The Side Character Wants The Spotlight

chapter one: the loyal friend

“What are you talking about!?” gulat na tanong ko kay Jewel ng mayroon siyang inamin sa akin sa kalagitnaan ng gabi.

“Henston and I are going to runaway together and we need your help.” Kasabay ng pag-ulit niya sa kaniyang sinabi ay kumulog din ng napakalakas ang kalangitan kasabay ng pagbuhos ng malakas na ulan.

“Are you insane right now? Talagang makikipagtanan ka sa Duke? Tapos umuulan pa!” naiiyak na lintaya ko sa kaniya habang nakaturo ang kamay sa langit na patuloy pa rin ang pagkidlat at pagbuhos ng ulan.

Ng kumulog ulit ng napakalakas ay mabilis na tinabunan ni Jewel ang kaniyang tenga at madiin na ipinikit ang mga mata.

This Young Lady is afraid of Thunder and Lightning. How is she going to survive running away in this stormy night?

“Jewel, are you really sure this is what you want?” naninigurong tanong ko. Hindi pa nga siya umaalis ay nag-aalala na ako.

“Yes, I'm sure, Gabby. I don't want to marry the Emperor! I love Henston so much that I can't live without him,” umiiyak na sagot niya sa akin, nagmamakaawang paniwalaan ko siya.

Agad ko naman siyang niyakap at tumango. “I believe you. You’re my friend. I have seen how your eyes sparkle everytime you see Duke Henston and how you would get excited to see him the next day,” nakangiting sagot ko.

“But how would you leave? We are in the palace and tomorrow is supposed to be your wedding with the Emperor!” seryosong lintaya ko.

Mabilis niyang pinahiran ang kaniyang luha bago tumayo ng matuwid at binuksan ang nag-iisang bintana sa kuwarto na tinutulugan ko.

“Henston and I already created a plan, but I need your help to fully escape this prison like palace,” sagot niya.

Hindi ko lubos maintindihan kung bakit ayaw na ayaw niya sa Emperador ganoong napakabait naman ng tao. Napakagwapo pa’t hindi lang siyang ang pinakamayaman sa buong kaharian kung hindi siya rin ang pinaka makapangyarihan.

He is so nice not just to Jewel, but also to me, her best friend. If I would be given a chance to take Jewels’ place, I would definitely choose the Emperor over Duke Henston with so many reasons.

“Will you help me?” nagmamakaawang tanong ni Jewel sa akin habang mahigpit na hinahawakan ang dalawa kong kamay.

Agad naman akong ngumiti ng matamis sa kaniya at tumango.

“Of course. Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy. Tell me the plan,” sagot ko. Masaya naman itong tumalon-talon ng mahina tsaka ako niyakap ng mahigpit.

Jewel is my best friend. Ever since I was young, she has always been the main character in her life and always has this main character vibe I often read in fairytale books. And she has always been the main character even in my own life.

She laid down their plan and told me what I needed to do. It will not be an easy escape, given the fact that we are currently in the Palace where a lot of royal guards guarding the place for tomorrow's wedding ceremony.

Although it's difficult when you think about it, but when she shared the plan to me base on what she and Duke Henston came up with, it has become fairly easy.

Both of our rooms are guarded heavily, but we would often notice that I have more guards surrounding my room from the outside than Jewels’ room. I also don't understand why, but I don't want to understand as well.

Since Jewel’s room is not heavily guarded compared to mine, we decided to escape from the balcony inside her room.

We moved as quietly as we can, but faster. We don't have much time as Jewel and Duke Henston promised to meet at the palace’s garden at 11 in the evening and flee from there through a secret underground passage.