Paper Crown

Chapter 39:

"Unity will be our greatest weapon in this battle."
-Avery

Chapter 39:

The moment the three of us stepped our foot towards the grounds of the place where rebels of this Empire are, we were greeted by the loud drum and acoustic music coming from the traditional instruments played by different people in the middle of the wide field. There were ball of lights flying everywhere that caught my attention. Tents were everywhere but what caught my attention more is when people started to gather around me. All of them started to walk near me and one by one... they started to kneel with one of their knees and bowed their heads in front of me.

"All hail to the new Empress!"

"All hail to the new Empress!"

"All hail to the new Empress!" their voices echoed throughout the place. I was left in shock because of what happen. Looking at all of them, I didn't know any of them yet here they are, bowing their heads in front of me.

"Please stop, everyone." I made my voice louder and clearer for all of them to hear me. "Tumayo po kayo." mahinahon ko pang saad. Oo nga't nakaluhod silang lahat sakin bilang tanda ng kanilang pagrespeto pero hindi ako diyosa para luhuran ninuman. I may be the princess— the real princess but I am not yet the Empress. And I promise to myself that I will never abuse my power nor my people if I will successfully have the throne back. "Hindi niyo ho kailangang lumuhod sa harapan ko para ipakitang kasama ko kayo sa labang ito dahil sapat na saking nandito kayo at nakikipagsapalaran kasama ko! I wanted a better Empire for each and one of us! I wanted an Empire who will open its arms to people regardless of their status! I wanted an Empire who wants the best for its people! And you..." I look around ad stare at each and every one of them waiting for my words as I take the courage with me brought by their presence alone. "All of you. We can make it possible."

The surrounding became silent after what I said but after a few seconds, they all started to clap and cheer loudly. They started to approach me one by one and they keep on asking me questions. It feels like a lot of people who knows me by heart and keep on asking how I was for the past years. And it feels like home. They are strangers to me yet what's more strange is the feeling of familiarity with them because they made me feel like it.

--

"Hey.." tawag pansin ko kay Charlotte. Pumasok ako sa tent na binigay samin saka umupo sa maliit na kama niya. Medyo nahiya din ako sa kanya dahil sinama ko siya dito pero ni hindi ko man lang siya nabigyan kahit ilang sandali lang para kamustahin siya. "Okay ka ba dito? May kailangan ka pa ba? Pasensya na kung natagalan ako kanina." I apologetically said. But Charlotte answered me with her confused look.

"What.. what are you planning to do, Lady Solace? A rebellion?! Are you serious?!" her voice became panicky all of a sudden. Tumayo ito mula sa pagkakaupo saka palakad-lakad sa harapan ko. "Lady Solace..  alam mo pa ba ang pinapasok mo? Alam mo ba ang magiging resulta ng bawat ginagawa mo? Lady Solace, please. It's not too late. You can still take back your decision. Tell them you don't want this rebellion!"

"I can't!"

"But why?!"

"Because I want this to happen!" I started to breath heavily because of the tension that started to build inside of me. Tears started to form at the corner of my eyes but I give my best not to let them fall. "Because it was my family whose on the line." I let a few seconds to pass before talking to her again. "Now that you know why I came here, you're free to go if you don't want to stay. I will say this to you again and again, Charlotte. This is my fight." I turned my back at her and went to my own bed just a few meters away from her. Humiga ako at patalikod na pumwesto sa kanya.