Royalties and Nobilities --- COMPLETED

CHAPTER 41: Their Family Breakfast!

KANDYCE

Ilang minuto pagkaalis ni Clive ay dumating ang dalawang maids na siyang pumatnubay sa akin kahapon ukol sa mga pasikot-sikot dito sa palasyo. Ako ang unang bumati sa kanila pagkapasok nila. And, for some reason, both of them seemed quite shocked and bashful at the same time. Hindi ba sila sanay na nababati ng good morning tuwing umaga? Pinakilala nila ang sarili nila bilang Keitha at Jessamy. Keitha was the one with the creative hairstyle and today, black curls framed her face as she wore her cap, while Jessamy's hair were all tucked away. Marahil ay dahil sila na yung nakasama ko kahapon at dahil na rin sa friendly aura nila kaya agad ko silang nakapalagayan ng loob. Ganun pa man, halatang seryoso sila sa pagdating sa trabaho nila lalo na nang simulan nila akong ayusan.

I moved into Clive's monstrous bathroom, every step echoing against the vastness of tile and glass. They helped me remove my clothes with care and ushered me toward the bath. Tumanggi ako sa tulong nila noong una. Hindi naman kasi ako sanay na magtanggal ng damit sa harapan ng ibang tao lalo na ang maging hubad. But when they insisted that it was their job to help me, I had no choice but to let them. Thankfully, mga babae naman sila kaya okay lang. Ngayon lang naman. As I bathe, they scrubbed my body because I apparently couldn't be trusted to do a good enough job on my own. Then every exposed bit of skin was covered with lotions and oils that left me smelling like strawberry, which according to Jessamy, who applied them, was Clive's favorite fruit. Tumaas ang isang kilay ko sa impormasyon na ito.

Strawberry, eh? Hmm...

Napagtanto ko na lang kung anong ibig sabihin ni Clive noong sinabi niyang 'they will polish me a bit'. He meant it literally. Because after the maids were done making me smooth and supple, attention was turned to my nails. They were trimmed and buffed. Sinabi ko sa kanilang huwag na nilang kulayan ang mga kuko ko. But they looked so disappointed that I told them they could do my toes. Keitha picked a nice neutral shade, so it wasn't too bad. Maging ang buhok ko binigyan din nila ng atensyon. They washed, conditioned, hydrated, and smoothed it professionally. Keitha pulled my hair up with some ribbons. They were pink which was my favorite color and it also just so happened to accent the flowers in the day dress that they brought for me. Lastly, they did my make-up. Hindi ako mahilig mag make-up kaya sinabi ko sa kanilang light lang ang ilagay nila. Pinagmasdan ako nila Keitha at Jessamy matapos. When they smiled at the results, I took that as a sign I was decent enough to leave for breakfast.

"Nasaan na yung picture frame rito?" tanong ko na lang nang mapansin ko na wala nang nakalagay sa ibabaw ng cabinet na malapit sa balkon.

Nagtinginan sila Keitha at Jessamy saka humagikgik. Si Jessamy ang sumagot. "Pinatanggal po ng Mahal na Prinsipe kaya inalis ko po kanina habang inaayusan kayo ni Keitha."

"Oh."

"Gusto niya po kasing maging komportable kayo rito sa palasyo hangga't maaari," dagdag naman ni Keitha at tinapunan ng makahulugang tingin si Jessamy.

Lihim akong napangiti. Ayos lang naman sa akin kahit hindi ipatanggal ni Clive yung larawan na yun sa ibabaw ng cabinet. Subalit ngayong wala na nga ito ay hindi ko akalaing gagaan ng ganito ang pakiramdam ko.

Sinabi sa akin nila Keitha at Jessamy na matatagalan pa raw si Clive bago siya makabalik sa silid niya dahil sa inaasikaso niya sa working room kaya nauna na akong pumunta sa dining room. Isa pang natutunan ko tungkol kay Clive: very busy siya kapag nandito siya sa palasyo nila. With bows and smiles, the maids wished me well as I went to leave. Ilang beses akong nagpakawala ng malalalim na hininga habang naglalakad. Tandang-tanda ko pa naman kung saan ang daan papunta sa dining room. Ang kaso, kinakabahan lang ako. Clive's parents, being the king and queen of the most known and powerful kingdom, was one thing, but meeting them like this for the second time alone was another. Nakakabaliw kaya sa kaba! Paano ako makikitungo sa parents niyang hari at reyna? Tapos sa family breakfast pa! At least noong una ko silang nakita, nasa party kami at kasama ko si Clive. This time was different. This encounter would be more intimate. WAAAA! Tatakbo na lang yata ako palayo rito! (Y^Y)