Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER TWO

1st PERSON: Pelomina Lorenzo-Capiz

Everything after that, forgotten. My mind was absolutely absent, not a single thought other than the closest and newest threat to my life personified as Lykus. He was so pressed that I was able to speak; he sounded so angry, going on about infidelity, give me a darn break. I don’t even know what that word meant until I remembered that Melanie Martinez song.

Which is halfway through the day, it was embarrassing, but at least I knew what he was talking about eventually, which brings me to my next issue.

With whom was I being infidel? Is that even a word? I wonder, but bottom-line, the real Pelomina Vaustero was doing some sneaky stuff if that was true, but how Lykus even came to that conclusion is beyond me. Was it something related to her ability to speak?

The three handmaids from earlier were hanging around me all day long, I was doing the bare minimum to not have them suspicious of me, I couldn’t just outright say that I’m a different person from a different world, apart from being a cheater I don’t want to be labeled deranged too.

They guided me through the halls and the different rooms of the castle, half of which I have no idea what for and I was just freestyling at the back of my head for the lack of a better term, my feet were calling for help but the scene was too much to pass up over blistered feet. Yet despite having all that amount of great visuals, when nighttime came, they were all wiped out of my memory as I then again sat within close vicinity of the esteemed husband.

Java and the others guided me to the dining area with a long rectangular table filled with food of all sorts and it was until then that I realized how starved I was, we had a few grubs throughout the day but I couldn’t eat properly, a problem that I came to reap now.

As he and I both sat on opposite ends of the table with no one else, I gulped as I started lightly eating what was on my plate; I know that it’s not me who’s been cheating with anyone in particular, but I know that pigging out on the food right in front of Lykus would end up in embarrassment.

‘But this food is good, I want to shove this all in my mouth,’ I didn’t, and I did my best to remain and appear poise. But still, it resulted in another dispute,

“Do you not enjoy the food? Or do you not enjoy the company,” Lykus remarked from the other side of the table and I was a second away from spitting out my food with surprise. It was like hearing the voice of the devil himself, startling and firm.

I chewed my food and gulped it down before replying, “N-No, No of course not, the food is delicious, and so are you,” I replied as I wiped the corners of my mouth trying to maintain composure, it's probably best to appease to him, but even from this distance I can make out the frown on his face,

‘what did I do now?’

“You think…I’m also delicious?” he repeated in an irritated tone,

‘*$#@!—No! That’s not what I—’

“No! I meant that uh-the food is good and so are you, you are also...good,” I corrected with a nervous cough as I brought another spoonful to my mouth, unsure what to do after that awkward exchange.

He hummed, “Better than the person you’re seeing as I was at war?” he retorted and the food was starting to taste like sand in my mouth, is there no other better time to have this confrontation, the dinner was getting ruined and my stomach was grumbling.

‘Does he really have to talk about that now?!’

I grunted as I pounded on my chest, trying to swallow down the food I shoved in my mouth, “I—“

“Don’t defend yourself, it only makes me angrier,” he said, cutting me off, and I had no choice but to do as he told. Call it instinct. It’s a defense mechanism to prolong my life until I figure out how the heck I can get out of here, the sooner the better.

After that, the food didn’t taste so good. It felt like I was chewing on clay and it just slides to my throat after a few bites. How can one person make a Michelin star-grade food taste like soil? It must’ve taken real talent for him to get to this point. He must’ve been raised with all the resentment in the world for him to end up like a sad—

“I’m done,” he announced as he wiped the corners of his mouth with the napkin, sliding the chair away from the table as he stood up and stormed out. With manners like that, there’s no wonder why the real Pelomina would commit a******y—Not that I find cheating excusable in any form, no, cheating is wrong no matter how you look at it but in this situation, it’d be safe to say whoever Pelomina was seeing they’re definitely treating her better than this guy.

It’s almost sad to think that she’s been married to such an unstable guy. What the hell is wrong with this dude? Why wouldn’t she go find someone else that makes her feel loved and respected? That man needs some serious talking to.

‘Not by me though, I choose life, someone else better go do it though,’

By the time I finished my food and I felt pretty full, I stood up and peeked outside the dining room to see if Java and the others were there but they weren’t, the halls seem pretty empty too if it wasn't for the occasional guards that roam the castle, must be tiring walking round such a huge place.

