Chapter 3

Summer was just around the corner. I worked out everyday to achieve the body goal that I wanted. Azy's wedding is getting near too so I had to maintain my figure.

"Thrante's eager to get annulled with Sebastian," Mom stated during our dinner. "Your Tita Katherine is also supportive. I don't think they won't win against the Marcados. They've done it before against the Imperial. There's no way they won't do it again."

"Do you think that is normal, Mommy? Will it bring a shame to both families if people will learn about the annulment?"

"It surely will. But as much as I want to be excluded from this issue, I also want to support your cousin. In this generation, divorce and annulment is normal for married couples."

"This is why I hate marriage," I grunted. "I'm not against them 'cause I know Baste was a good husband. Maybe they aren't just meant to last? They are not meant to be."

"Maybe they are better off as separated, Etincelle. They need a break from each other."

"But you know Baste is suffering too, Mommy. I feel bad for him."

"It's part of loving, Etincelle. You always get hurt."

The failed marriage of Baste and Thrante gave me more reasons why I should disregard marriage. It's just for the brave people to commit and to die for love. I saw in my own eyes how vulnerable Baste was because of his love for Thrante. I didn't want to become like him. And I also saw how cold Thrante was for not giving Baste a second chance. I didn't want to be as malevolent as her.

I was not taking any side. I listened to both of them and figured out why their marriage didn't stay. I couldn't say they were right or wrong. The only thing that was overlooked in their relationship was accountability. One party didn't want to accept defeat; the other one didn't want to acknowledge the mistake and carry the blame.

"What's with the frown, E?" Morthena remarked, furrowing her brows in curiosity.

Sighing, I took a sip of my cold coffee. I've been restless for a week now. I wanted to help Baste to win Thrante back but I didn't know how.

"Azy," I called. She looked caught off guard upon my sudden call.

"Huh?" She panicked internally.

"Let's say you and Orli got married and one day he decides to file a petition for dissolution of your marriage, what will you do?" I asked.

She looked at me with incredulity. Sweat gleamed on her forehead. She fell silent for a couple of seconds.

"Will you grant his request?" I asked again. "Considering you love him so much and you don't want to lose him forever."

"Why would he want to nullify our marriage?" She asked back instead.

"Because he is sick of you and he doesn't want to stay married with you."

"Ouch, that hurts, girl." She smiled sadly.

"What's with the riddle?" Morthena butted in.

"Just a random question since we were just talking about the benefits of being married," I excused. "What if the marriage that you've been dreaming of turns into a nightmare?"

"Hmm. I wonder about it too," Haponesa butted in, sounding like she just realized how horrible marriage was.

"Because look," I started. "We only imagine beautiful things about marriage but what if the opposite will happen? How sure are we that in sickness and in health, in richer and poorer, 'till death do us part we will remain committed to our partners? That love conquers all?"

They fell silent again. They all pondered to what I stated.

"I think it depend on you if you will continue the marriage or not," Haponesa stated. "Is marriage only for beautiful things?"

"That's my point," I answered quickly. "So, if Orli doesn't want Azy anymore, he'll just easily say that he wants an annulment? That he wants to get rid of his wife and he is not happy with her."

"And why would he only look for fun and thrill from our relationship?" Azy shot back, voice colored with irritation. "Etincelle, whatever is running in your mind, please... please keep it all to yourself." She rolled her eyes, making me laugh at her.

"I'm just wondering," I said between a laugh. "What if that will happen to your marriage?" Deep inside, I thought of Thrante. "I know there are a lot of successful marriage."

"You're not marryint someone you don't love," she shot. "Unless you were forced to." 

"So, if you were forced to get married with Orli, it's okay if he will file an annulment against you?"

"Of course! Isn't it that favors me the most? Duh!"

I let a heavy breath out. Now, it all made sense why Thrante was eager to void her marriage with Baste.

Azy's wedding was fast approaching. She is busy lately preparing the venue. She wanted to decorate peony and azalea. They have a flowershop. They also had those kind of flowers. In fact, her names were from those flowers.

"Can we invite Thrante?" I asked Azy as she was scanning through the pages of magazine.

Today, we planned on getting her a wedding dress. Or maybe she'll just hire a designer who will make the design that she wants. We also measured our size for our dress. The couples will be the one to pay for everything.

"Of course! When did we forget to invite your cousin? She is the one who's refusing."

"She's busy okay? She isn't like us."

"You sound like you consider us as bitches," Morthena stated sourly.

"Of course not, More. She isn't fond of party unlike us. That's what I meant."

"Whatever," she rolled her eyes.

"What's wrong with you, Morthena?" Haponesa laughed. "Is Philip bothering you already?"

"Woah!" I blurted out. "For real?"

Morthena blushed. She even hid her face from us.

"You guys are so annoying," she cursed. "You are selling me to Philip."

"He is cute-"

"I am fond of girls, too!" She huffed. "You know what? I really hope he is not invite to Azy's wedding!"

"I already invited him," Azy replied quickly.

"What?!" She overreacted. "Can't you stop this, please? If he's looking for a cute girl, I'm also looking for a cute girl!"

"Damn it," Haponesa annoyed her. "I thought you're looking for someone to keep forever?"

"Forever my ass. That shit isn't real. Right, Etincelle?" She looked at me, pleading me to agree with her.

"I can't disagree," I shrugged and grinned at them.

"Who knows you guys will get pregnant first before me?" Azy chimed in.

"Well good luck!" Morthena huffed, annoyed. "Can someone replace Philip? He's too arrogant for me!"

"He's just confident whenever you're around," I defended.

"I don't buy that shit, you know. It's utterly annoying!"

We cracked a laugh at her. She was annoyed even more. Her face was reddening.