Mahárliká (ᜋᜑᜇ᜔ᜎᜒᜃ) - a Macolet au

Prologue

Maloi

Have you ever wondered what would've happened if the Spaniards never left the Philippines?

In an alternate universe, they never did.

After the World War, the Spanish and the Filipinos learned to coexist with one another. Lives were lost fighting for equality and freedom was won by unsung heroes.

In the late 1960s, The Philippines became a constitutional monarchy whose sovereign also serves as the Monarch of Spain.

The walled City of Intramuros extended throughout Metro Manila and its nearby regions—an architectural feat celebrated by both international and local engineers.

Spain vowed to improve the lives of the Filipinos after two hundred years of oppression. Additionally, as an act of goodwill, the Spanish Monarchy released a Royal Decree to make an Indio family into royals.

From then on, President Vergara and his family became the first Filipino born royals of the Philippines.

The love and loyalty shown by the Filipinos to the Vergaras were unending. In turn, the Vergaras ensured that the country is thriving and well taken care of. They became the countries representatives in the Spanish Court.

People had always looked up to their family: a lineage of rich Philippine history coursing through their veins as the crown was passed from one generation to another. My family had always been loyalists to the Crown.

My father endlessly told me about the story of how my grandfather once served in the military with the late King Michael I. At one point, my grandfather even saved the King's life.

He was given a medal for his bravery along with a note from the King. It had always been proudly displayed at our living room, tucked amongst family pictures. It's the most prized possession of our simple family.

I've always wondered what it would feel like to become a royal. How would it feel like to have the enough power, riches and influence over a country?

I never fully understood the toll of being a princess—not until I met Crown Princess Nicolette Vergara.