MISSING ROYALTY

Chapter 17 : Her Decision

"My Lady." Nabalik ako sa kasalukuyan nang magsalita ang isa sa mga babaeng nasa kwarto ko ngayon. They're the escorts Kriven sent to assist me.

"Your bath is ready, my lady." She said without looking at me. Nakayuko lang silang dalawa and I can feel their nervousness. Earlier when I was still half asleep, I heard them come into my room and whispered to each other. I can tell they're nervous of waking me up kaya bumangon nalang ako.

"Please, there's no need for you to be scared in front of me." I said and one of them looked up but suddenly realizes what she did and looked down again. I heaved a sigh.

I started removing my robes and immersed myself in the bath tub. They insisted on assisting me to bath but I just want to be alone right now.

I felt the lukewarm water on my skin. Even its scent is relaxing. I positioned myself so now I am face to face with the bathroom's glass wall overlooking the view of the forest. I noted to myself to enjoy the view in the veranda some time later.

And now that I am alone and not doing anything, I can't help but to think about it again. What can I possibly do to this kingdom? Is Cross looking for me? Pierce? My brothers? Will they know I am here?

I immersed myself more and now only my eyes up to my head is visible. I can't help but think of many possibilities. I remembered what Kriven said earlier that they fight their battles alone. So that could mean during the Macedon siege caused by the Monarch, they fought along with the soldiers of Oregon. Did Ares knew about Sicily? And is this Kingdom that forgotten that they haven't got any alliance at all?

I was taken from my thoughts when the bathroom door went open and the two ladies were looking on the floor. Agad na akong tumayo. I know what they mean. That my time being alone is done already and that they have to prepare me for whatever I have to face this day.

Inayusan na nila ako nang tahimik. I can't even hear their breaths. They are so minimal with their actions and words ngunit kabaliktaran naman iyon ng mga kasuotan nila. I was dangling with jewelries from my head, down to the tip of my red silk dress.

They escorted me to a massive door that leads to the hall. I heaved a deep sigh and looked at the ladies but they've already gone. I guess I'll have to do this myself.

The two guards noticed me and opened the door. And loud laughters greeted me. The hall is big. With majestic chandeliers hanging atop. The windows are huge almost one fourth of the light of the room came from the moon. At the middle of the room is a huge circular table occupied with men and women busy talking.

At the farthest end, three seats were positioned. I know those seats very well. They screamed authority and power. Just like my father's. And in the middle chair, the Curtizan is seated. And on his right, I hitched my breath when I recognized the one seated on the right side of the Curtizan. Damn you.

I met the Curtizan's eyes and I noticed his eyes travelled from head to my foot. He stood and automatically, just like what my father does everytime, the ones eating on the long table went silent and focused their attention to their Curtizan.

"This day is very memorable to the Kingdom of Sicily. I am very happy and delighted to give you the good news, my friends." His voice, strong and full of conviction, spread across the room. The chatters of the listeners grew loudet and when he spoke again, they went quite.

"The Kingdom of Sicily has been forgotten, hated, and feared. For decades we fought our battles alone, we strived alone. And now, my friends, I have found hope." Kriven looked at me and he smiled. The people on the long table followed his gaze and a collective gasp is heard all over the room.

Their stares bore at me like I am a new specimen they're curious to peel alive. I have never felt so naked all my life. But I maintained my posture. I've been trained for this for years and have been using this for ages, I can't let my tutors down. With the pride of Oregon, I held my head up high.

"What is the meaning of this, Curtizan? Surely you are not referring to this girl?" A man with almost as big as Big Max spoke and looked at me with distaste.

I saw Kriven walked down his seat and made his way towards me. He flashed me a hopeful smile and faced the group of people with confused faces.

"Ladies and gentlemen --" I touched Kriven's shoulder and he looked at me. Naintindihan niya agad ang nais kong sabihin kaya agad siyang tumabi making sure I'll be seen by the crowd.

"Princess Tamina Muriel Ailani Magnussen. First Princess of Oregon." I roamed my eyes around ignoring their shocked faces. "Nice place you got here."

"Prin..Princess?"

"You heard her right, Konsilor."

"Oregon?"

"The last time I checked, yes." I heard Kriven's soft chuckle behind me.

"I believe I pose a great hope for this Kingdom. And I assure you, I will do whatever I can to help you."

"What can a princess like you do?" 

I calmed my insides as I was starting to get annoyed.

"Believe me, Konsilor, one word from my mouth will have your head rolling on the ground. If you're in Oregon, of course." I said as a matter of fact.

"I understand your capabilities, Your Highness but how can we trust your words? How can we make sure that you will not attempt to colonize this little Kingdom?" I looked at the skinny man.

"Your Curtizan trusts me, isn't that enough?"

