Chapter Two

Chapter Two. 

Nina's POV. 

Time is short when you are happy, time is long when you are sad, and time is too slow for those who wait.

But in my case, time is swift when you’re in the zone. 

Two weeks had passed since I woke up as Lady Marina. Ngayon, ay na sa library ako, trying to research all information about this world, the world that I would probably live in for a while. According to Rita, my personal maid servant (which I’m correct). This is Lady Marina's private library, the whole Red Rose Manor have four library. One for me, one for my mother, one for father and lastly, the Edwards’ Central Library. 

With that two weeks time. I've learned many things. 

Lady Marina is an only daughter and she's seventeen. I am currently living at the Red Rose Manor, Edwards’ family manor at the nobles’ district in the royal capital. The Edwards’ real territory is in the eastern side of the Avalor Kingdom, and Lady Marina is  studying as Avalon Academy of Magic.

Avalon Academy of Magic, a prestigious magical school that only nobles, tycoons, large merchant can afford, but there are also quite rare cases of scholars by recommendation. A breeding ground of acclaimed noble scholars, guild members, leaders, royal guards, military powerhouses and powerful mages.

Illuminating Darkness has a quite peculiar setting. It has a Victorian Era vibes with a touch of medieval setting.

The world lacks steam and machinery. It’s quite under-develop but the lacking are made up by magic.

Remember this is a fantasy-romance book. 

And I've also learned that, Lady Marina uses Dark Magic.

Grabe! kahit sa magic villain na villain ang dating. But, I also found out that Lady Marina was not allowed to uses magic in public, having a rare magic is dangerous dahil marami raw ang gahaman dito. Like in the modern world, parang may black market trade dito, not to mention Lady Marina is a daughter of a wealthy noble.

Sa pagkakaalam ko ay they are six elemental magic the water, earth, fire, air, light and dark. 

In the Avalor Kingdom, water-type of magic is the most common attribute in the whole Kingdom. Avalor Kindom is a land of waves, believer of the Storm.

Mostly, the nobles have the highest population of magic users. Mayroon naman sa mga ordinaryong  tao but it’s just a small scale, they can’t even properly use their magic.

School break daw ngayon, kaya nandito ako sa mansion. I was supposed to be in our own territory, but I decided to stay at the Red Rose Manor. Mas safe ako dito, kaisa naman to travel long distance, marami pa namang mountain bandits sa eastern side ng Avalor Kindom. All students are given one month of vacation, to all levels, according to Rita. Sadly, one month lang ang bakasyon, and I’m still learning. I’m trying to adopt Lady Marina’s life, attitude, personality, and manners. I’m also memorizing certain places around the capital, but I haven’t gone out. I want to explore, experience, and see the lives of the common people.

That would help me adopt in this world. 

In two weeks na naririto ako, ay nasa library lang ako. Either, in my private or the Red Rose’s Central Library. Sa private library ko ginagawa ang research ko tungkol kay Lady Marina, and also practicing my manners and etiquette. 

And about my magic capabilities, it’s still in question. I don’t know if Lady Marina is good controlling her magic. Wala naman akong mapag-tanongan dahil kaunti lang ang nakaka-alam. Only Lady Marina’s parent know it, and baka the school officials.

Sa Central Library ko naman ginagawa pagbabasa ko sa history, mula academics to socializing, doon to ginagawa at pinagaaralan. And to my surprise, in this world, cars is already made but not the fancy cars ones pero yung vintage cars na kung tawagin natin sa modern world. This really surprises me dahil the book setting was centered at Victorian Era with  medieval setting. The cars are powered by mana, and only the nobles and businessman can afford it. Gaya sa mundong pinang-galingan ko rare ones are expensive. The strange thing is, it isn’t popular in Avalor Kingdom, nalaman ko lang to dahil kay Rita. The author of Illuminating Darkness has a weird taste.

Going back to the original timeline of the story, this coming school year, is the start of the novel. According to Mary and Janna, the novel started when Gina, a seventeen year old gal, a commoner enter the Academy. Sabi nila Janna that Gina was a special girl because she uses light magic, which is uncommon in the Kingdom but not only that, she also has an abundant amount of mana, kaya sya na-recommend.

And it’s rare rin daw sa mundong ito, na ang isang anak ng commoner ay may mahika. That's why Gina is special, from her magic only, halatang sya talaga ang bida. She was very charming, sweet and kind, kaya ko wonder Lord Ethan and the rest was captivated by her. 

Kaya ang plano ko ay wag itong gambalain, avoid her at all cost.  Ayaw ko masali sa gulo nila. I don’t to be the certain third wheel, or else I would gather hate from these characters. My life won’t be peaceful, that would make it hard on my survival and plan on going back.

This is information overload, sumasait tuloy ag ulo ko. I need to rest my mind, kanina pa ako nagbabasa in my preparation for the up-coming school year. Kata-tapos ko lang narin sa etiquette, and dance lesson.

Being a noble is hard.

 Kinakabahan tuloy ako sa art lesson mamaya, hindi panaman ako magaling mag=painting.

Napagpasyahan kung lumabas at pumunta sa garden. I want peace and quite para makapag-relax ako. Kasama ko si Rita sa paglalakad, palagi nya akong sinasamahan para maasikaso nya ako palagi, even in the bathroom, nakakabigla dahil hindi ako sanay na may kasama sa banyo but I couldn't protest dahil yun daw ang ginagawa niya palagi. Its her duty to aid all my needs, she always helps me getting bath and dress. 

