The Novales revolt paved way for the golden age of the Philippine Empire," Alfredo said. "Ang pag aaklas nila ang naging susi sa laban ng pagkakapantay at kalayaan. Sa pangyayaring ito, nabuo ang Pilipinas bilang isang nasyon." He adds while looking at his granddaughter.
His granddaughter looked at him in apprehension. The fight for power was not what she wanted, but was definitely a price that comes with marrying a prince. Anastasiya took her grandfather's hand and looked at him directly in the eye.
"Lolo naman, as if naman magiging emperatris ako ng bansang ito. Malayong mangyari iyon, kaya wala kayong dapat ikabahala." Anastasiya said.
"Napaka-delikado ng mundo ng palasyo. Hindi lahat ng makakasalamuha mo ay aayon at magiging kakampi mo. Ang iba sa kanila ay gagamitin ka lang sa pansariling hangarin nila." he warned her.
The bride looked at her grandfather and sighed. Her traje de mestiza glistened in the natural light of the suite she stayed at. The wedding gown itself was made traditionally by the seamstresses that make the clothes of the imperial family.
Yet there were modernizations adapted for the request of the soon-to-be member of the renowned Novales family.
"Lolo naman eh," Anastasiya said as she attempted to move in her humungous wedding gown.
"Mangako ka sa akin, Aya." he said with conviction. 
"Opo, heto na po. Mag iingat ako." she said in defense and held both of her hands up. "Ang OA naman nito jusko, hindi nga ako magiging emperatis ng bansang ito." she grumbled under her breath.
Alfredo Andrada scoffed in return. His piercing grey eyes met hers.
"Kahit na. Isa kang Andrada kaya malaki ang tyansang pag-iinitan ka. Kung maari ay umiwas ka sa Real Audencia. Do not get involved with politics, you'll be safe by doing that."
Alfredo walked towards his granddaughter. He became her father figure after Anastasiya's father passed away when she was young. He avoided her gaze.
"Ano ba yan, Lo. Ang drama mo," Anastasiya teased once she saw tears in her grandfather's eyes.
"Natural, nag iisa kitang apong babae. Parang kailan lang ang tumatakbo takbo ka lang sa hardin, ngayon: ikakasal ka na." his breath hitched as the empress of the empire entered the room.
The two stood up in respect and customary greetings.
"Minsan ding naglingkod ang iyong lolo bilang gobernador heneral ng bansang ito at ang ama mo ay isang matapat na mambabatas. Ngunit sinong mag aakalang ang kaisa-isang babae ng pamilyang Andrada ay magiging isang biyaya?"Empress Evelina asked as the butler went inside the room.
"Mahal na emperatris," he bowed. "Naghihintay na po ang kalesa."
The empress got up and placed a tiara upon her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. The tiara was adorned with 5 big diamonds that were surrounded by golden vines, smaller studs also adorned the tiara. The veil was 18 meters long.
The tiara itself meant the loss of innocence and the crowning of love.
Anastasiya was in deep thought as they went down to the church. The Novales Palace was close to the church, a strategic location.
Anastasiya fiddled with her bouquet as she waited for the grand double doors to open. Her grandfather stood beside her. Her attendants fixed her veil, making sure that it covered her face. Knots started forming in her stomach as the grand doors opened.
"Huwag mong kalimutan ang bilin ko sa iyo." He whispered before walking her down the aisle.
------------
Anastasiya felt the stares of the people inside as she was led to the dance floor by her husband. She tried to ignore the stares she got from them. The prince placed his hands on her back as Anastasiya placed her hand on his shoulder.
Everything felt like a lucid dream to her. The wedding passed so quickly that she did not keep track of it. 
Their free hands finally met. As the orchestra played its music, her doe-like eyes stared into his once again as their gazes locked. Anastasiya felt relaxed as she muffled out the stares of the crowd. Her wedding gown was illuminated by the chandeliers in the ceiling.
He turned elegantly, his body in tune with the slow music. Yet, there was a sort of harshness to him, like he was someone who shouldn't be underestimated. The warmth in her chest grew more powerful with every second. Her heartbeat was growing steadily along with it.
What was the price of joining this family? Anastasiya did not know. 
Alejandro guided her across the dance floor as if they were in a dream. He kept his eyes on her, yet still, he knew exactly where to take her. Every moment, every angle seemed to be planned.
