Anastasiya was alone in the Casa Ladrillo when her niece's decided to visit her. A smile crept up to her face as the children entered the house.
"Nariyan ang mga anak ni Ginoong Carlos, Binibining Ana." The housekeeper reported.
The youngest clung to her again as Anastasiya faced her nieces. Maria Aleta eyed her aunt quite seriously, as Anastasiya was not a typical woman of this society.
"Infanta Maria Beatriz," she addressed the child who clung to her and the little infanta smiled at her. Anastasiya's gaze traveled to the middle child.
"Infanta Maria Letizia," and the second child plainly nodded. Turning to the eldest, Anastasiya smiled at her.
"Infanta Maria Aleta," Anastasiya was cut off by her eldest niece.
"Prinsesa Maria Aleta ang titulo ko. No me tartan como Infanta(I am not addressed as an Infanta)" Maria Aleta said icily.
Silence engulfed the drawing-room of the Casa Ladrillo. Maria Aleta was reading quietly by the side and the two younger children tried to find something they can do.
"Estoy aburrido,(I'm bored)" Maria Beatriz said as she snuggled into Anastasiya's arms.
"Do you want the iPad?" Anastasiya asked the child snuggled into her. Maria Beatriz gave her a confused look.
"Sandali lang, kukunin ko muna, Tiyak na malilibang ka doon," Anastasiya said and went upstairs to fetch the iPad. She gave the iPad to the five-year-old Infanta.
"Ano ito, Tita Stasiya?" the five year old pipped.
"iPad. May mga laro diyan upang malibang ka." Anastasiya explained. Maria Beatriz pointed towards a picture of a younger Anastasiya and a young boy.
"Sino iyan?"
"Siya ang nakababatang kapatid ko, si Antonio. Isa siyang Illustrado, kasalukuyan ay nag aaral siya sa Espanya." Anastasiya remarked and opened an app that she thought that the young infanta may be interested in.
Soon enough, the youngest infanta was absorbed in it. The sounds of the iPad disturbed her eldest niece. Maria Aleta eyed the gadget with such scrutiny.
"Que clase de hechiceria es esa? (What kind of sorcery is that?)" Maria Aleta exclaims.
Anastasiya chuckled slightly at Maria Aleta's aghast expression. She suddenly remembered what Alejandro told her about the royal family being so sheltered.
It is as if they are living in the past.
"No eres una mujer de esta sociedad, ¿verdad? La mujer de la familia real es retratada como justa en la que habla y actúa, (You are not a woman of this society, are you? The woman of the royal family is portrayed to be righteous in which she talks and acts,)"
Maria Aleta expected Anastasiya to be offended by what she said. But Anastasiya just smiled at her. As much as Maria Aleta hoped, her aunt did not waver to her words.
"I did not intend to be one. Hindi ko naman babaguhin ang sarili ko dahil parte na ako ng pamilyang ito." Anastasiya said casually.
The intense stare Maria Aleta gave her was only broken off when a loud wail was heard across the room. A wailing Maria Beatriz came to Anastasiya's side, begging to be held.
"Tita!! Kinuha ni Zia yung iPad!! WAHHHHHH!!"
Anastasiya just sighed deeply with the ruckus that the Casa Ladrillo was filled with. It was a fine day indeed.
---------------
Dolores used her schemes at whim, even if it was to get under the women of the royal family's skin. She was spending her afternoon having tea with Maria Contessina which was quite rare.
Dolores eyed the sapphire necklace the duchess wore, knowing that it would be hers soon enough.
"Akala ko hindi na kita makikita, amiga!" Dolores told Maria Contessina in a tone of poisoned sweetness. "Ipinang-ngamba kong hindi na kita ulit masisilayan muli."
The duchess placed her teacup down and stared at Dolores.
"May nakapagsabi sakin na nakipagusap ka kay Anastasiya." Maria Contessina cocked her head to the side. "Cual es su plan? (What is your plan?)"
"Ito ang paraan upang hindi ka malaglag sa posisyon mo. Siguro naman ding nang gamit ka na din ng tao. Tama ba ako, Maria Contessina?"
