Monarchy Series 1: Slaves of Desired Perfection

CHAPTER 8

"Still no post from the prince, Owen?" I asked while brushing my hair.

"Wala, Ma'am," he answered.

Huminga ako ng malalim saka nagtungo sa may kama. I looked at him with tired eyes. "That's it for today, Owen. Bukas pakihanda ng karwahe, it's my last day to freely lurk around the city. I want to spend my day at the town for I have nothing in this kingdom."

Tumango naman ito bago nagpaalam.

I sighed as I rested my back to the soft mattress. Hindi ko alam kung ayos ba kami ni Reagan o hindi. Parting ways with him earlier is not that great, and we didn't have the chance to even bid a proper temporary goodbye. Well, we will be seeing each other the next day after tomorrow, anyway.

It will be the coronation day.

Since I was a child, I wasn't able to picture out myself neither being a queen nor a ruler of a country. I'm contented with seeing my family and do what it takes to please them by being a good daughter. Being with a high standard mother did really a huge impact to my life. And it wasn't that great for I have been living with it my whole existence.

Perfection? That's what my mother wants. My brother, Kendrick, wasn't that fond of playing with the rules. Gusto niya ay ginagawa o nagagawa niya ang gusto niya kahit ano pa man ang sabihin sa kanya ng mga tao. He said that, when you're being controlled by the other's opinion and words, it will be the end of you.

Sana nga ay parehas din ako sa kanya. Na walang pakialam sa kung ano man ang tingin o isipin sa akin ng mga tao. I'm living with mother's expectations. I'm too scared to be judged, you see. Too scared to be hated and pained by the society --- especially by my mother.

Nakatulog ako nang hindi namamalayan sa sobrang pag-iisip.

Kinabukasan ay agaran kong pinapunta ang mga mag-aayos sa akin. I am more excited to interact than to mind my own look. Hinayaan ko na sila ang gumawa dahil abala ako sa pagtingin ng mga sulat na galing sa iba't ibang tao. They're eager to see and bow to me. My people.

Tinawag ko si Owen nang tapos na ako. He looks just like always --- blank and cold.

Taas-noo akong nagtungo sa may karwahe at hindi na hinayaan pang tulungan ako ni Owen. I clearly, can handle myself.

"What would be the flow of tomorrow's coronation, Owen?" Tanong ko habang nakatingin sa kawalan.

"Passing the throne, as it should be, and meeting the parliament. A big day, it is, Your Majesty," he answered before clearing his throat.

"Parliament, huh?" Huminga ako ng malalim. "Nakakatakot ba silang harapin?"

He blinked and was dumbfounded with my sudden question.

I just shrugged. "Is it not a nerve-wracking to meet the members of the council, no?" I casually said while trying to wipe off my innocent look. I don't want to sound doubtful and lacks knowledge about the parliament.

"I met them once, My Lady, and they are," he cleared his throat that made me look at him. "Just serious and straight to the point people. Gusto nila ng deretsuhang pag-uusap at ang marunong sumunod. Ayaw nila ng pinapangunahan ang kanilang mga utos at salita."

I remained silent and waited for him to explain and elaborate more.

"Well, that is for me, My Lady. I'm just a servant of the late queen and that is how I viewed them. Pardon me," he formally bowed and stayed quiet.

Parliament. Is that how they treat the people below them? Letting them know their places by trying to humiliate, yes. That's how I interpret it. I wouldn't want to oppose them. Well, I'll see how it goes.