Naramdaman ko ang Curtizan na tumabi sa'kin and offered his arm. I inclined my arm to his and he flashed me a kind smile. He turned his gaze to the people in front and guided me to walk to the seat. But before I settled on the seat, I flashed Flux a look but he averted hia gaze away. Kanina pa ito bumabagabag sa akin. Why is he here? What is he here? Why is he seated at the right side of the Curtizan? Was that his doing that I got here? Did he invited me to that wedding para dito? Hindi ko alam but I felt betrayed. I know I should've not trusted Flux but I did and still went to the wedding.

"It's nice to see a familiar face here." I muttered and maintained my gaze to the councilors eating. I felt Kriven's gaze on me but I did but bother to look at him. Alam kong alam niya ang ibig kong sabihin. So Flux must be the one he meant during our talk in my room. I looked at Flux. 

"That's why you've been itching to have me right, Flux? Para dalhin ako dito?"

"Your Highness --"

"And you, Curizan. I have agreed to help your Kingdom. To be their hope. I will do this for the people. Not for you or anybody else. For the people only. And I will do whatever I wanted to do express my help. You might be the Curtizan, the leader of this nation but I will not let your tongue on my throat. You will not dictate me what to say and what to do." I said in between gritted teeth.

"I told you she's sharp." I heard Flux whispered to Kriven na mas lalong ikinainis ko but Flux has been an annoying creature to me ever since I saw him. He pursed his lips as I glared at him.

"You are a leader by nature, Your Royal Highness. And yes, indeed. I agree to to your terms." He smiled and I averted my gaze to the Konsilors who are now eating silently and occasionally glances our way. I helped myself with the food on the table.

I was escorted back to my room and I obligedly did so. As much as possible, ayokong magpagala gala sa lugar now that I knew Flux is here. I don't think I can control myself into snapping his neck.

But part of me was not blaming Flux. If not for him, hindi ako mapupunta rito. If not for him hindi ko malalaman ang tungkol sa Sicily. A forgotten kingdom, also a descendant of Oregon. I know I have not much power but pakiramdam ko this is partly my responsibility. And I will be the hope of this kingdom. But I am confused all the same. How on earth am I going to be the hope of this kingdom? How will I face its people?

I decided to sit on the floor and rested my head on the mattress letting my head wander again. This is why I hate being alone and being someone with a lot of time. That only means you have a loy of time to think about things. And sometimes those things aren't really pleasant to the brain.

I felt my hand slightly nudged something on the floor just under the bed. I pressed my hand on it and it creaked. I would have ignored it kung hindi ko lang nakita na hindi na ito pantay sa buong sahig matapos ko itong itulak. I slowly pulled the uneven block of wood and was surprised to see a small compartment.

I saw some books inside the compartment. Judging by the worn out cover, the books looked like they have existed long before I was even born. I started to get the book one by one each reading their titles. I guessed the once ownet of this room loves books.

I wondered how many books are piled in here until I came to the last one, only that it wasn't a book. It was a notebook. Probably older than the rest. I wiped the dust from it's cover and it showed its real color. Leather brown. It piqued my interest kaya napagdesisyunan kong buksan ito.

"This notebook is the property of the Half Blood Prince." I read. I touched the page and the paper is really old and brittle I was afraid I might break it. But I realized, it was an ancient paper. The most expensive paper during the old times and is very rare. It was said only scholars have them.

But who's the half blood Prince?

Dali dali kong tinago ang notebook sa ilalim ng unan nang may marinig akong katok sa pinto. I immediately hid the books back in the compartment and placed the block of wood back.

Agad kong  binuksan an pinto and Kriven's face greeted me. He wore a kind smile.

"Would you like me to show you around, Your Highness?" Napatingin ako sa braso niya. I immediately inclined my arms.

"It must be suffocating there. Your room." Panimula niya.

"No. Not at all." I felt him looked at me.

"Your Highness --"

"Muriel will do, Kriven. Besides, you let me call you by your first name."

"Right. Muriel, I truly apologize for --"

"k********g me?" He fell silent. Alam kong nagsisisi siya sa ginawa niya. And he even punished the man he sent for punching me. That bloody hurt but it's been done and narito na rin ako. When Pierce and my other two brothers comes and finds me, then I'll be out of here. And I'll be talking to Dad about this Kingdom. For now, I have to do whatever I can to help.

"I am deeply sorry." He said and I felt sincerity with every word. I touched his arm with my other free arm.

"It's done, Kriven." He smiled. A kind smile. And he reminded me of my brother.

"Tonight, there will be a feast. A celebration for you. But before that, the Konsilors wanted to discuss something." I looked at him, confused.

"Why?"

"We have to decide on what to tell the people about you."

"Tell them how you introduced me to the Konsilors." I heard him sighed.

