The Royal Rebel

Chapter 1- In London

Alec

A

lexis became busy with the life she found beyond the crown. Contrary to what she felt before, she found happiness without the burden of the next in line.

I am studying every law we have— including the obsolete and every law has a loophole with major bullshit. I was at the edge of my patience and I am itching to burn this library at the palace when Alex found me. There are books in front of me; books I know Alex knew by heart.

"Alec," tawag niya sa akin.

"Alex," bati ko.

"Can I sit?" she asked, unsure what to say.

"Please, Your Highness. You don't have to ask," formal na sagot ko.

I don't know why I and Alex grew apart, at least that's what I feel.

"Thank you. Nasabi ko na ba kung gaano ako ka-grateful sa iyo?"

I looked at her knowing what she meant. I already accepted the throne to save her.

"Thank you for saving me, for stepping up, for saving us. I know you are not happy, Alec."

"It is my duty, Alex," I honestly replied.

"Let me know if you need help, okay."

I nod.

Should I tell her?

Kung meron man nakakaalam ng Cordanian Law, more than anyone in this palace, it is Alexis. Alam nga niya yata kung anong page naroon ang mga batas kung sakaling magtanong man ako.

"How much do you know about our law?" I tried to ask her.

She squared her shoulder and replied, "Ask me, Alec. I will answer with all the knowledge that I know."

"Be ready. I will change it."

I thought Alex will laugh and tell me to get lost but she didn't. I found her smiling.

"I am excited to know that. Tell me what's on your mind."

A smirk appeared on my face. "I will change it all when I ascend. This book will be useless."

Isinarado ko ang libro ng Cordonian Law.

Sa pagkabigla ko, biglang nagpapalakpak si Alexis. "It's about damn time."

"Give me five years, Alex. Don't marry within five years," I blurted out.

"I will support you with all I have, brother," wika niya. That's enough for me. It is enough that someone will stand beside me when things turn into chaos in the future.

"Keep it a secret. Now go, you have a flight tomorrow. Ikaw ang bahala sa Hart Corporation, ako ang bahala sa Cordonia. Deal?"

I gave my hand to Alexis and she gladly accepted.

"Deal," she replied.

That was five years ago. And here I am, dying in the cold street of London.

"Help," I tried to call for help, but these bastards are snobs. "Help..."

Dinadaanan lang nila ako. Where's their humanity?

I grabbed the foot of someone passing by and heard her shriek in surprise. Bumagsak din ang plastic bag na hawak niya at gumulong sa daan ang mga mansanas.

"Help—" Sa nanghihina at huling lakas ko ay pinilit kong magsalita. "Don't bring me to the hospital."

"Diyos ko, Khristine, tumakbo ka na," the woman said before my vision became completely black.

I think my parents will not know that I will die far away from them. I'm sorry, Your Majesties.

AMOY mansanas at cinnamon.

It reminds me of Autumn— not my Tita Violet— but the season.

Teka, I'm still alive?

Pinilit kong dumilat, kasabay niyon ay ang nakakahinang sakit na bumalot sa buong katawan ko.

"Don't move, your stitch will tear again. Slowly open your eyes," I heard a woman say.

Slowly, I open my eyes but a penlight blinded me.

"Let me check your eyes... keep still."

"You are blinding me," angal ko kahit nahihirapan akong magsalita.

"No, I won't. I saved your life, mister. The least you can do is to keep still so I can check you properly," naiinis na wika nito.

I kept still and the woman put her penlight in my eyes again.

"Good, Mr. Greeny eyes... You are out of consciousness for two days, and I took a leave just to take care of you not that you need to know that. Do you want me to bring you to the hospital?"

My blurred vision focused on the only person I think is inside the room beside me. A woman alright... who looks pissed at me.

An Asian woman.

"Where am I?" tanong ko.

"You're welcome," she replied.

And a sarcastic one.

"You are in my house," sabi nito.

God, ayaw kong mag-isip muna sa ngayon pero mas malaki pa ang kulungan ng kabayo ko kaysa sa sinasabi niyang bahay.

"Thank you, Miss."

"Should I bring you to the hospital?" naiinis na muling tanong nito.

"No. Please don't and don't call the police."

"Ay, langya, criminal pa yata ito," bulong niya bago tumalikod at may kinuhang syringe.

Hindi ako criminal. Sobra namang judgmental nito.

"I need to put this in your IV. You should still sleep so you can regain your strength and I need to work. Okay? Be still."

Hindi ko na nakuhang sumagot. I am at her mercy. Ang hiling ko lang, sana ay alam niya ang ginagawa niya.

I am in and out of consciousness. The woman I don't know the name, wanted to bring me to the hospital. Gusto niya yatang mamatay na talaga ako.

"Mr. Greeny Eyes, you still have a fever."

"Fine... I'm... fine," nahihirapang sagot ko.

"You are far from fine. I will—"

Shut up. Shut up.

"What?" she asked with a warning in her voice.

"Rein," I replied which translated as nothing in English.

"French," she said as if I offended her for being French. "Sa amin tustado lang ang French."

Tatawa sana ako kaya lang wala akong lakas. Racist ang isa na ito. Oh, she reminds me of Lolo Marcus sa pagiging indirect racist! But regardless of her attitude, I owe her my life.