Flademian Monarchy 10: Hendrick The Great Prince

VI

"I'm proud of you, anak. Are you okay though?" The Queen asked Hendrick. He sighed and gave his mother a slight nod. Hindi niya batid kung ano ang kanyang nararamdaman ngayon ngunit sa wakas at nagawa na niya ang kanyang nararapat na gawin.

Kaninang umaga ay nakapagpa-press conference na siya at sinabi sa madla ang tunay na istado ng kanilang relasyon ngayon ni Robyn. He told the press that it has been couple of months now since he and Robyn decided to go to on the paths of their lives, separately. Of course, the media went wild.

Hindi na niya masyado pang binigyan pa ng detalye ang mga nangyari at sa halip ay humingi na lamang siya ng pang-unawa at respeto sa mga ito para sa kanyang pang-pribadong buhay. He didn't even answer their follow-up questions apart from whether who was the reason why he and Robyn broke up.

Hindi na sana niya sasagutin pa ang tanong na iyon ngunit kaya nga't nagpatawag siya ng press ay para hindi na maulit pa ang nangyaring gulo ng dahil sa isang article sa isang pahayagan.

He told them that Ava was not the reason why they broke up. He just said that it was Ava's birthday and he was happened to be at the nearby place at the time so decided to join the Brenton's family, together with his younger brother and his family. That he just really enjoyed the small gathering and drank too much alcohol for he never really had a chance to do that before.

He felt guilty by saying that but it was partly true. Sa tingin niya, tama na siguro ang sinabi niyang iyon sa press. Kung naniniwala man ang mga ito sa kanyang dahilan, hindi siya sigurado ngunit umaasa siyang hindi na muli pang gagambalain ng mga ito ang buhay ni Ava. Again, he sighed.

"The more you grow old, anak, the more you look like my father. I know, you'd be a great king, too someday." Napalingon siya kanyang ina. Mataman itong nakatingin sa kanya, tipid ang ngiti bagaman umaabot iyon sa mga mata nito.

When he was younger, everyone used to him he looked exactly like his father, Wilson, and the late King, George, his grandfather. Siguro nga habang nagkaka-edad siya ay mas nagiging kamukha niya ngayon ang kanyang lolo. Hendrick held both of his mother's hands.

"I don't wanna be King, Ma."

"Excuse me?" Nakanunot ang noo nito bagaman nakangiti parin sa kanya.

"The more I realize it, the more I don't want to have the crown."

"Anak, there's nothing we can do about it. Ikaw ang susunod sa 'kin. When I die-"

"-That's very reason why I don't want it, Ma." Bigla niyang inakap ang kanyang ina. Hindi niya akalaing magiging emosyonal siya sa pag-uusap nilang iyon. "I'm willing to to work hard on your behalf, forever. By your side. But I also know that I cannot lead this country without you. Ayoko. Hindi ko kaya. I don't even wanna think about it right now." Humiwalay siya sa kanyang ina at hinaplos naman nito ang kanyang mukha. Muli, binigyan siya nito ng tipid na ngiti.

"You are my greatest pride, anak. And the whole Flademian country is lucky to have you as their crown prince. You're the best son anyone could ask for. Of all the things that have happened before, I don't think I could ever make it if you weren't born. Ikaw ang milagro ko. Everyday, I thank God for giving me you." Sabi nito sa kanya. He felt beyond overwhelmed.

That feeling when his mother said those words to him, it brought him an immeasurable pride to be called her son. Iyon na siguro ang pinakamataas na karangalang maari niyang makamtam para sa kanyang sarili.

"Thank you, Ma. I just pray that whatever the future holds, I want you to be there with me."

" Of course, anak. I will be there " Muli niyang inakap ang kanyang ina. "Ang tanda na ng baby namin. Alam mo bang apat kaming nanay mo ang nag-aagawan sayo noon." Nagkatawanan silang mag-ina. Ang iba pang mga 'nanay' niyang tinutukoy nito ay ang kanyang mga tiyahin na sina Aunty Jessica, Auntie Tory at ang kanyang Aunt Cassidy. He smiled remembering those three. Naaalala rin niya kung paano siya alagaan ng mga ito noon. He was very fortunate to have them all in his life.