isa, wala pang nagtatagumpay," she said casually, like she was just talking about some ordinary rumor.
"May mga laging nauuwing walang malay, may mga lubhang sugatan... at ang malala, may mga hindi na nakakauwing buhay."
"Really?" I blinked at my reflection, slightly surprised. "So... it's really that hard to acquire, huh."
Elena hummed, clearly enjoying the topic a little too much. "Of course, My Lady. Hindi 'yon parang hairpin lang na pwede mong ipabili sa market." she paused, then added with a teasing smile, "Huwag ka nang umasang mag uuwi ng silver tiara ang Duke."
"What? no!" I immediately turned my head a little, defensively. "I don't care about it anymore."
"Totoo ba iyan?" Elena laughed softly, continuing to brush my hair. "Because last time, handang handa ka na mag wala the moment he steps inside the manor."
Elena is my personal and trusted maid, she's already in her mid-twenties, that's why she's comfortable enough to joke around with me without hesitation.
Unlike the others, hindi siya takot sa ugali ko, she doesn't walk on eggshells or pretend just to please me.
In the novel, she's the only one who truly understands Rassia, someone who sees beyond the attitude and stays.
"People change, Elena." I act coldy pero kitang kita sa salamin na namumula ako sa kahihiyan.
Elena just hummed, clearly not convinced.
"Understood. My lady." But the teasing tone in her voice made it obvious she didn't believe a word.
"...Just finish my hair."
I heard a knock on the door.
"You may come in," I said calmly.
The door opened and a maid stepped inside. She immediately bowed.
"The Duke said... you are to have breakfast with him tomorrow," she reported.
What?! tama ba ang narinig ko?!