This I Promise You

3

Prank

"That's Black Pearl, right? Din häst (Your horse)?"

Napalingon ako sa nagtanong na si Blenda. Nakadungaw na rin pala siya sa bintana kaya nakita niya rin kung ano ang tinitignan ko.

"Ingen sa till mig att de skulle använda henne (No one told me that they were going to use her)."

"It doesn't matter, Reve. Det är bara en häst (It's just a horse)."

I pouted because of what she said. Pinanuod ko si Blenda na bumalik sa mga libro niya bago ako tumingin ulit sa labas ng bintana.

The dela Cernas are enjoying their time with the palace horses. Obvious na hindi sanay sa kabayo si Evander, but his posture while riding Black Pearl was really great. Kaya siguro kampante rin ang kabayo ko sa kanya. She doesn't usually let anyone ride her except for me and Pappa.

Mahigit kalahating oras pagkatapos mangabayo ng mga dela Cerna, saka palang natapos si Blenda sa kanyang ginagawa sa library.

Dahil wala na akong ibang gagawin, bumalik nalang ako sa aking kwarto at naghanda na para sa nalalapit na hapunan. I just changed into a pinafore-shirt dress, dahil mamaya magpapalit din naman ako sa aking pajamas.

Habang sinusuklayan ako ng aking nanny, kinuha ko ang isang notebook ko na nakalapag sa study table. Bubuklatin ko palang sana ito pero bigla nalang may nahulog na kung ano mula sa loob. It was the diamond-shaped leaf that fell onto my shoulder the other day.

"Varför är detta här (Why is this here)?" I whispered confusedly.

"Sa du något, ers höghet (Did you say something, your highness)?"

Kaagad kong inilingan ang katulong, pagkatapos ay dinampot naman ang dahon. Itatapon ko na sana ito pero parang may pumipigil sa akin.

Napabuntong hininga nalang tuloy ako bago kinuha ang isa sa mga picture frame at nilagay sa likod nito ang dahon. Ang picture sa frame ay kami ni Blenda. I was sitting on her lap while grabbing her hand really tightly. I think I was one year old in the photo, while Blenda is about four or five.

Mamma told me that when it was my first time coming home to the palace after she gave birth to me, and Blenda held my hand, I didn't want to let go of her anymore.

Grabe daw ang iyak ko kapag hindi nakikita si Blenda noon dahil nasa school siya or kapag sinasama siya ni Pappa sa Royal Palace sa Stockholm. Sabi tuloy ni Pappa para daw kaming kambal na hindi mapaghiwalay.

Well, I can't blame him for saying that. Until now, nalulungkot padin ako kapag hindi ko nakikita or nakakasama ang kapatid ko, eh.

"How's the horseback riding, boys?"

The King asked the dela Cernas while we were having dinner.

"It was a very nice experience, your majesty. My horse is really obedient." The younger dela Cerna said.

"Mine, too. He's really well-behaved, your majesty." Evander added.

"Black Pearl is a female horse."

He looked surprised by what I said. Did no one tell him about that?

"I'm sorry, your highness. I didn't know." Aniya kalaunan.

"I forgot to tell Evan about Black Pearl's gender, sweetheart." Sambit sa akin ni Mamma.

Pinagpatuloy ko nalang ang aking pagkain.