Royalties and Nobilities --- COMPLETED

CHAPTER 32: Their Banishment!

VANCE

"Are you sure you want to do this?" tanong ko kay Angelique pagkasakay namin sa sasakyan.

"It's the only way. I have to face them sooner or later, anyway," sagot niya habang nakatanaw sa labas ng bintana. She was resting her chin at the back of her hand with her usual blank expression that had always puzzled me.

Suot pa rin namin ang aming formal attire. I was wearing a black tuxedo while Angelique, looking as splendid as always, was wearing a black lacey tube dress. Narito kami sa isang sasakyan paalis ng Royal University dahil sa mensahe na natanggap ni Angelique mula sa kanyang ama, walang iba kundi si haring Finnegan ng Ellesmere. Sa 'di malinaw na dahilan ay agad siyang pinababalik sa kanilang kaharian. Kaya naman saktong matapos ang last dance ay agad na kaming lumulan ng kotse paalis ng Royal University sa kalagitnaan ng gabi.

I smiled lopsidedly, "you're really valiant as always. I like that side of you."

Hindi na siya sumagot, subalit napansin ko ang bahagyang pamumula ng kanyang mga pisngi. It was rare for her to blush like that. But somehow, I found that reaction of hers fascinating. Minsan talaga namamangha na lang ako sa tuwing magpapakita siya ng mga hindi inaasahang reaksyon. Ganun pa man, hindi ko pa rin mawari kung ano ang iniisip niya. She had always been a mystery to me. And that had always challenged me.

Malayo-layo rin mula sa Royal University ang Kaharian ng Ellesmere kaya naman siguradong mahaba-haba pang oras ang lilipas bago kami makarating dito. Habang binabaybay namin ang daan patungo sa palasyo ay nagbalik tanaw ako sa araw kung kailan una kong nakilala si Angelique. My smile became wider because of the thought. It was her thirteenth birthday when the king, Angelica's father, introduced me to her as her personal bodyguard. It was my first time seeing her, and I must admit that I was instantaneously captivated by her beauty. She had a short, curly, blonde locks by then that eventually got longer as the years went by, and radiant, glowing fair skin. Her clear, azure eyes reflected her inner beauty. She might be secretive and acted violent at times, but deep inside she's truly a caring and loving person. It might be outlandish, but hitting or insulting a friend was a tough love for her. Bahagya na lamang akong nagpigil ng tawa nang maalala ko kung paano niya batukan ang mga kaibigan niya. Surely, she could also be funny at times.

Naputol na lamang ang pagninilay-nilay ko nang maramdaman kong huminto na ang sasakyan. Hudyat ito na nakarating na kami sa tapat ng palasyo. Agad akong bumaba mula sa sasakyan upang pumunta sa kabilang gilid ng kotse at pagbuksan ng pinto si Angelique. Nang makababa siya mula sa sasakyan ay isinuot sa kanya ng isang nag-aabang na maid ang isang korona, ang kanyang korona bilang isang prinsesa. Nang maayos na itong nakasuot sa kanya ay nagtama ang aming mga mata.

I gave her a crooked smile. "After you, my princess," I said politely that I accompanied with a slight bow.

"Stay close to me," she said dryly as she looked away.

"Your wish is my command, princess Angelique," I replied, unable to hide my teasing tone.

She rolled her eyes and walked toward the palace. The maids and the butlers were already lined up on the opposite sides of the gold carpet to greet Angelique. I chuckled a bit as I followed her inside. She had always hated it whenever I called her princess despite of her being one. It annoyed her for some reason. Basta sinabihan na lang niya ako na maaari ko lang siyang tawagin na princess Angelique kapag nasa kaharian lang kami ng Ellesmere. Isang butler ang lumapit sa amin at iginiya kami patungo sa silid kung saan kami dapat dumeretso. Habang naglalakad kami papunta rito, isang batang babae ang agad na sumalubong kay Angelique.

"Welcome back, princess Angelique," pormal na bati ni Rosangela, ang labing-limang taong gulang na kapatid ni Angelique. Nakasuot siya ng gown at korona na normal lang nilang kasuotan sa loob ng palasyo. Katulad ni Angelique ay blonde din ang buhok niya na namana nila sa kanilang ina subalit unat na unat ito. Sunod niya akong binalingan ng tingin at nahihiyang ngumiti, "as well as, sir Vance."