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05: Patience

05: Patience

I waited for Hendrix the entire day. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya dahil hindi sinasabi sa akin ng majordomo. Sa sobrang ilap ng mga katulong, nawawalan ako ng pag-asa kaya ninais kung makausap na ang Prinsipe ngayong araw. My patience will just go thinner if we keep delaying this.

I told Isla to watch for any arrival around the castle, and when she hurriedly went to my chamber saying that his highness had returned, I immediately went out to receive his presence. Nagpasya akong hintayin siya sa tapat ng kanyang opisina kaya't ng magsalubong ang tingin namin ng dumating siya, halos magwala na ang pintig ng puso ko.

That electric blue orbs gaze at my figure with confusion, as his lips parted a little feeling surprised why I am here. Kalaunan ay nakasalubong na ang kanyang mga kilay at bahagyang lumapit.

"I apologize if I may wish to interrupt what you are ought to do, but can you spare me a time?" saad ko. I hid my hands behind my body to hide how they are trembling right now.

"Joaquin," he said.

"I will return in 30 minutes," Joaquin said as he bowed down a little and excused himself. Bago pa man siya umalis, ginawaran niya ako ng tingin at bahagya akong napamaang dahil sa uri ng titig niya.

I flinched when he opened the door and as if he was telling me to come inside. Sinunod ko ang sinabi niya at naunang pumasok. This isn't my first time entering here but I was welcomed by the cold wind the moment I stepped inside.

"I know that this marriage is swift, and we haven't really formally met each other. Also, by how you are avoiding me it seems like you know that this matrimony was arranged by the King himself, but I have to defend myself," agad kong sabi sa kanya ng humarap ako. He didn't seem surprised, he didn't even falter. "I know you don't want to get married, but I can't really come back there if you'll reject me. I will put a shame in the entire March, and I cannot bear to stain my father's reputation."

Hindi siya nagsalita, nanatili siyang tahimik habang pinagmamasdan ako. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung ano ang susunod kong sasabihin. Parang gusto kong tumatakas sa titig niya, subalit kailangan kong tapusin ito ngayon.

"If you don't trust me, I offered myself to be betrothed to you and it wasn't the King's arrangements. He just gave his blessing that is why I am here," dagdag ko. Kahit ata anong sabihin ko, wala siyang kasalungat. Hindi naman siya pipi o bingi para hindi makipag-usap sa akin. "We have to get married in 12 days, and if we fail to meet such a criterion, I'll be dethroned. Although, it doesn't really have any effect on me, but I can't bear to leave you alone."

The extreme weight of his stare is burning me. Hindi siya mukhang galit o mukhang masaya. There is something in his mood that I cannot distinguish, and I don't even understand what type of phrase I should say that could please him.

"Please talk," I said. "You are not a statue right?"

Kumalas ang pagkagapos ng kanyang mga braso sa isa't isa. Napaigtad ako ng mahina nang bigla siyang tumayo ng tuwid. Naglakad siya paalis at habang ginagawa niya 'yon ay tinatanggal niya ang butones ng suot niyang damit. "My aunt, the Duchess wishes to see you in their mansion, tomorrow."

Napunta sa kabilang dereksyon ang mukha ko ng humarap siya sa akin para sabihin 'yon. Mahina akong napamura dahil sa lamig ng boses niya. It was chilly but that kind of coldness did not scare me, for I heard that before.

"May I know why?" I asked, still not looking at him but I know he's just there. His immense stare is giving me the aura that he's looking at my figure.

"For our wedding," he replied.

Napaharap ako sa kanya. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa kanyang sinabi kaya hindi ko na pinansin na nakabukas ang kanyang damit at lantad sa harapan ko ang kanyang dibdib. "You are going to marry me?"

"You said you'll be dethroned if I don't marry you," he said with a monotonous voice. Instead of being scared, I let out a smile that made him cross his eyebrows. "You can coordinate with her for the events, she's been nagging me about meeting you."

"I was informed by the majordomo that she will handle the process," I said, and I finally put my eyes on the floor to hide my embarrassment. "Thank you for agreeing on this marriage under short notice. I will be a good wife to you, your highness."

"I am dethroned, don't call me that."

Binalik ko ang aking tingin sa kanya at mas lumawak ang aking ngiti. "You are born with royal blood and to me, you never got dethroned. You are still a Prince, even if not by status but by the truth that you are my Prince."

Hindi ko maiwasan na alalahanin kung kailan kami nagkita sa una kong buhay at siyang dahilan kung bakit gusto kong manatili sa kanyang tabi. That obscure stare of sapphire orbs reminds me of the man who saw the pain in my eyes and didn't judge me for what I was accused of.

"Who are you?" I asked when I noticed a moving figure in the darkness. Hindi ko na alam kung gabi na ba o umaga pa rin dahil madilim ang selda na pinaglagyan sa akin. Walang bintana para pumasok ang hangin o kahit ang araw.

It doesn't matter anyway. I will be beheaded once the knights barge in any moment from now. And if this man is a hope that will save me from this downfall, I will not accept it.

"Who put you here?" he asked. It was a cold-tone of voice, but there was remorse. "Who made you suffer this unfair treatment?"

Napangisi ako. "It is too late, I'm done for."

"Tell me the names, and I will avenge your death."

"Why would you do that? Do I know you?" I asked.

"Does it matter?" he replied. "Do you want to live?"

Gusto kong umiling pero hindi ko kaya. I'm beaten to death and my whole body is sore. "Don't save me. I don't want to prolong my agony and suffering over this cruel world. My understanding dried, and if I am saved, I will die in the end."

"The names, lady."

"I will bury the names of my oppressors. But, if you know who I am, then you know who put me here."

"Your sacrifice will be acknowledged, Lady Isabella Venize Vamousque. Fret not, your family will be spared but not the man you love."

Napangisi ako. "Whoever you are, thank you."

"It may be late to acknowledge my title, but I am the rightful heir of Nilvander. I've come to take what is rightfully mine."

Bumalik ang isip ko sa kasalukuyan at halos hindi na mawala ang ngiti sa aking mga labi. I looked at Hendrix with nothing but happiness, and I may look insane in his perception, but I am just happy.

"I will protect you this time," I said, and even when that phrase confused him, he did not open his mouth to speak. "Goodnight, your highness."

Umalis ako pagkatapos magbigay pugay at halos lumuwa na naman ang mata ni Isla ng makitang nakangiti ako pabalik sa aking silid. Mukha na akong baliw pero alam kong sa kanya lang.

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