Zaril Chronicles 1: A Villain's Daughter

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 16

"We are willing to help," Princess Claudia said genuinely with a smile plastered on her face. "Our Kingdom possesses an enough number of battlers, and our wizards are well known all over the world because of their strength. We can defend your kingdom against the Megallanes. You have us."

I heaved a deep breath as relief sprang all over my system. Sa palagay ko'y sapat na ito. I didn't know but this princess really gained my trust that fast. She was so sincere...

King Hwan, Queen Analisa, Princess Claudia and I were seating around the oblong, round table inside the Queen's office. This meeting was really important. Dito nakasalalay ang kaligtasan ng kaharian.

"Bilang tagapayo ng Hari, anong masasabi mo roon, Binibining Szesca?" Analisa arched her brows at me.

Kanina, medyo nagulat siya nang malaman na ako ang naging tagapayo ng anak niya... but she was a professional. She processed it well fastly when Hwan explained to this Queen his wrong conclusions. Madaling napapaniwala ang reyna... but she was still kind of meanie to me.

"A-Ahm..." I cleared my throat.

Their eyes were all in me. Princess Claudia was looking at me through her genuine eyes with a sweet smile on her face; the Queen with a raised brow; and King Hwan in a worried look—he knew that I was not educated, and inside this room, he was the only one who knew that I was just a pretending adviser here. He was also the only one who's aware that I was a stepsister of him, and a stepdaughter of this freak Queen.

I was kind of nervous, but I still held my head high. "That's great. I-I mean, we all know that our Kingdom lacks in battlers and wizards. Our battling tools are weak... and our Kingdom is really-really poor." I gave Queen Analisa a plastic, sweet smile. "Our only problem now is... how could we evacuate the citizens of Zaril?"

Hwan gave me a proud smile... and the Queen's face creased in irritation.

"We all don't know when the Kingdom of Megallan will start to attack... and we also need to educate and evacuate all the citizens of Zaril before the war even begin," I said as I rested my elbow on the table and intertwined my fingers.

Buti na lang talaga at naadik ako dati sa english novels kaya nakakasabay ako sa english nila! Hindi halatang hindi ako nakapag-aral! I just needed to speak in a proud tone... it was really working.

"The threat says that they'll attack after the sun sets on Zaril Kingdom's birthday—that's next month." The Queen's tone was sour. "You don't know everything, Szesca."

"Your Majesty, words can be twisted easily." I sighed. "That threat was probably a lie. Our enemies are not fools. They won't say their plans to us."

"That's true," Princess Claudia seconded. "As early as we can, we need to evacuate the Zarilinos. They will probably attack earlier than we assume."

"Then we need to have a meeting with the Zarilinos," Analisa announced. "On Tuesday, the day before Princess Claudia leaves the kingdom, there will be a meeting. All of the Zarilinos should be present 'cause the evacuation must be executed neatly."

"Where?" Hwan uttered. "I mean, where will my citizens evacuate?"

That question killed the conversation away. The four of us went in silence, thinking for an effective solution. This problem was really huge. We need to be very careful.

"I know a place..." I stammered. "And I think, that place has the capability of holding all the citizens of Zaril. It maybe kind of small... but it can. Better than nowhere to depart at."