Nakakailang lang dahil hindi ako sanay na may kasamang maligo, what more, helping you get bath? Nakakailang kahit pareho naman kaming babae. 

Dresses in here are typically victorian style, I even need to wear corsets, and heavy layers of dress kahit nasa bahay lang ako. Na paka-raming bawal at na paka-raming rules na dapat sundin. Being a noble is exhausting, na paka-raming manners at etiquette lessons. 

Noong una ay medyo naninibago pero, kalaunan parang nasasanay narin. And I already meet Lady Marina's parents, ang masasabi ko ay strict sila pero mabait naman. When  I was informed about that ay halos himatayin ako sa sobrang kaba, pano kapag napansin nilang may mali sa anak nila? I would be doomed but thankfully it didn’t happen. Strict sila kasi they are nobles pero masasabi ko na Lady Marina is being spoiled by her parents to much. I’m also an only child pero hindi naman ganyan parents ko.

They spoiled me so much with dresses, make-up, and jewelry that I don’t need and like. But if they give me money, that would be an another issue. Pero ngayon  ay wala sila rito, they are in Gofio, a neighbouring country to do business pero babalik sila before I go to the academy. They will send me off. 

Nang makarating na kami sa rose garden ay agad akong umupo sa parang mini house rito. Its an open house though, kung nanood kayo ng movies ito yung tipo ng house kung saan kayo magte-tea. At kita rin dito ang rose maze, napakalaki ng lupain dito. I heave a sigh when I saw the garden, nakakarelax, na miss ko tuloy ang aming probinsya. 

"Milady, I will get you a tea and snack, please wait for me." Rita announced saka ito marahang yumukod at umalis. 

Staring at this garden makes me feel nostalgic. Na-mimiss ko tuloy ang probinsya namin kung saan ako lumaki kasama ang Lolo at lola ko. Being an only child is hard, nakukuha mo nga ang gusto mo but you would lack sense of companions. 

When I was a kid, I uses to climb trees, talk to fishes, talk to plants and animals. Thinking about that makes me laugh. My Lola was a baker kaya palagi akong kumakain ng sweets, and I've learn how to bake, thanks to her. 

Habang ang lolo ko naman ay isang mechaniko. He repairs cars and motorcycles, and in a very young age I’ve learned how to drive a car with lolo's supervision, kapag pumupunta kami sa plaza at sa downtown. We use Old Berkens, Lolo's old beetle car. 

And thinking about that felt great and sad. I realize how lonely I was when I was a kid. Wala akong kalaro, I only play with myself,  ang palagi kong kausap ay ang mga tanim at hayop sa barn. I play with chickens, climb the trees kapag hinahabol nila lola. 

Maybe that's the reason why I've become a loner, I don't know how to socialize with people everytime na may bisita sila Lola. I always prefer playing outside. 

When I turned thirteen, me and my parents transferred in the city. I can't do the things I’ve love to do before, except for baking. My attention was set on reading books, study, watch some shojo-animes, play video games and eat. 

Kaya when I started attending school ay nakaka-bigla ito but I still remained as loner. Kaya people always call me nerd kahit wala naman akong salamin, loner, and weirdo. They don't bully me, so they ignore me instead. I was so lucky to meet Mary and Janna, who become my best friends.

And thinking about them makes me sad, I really miss them. 

Sumandal ako sa aking kinu-upuan at pumikit. Hindi naman siguro masamang umidlip dito, diba? 

I was about to lay down ng marinig ko ang boses ni Rita. 

"Milady!"

Dahil sa sigaw na yun ay mabilis akong napa-upo ng diretso at sinalubong si Rita, na mukhang aligaga at natataranta. Kita sa mukha nito ang kaba at pagmamadali, she's even running towards me. 

"I was not about to lay down! I swear." mabilis kong depensa sa sarili kahit hindi pa ito nakakalapit sa akin.

"Rita, I was not laying down okay. I swear, I did not lay down right in this bench." I defend habang tinatapik ang simintadong upuan, kahit wala pa itong sinasabi. 

Oh gosh! I swear I did not lay down. I was planning to, but I haven’t done it. Bakas pa rin kasi sa mukha nito ang kaba, takot at pagkabigla. 

"Milady, hindi po yun," magalang sabi ni Rita. 

Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag. I really thought I committed something serious, mabuti naman pala hindi. 

Whew. That was a close call. I almost wiped the invisible sweats in my forehead.

"Kung hindi yun ang dahilan, why are you panicking? You look worried and scared. Is there something wrong? You scared me." nag-aalala kung tanong. 

"I’m very sorry, Milady." taos-pusong paghingi nito ng tawad saka yumukod at muling nag-angat ng tingin. "Nagkakaganito lang po ako kapag may mahalagang bisita ang dumating."

"Mahalang bisita?" nagtataka kong tanong, as far as I remember, walang kaibigan si Lady Marina dahil sobrang magaspang ng kanyang ugali. 

Tumango naman si Rita. "Yes, Milady. You have a very special guest," sagot nito habang naka-ngiti ng malaki. 

"Sino?" I asked in confusion. Who's my special guest this day? 

"Your fiancé is here Lady Marina," magalang na sagot nito na may himig na ngiti sa boses nito. 

My eyes went wide open when I heard her, my body froze in spot. Para yata akong na-bingi dahil sa sinabi nito.

F-fiancé?

Kahit wala akong iniinom na tubig ay parang nasamid ako. Muntik pa akong matumba dahil sa dalang balita ni Rita. 

I have a freaking fiancé!? Masyado pa akong bata para diyan! 

What in the world of Illuminating Darkness is happening!?

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Love,

Sam.