The Queen (Finished)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9
Shattered

• 👑 •

Ortiz de Rozaz palace

"Gonzalo!"

Gonzalo stopped his feet when a familiar voice called him. It was already almost evening when he was about to go out using the back exit of Ortiz de Rozaz palace. He took a deep breath before turning around.

It was Sir Richard Montez, Madrid's chief of staff. The old man was younger than him, still on his middle fifties. Gray hairs were already starting to grow on him and few visible wrinkles on his forehead. And by the looks of it, Sir Richard Montez looked disappointed.

"Saan ka na naman pupunta?" Richard Montez suddenly asked.

Gonzalo sighed. "Alam mo kung saan."

"Gonzalo," napahilot ito sa sentido. "You know what you are doing is treason."

"And you know why I am committing this, Richard." He answered matter-of-factly. Richard Montez knew about his affiliations with the Freedom For Peace Association and like him, Richard Montez dislikes Madrid's ways of ruling the country. The only difference is that Sir Richard Montez was scared of joining the association and committing treason against the Crown.

"Yes and it is getting dangerous already. Gonzalo, alam mong maraming mga mata rito sa palasyo," Richard replied worriedly. Richard was a good family man. A father to three children, two sons and one daughter. His eldest daughter, is currently a medicine student while his other two sons are still in college. His wife, Suzanna is a college professor.

"No one knows, Richard. The people in here are too preoccupied with their own duties."

"Gonzalo, si Madrid, he instructed me to have an investigation. He already knows about the impostor you sent to him, Ms. Jodie Grey."

Gonzalo's heart almost stopped beating. Napakunot-noo siya dahil sa sinabi nito.

"You know that I don't have any other choice. I have a family, Gonzalo. I have children. I can't be like you, you may say I am a coward but you know Madrid Anselmo, he's ruthless when someone commits treason."

Hindi siya nakapagsalita matapos ang sinabi nito. Sa halip ay tinitigan niya lang ito.

"Gonzalo, this is for your safety. Cut your ties with the FPA. Madrid might spare you. Malapit ka sa kanya. Parang na ring ama ang turing niya sayo. He'll forgive you if you make it clean." Richard added defeatedly.

"I can't, Richard," umiling si Gonzalo. "Unless he changes his ways, nothing will happen if we won't stop him."

"You'll get yoursef killed!" Richard reacted frustratedly. "Gonzalo, you've been a good friend to me. Makinig ka sa 'kin. Madrid, he's already out of his mind since the Queen Sofia died. Hindi na siya nakikinig sa 'tin. Once you defy him, he'll arrest you, he'll imprison you, torture you and ultimately, be given the death penalty. Just like what he did to his wife's friends. Just like what he did to his wife's mother. He doesn't give anymore mercy, Gonzalo and you already know that for God's sake!"

Huminga ito ng malalim para pakalmahin ang sarili. "If the Queen was only alive, he wouldn't be like this. The Queen is his only weakness. She was the only one who keeps him sane... who keeps him grounded."