I sat quite a while to rest my feet enough that it made me feel I should try and walk around too, bask in this magnificent aura that the castle’s exuding, along with the dress, I felt like the textbook definition of a princess and I felt like I was pretty.

Remembering what I looked like when I saw my reflection earlier wouldn’t make me doubt that there’s a possibility that I am one. I really am in a different world. How the heck did I even end up here?

I walked through various halls adorned with paintings and golden candelabras with elegant patterns.

“But have you heard? It seems that the Lady’s broken out of her spell,”

I heard a faint voice in the silence and from the growing smell of good food and delicious pastry; it seems I reached the kitchen, coincidentally catching up to some tea, figuratively speaking, I stopped in my tracks and stood closer to the wall as I tried to lean in,

“Oh really?” another voice said with a gasp. The whole talking thing must be a really big deal for everyone,

“Yes, and to think that it matched the arrival of lord Lykus, it’s nothing short of a miracle!” another one gushed and you can hear the squeals and cheers of the ladies, even though they seem to be trying to pipe down,

“Why are you cheering? Don’t you know that the lord and the Lady’s relationship is dreadful?” another voice scolded, and a group of gasps erupted.

‘Oh, here it is… piping hot tea,’

“How could you say that? Can you not see how well the lord and the lady got along long ago before he left, my… the lord would accompany the lady Pelomina out on her walks,” a voice rebutted, sounding like a diehard fan of a scandalous celebrity couple, and a few sounds of agreement followed after her statement.

“But, of course, that’s what they would like us to see… but don’t you experience it firsthand?” the voice argued.

“What do you mean?” another voice asked.

“The lord is an awful man, had you ever seen him smile before? And his rude tone? Don’t act like you never feared for your life when he walks by!” the woman said, listing all the obvious bad qualities that Lykus has. I must say, she’s right. He does make it seem like the type to just explode out of anger if something doesn’t go right.

“Oh, yes, I see what you mean,” a voice agreed, “And speaking of… he didn’t seem all that pleased when he spoke to the lady,” she followed and I nodded,

‘That’s right, that man was enraged when he heard me speak,’

“Ah yes, he did seem more stern and frightening than usual. The poor lady must’ve been upset,” a voice added, then again I concur. I am upset and frightened. That man knows how to rattle some bones, which is what seems like the only thing this body has. Does the real Pelomina even eat?

They continued chatting amongst themselves that I didn’t even notice that they were leaving the room until we were both frozen in our spots.

I blinked.

They blinked.

All of us not moving a muscle. It took more than a few seconds until I attempted to make an escape by turning my heels and walking the opposite way, which is apparently ineffective.

“Lady Pelomina!”

“Hold it right there, my lady!”

They called out as they lunged forward to grab me. The real Pelomina really established a good relationship between her and the castle’s staff. That’s very commendable of her. They pulled me inside the kitchen by the arm and propped me on a seat, there were six of them all wearing black aprons over plain white dresses, their hair collectively tied in a neat bun, which would make sense they are working in the kitchen after all.

“Let me get you some tea,” one of them said, “I’ll help,” said another as they both excused themselves and started working while the other four cornered me.

“Tsk, look at you, have you eaten, my lady?” one asked, shaking her head as she clicked her tongue,

“ah— " I was about to reply but another one cut me off,

“You seem pale, are you feeling well?” she asked, and I nodded.

“Is it true that you can speak now?” another one asked, and I nodded because even if I could speak, they won’t seem to let me.

“Really? Can we hear your voice then?” one asked, her hands clasped eagerly as she and the others waited for me to speak, kind of pressuring now that they’re all staring so intently.

“Of course, you can,” I replied, and they gasped as they shared beaming looks, when the other two came back with tea, their little celebration grew a little louder. I couldn’t help but smile, getting infected by the cheer as I drink the tea—

‘Woah… this tastes amazing!’

But the celebration was cut short, as they were cheering and before I could ask what the tea they served me was called, the looming figure of Lykus himself materialized at the door frame. Arms crossed, wearing a deep scowl, and it didn’t take long for all of us to take notice of him.

“Everyone seems to be having fun, abandoning their duties,” he noted. I felt the tension thicken as the ladies formed a straight line next to each other and lowered their heads as they settled on a more prim and uniform position.

‘Oh, boy.’