INCENSE

Chapter 17

"Father, why can't I join the meeting?" I insisted. Tsk, eto na naman kami. I’m legal now, I have the rights to meddle in royal and business affairs.

“For the time being, all you need to do is relax and have fun. I give you permission to go outside, but some knights will follow you. I know you are now in your right age, but let me your father manage this.” He said.
“But father…”

“We’ll talk later, ok. I’m busy right now.” He pats my head and walk towards the meeting room. Susundan ko pa sana siya pero hindi ako pinapasok ng mga kawal na nakabantay sa labas.

Think, Adel. Think. What I supposed to do? I cannot permit what happened. I'm not ignorant. I have the authority to defend, spread goodwill, and raise awareness because I am a royal princess. Hindi ko hahayaang masira ang pinag-hirapan naming buoin dahil lamang sa isang maling decision. He might poison the thinking of my father. I need to kick him right away bago pa siya makahasik ng lagim dito.

Pabalik na ako sa opisina ko nang may nakasalubong akong babae. She has long, straight blonde hair, and based on her attire, she resembles a female knight. She seemed lost.

“Hello, may I help you?” I approached her.

“Greetings, your highness, the princess. I am Mikhaela Agnito. I wanted to go to the armory area right now but it seems I lost my way.” She kneeled down before me.

“From what country are you?” I asked.

“From the north, your highness.” She said. Ang daming taga-north akong nakakasalamuha lately, ah. Seeing her makes me realized that hindi sila basta-bastang makakalaban. Maybe, I could get some information from her.

“Alright, I’ll take you there.” I said.
…

“So, your working as a knight?” I asked.

“Yes, your highness. I’m the third commander of the Gomez armed forces. I am specialized in bow and arrows.”

“For such a gorgeous lady to enlist, you're extremely daring.”

“Your Highness, no, not really. I have a debt to the person who adopted me, so I will simply pay him back with my life.”

“What a strong dedication, is he the emperor?”

“Yes, your highness.”

“Tell me, what kind of a person does the king of the north is he.”

“As you aware, your highness. He's a killer, murderer and a dictator. Everyone despise him for being the villain. It's a rude thing in the first place that I am talking and beside the princess of the empire that we get in the war but to tell you honestly, he's cold and fierce but he does things for a purpose and for the goodness of everybody though he does it in an evil way. I cannot disobey his way because I believed his leading the right way. He got so scary when he's angry but he's nice when not. He's just being true to himself that's why I admire him and I'll put my life just to protect him. I understand that it's difficult to forget and move on from what happened between our two countries previously, but I feel that our king made the correct decision in ending the conflict and is now ready to take part in international treaty and negotiating talks. Your highness, we are not here to start a conflict and play around.”

“I wish I could adhere to what you told me to be the truth.” Should I trust what she said? It’s too good to be true.

“Yes, your highness. I swear in the name of my name.”

"By the way, do you know someone in the north that has a white hair and red eyes, his name is Grey Laurier."

Huminto siya sa paglalakad. Did I say something wrong? Looking at her expression it was no good.

“I only know that the name you imply is the name of our king but that person undoubtedly fake, your highness; there are common white hair in the north, but I don't suppose they are anyone who has red eyes.”

“Oh, really. I guess, it was fake.”

“Why are you looking for him?”

“I just want to know his whereabouts but now it’s clear to me, he’s a fake and deceived me.”

"Please, be careful your highness. Not all people who treats you nicely are good people, others might use it to take advantage of you."

“Yes, your right. I’ll take note of that. Thank you.”

I walk forward. My heart saddens about what I heard. It was clear as the day. It was a strong testimony. She is from the north. Ito yung part na ayokong mangyari. Ito yung araw na hindi ko sana gustong dumating. Ang oras na malaman kong hindi siya naging totoo sa akin. My heart refuses and welcomes him as an angel in disguise even though my head already knows that he was a devil from the moment I saw him. But now I felt like I was crying on the inside even though I had conditioned myself not to give in and make a big deal out of finding him. Only him did I believe would not out of everyone who deceived me. All of it was wishful thinking. Even if we were never romantically involved from the beginning, I'll just forget everything that happened between us.

“Here we are.”

Suddenly, someone rushes our direction. He is a short boy with brown hair. It appears that this is the boy Emi is referring to. He is cheery.

“Hey, old lady, we are waiting for you for a long time, where did you go? Got a date?”
Binatukan siya ni Mikhaela.

“You moron, I was lost on my way. The princess helps me. I’m sorry for his rudeness your highness, this monkey is Noah Wynknight.” She suddenly grabs his head and pulled it down.

“It’s okay. I’ll be leaving. Thank you Mikhaela, I was happy to have a conversation with you, hope we could talk some other time.”

“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Your highness.”

Parang may sinabi si Noah na agad namang tinakpan ni Mikhaela ang bibig nito. What did he just say? I was planning to return in my office but I’m not feeling well so I decide to go in my bedroom. The white owl from earlier that day returned when I arrived with another note in its feet.

“It’s Grey.”