The Hidden Duchess

CHAPTER 2

The Hidden Duchess| Royalty Series 1

Krizzybabes

"Ate Kyla." I cast a backward glance to see Hera running in my direction, still wearing her school uniform. I turned to her and matched her sweet smile, waiting for her to reach me. "Ate, ano po ginagawa mo dito?" she asked cutely, so I knelt in the sand to match her height.

"Nothing, Hera. I just wanted to watch the sunset together with the tranquil waves," I replied.

She scratched the back of her head while pouting, her face crumpling as if she were ready to throw a tantrum, which made me laugh. "Ate, mag-Tagalog ka naman po. Hindi po kita masyadong maintindihan eh. Hindi naman po ako si Alana na magaling mag-English," she pouted, causing me to chuckle at her cuteness.

I squeezed the tip of her nose and then stood up so she looked up to see my face. "Oo na. Sorry na. Hindi pa kasi ako magaling mag-Tagalog, so I have to speak English most of the time," I said. "Anyways, bakit nga pala dito ka dumeretso? Hindi ka pa nakapagbihis, oh. Your Mama Mila will definitely scold you if she sees you."

She pouted her lips. "Sorry po. Sinundo kasi ako ni Papa, tapos nakita po kita dito sa dalampasigan, kaya dito na ako dumeretso," she explained. I pinched her chubby cheeks again because she looked extra adorable while pouting.

"Tara na, magbihis ka muna para hindi ka mapagalitan." I held her tiny hand and walked her toward their house.

"Ate, uuwi po si Mama ngayon. Day off niya po kasi bukas, tapos magdadala ulit po siya ng pasalubong. Excited na po ako," she stated, full of enthusiasm, so I couldn't help but shake my head while smiling. She's only seven, but ang taas na niyang magsalita. She's very talkative and energetic-the kind of kid they call "bibo" in Tagalog.

"Ate Kyla, diba po real-life princess ka?" she asked innocently.

"Sort of, but the right way to address me is a duchess, not princess because it's a different noble rank. A princess has a higher position than me, though that's a secret. No one should know that I'm a duchess; it's only for me and your family."

"Pero halos the same lang naman po sila diba ate?"

"In some ways may be, why did you ask?" I queried curiously

"Eh kasi po, ate, sabi po ng classmate ko, hindi raw po totoo yung mga princess at fictional lang daw po sila gaya ni Barbie. Pero hindi po ako naniwala kasi nga po, princess ka, diba? Then, we fought po kasi ayaw niya maniwala na totoo yung mga princess, kaya ayon, pinagalitan kami ni teacher," she clarified to make sure I wouldn't get angry.

"Then, what did you say to her?" I asked.

"Sinabi ko po na totoo yung mga princess at si Barbie lang talaga ang fictional. Sinabi ko rin na may mga princess sa Europe kasi po, diba? Doon ka po galing, pero hindi po talaga siya naniwala kasi president lang daw po yung meron. Buti nalang po nandoon si teacher Sandra at sinabi niya kay Lily na tama po ako at marami daw po talagang princess sa Europe kasi po marami daw pong monarch country doon."