"I wish it's that easy, Muriel. If I introduce you to be a Princess from Oregon, instead of hope, they'll think you're colonizing this Kingdom. Of course, why else would a Princess doing here? And from a powerful Kingdom at that? Iisipin nilang balak mong kunin ang Sicily mula sa kanila." 

"That's absurd. I don't have the power to do that."

"Yes it is. But they don't know that. Ang tanging alam nila ay isa kang makapangyarihang tao and that you have the power to get this Kingdom."

"So what do you suggest?"  

"I plan to introduce you as my prisoner, Muriel."

"What!?"

"A prisoner."

I looked at him unbelievably. A prisoner?

"Look, think about it. Once they know you're a Princess from Oregon and that you are my prisoner, that will give them fervor. That'll boost their confidence. A forgotten kingdom, managed to kidnap a princess from Oregon."

"Look, Curtizan. I remembered I said I will give your people hope in my own way. Not yours. And I will not be acting as a prisoner. Tell your Konsilors there will be no meeting to conduct if what we're going to talk about is how to introduce me to your people." Nakipagsukatan ako ng tingin sa kanya. I meant what I said. I decided to help so I should do it my own way.

Kriven was the first one to avert his gaze and started to walk again.

"I understand, Muriel." He gave me a smile but it was disappointment. I heaved a sigh.

"Trust me, Kriven." I said and he smiled at me again but this time, genuinely.

We walked down the well lit corridors. Some of the servants would stop and give a light bow.

Kriven brought me to the town center where every people's needs can be found. Katulad ito sa market sa isla. And thinking about it, Urathra's Island was like a small independent kingdom too. 

Maraming tao sa sentro - kids and adults alike. May nagtitinda ng mga damit, ng mga alahas, disenyong pangtahanan and many more. Sa bandang unahan may nagtitinda ng mga tinapay, mga basket na gawa sa pinatuyong dahon ng halaman, meat, fish at iba pa. It's a good thing I changed into something more comfortable.

Nang tingnan ko si Kriven, ngayon ko lang napansin na nakasuot na pala siya ng sombrero and he is just wearing casual clothes. Hindi mo mahahalatang siya ang Curtizan.

While walking, I saw three children talking to each other silently. The three of them wore clothes that are badly torn. May nakita pa akong mantsa ng dugo sa damit ng isa but then I realized, the blood is fresh.

I was about to go to the children nang hawakan ako ni Kriven sa braso and shook his head. Pinilit kong kunin ang braso ko sa kanya but he tightened his grip. I looked at him questioningly as hr passed by me and went to the group of children. I saw the children flinched nang makalapit si Kriven. Nakita kong binigay ng isang bata ang kamay niya kay Kriven and I gasped as I saw his finger cut.

Dali daling pinunit ni Kriven ang tela ng kanyang damit and wrapped it around the child's bleeding hand. Agad siyang tumayo ang walked towards me.

"What happened to him?"

"Got his finger cut by a knife. That one was a butcher's assistant." He said and I almost felt the sadness in his voice. I know why. That child was just 6 or 7 years old and he had to work at such young age instead of playing just like what kids usually do.

"You have to buy clothes." I heard him say as he roamed his eyes around the area to avoid the topic. It hurts him to see that what he have done in this Kingdom wasn't enough.

"Yeah. I guess I should."

Dinala niya ako sa nagtitinda ng damit and the vendor quickly assisted me. She took my measurements and listed it on her small notebook.

"Saan ko po ito ipapadeliver Madam?" Tanong niya and before I could even answer, nagsalita si Kriven.

"Someone will be getting those clothes." He said and paid the vendor.

Kriven let me pass my time shopping to the stores. I was amazed by the people's enthusiasm calling their costumer's name and convincing how good their products are. Back in Oregon, I never got the chance to get out of the palace. Pero kahit ganoon, I can't help but miss it.

Hindi ko namalayang malayo na pala kami sa sentro. I found myself on a hill that overlooks the whole kingdom. Hindi ko mapigilang isipin ang isla as I watched the people move like ants. Nakita ko si Kriven na umupo sa damuhan but I remained standing.

"You've done a great job, Curtizan." I muttered. After what I saw today, hindi ko mapigilang humanga sa kanya.

"Of what?" He asked. I looked at him and the kindness painted on his face reminds me so much of Ares whenever he looks at me.

"Running this Kingdom alone." I answered and let the wind wrap my body.

"Nah. I was not totally alone. I got people who helped me and people who trusted me."

I smiled at his answer. He is a leader through and through. No doubt about it. And as a Princess of Oregon, I will do my best to help this Kingdom.

I hope I will not regret this decision.

* * *

The term half blood prince is actually inspired from Harry Potter. 

And HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY everyone.