Tale of The Substitute Princess

Chapter XIX

16: WHY IS HE HERE?

Ilang beses akong napakurap nang makita ko ang mukha ng kapatid ko. And it wasn't the Helios that I currently knew, he was a little younger kaysa sa kapatid ko.

Mukhang walang may balak na magpatalo sa kanilang dalawa at ayaw ko namang iwan lang siya dito kaya lumapit na lang din ako.

"I don't mean to be nosy but I kind of heard your argument from over there."

Sabay silang napatingin sa akin nang bigla akong magsalita.

Kumunot ang noo nung lalaki. "Milady, this is none of your business. We're just trying to take what's supposed to be ours from this kid."

"It's not yours. I was the one who bought it so it's mine," sagot pa niya.

Sinubukan niyang kumalas sa pagkakahawak sa kanya ng mga kasamahan nitong isang lalaki pero mas lalo lang humigpit ang hawak sa kanya kaya napangiwi siya.

"You should settle this properly. Why don't you tell your guards to let go of him for a moment then just talk it out."

"I said it once, I'll say it again. This is none of your business."

Doon na sumama ang timpla ko. Kung titignan naman kasi kahit saang anggulo, siya talaga ang mali. I don't know why I even tried to talk to him properly when he's obviously close minded, nasayang lang ang laway ko.

"I don't care. I won't sit by and do nothing when I see your men harassing someone."

He looked shocked as he blinked a couple of times. "H-h-harassing?! I am not harassing him! Siya ang may kasalanan kung bakit hawak siya ng guards ko dahil baka tumakas siya!" he replied defensively. "Don't you even know who I am? I am Count Kotor, the richest count in Krotus Kingdom! I could buy both you and this kid's life, even your whole family!"

Hindi ko mapigilan na tumaas ang kilay sa pinagsasasabi ng lalaking ito. He's so full of himself not even knowing that my place is higher than his, even wealthier than him. Way to disrespect someone from the royal family.

I could easily mention the difference in our hierarchy right then and there but I chose not to. If he doesn't know I'm a princess, then I can behave as if I'm not one.

I crossed my arms on my chest and looked at him boredly. "And so? What does being a count have to do with this? The kid won the bidding fair and square and you're here throwing a tantrum. Who's more of a kid here?"

Namula ang tainga niya bigla, hindi ko alam kung sa galit o sa pagkahiya.

"Shut up! You talk too much." Lumingon siya sa mga bodyguards niya. "Get her out of my sight. I have no time for this."

Napaatras ako nang tangkain nilang lumapit sa akin. Mabilis kong tinanggal ang pagkakahawak ng isa sa braso ko. "'Wag niyo nga akong hawakan!" Pero hindi sila nagpaawat. Hahawakan na sana ulit ako pero biglang may humarang sa harap ko kaya hindi na sila nakalapit sa akin.

"What do you think you are doing?!"

Napakurap ako sa pamilyar na boses. Agad siyang lumingon sa akin at chineck kung okay lang ako bago tumingin ulit sa count.

"I guess you really don't know who's in front of you right now? Just apologize habang maaga pa."

Kumunot ang noo ng count. "Bakit? Sino ba siya?"

"She's a prin—"

"Timothy!" mabilis kong pagtawag sa kanya para hindi matuloy ang sasabihin niya. "Look. This guy," turo ko sa count, "is trying to take this kid's item," tinuro ko naman 'yung kapatid ko. "Isn't that against the rules?"