"Sigurado ka bang kaya mo patumbahin si Anastasiya? Baka naman hangin lang uli yang nasa utak mo?" the duchess said and suppressed that smirk.
The ladies in waiting whispered to one another. A rumor was about to arise about the heated discussion between the two ladies of the court.
Dolores eyed the sapphire necklace that adorned the duchess' neck. Maria Contessina stiffened as the clasp came loose with a single tug and Dolores took an interest in it. Dolores brazenly placed the necklace around her neck and looked up at a poker-faced Maria Contessina.
Dolores stared at her reflection in a nearby mirror. The sapphire necklace gleamed in the sunlight as it stood against Dolores' tanned skin.
Kawawang hangal. Ika'y aking pagtatawanan sa pagiging hangal mo sa mga materyal na bagay, Maria Contessina thought.
"Dolores..."
Dolores looked at the duchess. There was no emotion in Maria Contessina's eyes, yet her soul screamed scrutiny beyond compare.
"Tingnan mo sarili mo." Maria Contessina started and gazed at Dolores intently. The mistress of the Casa Byzantina assessed the woman in front of her.
A wolf in sheep's clothing, indeed.
Standing up, she paced around the foolish lady who dared to wear her jewels. They both looked at the mirror. Maria Contessina placed her hands on Dolores' shoulders. Her nails digging into Dolores' skin.
"Napakaganda ng mga terno mo, kutis porcelana at hindi maikakailang mayroon kang taglay na angking kagandahan. Nababalot ka ng ginto at sutla."
Maria Contessina leaned in closer and held her by the chin. Dolores stared at her placidly.
"Hindi ba mukhang sobra iyon sa isang babaeng gabi gabing natutulog sa kama mag isa?"
------
Alejandro woke up alone in bed which was a quite rare occurrence. Anastasiya was usually lying asleep next to him. This time, however, she was nowhere to be found. By the time he came down to the dining room, Anastasiya was preparing what Alejandro assumed was breakfast
"Himala? You're up early?" Alejandro asks as he kisses his wife's cheek.
"Nagising talaga ako ng maaga upang maipagluto kita," Anastasiya said as she sat down next to him.
Anastasiya piled food on his plate. Alejandro just chuckled at how Anastasiya is acting. Other ladies giggle at the sides, the newlywed couple was the center of their attention.
"Niluto nya ba lahat ito?" he asks her lady in waiting, Consuela.
"Siya po ang nagluto ng lahat ng iyan, Ginoo. Hindi po siyang pumayag na tulungan namin siya." She replied without meeting his eye.
Once Anastasiya came back with a cup of coffee for him. Alejandro held her hand and squeezed it.
"You don't have to do this. Andyan naman si Aling Ising: ang kusinera ng Casa Ladrillo." he reasons out.
"I want to." Anastasiya gazed at him. Alejandro leans in and attempts to claim her lips but Anastasiya stops him.
"Nasa hapagkainan tayo, besides I know what you like and don't like."
"Yes, alam mo nga kung anong gusto ko..." Alejandro said cockily.
"Ano?" Anastasiya asks cluelessly while eating.
Alejandro leans in and whispers in her ear.
"Ikaw..."
Alejandro just chuckles when Anastasiya hits him in the shoulder. The day isn't complete till he teases his wife full out.
--------
They took a detour from their stroll, as Carlos suggested they ride horses. Maria Contessina was not trained in riding horses as Carlos does. The prince was trying to teach her how to ride a horse.
As Carlos was behind his wife holding the lead rope, Maria Contessina tried her best not to squirm as her insides were trembling in fear.
"Wag kang matakot, Contessa. Hindi ko papayagang mahulog ka, tiwala lang."
They reached the seaside and sunlight reflected on its crystal clear water.
"Napakapayapa noh?" Carlos said informally as he assisted her down the horse.
"Napakaganda ng bansang ito." He starts. "Pero minsan kinakabahan ako kung isang araw, ako ang magpapatakbo ng bansang ito. Pero inaalala ko na lang na nandito ka." He said as he held the duchess' hand.
