INCENSE

Chapter 10

Narrator’s POV:
King Gustav remarked, "You're still alive?!" He was taken aback when the king of the north unexpectedly entered the tent.

The emperor of the north approached the imprisoned king of the west and took a seat in front of him.

“Despite losing your left arm, you are still fortunate to be alive.” the king of the north said.

“I know it was not in my group who did that to you. It's quite terrible in your position right now. The one you trusted the most betrayed you. I felt that.” He added.

The king of the west remarked, "It's none of your business."

“Yes, you're correct; yet, are you not interested in knowing why I'm still alive?” the king of the north asked.

“No need. It is not important. I don't want to be told any ridiculous lies. You killer!” the king of the west disagrees.

"Hey, easy. I'll tell you something you might find interesting." The king of the north said.
The king of the west didn’t respond and the king of the north get his tobacco cigarette.

“You want?” the king of the north asked the imprisoned king of the west.

“No.” he declined.

"Well, as you already know, I was caught up in the bombing incident. One of my comrades betrayed me. I got swept in the Jubel River and carried in the Edessa that was a part of your homeland. No one knew me. Someone helped me and cured me. Her name is Adel who was living alone in the mountains. She said her father was enlisted in the war and you know the interesting part …” the king of the north paused for a while to take a sip of his tobacco cigarette.

“I found out that she was the daughter of the empire; your daughter.” He added.

"What did you just say?! You know I have a daughter?! No, you’re telling lies, my daughter will not live alone in the Edessa-" the king of the west was furious about what he just heard.

The king of the north interrupted, saying, "Sshhh, I know more than you know. Your daughter was not in Casa Bombarde as per your orders to protect her but your most trusted cousin betrayed you and take over your throne and even send someone to assassinate you that seems to be am I right? that's why you lost your right arm."

“No! that can't be true! my daughter always sends me letters..." the king of the west paused for a while a then got a struck of realization. "What did you do with my daughter?! I'll kill you devil! " the king enraged.

The king of the north responded, "Why should you blame me for everything that happened to you? It was not my fault that the king of the west is stupid and weak like a bug, easily trusted and feel relaxed that claiming everything will be in his favor. Nah, I didn't do anything to your daughter though I almost ripped her neck when I woke up in her house.”

“You!-“ the king of the west tried to escape from the chains that tied him.

The king dropped his cigarette, pulled his sword and went nearer to the king of the west, saying, "You know what your dumb daughter of yours tell me, she said she wishes for your return and peace in the world like such a stupid idea... " The imprisoned king of the west was freed by the king of the north by swaying his sword, broke the chains and said, "Listen, if you want to see your daughter alive, you must save her before the bandits that your cousin hired got into the Edessa to kill your daughter before it's too late.”

“Why are you helping me?” the king of the west asked.

“Not really, I’ll take it as a debt that you must pay someday. Leave.” The king of the north said and turned away.

“I won’t thank you.” The king of the west announced.

“You’re welcome.” The king of the north responded.
…

(Flashback)
The king pats his daughter's head and says, "I'm going now."

The princess said, "Be safe father, I'll be waiting for your return," and gave his father a big hug.

"Please take care of my daughter and the palace for me." The king commanded Viscount Desmond, who was standing next to the princess.

“Very well, you Majesty.” Viscount Desmond bowed to the king.

Because the king was away and the legislative agendas were piling up, it was the evil Viscount's idea to place the princess in Casa Bombarde, the most lavish and highly secure villa; one of the palaces owned close to the capital of Dante, in order to ensure her safety and help her unwind. The king quickly agrees to the plan, not realizing that it would endanger his daughter's life. Maria, the princess's nanny. Disagree with the notion and think Viscount Desmond is suspicious. She lost her chance to discover evidence that could expose the viscount's wicked deeds since no one believed her.

The nanny learns that the knights who will be escorting them as well as the driver, are all on the side of the viscount. They are planning to set an ambush to the carriage, In the absence of the king, he already had the authority to govern everything in the palace. The day of the travel, before they could leave, they entered the same carriage, but later left through the opposite door as the knights were talking. The princess planned their escape because she was also aware of everything. They manage to flee, hide among the crowd, and board a cart driven by a vegetable vendor to travel to Edessa. They continued on to the village after that and discovered an old house in the mountain where they settled peacefully. After a long period of time, they are still holding out hope that the war will be won by the empire and that the king will find them and remove the viscount from power. Also, communication between the king who was on the battlefield and them who are in a remote location is difficult. Shortly after, the princess was left alone as nanny Maria passed away from an incurable illness.
…

Adel’s POV:
Bakas sa mukha ko ang natuyong luha. Umiyak na naman ako. Nanaginip na naman ako tungkol kay nanny at mga nangyari bago ako napadpad dito. I might find myself lucky that somehow, I survive this life. I was too independent. Not doing anything and just relying. Tama nga ang sinabi ni sir Grey, I'm an idiot. Nawawalan na rin ako ng pag-asang makakauwi pa ang ama ko. Right. This was all my fault. At the end, I was too selfish. Sarili ko lang ang iniisip ko. Kung sana naging malakas ako. Kung sana nag-isip ako ng mabuti baka nakahanap ako ng mas mabuting paraan para maayos ang lahat ng ito. My emotions got messed up. Maybe that's why they leave kasi wala akong kwenta. I'm useless. I would as well not have been born para hindi na ako naging pabigat sa lahat.

I was spacing out when aling Carmen called me. "Ineng, ayos ka lang ba? Namumutla ka yata?" tanong ni aling Carmen sa akin.
"Ah, okay lang po ako." I painted a smile on her.

"Kung may problema ka wag kang mahihiyang sabihin sakin ha."sabi niya.

"Opo."

"Siya nga pala. Asan na nobyo mo? Hindi ko ata siya nakikita nitong nagdaang araw." tanong ni aling Carmen sakin.

"Ah, busy po. May trabaho siyang inaasikaso." Pagdadahilan ko. I suddenly remembered him. I hope he's doing well.

"Siya ba ang tinutukoy niyo?" Bigla kong narinig ang boses ni Alfred na may kausap na grupo ng mga lalaki at nakita kong itinuro niya ako. Are they looking for me? Hindi ko sila kilala. Lumingon ang mga ito sa akin at isa-isa silang lumapit. Napansin ko na may mga hawak itong mga patalim. Masama ang kutob ko dito. Before they could approach me, I ran away from them.