"I-" she whispered, "everyone is looking at us."
Her whisper was so low as speaking English was frowned upon in the court. Alejandro took her hand and leaned closer.
He squeezed her hand slightly and smiled. "Really," he chuckled softly, "I haven't noticed."
With that, She knew. He need not say more. Her heart, her whole being was now his and his alone.
-----------
Maria Contessina slowly combed her hair in front of her vanity. Her husband, Carlos was at the bed reading. Breaking the silence, Maria Contessina spoke.
"Dime, ¿tu cuñada ha sido tan ... espontánea?(Tell me, has your sister-in-law has been so...spontaneous?)" she asks as she re-adjusted her robe.
Carlos raised his head from his book. Smiling softly, he asks:
"Dime, ¿siempre has sido tan sencilla? (Tell me, have you always been so plain?)" he redirected the question towards her.
Maria Contessina huffed in response and faced away from her husband. Carlos remained open about the topic.
"Baka nga may maiidulot na maganda ang pagdating ni Anastasiya dito." Carlos says softly.
"Napakabilis lang, parang kailan lang na umalis si Alejandro. Bukas at sa makalawa baka si Ariella na ang ikakasal din." Maria Contessina remarked.
Carlos just chuckles.
"Si Ariella? Dadaan muna sila sa butas ng karayom dahil kay Ina."
"Bente cinco na ang bunso mong kapatid, siguro naman papayagan na siya ng mahal na reyna." Maria Contessina said nonchalantly.
"Ipagdasal na lang natin na maibigay ni Anastasiya ang kailangan gawin ng isang babae: ella necesita darle un hijo a Alejandro(She needs to give Alejandro a son)" Carlos said as he eyed his wife.
"Si Anastasiya tiene un príncipe, Maria Aleta será eliminada de la línea de sucesión.(If Anastasiya bears a prince, Maria Aleta will be removed from the line of succession.)"
Carlos scoots closer to his wife.
"La línea de sucesión está congelada en piedra(The line of succession is frozen in stone.) "he said nonchalantly.
The clock chimed as he retreated to the door. It happened every night, they were used to it. Silence then engulfed the majestic bedroom as she was left alone in it.
Who said all married couples slept together? Who said they have to be in love?
--------------
"Ayon sa alamat, mayroong dalawang araw sa langit na may kaparehang dalawang buwan." The empress narrated as she poured tea on her teacup. It was already near midnight as she spoke to her dearest confidant: it was her emperor.
"Tuwing umaga, napaka alinsangan ng panahon at pagsasapit naman ang gabi ay tagos sa buto ang lamig na madarama. Iyong panahon na iyon ay panahon ng kaguluhan at nagdulot ng pagkabalisa sa lahat ng nilalang at tao." she said and gently sipped her tea.
"Isang araw, may isang bayaning pinana ang isang buwan pati na rin ang kaparehang araw. Naging tahimik na din ang mundo."
The empress gently sipped her tea and eyed her husband.
"Ang palasyong ito ay mahaharian ng dalawang araw na siyang may kaparehang buwan. ¿Estás de acuerdo, querido esposo?(Do you agree, dearest husband?)" she smiles.
"Pareho silang nanggaling sa akin, pareho silang mga prinsipe ng bansang ito. Tagapagtatag ng bansang kamakailan ay ipapamana sa kanila. Ngunit upang itatag itong imperyong ito, dapat tanggalin mo ang siyang magpapahina ng imperyong ito."
The doors opened and the empress's chief attendant entered with two chambermaids. They gave the tray to the chief attendant. The bloodstain was clearly visible on the linen cloth that was in the tray.
It was the mark of the consummation of the marriage of the newlywed couple. It also serves as their loss of innocence.
It was presented before the empress.
"Que ella esté con el niño pronto( May she be with child soon.)" the empress whispered as she fervently prayed.
"Mukhang malapit na ako magkaroon ng apong lalaki. Baka masagot na ang ating dasal," the emperor said as he laid an arm around his wife.
"Con el tiempo, Felipe.(In time, Felipe)" the empress said as she stared out of the window and into the sky that has no stars.
The empress's eyes traveled to the rushing water of the river. She could have sworn her greatest horror appeared on the water itself.
It was a corpse of someone who belonged to the royal family's past.
She blinked once again, it was gone. The corpse of her past was nowhere to be seen. She retreated back to her bed. The heavy feeling was back once again.