ALIRA: The Lost Soul

Chapter 13: Mad Prince

I didn't know how I was able to get through the ordeal from the hands of Laura's maids, but I managed to threaten them to allow me to wear some pants and a long-sleeved top, although I wasn't able to run away from an unnecessary corset. They also gave me a black dress-like buttoned coat that rests on my calves with the front covering only until the waist. Sigh. I looked like going horseback riding, but this could also pass for a banquet. As long as I look presentable, I'm fine with this rather than wearing one of those heavy dresses.

"Young Miss, please allow us to least braid your hair. Kami ang malalagot kay Countess Domitri kung hahayaan naming nakalugay lamang ang iyong buhok."
Mangiyak-ngiyak na saad ng babae kaya wala akong nagawa kundi hayaan ito.

And that's how it ended. I'm now here in the hallway, looking like a lady knight with small braids on one side of her head. They even put little ornaments in it. Sigh.

I also had with me a sling bag as my poor knapsack was thrown out together with the rest of my clothes last night. I almost cried when I saw it in the trash. You see it's one of the things I personally sewn. But oh well, I'll have coins to buy a new one so I guess I'll also throw it out sooner or later.

"Now, I see it. (You do resemble her a bit.)"

Napalingon ako sa kabilang dulo ng pasilyo. He just came out of the room not far from mine. I can't help myself but stare at him because of how funny his hair looks. I know he's the future ruler of this kingdom ngunit hindi ko mapigilang matawa sa itsura nito.

"Pfft. I see it too, Your Highness. You look like you slept really well."

I bit my lips to suppress my laughter because his hair looked like a bird's nest. The strands are uncoordinated, some are up there and others are lying flat on the side. He's not even making an effort to fix it. Pffft. And here I thought royalties should always appear neat and proper. I guess he didn't like the servants helping him.

I looked away to stop myself from laughing dahil baka ito lang ang maging dahilan ng aking kamatayan.

Lyell Lainheart
Cause of Death: Executed due to mocking the crown prince's hair
Pffftt.

"I see you're also annoying."

I stood straight when I heard him talk  again. He's already behind me, must be good to have long legs.

"Ahem-- Apologies, Your Highness---"

"I told you to I'm Loric, didn't I?"

Nagtatakang napaharap ako sa prinsepe. So? I gave him a questioning look.

"I know your name's Loric and I know you're the crown prince -errr just yesterday. But that's not the issue---"

"There's no issue, just call me Loric."

I blinked a few times, sinking in what he's telling me to call him. I looked at him once again with my brows up there.

"Do you perhaps want me to get executed, Prince Loric?"
Mahina at diretsa kong tanong. There are servants within the vicinity kaya kahit ayoko ay kailangan kong tawagin ito sa tamang paraan.

Now I remember Cole. They both drive me past my mental fortitude. If only he's not the crown prince I would've kicked him already.

"Pffftttt---HAHAHA, you should've seen your face, young miss."

My face turned impassive. I waited for him to finish laughing while I stood there beside him, looking like a lost child. Although I almost laughed myself because of the way he laughs. It doesn't suit him. He looked like an idiot.

"Oh boy, I've never laughed like this for a long time. But yes, Miss Lyell, you can call me whatever you're comfortable with. Just don't be too formal when it's just us, okay? Pfffftt."
He's still laughing while wiping off the tears from his eyes. He's obviously playing with me.

Its hard to stay calm when you're in this kind of situation. His prolonged laughing is starting to get irritating too. My intrusive thoughts are telling me something I shouldn't do. Muntik ko nang abutin ang ulo nito upang sabunutan.

"I'd like you to treat me like how you did in the competition, so stay that way, okay? I remembered you said I was annoying. Pffftt--"

I was grinding my teeth as hard as I can. I've never been this powerless before. I swallowed the rage before I heaved a sigh. One that he surely would hear.

"Prince Loric, you see my hands? They're trembling, right? It's not because I'm scared but because I want to punch you so bad----"

"HAHAHAHAHA"

The door leading to the stairs flung open but the prince is still laughing, overly ecstatic. Servants witnessed our situation in the hallway, staring at us in disbelief. I stared at them with no expression as I don't know what to do with the man catching his breath in front of me.

"What is happe---YOU'RE HIGHNESS!"
Tarantang saad ng may kaedarang babae na sumulpot mula sa pinto.

Nagmadali itong lumapit sa prinsepe na naghahabol pa rin ng hininga mula sa kakatawa. I don't really know which part of what I've said was funny.

Am I the only one who's clueless?

"Wow, it's the first time I saw his highness laugh so hard. I wonder what the lady knight told him."
One of the servants who came out from one of the rooms whispered.

"Your Highness! You must maintain proper composure. You can't burst out like that in front of your people. And why is your hair still not---"
Narinig kong turan ng babae ngunit pinutol ito ng prinsepe. She's not really that old but I think is enough to be his mother.

"It's alright, Gloria. I was just really on edge a while ago as my scalp really hurt a lot, but the lady amused me that's why I can't help it."
The crown prince explained. 

Tsk. Royals, nobles whatsoever, and their obsession with dignity and image. You can't even laugh when you feel like it. Ridiculous.

"Let's go downstairs, your Royal Highness. The breakfast is ready."
Saad ng matanda at nauna nang
maglakad, completely ignoring me beside them. My eyebrow rose in distaste. Talk about pride over ranks. Tsk.

Sumunod naman dito ang prinsepe na inaayos ang kanyang buhok.

"How suffocating."
Mahina kong komento nang dumaan ito sa aking tapat.

I stopped walking when he stopped. Nanatili ako sa hulihan, isang hakbang mula sa likod nito dahil ayokong mauna at baka magalit ang matandang babae sa harap di kalayuan mula sa amin. I'm ignorant to their customs or whatever etiquette, yes I'm aware.

He looked back and motioned me to come closer to him. I gave him a warning look which made him snicker.

"Don't mind Gloria, Ms. Lyell. She's just always like that because she's an old maiden."
Pabulong at nagpipigil-tawa nitong saad.

"YOUR HIGHNESS!"
Sigaw ng matanda kaya natatawang nilapitan ito ng prinsepe at inakbayan paalis.

Sigh. The biggest thing I gambled for this revenge is really my peace of mind.