Missing Home

Kabanata Catorce

"BAKIT?" she asked while she was drinking her milk.

Everyone was staring at her like she did something. Tinaasan niya ng kilay ang mga ito, it was the twins and the Muchassie squad. The Princess on the other hand, was not in the mood. Samantalang siya at si Prinsipe Vard ay pangiti-ngiti pa. They had a great talked last night, she came to know better Prince Vard. Pero hindi pa rin magbabago ang trato niya rito, he'll still be the evil spirit of Ardeun.

"Bakit may problema ba?" she asked again. Everyone was staring at her.

"Wala!" sabay sabay na sagot ng lahat na ikinataka niya.

While Prince Vard on the other hand was busy sipping his coffee and reading news reports. Hindi niya aakalain na uso pa rin pala ang mga balita rito sa Ardeun.

She shrugged and finished her milk and left the dining area. She need to get ready, they will be leaving the Academy this afternoon and will be back tomorrow evening. As the king and queen of Ardeun requests for the presence of team Maharlika, while the team Muchassie needs to be there to cater the needs of the royals. A royal guard came early in the morning to send the news to the Maharlika's.

She went upstairs and arrange the things the Prince will need. Inayos na rin niya ang pampaligo ng binata, pati ang damit nitong susuotin. After that she went to her room and pack her things, then she headed to the bathroom and took a bath.

After she did her thing, she stared at the mirror looking at her reflection. She missed wearing pants, shorts and any comfortable outfits. Samantalang rito, kailangan niyang pakibagayan ang mga suot ng mga tao rito.

She heard a soft knock that ruined her momentum.

"Missy?"

It was Aleira's voice, she immediately went to the door and opened it. Aleira was already in her usual blue dress and her contagious smile.

"Bakit may problema ba?" nag-aalalang tanong niya.

"Inutusan ako ng Prinsipe na tawagin ka dahil aalis na kayo," she uttered and crinkled her nose.

"Inaaway na naman ako ng Prinsesa. Dahil hindi niya kasabay sa isang karwahe ang prinsipe."

"Eh, di awayin mo rin!" pabiro niya pang saad rito.

Aleira frowned. "Kung sana ganoon kadali, ginawa ko na. Hindi ko alam hanggang saan ang pasensya ko. Hinihiling ko nga na matapos na ang taon ko rito sa paaralan at nang makapagtrabaho na 'ko. Nagsasawa na 'kong pakibagayan ang ugali nito."

"Pagsamahin natin sila. Isa pa mas komportable ako sa 'yo," nakangiwi niyang saad.

Naaawa siya sa dalaga, she knew Aleira was only enduring everything for her family. Kahit katiting lang na konsiderasyon ay hindi maibigay ng Prinsesa, palagi itong galit kay Aleira. Kaunting mali, binubulyawan siya. It was too heartbreaking to watch, kung sana nasa normal na mundo sila she'll probably protect Aleira. Kaso hindi, isang maling hakbang niya lang sa mundong ito ay maaaring buhay niya ang kapalit.

"Kung sana pwede ginawa ko na," Aleira said while pouting

"Hindi ko alam pero, hindi na talaga mawawala ang sungay ng amo mo." Pabulong niyang komento habang nagpalinga-linga pa, "hintayin mo 'ko sa baba. Susunod ako sa inyo, aayusin ko lang gamit ko at gamit ng Prinsipe. Sabihin mo sa Prinsipe, saglit lang kamo ako."

Aleira left and she continued packing her things. When she was done making sure she had everything set, she went to the Prince room to take his things. Nang masigurado niyang lahat ay kompleto na, walang labis walang kulang. She decided to went downstairs pulling their things, halos magkanda kuba-kuba siya sa pagbitbit ng nga gamit nila. Kamuntikan pa siyang magpagulong-gulong sa hagdanan. On the living room, the Maharlikas are already set.

Prenteng nakaupo ang mga ito. They were all dressed elegantly, samantalang siya at ang tatlo ay normal lamang ang suot. Mga kupas na kulay ng mga damit, halatang pinaglumaan na. Ang mga lalaki ay may mga sariling mundo, samantalang si Aleira ay abala sa pagpaypay sa Prinsesang bagot na bagot na.