Maria Contessina stiffened. She avoided his gaze, her agenda must always be her topmost priority. Falling in love was out of her league.
She shouldn't be attached to what she considered her toy?
"Tama ka, napakaganda ng bansang ito. At bilang asawa mo, andito ako para umagapay sayo." She smiled with poisoned sweetness.
He returned the sentiment as well. The love that he gave her was so pure that it would smolder within her heart for all eternity.
"Tingnan lang natin kung gaano ito kasakit pag natapos na..." Maria Contessina said once Carlos was out of earshot. Carlos drags her to the gentle sea waves that splash onto the shore.
"Mababasa damit ko." Maria Contessina argues.
"Sus, patuyuin mo nalang yan." Carlos says as the waves crash into their feet.
"Mas nanaisin kong tumira na lang dito sa may tabing dagat. Mas kaya ni Alejandro na mamuno kaysa sakin." Carlos whispers.
"Wag mong sabihin yan. Ikaw ang panganay, natural ikaw ang susunod sa yapak ng mahal na hari."
She would pretend to stay in love always, in order to live with his ways. In order to get what she wanted, she would play pretend.
-------
Anastasiya briskly walked through the halls of Real Audencia. Remembering her grandfather's words, she kept a low profile inside the Real Audencia. She insisted to bring Alejandro lunch as he told her he had a lot to do in the office. She collided with a man she didn't notice.
"Patawarin mo ako, Binibini..."
She stared at the stranger's charming brown eyes as he held out his hand which she gladly accepted.
"Ayos lang ako, Ginoo." Anastasiya smiled. "Maari ba akong matanong ng direksyon sa iyo. Nasaan ang opisina ni Heneral Novales?"
"Kung mamarapatin niyo ay ako na lang maghatid sa inyo kay Heneral..."
Anastasiya felt the stares of various noblemen as women were commonly not seen inside the inner court of the Real Audencia. The stranger however noticed her uncertainty.
"Pagpasenyahan nyo na lang Binibini. Bihira kasi na pumasok ang kababaihan sa kaloob-looban ng Real Audencia." The stranger explained and Anastasiya kept quiet.
When they reached the office, Alejandro was absorbed in piles of paperwork. His face lit up as he saw her walking towards him.
"Seryosong seryoso ang asawa ko ah?"
"What do I owe you a visit?" Alejandro asks.
He stood up and kissed her on the cheek. Anastasiya placed the container on his table.
"Since busy ka, I figured you won't be eating lunch sa bahay. Kaya idinaan ko na lang."
Anastasiya wondered why her husband shook hands with someone she didn't know. He turned to her.
"Stasiya, siya si Kapitan Lukas Ibarra: Tagapamahala at kapitanng mga guardia sibil..." he smiled.
"Ako'y nagagalak na makilala ka, Tenyente Ibarra," Anastasya said.
"Siya na rin ang magbabantay sayo." Alejandro said calmly. He walked towards her and cupped her face. "Your safety is my topmost priority, Stasiya." Anastasiya just sighed in resignation.
"Ano pa bang magagawa ko?"
Alejandro knew that Anastasiya can handle herself. But with the kind of environment, the palace would bestow. He has seen a fair share of sabotage and foul-play in the lives of the court.
"Ibarra? Maari bang ikaw ay may kamag anak dito sa palasyo?" the mistress of the Casa Ladrillo inquired.
"Ang nakababata kong kapatid ay si Consuela. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay siya ang nagsisilbi sa inyo."the lietenant answered.
"Tama ka," Anastasiya smiles. "Napakatapat at napakabait ng iyong nakababatang kapatid.Ako'y nawiwili kapag siya ang kasa-kasama ko." Then he escorted her home.
The duchess stopped walking and inhaled the scent of fresh air. Her face radiated in the sunlight and her brown eyes were much vivid.
The lieutenant stared at his mistress: porcelain skin, chocolate brown hair that fell down on her back in waves, and those chocolate brown eyes that were filled with life.
He was ashamed but he needed to act professionally. The lieutenant shouldn't have felt like this for his boss' wife. For Pete's sake: she was married. He was only her bodyguard, a companion.