The Hidden Duchess

CHAPTER 1

The Hidden Duchess | Royalty Series 1

Krizzybabes

After departing Spain by sea, we traveled from Barcelona to Italy for 24 hours. Upon our arrival, we immediately boarded a private plane to avoid being tracked by my uncle's men.

I didn't know where we were headed, and my mind was in turmoil. All I could do was cry, worrying for my Abuelo's safety.

We continued our journey, stopping in two different countries, each time switching to another private plane before proceeding to our next destination.

I had been silently crying for several hours during the flight, but after our second layover, I gathered the courage to ask the guard who had carried me like a sack earlier. "Where are you taking me?" I asked calmly, but he merely bowed his head in response, not answering my question.

"I said, where the hell are you taking me?" I demanded with authority, making him bow once again.

"We are already near our destination, Your Highness," he replied.

"I asked where not when we will arrive in that country! I need to know where we are going!" He drooped again in apology.

"Lo siento, Su gracia," I'm sorry,Your grace. "we can't tell you. We're just following orders from Her Grace," he said before walking away, leaving me in my seat.

"¡Volvamos a España pronto! I made up my mind, and I want to go back."

He shook his head and lightly bent down as if to apologize. "We can't grant your request, Your Highness. Duchess Genevieve and Duke Theodore ordered us to take you to a safe place. Returning to Spain would put you in danger. This is for your protection, Your Highness. Lo siento."

That statement only fueled my frustration. I stood up and shouted at everyone on the plane, "¡Idiotas! ¡Quiero volver a España! ¡Llévenme de vuelta a España ahora!"

The two cabin crew members rushed over to calm me down.

"Milady, please calm down," they begged, but I continued shouting at my stubborn guards.

"Your Highness, shouting won't help. Please, calm down," one of the attendants pleaded. Taking a deep breath, I finally managed to compose myself.

After I collected my thoughts, one of the attendants handed me a bottle of water. "Drink this, Milady." I took a sip, but moments later, I felt the world spinning and my vision became blurry. It was as if all my energy had been drained from my body. Turning to them, I asked, even though I could hardly see, "W-what did you do?"

"Perdónanos,Duchessa," Forgive us, Princess. "We needed to do this for you to behave." Their words faded as I succumbed to unconsciousness.

---

I'm not sure how long I was unconscious, but when I opened my eyes, I found myself in an unfamiliar room. I was no longer on the plane; I was lying in a bed that made me anxious as I look in my surroundings.

Suddenly, the door swung open, alerting me. I instinctively grabbed something to defend myself. "Ay, Dios ko! Mijo!" a middle-aged woman exclaimed, startled to see me awake and holding something pointed at her.

"Who are you, and where am I?" I demanded, trying to sound authoritative.

"Hay! Tinakot mo ako! Mabuti naman at Gising ka na." she replied with a smile, causing my brows to furrow at her familiar language.

"I'm in the Philippines?" I said, processing the information while scanning the room.

"Yes, hija. You're in the Philippines, and I'm relieved to see you awake. Come and join us for dinner," she said warmly.

I felt puzzled. Why had they brought me here? This country, once colonized by Spain, was a long journey away-16 to 24 hours from Spain to here. What were they thinking by keeping me in such a distant place? What if those who were after me discovered I was hiding here?

"Mama?" A little girl peeked around the door, capturing my attention. "Gising na po pala si ate," she said, stepping in slowly with a shy smile. I returned her smile.

Turning back to her mother, I pressed again, "Who brought me here?"

"Genevieve brought you here, hija. She asked if you could stay with us for a while and if I could take care of you. I agreed, which is why you're here," she explained.

"Genevieve? Where is she?"

"She left several hours ago while you were unconscious. She had to return to Europe for some errands but wanted to ensure you were safe," the woman replied, her warm smile never fading.

Lost in thought again, I fell silent. Noticing my distraction, she reached out and held my hand, pulling me back to the moment. "Genevieve told me why you're here. Don't worry; you'll be safe with us," she said, offering a reassuring smile. I managed a smile in return.

"Mama, ok na po ba si ate? Di na po ba sya matutulog ng matagal?" the little girl asked, peeking out from behind her mother.

"Yes, sweetie, I'm fine. I won't go back to sleep again," I reassured them, making their eyes widen in surprise.

"Nakakaintindi ka ng Tagalog?" the mother asked.

"Yes, my Abuela is half-Filipina, and she often spoke Tagalog, so I learned to understand a bit, though I struggle to articulate complex phrases," I explained.

"Mama? Ano po yung Abuela?" the little girl asked, tugging at her mother's shirt.

"Hmmm, abuela means grandmother, hermanita. In Tagalog, you call it Lola," I clarified.

"Eh, yung hermanita po?"

I laughed at her curiosity. "It means little sister; it's similar to 'ading' in your language," I said.

Her mouth formed an 'o' as she seemed impressed. "Ang galing mo naman po, ate! Ang talino mo at ang ganda mo. Nagmumukha kang diwata. Para po kayong si Alunsina? Yung diwata na sobrang ganda na nakatira sa silangang langit? Alam mo yun, ate? Sobrang ganda niya at para siyang ikaw, pero mas maganda ka, syempre! Kulay blue pa po yung mata mo. Ang ganda!" she rambled, speaking so quickly that I struggled to catch every word.

I turned to the woman and asked, "What's Diwata, and who's Alunsina?"

"It's a local mythology here in the country. Don't mind Hera; she's just fascinated by you," she replied.

"Oh."

"Yes. Gusto kong makapag pahinga ka ng mabuti. Kaya maiiwan ka muna namin ni Hera. If you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll do my best to attend your needs." She beam.

@Krizzybabes