Bare (Royal Society #2) COMPLETED

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Thorns of a Royalty

"No!" I snapped. Just by judging their glance behind me, alam ko na agad ang tinutukoy nila.

"But Arlaise -"

"No, Papa. Don't you ever dare to open this topic ever again," madiin kong sabi sa kaniya. I know I'm being disrespectful to my Father but being his daughter doesn't mean I can't correct something if I see it as a wrong.

What he suggested... doesn't make sense at all! Hindi ko alam kung saan napunta utak nila para isipin ang suggestion na iyon. That was so ridiculous! And shallow, at that one.

"I get that you want me near you, I get that, really. But it doesn't mean you'll drag someone else into our family mess just to attain your goal, Papa. It doesn't work that way and I don't want to work it that way."

He sighed, frustration is evident in face. "Arlaise, my queen knows, as well as, Jane. If only your mother permits, I will make her -"

"But she rejected you. Learn to respect her decision, Papa. Respect hers and respect mine. Hindi na ako bata na pwede mo na lang basta isama dahil lang ayaw mo mahiwalay sayo. You wanted to fulfill your role as my father, is that it? Or is it the guilt that made you sleepless at night?"

As harsh as it may sound but that's how it looked like to me. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, badly, but he'll continue to act this way, to push what he wants, disregarding my opinion? Then he would just prove me right - that he is just guilty to the point he will reach this point.

"Arlaise." Tawag ni Mama pero nanatili akong nakatingin kay Papa.

It took him a while before responding to my harsh question. "I just wanted to be with you, Arlaise. Atleast near me."

His response... really?

"Can you actually hear yourself, Papa? You wanted me to return to the palace, live as an attendant, just... for your own sake? Does it make sense to you? Because it was hilarious for me."

"I am your father, Arlaise! Hindi ba pwede hilingin iyon?"

"Your favor would render me chained, Papa! That would bring me back to the place where I can't even look after myself? To the place where my hopes and dreams were shattered? To the place where it made feel like I am no one?"

After I said that, I saw Izaac's retreating figure. And I know why he backed out like that. I'm not stupid not to understand his intentions towards me - that he wants to start anew. But he should also know how it pained me to live as an attendant for years... that I am not okay with it.

That during those years I lived as an attendant, I settled myself with just a stolen moment with him. With hidden meetings with him, I see it as enough for me. But I was wrong... relationship doesn't have to be like that.

I've seen couples dating openly and even with simple dinner with them or having a normal conversation as they hold their hands. It was possible... but I never had the chance to experience that.

They don't have any troubles in regards to their status... they were just... happy. And as shallow as I may sound, I envy them. Because my relationship with Izaac is special and at the same time, difficult.

But I love him, I'm not denying that. But the palace where it all started... may look lively and unreachable but the truth is, it's lonely.

Izaac is lonely even though he is a Prince. The position he holds carries much burden than anyone can imagine. His title deprives of the freedom to live the way he wanted. Even without a crown, the happiness would always be limited... just because he is who he is.

But that doesn't make me love him less... that made me love him even more. Because despite all that, he was able to freed himself from that barrier. He was like a rose, growing in pain because of its thorns but it's beauty never faded.

"Ganoon ba talaga kasama ang paningin mo sa loob sa palasyo, Arlaise?"

I nodded. "Yes, Papa. I was never happy because I felt like I was a prey around hunters that can kill me anytime."

He sighed and nodded. "I understand, Arlaise. But if you ever... if there's a chance, even a little, go to North Palace and visit me, okay?"

"Okay... Papa."

Then he went to Mama's side and kissed Siah a goodbye. But he didn't leave right after. He stood there, in front of Mama, without saying anything. From my view, I saw how Mama's eyes watered and... I can't bear to see them like that anymore.

They are so near to each other... but they can't even reach each other's hand.

I caressed Siah's hair as I put him to sleep. His eyes were open, staring at me. I smiled because I know exactly what that stare means.

"Speak your mind, Siah," I said.

"Papa... he was here earlier, right? Hindi ba niya ako gusto? He didn't carry me like Tito Dusk and Tito Dusk loves me."

I bit my lip, not knowing what to say. Everything's complicated but I hate lying to my son. He deserves every bit of truth there is to our family. It might hurt him but it's better than keeping it from him and seeing him grow up living in lies.

"It's not that, Siah..."

"Then what is, Mama?"

"Your Papa and I... we're in kind of difficult situation." I tried making it a bit lighter for him to understand. "Because you see, Papa still needs to do something and I wanted him to focus on that."

He nodded. "Then after he's done, Papa will see me? Hug me? Carry me?"

"Yes, love. Papa will be... your Papa."

I watched Siah as he fell asleep with a smile on his face. I know from this day on, he would count the days as he waits for his Papa to finish what needs to be done. He will wait, for sure, but I'm scared that he will get tired of waiting for Izaac.

Siah... is not that patient. He is when he wants to be, but his patience is not really that long.

The next morning, I fixed my bed before brushing my hair and cleaning my face. I did my normal routine except taking a bath. Malamig kasi ang panahon kaya kailangan ko muna magpainit ng tubig at uminom ng kape. I also need to gather courage to face that cold water.

Wearing my dolphin shorts and spaghetti strap black camisole, I covered myself with a cardigan before I went downstairs while tying my hair into bun.

The living room is quiet as usual dahil malamang naghahalaman si Mama at si Dusk naman... may pinapakain na bata bukod kay Siah. Hindi ko maiwasang mapailing. Dusk and his guilt.

And like what I expected, breakfast is ready. But the other days, mas marami ito ngayon kahit wala naman kaming bisita. Siah is heavy eater pero sobra naman kung naghanda nang ganito karami para kay Siah.

I closed the lid of the food and prepared my coffee. And for some reason... there's a brewed coffee na nakahanda sa lalagyan nito. Mama doesn't drink coffee and Dusk is not drinking his coffee here.

Weirdly, I still made my coffee. Kung sino man naghanda niyan, then thank you. I walked around the house with my mug. When I heard the sound of water outside, I easily concluded that it was Mama.

"Si Mama talaga, hindi na ako inantay magising," I said to myself and opened the door.

And to my shock...

"What... what the hell are you doing, Izaac?"

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