His Royal Highness's Scandalous Passion

Kabanata 10

I panicked, my mind racing as I replayed the horrific scene over and over.

"It's not my fault! It's not my fault!" I muttered to myself.

Why is Albert blaming me for the things that he has done? It's not my fault, it was Albert who shot him!

He's the one who pulled the trigger with the intention of killing me.

Nagmadali akong umalis. Hawak-hawak ang duguang kamay. What will I do? Will I leave the child?

Shit! Shit!

I never intended for this thing to happen! I never wanted this to happen!

With my hands bloodied and my heart pounding, I stumbled through the streets, heading straight for William's mansion. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, and I could barely see straight. The world around me was a blur of faces and sounds, everything was a mess.

When I reached the mansion, the servants moved to stop me.

"Let me through," I pleaded, my voice shaking. "I need to see William."

Nanginig ang mga kalamnan ko.

"What happened?" William's voice cut through the chaos as he rushed towards me, his face etched with worry.

"Help me," I managed to say, my voice breaking. "The kid... he was shot."

William's eyes widened in shock. Without a question, he went with me.

"Fetch the family doctor immediately," he ordered his butler.

I guided him into the place where I left the kids. I collapsed to the floor when I saw the child's blood. What if he died here and the people starts blaming me? Knowing Albert, he would make up stories and blame me for everything!

Pinunit niya ang laylayan ng damit niya at kaagad na pinigil ang dugo sa paglabas. Pinulupot niya iyon sa katawan niya.

His butler, almost crawling to us, said, "Lord William, the doctor you summoned refused to come. The story was spread in town, and he is wary of becoming entangled in the Kaiser's conflict."

Shit!

He's dying! He will die! This kid will die on me!

"What?" William pushed me. "Kaiser's conflict? Tell me what happened, Alarken."

I trembled.

"Tell me everything," William demanded, his voice calm but urgent.

I recounted the events, every detail since I left him on the bar, and watched as William's face darkened with anger.

"Are your heads finally fucked up?" He lunged forward, grabbing my collar.

"You involved the kids for what? For your stupid prank?" he snarled, his grip tightening.

Naramdaman ko ang pag-iinit ng mukha ko dahil sa higpit ng hawak niya. "Stop blaming me, William!" I shouted, my voice desperate. "It's not my fault! Albert was at fault!"

Albert was the one who shot him!

Naramdaman ko ang malakas na impact na tumama sa mukha ko pagkatapos isigaw iyon. Tumilapon ako sa kung saan habang namamanhid ang kanang pisngi.

"You should have known better! These kids are innocent! Dinamay mo sila sa katangahan mo!"

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in.

"We need to get him help," I said, my voice breaking. "Please, William."

William is still in rage, but he nodded. Binuhat niya ang bata sa balikat niya. Nakasunod kaming tatlo sakanila ng mga bata. "The doctors from my family won't help—they can't risk the conflict with the Kaisers. We'll have to find someone else."

We went out, asking doctors in town for help. Knocking on doors and pleading for help, but no one would assist us. The reasons are the same, they don't want to get involved, or we have no money to pay for their services.

In the midst of despair, I remembered someone. "William, wait for me here."

Diretso ang lakad ko, hindi inabala ang sariling pansinin ang mga taong nasagi ko. I can't waste a second.

He's talking with so many people. Wala na akong panahon para magalang siyang tanungin at tawagin mula doon.

Hinarang ko siya, direkta mula sa harap. He looks shocked by my sudden approach, and maybe by the way I look.

"Raiden, I need your help."

"Hey! Who are you to call him that!?" The girl on his side exclaimed.

Tinignan ko lang siya at binalik ang tingin sa lalaking nakatingin lang sa akin sa harap ko ngayon.

I heard violent reactions everywhere and I didn't mind it all. I desperately need him right now!

"Come with me please?"

He nodded. Sinenyasan niya ang mga guard niyang manatili doon bago niya ako hinila sa isang maliit na kalye.

Huminga ako ng malalim at pilit na kinakalma ang sarili. Fuck! Bakit ba masyado akong emosyonal. I feel like I could cry any moment right now.

"A kid was shot! I---" Tumikhim ako. "It was my fault." Nanginig ako nang maalala ang hitsura niya.

He's humoring me. Pakiramdam ko ay iritado na siya dahil sinasayang ko ang oras niya, but he's still here humoring me. Maybe, I look funny to him. I don't care anymore!

"You..." lumunok ako. Swallowing everything. My pride, my honor. Not like I have any of that. "...said you could help me, right?"

He remained silent. I do not want to be indebted to him anymore, but I have no one to ask for right now.

"You also told me to think about what I could offer you in return."

Kinuha ko ang kamay niya at pinatong sa dibdib ko.

"I don't have anything as you already know so, I've got nothing to give you. You can have me instead, just help me in advance."

He let out a small laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement. I don't care what happen to me after this, just...Just help me now. Just now!

"Okay. Let's go..." Sumenyas siya at lumapit sa amin ang butler niya. May kung ano siyang sinabi doon. Ilang saglit pa ay dumating na ang kalesa sa harap namin at pinagbuksan kami non.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko at sinubukang ikalma ang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pagkagat sa aking daliri. Fuck! Fuck! Damn you, Albert!

You'll pay for this, Albert! This is your fault. His shot was pretty deep. He lost too much blood! The doctors would not even damn help him!

Fucking doctors! He might die in this case!

Pinalis ko ang luha kong tumakas.

"Albert will blame this to me. He will send me in jail and this town, and father, and mother, and Kaiser's would---"

Naramdaman ko ang makapal na bagay na pumalupot sa katawan ko. I realized he wrapped his coat around me.

"Calm down, Alarken."

Pagtigil ng kalesa sa tapat ng maliit na bahay ng mga bata ay bumaba kaagad ako. William is changing the wet towel on his forehead while the kids are crying on the side.

"Alarken, he is losing too much blood!"

Tumango ako at kaagad silang nilapitan. He had turned pale, dark framed his lively eyes.

Suminghap ako nang pumasok ang doktor sa pintuan. Tumabi kami lahat nang lumapit na siya sa nanghihinang katawan ng bata.

The doctor's hands moved as he reached for his bloody tummy. Inalis niya ang pansamantalang telang pinulupot ni William doon. The doctor worked quickly, his hands steady and sure as he tended to his wounds.

Napahinga ako ng malalim nang makitang tumigil na ang pagdugo sa sugat niya.

The boy's breathing became more stable. The doctor finally looked up at us and said, "He's not out of danger yet, but he'll be fine."

Suddenly, the door burst open, and a police officer strode in.

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