Modern Royalties

Chapter 7 (Blake's Secret)

If only Daphne had known how easily her life will be back in normal-better this time-she should have asked apology the day after they quarreled. And now they’re having their lunch on the hill without any papers at all. Plainly hanging out and relaxing from then stressful project. They’re about to finish it anyway so why hurry when they still have more than three months?

“This place is really something.” She inhaled the fresh cool air from everywhere. She never realized back then that such nature’s beauty truly exist. “I wonder who buried this tree in here and I’ll thank him or her for the shade it bestowed, completing the real aura.” Daphne smiled at the idea of herself appreciating what she used to ignore.

Blake seemed to lose his voice because he’s in deep thought. She thought maybe he’s rekindling his past. But it’s strictly prohibited, she reminded herself when she was about to ask what’s he’s thinking.

“Not to mention me talking her to myself.” She added trying to get his attention. It did and she was grateful indeed. “Okay, what’s the drama with you Sir Dashwood?”

She’s used to calling him his real name, weeks ago after they fixed the coldness between them. Blake said let them keep it for a while because he still can’t handle the pressure of being fancied, not by his true self, but his money.

He smiled showing off those beautiful white teeth that made Daphne want to roll down the hill because of its star struck effect. “Whoa, stop showing that can-I-have-your-smile look, Lady Daphne.” He raised his hands defensively.

“C’mon, that’s stupid.” She giggled and then watched him deeply. “Tell me.”

 

Blake wants to run to keep the truth from Daphne but he somehow realized that the day will come for him to let them know what’s bothering him for years. Not that he’s been picky for the audience, but the girl sitting in front of her with eager eyes, was the last person in his mind.

He sighed and gave up. She has to know for her to understand.

“I… I used to come here when I was 6.” He started like every word he’ll say weighs ton. “Then I met this girl my age-Czarina. She really was poor and I hate the idea playing with her and her bossiness is quite irritating. But she was kind anyway that made me want to play with her.” He smiled remembering how his playmate pretends to be the queen of England. “And then we were growing up so fast that I failed to notice I’m totally dependent to her.”

He noticed Daphne’s silence and her troubled emotions mirrored in her eyes. But Blake continued because she’s asking for it and he care not if it’ll hurt her feelings. He’d been through worse before, anyway.

“And then when we were 15, I courted her and she said yes. Funny how I felt those days like I’m floating breathlessly every time we meet in this hill but I’m still thankful to tell her the truth because I thought I did the right thing. Her family never knew about our relationship and so did my father. Then it happened again, same old story your mom and my dad had. But only this time, Czarina’s mother was the one who became furious.”

Blake hesitated to continue because he felt his insides getting burnt with the sensation of anger. Then he saw Daphne’s encouraging look.

“We didn’t understand at first and my father went to talk to her mom given the experience he once had, but her mom kept on insisting the prohibited love. And then one day I just knew her mom was killed and Czarina was nowhere to be found.”

Daphne gasped by what she heard but Blake ignored her to give a single chance to recover. He wants her to feel the pang of sudden events that recovery is not yet an option.

“I traveled almost the whole Southern England finding myself in London but the world was too big and I never saw her since the incident happened. No good byes and I were left behind with nothing but hope to see her and let me understand what’s happening. I even hurt myself for courting her that it all turned out to be the worst thing I’ve ever done. I should have known then that my self-centeredness will take her away from me. And now, I’m on my own.” He was crying now remembering those pains he’d been through. He forgot his self entirely the whole year and the least he could do is stay up this very hill.

“I-I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have asked.” He heard Daphne’s whisper and she hugged him. He sobbed in her shoulder and let his long burden heartaches turned into tears, wetting her Mango blouse she bought last week. But he didn’t mind at all. He never though it felt this good crying in someone’s shoulder. He was all alone that time and he never even had the slightest chance to blub his sorrows to someone he could trust his fears.

Do I trust her now? He thought wiping back the streak of tears and slowly letting go. I just can’t trust her yet. Blake turned off his emotions and again, he switched his stone heart again. Not with this girl, he mused warily keeping his self together. She’s the reason why it all ended up here, anyway.