Chapter 2

Boring.

I am standing near the dark alley while looking at the crowds, yung iba ay napapatingin sakin at yung iba naman ay busy sa pakikipag-usap kay Serenity.

naalala ko nagsimula silang kausapin si Serenity dahil nga sa rumored cancellation of the engagement so they are preparing to have a better connection with her dahil nga sigurado silang siya ang papakasalan ng Crown Prince.

As expected of the story, after ng iskandalo ni Charlotte ay lumapit si Serenity at tinulungan yung servant at dahil don mas lalong nagalit si Charlotte.

May scene pa na sinampal niya si Serenity and it was the time when the Crown Prince show up. That's why I wounded my hand para walang sampalang magaganap

It's better to be in a low-key situation in order for me to be safe and to do my plan, my plan is to get rid of the engagement after that I will collect all my living expenses at lalayas ako sa mansion.

Who knows at baka makahanap pako ng mapapangasawa sa tabi-tabi.

Napahinga ako ng malalim at nakasimangot na pinagmasdan si Serenity.

Come to think of it, Serenity is a naive girl with a bright attitude. I mean naiinis talaga ako dati dahil lagi siyang nagpapaapi kay Charlotte and now I became Charlotte.

"The Emperor and Crown Prince Kallisto Theodore Crossus."

Tahimik ang lahat nang lumabas mula sa malaking pintuan ang Emperor at Crown Prince, all of them bowed. The Golden eyes suddenly caught my attention, it was beautiful na kahit ako ay hindi maalis ang tingin sa kanya.

Kallisto the Male lead. Right, having a golden eyes was the first thing that caught Serenity and fell in love. Seeing it visible in my eyes is really satisfying, pwede na akong mamatay na mapayapa.

Ah! right after the Prince showed up nung nasampal ni Charlotte si Serenity ay hinila niya sa stage si Serenity at don na cinancel ang engagement.

I'm not going to ruin myself as Charlotte so I'm going to act first before him.

Normally Charlotte would sit beside the Crown Prince and proudly enjoyed every event even if the Prince doesn't care.

Kaya pala lahat sila ay nakatingin sakin ngayon. The gaze from my father was cold and even from my brother who's standing beside Serenity.

I gave them a 'what-are-you-looking-at' look kaya nagsimula silang magbulungan.

Bumaling ang tingin ko kay Kallisto and he was not looking at me, he was looking at Serenity.

This man is really in love with her, mapapadali lang ang plano ko kung ganon.

Nagsimula akong maglakad at huminto sa gitna, seeing the Emperor and the Crown Prince in front of me while the crowds are looking at me.

How's my confidence hoomans?

"Glory upon the Corceigea and the unity of the Empire. I know that my presence is not important for this important event but I am asking in favor for the feelings of the Crown Prince, I am hereby asking to cancel our engagement."

The crowds went berserk, who would have thought that the obsessed Charlotte will be the one to cancel the engagement.

"Lady Laurier, do you know the consequences of acting impulsive?" the Emperor asked.

The emperor is known to be vicious especially when it comes to the empire, cancelling the engagement will give a big ruckus to the Empire especially as the daughter of the Grand Duke Laurier.

But as a reader of a novel I know that the Crown Prince will have a better plan in order to marry Serenity.

"Because I love someone else." that came out from my mouth that I didn't even think would come out.

I am confident of course and by looking at Kallisto is just like looking to a closed window. I don't have emotions seeing them, I'm not Charlotte okay?

"It would be better if we talked about it privately Lady Laurier." The Emperor was angry, I know.

But I don't care. I want to be free, and this is the best thing to do.

"If you can't accept my request your highness, then I would like to drink a poison in order for me to escape from this unwanted wedding."

Of course it's a lie, I'm trying to avoid my death here duh.

"Charlotte!" father shouted while looking at me with disbeliefs.

"Your highness, The Crown Prince doesn't love me. To bear a fruit with unhealthy tree will have no future so I, as the daughter of Grand Duke Laurier will never proceed to the marriage."

Marahas na hinawakan ng kapatid ko ang braso ko at masama akong tinignan.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa Emperor at nagsalita ulit.

"My request may be a selfish act but I do know that I am not capable as the Empress. Your highness, please approve my request."

Nagtama ang paningin namin ni Kallisto ngunit hindi ko ito binigyan ng pansin, the Emperor will approve my request for sure.

"For what reason do I have to approve your request Lady Laurier?"

So he didn't believe that I love someone else oho.

"As a Lady born from the house of Laurier, the loyalty and dignity is written in my name but to enter a marriage with someone who doesn't love me is an insult to our Family's crest."

He didn't respond so I continued. "What would be the meaning of being the Mother of our nation if my husband doesn't want me to be the mother of his child."

Of course it's a fact, being an empress is not my cup of tea so I'm quitting Mr. Emperor

Nagulat ako dahil humalakhak ang Emperor, he was laughing like I was trying to make him laugh what a reaction.

"Child, having a good Dignity is a good example of a capable Empress. It would be in vain to lose such an opportunity to have someone like you Lady Laurier."

I was dumbfounded, my mind went blank because of what he said.

What the hell?!

"Now, now, let's all stop the ruckus and just enjoy the banquet. Let's all enjoy the good memories of my Wife as we celebrate her death anniversary."

The crowd started to feel light like nothing happened. Habang ako naman ay naiiyak na nanlalamig, bakit ganito?

Hinila ako palabas ni Abel at pabalang akong binitawan.

"What do you think you're doing Charlotte? Nagpapapansin ka nanaman ba? Aren't you tired of giving us problems?" he asked.

I know he's angry but I'm more devastated. I was rejected to gain freedom, why? I am giving them a happy life time so why I'm not able to gain freedom?

"Charlotte!"

I know, Charlotte is a bitch but I'm not Charlotte! I am Kehlani a student worker and earning money to enter college, I'm not her.

"Charlotte! You're getting—what, why are you crying?"

Napatingin ako sakanya, ah so I am crying. Mas lalo akong napaiyak na parang bata, realizing that I was the woman who have a destined red flag. 

"I wanted to cancel the engagement," saad ko habang pilit na pinapatahan ang sarili. 

Self please stop crying, kahit anong haplos ko sa mga luhang pumapatak ay hindi padin ako tumitigil sa pag-iyak. I am really frustrated because I am Charlotte, I am destined to die.

"I want to be free."

Mas lalong lumakas ang iyak ko dahil sa sinabi ko, I want to go back. Even if my life was hard I'm still happy because I have freedom.

I found myself getting embraced. It was a cold shoulder yet I felt warmth from it, it was comforting. 

marahan niyang hinaplos ang likod ko habang humihikbi ako. Please let me go back or just let me die in peace.

"I'm sorry, please don't cry anymore. Brother is sorry Charlotte I'm sorry," ani niya sa malambing na tono. 

Because of the tiredness I lost my consciousness on his embrace.