His Royal Highness's Scandalous Passion

Kabanata 11

"Alarken Kaiser, you are under arrest," he announced.

My heart sank. I stood frozen.

"What? No, this is a mistake!" I protested, but the officer was already closing in. Handa na ang posas niya sa aking kamay at nakaekis na iyon.

William stepped forward. "Wait, officer, what's going on?"

The officer shook his head. "Alarken Kaiser is wanted for questioning in connection with the fire and the shooting incident earlier tonight."

My blood ran cold. This was Albert's doing!

He must have twisted the story to make me the scapegoat. I knew he would do this! He would blame it all on me! Damn you, Albert! Damn you!

"I didn't do it. It was Albert. He's the one you should be arresting." My voice is shaking, I cannot believe I got this low. I cannot accept this! I will not let Albert do this to me!

"It was Albert! He was trying to frame me! You have to believe me!" 

The officer ignored me, snapping the handcuffs around my wrists. "You can explain everything at the station. For now, you're coming with us."

Damn you, Albert!

Shit! This can't happen! This is not happening!

Nanginig ang mga kalamnan ko nang hatakin papasok sa kalesa. I cannot! I cannot let him do this to me! I will not let you do this to me Albert!

Kumawala ako sa pagkakahawak at kahit nakaposas ay nagawa ko silang itulak. I kicked the carriage's door and run away from them.

Narinig ko ang mga daing nila at ang maingay na mga lagabag ng sapatos na humahabol sa akin. My feet are trembling, in fear and anger, but my mind is clear. I will ruin you, Albert!

Wala akong pakialam kung anong magiging reaksyon ni Papa. He'll probably die in shock and curse me to death, or he'll kill me himself. Whatever!

Lumiko ako sa isang maliit na eskinita, habol-habol ang hininga. The handcuffs bit into my wrists, but I pushed the pain aside, focusing only on getting away.

"Let's split up!"

I heard the officer's foot running around. Nagpatuloy ako sa pagtakbo ng hindi tumitingin sa likod hanggang sa makalayo sa ingay ng mga lagabag ng sapatos.

The sounds of pursuit faded, and I slowed to a stop, gasping for breath. I leaned against a wall, my mind racing.

There was no place I could go. I must leave Royal Town immediately. I'll maybe somehow manage to get away from the town before dawn. I could not stay here any longer, they would search every corner of this town to find me. 

I needed to find a safe place to hide. Somewhere, I need to figure out my next move and how to clear my name. Natigilan ako. Clear my name? For what?

Umiling ako. "Ha..." I chuckled and held my face. Clear my name for what? That I'm not a killer? That I did not shoot the boy? For what? To impress my long-lost father? To tell the town that I'm not that bad, son.

Damn, no. Maybe I'll just shoot Albert in the head, and that will make me a real criminal.

The noise of pursuit started to get closer again. Suminghap ako at nagsimulang umatras papunta sa sunod na likuan.

As I turned the corner, the prince appeared, blocking my path. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were fixed intently on me.

"Oh! Hi," Ngumisi ako at hilaw na ngumiti. "Sorry, I'm kind of busy. You see, I'm suddenly a criminal now. " I chuckled and turned away.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. All those big talks about my dreams and plans and here I am, running like a rat. Pathetic! A real pathetic!

Why am I always like this? No. It was not my fault. It was them. It was Father. It was Albert. For belittling me and treating me like a damn stupid brat. 

Naramdaman ko ang mahigpit na hawak sa aking braso, enough to stop me from running.

"Let me go! I won't let Albert do this to me--"

"Where are you going?" he asked, his voice calm and steady.

He forced me to face him, that's the last thing I would do right now.

"What's your plan?"

Humarap ako sakanya. My mouth trembled, and suddenly, tears began to fall. The overwhelming desperation of the past hours surged to the surface, breaking through my eyes.

"Shit! This is—" Hinila ko ang braso ko mula sa pagkakahawak niya. I become more and more pathetic in front of him.

I can hear the sounds of footsteps and screams on my back. Fuck!

Iwinasiwas ko ang braso ko ngunit lalong humigpit ang hawak niya. His eyes are still calm, is this some kind of joke for him?

"Shit! Ano ba! Bitawan mo na nga ako! Can't you see? My fucking brother is framing me!"  I shouted, desperation creeping into my voice. "I did not shoot the child! He was the one who shot him. I did not do it. I did not! He wants to ruin my reputation completely."

He remained silent for a moment, as if he were studying me. I hate it when he do this. I hate how he thinks lowly of me too.

"Turn yourself in."

"What!?" I exclaimed, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Turn yourself."

The officers are behind us and he's bullshitting me right now?

"You expect me to just walk back there and hand myself over?" I asked, incredulous. "Ridiculous!" 

I stared at him, my mind racing. Turn myself in? And let Albert's plan to ruin me happen?

"If you run, you'll only make things worse for yourself. But if you turn yourself in, I can help you."

"Your Highness!" The officers bowed before him. I remained stunned, standing like a moron in front of him.

"Why should I believe you?" I demanded, my voice trembling.

"Why?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because I have the power to do it."

Lumuwag ang hawak niya sa braso ko. Dahan-dahan ay pinakawalan niya iyon at tinulak ako papunta sa mga taong kanina pa humahabol sa akin.

"Get him."