Tale of The Substitute Princess

Chapter VIII

08: BEYOND THE PALACE WALLS

"I greet your highness," Kio said and bowed.

Kio is another knight in the castle. Tinanong ko si Aiden about sa kanya at sabi niya ay isa si Kio sa knights na under ni Prince Caius. Silang dalawa ang laging kasama ni Princess Dahlia tuwing lalabas siya. According to them, it is more dangerous in the village than in the palace

I'm not sure with the last part though. Especially if Princess Eleanor is here inside the palace. She's the most dangerous at the moment.

"Let's get the most simple carriage."

That's what I told Aiden.

"Simple na 'to?" I said as I scanned the whole carriage, it was smaller than the other carriages but it still has the royal seal. Kung simple na ang tawag nila dito, ano pa kaya kapag 'yung hindi? Baka masilaw na ako sa sobrang flashy. I wore a simple outfit to avoid getting attention pero bago pa man ako makalabas ng carriage ay maaagaw ko na agad lahat ng atensyon.

"We can't just use an ordinary carriage, your highness. You are part of the royal family that's why you should ride a carriage with the royal seal. That will also help people know that any other threats could be considered treason, that's why they'll not do anything to harm you," Aiden explained.

I grunted. Aangal sana ulit ako pero nakita kong nakatingin si Kio sa aming dalawa habang nag-uusap kami.

Oh, wait. Nakalimutan kong hindi lang pala si Aiden ang kasama ko ngayon. I cleared my throat as I regained my posture as a princess.

"Alright. It looks like I can't do anything about it. Let's go."

Si Kio ang kasama ko sa loob ng carriage habang nasa labas naman si Aiden, katabi ng coachman. Tahimik lang kaming dalawa ni Kio sa loob. I have no idea how I should treat him because I wasn't really familiar with him.

I decided to just stay silent and just put my attention outside the window. Pero kahit gano'n ay nararamdaman ko ang patingin-tingin ni Kio sa akin.

I finally had enough so I turned my head in his direction and he immediately averted his gaze.

"Do you wish to say something to me?" I blurted out. Mukhang may gusto kasi siyang sabihin sa akin pero pinipigilan niya lang—he didn't do a great job with that by the way.

He seemed to hesitate first and examined my expression. Pagkatapos ng ilang segundo ay binuksan na rin niya ang bibig niya para magsalita, "I was just curious why your highness wanted to have a simple carriage, because you didn't seem to mind it back then." Bago pa man ako makasagot, he went into a defensive mode. "Ah! Hindi naman sa kinukwestiyon ko ang desisyon niyo, your highness. Forgive me for asking."

I don't know what relationship Kio and Princess Dahlia has pero obvious naman na hindi sila close sa isa't isa. It's not really surprising because Princess Dahlia just got out of the castle occasionally. Pero sure akong sa ilang beses na 'yon na magkasama silang dalawa, Kio felt intimidated with the princess.

I hummed before responding to him, "It's my first time getting out of the castle again after a while so I think I want to stay low for now."

Kio's face brightened for a reason when I responded, he nodded.

Hindi ba sumasagot si Princess Dahlia kaya gano'n na lang naging reaksyon niya? I just shrugged at myself.

I might be pretending to be Princess Dahlia, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm Haera. I won't be able to completely act out as Princess Dahlia especially with our completely different personalities. So, it wouldn't hurt to have little changes with the Princess Dahlia they know.