"Lahat na ba ay handa?" biglang tanong ni Prinsipe Vard nang mapansin siya nitong pababa sa hagdan.

He was the only one standing while the others sat. "Pumunta na kayo sa kanya-kanyang karwahe. Ang tanging bilin ko lamang ay galangin ang reyna at hari."

Prince Vard stares lingered at her, pakiramdam niya ay siya ang pinaparinggan. She just rolled her eyes, nasa tamang pag-iisip pa naman siya bago bastusin ang hari at reyna. Baka isang maling galaw niya lang ay latigo agad ang kahihinatnan niya. So she'd rather behave than to do something stupid that will cost her life.

They went outside, while the Muchassie makes sure their things are already in the carriage. The maharlikas are already set, sitting inside the carriage. Habang siya at iba pang taga-pagsilbi ay abala sa pagbitbit ng mga gamit patungo sa karwahe. Ang nga Maharlika ay prenteng nakaupo sa loob. Kahit na siya ay hindi maipinta ang mukha dahil panay ang pag-ikot ng mga mata ni Prinsesa Daiana sa kanya. But she couldn't care less, she needs to finish her task and get her ass inside.

NAKARATING SILA SA PALASYO MATAPOS ANG APAT NA ORAS. Wala namang problema sa kanya iyon because she was asleep the whole duration of the travel. She and Prince Vard are good, walang bangayan o kung anuman. Sinalubong sila ng mga serbidora, their things were taken away. Habang sila ay iginiya sa kung saan man ang reyna at ang hari. The king and queen were sitting comfortably on their throne.

They saw the queen who was looking at her king with her loving eyes. They bowed down when the queen and king noticed their presence.

"Magandang hapon, Kamahalan!" sabay sabay nilang pagbati at panggalang habang nakayuko.

The King smiled, "Masaya ako at pinaanyayahan niyo ang aming imbitasyon sa inyo. Inimbita ko kayo dahil nais naming ipagdiwang ang inyong susunod na kabanata bilang mag-aaral ng Ardeun. Masaya kami dahil mula sa mahika ay ang pisikal na aspeto na naman ang inyong pagtutuonan ng pansin. Ang inyong bagong pagsubok ay ang huling pagsubok niyo bilang mag-aaral ng Ardeun. Masaya ako sa inyong narating at nais kong magkaroon tayo ng kaunting salu-salo upang magdiwang."

The king said, his eyes misted in tears. He was very proud of what they have become but Prince Vard's reaction remained expressionless. Like he didn't care who was in front of them. Like he had nothing to do with the royals. While the other Maharlika's are smiling ears to ears, bowing their head to the king and queen. While she was left hanging, she had to act like she know everything when in fact everything is new to her. The Queen, has this loving aura, even her smile is contagious. Mukha itong nasa thirties palamang, hindi naman papatalo ang Hari. His aura screams authority and elegance, his eyes were filled with coldness but he has this warm smile.

"Sa araw na ito, ay iniimbitahan ko kayo sa isang hapunan upang ipagdiwang ang inyong narating. Dahil sa susunod na linggo ay umpisa nang inyong pag-eensayo. Nais ko muna kayong maging masaya at langhapin ang sariwang hangin na mula sa ating kalikasan. Kaya magpaghinga muna kayong magpahinga ng ilang oras. Ang aking mga serbidora ay ihahatid kayo sa kanya-kanya ninyong mga silid. Ipaghahanda ko rin kayo ng pampaligo upang lumamig ang inyong ulo. At nang makapagpahinga kayo saglit."

Dagdag pa ng Hari, they all bowed down and smiled. As the servants, escorted their to their rooms, magkatabi lang sila ng kwarto ng Prinsipe dahil iyon ang iniutos ng Prinsipe sa serbidora. The room was simple yet elegant, it was filled with flowers and its addicting scent.

Sana naman ay wala siyang kapalpakang gawin sa harap ng hari at reyna.

Sana nga dahil baka iyon na ang maging katapusan niya.