BEROYALED

THE PACT

CLEARLY, THAT WAS A NATIONAL issue. Fortunately, the party resumed peacefully and this time uninterrupted. However, the King called in an emergency council meeting right after that in the middle of the night. Although I might have just overthought of things. I had overheard some of the palace guards talking about what the council were talking about and how the rebels were plotting their way into the palace. I did not think that was the case, besides, I might have just been irrational. We haven't heard about the rebels in almost two decades. Last I heard, the rebels had disseminated and has gone to live peaceful lives. Why would people start talking about the rebels' possible revolts again and plan to trespass into the palace? I had wondered.

I've known the history of my country. As the princess, it is only basic. Today she's the great Kingdom of Nerio. She's not a large nation but she is indeed great and prosperous. But once upon a time, Nerio did not exist. Once upon a time Nerio was only a part of what was known as the Federal Isles of the Philippines—a nation of mixed race and culture. It was once known for its majestic nature and colourful history painted by influences of many conquering nations. From the people's appearance to religions, dialects until the fine cuisine, the Federal Isles is like the whole world compressed in one nation.

Perhaps because of its diverse people and difference in beliefs, the once united Federal Isles of the Philippines shattered. Different groups and rebels from each state occurred demanding an identity for themselves—separate to what their country was. They thought their state was better off on its own. Because of that, a civil war started reducing the country into nothing but flaming architectures, bloody corpses and suffocating dusts ultimately dissipating into history books.

That's how Nerio was born. The very land and people left from what can be saved after the civil war. But the rebels were still there even then. They were becoming even greedier despite the fact that they succeeded in separating themselves. They wanted more and they wanted to conquer. But the conflict between the young monarchy of Nerio and the rebels was resolved during my deceased grandmother's reign as Queen on the throne. May her soul rest in paradise. So after hearing what the guards were talking about, I thought it was highly unlikely.

It was already 2:35 in the morning. I have waited anxiously in my room. Waiting for someone to come in and answer all the disoriented questions cramped up in my brain. I sat down for two seconds but I couldn't stay still. I couldn't somehow focus unless I was pacing back and forth. And I couldn't stop thinking about the ring given to me by that masked man. The King confiscated it from me right after they had left. I couldn't even finish reading what was engraved underneath it.

Alay ng tunay...

That was all I was able catch before the King had snatched it away from my hand. I did not even know what that meant. What did it mean? Was it the masked man's name? Perhaps a message? I had no idea. All I knew is that the council has been inside that room for too long.

There was a knock on the door that almost startled me. Came in was my mother the Queen probably checking out on me. Ma looked at me with weary eyes which were not helping to clear my mind.

"What is happening?" I asked. I had to ask someone.

Ma had let out a small but obvious sigh first before answering. "Come. Sit down for a while dear." She said, and I did. We sat down by the coffee table. "I'd normally ask you to rest your head and sleep. It's getting late my dear love."

"How can I sleep after what just happened?"

"I never greeted you a Happy Birthday. Am I too late? Oh my, of course, it's already two in the morning!" Ma smiled ignoring my question and for a moment she looked unwary as if she totally forgot about the crisis going on inside the council meeting.