His Royal Highness's Scandalous Passion

Kabanata 1

Halos kaltukin ko na ang ulo ko nang gumawa ng ingay ang pintuan pagbukas ko. I was trying my best not to make some noise and evidence that I just got home after the sun rising. I even removed my boots and held it.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ang malinis na salas, the carpets have no trace of dust, and the curtains are wide open, the fireplace has no mountain of ashes, not a single ash even. More importantly, the mansion is fully alive early in this morning.

"Good morning, Lord Alarken." Yumuko ang isang babaeng nagmamadaling bumababa sa hagdanan. Mukhang abala silang lahat.

"What is going on?" Tinuro ko ang kakaibang hitsura ng mansion.

"Dumating po si Lord Albert."

I raised my eyebrows. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin.

"If you would excuse me."

Napahawak ako sa noo, and suddenly a laugh escaped my mouth. Ibang klase!

A laugh for disbelief and disappointment, a bitter laugh and a genuine laugh. Hindi na ako sigurado kung alin sa dalawa ang tawa ko. I just knew that this thing is so funny for me not to laugh.

Nilaglag ko ang sapatos sa sahig na gumawa ng ingay. The dust from my boots scattered into our wooden floor.

"Alarken?"

Mama, fully dressed in her new dress tailored by her personal modiste. I cannot comprehend the amount of money this family spent just for clothes with expensive fabrics and weird layer of garments.

"Whatever are you doing at this hour? Quickly, change your clothes and come to the study room. You're Papa is waiting!"

Okay? Sinabi niya ba talagang magpalit na ako ng damit nang hindi tinatanong kung saan ako galing? Kung kamusta na ba ako? Kumain ba ako kagabi? Ligtas ba ako? Anong nangyari sa akin?

Unbelievable!

With that she immediately left.

This household does not care about love and family. As far as I know, Mama married Papa because of some arrangements, and Papa's favorite son is my brother since he is a business minded like him. Mama is happy as long as she buys her dresses and hats. Papa is happy as long as his business are growing, playing games with his colleagues, and seeing his favorite son, Albert. Albert never comes home because he is busy on his growing business, mostly 78 percent of Papa's business. And me, happy to be me.

Ah, yes, life.

I just changed my clothes. I wore my frock coat, I don't remember when and where did I buy it. Its tails brushed the floor, which I hate. Crisp white shirt framing my jaw, and my favorite boots that is covered in mud and dust.

Bakit kami pupunta sa study? Ano? Magsusulat na ba ng last will testament? Ipapamana nya na ba lahat kay Kuya? I hope he give me at least 10 percent of shares. Kahit 5 nga tatanggapin ko eh.

I laughed at my own thoughts. However, it bothered me. Knowing that I'm not that son who can possibly inherit something from his father. At the end, for him I'm just a disgrace. Eh kung kaya nga akong itakwil ng walang iskandalo ay itatakwil nya ako eh.

The boots didn't make too much noise from the wooden floor as it is covered in muds. I didn't bother how it left traces of dirt into our clean floor. My mind was too occupied to even mind that.

A deep breath before I opened the door in the study room, not even minding to knock. Gusto ko nalang matapos ito agad at umalis. Magliwaliw sa kung saang lugar.

"So, you finally got home huh? What a rude boy, not even knocking."

I playfully smiled. "I'm sorry. If you don't mind, gusto niyo po bang lumabas ulit ako at kumatok?"

My brother, Albert is leaning on the bookshelves, flipping some books. Tsk, pabida. Umuwi ka lang naghahari na naman ang kamalditahan ni Papa.

"I do not want to talk about your disgraceful sodomy today Alarken."

"Wow! Finally!" I laughed. Tumalon ako sa sofa at sumandal doon. I even saw an apple on the table and got it to have a bite. Nakailang kagat na yata ako sa mansanas pero tahimik pa rin ang buong silid.

"Ano? Magtitigan lang tayo dito? Kung hindi ko scandal, anong pag-uusapan natin? What? Don't tell me ipapamana mo na ang negosyo mo Papa?" I laughed again, for the uncountable time. That's the only thing to help myself from having a pride inside this damn house.

Tumikhim si Papa, ganon din si Mama at humigop sa kaniyang tsaa. 

What the hell? So? Mag-uusap nga ng manahan dito? Now?

"Wait hold on, are you serious? Mag-uusap nga dito ng inheritances? Coz that would be funny since I would not inherit anything. Inviting me here is kind of nonsense."

Papa sighed. Iminuwestra niya ang sofa at doon ay naupo si Mama at Kuya.

"Oh, okay! So, gusto niyo ng witness sa paglilipat ng shares kay Kuya? Sure, okay, I'm here. Tis I, Alarken will see this lawful act of---"

"Will you please shut up Alarken! You think everything is a joke?" 

My eyes widened. Naramdaman ko ang panginginig ng mga kalamnan ko. Kuya looked at me with his intense eyes. Fuck, why is he so serious? Is he that excited for his inheritances.

Let's just get this damn straight so I can leave!

"I plan on transferring everything to Albert."

May kung anong tumusok sa dibdib ko pagkasabi nya non. It pains me that Papa was able to say that without second thoughts in front of me, or maybe there wasn't even a second thought since I'm not a choice.

"All of my shares in my business, I will transfer it all to Albert."

Hindi na ako nakatiis.

"And what about me?" I directly asked, because there is no way I will have anything. Still, there is no harm on hoping for small things, right? That maybe, he somehow considers me?

"Anak, please understand your Papa. Albert is more experienced in handling business---"

"What do I receive from you Papa?" Putol ko kay Mama dahil puro pananakip lang ang gagawin niya. I tried my best to make it sound like I'm joking, pero sa tingin ko ay hindi ko na iyon napagtagumpayan dahil may bahid na iyon ng pait.

"You will work under Albert."

"Fuck no!"

"Alarken your words!" Mama shouted and held my arms. I waved it and faced my father properly.

"Ano? Pagtatrabahuhin mo ako under niya? For what? To show me how better he is? How high he is from me? How lowly am I? Papa! I am trying my best! I entered business school, yes, I failed, but I tried my best there! And now Royal Academy, I also---"

"Whatever it is, my decisions are final. If you have problems with that, leave this family."

Umiling ako, dismayado at bigo. My laughter wasn't sound like a laugh at all.

"You want me to leave? Yes, I will leave."