Battlefront

39- Dilemma

"Will you solemnly swear to govern the citizens of the continent of Blackbourne with utmost honesty and loyalty?"

Xandros was on his knees at the vestibule of the Blackbourne Castle. People surrounded him as Elca, the only general left, held the golden crown above his head.

"I solemnly promise," sinsero niyang sagot.

"Will you, to your utmost ability, maintain the laws and protect the well-being of the citizens of the continent of Blackbourne?"

"I will," sagot nanaman niya.

Ilang beses na niyang narinig ang lahat ng ito na kaya niyang sumagot kahit hindi nakikinig. Si Nemorah kasi, kung makapag-utos na kailangan n'yang mag-practice ng 'I will" ay daig pa terror na sundalo.

At dahil d'yan, dahan-dahan siyang kinakain ng boredom. Kaya naman hindi sinasadyang lumipad na sa kung saan-saan ang utak n'ya.

He looked at Tiana under his lashes. At katulad n'ya ay mukhang bored na rin ito. Sa kawalan nanaman kasi ito nakatingin.

Si Nemorah naman ay nakatayo sa tabi ni Tiana. Kakaiba ang isang ito. Alert na alert sa seremonya at nakasuot ng fluffy na puting gown. Mukhang ang kati tingnan ng ruffles sa buong katawan nito. Nang mamataan siya nitong hindi nakikinig sa mga pinagsasabi ni Elca ay agad siyang sinamaan ng tingin nito. Oh well, s'ya lang yata ang hari na under the saya ng citizen.

He ignored her glares though. Sunod niyang tiningnan ang grupo nina Keira, his ex-Sentry bodyguards and their families. Now they found a home here in Blackbourne and Xandros swore he would take care of them.

Lois, she was a big help to them. She proved that she wasn't planning to betray Tiana or any of them.

The mortal tourists were also there. He promised them that they would not be harmed anymore. That they could go home safe and sound. All they had to do was keep their secret a secret. Blackbourne should not be known as the land of the vampires but a land good for vacation and sightseeing.

And Bryce. Two days ago, they thought he was going to die. Muntik na itong mapugutan ng ulo but Lois was just around the corner and cast a spell to kill the enemy. He didn't even know that he was five seconds away from death until Keira attacked him with a tight embrace.

Napakunut-noo si Xandros nang muling tiningnan si Tiana. Akala n'ya si Bryce ang nasa vision nito dahil sa mahigpit nitong bilin sa kaibigan na mag-ingat. Pero hindi.

Kung gan'on, sino?

"Ehem!" naramdaman ni Xandros ang pasimpleng pagsipa ni Elca sa kanya kaya napabalik dito ang atensyon n'ya.

"I will," bigla niyang sabi kaya natawa ang mga naroon. Mahina nga lang at nagpipigil.

"What did you say?" bulong niya kay Elca.

"I didn't ask you anything," pabulong ding sagot nito.

Napangiwi na lang siya. Wala naman pala eh may patikhim-tikhim pang nalalaman.

"Mabuhay ang mahal na hari! King Alexandros!" sigaw ng mga mamamayan nang natapos ang seremonya after five hours.

Five hours!

People welcomed and accepted him with warm hearts and he swore to protect them at all times. Uunahin n'ya ang mga ito before himself.

Later that day, he appointed Keira to be one of the new generals. The other three would be chosen by Elca dahil ito naman ang may alam kung sino ang karapat-dapat mabigyan ng promotion.

He didn't want advisers so he didn't bother to look into this matter.

And he opened the fancy supermarket for everyone. The rich didn't have a choice kahit na may ibang umalma. The store was owned by the government. It should be enjoyed by everyone.