The First Argument
A WEEK HAD PASSED. She has been enjoying being around with Hugh. The sweet guy took a week off just to be with her.
In the capital another party will be held to congratulate the warriors in winning the heart of the nearby kingdom and also to welcome the deligate from another kingdom.
She's wearing her white military uniform with black cuffs and sleeves plus a red outer coat paired to her white ironed slacks.
She just braided her hair and wear her heeled boots.
While Hugh is wearing a black longsleeve turtle-neck, a red coat and a black trench coat paired with the black slacks. He's also wearing a dogtag that shines whenever the light passes by.
He just messed his hair, his bangs covering his eyebrows almost reaching his eyes, he looks so hot while sporting his red leather shoes.
Nang makita ng dukesa ang kanilang suot ay halos mag-panic ito.
"Hindi pwedeng ganyan! Bakit hindi ka bumili ng gowns? Bakit hindi nyo ako sinabihan na wala ka palang gowns?"
"Hindi po ako sanay na mag-gown at saka isa pa po, heneral ho ako ng hukbo. Tungkulin kong pangalagaan ang siguridad ng pagtitipon na ito at mahihirapan ako kapag nagsuot ako ng mahahabang kurtina."
Tumawa naman si Hugh.
"Maganda naman na ang mahal ko, kapag nagsuot pa sya ng gown siguradong marami na akong kaagaw, tiya."
Bumuntong-hininga na lamang ang babae.
Pagkarating nila sa pagtitipon ay agad na nakaagaw ng pansin ang batang sunod ng sunod sa kanya.
Napaikot naman ang mata nya. Kanina pa sya nabu-bwesit sa lalaki. Mantakin bang tinawag syang 'My Queen' sa harap ng duke at iilang aristokrato.
Baka mamaya iniisip na ng mga itong nagpaplano syang magsagawa ng rebelyon.
Lumapit sya sa trono at nagbigay pugay sa hari, reyna at mga prinsesa. Naaninag nya pa ang lungkot sa mga mata ng mga ito. Ipinagkibit-balikat nya lang naman ang galit na titig ng hari.
"Kumusta ka, General Hemingway?"
"Alaric De'Beauchamp Hemingway, together with Hugh Devereaux', giving salutes to Her and His Majesties together with Her Highnesses." Aniya at lumuhod habang itinataas ang espada.
Malungkot na nakangiti sa kanya si Bridgette. "I'm giving my blessings to your retirement, succession and marriage, General."
"Princess!" Mahinang saway ng hari sa anak.
"I already gave it, father. A princess doesn't take back her words."
Nanlilisik ang mga matang tingnan sya ng hari.
"This woman dare to decline you! She embarrassed you infront of the high-ranking officials of this country!" Malakas na sigaw ng hari na naging dahilan upang matigil ang lahat.
Ang kaninang maingay na bulwagan ay agad na tumahimik.
Akmang gagalaw ang katabi nya ng pigilan nya ito.
"She declined a princess' invitation! She embarrassed a princess! Who is she? A mere general of a Count's family!"
"Father, stop it!" Pagpipigil ng mga anak nito.
"Tell me my dear nobles and aristocrats, does this woman deserves to accept the princess' blessing?!"
"I said enough, father!" Hiyaw ni Bridgette.
"Stay quiet, Bridgette!"
Naluluha namang napaatras si Bridgette.
"Your Majesty, I beg of you—"
"I am the King! How dare you stop me?!" Nanggagalaiting tanong nya sa pangalawang anak na si Clara.
Rinig sa buong bulwagan ang hikbi ni Bridgette, walang ni isa na nagtangkang bumasag ng katahimikan.
"Do tell me, do she deserves to accept the princess' blessing? She a mere general?!"
Gumalaw ulit ang kaniyang katabi pero tinapunan nya ito ng malamig na tingin na naging dahilan upang pag-igtingin nalang nito ang mga panga.
"I am a general, King Eugene. Not just a female general but a general." Panimula nya at sinalubong ang galit nitong mga mata ng poot. "I'm not just general but a general who lead an army of men who fought 15 victorious wars for this kingdom in an early age of 18." Aniya at tumayo mula sa pagkakaluhod, tinulungan nya ring tumayo si Hugh.
"War count that not even a man of your age went through, let alone win. Wars that might have destroyed and killed you if I haven't fought it. So, yes. I deserve the blessing. Honestly? I deserve more than that. The blessing of your daughter doesn't even justify what have I done for this rotten kingdom of yours " malamig nyang tinitigan ang hari.
Napipilan naman ang lahat. Kaagad syang tumalikod at nagmartsa palayo.
Sumunod naman si Hugh.
Napadpad sila sa isang madilim na balkonahe. Walang tao dahil ito ang pinakadulong parte.
Napabuntong-hininga sya ng magsalita ang katabi.
"Why—"
"Thank you for wanting to step out for me. But I can handle it." She swiftly cutted him off.
"I know you can. But that doesn't mean you should." Mahinang anito at niyakap sya mula sa likuran. "You don't have to carry it all. I'm here, I'm willing to listen."
Napasinghap sya sa sinabi nito. She wasn't expecting that words. A lobe tear escaped her eyes. How badly she yearns to hear that words.
"I am here, My Queen. I am always here, I am yours and you are mine. What's mine is yours and what's yours are mine, even all your burdens." Bulong nito at isinubsob ang mukha ang kaniyang leeg. "Your happiness, your sorrows, your wins and your defeats are mine to share. I'm more than willing to carry it all for you. All for you."
"You don't have to carry it alone, Mahal ko. Nandito na ako. Gaya ng pangako ko noon. Aalagaan kita at mamahalin. Walang sino man ang pwedeng manakit sayo ngayong nandito na ako."
"Hugh, you don't have to…" her voice cracked.
"But I am more than willing to do it, My Queen. I'm willing to do everything to protect you. Everything." Anito at sinakop ng halik ang mga labi nya.
[I'm crying. I need this man, please? I need him.]
BINABASA MO ANG
WAKING UP AS A VILLAINESS
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