บท 12: FELT SOMETHING STRANGE

I resumed eating after they left. Maybe I'll just personally take it to the kitchen. They have already toured me around here so I might remember the way to get there. After I ate, I fixed myself up. I picked up the tray containing my dirty utensils. No one is outside. Maybe everyone who serves in the palace is summoned by the head.

As I walk and look at the inside of this place. A mixture of modern and roman style is the interior design of the palace. With lots of paintings attached side by side on the beige painted wall. I was close to the stairs when something grabbed my attention. It's a huge family painting hanged in the middle of the wall.

Lianno is standing at the back together with an old man that looks exactly like him. There were two women, one is wearing a red V-neck bodycon dress while the other one who looks older is wearing a Black V-neck Long-sleeve Maxi dress. Both are sitting formally in the front. I guess this is Lianno's family, I'm not surprised that they got a perfect gene.

I stared at the painting in the meantime not minding the tray I'm holding. Princess Lucy, Queen Carolina, and King Luciano, what a great name they have. I guess the word ugly doesn't exist in their vocabulary.

"Miss, who are you?" A sudden voice echoed in my ear.

I almost lost my grip on holding the tray that I was carrying because I was so surprised by the sudden voice. I looked back, finding where the voice is coming from.

"My name is Celestina," I said, I could not give my one hand for a shake because I was holding something.

"Are you the woman from the other world?" He asked, so they know where I came from?

"Yes," I answered, confused with his words.

"I'm glad to meet you" I saw him smiling so I did the same and smiled back.

I was about to go downstairs when I heard him speak again.

"My name is Jacob, by the way"

"Celestina! Where did you go?"

That was Isabela's welcome to me as soon as I entered my room. I look at them, their faces scream worriedness as they look at me.

"I just delivered what I ate in the kitchen," I answered, making my way to the bed then laying down. While my heart is still beating faster.

"You two can rest now, I'm done eating," I informed them, smiling.

They have nothing to do here so it's better for them to just rest in the meantime. I know that it is difficult to serve here in the palace especially since this place is huge and spacious so as much as I can I'll make their work easier for them.

"Sure," They bowed their heads and smile sincerely at me before leaving the room.

As I close my eyes, I quickly recall the scene that happened earlier.

-/-

"So Celestina, what happened to you?" I'm confused by his question.

I looked at Jacob when he suddenly spoke. I'm following him to the kitchen. I forgot the way to here and I would have almost gone astray if I had not just met in the hallway.

"I know what you're thinking. I'm half-human by the way..." he seemed to read the confusion in my face which I was thinking.

"And to my question. How did you end up in this place?"

I'm hesitant to answer his question but his face is so serious that I have no choice but to do it.

"I had an accident and they said Lianno saved me" I answered honestly at him.

He nodded at what I said. When we arrived in the kitchen. I lower down the tray that I was holding and place it on the marbled countertop. I'm planning on getting some cold water as the water pitcher in my room is running low and just in case I might be thirsty tonight.

I was looking for water in the refrigerator, but I could not find any in here. I was about to close its door when I felt someone's presence behind me. I quickly turned around and was surprised to see Jacob in my back. Our bodies are so close to each other, that I feel awkward.

I pushed him but my strength was not enough since I saw him standing still and was not even shaken by that push. He moves his body even closer to me. I had to stare to the side just so our noses wouldn't touch each other.

"W-what are you doing?" My voice quivered as I said those words. My heart starts to beat loud and cold sweat starts to form on my face.

"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!" I was surprised when someone shouted not too far away from us. I saw Jacob slowly moving away from me. I quickly sprint to the person who shouted.

My hand trembled with fear. I'm not easily scared but to be left with a man whom I do not know sincerely makes me nervous. No one is here earlier and who knows what else can he do to me.

Lianno pulled my arms towards him making my body move closer to him. I hid behind him. I can see the anger in his eyes. He held me tightly as if I'm so precious that when he'll let me go something bad would happen.

"What the hell are you doing, Jacob!" Anger is evident in his voice.

I do not know, but when Lianno suddenly spoke my heart became stable as I feel safe with him. Maybe it's because I know that he won't do anything bad to me.

"Prince Lianno, you are wrong in thinking" Jacob now is like a sheep bowing to its master.

I don't' know his relationship with Lianno or his role here in this palace if he has any, but he seems scared.

"You know that I don't want anyone to touch the things I own," Lianno said sternly and

dangerously, looking directly at Jacob's eyes.

What? Ownership? Am I the one who is Lianno is referring to?

"I know that dear prince," Jacob said, respect and regretting are lingering in his voice.

"The next time this happens you know what will happen to you, Jacob."

I saw him become pale at what Lianno said.

"I will take you back to your room" I nodded at what Lianno said. I also do not know the way back so that's better. I'm born with no sense of direction I know that since then because I always get lost in places, I'm not familiar with.

He's leading the way, pulling my wrist.

"I'll call you tomorrow early. We'll have breakfast together tomorrow" He said, letting go of my arms. We are now, right in front of my room.

I just nodded, without thinking as my brain is still processing what he said. I felt him lifting my right hand. My eyes widened when he got closer, kissing the height of my right palm.

"Goodnight, Celestina."

I was stunned by what he did and don't know what to say. My body stiffened in my position because my brain couldn't process what he just did. Confused, when I felt something strange on my stomach when he held my hand.

-/-